Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“I’m feeling much better, Viper. Thank you for asking,” my mom says and smiles brightly because she knows all about Viper and the life we took him away from.
“Link, I don’t know how to tell you this,” Viper begins and dread fills me because I know whatever he has to say won’t be good news.
“The day you left to go be with your mom, Annistyn came to the clubhouse. She chewed me a new ass because she thought I was cheatin’ on Maysen.
I can admit if I walked in the clubhouse and saw what she did, I’d jump to the same conclusion.
Heard her swear for the first time. Master thought it was the greatest thing he’s ever seen in his life.
Seein’ that fire we all knew was buried deep inside Annistyn for someone else was a great show.
Anyway, we didn’t tell her anythin’ about what was goin’ on with you.
Annistyn didn’t take it very good. She said it was good to finally know where she stood in the clubhouse. Thinks you’re cheatin’ on her, Link.”
“What the fuck? I would never cheat on her for any reason,” I yell, anger and fear battling inside me because I know this isn’t the worst part Viper has to tell me.
“We all know that, but it was her first thought. Said somethin’ about how none of us needed to lie for you any longer.
We all gave her space, but no one has seen her since that night.
I’ve been at your house knockin’ on the door for fifteen minutes and I don’t hear a fuckin’ thing from inside.
I don’t think Annistyn is still on the compound.
I have yet to talk to the Prospects, but they haven’t said anythin’ about her leavin’ as far as Master and I know,” Viper informs me as I slam my hand against the steering wheel and briefly close my eyes while sitting at a red light.
“Go the fuck in my house and make sure she’s okay if she’s there,” I order him because Viper has a key already. “I doubt the alarm will be set because Annistyn can’t figure out how to work the damn thing. I have to work on it with her when I get home.”
“Got it,” he says and I listen as he moves around and I hear the door unlock with the code because he really doesn’t need a key as long as we have power.
I listen as Viper walks through my house. What takes a minute feels as if an eternity passes before I hear him swear on his end of the call.
“Fuck,” he mutters and my mom looks over at me. “Kreed, she’s gone. Left her phone, the keys to the house, and a note.”
“Read it,” I say, my heart beating so hard and fast my chest actually hurts.
“Kreed. Thank you for allowin’ me to stay in your home with you.
I have decided I no longer want to be a guest where I’m truly not wanted and will be movin’ out.
I know ‘thank you’ are simply words and really don’t mean anythin’ in the grand scheme of things, but it’s all I have.
When I get a job and start makin’ money on a regular basis, I’ll pay you back for everythin’ I am unable to leave behind.
“Thank you for bein’ my support system and savin’ me when I needed it the most. You were so kind and always there for me no matter what was goin’ on.
I will always cherish those memories. I’ve cramped your life enough and will be removin’ myself from a situation that no longer works for either one of us.
I didn’t lie to you, Kreed. When I said I knew you were my man, I meant it.
You’re the one who lied and changed your mind without sayin’ a word to me.
I hope you find the love of your life. I always knew it wouldn’t be a damaged person like me even though I dreamed you were different.
“The keys, phone, and everythin’ else you bought me will remain here in the house.
I can no longer accept anythin’ you have given me with the exception of one hoodie I am wearin’ to leave your home.
I will make sure it’s washed and Roger can return it in a few days.
Please thank Cali for being a friend when I needed one the most and apologize for me for intrudin’ on her life.
I won’t be a burden to anyone here ever again.
I’m sorry. Annistyn,” Viper says, anger filling his voice because everything is a fucked up and I have no one to blame but myself.
“Dammit! This is not what I fuckin’ wanted,” I yell as I pull into my mom’s driveway. “Why didn’t any of you fuckin’ tell her where I was instead of lettin’ her believe I was out fuckin’ some random bitch?”
“You never told us we could, Link. You haven’t claimed her even though we all know she’s yours. Only the ol’ ladies ever get told anythin’. You know this,” he states as if I’m being the dumbass because that’s one of the first rules we made when we established the Feral Dragons MC.
“Fuck!” I yell as I park and get out of the driver’s seat and head for my mom’s door to help her out. “None of you saw her fuckin’ leave or checked on her between that day and now?”
“No. I’ve been workin’ at the garage because you and Reckless are gone.
Master has been workin’ and doin’ his thing.
We’ve all been busy. The girls mentioned casually today that they haven’t seen her around for the last five days and that’s when I came up to your house.
Master is tryin’ to track her phone, but it doesn’t matter because it’s sittin’ at your house,” Viper answers me as my heart shatters into a million pieces that won’t be put back together again because I was so fucking stupid.
“Call Roger. I guarantee she went to the ranch. Tank already told me he would pick her up and take her to Clifton Falls, but I don’t think that’s happened.
If she calls or shows back up, you fuckin’ tell her what’s goin’ on.
I’m givin’ my verbal permission for any of you to talk to her about this shit.
I’ll keep tryin’ to call and see if I can get a hold of Roger in the meantime,” I say before hanging up and walking my mom into the house.
“This is all your fault, Kreed. I told you to call her when you first got here. Now, you’ve lost the woman you love and have no one to blame but yourself,” my mom says, disappointment filling her voice as she shakes her head at me.
I absolutely hate to disappoint my mom for any reason.
Knowing I not only hurt Annistyn but disappointed my mom breaks my soul.
I didn’t know a soul could break until this very second.
The two most important women in my life and I hurt them both in a way I never thought possible.
All because I couldn’t take two seconds for a message or phone call.
This is the absolute worst fuck-up of my life and I don’t know how I’ll ever fix it.
I walk into the kitchen so I can grab my mom a drink before I leave to go to the pharmacy when she gets the alert her prescriptions are ready.
With my phone in hand, I try calling Roger to make sure Annistyn is okay and see if I can talk to her since she doesn’t have a phone of her own any longer to my knowledge.
He doesn’t answer and sends my call to voicemail.
Roger has never once ignored a call from me.
This tells me he knows what’s going on and is pissed on behalf of his cousin.
I swear because I know Roger won’t answer my calls or send me a message until Annistyn gives him permission.
That could be never. This could have all been avoided if I wasn’t such a twatapotamus.