Page 8 of His Flawed Ride

“In the flesh,” I tease but it falls flat.

“Where’s your stuff?” he asks, looking into the back of the car.

“I’m at the motel until I can find a place.”

Father and son glance at one another and my stomach sinks that they’re already doubting me. I’ve earned it but still, it doesn’t feel good.

“Come on, Harper’s at home,” Slade says, and I follow my brother.

I’m not prepared for the new housing around the back of the clubhouse. With a few more dwellings, they’ll be no need for anyone in the club to live in town. Apart from getting supplies, they’d have everything right here.

“You’ve got a lot to make up for. Harper’s been doing well, she’s happy and settled, don’t fuck her up.”

I bite down on my tongue to stop the retort wanting to lash at him. I simply nod and climb the front steps to the house on the end of the row. What Slade is unaware of is that I want happiness, for myself and for my daughter, and regrettably, it’s taken years to realise that it’s my family who make me happy.

Year in and year out, I’ve chased happiness believing if I wasn’t always moving around, I would never find it. Over the last few months, I’ve looked back on my life and the only times I enjoy the memories is when they’re full of moments with my family. I block out the memories of where I’ve been for the last year and take a deep breath.

Slade knocks on the door and my hands start clamming up. My heart thunders in my chest and when JJ opens the door, a sense of fear creeps in. I wanted to see Harper before I saw the brothers.

It’s the little boy in his arms that kills the fear. He’s so beautiful. He has Harper’s eyes and JJ’s hair. He’s the perfect blend of them.

“Holy fuck no. Harp’s don’t need your shit.”

I snap back to JJ and he goes to slam the door in my face. Slade is quick to shove his foot in the doorway and stops him.

“It’s Harper’s decision,” Slade reminds him.

He drags his eyes from Slade to mine and asks, “Does Luca know you’re here?”

Slade’s brows knit together in confusion. “What’s Luca gotta do with it?”

“Nothing,” I quickly lie.

“Babe? Who is it?”

Harper’s voice is a balm over my soul, and I go to call out to her when she appears beside JJ.

“Mom?” She quickly collects herself and steps out onto the porch. “You’re here? Why?”

“I fucked up, I know that, and I want to make it right. I’ll do anything you say to make it happen.”

JJ snorts but thankfully my daughter ignores him. “I don’t know what you expect me to say or do…”

“No-no. I’m not expecting anything. This is on me. I just want the opportunity to make amends.”

“So you do expect something?” JJ mutters sarcastically. “You’ve got a fuckin’ nerve, Lily. If you think I’m gonna let you come back around here to play house for however long it suits you, just for you to fuck off again, you’re living in a dream world.”

“This is between me and my daughter…”

“Like fuck it is. Your daughter is my old lady and I’m the one who picks up the pieces when you decide you’ve had enough.”

“I’m telling you that’s not going to happen again,” I argue.

“Sorry if I think every word out of your mouth is bullshit.”

I look to Slade, but he keeps his mouth firmly closed. He warned me he wouldn’t be the buffer again, but I thought he’d relent. He always has done before.

I turn to Harper. “Please, can we go somewhere, just us, and talk?”