by L. Wilder
I continued towards my bike but stopped when I heard someone call out my name. I turned and found Clutch and Liv walking towards me. Hadley and Charlie rushed past them as they raced towards their SUV. I shook my head and teased, “Can’t you get a hold on those heathens?”
“Hell, no,” Clutch chuckled. “Not after all the Cokes and cookies they’ve had tonight. It’ll be midnight before Hadley comes down from her sugar rush.”
Liv waved him off. “It’s not that bad. They’re just excited. We’ve been talking about taking a trip down to Memphis later in the month, and they’re all fired up about seeing some of their friends.”
“The sugar doesn’t help,” Clutch teased.
“Probably not,” she admitted. She looked back over to me and said, “I was hoping you might bring MJ tonight.”
Clutch obviously hadn’t told her what had happened, but it didn’t matter. I hadn’t given up hope. At least not yet. I was giving it time, but I wasn’t going to wait forever. I’d have my say with her, and if it went my way, I’d have her back. So I answered, “Maybe some other time.”
“I hope so.” She smiled. “I really like her.”
Clutch slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her over to him. “We’d better get going.”
“Yeah, we need to get these wild children back to the house.” She laughed and started for the truck. Before she opened the door, she looked back and said, “See ya soon, Smokey.”
Once she closed the door, Clutch asked, “Where ya headed? Thought you’d be staying at the club.”
“Just need a break. Gonna head out to the farm for the night. Maybe I can get some fucking sleep.”
“Not easy out here, that’s for sure. There’s always some kind of racket,” he smiled. “You doing okay?”
“Getting there.”
“Gonna miss having Boozer’s crazy ass around.”
“No doubt. He was a good one.”
“Get some rest, brother. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.”
“You do the same,” I told him as he started towards Liv and the kids. I got on my bike and started driving towards the farm. Guardrail had told me earlier that they’d finished up everything inside the house, but they were still working on finishing up the exterior. I didn’t care. I just wanted a hot shower and a quiet place to lay my head. When I got there, I pulled around and went to the back door. Without bothering to turn on the lights, I went straight to the living room and crashed on the sofa. I was exhausted and had no desire to even look at the renovations. My body sank into the cushions, and I knew immediately it wasn’t the old couch my folks used to have. The fabric was soft and the old springs weren’t stabbing me in the back. There was even enough room for me to stretch out, making it easier to get comfortable. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to help me fall asleep. When I closed my eyes, images of her clothes falling to the ground and the sultry sound of her voice as she used my words to seduce me came crashing through my mind. Too tired to fight it, I gave into the dream and let myself imagine that she was right there with me. And for the first time in days, I finally slept.
I woke up the next morning with an overwhelming need to see MJ. I tried to shake it off, but it was a feeling I just couldn’t ignore. So, I got in my dad’s old farm truck and drove to Tacoma. It was still early when I pulled up to the curb beside her aunt’s house and killed the engine. I looked over and spotted MJ sitting on the front porch swing. There was something about the expression on her face that got to me, like her thoughts had her a million miles away, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was sitting there thinking about me. She looked straight ahead as she rocked back and forth, never realizing that I was just a few yards away from her. Being so close to her was agony. I wanted to go to her, hold her in my arms, and feel her body next to mine, but I knew I couldn’t. Her aunt came outside and offered her a cup of tea, and I took it as my cue to leave. I cranked up the engine, and with my gut twisted in knots, I started the long haul back home. For now, I’d keep my word—even if it was killing me to stay away. Once things were settled with the club, I was coming back. I would have her back in my arms, one way or another.
Chapter 18
Marley
I’d been sitting in Emily’s driveway for almost ten minutes, but I couldn’t make myself get out of the damn car. I had it all planned out. I thought she might be able to help me make some kind of decision where Smokey was concerned. I’d tell her about Dad’s threats and the pregnancy, thinking she might possibly be able to make some sense of it all, but now as I sat there, I wasn’t so sure. She would have to think I was crazy for showing up at her door after being gone so long, especially after the way I left. I placed my hand on my stomach, thinking of the life that was growing inside of me, and knew I had to do something. Pushing my doubts aside, I got out of the car and started walking towards her house. Anxiety surged through me as I walked up the steps and finally knocked on the door.
Seconds later, Shelby answered and when she saw it was me, a big smile crept across her face and she shouted, “Hey, Marley!”
“Hey there, Shelby.” She was all dolled up in a pretty pink dress and her hair was pulled back into a fancy braid. “You sure look beautiful today.”
Her little nose crinkled as she tugged at the pink fabric and said, “It’s itchy.”
“Well, it’s pretty, and pink is my favorite color,” I smiled. I took a deep breath and asked, “Is your Momma home?”
“She’s in the kitchen,” she answered as she started walking from the door. I followed her inside and into the large, country style kitchen and found Emily standing by the microwave with Grant tucked in her arms.
Her eyes widened with surprise when Shelby announced, “Marley’s here, momma.”
“Marley? What are you doing here?” Before I had a chance to answer, she started towards me. “That came out wrong. I just wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“I’m sure you weren’t. I’m sorry to just show up like this, but I was hoping I could talk to you.”
“Of course,” she answered. “Just let me grab his bottle.” Then she turned to Shelby. “Hey, sweetheart. Momma needs to talk to Ms. Marley for a few minutes. Why don’t you go play in your room for a little while?”
“Can I watch cartoons in your room?” she asked.
“That will be fine.”
“Can I get on your bed?”
“Yes, Shelby.”
“Can I get under the covers?” she pushed with her hips swaying from side to side as she waited for her mother’s answer.
“Yes! Now go before I change my mind,” Emily fussed.
She took the warmed formula from the microwave and after checking the temperature, she poured it into his bottle. As I followed her into the living room, I said, “I can’t believe how much he’s grown in the past few weeks.”
“I know, and in just a blink, he’ll be crawling and walking.” She sighed as she sat down on the sofa with Grant cradled close against her chest. She looked down at him lovingly as she offered him the bottle and said, “It all happens so fast.”
I glanced around the room at all the plaids and florals she’d used to decorate, along with all the large black and white photos of the kids. “Your house is beautiful, Emily.”
“It’s a work in progress,” she said with a smile. “I’m always coming up with a new project.” She paused for a moment. “How have you been? I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’ve been better. It’s one of the reasons I came here today,” I explained. “I just needed to talk to someone.”
“Okay. Does this have to do with why you haven’t been around lately?”
“Yes, but I really need to know that you won’t tell Smokey. He can’t know that I came here today. I need you to keep this between us. I need you to promise, Emily.”
Her eyebrows furrowed with concern when she said, “I’m not sure I can do that.”
“When you hear what I have to say, then you’ll understand,” I
assured her.
“Okay, I won’t say anything to him. You have my word,” she promised.
“I left because my father didn’t give me a choice,” I started. I spent the next half hour telling her exactly what my father had threatened to do if I continued seeing Smokey.
“Do you really think he would’ve followed through on it? He’d really find a way to put Evan in jail?”
“I wouldn’t have left if I thought otherwise.”
“I don’t think I like your dad,” she clipped.
“He had good intentions, but leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”
“It wasn’t exactly easy for Evan either. He hasn’t been the same since you left.”
“You have to know I never wanted to hurt him. I was trying to protect him.”
“I know that now, sweetie, but at the time, I thought you were just over it.”
“I’ll never be over it, especially now,” I started. I took a deep breath, then said, “I’m pregnant, Emily. I’m not sure how it happened.”
“Well, I can tell you how it happened,” she scoffed.
“You know what I mean,” I snipped. “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do here. Even with my dad’s suspension, I know he won’t let this thing with Smokey go. He’ll find some way to go after him, even if he knows I’m carrying his child.”
“Have you talked to your dad about it? Does he know you’re pregnant?”
“No. He’s dealing with all this stuff at work, and I just can’t find the right time to tell him.”
“You’ve got to talk to him. You have to make him understand.”
“And if he doesn’t, do I tell Smokey? Is there any chance he would walk away from the club?”
“There’s no way I could know what Evan would do, but there has to be a way you two can work this out. He loves you, Marley.”
“What if love isn’t enough?”
“If it’s the real thing… if you and Evan truly love one another, then you’ll find a way to make it work,” she explained. Her words made me feel like anything was possible. I loved him, and I had to find a way to get through to my dad. It was my only hope.
As I stood up, I told her, “I guess it’s time for me to talk to my dad.”
She followed me to the front door. I could see that she was worried, and truthfully, I was too. I had no way of knowing how my father would react, but I had to take the risk. I placed my hand on her arm. “Thank you for talking to me today.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. I think I’m going to need it,” I told her as I opened the door. “Remember what you promised.”
“I won’t say anything,” she assured me, following me outside. “Please keep in touch.”
“I will. And you do the same.”
There was a storm of emotions raging inside of me as I got in the car and started driving back to my dad’s. I wished the timing could’ve been better. Brandon had told me he was still having a hard time with his suspension, and I knew the strain on our relationship wasn’t making that any easier. I was worried that the news of my pregnancy would send him over the edge, but I didn’t have a choice. The longer I put it off, the harder it would be.
I pulled up in the driveway and put the car in park. I sat there for a moment as I tried to collect myself before I went inside, doing what I could to pump myself up before I faced my father. I let out a deep breath as I stepped through the front door. He was sitting on the sofa watching the news and his tired eyes lit up when he saw me walk into the living room.
“Marley!” he smiled as he stood up from the sofa. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
He was wearing a pair of khakis and a freshly ironed shirt, but he hadn’t shaved in several days and there were dark circles under his eyes. He was trying, but he couldn’t hide that things were getting to him. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, wishing I could somehow take the hurt away, and hugged him close as I said, “I wanted to see you.”
He gave me a tight squeeze as he said, “It’s good to see you, sweetheart. I’ve missed you something terrible.”
I stepped back and said, “I’ve missed you, too. I’ve been worried about you.”
“No need to worry about me. I’m fine. This thing with work will blow over soon enough.”
“What is taking them so long?” I asked as I sat down on the sofa. “Surely everyone knows you couldn’t have done something like this.”
“Just takes time,” he sighed as he sat down next to me.
“I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all of this. I wish there was something I could do to help.”
“I don’t need you worrying over me, sweetheart. I’ll be fine,” he tried to assure me. “Enough about me. How are things at the new job?”
“Fine.”
“And things are okay at Miranda’s? I thought you might have found a place of your own by now.”
I swallowed my frustration, knowing getting angry now wouldn’t help, and said, “Still looking.”
“Good. I’m sure you’ll find something soon enough,” he sighed. “I know it hasn’t been easy.”
He opened the door, but I was still trying to keep myself collected when I responded, “No, it hasn’t.”
He shook his head and said, “I’m sorry.”
“What exactly are you sorry for, Dad?” I pushed.
His back grew rigid as he turned to face me. “I’m sorry I had to push so hard to make you see. I’m sorry that you wouldn’t just end things with that boy like I hoped you would. Things would’ve been much easier if you’d just listened.”
“Things would’ve been easier if you’d just listened to me. Instead, you forced me into a corner.”
“You didn’t leave me any choice,” he said with a pleading look. “I had to protect you.”
I inhaled a deep breath as I tried to find the right words, but all the emotions, all the hurt and anger kept boiling up inside of me, making it impossible to know what to say. I sat there looking at him, seeing the love and worry in his eyes, and I knew he thought he was doing the right thing. But I knew in my heart he was wrong. He thought it would be best for me to leave Smokey and give up everything we had together, but I just couldn’t do it. I wanted a life with him, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from me.
I exhaled slowly, then said, “When I was a little girl, I used to watch you and Mom together. You loved her so much. It was the way you looked at her like she was the only person in the room. You couldn’t keep your hands off of her… always holding her hand or messing with her hair. I used to love watching the two of you dance in the living room, listening to Mom laugh when you spun her around. Your eyes would light up whenever she walked into the room, and she’d do the same with you. You were happy together. Anyone could see it,” I told him as I fought back my tears. “There was never a moment when I doubted your love for each other. Not once in all the years you were together… I’ve always wanted that kind of love, Daddy, and I found it. I never thought it would be possible to find a love like that, but I did. I found it with Evan. I love him with my heart and soul. Just like Mom loved you. And Daddy, he loves me.”
“There’s no kind of future with a man like him,” he growled.
I shrugged. “It’s the future I’ve chosen. I’m going to see him. I’m going to tell him why I left. If you choose to go after him and put him in jail, we’ll figure it out. But you should know, I’d really like to have the father of my child with me and not behind bars.”
“What the hell are you talking about, father of your child?”
“You heard me. I’m going to have his child. In about seven and a half months, to be exact,” I snapped. “So you can get onboard with my decision and be a part of your grandchild’s life, or you can lose us both. The choice is yours,” I told him as I stood to leave. With a pleading voice, I added, “I love you, Daddy. I need you… I need you now more than ever. Please, just think about this.”
&
nbsp; As I started for the door, he muttered, “This isn’t the life your mother wanted for you.”
“You’re wrong. It’s exactly the life Mom wanted me to have. She wanted me to be happy. It was the only thing that mattered to her. I’m happy with him. I just wish you could see that.”
Chapter 19
Smokey
“We’ve got him,” Cotton told us as he tossed a folder full of photographs down on the table. He’d called us all into church to share what Big Mike had uncovered from the surveillance cameras. “The cop that killed Booze was Deputy Sheriff Michaels.”
“The fucking deputy sheriff?” Stitch growled. As our enforcer, he was always set on go, and hearing the news that we’d found our man made the muscles in his thick arms tighten in anger.
“He’s our guy. It took some time, but we got everything on camera… even managed to get the shooting on one of the old security cameras.”
“Fuck,” Clutch snarled.
“Big Mike has been doing some research. Turns out Michaels has been making plays throughout the county. Looks like he’s trying to establish his own run of distribution.”
“Word is, he’s using his badge to lean on the small guys, and it’s been working. He’s been getting a cut on all of their profits,” Big Mike explained. “And now he’s looking for a bigger take.”
“So you think he got wind of what we got going?” Maverick asked.
