Page 18 of Gunner

I hang up before skidding out of the clubhouse, managing to catch up with the others, knowing I just fucking panicked her.

When we all rush into the reception area of the emergency room, Leah comes through a different door, making me frown with confusion before we hear the painful cries of a woman. I

see Leah's eyes widen as she rushes through the double brown doors,

“SOPHIE” she shouts, and we all follow.

We all watch as Ink takes his woman into his arms as she falls apart.

Leah tries to rush over to her, but I grab her so she doesn't get hurt, making her hit out at me. Ink screams for someone to sedate Sophie while she screams for her mother in absolute gut-wrenching pain before Meghan sticks a needle in Sophie's neck, causing her to go limp. Ink puts her on the gurney that was provided when we all look at Doc. He looks at Ink before flashing his eyes towards Leah, concern shining through them as he tells us, Ashley, that Sophie's momma is braindead after trying to commit suicide by taking several pills.

Leah falls to the ground in gut-wrenching screams, and I quickly catch her, her sobs echoing through the room. Dagger looks at her with concern and confusion, and I must admit, even I'm confused. I understand Sophie's friend, but she's acting like she's just lost a parent. I shake my head about to tell her to pull it together for her friend, but I don't get the chance when she pushes me away, following Ink and Doc. We all follow, as well as Ink having a quiet word with Ashley, who currently has a tube down her throat, the machine breathing for her as Leah climbs onto the fucking bed with her, putting her head on the woman's shoulder and sobbing for her to come back before Doc clears his throat.

We expect him to make her move, but instead, he looks at us,

"Let's give her some privacy, yeah."

We all furrow our brows but nod, and I look at a sobbing Leah one more time who's holding onto Ashley like she's her lifeline before leaving, going into the hallway to wait for her, not noticing a devastating Sophie walk in, pulling the plug on her own mother.

Chapter 7

Leah – present day

I stand in my gray bedroom in front of my oval mirror. I have bags under my eyes, but that's a given. My hair is down, and I'm wearing a baggy black flowy dress to hide my 17-week bump that is getting larger by the day. I don't know how I've managed to get this far in the pregnancy, but I have, although Sarah has said the survival rate hasn't changed. I guess it helps that I'm now working at Tots Café in Rivers End, a town over from the MC, instead of being overworked and stressed working for them.

Gunner ended up smashing a chair against the wall when I took the letter of resignation to him, effective immediately. Called me a shellfish bitch for leaving them in the lurch, but I just shrugged and walked out. I’m done with him.

I look at the time.

7:45 am

Time to go.

Looking back in the mirror once more, I grab my coat and bag and head to the freaking clubhouse because, of course, that's what Ink decided was best even for the wake, despite momma Anderson wanting her wake at the Hudson Lake, and now I have to sit with all these people who don't like me, avoid my foster parents like the plague because clearly, nothing I do will makethem proud, it seems as though their true colors have shone through, and I have to be near 'him'.

Sighing, I lock up my new flat before heading to my car. The guys had packed up all of Sophie's stuff a week ago, not caring for the mess they left behind for me. I cleaned the place from top to bottom before I handed in my keys to the landlord without anyone knowing, including Doc. I had already signed a lease for this place before Momma Anderson left us; it's close to my job and closer to my school. The only reason I'm going back to Parkerville is for Sophie and only her. After today, I won't be back; she'll have to come here.

Well, that's only if she wants to anyway; our friendship has strained a lot lately.

I make it to the clubhouse gates within an hour, and Shane lets me in reluctantly; he narrowed his eyes when I pulled up, not wanting to open the gates for me. I shake my head and pull up in an empty space before heading inside. Everyone looks at me with raised brows, but I just keep my head held high. They've become staler with me since I quit the bar, but I don't care; I'm not here for them; I'm here for my friend.

I notice Ink in his doorway, and he gives me a small smile, but I don't return it.

He suggested I maybe sit out the funeral because of the hostile environment that Cara and 'he' had created by spreading crap about me and the MC believing it, to which I nearly hit Ink. Doc had to hold me back while his eyes widened. These people don't get to dictate shit to me when momma Anderson and Sophie are MY family.

She wouldn't even be back with him if it wasn't for me, so in my eyes, he's a selfish bastard.

He tilts his head, his eyes showing apologies, but I just shake my head at him when Mel grips me into a hug before Dagger joins her and hugs me too, but I ignore him as she pulls away a little.

"How are you?"

I just shrug and give her a little smile while Dagger squeezes my hand, making me look at him. Sorrow shines through his eyes, and I've gotta tell ya, I’m fed up with these men being dicks and then apologizing a few weeks later only to be dicks again.

"I'm an ass." I snort while Mel nods her head in agreement, narrowing her eyes at her man. "I was stressed with the thought of losing Mel, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry, Lee, and I'm sorry for the pain Gunner's been putting you through these past five years without doing anything about it. A lot has been said over the years, and instead of coming to you about it, we've all just believed it—after seeing you at the hospital that day, a complete wreck, I'm beginning to think I'm not the only one who's gone through trauma."

My tears fall while I suck in a breath before he pulls me into his chest, not knowing how to feel about him figuring me out. I know how difficult he is with touch because of the trauma caused by his stepmother, so I know how sorry he is.

I pull away first, and he tilts his head, but I just give him a small smile, making him smile a little back.

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