Page 54 of Peer & Coco

Lizzy sagged forward and rolled her eyes. Coco instantly felt bad for even making her promise not to tell anyone. They always confided in each other. Nothing they talked about ever went past the two of them.

"Kelli's in Portland, and she's approached me twice asking to see Tyr. She's also called Peer on his phone. He's adamant about not letting her anywhere around Tyr." Her chest heaved, and she couldn't breathe.

"Okay...that sounds pretty normal. That's what two people who aren't in a relationship have to work out together when they have a child."

"I know." Her eyes burned with unshed tears. "But Peer has talked about going to Norway to keep Kelli out of Tyr's life."

"No," whispered Lizzy, leaning back in disbelief.

She nodded. "I'm going to lose him."

"Maybe he won't go. He's got the club here—"

"He's got the Slag Motorcycle Club in Norway. He's got his parents there, and who knows how many other relatives." Coco rubbed her face, wiping her fingers under her eyes. "He would go and forget all about me."

"Are you sure he'll leave the country?"

A shuddering breath rolled through her at speaking her fears for the first time. "Wouldn't you do the same thing to protect your child?"

Lizzy visually shook and dropped her chin to her chest. Any parent would understand wanting to shield their child from further hurt. Coco wasn't even a mom, and she understood Peer's desire to make sure Tyr never felt abandoned and rejected again.

That hadn't stopped her heart from breaking.

"Talk to him." Lizzy squeezed her hands. "Let him know how much you love him."

"I have." She sniffed. "He knows, and I know how he feels. But I can't compete against a father's need to take care of his son."

"Oh, God..." Lizzy hugged her and pulled back. "I'm sorry you're going through this."

"It's been killing me. Talking to Peer about Kelli is...frustrating. I'm an outsider, and he's set in his anger. Right now, he can't step back from the situation and see long term." She shook her head. "I need to get a grip and go back out there and work. Thanks for listening to me whine."

"I'll always listen, and you know I'm here if you need anything. Anything at all." Lizzy stood.

They hugged. She washed her hands, and together they walked out to the bar. Total chaos greeted her, and she jumped into working the tables in her area.

Unlike other nights, the fire burning bright in the middle of the room constantly reminded her that her life was going up in flames. When all was said and done, she feared in the end, she'd only be a pile of ashes.