Page 9 of Animal's Reformation
“Who? Oh …ourdaughter.” Emerald glanced sideways at the girl. “Ask her.”
“Fuck, bro,” Smokey muttered. “That’s your kid?”
“Damn,” Wheelie said.
“Shit,” Klutch added.
“You comin’, baby?” Charlotte asked Klutch as she padded over to the table.
“In a minute,” he said. “Just chill for a bit.”
“Okay,” the club girl said as she turned around and headed for the couch.
Animal went over and sat on his haunches in front of the small girl, his elbows resting on his thighs. “I’m your dad, Lucy.”
“I know,” she said without looking at him.
“I’m real glad to see you.”
No answer.
“How’ve you been?”
Lucy shrugged as both legs started bouncing.
Animal spread his hands and pursed his lips. “I know this is awkward as fuck, but I want you to know that I’m really happy to see you. It’s been a long time … too long.”
Lucy wiped her nose with the sleeve of her red turtleneck sweater.
For a few seconds, Animal just watched her, but Lucy never met his gaze or said a word to him. With an audible sigh, he stood up and raised his hand, signaling for another drink.
The ringtone of a phone broke through the crazy-ass vibe that swirled around the table, and Smokey took out his cell and cursed. “Fuck. It’s Freddy again. I gotta go. I’ll call you, bro,” he said to Animal as he reluctantly put away his phone and walked out.
Wheelie cleared his throat as he stood up. “I better get going too. Sofia wanted me to take her to some furniture store. I’ll see you around.” He bumped fists with Animal then turned around and headed out of the clubhouse.
Animal jerked his head toward Charlotte while staring at Klutch. “Don’t you gotta be somewhere too?” he said after the biker didn’t budge.
“Not really,” he replied.
“Charlotte’s waiting,” Animal said, his eyes narrowing.
“Oh … yeah … fuck. I guess I better go.” Regret washed over his face as Klutch slowly rose to his feet. He kept looking over his shoulder at Animal as he shuffled over to the couch.
Animal took a deep breath and let it out before he sat down opposite Emerald. Leaning forward, he splayed his hands on the table, staring at her as she sipped her drink. “Now tell me what the hell’s going on. There’s no fucking way you’re driving through Colorado to get to Illinois from Minnesota.” He took the drink Rusty brought over and pressed the rim of the glass against his bottom lip. “What’s therealreason you’re here?” He took a gulp and put down the tumbler.
Emerald shook her head and looked at his hands. “I’m done. Finished. Enough. I have to live my life. I’m still young. Do you remember how old I am?”
Animal pulled at his brain, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember, so he just sat there watching her lips flattened into a straight line. “Twenty something?”
“You’re so fucking pathetic,” she hissed, her fingers growing white as she tightened them around the glass.
“I don’t remember shit like that. Anyway, what does your age have to do with any of this?”
“I’m twenty-seven, asshole.” Emerald glared at him.
Anger pricked his skin. “Watch your mouth. If you wanna keep sitting inmyclubhouse, you show me respect. Next time you don’t, your ass is outta here.”
His words seemed to have worried her because she leaned back and threw him a weak smile. “I just brought up my age to remind you that I was only twenty when Lucy was born. It wasn’t planned at all and it took me totally by surprise.”
