Chapter 12 #2
“Don’t ‘Mom’ me like that. I’ve been watching you two dance around each other since the welcome home party.
The way he looks at you when he thinks nobody’s paying attention.
The way you get all flustered every time he walks into a room.
And now you’re sneaking in at dawn looking like you spent the night doing exactly what I think you spent the night doing.
” She reaches across the island and covers one of my hands with hers, her thumb rubbing slow circles over my knuckles the way she used to when I was little and had a nightmare.
“Talk to me, baby. I’m not gonna judge you. I just want to know you’re okay.”
I swallow hard and finally look up at her. Her eyes are soft, patient, the same eyes that have seen me through every bad decision and every heartbreak and still loved me anyway. The guilt I’ve been carrying since last night rises up so fast it makes my throat tight. “It’s complicated.”
“Most good things are.” She squeezes my hand.
“You and Rook… that’s not something I saw coming, but I’m not blind either.
He’s been different since you came home.
Harder around the edges in some ways, softer in others.
And you…” She tilts her head again. “You look at him like he’s the first real thing you’ve let yourself want in a long time. ”
I bite my lip and nod, because she’s right and it terrifies me.
“He’s Dad’s. He’s basically family. If this gets out, if Dad finds out…
” I trail off and shake my head. “He’ll lose his mind.
Rook’s like a son to him. And I just… I don’t know what I’m doing.
One minute I’m so mad at him I could scream, and the next I’m climbing him like a tree and begging him not to stop. It’s insane.”
Mom lets out a quiet laugh, not mocking, just understanding. “Honey, that’s called chemistry. And from what I’ve seen, you two have enough of it to set this whole damn clubhouse on fire. The question isn’t whether it’s complicated. The question is whether it’s worth the fallout.”
I take another long drink of coffee, letting the warmth settle in my chest while I try to find the right words.
“I don’t know if it is. I just got home.
I’m trying to figure out who I am without Ethan, without that whole life I built around him.
And now I’m sneaking around with the one guy who could blow up everything I’m trying to rebuild.
Dad’s already dealing with the Southside Kings sniffing around.
The last thing he needs is his daughter and his enforcer turning the club upside down with drama. ”
“Piston can handle drama,” Mom says gently.
“He’s been handling it his whole life. What he can’t handle is losing the people he loves because they’re too scared to be honest with him.
” She pauses, then adds, “And for the record, I don’t think Rook is the kind of man who does anything halfway.
If he’s in this with you, he’s all the way in. That’s worth something.”
I stare down at our joined hands and feel my eyes burn a little. “I’m scared, Mom. I finally feel like I’m starting to breathe again and the second I let myself have something good it’s going to cost me everything.”
She stands up and comes around the island, pulling me into a hug that smells like coffee and home and the same perfume she’s worn since I was a kid. I bury my face in her shoulder and let her hold me for a long minute, the way I used to when I was little and the world felt too big.
“You don’t have to decide anything today,” she murmurs against my hair. “Just… be careful with your heart. And with his. Because whether you two want to admit it or not, this thing between you already matters. I can see it all over both of you.”
I nod against her, not trusting my voice yet. When she finally pulls back she cups my face in both hands and gives me that look only moms can give, the one that says she sees every messy, beautiful, terrified part of me and loves it anyway.
“Now go take a shower before your father gets home and starts asking questions. You smell like sex and Rook and I’m not explaining that to him over breakfast.”
A surprised laugh bursts out of me and I wipe at my eyes. “Mom.”
“What? I’m just saying. Go. And Scarlett?” She waits until I look at her again. “Whatever you decide, I’ve got your back. Always.”
I hug her one more time, quick and tight, then head upstairs with my coffee still in hand.
My legs feel heavier with every step, but at least I feel a little better now that I know mom knows.
She doesn’t hate me for it. And even if the rest of the world burns down when this all comes out, at least I’m not completely alone in it.
Still, as I stand under the hot spray of the shower and let the water wash away the evidence of last night, I can’t stop thinking about the way Rook looked at me when he finally let himself have me.
Like I was something he’d been starving for.
Like he already knew this was going to ruin us both and he didn’t care.
I press my forehead to the cool tile and close my eyes. We’re so screwed.
When I get out of the shower I pull on a pair of soft leggings and an oversized hoodie. My hair goes up in a messy bun and I crawl onto my bed with my laptop, pulling it onto my lap and opening a fresh document.
For a long time I just stare at the blank screen, cursor blinking like it’s waiting for me to figure my life out.
The events of the last twenty-four hours keep spinning through my head, Rook’s mouth on mine, the way he touched me like he already owned every inch, the panic of sneaking out, Tessa’s teasing laughter, Mom’s quiet support.
And underneath all of it is this restless, aching feeling I can’t shake. I need to do something that matters.
I remember Tessa telling me a while back that Sophie was looking for help with the business side of the clinic. I’m going to start there. I pull out my phone and text Tessa.
Me: What’s Sophie’s number?
She sends it right over. My thumb hovers for a second. Sophie’s known me since I was in diapers, her and Tank have been tight with my parents forever. This isn’t some cold interview call. Still, my stomach flips a little as I hit dial.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Sophie, it’s Scarlett. Jenny and Piston’s daughter.”
We literally saw each other at my welcome home party just a couple weeks ago. Still, my stomach flips a little as I hit dial.
“Hello?”
A warm laugh comes through the line immediately. “Scarlett! Oh my goodness, girl, how are you? It’s been too long since I’ve seen that pretty face. Your mama was just telling me the other day how grown up you are now.”
I smile, the familiarity easing some of the nerves. “I’m good, Sophie. It really was good seeing you at the party. Feels like forever since we’ve had a real talk.”
“I know that’s right. I have to tell you, we all thought Ethan wasn’t good enough for you back when you were in high school,” she says gently. “But as parents, we have to let our kids figure things out on their own. We’re just glad you’re back, honey. Really glad.”
My throat tightens for a second. The words land warmer than I expected, relief mixed with that old, familiar protectiveness from the club families.
“Thanks, Sophie. It feels good to be home. Actually, that’s kind of why I’m calling.
Tessa told me you were looking for someone to help run the business side of the clinic.
I was wondering if you’d found anyone yet. ”
“No one I’ve clicked with,” she admits, her tone turning a little weary but still kind. “I need a real go-getter. Why? Do you know someone who’s interested?”
“Actually… yeah. Me. I’m really interested. I know I’ve never run a clinic before, but I’ve got solid experience keeping things organized and moving under pressure, especially the last couple years. I’d love to sit down and talk about what you’re looking for and see if I’d be a good fit.”
There’s a short, thoughtful pause, but I can hear the smile in her voice when she answers.
“You know, I’ve always thought you had more grit than people give you credit for.
If you’re serious about this, why don’t you come by the clinic tomorrow afternoon around two?
We can talk in person. I’ll show you around, tell you what the real headaches are, and we can see how it feels.
Bring whatever notes or ideas you’ve got. ”
“That works perfectly. Thank you, Sophie. Really.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” she teases gently. “But I’m looking forward to it, sweetheart. See you tomorrow.”
I hang up with a mix of relief and excitement buzzing in my chest. She already knows about Ethan and that I’m not with him anymore.
That’s fine. What she doesn’t know yet is exactly how much of that chaos I was actually running behind the scenes, and how ready I am to put that experience to work somewhere that actually feels like home.
I text Tessa right away.
Me: Just got off the phone with Sophie. She wants me there tomorrow at 2.
Tessa: Told you she’d be into it! You’re gonna kill it. Text me the second you’re done tomorrow.
Me: I will.
I set the phone down and let out a long breath, already mentally preparing for tomorrow. The welcome home party feels like it was just yesterday. Now I’m about to walk into her clinic and show her the version of me that actually kept everything running.