“And Esme is with her mom?”
“They’re at Ella and Raiden’s house. She asked me to come over later. I came to ask you if you might fill in for me.”
“We’ve got it all handled. Didn’t expect you back until tomorrow night. It’s no problem at all.”
“But you’re busy. You have your own life.”
“A big chunk of that life is this place, and I’m thankful for it.”
“But Loreena? She won’t mind?”
“She won’t.”
“She’s okay at the house by herself?”
“She’s not there alone. Scythe always tries to be there when I’m not.”
Family. They’re blood related, but it’s just fucking good to be back in this place. I sent one text and Ella wastherefor us. I need someone to cover my ass because it’s a rough night and maybe going to get rougher, and Maverick has mecovered. I know that if I walked into the lounge or sent off a text saying that I needed help, I’d have all the responses that I need, and I’d have them fast.
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Maverick hesitates, but then just goes for it. “Is there anything else that you need? Even if it’s just someone to talk to, I’d be happy to listen.”
“I—” Where do I even start to go with that? If I let out a single word, I’m going to be here all night.
I slowly shake my head. Maverick’s brow edges up and a heavy line bisects his forehead.
“Not yet. Soon. I… I’d like to get to Ella’s. I told Esme that I’d come to talk to her. She said later, and I’m not sure what time that meant. If she’s not ready, I’ll do a few errands, maybe pick up food and anything else they need, and then go over.”
Maverick thumps me on the back in that brotherly fashion, where it hurts a little because he puts real force and feeling behind it. “You’re a good man. Always remember that. And that we have you, whatever you both need.”
“I will.” My voice is wet nonsense. I clear my throat and force one more word past the clog. “Thanks.”
I mean that thanks from the bottom of my heart, with everything I am.
Without the club, this wouldn’t be possible. I wouldn’t have been able to help Esme. I might not have even had a reason to be in Hart, and I might not have been close by whenshe needed me most. Without that feeling of being loved and accepted for who I am, and being given a purpose, I know I wouldn’t be the same man I am.
I’ve always felt weird about complimenting myself, maybe because I was so damn invisible growing up, but all of that only added up to bring me to where I am now.
Now, meaning the man who Esme said she could see herself falling in love with. And that makes all the bad, all the hard, all the not so beautiful and downright shitty bullshit, so very worth it.
Chapter 19
Esme
It’s evening by the time Wizard gets to Ella and Raiden’s house. She let us have her guestroom like we’re family. Once we got here, she asked me if there was anything I needed, and when I said that we’d be okay, she told me she’d be in her office, or around the house, and she didn’t want to bother me.Me. She told me just to open the door and holler, and she’d come running if we needed anything at all.
I wasn’t sure what Mom would do, but pretty much as soon as we got here, she huddled up on the bed and sobbed. I held her like I was the mother and she was my daughter, and honestly? It healed something in me that I had no idea how to fix.
She sobbed until she cried herself out and then she fell asleep. I didn’t think it would last, but I was wrong. I sat by her for hours. I watched her sleep, taking inventory of the gray threads twisting through her hair, of the shadows under her eyes, of the hollow spaces where curves used to be.
I sat and kept guard until I heard Ella open the front door and Wizard’s voice drift through the house. I slipped off the bed and tiptoed out of the room. I left the door mostly closed.
Ella shooed us outside so we could talk. She promised that she’d keep an eye on the guestroom in case Mom wakes up and feels lost. She’s also making dinner, movingaround, and flashing past the kitchen window as Wizard and I sit outside on her big back deck, enjoying the lush grass and sprawling flower gardens in her big backyard.
We’re both quiet for a good few minutes. I drink in everything out here before I turn to Wizard and drink my fill of him too. He smells good. Like his bike, leather, and cedar. We’re both sitting on the big sectional. It’s wicker on the bottom, with blue cushions on top. Ella and Raiden have the whole set. Blocky, modern patio furniture that looks brand new. A massive stainless steel grill takes up the rest of the deck. Patio stones flow from the wooden stairs and branch off to neatly landscaped flower gardens.
“This reminds me a little bit of Grandpa’s backyard,” Wizard says.
