“Seriously, Cherry, how could you not tell me you had a kid?” she continues. I set the soda down and pin her with a serious glare.
“I wasn’t really in the position to tell anyone, Dani. I wasn’t a mother. I had my rights taken from me. I saw Piper in the mornings when I could, and I had to be very careful about it. I had very dangerous men after me. I couldn’t risk it.” Lowering my gaze, I finger the soda top.
“Piper, that’s a cute name.”
I smile, and then tears prick my burning eyes. “Oh, Cherry,” Dani’s voice is laced with sympathy. She slides across the floor and embraces me in a warm hug. “It’s all right,” she whispers into my hair. I slowly push her off me and wipe under my eyes. I have to keep my chin up, got to stop this pity me bullshit.
“I’m fine. Really, I’ll be okay,” I reassure her. I think a piece of me knew there was more to Lip, a darker, more devious side. An inner beast that was lurking within the depths of his eyes, or the growl in his tone when he was angered. It was always there. I just refused to acknowledge it. I was too set on finding someone that was kind and gentle, making me feel like a fucking princess after Eric killed me emotionally. Now it’s time to suck it up, and face the beast that I’m in love with.
“You know I have your back, right?” My teary eyes find hers and my bottom lip shakes with the urge to just bawl.
“How? I’m not an ol’ lady. I’m not a part of this club. Lip didn’t want me here, Dani!” My voice begins to rise and Dani just shakes her head, a small laugh lifting from within her chest.
“It doesn’t really matter what Lip wanted. My dad gave you that property patch, right?” I nod, not sure what she’s getting at.
“My dad patched you in. He wanted you as family, and he made you one of us. You can tear off ‘Lip’s Property’, but that Devil’s Dust rocker? That’s no lie. You’re my sister through and through.” She gives a tight-lipped smile. My heart pains, not with one of heartache, but one with love and adoration toward Dani. She’s strong, she’s beautiful, and she’s the best damn sister I could ever ask for.
She stands and when I look up, I see a black iPod in my line of sight.
“What’s this?” I ask, taking it from her.
“It’s mine. I listen to it a lot when I’m in a mood or need my emotions sorted out. Or when I don’t know how to feel—the music does it for me.”
I nod. “Thank you, Dani.” I whisper.
“I gotta get back in there. Zane is probably raising hell with Bobby right now. Keep your chin up, Cherry.”
I stand on tired legs and grab the sheets.
“Oh, and Cherry?” I turn, finding Dani halfway out the bedroom door.
“Yeah?”
“If you really love Lip, make him hurt. Show him what he’s giving up.” She smirks and shuts the door. I furrow my brows, not sure if I want Lip or not. A piece inside of me still does, but my mind is confused on whether it would be smart to forgive him.
I remake the bed and take off my bra and shorts. I’m so tired all I want to do is climb in this bed and sleep. Just listen to music and sleep my way through this lockdown. I flip the lights off and put the ear buds in. The song “Locked Away” by R.City plays. I arch a brow, unsure of the song at first. I’ve never heard it before. As the lyrics continue, they speak right to my soul, telling my life story. A tear slips from my tired eyes as the song serenades me through reality and emotions I’m trying to deny. The fact that I’ve wanted nothing but to be there for Lip, and yet here I am, turning my back on him, not listening to a word he’s saying. The song guides me through emotions and feelings I can’t sort or explain, until my senses are drowned with sleep.
***
The bed dips, the feeling of warmth slips over me, and the smell of fresh mint wafts around me. Lip. I turn onto my belly and look over, finding Lip getting comfy right next to me in the bed. Has he lost his mind?
“I’m sorry, are you lost?” I ask, my voice muffled with sleep. The ride of self-pity is over, and now I’m pissed. I’m fucking angry and really just want to deck Lip in his face.
Lip rests his head on the back of his hands and looks up at the ceiling. “There is nowhere else for me to sleep. The club is packed, Cherry,” he explains, sounding irritated, like he’s talking down to me. It grates on my nerves.
I push myself up with my arms, grab his pillow from under him and throw it on the floor.
“What the fuck?” He leans over to grab his pillow, and I quickly shove my feet in his back and push his ass off the bed. He lands with a loud thump, and I move over into the middle of the bed.
“You like to lie so much, why don’t you sleep with the rug, baby,” I suggest in the most condescending voice I can muster.