I say. “I need to handle it. I can’t hide from him forever, and it’s my fault he’s poking around the MC anyway.”
Temper nods. “Okay. I don’t like it, for the record. But I said we’d handle it however you wanted to, and I meant that.”
“I appreciate that,” I tell him, smiling. “I know how rare it is for you to give up control, and how you’re used to making decisions without being questioned.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Even the president of an MC has to be taken down a notch now and again, hey? And I think you’re the only woman who gets to do that.”
“Well, we have to be on an even playing field, after all,” I say, reaching over and taking his hand in mine. “Which means sometimes, more often than not, I get to have my way.”
He laughs again. “Unless it comes to your safety; then I’ll override that.”
I roll my eyes and give his hand a squeeze. “I’m safe. I’m surrounded by a bunch of cavemen and the two most badass women I’ve ever met.”
“You’re badass too,” he says, pulling me out of my chair and onto his lap. “You’ve adapted like a queen, Abbie. We’ve thrown you into some pretty fucked-up situations, yet here you are, smile on your face and throwing sass around. You’re a strong woman, you know that? I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I say, ducking my head.
I know that in the short time I’ve been here I’ve grown as a person, and that has been because of these situations and how far I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone. I’m just going to keep getting stronger, and I know that.
And I’m proud of that.
I’m becoming who I was always meant to be.
The woman my mom has always tried to pull me back from, because she didn’t want the world to hurt me in any way. What she doesn’t realize is that being fearful of life is only barely living, and sometimes the gamble is worth it. Yeah, I can get hurt, physically, emotionally even.
But living, I mean truly living? There’s nothing like it. And it’s worth anything that might happen.
Living without fear, it’s exhilarating.
“Who knew this is where I’d be?” I think out loud. “Just because I said yes to a date with a man I’ve had a crush on for years.”
Temper holds the back of my neck. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. A few hours spent with me and I brought you back down the rabbit hole with me.”
I close my eyes and rest my head against him. “It is what it is. We can’t change what has happened; all we can do is push forward and learn from each setback.”
“Spoken like a true Knight,” he says, smile in his tone. “What can we teach you next? You want to learn how to ride a motorcycle? Kick a grown man’s ass in a fight?”
“I don’t know about the motorcycle thing, but I’d like to learn some self-defense, for sure.” Anything that makes me less of a victim.
“That we can do,” he says, stroking his calloused fingers up and down my bare arms. “We’ll have you boxing in no time.”
Ivy messages me about the whole Palmer thing. We’ve always known that we have different dads, because I’ve met hers. He used to come around when we were children, but then he moved overseas, and all she gets now is the occasional birthday and Christmas phone call.
Ivy: How are you doing? I’m here for you if you want to talk about it. I can’t believe Mom has handled this situation like this, and knew who your dad was all along. I’m so angry at her, Abbie. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. Just know that I love you, and I’ve got your back.
Abbie: Thank you. I’m feeling pretty shitty, but it is what it is. I can’t wait to see you. I miss you so much! I’m being looked after here, though, so you don’t need to worry about me.