Chapter Six #2
“Did I say you didn’t care? For fuck’s sake.
I said you didn’t give a shit what choices she made, because it was about what Charlotte wanted.
This is no longer about what Charlotte wants.
This is about what you want. So, drop your shit and look at me.
You’re talking to me now. The guy that knows the real you. ”
There was a lot of bad shit between them. Neither of them could deny that. They had a toxic relationship that turned into a toxic marriage. But even though they were fucking toxic for each other, there was no denying they could be straight with one another.
“I want out of Rivermont Ridge,” Nancy said.
“I know you’ve given us a good life. This house.
All of it. You protect us, and I am grateful I get to be a stay-at-home mom, and you didn’t need to do any of that.
You could have dragged my name through the mud and probably gotten sole custody of our kids. ”
“Enough, Nancy,” he said. “You knew I wasn’t going to do that. I stuck to my promise, and you know when I give my word, I fucking mean it.” He imagined it was why she had not once gone back on telling the kids how much she had sacrificed. He didn’t want them to ever feel like a burden.
As far as he was concerned, their kids didn’t ask for this life. They were born to it. They were a freaking gift.
“But I want out. I don’t want to live in Rivermont Ridge anymore. Charlotte is eighteen, and I think she should go and see the world.”
“Nancy, if you want out, then you want out. We’ll talk to Charlotte, and you can go. I’ll take care of her, and there will always be a home for you to come back to.”
Nancy had tears in her eyes. “I couldn’t ask you to do that. You’ve given me everything and all I’ve ever done is given you shit.”
He shrugged. “It’s what you want. I can’t guarantee you’ll be safe. I’m not going to send any of the guys along with you.”
“I wouldn’t want you to. If I go, then this has to be my decision.”
“It’s your decision to make. It’s up to you.”
He looked at her for a few seconds, then got to his feet, about to head out.
“I know about you and Maeve.”
He stopped and turned toward her. “Are you going to give her trouble?”
“Not at all. Why do you think I got you to take her out on Valentine’s Day? I saw the looks you were sending her way. I do need to talk to Maeve, because she is avoiding me.”
“She doesn’t want to upset you,” Doc said.
“She’s a good woman. She is a better woman than me.”
He was not going to argue with that.
“You could have at least pretended!”
“I’m not a liar, Nancy.”
His ex-wife laughed.
“We’ll talk soon, Doc,” she said.
He made his way out of the house, went to his bike, straddled his machine, turned over the ignition, and pulled out from the house, heading back to the clubhouse. It was already starting to get dark.
On arrival, he saw there had been a large order of pizzas.
He checked through all the boxes, and he stole the first one he came to that had all the pieces intact, making his way into the back room, where all the bedrooms were.
He went to his own space, sat down on his sofa, and opened up the pizza box.
It was not a home-cooked meal, but he was not a picky kind of guy, as he took a large bite.
The tomato sauce was savory, and exactly what he wanted from a pizza.
He was eating his second slice when a text came through.
It was Maeve, saying she was outside. This made him smile.
Leaving the pizza in his room, he made his way out the back.
There were only a couple of people milling around, and he grabbed Maeve’s hand and pulled her into the clubhouse, taking her upstairs to his room.
He made sure to lock the door. It was rare for the guys to interrupt him, but there had been occurrences from time to time. It was better to be safe than sorry.
“Oh, pizza,” Maeve said. “You mind?”
“Help yourself.”
She opened the box, and he saw her eyes light up. “Pepperoni is one of my favorites.”
He watched as she took a bite of pizza and let out a moan.
“Eden busy?”
“Yeah, she and Razor already had plans, so that left me alone. I did think about leaving you alone. You might want some space.”
“I’m good.” He rested his arm across the back of her shoulders.
“Did you have a good day?”
“The highlight was my coffee this morning and getting your text saying you’re here.”
“Sorry if you were expecting sex.”
“Maeve, I wasn’t expecting anything. Besides, you and I can hang out and enjoy each other’s company without sex.”
Maeve looked at him as she chewed, and her eyes seemed to be a little wide. “What kind of movies do you like?”
“I’m not really a movie watcher.”
“I used to be. I enjoyed horror, I think. I used to enjoy horror when I was younger. Now, I’m more of a romance or action kind of girl.”
“I haven’t seen a movie in months.”
“Well, that is something we’re going to have to change. Tomorrow night, I am taking you to the movies. I’ll choose, you just buy the popcorn. Do you like to travel?”
“Within the country, yes, abroad, no.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
“Haven’t you been abroad?”
“Yeah, I have many times for work, and trust me, I know it has good and bad elements.”
He chuckled. “See, we’re getting to know each other.”
“Tell me what your dream vacation would be?” Maeve asked.
“No cell phone. A tent, camping, and just living off the land.”
“That sounds exciting and terrifying at the same time. Would I be allowed to bring a mirror so I could look my best?”
“Maeve, I don’t think it is possible for you to look anything but your best.”
“You, sir, are a charmer.”