Chapter 18 #3
I roar down the road, splitting off from Ella’s car as she turns to cross the city and head to her and Raiden’s house. Hart’s not big, so I know that Esme will be there in fifteen minutes or less. Should I text her? Make sure she got there alright? Should I let her check in with me?
I don’t want to bombard her. She’s going to need this time with her mom. Intruding on that would only overwhelm them both.
***
As soon as I get back to the clubhouse, I fire off a text, letting her know that I’m here for her and anything she needs, she only has to ask.
My phone dings a few minutes later, as I’m walking into the back room of the clubhouse to sit my ass down in front of a bunch of screens.
Her text only says thanks, but I can imagine her typing it out, letting out a sigh, closing her eyes, and melting a little after getting it because she knows that I’m thinking about her and that I truly would move the world for her if I could.
Maverick’s in my chair. He leans back, hands behind his head when he sees me. “Whoa. You look like you need a holiday from your holiday. Was it that bad? Bloodthirsty mosquitoes? Run in with bears? Feral deer? Blood sucking ticks?”
“It’s the wrong time of year for ticks.”
“It’s never the wrong time of year for ticks and mosquitoes.”
“Feral deer.” I shake my head. “What would that even look like?”
Maverick stands up, bends his arm, turns his hands into claws, and contorts his face. He does his best zombie impression, complete with the guttural voice.
Despite the heaviness of the past few days, and especially the last hour, I laugh.
It’s nice to let the sound roll through me and let some of the tension out of my body.
Maverick straightens and grins, but it quickly loses steam, catching in his worries.
“Seriously though. You don’t look good. You seem exhausted. ”
“Thanks, sweetheart. You’re beautiful too.”
“Wizard.” He rakes a hand through his hair, clearly embarrassed.
This is normally where I’d pass shit off as being fine, the whole don’t worry about me, I’ve got this, and usually, I would have it. It wouldn’t be a lie. I’d never put the club’s safety or security at risk by covering my own ass, or falling asleep on the job.
“It was intense,” I admit. “We dealt with a lot of personal stuff. It was hard, mostly in a good way, but there wasn’t much sleep involved.
We came back and went straight to Esme’s parents’ house.
She wanted to talk to them and once she decided she was gonna do it, she didn’t want to wait.
That’s why we’re back early. I won’t say it got ugly, but it did get real. ”
“Shit,” Maverick mutters.
“Her dad isn’t in a good place, and we didn’t want her mom there.
He’s… uh, he drinks, and he’s angry. It’s not a good combination.
Esme swears he’s not a wife beater and that he never raised a hand to her, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
I think they were two people who got themselves into an unforeseen situation and wanted to try and make the best of it they could.
They got into it young, and they’ve been trapped in it ever since. ”
“When the bad becomes familiar and feels less scary than change.”
I nod. That’s exactly it. Probably. “In a few days, when her dad cools down, I might offer Lockhart’s services.”
“And Esme is with her mom?”
“They’re at Ella and Raiden’s house. She asked me to come over later. I came to ask you if you might fill in for me.”
“We’ve got it all handled. Didn’t expect you back until tomorrow night. It’s no problem at all.”
“But you’re busy. You have your own life.”
“A big chunk of that life is this place, and I’m thankful for it.”
“But Loreena? She won’t mind?”
“She won’t.”
“She’s okay at the house by herself?”
“She’s not there alone. Scythe always tries to be there when I’m not.”
Family. They’re blood related, but it’s just fucking good to be back in this place.
I sent one text and Ella was there for us.
I need someone to cover my ass because it’s a rough night and maybe going to get rougher, and Maverick has me covered.
I know that if I walked into the lounge or sent off a text saying that I needed help, I’d have all the responses that I need, and I’d have them fast.
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Maverick hesitates, but then just goes for it. “Is there anything else that you need? Even if it’s just someone to talk to, I’d be happy to listen.”
“I—” Where do I even start to go with that? If I let out a single word, I’m going to be here all night.
I slowly shake my head. Maverick’s brow edges up and a heavy line bisects his forehead.
“Not yet. Soon. I… I’d like to get to Ella’s. I told Esme that I’d come to talk to her. She said later, and I’m not sure what time that meant. If she’s not ready, I’ll do a few errands, maybe pick up food and anything else they need, and then go over.”
Maverick thumps me on the back in that brotherly fashion, where it hurts a little because he puts real force and feeling behind it. “You’re a good man. Always remember that. And that we have you, whatever you both need.”
“I will.” My voice is wet nonsense. I clear my throat and force one more word past the clog. “Thanks.”
I mean that thanks from the bottom of my heart, with everything I am.
Without the club, this wouldn’t be possible.
I wouldn’t have been able to help Esme. I might not have even had a reason to be in Hart, and I might not have been close by when she needed me most. Without that feeling of being loved and accepted for who I am, and being given a purpose, I know I wouldn’t be the same man I am.
I’ve always felt weird about complimenting myself, maybe because I was so damn invisible growing up, but all of that only added up to bring me to where I am now.
Now, meaning the man who Esme said she could see herself falling in love with. And that makes all the bad, all the hard, all the not so beautiful and downright shitty bullshit, so very worth it.