Haizley leaned back in her chair and simply asked, “Missy, is it possible you’re projecting your anger at your brother onto Danny? Could your feelings about being abandoned by him in regard to the club be why you are so angry at Danny?”
“We promised never to shrink each other. This has nothing to do with my brother.”
“I think maybe it does,” Danny murmured.
“Fuck you, Danny.”
“Melissa.” I sighed.
“I can’t do this.” Pulling her phone from her pocket, she placed it on the table in front of me. “This is for you. There are hundreds of videos there for you both to see what you missed. There are lists of her favorite foods, her favorite toys. Things she likes and things she dislikes.”
“Missy,” Haizley called out as she stormed from the room.
Shaking my head, I seethed, “I swear to fucking God, Danny, if you don’t stop antagonizing that woman, you will be sleeping in another room tonight.”
“She started it.”
“And I’m finishing it!” I shouted, jumping to my feet. “Do you know the fucking rollercoaster ride I’ve been on since your accident? I’ve had to deal with both clubs, your snarky ass brother, your doctors, your family, my fucking family, and your never-ending mood swings while you tried to regain your memories. I’ve taken care of you, helped you, been there for you every step of the way, and the one motherfucking time I ask you to do something, you ignore me! Well, I’ve had it. That woman uprooted her life because we asked her to and instead of listening to her, trying to see shit from her side, you continue to knock her down. I won’t stand for it anymore. You owe me, Danny, and you will fix this. Today!”
Danny stared at me. His eyes were wide, clearly shocked at my outburst. I didn’t wait for a response. I just turned and stormed out of the room, my heart racing. I knew I’d laid it all out there, but I was tired of holding everything in. I needed him to understand the pressure I’d been under and the sacrifices I’d made while he’d been recovering. I didn’t stop to think about where I was going. I just needed to get away, to be alone and clear my head.
I made my way outside, the cold Nebraska air biting at my face, and took a moment to gather myself. I knew I’d overreacted, but damn, the stress of the past few months had been overwhelming. I just needed a moment to clear my head.
“Got something on your mind, Intern?”
“Not now, Bane, please.”
Walking over to stand next to me, he looked over the horizon and sighed. “It’s not easy holding everything in. I know what you are going through. You have to keep up appearances because you don’t want to rock the boat. Well, I’m going to let you in on a secret, kid. Fuck the boat. Let it sink. There is nothing you can do or say to make others understand. They have to see it and experience it themselves, and if they’re lucky, you’ll still be around when they hit rock bottom to pick them back up.”
“That’s rather cynical.”
The man shrugged. “It’s the truth. Been watching shit play out my whole life and nothing I did ever changed the outcome. Got so bad, I had to step away. Life isn’t always easy, Intern. You know that better than most, but you are smart, strong, and resilient. You are still standing tall.”
Bane was right, of course. I knew that, but hearing it out loud made it harder to accept. I’d always been the strong one, the rock for Danny to lean on, and now I felt like I was crumbling. I took a deep breath, the cold air stinging my lungs, and tried to gather my thoughts. “You’re right, I am struggling. I feel like I’m failing everyone, especially Danny. He needs me to be strong, to support him while he recovers, but I’m at my limit.”
“We all have our limits, Intern. It’s okay to reach yours. You’ve been through a lot and it’s not over yet. But you know what they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And, Intern, you are one of the strongest people I know.” I managed a weak smile, grateful for his words. “Now,” he continued, “why don’t you tell me what’s really bothering you? It’s not just Sypher’s recovery, is it?”
I slowly shook my head. “No, it’s not. I just recently learned my birth mother is alive and I have a twin sister out there somewhere.”
Bane smirked. “Well, I’m all about the DNA tests. Too bad I never got yours. Could have put it in the club’s database and done a search for you.”
“I kind of wished you had. I hate not knowing who they are.”
“Let me guess.” Bane sighed. “Sypher knows.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then ask him.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to know the specifics yet.”
Slapping me on my shoulder, Bane smirked. “Well, Intern, I hate to give you more bad news, but life doesn’t give a damn if you are ready or not. When she’s ready to spill her guts, she will, and when she does, my advice is to hang on because I’ve learned we rarely like the truth when we hear it.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Danny
Dante was barely talking to me as we sat in the main room, watching Danika play with the other girls. I understood why he was angry, and if I was honest, I was angry at myself, too. Hell, if my mom was still alive, she’d take a damn switch to my ass for treating Melissa the way I had, and that’s not including what my brothers would do to me.
