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“Dad, I want Wesley to come with me. I want you to let him leave the club.”
His demeanor changed then. His jaw clenched as he studied me, almost as if I had just transitioned from being his daughter to becoming one of his enemies.
“Have you asked Wes if he wants to leave?”
Biting back the smart response I craved to give him, instead I decided to stay calm.
“Wes said he can’t leave because this”—I spread my hands wide, looking around— “can’t be undone.”
My dad focused on the table, chewing the remaining donut before finishing off his coffee.
“He’s right. It can’t.”
My stomach dropped out.
“But you could decide it, you could let him,” I argued, sitting on the edge of my seat as I tried to make him see why this could work if he just allowed it.
He shook his head. “Wes knew what he was getting into when he put on the patch. He has a role here, a job. This is part of his life now.”
Pointing at my chest, my voice rose as I cried, “I’m part of his life.”
“Then stay.”
Fuck, I just wanted to scream.
“Dad, please. I’m begging you. See past this stupid club, please. Just let him go, let us go, live our lives. Let us start over in DC, together.”
A knot had formed in my throat as my dad leaned back in his chair, his hazel eyes taking on that familiar gleam that he gave to the people who needed something from him, and he held the power. He sat there like a Roman emperor, holding my fate in the palm of his hands, and somehow I knew he was going to crush me.
It was like all the times I asked him not to throw big parties, or not to invite out-of-town members, or if I could sleep in his room because I was scared, and he’d tell me no. It was always no with him, and there was a fucking crater inside my chest that was filling with spite.
With a whisper, I asked him once more. “Please, I’m begging you. Just let us go.”
My dad’s expression crumbled the smallest bit before he stood.
“I got shit to do, Callie. If you’re leaving, then go. I love you. Wes can’t. You’ll have to choose.”
With a long stride, he turned his back and left his office, leaving me numb and utterly heartbroken.
* * *
Stupidly, I tried one more time with Wes.
All my things were packed, and my stomach was fluttering with nerves as I waited for him to come home. I had texted that I needed to talk to him, that it was important. He had replied saying he’d be home by lunch.
I went out of my way and made his favorite meal. Teriyaki chicken bowl with rice, but the sauce was a special recipe that required a lot of work, and usually he loved it. Especially if I paired it with his favorite beer. Lunch came, and went, with no Wes. Eventually, I caved and ate my bowl of food, then washed all the dishes, put them away. Another hour passed, and I put his food into Tupperware, feeling stupid, and that cavern in my chest grew.
Another hour passed, and that’s when I cracked.
I found the property patch and laid it on the table with a note.
Wes,
I was going to ask if you’d come with me today over lunch. I made your favorite...it’s in the fridge if you decide to have it later. I would have explained it all to you, told you all the reasons why I can’t live this life anymore, then I realized you already know them all. You’ve been my protector and friend since I was nine years old, Wes. I’ve loved you my entire life, but I also love me, and when I was little, all I ever dreamed of was getting out and starting a fresh life away from the club. So that’s what I’m doing.
I’m headed to DC. I’m not changing my number, if you want to call me or reach out. I love you, and I hope this isn’t goodbye forever.
-Callie
