Page 61 of Loyal
She wishes it had been me all along.
Fuck, that is music to my ears. That’s almost like her saying she loves me.
“How much did you drink?” I ask her instead of addressing her words.
“One, but Laura doesn’t like to drink, so maybe I was drinking hers too so the girls wouldn’t know. Only, I think Viv made them doubles. I really want to finish my tacos.” She pouts.
Man, this woman is perfect. She saw Laura was struggling and stepped in without question. Took on more alcohol for herself so Laura could feel like part of the group. This is why she makes an amazing old lady.
My old lady.
“I’ll go get your tacos. You can finish them, then we can nap. Is that okay?”
She nods. “Tell the girls I’m sorry. Blame me for being a mother and not having drank in a while.”
I lean up and kiss her lips. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. You lie down and relax.”
I doubt she will be awake when I get back, but I will follow through with my promise because she asked it of me.
I’d do anything she says.
I’m curled up in a chair next to the window with a book on my lap. I can’t help but smile as I read about a guy in a motorcycle club who’s falling for his little sister’s best friend. It’s sweet and almost reminds me of my relationship with Loyal.
The main difference though is that my MC guy is one hundred percent real and not fictional in the least. Fictional or not, I can’t help but wonder how much of what the fictional clubs are doing happens in real life.
For a moment, I contemplate sending Loyal a text asking just that but quickly change my mind. No, if I actually work up the courage to ask, I’m going to do it in person.
I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and look out the window.
I see Farrah and Billy pulling up to the house. Sighing, I set the book down and head outside. I hate the fact that when my daughter comes home I brace myself because I never know what her dad will say.
Just a few minutes. I just have to say hi and then walk away.
Just walk away.
When Farrah gets out of the car she has a frown on her face, making my heart sink. I don’t know what was said in that car, but it clearly wasn’t good.
“Hi, baby,” I tell her as she walks toward me.
“Hi.”
“Samantha, we need to talk,” Billy says gruffly.
Annoyance courses through me. Will he ever stop?
“Billy, stop. Please. I don’t know how many times I can ask you to let this go. You need to leave me alone. Your pestering is becoming a serious issue, and if you don’t stop, you might force my hand to take legal action.” He stops and stares at me before tossing his head back and laughs.
Once he’s got himself under control, he looks at me and points at his chest. “Me? I’m the issue? Really? Come on Sami, you can’t actually believe that. For fuck’s sake, take a look in the mirror. You’re the one who decided to end our relationship out of the blue. You’re the one who’s dating a criminal now. Meanwhile, I’m the one who’s fighting for us. Me!”
“For the last time, stop! Just stop, please. There is no us. I don’t know how to get it through to you that I wasn’t happy in our marriage and that I have no desire to get back together with you. Also stop calling Loyal that! Last I checked, his record as an adult is clear. Honestly, I think if you took five minutes and had a conversation with him, you would actually like him.”
“You’ve officially lost it if you think I would like your criminal.”
“When did you get so hateful? You need to stop taking your anger out on others because we aren’t together anymore. If you don’t, you are going to lose everyone, mark my words.”
He looks at me for a minute, and I fight the urge to shift but hold my ground.
He nods. “You know what, Sami? You’re right. This does need to stop, and you know what…take this as your formalnotice. Due to recent developments, I’m taking you back to court.”
