“Good, you’re alive,” she deadpans. “I’ve called your name three times.” Then she shifts, adjusts, and suddenly I’m holding a baby. A squirmy, plump bundle of snot.
“Hold,” she orders, already digging through her bag.
Shit. I didn’t even notice the kid was with her. I’m seriously slipping.
The baby gurgles. Coos. I bounce gently without thinking, and something tight in my chest unclenches. Just a little. For a second, it’s like I’m human again. Like I’m not just dragging my feet through mud, waiting for hell to finally welcome me home. It’s fucking weird. Kind of beautiful. Is this what women mean by baby fever? No. That can’t be right.
“You and Joker sharing custody now?” I ask.
“Not yet,” she says, still rummaging. “Next week. We agreed to wait six months before overnights. I’m just here to talk to Sketch about a job at the tattoo studio.” She looks up, and smiles gently. “Joker will be watching the little monkey while I do that.”
“You know that job’s yours, right?” I grunt, still bouncing the baby. “Sketch better not pull some interview bullshit on you. I’ll break his neck.”
Layla laughs. “Jesus, Ghost. Hold your horses. He didn’t even hire a temp while I was out. It’s just about setting the schedule.”
“Ah, there it is,” she declares loudly, and slaps a card on the bar. “That,” she says, jabbing a finger at it, “is your new therapist.”
I open my mouth to tell her exactly where she can shove that card, but she cuts me off with a glare that could skin a man alive.
“Don’t. Mama asked me to find someone for you. I got this card from Temperance. She swears by the woman. You’re going. I already called, and your first session is tomorrow. Two PM. Emergency appointment.”
“Layla,” I sigh, teeth clenched. “I’ve seen seven therapists.Seven. None of them worked. I need a fucking break.”
She crosses her arms. Unmoved. “Then she’ll be number eight. And if she doesn’t work, you’ll try a ninth. And a tenth.”
I shake my head. Baby still bouncing. “I can’t go. I’m watching Adora—”
“Yeah, yeah,” she cuts in, waving that off. “I know the whole damn thing. Temperance filled me in. Adora won’t be alone. You’re not her official bodyguard, are you? You can take an hour off. Her voice gets hard. “Youwilltake an hour off. For this.”
She leans in, voice like steel. “Do you not want to get better? Do you want to just keep pretending that you’re fine?”
I look away, trying to avoid the accusation lingering in her eyes.
“You hurt the woman you claim to love. And not just her, Ghost. You’ve been hurting us — your family — too. For years.”
I frown, a little thrown off. “What the hell are you talking about?”
She suddenly looks tired. “Do you think it didn’t wreck us? Watching you fall apart, piece by piece? Trying to destroy yourself? And then you shut down. Cut us out completely. Every time I see you, you’re further away. Like you're just going through the motions, waiting for everything to end.”
I clench my jaw. Her words cut deep. I thought I was protecting them from the darkness eating me from the inside. I never wanted to hurt them.
“I didn’t mean to,” I say, quietly.
“I know,” she says just as soft. Then she sighs. “You’ve been like a big brother to me for over two decades. I’ve seen you give everything for this club. For everyone. Me included. Even when you kept your distance, you showed up. Helped. Now it’s your turn to accept help.”
“And this—” she slaps her palm over the card “—this is help. You’re going. And if you don’t?” She leans closer, eyes narrow. “I swear I’ll cockblock you for the rest of your life.”
I snort. “That’s not the threat you think it is.”
She smirks. It’s evil. “Oh, you have no idea.” Then her face sobers. “Promise me. Just tomorrow. Try it out.”
I glance at the card, then back at the baby in my arms, who’s now trying to chew on my shirt. What the fuck do I have to lose? Seven or eight attempts, it’s all the same.
“Yeah. Fine. Promise,” I mutter and shove the card into my pocket.
Her face lights up instantly. “Good.” Then she glances over my shoulder and waves. “Sketch is here. I’ve gotta go.”
She looks around, clocks Joker, and flags him down.
