Page 17 of His Flawed Ride

“He wanted more time with Alannah and the family,” Harper explains briefly.

“Still, it’s a huge step for someone like him.”

“You fuck him once and think you know everything about him?” JJ snaps defensively.

Harper’s knife and fork clatter on her plate and she pushes up out of her chair.

“Babe, a word in the kitchen? Now!”

I scoot along into Harper’s chair when they leave the room and grab a napkin from the table.

Wiping Gunner’s face, I say quietly, “Don’t mind daddy, he just doesn’t trust me, but I’ll show him.”

He’s more interested in his food than me but I’m content to be in the same room as him.

I move back to my own seat when they return, and we all start eating in silence. I hate the quietness.

To break the tension rising, I tell them, “I got a job in your Aunt Kristen’s shop.”

Silence returns and this time it’s from shock, and not disdain.

“Wow. That’s… different for you,” Harper says.

“I start tomorrow.”

“You’re really serious this time, aren’t you.”

I nod. “I am.”

I dare to reach over and place my hand on hers. I’m glad when she doesn’t pull away. She offers me a smile and then we finish dinner.

Not wanting to outstay my welcome, considering I only had a little to start with, I say, “I should get going.”

“See ya,” JJ smarts and Harper rolls her eyes.

“Babe, you can bathe and put Gunner to bed tonight.” To me, she says, “Let’s talk outside.”

JJ has Gunner out of the room and up the stairs before I can say goodbye. I follow Harper out onto the front porch.

I can almost forget where the house is until I see the back of the clubhouse across the way.

“I’m glad you came to dinner. A part of me expected you not to show.”

“It’s going to take time, but I will earn your trust back.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve trusted you, but I’m willing to see where this goes.” She takes a deep breath and continues, “Before I had my son it was only myself I had to protect, but now he’s here, I’m truthful when I say you get one chance.”

“I know. I should’ve made these changes a long time ago, trust me, I’m well aware of all the times I got it wrong.”

“Luca shouldn’t have run you out of town, but you could’ve come to me, and I could’ve gotten dad to talk to him. We could’ve sorted something out and you could’ve stayed.”

“You weren’t there, Harps. There’s something dark in that boy, I believed he would follow through on his threats.”

“Still, if you had come to me, I would’ve at least known what you were up to instead of being left confused. Do you even realise how much it hurts when you up and leave without a word?”

I wipe my watery eyes before a tear can escape. “It was hard for me being a mom. I didn’t know what I was doing. I kept thinking if I found a good guy, he would look after us and we’d finally have a family.”

“I already know that. I figured it out years ago. But the difference is, if Jay left me today, I would go the extra mile to fill the void for Gunner. Not with another guy, but me. He would still feel protected and loved.” A tear rolls down her cheek. “This last time, it didn’t take long before I was glad I didn’t have to worry about you. It’s never been my job to worry aboutyou, Lily.” Her voice grows louder and it’s no surprise when Cas comes out of his house next door and wanders over.