Page 8 of Acid

"The club will pay for the funeral," he says as I look out the window.

I nod before climbing out, and without looking back, I head to the door, pulling the key John gave me last year out of my pocket.

Silently, I walk into the open space, sobs echoing, and absolute heartbreak hits me when I notice Perrie sitting leaned up against the ring, her eyes on what looks like medical trash, her body shaking.

Fuck.

"Tinker," I rasp, and she looks up, her sad light blue eyes connecting with mine, tears spilling from them.

"I-I can't b-breathe," she stammers, "I-I can't?—"

Screaming cries echo around me as she falls apart, and I run over to her. I sit down next to her and take her in my arms, sitting her sideways in my lap, forcing her not to look at the scene before her.

She grips my shirt as she places her face in the crook of my neck, crying her heart out, and I hold her tighter to me, wishing I could take this pain from her, wishing John was still here, wishing I knew this would be the last time she'd allow me to hold her this way….

2

Perrie – Age Sixteen

"Today, we say goodbye to not only a loving father, but also a great man who took kids off the street and gave them a purpose," Hammer, the president of the Huntsmen MC, says as he stands behind the podium.

The small crematorium is packed, people even standing at the back, while I sit next to my big sister in the front row, all while my mother clings to Cass’s hand instead of mine, which I'm glad for because, after last night when she admitted she didn't want me near her because I looked too much like my father, I've distanced myself from her.

"His girls were his main priority," Hammer continues while I stare ahead, not seeing anything.

Ollie sits next to me, holding my hand while his brother Elijah sits on his other side, yet all I can think is, “Why cremation?”

I just don't get why he didn't want to be buried so that Cass and I could visit when we needed his advice.

A tear trails down my cheek, but I ignore it as my mother's hard sobs echo in my ear as she leans on her eldest daughter.

Shouldn't she be allowing us to lean on her?

"From encouraging Cassidy to attend medical school, ensuring her dreams come true, to teaching Perrie how to fight in the ring but threatening to hurt anyone who hurt her…." Everyone chuckles, but I don't react, causing Ollie to squeeze my hand. "He was a good man who adored his girls and did everything for them, and speaking for myself, I know he will leave a big hole in their hearts, in everyone’s hearts."

I hear Cass let out a sob before an arm comes between them. Steal’s cross tattoo comes into view as he wraps his arm around my sister, holding her.

Mom wasn't happy when she found out about them, but Dad—yeah, he was thrilled knowing his eldest would always be looked after.

It turns out he had poker night with Hammer and a few of the MC brothers once a month since they attended school together, yet none of us had any idea.

Hammer sighs, and I look at him to see his eyes on me, concerned, before they slide to Cass as he concludes, "He didn't want to leave his girls, and we all know he would do anything to be here with them, to stop their hurting, but know this: he will always be with them in spirit, in their hearts, and I make a promise to my old friend, they’ll always have me and the MC to fall back on."

More tears fall, but I still don't react.

"I'm worried, Ol, she's barely reacted to anything," I hear Eli whisper. Ollie's whispered, "Yeah, I know, I'm worried, too, Eli," in return still doesn’t make me react.

"Dad?" I question with concern and furrow my brows as he grabs his left arm. He gives me a small smile before pain etches his face and he falls to his knees. “Daddy!”I scream and rush to him, shouting, "Someone call 911!"

Sweat beads at his forehead as I bend over him, pressing my two fingers to his neck like Cassidy taught me, his pulse racing before it slows.

"You and your sister…you're my greatest achievements…. I love you," he croaks out before his eyes close, and I can no longer feel his pulse. I scream before starting chest compressions.

"Please, could we all stand as we say our last farewell to John James Halliwell, a beloved figure in the community, a father," the priest says, and Steal leans over to help Cass up as Mom clings to her, but I don't move. Instead, I keep my eyes on the brown casket, a picture of Cass, me, and our dad at the gym last year, grinning, glaring back at me from beside it.

I feel eyes on me, but I still don't move, even as my dad's favorite song, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns n' Roses, echoes through the speakers.

"She's got a smile. It seems to me