Marissa has our son on her lap, and she is smiling at something Hawk whispered to her while I was speaking.
My words only get a nod from Mom, and she says, “That’s nice.”
“He ate a whole egg this morning. And I have two of those fruit pouches left, if you want them,” I continue.
Marissa blinks. “No, thanks. We’re good. You can keep them for his next visit.”
Marissa goes into the kitchen to make Hawk a plate at my mother’s insistence, and I can’t hold it in anymore.
I feel like a fucking intruder in my own mother’s home.
“Enjoying my leftovers, are you?” I ask Hawk in a low voice as my mother cuddles DJ.
He has the audacity to respond with a huge grin. “Oh, you have no idea how much.”
I feel like he sucker punched me. I jump to my feet right as Marissa comes back into the living room. She doesn’t say the dishes are all done, nor does she have the long hair I used to enjoy so much. It pains me to say it, but the new haircut suits her.
“I have to go,” I tell her. “I’ll call you about the next visit.”
She gives me a small wave with her free hand as she hands Hawk his plate.
Fuck all of them.
I don’t even remember driving to the clubhouse.
All I know is I'm inside, and I see my wife in the corner with Claw, who’s supposed to be fucking guarding her instead of trying to get in her pants. The two of them seem to be in a world of their own, and when I see her hand disappear behind his back, I yank him away from her and I pummel him and pummel him until someone pulls me off.
“Dylan, what are you doing?” Bell shouts.
I give her a look that makes her clamp her mouth shut.
“What the fuck, man?” Claw wipes his bloody mouth and nose with the back of his hand. “Are you on something?”
“Stay the fuck away from my wife,” I tell him as I struggle to breathe.
“You called me, told me to keep an eye on her,” he tells me like I’m slow.
He seems genuinely confused, and it calms me a bit.
“You don’t need her hands on you for that. Keep your distance, fucker.”
“Everything has gone to shit,” Twitch exclaims. “Now we’re fighting among ourselves, brother against brother.”
I look around the room, and none of the brothers meet my eye, not even Truck. I know they all resent Rebel for the money and resources that were lost because of her, and now they’ll also blame her for the infighting.
Fuck, I need to think before I act. Whoever is holding me lets me go, and I help Claw off the floor.
“Sorry, man. Needed to let some steam off.”
“I can sell you something next time.” He smiles a bloody smile.
“Nah, I’m good. Can you imagine how insane I’d be then?” We both laugh.
I buy him a beer, and all’s good.
Rebel disappears somewhere, probably to sulk. I don’t care. I decide I’m gonna fuck the attitude out of her when we get home. She’s my wife, and she’d better act like it.
I’m not who I was seven years ago, and she’d better remember that.
