Butch

Alex was already heading down the corridor toward the kitchen. Rubbing her hands down her skirt, Cheryl had no choice but to follow him. He stopped just inside the kitchen door. She went on her toes to have a look to see what distracted him.

Matthew was coloring in the book Butch bought him.

“He’s so tiny.”

“He’s three. Three year old boys are supposed to be small.” She brushed past him, opening the oven door to see the latest batch of cookies was burnt. Putting them on the side, she blew out a breath.

Turning back to face Alex she saw he was still staring at his son.

“Why didn’t you come back to see me?” she asked.

He returned his gaze to her.

“You’re not going to like the answer.”

“I don’t have to like it. I need to know.”

“I didn’t care enough to come back.”

There was no pain at his words, which he had yelled.

“You do not get to raise your voice to me. I know I was a little fun while you were depressed, but you knew the condom broke—”

“Should we be having this conversation here, now?”

“Three years I waited to see you. You’ve known about Matthew for a good week, and yet you’re only turning up now. You don’t have the right to threaten or question me. I want answers, and I want them now.”

“I can take him away,” Alex threatened.

“Butch asked me to marry him. Try to take Matthew away. He’s been more of a father to Matthew than you ever have.” She stepped to her son, stroking his head. He looked up at her with tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ll stop yelling.” Kissing his cheek, she looked at Alex. He looked torn.

“You’re marrying Butch?”

“I love him.”

“Do you really?”

“Yes, I really do. I didn’t ask him to leave The Skulls or change who he is. I happen to like him the way he is.”

“The Skulls can keep him safe and you.”

“Are we in danger?” she asked, folding her arms.

“It’s The Skulls, we happen to be attracted to danger.” Alex ran fingers through his hair as he looked around the small space. “I knew the condom broke, but shit was about to get serious. I didn’t think about telling you, and then time slipped by me and I forgot.”

His words didn’t hurt her. She thought about Alex but only when it came to her son knowing his father.

“When Butch left The Skulls I didn’t know you were the same Cheryl until I saw you at the fair. I knew I needed to make myself known.”

“What are you hoping to achieve?” she asked.

“We want Butch back at the club. I wanted to make sure you were not the one holding him back.”

“I would never do that,” she said, getting angry at him.

“I know that now. Look, I’m sorry for all of this. I didn’t want to come here for us to argue.” He held his hand out.

“Why did you come?” She looked down at Matthew, stroking his head. He’d need a haircut soon.

“I want to be involved in my son’s life. I’ve got a right to know him and for him to know me.”

“Is this a split second decision where you finally decide to be a parent then leave when it suits you?” She wouldn’t have him coming in and out of Matthew’s life, building his hopes up then dismissing them.

“I won’t do that to him.”

She saw the truth in his eyes. “Why?”

“Look, I’ve been an ass**le, I know all of this. You don’t need to throw it in my face every chance you get.” He looked left and right.

“You threatened to take my son away from me.”

“What?” Butch asked.

Cheryl hadn’t heard Butch enter. He stood just behind Alex looking ready to commit murder.

“What the f**k is going on?” Butch asked. He carried the helmet he always made her wear under his arm.

“I’m trying to get to know my son. You can stay well out of it,” Alex said.

“You threatened to take her son away? When are you going to be a f**king man and simply ask?” Butch asked.

“Please, don’t fight. I don’t want him to get used to watching that.” She picked Matthew up. Staring at Alex, she saw his gaze was on their son. “I know you mean well, but this is going to take time. I don’t want to be a bitch. If you want to see him then don’t threaten to take him away from me.” She carried him through to the sitting room, then back past the corridor and upstairs. There was no way she was sticking around to see Butch and Alex argue whatever issues they had with each other.

Stepping into Matthew’s room, she closed the door.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she pulled out his favorite story and began to read to him.

“Who was that man?” Matthew asked.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “He was your father, baby.”

He was silent for several seconds. She didn’t know if his silence was a blessing or a curse.

“Love you, Mommy.”

“I love you, too, baby.” She kissed his head. Looking down at her son, she finished reading his book.

****

Placing the helmet on the table, Butch glared at Alex. The last thing he expected was to see the man in his home. “What the f**k are you doing here?”

“I was trying to talk with Cheryl.”

Staring down the length of the other man, Butch sneered. Alex always dressed in the fancy designer suits, rarely wearing his leather cut.

“You were hoping to talk with Cheryl by threatening to take her son away.”

At least Alex had the grace to look down at the floor. Butch respected him. He respected all of The Skulls. Since leaving the club, he’d been thinking about them more and more. He wanted to go back, yet he held himself away for fear of what it would all mean. With Cheryl he was a good man. He stayed out of danger even though he’d bailed the club out of jail a week or so ago.

“I didn’t know how to get her to see me. I was concerned and willing to use everything at my disposal.”

Nodding, Butch let out the anger he’d been containing. He slammed his fist into Alex’s face. With one blow Alex was on the floor, covering his eye.

“Fuck! I should have the cops throw your ass in jail.”

“Go ahead, do it, f**ker. I wouldn’t do this shit if you’d stop with throwing shit out of your mouth. I’m going to marry that woman. Cheryl is going to be my wife, and I’ll love her just like I’ll love her son.” Butch had thought long and hard about asking her to marry him. He didn’t want to rush into a decision then live to regret it.