Page 57 of Choosing My Happiness
There he was, his wrap-around sunglasses hiding his eyes, and his face flushed after a good ride. I remembered the day I asked him if I could marry Daisy. He had grinned like I’d offered him the fire captain’s helmet. He’d told me yes of course, then turned serious. He warned me to treat her right. I could go and have fun, but always wrap it up, no questions asked, and come home to her every night. Also, never ever forget a gift to remind her that she’s my ol’lady, the only one allowed on the back of my bike, and my someone special.
“Never pass it up, but never forget about her. And always wrap it up,” I murmured the advice. I’d followed it. Only had oneoopsmoment with the wrapping. But that would work out. It always did.
I stepped away from the wall and my memories, somehow ending up next to Molly. She still had tears streaming down her face. I would have thought she’d run out by now.
“Thank you, Blaze. He’s home now. This is where he wanted to be.”
I slung my arm around her shoulders. “Come on, Molly,” I said fondly, “let’s go drink to this man’s memory.”
Molly smiled and nodded, slipping out to trot to the bar. I followed her and grabbed a beer.
“To Matchstick,” I said, and Molly clinked her glass against my bottle.He’s probably already fucking the angels,I thought.
37
Chapter 37: Jim
I stood looking at all the people in the clubhouse. We’d been here a while, and I could see Molly holding court with a group of ol’ladies at one table. Janie had organized some of the younger ones to help Crackers with the food spread out on the bar and some central tables. He’d also called in some of his paid employees from his catering company. It was a real party of a send off, just like Matchstick would’ve wanted. But I couldn’t see Daiz. I wondered if she was even here.
She looked furious at the funeral. And I knew she had every right to be. It wasdisappointingthat Molly was favoring Blaze over her own daughter. But from what I’d seen, it was normal family dynamics for them. Molly didn’t appreciate what an amazing woman her daughter had grown into. I wasn’t happy with Molly’s blindness. Daisy deserved better. But there was nothing I could do about it. Not yet. But once we were out,I’d certainly have a word with Molly. Daisy definitely deserved better treatment from her own mother.
It was getting harder to wait until I could offer that support to Daisy publicly. I wanted to hold her today, to offer comfort, somehow hold her together and make her feel appreciated and worthwhile. I was grateful and jealous that Granny and the kids could do it so easily, and the same with Horse and Bear, for protecting Daisy when I couldn’t. I was surprised that Daisy was so close with Shaquilla. I thought she was only friends with Blaze.
It was a big day for Daisy, and lots of emotions would have surfaced…I sighed. I was lying to myself. I wasn’t wanting to just look out for Daisy. I needed to see Daisy for my own selfish reasons. I needed to be sure she was okay, so that I could be. I felt broken when she looked broken.
I stepped into Bull’s office and made a call to Daisy. The phone connected on the first ring, but there was only silence.
“Daiz?”
I heard a sigh. “I can’t do this anymore. She’s—” Daisy took an audible breath. “She’s a two-faced, lying, pretentious, fucking bitch! She’s more concerned with keeping up appearances in her fake dream life than seeing what’s going on in her own fucking family!” Daisy snapped. It sounded like she was gritting her teeth and forcing each word through the gaps.
“I take it you’re not here at the wake,” I replied.
I heard her chuckle and then sob. “No.”
“Are you okay?”
“No. No, Jim, I’m not. I’m so fucking angry and betrayed.” She drew a deep breath. “I want to go home, or I want to go to my apartment in the city and climb into bed, and forget that I ever had a family. I’m getting the message loud and clear that I’m not wanted.” She sniffed.
“I want you,” I said simply.
She sobbed. “You’re just about the only one who does.”
“I think Janie and Bull and the kids would disagree. And by the looks of those two pissed off bikers that were standing with you before the service, there’s a few more people around you than you realize,” I explained. She resounded with some more sobs, then let out a shaky sigh.
“Can you come and get me? And take me somewhere hidden. I need to be held by you,” she whispered.
“Where are you? I’ll take you wherever you want,” I said.
I heard her take a shaky breath, and then she told me where she was hiding.
“Okay, tough girl. I’ll be there soon,” I reassured her.
“Thank you, Jim. I love you.”
My grin crept across my face. I’ll never get tired of hearing those words jump-start my heart into a new rhythm.
“I love you too, and anytime, My Queen,” I replied as the office door opened and Bull’s heavy boot stepped in.
