Page 54 of Could Be Worse
“They’re criminals… outlaws.”
“And you’re so damn perfect, aren’t you? They’re also loyal, genuine, and do a lot for the town. Don’t tell me you have no clue what all the Knights have done in Bastion. They make sure kids in the community have presents at Christmas, and they help those in need.”
They help those in need. Holy balls! Was it the club that had paid off my house? “Sadie—”
“I don’t want to hear it, Bryce. We’re over. You don’t have to explain why you don’t want me. Take care of yourself and the girls.”
“Sadie, wait!” But the call had ended. I dialed her back, but it went to voicemail. “Fuck!”
Could I have made the biggest mistake of my life?
Yes, you idiot, you did. And now it’s too late. By now, she was back in New York.
I stumbled to the table and dropped onto a chair, sick to my stomach. Why in the hell had I cared so much about my house, when I should have been figuring out how to get Sadie back?
It was people who mattered, right?
She’d been right. The Knight’s Legion MC protected their territory. Anytime drug dealers entered, they drove them away. Nana filled me in on the good they had done, even when I hadn’t wanted to hear it.
Way to fuck up, Bryce Crispy.
It was time I focused on what really mattered, my girls. Tomorrow I’d take them to the fall festival and then go shopping for costumes.
Since Connie had left us, I’d been trying to do everything alone. It’d been overwhelming for me with twins. I’d done all right, but it’d been the fun stuff I was failing at. Sadie would’ve excelled at the fun stuff, her and her games, and goofy faces while dancing.
I recalled how much fun the girls had had with her. The giggles, oh, their giggles, were infectious.
Tomorrow I’d be the fun dad and hopefully lift Cat’s and Tori’s spirits. They’d been down in the dumps, like me now that Sadie was out of our lives.
If I could make things right, I would. I’d do anything for a second chance with Sadie, maybe even go to New York to beg her to give us another chance.
19
Sadie
The autumn day was perfect. Not too cold and the sun was out, gleaming above us. Unfortunately, I wasn’t into the fall festival. I tried to put on a cheerful face for my mom, but it wasn’t easy, not after talking to Bryce yesterday.
He might not want me, but I sure as hell wanted him.
“He’s an idiot, you know?”
I turned toward Birdie. “Who?” Was she talking about Bryce?
“No matter what I do, I can’t get over him.” She whipped her long brown hair off her shoulders with attitude.
“By him, do you mean Raymond?” I asked.
“Yes. I’ve done everything I can think of, except move out of the state.”
I searched for my mom at the kettle corn stand. There was a long line, and she was somewhere lost in it. “As if your dad would ever let you do that.” I laughed, knowing full well Storm would handcuff her to his wrist so she couldn’t leave. He adored his daughter, much like my dad did me, but Storm would fall apart if his Birdie flew the coop.
“Exactly.” She sighed and twirled a section of her hair around her finger. “How can Raymond act like I don’t exist?”
“Didn’t look that way to me the other night, when he was playing on stage. He was looking at you constantly.”
“I didn’t notice.”
“Because you were pretending, he doesn’t exist.” Silly girl was playing the game all wrong. I’d offer to help her, but I hadn’t done so well myself recently.