Page 32 of Tied to You

I shake my head side to side, looking to the floor. If only he knew the things I’m responsible for with the club. “And do what? Be like you?”

Mick lifts his farmer’s cap an inch off his head, scratching his hair before he puts it back down, my insult landing a bit too low, even for me. Lord knows I’d rather be like Mick than my actual father. “No. I want you to want more.”

My eyes snap up.

“I love your aunt. But she can’t help me anymore. Once Mollie’s foot is healed, she can take over here.” When I frown, he continues. “She’s hungry for the work. She’ll manage.”

“And what will you do?” Because I am pretty sure Mollie won’t last five minutes on her own here. Healed foot or not.

His hands go to his hips. “I’m going to take a step back for a bit. Look after Janette.”

“You can’t step back without me being here.”

He stares at me, looking pissed off as his hand runs through his five o’clock shadow. Fuck, he really does look tired. I hadn’t noticed until now. “You’re hardly ever here, so what fucking difference will it make?” I don’t answer. “I don’t have a choice. Once I know she’s okay, I’ll be able to help Mollie again. Until then, your aunt is my priority.”

I can’t nod in understanding because I don’t understand what that must feel like; to give something up for someone else. I haven’t allowed myself to think about anyone else. Never had the need to.

Selfish? Maybe. But it runs in my blood. To protect yourself. I haven’t been able to stay here—my home—because I know me leaving will be devastating for them.

And more lately, I haven’t wanted to face Mollie.

Two things I am definitely not, are useless and emotionless. I may not show it, but the way my heart pounded the other day tells me the fucking thing is still in there. I don’t want to see Mick lose this place, and I one-hundred-percent will not leave my aunt working when she can’t. But my future doesn’t lie here.

Mick turns, worry washing over his flushed face. “Be straight with me?” His question is more like a plea.

I nod in silent acceptance, taking a breath, unclenching my jaw.

“Mollie,” he simply says.

It’s short lived. I cross my arms, my teeth locking together again. “What about her?” My muscles tighten another inch as well.

“Don’t go there with her. I need her to stay.”

I almost don’t want to challenge his ridiculous claim. Shame for him that I will. “Are you suggesting I’ll do something?”

He laughs, which I wasn’t expecting. “I wasn’t. I was asking you to be respectful. Don’t drive away the best employee I’ve had of late.”

Ouch.But warranted.“She means nothing to me. In fact, all she does is serve to piss me off whenever she gets the opportunity.”

There’s a smile that breaks on his softening face. “How did it go taking her to the clubhouse? Poor thing’s been quiet ever since.”

She has?My ears prick up. My eyes widen.

Mick sees, his own widening above that fucking smile he’s still wearing. “Right.”

“Right, what?” I’m not in the mood to try to work out what the fuck he’s getting at, even though I know. The night I took her to the clubhouse was a disaster. I told Mollie I’d fuck her if she missed potting the ball. Which she could have, easily. But she didn’t. “Spit it the fuck out, old man.”

He lifts one foot, starting to walk away. “The way I see it, boy. You’re not hanging around the farm. We get that, have come to accept it.” They have? “But we like having you around here. Seems someone else does too.” He must see my confusion. “I’ve never seen someone work so hard as she has in the past two weeks. The only common denominator here, is you.”

“Bullshit,” I throw at him.

Cocking a brow, he continues his journey away from me. “Believe what you want. But I need her here. Don’t fuck this up for me.”

Don’t fuck this up?

Leaving me alone, I stand still, a confused ball of fury. My fists ball, then instinctively, I follow him. I’m hot on his heels when I see her. From the corner of my eye, I fucking see her.Notresting her foot. She’s working in the barn, almost thirty feet off the ground on top of a pile of hay bales.What the fuck is she doing?

I look back at Mick who’s moving further away from me. I’m momentarily torn.