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Trista didn’t understand, and Vada didn’t expect her to. To anyone looking at her situation, there’d only be one solution. Cut ties. Write them off. Be done with them. It was so much easier said than done.
“They’re my parents.” Although she fought hard against it, Vada’s eyes welled, and she drew in a breath. “I know how this looks to you and Hades and everyone else. I’m not blind or naïve. I spent my whole life living under my parents’ rule of thumb. I’m well-versed in how they operate. Manipulation. And guilt. And” —Vada sighed, “insults.”
“You’re proving my point, Vada. They…”
Vada cut her off, “My mom changed. It’s different with her now.”
Trista sighed. “Vada.”
There was nothing worse than hearing pity in anyone’s tone. And Vada was hearing it tenfold.
“Can I just tell you what I think?” Trista asked.
No. Because in the end, this wasn’t about everyone else. It was about Vada.
“No.” Vada stared down at her empty plate, refusing to make eye contact. “Because it doesn’t matter what you or Hades or anyone else thinks. None of you can truly understand that there is something inside of me. A tiny morsel, a sliver of hope that she’ll come around and be there. I’ve given up with my dad.” Vada steadied herself, trying to rein in her emotions. “But I can’t with my mom. I just have hope that she’ll show up. And there’s nothing I can do to get rid of it. It will always be there. And while it doesn’t make sense to any of you? It does to me. I’m just not ready to give it up. Because if I do, I have to face something I don’t want to. That in the end, she really doesn’t care.” Vada gulped. “About me.”
There was a long stretch of silence. How could there not be? This was a topic no one wanted to talk about.
“Look,” Trista’s tone softened, “I kinda get it. But…”
No, Tris, you don’t. How could she? Her life, her family, and her upbringing had been so different from Vada’s. It was the perfect counterpoint to anyone who suggested money equaled happiness. Vada’s family and her own childhood left her wanting for nothing—except for a real family. Trista had that minus the wealth.
“Do you, though? You can’t know what you’d do in my situation because you’ll never be in it. Your parents are amazing and love you unconditionally. They’ll always support you whether they agree with your decisions or not. They won’t turn their backs on you, and you know that.”
Vada swiped her cheek, brushing away her tears. Trista set the binder on the table and settled on the couch. She didn’t say a word. Not one. What could she say? If Trista tried to deny it, she would be lying.
Taco Tuesday had taken a depressing turn until there was a faint knock on the door. Thank God. Vada appreciated any diversion from the current topic. She jumped up from the couch, rushing to the door. She couldn’t have asked for a better interruption. Vada widened the door and smiled.
“This is a great surprise. What are you doing here?” Vada waved her in, and Marissa walked through the door.
“I’m sorry to come over unannounced. I was leaving Kase’s house and figured I’d swing by to see if you’re home. I have the pictures you asked for, and with only a few weeks left, I wanted to get them to you tonight.”
This was perfect timing. Not only did it serve a need, but also a much-needed distraction. Thanks, Riss.
“Thanks so much. Why don’t we bring them into the kitchen? It’s got better lighting.” Vada led both women to the other room. As soon as Marissa put the box down, she and Trista started grabbing photos. While Vada appreciated everyone offering up what they had, Caden’s wife Marissa had the key to the treasure trove of photos. She had Jack Reilly’s pictures.
There was a mixture of older photos with Kase and Caden’s father and some more recent ones. She flipped to the next picture in the pile and stilled. It was a photo of Hades and Saint. They couldn’t have been more than twenty, both wearing their cuts. Ghosttown Riders MC.
Vada knew how important she was to Hades. And Allie. He loved nothing more than being her dad. Both Vada and Allie were his world. But this club defined Hades. Long before Vada and his daughter…there was Ghosttown.
“I can’t thank you enough, Riss. These are great. I got a bunch from Regina, too, but not the same ones.”
Marissa chuckled. “I cannot get over how many pictures Jack had. And the fact that they took dick pics back in the seventies.”
Vada felt her cheeks burn as she widened her eyes. She hadn’t come across anything too explicit. Yet.
Marissa held up her hand, her lips twitching. “I weeded those out.”
Thank you, Riss.
The three women spent the next half hour looking through the pictures. Each one was better than the next. Vada didn’t know everyone, but it was surprisingly easy to pick out a few familiar faces.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this.” Trista laughed and turned the picture to show her and Marissa. It was a tattered photo of a man at the original clubhouse bar. Oh my God. She covered her mouth, muffling her giggle.
“Grain was hot.”
Yes, he was!
