Page 93 of Choosing My Happiness
“Molly was always crazy, you just didn’t realise it,” Shaquilla snorted.
I sank down into a crouch on her doorstep. The agony that I was losing Daisy was dragging me down.
“Please Shaquilla, I can’t lose her. Will your cousin help me?” It was getting harder to breathe through my panic.
“Blaze.” Shaquilla’s voice sounded soft and remorseful. “My cousin is Darcy Emerson. He’s representing Daisy. You’ve got no hope.”
A sob erupted out of me. I fell forward onto my knees. It couldn’t be true. Daisy was divorcing me.
65
Chapter 65: Blaze
I slowly pulled up in the driveway. Dylan hadn’t woken up, despite my theatrics, and Shaquilla had quietly supervised my breakdown. Then she’d let me into her home and fed me until she was sure that I was stable enough to ride home. I wasn’t sure I was fine, but she was, so she sent me on my way.
The ride back was lonely. I didn’t push the negative feelings back like I should have, like Matchstick taught me. I let my sorrow envelop me. Daisy didn’t want me. She’d moved on.
I pushed open the kitchen door. Mom was sitting at the table, waiting with a cup of tea in her hands, and another beside her.
“I don’t care what your father thinks. I like Shaquilla. She’s a good woman,” Mom said softly. The words hung in the air for a moment as I stood in the door. Then Mom sighed.
“I heard what happened at the club tonight. I’m happy for Daisy. You were never good enough for her. Despite the wishes of your father and Matchstick.”
I stared at her. “Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?” I demanded.
She shook her head and took a sip. “You’re not the only one who messed up. Your father and I made a big mistake letting that man into the family, me connecting with Molly over miscarriages. By the time we realized it, it was too late for you. But we got Daisy. She was worth it.” Mom paused. “Until she left. Then it was agony. We’d lost both of you.”
“What do you mean? I’m right here!” I demanded.
“I’m not proud of the man you’ve become. You cheat on your wife, almost abandon one son, and leave the other one to die, and then forget it all ever happens,” she continued in a soft drone. “I’ve done the same, but I can’t anymore. I have to face the fact that I’m ashamed of you.” Her voice broke.
“Mom, I, what?”
Mom dropped her head and sniffed. “I can’t do this any more,” she sighed. “You have to wake up to yourself. Daisy’s not coming back. It’s time to move on. It’s time to grow up, Blaze. Only you can do that.” She rose as she spoke her last words, and tucked her dressing gown around her.
“Mom, I’m going to get her back, you’ll see.” I held out my hand to stop her.
She looked at me sadly. “Give it up, Blaze.”
She stepped around me and left the room.
66
Chapter 66: Daisy
Jim led me out of the clubhouse and to the bikes, where he unlocked his helmet and held it out to me. I eyed it suspiciously.
“Don’t you want to ride with me?” he hummed.
“So, so much,” I admitted.
“Then what’s the issue?”
“Jim, I’m an emergency room nurse. I know what injuries are sustained in a crash. You need to be the one wearing the helmet.”
Jim chuckled and stepped closer to me, holding the helmet behind me.
“One,” he said, holding it over my head, “you are precious cargo, and I’m going to ride like I’m carrying a goddamn case of gold behind me.” He slipped the helmet on, then tightened the chin strap. “There is no two. You are and have always been the most important to me.”
