“So he is the father?”
“I didn’t say that,” she snaps. “Come on, Mia, it’s time to go inside for dinner,” she says, going to get the protesting toddler and storming off without another word.
She’s definitely acting suspiciously. But it still doesn’t explain why she left in the first place, or why she won’t admit Mia is Rex’s now. If he isn’t the father, why be so cagey about it?
I feel like we need to stage something between Lena and Rex. They need to talk, to finally have it out, say what they need to say, and lay their cards on the table. The problem is they’re both as stubborn as the other.
With a sigh, I head into the house. Rex is in the kitchen cooking dinner. We’ve been taking it in turns; tonight, he is making the only meal he can cook that’s halfway decent—mac and cheese. The others are already sitting around the dinner table. Already, we’ve settled into a domestic routine, eatingtogether like a happy family. Tonight, however, the atmosphere is tense. I’ve upset Lena, and it’s evident to us all. Plus, Mia is tired from today’s excitement, making her grizzly, which makes Lena even more stressed.
Poor Rex does his best to try to talk to Lena and bond with Mia during the meal, but Lena supplies one-word answers, and Mia is grumpy and difficult. No doubt Lena’s treatment of him encourages the little girl to do the same. Not that I’m going to say anything.
“How about some ice cream?” Rex says to Mia when we’ve finished eating, as she seems on the verge of a tantrum.
The suggestion cheers her up, and she agrees happily. However, Lena has other ideas. “No, no ice cream. You’ve misbehaved and didn’t finish your food, even though you love mac and cheese. Only good girls get ice cream,” she says, putting her foot down.
Of course, this sends Mia into a full-blown tantrum.
“I wish you would ask me before offering treats to my daughter,” Lena snaps at Rex, shooting him daggers. She makes sure to emphasize the word ‘my’.
Rex winces. “Sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t stop her screaming, does it?” she replies sarcastically, picking Mia up, the child thrashing around in her arms, making it difficult for her to hold onto her. She tries to soothe Mia, but now that the tantrum has started, she won’t stop until she’s tired herself out.
Mia storms off upstairs with the screaming toddler, leaving us all a little confused as to what just happened.
“Boy, she really hates you,” Doc chirps. “What the fuck did you do to piss her off so badly?”
“I wish I knew,” Rex replies with a sigh. “And unless I know what I did wrong, I have no way of fixing things.”
“Just keep trying. Eventually, you’ll get through to her and find out what went wrong,” I encourage him.
“Are you sure Amanda has no idea?” Judge asks.
“Amanda was probably the only person Lena knew at that time. They were becoming friendly, but no, she didn’t tell her anything. I’ve asked her a hundred times.”
“Who else did she speak to?” I ask.
“No one, apart from being introduced and saying hello to a few club members. Oh, and Mary Beth did her usual territorial bullshit,” Rex says.
“Have you asked Mary Beth?”
“You know I try to avoid her. Plus, there’s no way Lena would have told her anything, she was a total bitch to her.”
“I’d be more concerned about what Mary Beth could have said to Lena. She’d do anything to get rid of any potential competition, the woman’s obsessed with you,” I say.
“Shit,” Rex mutters under his breath. “Why the fuck didn’t we think of this before?”
As we’re discussing how Rex and I will go to the club, leaving Judge and Doc to protect Lena and Mia, Lena comes back downstairs, presumably having managed to calm Mia down enough to go to bed.
“If you’re going out, I’m coming with you. I need a drink,” Lena says.
“It’s not safe. We still don’t know where Zeke is, but he’s no doubt looking for you. He probably has men watching the clubhouse,” I reply.
To my surprise, Rex interjects on Lena’s behalf. “She’ll be fine with us. Zeke won’t make a move on the clubhouse with so many of us there. We’ll just be careful to make sure we’re not followed when we leave.” I consider it for a moment, and Rex continues, taking my hesitation as a refusal. “We can’t keep Lena locked away forever; sooner or later, she’s going to need to leave the farm. Why not tonight?”
“Alright, fine. But if there’s any sign of trouble, we leave. If I say we’re going, we go, no arguments. Okay?” I say, looking between them.
“Agreed,” Rex says.
