Page 64 of The Originals

Mick furrowed his brows and started across the room. “What’s going on, Grain?”

“She ain’t at the clubhouse, the apartment, or the bar. Ernie said she took a few days, and that motherfucker has no fucking idea where she is.”

“Why would she take off?” Mick asked.

Grain drew in a breath, clenching his teeth. An anniversary?Who the fuck came up with that idea?

“Brother?”

Grain scowled at Mick. “She’s pissed ’cause I left her on our fuckinganniversary.”

Mick raised his brows and flattened his lip but remained silent.

“That’s fucking bullshit, right? How the fuck am I supposed to remember? Does she even know all the shit I’ve got goingon with the club, working, the runs? And she expects me to remember the first time we fucked?”

Mick folded his arms, staring back at Grain. There was something in his stare. Disappointment?

“Do you remember your fucking anniversary?” Grain blurted.

The corner of Mick’s lips curled. “Which one?”

Grain furrowed his brows. What the hell did he mean, which one? Mick must’ve read his confusion.

“Met Meg on September twenty-third and married her on May twenty-fifth.”

Grain couldn’t even remember one date after being reminded multiple times. He drew in a breath, his anger turning on himself. Though, Grain was notorious for deflecting.

“That’s a pussy fucking answer.”

“You say that, but I know where my woman is right now. And” —Mick laughed, shaking his head— “it gets me a lot of pussy when I remember.”

This conversation was only adding to his anger.

“How the fuck do you even remember it?”

“Not that hard. The day I met Meg, she changed my life.” Mick shrugged. “Maybe you changed Gee’s.”

It was finally settling in for Grain. He dragged his hand over his face, cupping his mouth. He’d probably never remember the actual date, but he’d never forget the moment she walked into his life.

I fucked up.

“Gotta go.” Grain started toward the door, but Mick stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

Mick widened his eyes. “You’re gonna head back? Tonight? Grain, brother, we just did a whole day of riding. You need to fucking rest. Those roads are a death trap for tired bikers at night. You know that.”

Grain shook his head. “I’ll be good.”

“Grain,” Mick warned, “at least get a few hours before you head out.”

I don’t have a few hours.

“You call Jack for me?” Grain asked.

Mick sighed, gripping his hips. “He ain’t gonna be happy, man. You’re gonna catch shit for this.”

Grain didn’t doubt it. “I know.”

“Alright brother, drive safe,” Mick said.