Page 3 of Rox

“Please make yourselves at home,” I mumble, shoveling my forkful into my face.

Because my siblings went right into the living room to turn on the TV, it tells me my mom is here for a reason—a reason I’m not going to like. I know what she’s doing. Briar Rose and Remy are here as buffers, so I can’t pull a “disgruntled teenager” move. While I eat my meal, my eyes track her going from the cabinet where I keep my glasses to the fridge before she pours herself a glass of ice water. When she finally leans across from me, I can see the tiredness in her eyes.

“Roxie,” she starts. I don’t know what her tone is, but I don’t like it. I drop my fork and lean back in my seat. “Roxie, don’t. I’m just here to see if you’ll join us for dinner on Sunday. You know how much it means to your dad.”

“Funny,” I reply with nothing but animosity in my tone, “being a tattoo artist means a lot to me, but because I want to do it on my timeline and not his—” my voice raises the more I go on before she cuts me off.

“—I know, and I get that. I get that you want this to be the only option and not a secondary one. I know you have your mind set on this, but try and see it from your dad’s perspective.” I can’t help the humorless laugh that huffs from my mouth.

“Why? Why should I see it from his perspective? I love that he wants us to see his point of view but he never makes an effort to see it from ours.” I push my food away from me.

“You know your father,” she starts, but I cut her off.

“Yes, I know him and his irrational need to control everything!” I move to stand from my spot, losing my ravenous appetite.

“I’m trying to watch my stories.” Briar Rose yells over the couch.

“Ya! Keep it down in there!” Remy parrots. I can’t help but shoot them both a dirty look before turning back to Mom.

“Mom, I love you, and I will always love you, but this isn’t something you can mediate. He won’t see it my way, and while I get where he is coming from, I won’t follow his way of thinking this time. I’ll try to keep the peace as best as I can. I won’t talk about the shop, and what I am learning. I can’t stop what I’m doing to go to school for something I want nothing of.” I lean against the counter.

I have to put some distance between me and my mom. I know, realistically, she isn’t taking his side over mine, no matter how it feels that way. But at the end of the day, she has to live with him. So, I will try to make her life easier. It’s not that my dad would be mean or rude to her, but she has to listen to him whine and complain. I think she gets enough of that from my siblings. I mean, there are five kids and a grown-ass man-child in her house. Not to mention, she is basically the den mother to the MC boys. All while helping run a therapy farm. My mom can do it all. I know listening to my dad would make her at-home lifeeasier, but where would it end? When would my words, hopes, dreams, or stumbling to learn a life lesson take place?

“I know that, but he just wants to ensure you are safe,” she tells me. It’s clear she’s as exasperated as I am.

“That isn’t going to keep me safe. It’s going to keep me under his thumb, which I won’t be. Been there, done that. Never again.” She flinches at my words, but I can see it in her eyes. She knows I’m right. “Besides, I need to fall to learn. I need to fail sometimes to grow. I’m not going to sit back like a nepo-baby and watch as everything is handed to me. And I’m also not going to do something I don’t want to do because my dad says so. I know he wants to protect me from everything and everyone, but that’s not doing me any favors.” I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I can say everything over and over again until I’m blue in the face. Nothing is going to change her mind. And it sure as shit won’t change my dads or Angels. “Can we please just talk about anything else?” My stomach growls, and I give in, taking my food back to finish.

“Yes, after I say this one thing.”

“Ugh!” I let out as I throw my head back. My mom laughs, which causes me to look at her.

“I’m your mom. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I just let shit go.”

“True. Continue.”

“I’m on your side with this. I know it may feel like I’m not. I may be confusing with the things I say, but I am on your side. I’ve seen your work, Roxie. Hell, everyone has if you’re wearing shorts. You’re talented. I’m sorry if myself or anyone around you doesn’t tell you enough. You have the talent to become as massive as Angel is.”

“Mom, he’s ginormous. I don’t think Roxie should get that big. I’m pretty sure she’s done growing,” Remy calls out.

I can’t help it; I laugh. “Not at all what she meant, but thanks, bud.”

“I got you, sister.”

“Anyway,” Mom chuckles, “you have it. I think doing what you want to do on the timeline that’s best for you is exactly what you should do.”

“Yeah, but it’d be nice if they believed it too. Instead, all I got was a gigantic dose of embarrassment and disappointment.”

She sighs before she continues. “I think they’ll come around eventually.”

“Probably not. I’m sure they’re determined to be as stubborn as fuck with this. Besides, all of the guys watched what happened. They all know, and they’re gonna back dad no matter what.”

The joy of living with an MC since I was nine is I know how they work. I know loyalty and brotherhood. I know the men who make up this club will die for each other. They’ll also lay their lives out for me, my mom, and my siblings. Once you become a member of the Nameless Order, your brotherhood and family are more than those that wear a patch. It’s everyone. I’ve always felt safe surrounded by the men who follow my father. But that loyalty comes at a cost for me. They’re not going to choose me. They’re going to choose him. If he says no, so do they.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Two

Mimic

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