Butch

Chapter Six

Tears falling down her cheeks, Cheryl slammed the front door. She wiped the tears away trying to hide them from her son. Her life had been turned upside down, and she didn’t know what the hell to do. Alex was back. Why was he back? No, she couldn’t think about him or the fact he was part of The Skulls. How could he be part of The Skulls? Did he deceive her three years ago? Fuck, she didn’t know what to do. What did it all mean? Could she still be with Butch? The thought of never being with him filled her with pain.

“Mommy?”

“It’s okay, baby. We’re going to stay home a little while.” She smiled at her son, knowing in her heart she would do anything to make him happy. “Will you sit and play with your toys in front of the television while I cook?”

He nodded. Seating him in front of the device, she turned the cartoons on and started to work in the kitchen on making them some supper. Her hands were shaking, and it took several minutes of deep breathing before she gained control over her functions again. The fair had been a nightmare, and she didn’t want to continue it again. Opening up one drawer then another, the pain started to return. He knew where she was this whole time. Alex had used her for some quick slice of pleasure, taking her virginity and putting a baby inside her. The door was banged on pulling her out of her thoughts.

Dropping what she was doing, she headed out to the front door. Her mother stood there looking sad.

“Hey, honey, what’s going on? I heard something went down at the fair. People love to talk, and Mrs. Perry just had to let me know about you.” Her mother’s arms were around her within seconds. Cheryl held onto her. The tears didn’t fall. In fact, since seeing her mother, she’d gotten angry. For the past three years she’d been dealing with Matthew on her own, thinking Alex had simply left. Not only had he not left town, he’d not even cared enough to check on her.

The bastard had used her, given her a child, then left.

“I’m fine, Mom. Alex is back. I don’t know what it all means.”

“He’s not going to take Matthew away, is he?”

Cheryl shrugged. She would fight tooth and nail for her son. No one, not even his father, was taking him away from her. “He’s part of The Skulls, Mom. He can do whatever the hell he likes.”

“He’s been in Fort Wills all this time?”

She nodded. It didn’t take a genius to work out that he’d not even cared if she’d been around. The only feeling she had toward Alex was that of anger. She hated him for using her then walking away. Did he know the condom had broken? Did he even care? Did she mean that little to him?

“I don’t understand?” Her mother frowned. “How can he have been here the whole time, but no one’s seen him?”

“You didn’t know what he looked like. I knew, and it’s easy to stay away from town. Only groupies go to their place. I wouldn’t be at the compound for anything other than getting my car fixed, and seeing as I don’t own a car, there’s no point in me going.” She pulled out of her mother’s arms. There was no comfort to be had by her parent. “I’ve got to make food. Today didn’t go how I thought it would.” She took deep breaths as the tears threatened to fall.

She left her mother standing in the hall way as she entered the kitchen, her domain. Once she started cooking everything would be all right.

“What are you going to do, honey?” her mother asked, following her.

“What I’ve always done. I’m going to cook a meal for us all, and then I’m going to play with Matthew. I’m not at work tomorrow, so I’ll wait until Monday and go back to work. Everything will return to normal. The only person I need to consider right now is Matthew. He’s all that counts.”

“It’s okay to cry.”

Slamming the pan to the counter she glared at her mother. “Why? What good would crying do me? I’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I slept with a man within hours of meeting him, and he got me pregnant. Just because he didn’t stay around doesn’t mean I’m anything special. Crap like this happens, Mom. I’m not surprised by it. Crying will not change anything. I’m not going to suddenly have a new change of perspective with a few tears. Everything will be the same.” Cheryl refused to cry anymore.

She was hurt. Her first time with a man had been nothing but a bunch of lies. The time she spent with Butch had been more magical. Alex had used whatever means possible to get her into bed. She’d been seduced and had fallen for it just as easily. Looking back, she couldn’t help but think she was gullible.

“I’m going to go and sit with Matthew.”

Cheryl didn’t comment. The last thing she wanted was to talk to her mother.

Closing her eyes, she counted to ten before getting to work. Opening up some tomato sauce, she set to making meatballs for all of them. Halfway through the meatballs simmering the door went again.

“I’ll get it.”

Wiping her hands on a towel, she opened the door to find Butch on her doorstep. Staring into his eyes, she saw the pain within his depths. That pain responded inside her. She didn’t deserve this man. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“Don’t be sorry, Cheryl. This is not your fault.” He stepped through the door. She knew in her heart she should stop him, but she couldn’t. For a few seconds she wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her body, holding her close, loving her. His chin rested on her head as he held her tighter than ever before. “I’m not letting you go.”

His words did little to soothe the pain. She took what he offered, pleased to have him with her. Cheryl didn’t expect him to come back to her after the revelations of today.

“I didn’t know who he was.”

“Alex is a first class ass**le. I’m not worried, and neither should you.” He cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him. “Do not let him come between us. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.”

She bit her lip trying to keep the tears inside.

“How can you even want to be with me after everything that has happened? He’s your friend while I’m nothing to you.” She stared at his chest, wishing there was something more to be said.

“You mean more to me than nothing, Cheryl. I’m not going anywhere, not even back to the club. You’ve got me for life.” He wiped away the tears that had fallen, forcing her to tilt her head back to look at him.