Chapter 14

Rebel

“What kind of problem?”

“Did you catch the make of that motorcycle that punk feeling up your daughter was riding?”

“Nah man, why?”

“He was riding a nineteen thirty-seven Indian, brother. He had red hair.”

“So?”

He squints at me pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Christ man, don’t you get it. That fucker is your nephew. My grandson. Colt. That was Baby and Striker’s kid if I die right here, Reb…that was him.”

“You’re losing it, old man.”

“Let me follow him.”

“No way. I promised Morgan the club wouldn’t meddle in her dating life and that includes not letting her…whatever you are stalk a guy that made out with her. I don’t like this shit, but she’s growing up, Romeo, and I gotta respect that. So do you.”

“It’s not about that. Brother, this is serious.”

“Yeah, it is. But, now isn’t the time. We gotta meet up with Porter soon, and I’d like to see my daughter.”

“Yeah, that’s another thing….,” he trails off looking at the sky,

“What?” I growl. He’s wasting time.

“I know who Miracle’s father is.”

“I’m her father,” I grit at him, clenching my fist. “And she wants to be called Morgan.”

“Well, she’ll always be Miracle in my eyes, but I’m talking about her birth father. The son of a bitch LL fucked behind my back.”

I let out a heavy sigh as his words punch me in the gut. I’ve always known the day would come. Honestly, I’ve been afraid that when she finds out who her father is that she won’t need me anymore. I know it’s dumb and selfish, but it’s how I feel. I raised her and gave her my name. She’s my daughter in every way that counts. Sharing blood with a stranger won’t change the fact.

“I wish you would have talked to me and Chelle first.”

“I made the kid a promise and I intend to keep it with or without your blessing, man.”

I nod, knowing he owes her this much.

I don’t like it, but it is what it is.

“Who is it? Anyone I know?”

“Yeah, someone we all know. Someone I fucking trusted to guard my wife,” he states a little too calm for my level of comfort.

If he says Grim, I’m gonna flip out.

“Stone.”

“Stone?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Really?”

“I shit you not brother. Your little brother is actually the one who discovered it. Found an old lock box under the floorboard of the cabin. JT brought it to me. Thought the contents belonged to me. Didn’t even open it. He’s a good guy. I like him. Anyway, I open it to find shit that belonged to LL. Most importantly, a black book. Had dates, names.” He reaches into his cut and takes out a little black date book.

Romeo hands it to me and I flip through it seeing why he believes Stone is Morgan’s dad. It’s filled full of dates with Stone. Apparently, when he was working at the Fox’s Den, he was doing a lot more than his job. He was giving it to LL on the regular. Fuck.

“How you want to do this?” This is uncharted territory for me. We’ve always been honest with her, but seeing it written in ink, makes it real that she’s got a dad out there that isn’t me. She’s got a dad that is a member of my club. A member who fucked over our brother. A member that will have to answer for his transgression. I don’t care that it was nineteen years ago.

“I figure we sit down and break bread with her. Talk to her about school and lead into it. Then I’ll give her the truth and give the two of you some time alone. After you have your father daughter time, we’ll meet up and ride out to the Born Sinners.”

“Alright man. Let’s do this.”

I call Morgan and she says she’ll be down in a few minutes.  I have a few choice words I’d like to give her about her being on the back of some punk’s Harley but not today.

Miracle

When I get downstairs to meet my old man, he seems off. I can’t put my finger on it, but something is definitely bothering him. His blue eyes appear…sad. Something is weighing him down. I hope he doesn’t have bad news. I don’t want anything to bring me down from my high from being with Cole. Last night was…beautiful—magical even. It was perfect. Everything I dreamed of and more. As I move to give my dad a hug, Rhyner drops Bridgette off and barely gives her a chance to get off his bike before peeling out again.

“Christ,” Romeo grumbles, alerting me to his presence. I hadn’t paid him no mind until now.

“You okay?” I ask my roommate as she approaches us.

She nods with the hint of a sad smile. “Never better. Rhy was in a hurry is all.” She shrugs and her eyes brighten slightly as my dad greets her. “Nice to see you again Mr. Black. And ah, um…Romeo.” She grins on his name.

“Likewise, darlin,” he says with a wink, turning on his silver devil charm.

I shake my head. “Are we gonna grab some food or what? I’m starving out here. Ya know college girl diet here.”

“You want to join us,” my dad offers, extending an invitation to my friend.

“Thanks, but no. I really need to get a shower and study. I’ll catch up with you after,” Bridgette says, attempting to comb her fingers through her windblown hair without much success.

“Okay, later.”

She waves her goodbyes and heads inside. I follow my dad and Romeo across the street to their motorcycles, getting on with my old man.

**

We’re halfway through our meal when Romeo takes the conversation to a turn I’ve always wanted to visit, but nothing could have ever prepared me for the words that are coming out of his mouth.

“Miracle, if you’ll recall, some years back, ye asked me to make you a promise. A promise to find out who your real and true birth father is.”

“Um, yeah…I remember.” I cast a side-eye glance at my dad.  He nods his approval, so they must have had this planned. I swallow a drink of my pop and try not to get choked. My heartbeat is pulsing so fast, I can feel it in my neck.

“Rebel ye want to tell her, or can I?”

“All you, brother.”

“Just one of you tell me!” I snap. I didn’t mean to lose my cool, but this is important to me. I’ve been wanting to know who my real dad is since I learned I was adopted.

“Right.” Romeo’s dark eyes narrow on me, softening with a semi-smile. “Good news is you’ve already met him. Been around him your whole life.” He pauses taking a drink of his water. “Bad news is, I haven’t told him about you. Truth is, he might already be aware that he’s your dad. I don’t know. I haven’t taken it up with him. I wanted it to be your choice as to how you act on the information I give you.”

“Okay…so…his name?” I question, the anticipation is killing me. My palms are sweaty and my knees are knocking together under the table. My dad reaches across the way and takes my hand for support.

Romeo reaches into his cut and tosses a little black book on the table. “This book here belonged to your mother. I’ve only recently come to be in possession of it. Inside, you will find a list of dates and names. One name in particular is listed several times and the dates coincide with your birth date. I believe your father is Stone. Joey Hendrick.”

I let out the breath I wasn’t even aware I was holding. I don’t know what I was expecting him to tell me, but it wasn’t that. Stone—I know him. I know his wife, his kids. Oh God, I have more siblings. His wife is so sweet and always made me sugar cookies with the frosting on them for my birthday parties.

Did she know? No, there is no way she would’ve been making me cookies. Their marriage is one I looked up to like my parents. They’ve been together as long as I can remember. It makes me sad to think this idea I had of them was all a lie.

“Have you ever cheated on mom?” I blurt out at my dad, Rebel.

“No, why would you ask me that? Baby girl, I know I’ve made mistakes but I can tell you right here, right now and swear on everything I love that I have never stepped out on Chelle. Not once.”

“Good, that’s good.” I smile at him. “It’s just that you know, Stone…I always thought him and his old lady had a great marriage, it was one I looked up to, like you have with mom.”

“You can’t let the mistakes of a man’s past jade your outlook on love,” Romeo advises.

“I get that. It’s just…I don’t know. Now that I do know…I don’t feel any different. I guess I feel relieved to finally know, but I don’t know what I was expecting.”

“It’s a lot to take in, but I’m gonna give you two some time to catch up. Rebel, just text me. I’ll be at Wildcat Tavern.”

I grab his weathered hand. “Romeo?”

“Yeah, kid?”

I don’t know why I feel so emotional. I have to bite back my tears. “Thanks. I know it had to be hard for you to go back. I know you’ve moved on from the past…just…thank you.”

“You’ll always be special to me, Miracle. I may not have been your dad or stood by you like I ought to have done, but doesn’t mean, I don’t love you like my own, even if I don’t show it. I’m a sorry bastard, but you ever need me all you gotta do is say jump, I’ll be there.”

“I’ll remember that,” I whisper as he lets go of my hand and walks away.

Once he’s gone my dad scoots into the chair next to mine and puts an arm around me as my tears finally fall. I’m no longer lost or looking for answers. I know who I am and where I came from. I have the blood of a rebel.