Page 59 of Healed
“Why’d you give her a debit card, Remi?” Daniel demanded.
“She was having trouble paying her bills, I helped her out. You’d have done the same if that’s what Mom needed when you first met her!”
“You telling me this girl is your mate?”
“No! Cristie is my mate, but we all know what happened with that! Wasn’t enough that I lost Bailey, I couldn’t even have Cristie! Then when I find somebody that truly cares about me, nobody will even give her a chance to join our family!”
Daniel stood across from his son, calling on every bit of control he had not to hit him. “Let’s bring this to an end before I lose my patience with you. And let me for the sake of clarity here, state that I fully understand why Brandt knocked the fuck out of you. You’re a dumb ass!”
“I…”
“Shut your mouth and listen!” Daniel bellowed, his Dragon clear and present in his eyes.
Remi snapped his mouth shut and glared at his father, not particularly liking what his father was saying, but smart enough not to poke the stronger Dragon inside him.
“You are so far into your pity party that you can’t see anything clearly. You have lost so much of who you are in yourdeepest soul that you are craving approval from anybody, and let me tell you this girl you chose is not the answer. You loved Bailey, but then you found your mate and it threw you for a loop. I know there was confusion, there was guilt, and I understand where all of that came from. But what you’ve failed to realize is that Bailey loved you, too. She didn’t just cut you loose. She chose to let go so you wouldn’t feel guilt about walking away from her to be where you truly belonged.”
“Cristie didn’t want me, and Bailey walked away anyway!” Remi exclaimed.
“Bailey walked away so you wouldn’t have to deal with the responsibility of leaving her. She did it, so you wouldn’t have to carry that! How do you go from a girl like that to this fucking drain on society?!” Daniel demanded.
“Don’t go there, not now,” Remi said. “I asked her to marry me. We’re engaged.”
“You just enjoy digging fucking holes, don’t you?” Daniel asked.
“You don’t understand,” Remi said, his voice quieter than it had been.
“Yeah, I do. You’re looking for acceptance, approval. You’re looking for the love you have convinced yourself you’ve been cheated out of. You’ve convinced yourself that neither Bailey, nor Cristie cared enough to fight for you. Simple truth is that Bailey put your happiness before her own. That’s love. And she deserves that kind of love in return. You owe her a debt of gratitude for putting you first. And Cristie didn’t shut you down. She understood you were struggling and gave you room. She also told you she wouldn’t wait forever. You didn’t pursue her. She went home. YOU let her slip away.”
Remi shook his head, signaling he was still in denial.
“You can shake your head all you want, but it’s the truth. Then you’re going to resent everybody else in your clan becausehow dare they have mates when you have nobody. What kind of family or friend does that make you when you can’t even be happy for the people you love? The people that love you? What happened to you, Remi? You have always been the most steadfast. The kindest. The most caring and generous. And now you’re a drunk.”
“I’m not stupid, Dad! It’s not like I’m using drugs!”
“I didn’t say you were stupid. But your behavior is stupid. I did say you’re a dumb ass, and I stand by that. Alcohol is a drug. It’s addictive, and it can ruin a person’s life. You’re very close to going so far over the edge that you’re going to lose everything. Don’t do that, Remi. I’m begging you. Open your eyes. Get your head out of your ass. Stop drinking. Rethink everything from a different point of view. You chose not to claim Cristie, so she went home alone. She didn’t deny you. You denied her. Bailey didn’t turn her back on you to hurt you. She walked away because she loved you. It was her gift to you. Show her she made the right decision.”
Remi was no longer looking at his father, he was staring off in the distance, his jaw clenched, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he dealt with emotions he’d rather not have to deal with.
“Brandt is torn up over having to put you out. Yeah, y’all came to blows. Yeah, you pushed him too far. He’s your Alpha. You cannot treat him the way you did and expect him to pretend it didn’t happen. You swore your allegiance, then you blame him and everybody else for the mess you’ve made out of your life. You’re lucky it wasn’t Kaid you were dealing with. You’d be out period. Brandt is still hoping you find your way back.”
“I’m hurting,” Remi whispered angrily.
“I know you are. But this ain't the way to handle it.”
The front door opened and Olivia flounced out. She’d obviously been inside furiously preparing herself with makeupand the perfect outfit to present herself to the hunk of man that was apparently Remi’s father. She clipped down the front walk toward where they talked at the street in a pair of three inch heels, her shortest shorts and a crop top that left nothing at all to the imagination. Her hair was piled high on her head, and her makeup was perfection. It really was, the girl could manipulate some makeup. “Hi,” she said, smiling flirtatiously. “I’m Olivia. I can’t believe you’re Remi’s dad! You look like you could be his older brother!” she said, then gave a little giggle, as she twirled a strand of hair around her bright pink and purple nails.
Daniel looked at her, then turned his face to Remi. “Do you see this shit?”
“Yeah,” Remi said, his voice barely audible.
“You got some thinking to do. And you have some decisions to make. Your mother and I have asked Brandt not to buy your house and land back from you. We’re pretty sure this one,” Daniel said, stabbing his finger toward Olivia, “would burn right through that money, too, if given half a chance.”
Remi swung his irritated gaze toward his father.
“You deserve better, Remi. Please. Please! Consider making some changes before it’s too late.”
Remi just barely inclined his head.
