Page 71 of Choosing My Happiness
I bit my tongue to stop responding. Matchstick did die a slow death. I’m not sure it was painful. Pretty sure the hospital would have had him on painkillers for that. Fuck, my life was turning into such a fucking mess.
“So, why is Mom sleeping with Dylan?” I asked. “Why isn’t she here talking or packing to go see Aunt Lacey?”
Dad’s face dropped. “Lacey died a year ago. She had cancer,” he said sadly. “Your mom is grieving. She missed the rest of Lacey’s life, and will never see her again. All because of some Asshole who couldn’t keep it in his pants and stay faithful to his wife. Poor woman that she is, I hope she’s in the dark as well. I’d hate to be the one to break it to her that her husband has a kid she doesn’t know about.”
I swallowed carefully, humming in response.
Dad sighed. “Amber’s coming back next weekend. I’m going to introduce her to the club. See if any of the boys can remember Lacey. Maybe work out who her dad is. I think it’ll be someone associated with the club in some way. Lacey did like the bikers, but she knows we would have looked after her if we knew, so I don’t think it’s anyone actually in the club.” He drained the lastof the bottle and tapped the table like he was at the clubhouse bar.
“I’m off. We’ll look after Dylan tonight, and you can have him back tomorrow.” He stood up, nodded to me, and walked out.
I put my fork down on my plate and ran my hands over my face. I vaguely remembered Aunt Lacey. She was a teacher, and I remember her babysitting me during the nights where Mom would help Dad with getting his qualifications. She often would spend the night playing cars with me while Matchstick watched on, and then send me to bed. I had thought he was there to provide protection against monsters, but I’m guessing not.
I shut down that thought guiltily. Matchstick was my mentor, not a creep. He wouldn’t have been there just to fuck Lacey, would he? Nah, he didn’t chase ass, they chased him. He wouldn’t have used me to get closer to my aunt. I’m sure of it, maybe. Fuck!
51
Chapter 51: Jim
Sending a prospect to help Daisy with getting discharged was hell. I hated myself for leaving her. I hated not being there for her. I hated that I’d palmed her off on a kid, but I had to. I was too angry, the rage too strong, and I knew I was going to lose control if I didn’t let the emotions out. I just hoped she’d forgive me. Looking back at how she forgave the treatment from her own family so far, I suspected that I would be. I just wasn’t going to take it for granted.
The most beautiful and strong woman that I knew was treated like a doormat. The most selfless and caring woman was given no respect and care forherself. Everyone that should have cared for her dismissed her. It was amazing that she had grown to be who she was.
I pulled into the florist after my session at the gym. Shaquilla was outside restocking the display. She lifted an eyebrow when I removed my helmet.
“Well hello, Midwife. To what do I owe the pleasure? I’m hoping you’re not here to tell me to stay away from Blaze because his ol’lady is back, like the others?” She spoke with a lot of snark, her top lip twitching up into a sneer. I snorted in response. Apart from her bad taste in men, she was pretty good friends with Blaze, even taking Dylan one night a week for him. The woman was a good person. I’d seen her take on teenagers who were struggling, and give them jobs, food, and clothes. She maintained a gruff exterior, which was hard to do for someone so young.
“It doesn’t sound like the ol’lady wants Blaze. Pretty sure your cousin is the one responsible for helping the ol’lady give Blaze his marching orders.” I reached out and touched a petal on the flowers in front of me. Shaquilla gave me a calculated look.
“How is Darcy?” I asked politely.
“Good,” she replied suspiciously. I nodded and looked over the rest of the flowers on offer.
“Why are you here?” she asked with a subtle lift of her chin. “If not to tell me to back off.”
I flashed her a grin. “I hear you’re good at apology bouquets,” I told her. “I need something small that won’t get damaged on the bike.”
She groaned. “Fuck sake, Midwife, you’re supposed to be one of the good ones.” She then huffed and walked past me into the shop. “Well, hurry up.”
I was poised to defend myself and tell Shaquilla that the only thing I did wrong was not being where I was supposed to, but then decided against it. That reasoning sounded bad, and besides, it was only Daisy’s opinion that mattered.
“So what do you need to apologize for?” Shaquilla busied herself in front of the fridge of flowers. “Club business taking over? You got drunk with Bull and ran naked in front of her parents?”
I laughed.Wouldn’t that be a sight?
I stepped into the shop and looked around. There were little Teddy bears with love hearts, candles, delicate vases and containers. I stopped by a little red teddy bear and looked at it. I knew I had to get it. “Love you forever” was stretched across its tummy.
“Uh, Shaquilla. I think I’ll get this instead.” I reached for the bear.
She rolled her eyes with a smile, and slunk around the counter. “You’re a bit of a softy, aren’t you?”
“She needs it. I need it. I need her to know that,” I admitted.
“Well, it will travel better in the bag.” She chuckled. “So, when did you meet?”
“Four years ago, when her husband chose to fuck another woman instead of looking after her and her baby,” I said quietly. I watched the realization spread across her face.
Her head shot up. I pressed my finger to my lips and winked. The fire returned to her eyes.
