Page 103 of His Flawed Ride

“Here’s what we’re gonna do. You’re gonna sign over full custody to me. You’re gonna leave and not come back. You’re not going to make any contact with us in any form. You’re gonna trust that I’m gonna do right by our son and keep him safe from crazy ass people like his mother. You’re gonna disappear.”

“Or what, you’ll make me disappear?”

“The way I’m feeling, it’s a possibility.” I push up out of my chair. “You can stay here tonight, and in the morning, we’ll find a lawyer. Once the paperwork is done, you’re gone. One way or another.”

I go to leave the room when she says, “Shane, I’m sorry I lied about the cancer. I should never have sunken so low, it was the lowest, but it’s only because I didn’t want you leaving me. Every lie I’ve told is because of you.”

“Funny, it would’ve been the truth that would’ve kept me.”

“Please,” she begs. “Don’t leave me. I’ll never lie to you again.”

A slither of compassion filters through the anger and I smash my fist into the drywall. It feels too good, and I punch it over and over until small hands pull at my arm to stop me.

“You’re going to hurt yourself. Stop.”

Dailing down the rage, I tell her, “There’s no going back for me, Annie. It doesn’t matter what you say or what you promise, it means shit to me.”

“No…”

Cutting her off, I lean into her face. I need her to fucking hear me. “Stay here, I’ll stay over in the bar, and in the morning, I’ll pick you up and we’ll get this shit sorted. If you leave before then it saves me a shit ton of money with lawyers.”

Shrugging away from her touch, I ignore her cries and screams and run upstairs to throw my clothes on. It takes no time, and I slam the front door behind me on my way out.

It only takes a few minutes to walk around to the bar and when I walk in, it’s busy and lively, and I soak in the noise. I need distractions. I need alcohol. I need the smokes I left at the house.

“How’s your kid doing?” Leo asks as I join him at the bar.

“He’s doing well. Doc says he can come home soon.”

“That’s great! We should drink to it.”

Brothers get the drinks in and cheer to my kid. As good as it feels, it still feels like shit. It shouldn’t be this way. I should be on cloud nine. Instead, I let my dick lead me into crazy town and now I have to pay the price. Now Wolf is here, I don’t know if I would change it if I had the chance to go back and never spend the night with Annie.

“I remember when your sleepless nights were because of me.”

Stevie.

She saddles up beside me and hands me a beer.

“My kid ain’t home yet, I’ve not had a sleepless night yet.”

“Where’s your old lady?”

I go to say I don’t have an old lady, but I can’t be dealing with the conversation that comes after.

“She’s at home.”

“You’ve really turned your life around, huh? An old lady, a kid, a house. It’s like I don’t recognise you anymore.”

“Don’t be jealous, Stevie. I don’t have the energy to deal with it.”

She snorts. “Do I look like I want to be saddled with a kid or playing house? When have I ever given you that impression?”

Glancing at her, I believe her. Unlike the so-called old lady of mine.

“Sorry, I’ve just got a lot on my mind. I’m not thinking straight.”

“Do you love her?”