Chapter 7

Razz

When I woke up this morning, the only thought in my mind was that today my family would be getting together to celebrate in what was finally the bringing together of Trigger and me. But leave it to Sadie to obliterate my happiness.

I’ve dealt with Sadie and her bullshit for too many years. I probably shouldn’t back off like I know I need to do, but I have Xander and Emerson to think about. Their world has been turned upside down enough. I’d rather give them stability than the constant up and down that I know Sadie will bring to their lives. Just in her presence, I feel dizzy as though I’d been riding rollercoasters all day.

So that is why it only took a twenty minute drive up and down the main road our house sits on to come to the conclusion that in order to provide a semi-normal life for the kids, I need to step back once again. I need Trigger to take the information I gave him and deal with his problems. He may have proposed to me and I should have his back, but I’ve had his back since we were teenagers and as he became a man. He was the one who chose to believe Sadie and now he needs to correct his mistakes when it comes to her. It’s time that he did it on his own without me holding his hand even if it is figurative.

Parking the Tahoe, I slowly get out and slam the truck door. As I turn, I almost run into Beanie. The look of concern lights my aggravation more. I’m tired of being pitied.

He pulls me into hug and I release the tears I’ve been holding in. “It’ll be okay.” He whispers.

“I don’t know that it will. I don’t have enough faith in the situation. I’ve never stood a chance when it came to Sadie.”

“But you’ve never been involved when she shows her true colors either.”

“Neither have you.” I huff. “She’s manipulated everyone in this town and gotten away with it for years.” I point to the house. “If it wasn’t for me, they’d never know the shit she’s done and there’s still that small possibility that she could still get what she wants.” I step back from him and head towards the house.

Beanie opens the door and I follow him in, interrupting the table discussion going on. Queenie approaches me with tear stains on her cheeks. Hugging me snugly, she tells me it will be okay. I’ll believe it when I see it. When she releases me, I’m met with Greer, Lily and Dani’s embraces.

I shrug off Dani and step to the side. I need to get this off my chest before I puss out. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve had about enough excitement for one day. Trigger, I need you to move out. Sadie is now you alls problem. I no longer want to be involved in her shit. I have Emerson and Xander to focus on. Their safety and happiness is my number one priority.” I choke up. I’m letting the one person in my life go with the hope he’ll come back. “Trigger, as much as I love you, I can’t deal with this bullshit for another ten years. I’ve spent the majority of my adult life being walked all over and protecting the people I care about when they wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say. I’m not going to spend the next week, month or year worrying about what Sadie is going to do next. That’s your jobs. Christmas break for Xander is in a couple of weeks and I plan to go back to Florida with the kids for the holiday.” I hand Rudy the number for my private investigator. “This is the number for Jimmy Degan, the private investigator. He knows to contact you with anything suspicious.” He nods. I walk the short distance to Trigger and kiss him on his cheek and whisper. “I love you Trigger and I hope you get the crazy bitch under control.”

“I love you too Razz. Keep the kids safe and know I’ll be back for y’all.” He says softly. All I can do his nod.

Leaving behind the people most important in my life leaves dread in the pit of my stomach. I have to hope that they are able to subdue Sadie and her antics.

I go to Emerson’s room to find the kid’s immersed in a movie. I lie on the bed next to Xander and pull him into my side. Kissing his temple, Emerson takes her eyes from the TV with a smile on her face. She climbs over her brother and wedges in between us wrapping her arms around my neck burying her head into my hair.

“I love you two very much.” I say loud enough for them to hear me over the movie.

“Love you too.” They say together.

I may be experiencing dread and loss, but these two will bring the light into the darkness my heart is feeling.

***

Slowly opening my eyes, I’m surrounded by two little bodies tucked to my front and back. The loud pounding reverberates through the house. I carefully distract myself from the kids. I make my way down the stairs towards the front door.

Jerking the door open expecting to see Trigger, I’m disappointed to be face to face with a smirking Sadie. Of course, she wouldn’t waste anytime.

“Sadie.” I grit out.

“Razz. It’s great to see you again.” She coos.

“Sure it is.” I say sarcastically. “Don’t blow smoke up my ass. What the fuck do you want?”

Her face morphs from cheerful to stone in an instant. “Well since you don’t want to beat around the bush, I just came to let you know that if you come near Trigger or any of the Southern Chaotic’s you’ll pay.”

“As you can tell, you won once again so your little impromptu visit is unnecessary. Trigger’s not here and he moved his stuff out last night.” The sides of her lips tip a little. “Congratulations.”

“I’d say thank you, but I knew Trigger would never stay with you especially with me back in the picture and pregnant with his child. But I’m warning you, if I have the slightest inclination that you’re sniffing around, I’ll make sure your little adoption proceedings will be put on permanent hold.” She giggles when she sees the confusion on my face. “Small towns love to be up in everyone’s business, so it wasn’t hard to find out that tidbit of information.”

“I don’t know what else you want me to say or how you want me to prove to you that I’m done with all the bullshit that surrounds you.” I go to close the door in her face when she plants her thigh between the frame and the door.

“Oh, I know you won’t fuck with what’s mine because I’ll fuck with what you want most of all right now and it isn’t Trigger, is it?!” I don’t answer. “That’s what I thought.” She adds snidely as she backs away from the door and struts to the piece of shit car she’s driving.

This is a battle I’m done fighting. It’s time someone else stepped up for the challenge.