“So he’s not actin’ weird?”
“No. Some woman, Harper’s mom showed up and she’s got the club talking but life here is just moving on as it did when you were here.”
“Good. Good,” he murmurs, then says, “I gotta go, brother. I’ll check in soon.”
The call is cut, and I shove my phone and smokes into my pocket. What a fucking day.
Chapter Four
Lily
Ican’t help myself. I shouldn’t have agreed to see Shane tonight, but the loneliness is gnawing at me, and I just need one night where I can forget my life. At my age, I should know that this is a night that will most likely be found out but for now, I just need a secret that makes me feel good.
Shane isn’t a permanent solution but temporarily? He’s good enough. I shower and dress in my skimpiest underwear. If I squint in the mirror and shut off the main light and keep the lamp on, I can shave ten years off my age. A knock at the door pulls me from my assessment of my body and I clear my throat as I answer, then jump back.
“Jeez, Lily, put some fucking clothes on!”
Shame washes over me as Harper barges in and closes the door behind her. Then pain hits me. I haven’t been Mom to her in a long time and I have no one to blame but myself.
“Does anything ever change with you?” she asks, looking around the room.
Oh God. Shane is going to show up at any second and then she will really look at me in disgust.
I throw on my robe and sit on the edge of the bed, praying Shane notices Harper’s car out front and stays clear.
“Who were you expecting answering the door like that?”
“No one,” I lie.
“I don’t actually want to know anyway.” She pulls out a chair from the small table by the window and sits. “Are you serious about wanting to be a part of this family?”
“Yes!”
“If it turns out you just want money or something…”
“It’s not like that, I promise.”
She nods and I hope she can see how serious I am. I’m fully aware this is my last chance with everyone.
“Come round for dinner tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”
“Yeah?” Hope springs in my chest and I cling to it.
“Yes, don’t make me regret it. I’m warning you though, you get one chance with Gunner. My son doesn’t know anything but love and security.”
“I won’t let him or you down.”
“I’m so far past being hurt by you, Lily. You leave again, I continue with the life I’ve made here, but my son won’t understand.”
“I hear you, Harper. Please, believe me.”
“I’ll save that for when your actions match your promises.”
She stands and I wish that I hadn’t fucked up so much throughout her life.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
She doesn’t hang around and I’m not surprised when she doesn’t linger on the goodbye. Once the door is closed and I’m alone, I breathe through my heart pounding in my chest.
