Page 10 of Animal's Reformation
Animal’s gaze darted over to his daughter, and the only sign that she understood what her mother just implied was the way she wiped the corners of her eyes. Something inside him twisted like barbwire and he shook his head. “Don’t be saying this shit in front of Lucy.”
“Why not? She knows she was the result of a one-night stand with a good-looking biker who didn’t want to settle down. She knows that her father abandoned her mother.”
“We didn’t even know each other,” he said in a low voice. “I paid all the medical bills and have been sending money for you and Lucy since day one. We’ve been through all this before.”
“You never even wanted to try and see if we could make it.”
Animal ran his fingers through his hair. “It was a fuckin’ one-night stand. I wasn’t ready to commit to anyone.”
“Are you with someone now?” Emerald clucked her tongue.
“No. I’m not the settling down type—you know that.”
“You’re thirty-two years old. See—I remember how oldyouare. When the hell are you going to grow up?”
“You came to Pinewood Springs to give me a fuckin’ lecture? Why didn’t you just use the phone? It would’ve been cheaper.”
“I’m going to live my life now. You had seven years of freedom, so now it’smyturn to enjoy it.” Emerald leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms.
There was a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. “What the fuck are you saying?”
“I’m tired of being a single parent. I’m leaving Lucy with you.”
“You’rewhat?”
Smugness spread over her face. “Leavingyourdaughter with you. It’s your turn. I’m moving to Illinois with Jared and he isn’t keen on kids. It’s only fair that you do your part.” Emerald pushed away from the table. “I have Lucy’s suitcases in the back of my car.” She strutted past him toward the front door.
Animal sat there with his heartbeat racing and his gaze fixed on Lucy, whose legs wouldn’t stop bouncing. He couldn’t believe Emerald would abandon their daughter that way and say the things she did in front of her.What the fuck am I gonna do?
“Are you coming or not?” Emerald’s sharp voice reeled him back to the moment.
“Skinless will help you.” He jerked his head at the prospect, who immediately rushed over and followed Emerald out of the club.
Ten minutes later Barbie luggage surrounded him, and he watched as Emerald gave a quick peck to Lucy’s cheek before she walked out of her life. His daughter didn’t even look at her mother when she yelled, “Bye” at the door.
Then she was gone.
Slowly, Lucy raised her head and her black-as-coal eyes met his. Instead of sadness, there was anger in her gaze and it burned brightly.
“Do you have a home, or is this it?” she asked, venom punctuating each word.
“For now, this is it,” he said, knowing that he’d have to find a new place to live real soon.
Father and daughter kept staring at each other, and at that moment, Animal realized that his life would be forever changed. He had to raise his daughter, but he didn’t have a damn clue how to do it.
He stood up and grabbed two suitcases in each arm, then turned to Lucy. “I’ll show you where you’re gonna be staying for tonight.”
The girl pushed off the chair and came over to him and then they made their way to his room in silence.
