Page 73 of Wild Card
“She doesn’t want to see you.”
“How do you know? Do you speak for her now?”
Willow tosses her arm across the bed, letting out a loud huff and gripping the pillow. Her brow scrunches as she reaches out. Slowly, her eyes open and dart around frantically, softening when they find me.
“Shhh, baby. I’ll be right back.” I brush her hair away from her head and kiss her temple.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing, give me a minute.”
I try to temper the anger in my voice, stepping into the hall. I’m momentarily taken aback by the beautiful woman standing face-to-face with Sterling. She’s tall and thin, with long brown hair and green eyes burning fire. The resemblance to Willow is unmistakable. But unlike Willow, this woman screams bitch.
“He may not speak for her, but I do. You don’t keep your voice down, we have a problem.”
“Who are you?” she screeches.
“I’m not someone you want to fuck with. Last chance, control yourself or I’ll have you removed.”
She swings her head to Sterling, continuing her high-pitched tirade. “You wouldn’t dare kick me out.”
“I’m giving you respect because you’re the mother of my children. But Talon doesn’t report to me. He’s on his own.”
“Who the hell is Talon?”
“I’m with Willow and this is your last warning to calm your shit. You upset her, you answer to me. And, woman, you don’t want to answer to me.”
“This is unbelievable. You can’t threaten me. She’s my daughter and you’re not even family. I should have you removed.”
“Like to see you try that,” Sterling takes the words out of my mouth.
I catch a quick smirk before his expression darkens again.
“Wait, did you say you’re with Willow? Likewithher? Are you her boyfriend?”
Stacy’s entire personality takes on a new tone and she clasps her hands together. “If this is true, why are we even standing here? Willow has moved on. This changes things.”
“This changes nothing, Stacy.”
“But Sterling, it does. Willow has moved on, which means Chase, Willow, and Rylee can finally be family again.”
“Rylee?”
Stacy’s eyes widen in alarm. “Yes, Rylee and Chase are Willow’s siblings. Surely you know this if you’re together.”
My silence is my answer.
“He’s met Chase,” Sterling offers.
“How convenient. Rylee does exist, no matter how you all treat her. She’s a part of this family and made some mistakes. But this doesn’t mean she needs to be ostracized and banished. Just because you broke up our marriage?—”
“Enough!” he hisses. “We are standing in a hospital corridor because Willow had a severe reaction to something we can’t identify. This is not about Rylee, her mistakes, you, or your decisions. There is no banishment, and we are not discussing our separation here.” Anger laces in his words.
Stacy straightens, focused to my right. “Oh my…”
Willow’s peeping out a slit in the door. Her eyes are loaded with confusion and locked on her mother.
“What are you doing out of bed?”
