Page 73 of Choosing My Happiness
“He’s mine in my heart,” I replied. “I celebrate his birthday every year. Same as my brother and sister.”
She lifted her head and kissed my cheek. “He was named after you. You’re the only James worth naming my kids after.”
I smiled, my heart swelling with her admission.
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Chapter 52: Jim
Daisy left the next day, after spending the night in my guest room again. I respected her decision to not take things further, even though it was fucking hard. She drove herself back to the city, and I checked in on her from work. The rest of the week was an exercise in renewing my belief that hell existed. It was being away from her.
I spent the week yelling at contractors during the day and pounding the boxing bags after work, in between messaging Daisy when I could, just to take the edge off. It hadn’t worked. It just made me tired, and lonely. I needed this divorce shit over and done with so I could keep her in my arms permanently.
Janie finally put her foot down on my grumpiness. She ordered me to get myself over to the clubhouse tonight, instead of wallowing in my misery. So I put on my kutte, sent an ‘I love you’ message to Daisy that she could read while she wasworking, and rode my bike to the clubhouse. I rode Granddad’s bike. It reminded me of the ride with Daisy. When we finally move in together, I’ll get her a bike of her own. A ride fit for a queen.
The clubhouse was pumping when I arrived. Bluey, of all things, was playing through the speakers. The kids were obviously still in charge, but that would change as the night came rolling in.
I walked in and sat at the bar and someone pushed a beer in front of me. I looked at it carefully. I wasn’t too sure that this would be a good idea, not with the mood I’d been in lately.
“Hey, look who finally got his mopey head out of his ass.” The large hand that clapped my shoulder didn’t match the voice that was heckling me. It didn’t matter. Where you got one, you got the other.
“Hey Horse. Hey Bear.” I sighed. Horse grinned and stole the beer, which was replaced immediately.
“How’s Daisy?” Bear asked quietly in his deep voice. I looked at him. He raised an eyebrow, but his eyes were concerned, not accusing, and his hand hadn’t left my shoulder.
“She’s quite something, you know,” Horse muttered. “You’re a very lucky bastard.”
I couldn’t help the smirk that crawled onto my face. Looks like I could start to claim her after all, just a little.
“I know.” I lifted the beer bottle and smugly poured the liquid past my lips. Bear chuckled and dropped his hand from my shoulder.
I sighed, looking around and feeling at ease now. The club was full. It seemed that everyone came out tonight. I could see out the windows, kids climbing over the playground equipment. Bull and Dozer were walking around an area out the back together. I guessed the pool was being discussed. Inside, Tinkerwas standing with his arm around a young slip of a girl, talking animatedly with a group of people.
I frowned. That was weird. That was the same girl that Daisy called her sister. Why was she with Tinker?
“Heads up boys,” I muttered. Bear stiffened.
“What’s going on?” Horse asked in a low voice.
“That girl.” I thrust my chin towards Tinker and the girl. “That’s Daisy’s half-sister.”
Horse gave a low whistle. “Blaze gave her a few laps before Daisy came home the first time,” he muttered.
“I know, Daisy caught them,” I said distractedly. I was looking for Molly. This was a volatile situation.
Horse snort-laughed.
I shook my head, on alert. “Prospect! Get Bull in here,” I snapped at a passing kid. The kid rushed out.
I missed clocking Maisey. She was the one who was about to set a lighter to the emotional dynamite that was building in the room, hurrying back from across the other side of the clubhouse with Dylan in her arms. She passed Molly going the other way.
Maisey’s voice was at full excited volume. She could easily be heard over the noise of the crowd.
“She’s your daddy’s cousin, and she’s just come for a visit. I didn’t know my sister had a girl, so it’s really exciting, and I want you to meet her!” Maisey was saying to Dylan as she approached Tinker and the girl. They both turned around as Maisey approached. Blaze followed his Mom and son with a frustrated look on his face. He looked tired, like he had been sleeping rough.
“Dylan, meet Amber. She’s my niece, and your daddy’s cousin,” Maisey announced. Dylan gave her an exasperated look that only a three-year-old can successfully give. His eyes paused on the verge of rolling, though.
“I know Aunty Amber already. She’s Poppy’s kid! He didn’t want her, so he told her mommy to go away, like mine did. Can I go now?” He glared at her and then Amber. “I gotta go an’ dig wif D2. It’s ‘portant.”
