Page 78 of Restless
“You got it covered, Bailey.”
Her face crumpling, Mommie swallowed.
Though Harley didn’t eat much, everyone else finished their meal in silence. Since it was Saturday, the boys left the table and headed to their music room.
“Nardo invited me out to the movies tomorrow,” Harley announced. She smiled at her father. “I told him I’d ask you and Mommie.”
Shoving his chair back, Daddy rose to his feet. “That’s between you and Bailey, Harley.” He bent and brushed his lips over Mommie’s lips. “Boy having a poker match at his club,” he said, referring to the president of the Night Flyers, one of the bigger Black MCs in the area. “I bought a seat at the table, so don’t wait up for me.”
Tears rushed to Mommie’s eyes, and regret washed over Daddy’s face but he backed away.
“Seriously, Daddy?” Harley screeched, jumping to her feet, and rushing to block her father’s exit. “You’re butt hurt that Mommie defended me over that backstabber so you’re ruining your marriage?”
“Harley, thank you for defending me, but this is between your father and I.”
“You’re making overtures, Mommie! Daddy is ignoring each one.” Folding her arms, she lifted her chin. Memories of how the waitress, Symphony, flirted with Daddy flashed through Harley’s mind. “Or are you taking CJ’s side because you’re like him? He’s cheating with MollyandJaleena, and you’re cheating with Symphony?”
A smorgasbord of emotions marched across her father’s face: anger, hurt, disgust.
Mommie rushed over. Instead of outrage directed at Daddy, she glared at Harley.
“I saidenough, Harley. If I didn’t know about the incident you referred to, it could’ve caused even more damage.”
“He’sthe reason for the damage,” she said, pointing to her father. “He’s not talking to you because you defended me.”
“Harley,” Daddy growled, but Mommie cut him off.
“He’s not talking to me because I wrongly didn’t defend him against your accusations. I allowed him to feel inferior and unworthy.” Although she was looking at Harley, Mommie was speaking to Daddy. “He’s my best friend.”
Daddy snorted and mystifying shame crossed Mommie’s face.
“I’m so sorry, Lucas. It never occurred to me that I was cutting you out of my professional life.”
“It’s okay, Bailey,” Daddy said with a sad sigh. “You worked your ass off to get your own practice. You’ve written in academic journals, given expert testimony and consultation. You have four associates under you. You don’t want me around, tarnishing your image in my cut, dreads, and jeans. It’s cool, pretty girl. That’s why I didn’t pressure you. When you got rid of Shanice, I saw which way the tide was turning. She didn’t fit your aesthetic at the office and neither do I.”
“That isn’t true! I love you. I’m proud to be your wife.”
“I don’t doubt your love for me, Bailey. It’s your respect for me that’s questionable.”
“Lucas—”
Daddy shook his head. “No, pretty girl. You don’t have to deny it. No matter which side your loyalties lay in this situation between Harley and CJ, when she called me a worthless piece of shit, your silence cosigned her sentiment.”
Harley gasped. “I never called you a worthless piece of shit.”
“It wouldn’t have hurt as much if you had, Harley.” Daddy looked at Mommie again. “That’s when I started thinking about our life since you moved your practice to Portland.”
“And you called Momma,” Mommie said in a small, tearful voice.
“Prez not fit to talk to a goldfish. Digger overwhelmed with helping Bunny out. Kendall catatonic because Johnnie a fuckhead.” Daddy rubbed the back of his neck. “He stormed out. I think he staying near Hortensia General. I just don’t know why.”
“What?”
“Don’t sweat it, Bailey. Club business.” He bowed his head. “And Meggie don’t need to listen to my problems. I only had Roxanne.”
“Lucas, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Bailey. You my everything, but I just don’t think I’m enough—”
