Page 195 of Remiss

“I want us to work things out. The past couple of days, I had such hope. You wanted a baby and an apology from Harley. Both doable. Now, you want me to leave my fucking club when you refuse to meet me halfway. Refuse to give an inch.”

She folded her arms.

“Not a motherfucker alive promised tomorrow. Not a newbornoran old motherfucker. You smart enough to know that, so I think you just don’t want to be married to me anymore.”

Her eyes flared in surprise. “That isn’t true!”

“Then you need to fucking act like it. I can’t save our marriage alone. I want to help you through your pain, but you got to help me too.”

“I don’t want you to die.”

“You don’t really know what the fuck you want.”

“Do you?”

“You. Our kids. My family.”

“Your club.”

“Yeah, Bailey. My club.”

She turned her head, and Mortician walked out without another word.

March 20th

Sitting on the sofa in his bedroom, Christopher tipped his bottle of tequila back. He probably should’ve gone to see Jo, since he hadn’t visited her in days. Or he should’ve been at the club, talking to Skip or any of the motherfuckers who’d once been his ally but were now on Johnnie’s side.

Or he should’ve been preparing for Church, postponed until tomorrow night because he’d thought by then Kendall would’ve had her fucking meeting with Bash, appeased her curiosity,and allowed Christopher to glimpse that motherfucker’s true motives.

But he couldn’t move. And it wasn’t because of what he’d endured Monday at the hands of Roxanne and Axel. Yeah, he was still sore as a motherfucker from that broom. Other than missing hair, he was none the worse for wear from Axel.

Yesterday, Huck, Pike, Bishop, and Kaia painted over the graffiti and deep cleaned the room. Megan had always wanted windows or a balcony, but Christopher never thought it safe enough for her. Shit happened. If the club grounds were ever breached again, he didn’t want motherfuckers having easy access to Megan in this bedroom.

Axel’s fuckery had him rethinking his position. Luckily, the chemicals did the job and alleviated the horrific stench.

Christopher returned to the bedroom last night and hadn’t left since he’d come in after eating a sandwich. He could barely fucking breathe because he hadn’t heard his wife’s voice since Sunday.

He didn’t know if the kids had gone to school today. He thought they had, but he just hadn’t had the energy to check or to care. Megan always made sure the kids were up, dressed, and out of there in time to get to Ridge Moore before first bell. She did so much, and he’d said she was a bad ma.

Shame poured into him. Another reason he hadn’t punished Axel was because Christopher knew he deserved what his boy handed out.

If only she’d call him. Even if it was to ream his ass out, he’d know she still cared. She could be Hell Goddess, if she wanted to. Lucinda. Medusa. Maleficent. Fuck,anything, as long as she loved him.

He covered his face with his hands and heaved in a breath. The sound of an opening door annoyed him. One of the boys.Yeah, they’d probably stayed home from school since he hadn’t told them to go.

They needed Megan just like he did. He missed her.

And… “Megan, baby, I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you more, Christopher.”

Her soft, sweet voice washed over him, so real he could almost smell her cherry blossom scent. He shuddered.

“I miss you so much,” he said, his face still covered. “Come home.”

“I’m here,” she said. “Right in front of you. Move your hands away.”

Christopher froze. Afraid to breathe. Afraid to follow her instructions and realize he was hallucinating. If he discovered he was still alone, he’d break down.