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I let Jay wriggle from my arms and she hit the floor running as soon as she spotted Harlyn standing across the room with Sugar. The second I saw the look on Sugar’s face and tears streaking Harlyn’s cheeks, I raced after Jay.
“We’re taking her out of that damn school,” Op stated like it was the final word in the conversation.
“It’s the best school in Athens, and one of the best in the state. She needs to be there,” Sugar protested.
Op stared at her as if she’d suddenly grown two heads. “Did you not hear what your daughter just told you? She’s being bullied, not only by the kids but by the fucking teacher.”
“So we’ll go back and talk to the school. See what we need to do to help her.”
“Because that seemed to work so damn well the last few times you went down and talked to them, huh?” I interjected. “Go down there, have a chat, the school promises to help Har so you’ll keep paying them a shitload of money, and the next day nothing is different.”
I grabbed both Jay and Harlyn’s hands and pulled them toward me. Harlyn was confused and crying as she looked between two parents that usually had a great relationship. I tucked her into my side and she clutched my leg, Jay doing the same on the opposite side.
“This doesn’t involve you, Blizzard,” she sneered.
I was taken aback by the tone in her voice. We’d always gotten along just fine, better than fine actually. She was like a sister to me.
This was new.
“Every man and woman in this club cares about Harlyn, Sugar,” Op’s tone had calmed now, but his words were just as deadly. “If Har is being hurt, not one of us is going to sit idly by and let that happen. She’s your fucking daughter. How can you stand by and let those snobs down at the school do that shit and get away with it?”
Her face sunk. “It’s because of the club that she’s getting bullied. Always… the fucking club.”
Op’s face mirrored my own, both our eyes bulging at her comment. I saw her gaze flick to the doorway where Wrench stood, leaning against the frame, seemingly unsurprised by her outburst.
I knew then this was more than just problems at the school. Something had gone sour and she was looking for a reason to dump on the club. I silently shook my head, Sugar was usually so smart, so down to earth. But since she’d been back, things had started to change. She was making stupid decisions and not considering the consequences. I wondered what could possibly be going on in her head for her to be losing it so badly.
It couldn’t just be Wrench.
“Get out,” Optimus ordered. His voice was deep and emotionless.
Even Sugar was surprised by his words, but she nodded. Tears falling from her eyes as she reached out her hand to Harlyn.
“Harlyn’s staying here until you get your head fucking sorted and realize you need to do what’s best for your daughter and not what’s best for yourself.” Optimus crouched down and held his arms open. Har looked between both her parents before running to her dad and sobbing softly into his shoulder.
It broke my heart to watch the little girl who was usually so strong, break down.
Sugar placed her hand over her mouth, the tears flowing like a stream now. But she nodded and walked away, slipping past Wrench, who made no effort to move as she squeezed by him and out the door.
I knew how much it must have crushed her to have to walk away and leave her daughter here. But it was best for everyone and I think she knew that. She couldn’t help Harlyn until she helped herself. I just hoped that she came to us before whatever she had going on buried her too deep that she couldn’t find her way out.
Wrench’s eyes met mine and I narrowed my gaze. He shook his head once and headed for the stairs, his shoulder sagged slightly and I knew through all this shit, he was hurting too.
Optimus stood up, cuddling Harlyn close to his chest and rocking her from side to side. “It’s gonna be all good, kiddo.” I saw her nod. She believed in him and she knew he would do whatever it took to figure this all out.
