Page 21 of Sinful Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #9)

Chapter Twenty

Daisy

W e spend the next several weeks in complete euphoria. Brody has taught me so much about myself that I’m not scared of who I am anymore. When he looks at me, I don’t feel different. I feel like I belong.

I paint, and he watches or poses. He’s my new favorite muse. One of my favorite parts of the day is when he works out in the little gym they have here. He’s magnificent.

This morning, I got up early to make him breakfast. He’s done most of the cooking, but darn it, I want to take care of him too.

He comes out of the bedroom, and I smile. Sleepy Brody is almost sexier than workout Brody.

A grin lights his face when he sees me in the kitchen. “You’re up early.” He wraps his arms around me as I stir the eggs on the stove and nuzzles my neck. “Did I not wear you out enough last night?”

I laugh. “I’m usually an early riser. I’m just feeling more myself.”

“Good.” He swats my butt and then walks over and picks up his phone from the mantel. “I guess I should check and see what’s going on back home. They’ll be sending out the troops to look for me,” he says, sitting down at the counter.

I continue to move around the kitchen, worrying over the call I will eventually need to make to my own family. I’m just finishing up when I notice Brody’s gotten awfully quiet.

He’s leaned over the counter looking at his phone, his hand covering his eyes.

I watch for a few minutes before walking over to him. “Is everything okay?”

As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, he grabs onto me and hugs me tight. My fingers run through his hair as he presses his face against my chest. His body trembles, full of emotion.

Whatever he’s just read has made him incredibly sad. Even though I don’t know what that is, my chest aches for him. I know he can’t speak right now, so I stand strong, comforting him the only way I know how.

I don’t let go.

He did the same for me. Brody literally brought me back from the brink of insanity. I’d hold this man forever if that’s what he needs.

“I need to go home,” he says after several minutes.

“Okay, baby. I’ll get us packed up while you have breakfast.”

He shakes his head against me. “I can’t eat.”

Brody doesn’t want to eat? Something has definitely turned his world upside down.

“Hey.” I push away from him so I can look him in the eye. “Take the time you need, and I’ll get us ready to go.”

His eyes are glassy from unshed tears. He nods, and it releases one. It rolls slowly down his cheek. I brush it away with my thumb like he’s done to me a hundred times. “It’s going to be okay,” I say quietly.

He takes his phone and heads outside while I rush around the cabin, packing our bags, and cleaning up as I go.

I have everything sitting by the front door when he finally comes back inside. I wish I could say that he looks better, but he looks sadder than before he went out.

“I’ve just got to load up. Other than that, I think we’re ready to lock up.”

His gaze roams over the space as I go in and out, packing everything up in the back of his truck. When I’m finished, he’s still standing in the middle of the room. I step in front of him and slide my arms around his waist. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He hugs me and places a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m sorry our trip is ending this way,” he says quietly.

“It’s okay, Brody. I had a wonderful time here, but it’s time for you to go home. Please don’t worry about it.”

He takes my hand and walks us over to the couch. “Jackson’s mom is dying.” He chokes on his words.

“I’m so sorry.”

“She’s the only mother I’ve ever had.” He begins to sob. His heart is breaking before my eyes. I want to rip out a piece of my own to patch his up.

“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.” I hold him tight.

“I don’t want to believe it. He said there’s nothing they can do. She’s … she’s going to go on hospice in a few days.”

There’s nothing I can do to ease his pain but listen.

“Jackson and his wife are expecting a baby. They’re moving the baby shower up so she can attend before she gets any sicker.” He squeezes his eyes closed. “I … I have to be there for them.”

“Of course. We can get on the road right now. Everything is ready.”

He blinks his eyes open and looks around. He tries to apologize again, but I stop him. “This isn’t one-sided, is it? We take care of each other. Sometimes I’ll be down, sometimes it will be you.”

He runs his hand over his face. “I’ve never had that before.”

“Well, you do now, so let’s get on the road. I’ll drive. That is if you trust me.”

His sad chuckle lifts my heart a tiny bit.

On the drive, he talks nonstop about Rachel and the family she made him feel a part of. It warms my heart he has them. I love her already.

“She always has my favorite snacks, and she lets me go over there to nap on their couch. I swear it’s got some kind of fucking magic fairy dust sprinkled on it. It’s the best napping spot I’ve ever found.”

I giggle at his stories.

“One time Jackson and I found all these little frogs out by the barn at his grandparent’s place.

We caught as many as we could and took them to his house.

Somehow the lid came off while we were in school and the little fuckers got out.

” He laughs, shaking his head. “Man, did she chew our asses for that one. And oh god, one time it was lightning bugs, but she didn’t mind them as much as the frogs. ”

“You two sound like you were little shits.”

“Were?” he teases.

I laugh. “What am I getting myself into?”

“Everyone’s going to love you,” he says, bringing our entwined hands to his mouth.

“How will I ever remember everyone’s names?”

“I’ll set you up with little Charlotte. She’s my other best friend’s daughter. She’s a chatter box, but she’ll keep everyone straight for you.”

“I am excited to see Lexie and Ash again.”

“Yeah, about that. They ran into a little trouble with some asshole. He fucking kidnapped them.”

My eyes shoot to my hairline. “What?!”

“They’re okay. Ash was in the Army. That fucker can handle almost anything.”

I glance from the road to him and back again. “I’m sorry I kept you away from your family for so long.”

He laughs. “I guess we did lose track of time, but I don’t regret it. We needed that time together.”

“I’ll admit I’m a little reluctant to go back to the real world. It’s been nice being free to be myself.”

“Pull over. I’ll drive the rest of the way.”

When we get out of the truck to exchange seats, he grabs me and pulls me close.

“Listen, I want you to be yourself around the club. There’s nothing about you that you should hide.

I’m sure your parents would agree. I think you’ve built this divide between you and them up here.

” He taps my temple lightly. “Have you thought more about calling your family?”

I lay my head on his chest. “I know. I should.”

“Why don’t you do it now? We’ll be home soon. It will ease my mind, and I think it will yours too. This is a new start for both of us. We want to take off on a good note. I don’t want the police busting my door down someday looking for you.”

My eyes widen, and I jerk my head back. “You don’t think they’d report me as a missing person, do you?”

“Yeah, Daisy, I do. They love you, and you haven’t contacted them in several weeks. It’s time. Just tell them the truth.”

The truth. I don’t know what that is anymore.

“Like they did me?”

He sighs loudly. “I really think you should give them a chance to explain, but I won’t push you on that. What I am going to push is that you call them and at the very least let them know you are okay.”

When he says it like that, I know he’s not going to budge. Maybe he’s right. They are probably losing their minds.

I grab my phone out of my bag as we pull back onto the road.

“Take a few deep breaths and turn it on,” he says, reaching over and placing his hand on my leg. “You got this. You’ll feel so much better after you get this over with.”

As soon as my phone powers on the messages begin to pour in.

Brody squeezes my leg. “My phone was the same. Take another breath. It means we’re both loved, and that’s a good thing,” he reminds me.

Most of the missed calls and messages are from my parents.

Some of them are from extended family, and there’s even a few from the couple I was supposed to meet in Reno.

There’s only one from Paris. It’s from my roommate.

She was letting me know I left a few things behind in my rush.

She said she’d mail them to me if I want to send her my address.

I rest my head against the seat. If I had an address, I’d send it to her.

“Is it bad?” he asks.

“Yes and no.” I chuckle sadly.

“Why don’t you Facetime them, so they can see that you’re okay? I’m right here with you. It will be fine.”

He’s right. I’ve tortured them long enough, and I don’t have any messages from Henry, so he’s probably moved on. A shiver courses through my veins at the thought of him. I’ve managed to block what happened to me in Paris out of my mind. I don’t like thinking about it.

“You have so much to deal with already. Are you sure you’re okay being on the call with me? I can wait until we get to your house.”

The look he gives me tells me he’s had enough of my stalling.

“Fine.”

I call my dad, because my mom will be an emotional mess. He answers on the very first ring. His face makes me instantly tear up.

“Daisy. Oh my god. It’s Daisy,” he yells over his shoulder.

My mother rushes to his side. “Daisy. Thank God you’re okay.” She begins to cry.

“Where are you?” he asks.

I glance at Brody, and he gives me an encouraging nod. “I’m … I’m with a friend. I’m sorry I worried you guys, but I’m okay.”

My dad hugs my mom close. “We’re sorry we didn’t tell you that you were adopted.”

“How did you know I found out?” Oh my god, Henry called them!

“The couple you contacted reached out to us when you weren’t at the hotel you planned to meet at. They were worried about you,” he tells me

I’m so confused. “But how did they find you? I didn’t tell them my last name or anything.”

“He is a private investigator.”

Oh.

“Daisy, your biological mother asked us not to tell you. I’m not blaming her, but I want you to understand that she had her reasons.

When you were little, we kept in contact with her parents for a short time.

We called them when you went missing, thinking maybe you’d found them or her.

They told us they hadn’t heard from you, and they didn’t know where to find your birth mother. We’ve been worried sick.”

Again, I glance at Brody. He pulls off the side of the road.

When I don’t say anything, my dad continues rambling.

“Daisy, how did you find out you were adopted? This was all so sudden. We called the school in Paris, and they said you left without telling them.”

Brody rubs my arm, letting me know he’s right here by my side.

“The dean told me I didn’t get a scholarship to attend there. He said my biological father had paid for everything. They were brothers. He said my father wanted to meet me, but he passed away before it happened.”

Again, my parents exchange worried glances.

“I was hurt and confused.” I pause to take a deep breath.

“I booked the first flight back to the States, and I began to search for my biological mother. I figured she was the only one who could give me the answers I was looking for. I couldn’t sleep, and to be honest, I almost lost my mind.

I called my friend Brody, and he’s been helping me. ”

“Daisy, we’re so so sorry you found out that way.”

We’re all quiet for a few minutes.

“Anyway, I just called to let you guys know I’m okay. I’m going to be staying with Brody. We, um, we’re kinda dating now.”

Brody chuckles silently beside me, and I push his leg.

My parents visibly relax at the smile he brings to my face. They know it’s genuine.

“I just need a little more time. I’ll send you guys my address once I get settled, and I know Brody is excited to meet you. He’s been hounding me for weeks to call you.”

“We’re just glad you called, hun. We’ve been so worried,” my dad says.

“I know,” I whisper.

“Please send us your address,” he adds.

Finally, my mother has calmed herself enough to speak. “Tell Brody thank you for taking care of you. We look forward to meeting him soon. We love you, sweetie. We really really do. You’re the best thing that ever happened to us.”

I rub my hand over my chest, fighting back tears. “I love you guys too. I’ve got to go.” I hang up, not even giving them a chance to say goodbye.

Brody wraps me in his arms. “I’m so proud of you.”

“That went better than I thought it would,” I say, hiccupping through my sobs.

“I think so too.” He dries my face with his hands. “Let’s get home.”

I nod, relaxing back in my seat.

A few miles down the road, I realize I do feel better. “Thank you for making me make the call.”

“It’s always good to face things head on.”

“You’re right,” I agree, but I don’t know if that’s entirely true. Sometimes facing things head on leads to a collision you don’t survive.