Surviving Shame (The Irish Bastards Book 2) by KJ Bell

Author:KJ Bell [Bell, KJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

When the showdown ends, and we’ve won, then what? After the rush, after the heat of the moment passes, after victory is ours … that is when the real battle begins. We are left to clean up the carnage and deal with any casualties. Maybe that is not really winning after all.

SHAME

Breeze assured me she was fine, yet as I climbed the stairs at home, all I wanted was to go back to her house and spend the night with her. When I opened my front door, it seemed I had a problem to deal with first.

Looking at my mother was impossible when all I wanted her to do was leave. That promise to Kegger would ultimately be my undoing. I eyed the stack of framed pictures piled in the corner.

After the truth of my paternity had been revealed, I removed every photo of Berg O’Rilley from the walls. The only reason they hadn’t found a dumpster was because Maddie wanted them. He was her father. She should have them. Then I looked at the blank walls, focusing on the dull tips of the nails I never removed, odd reminders of my parents’ betrayal. My life had been nothing more than a blank space they filled with lies.

Exactly when did it start? And where would it end? The excruciating task of listening to her speak if I wanted answers, didn’t sit well with me. My mother didn’t know how to tell the truth. I didn’t expect her to start now.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, making little effort to hide the disgust in my voice.

She patted the brown, suede cushion next to her. “I want to tell you a story.”

I hated her voice, soothing as if she had delivered delicate news to a child. “Yeah … I’m a little old for circle time.”

She frowned. “Shame, please.”

“You have five minutes,” I said, remaining rooted to the spot on the other side of the room from her. She was safer if I stayed put.

“You weren’t Berg’s son, but he loved you.” She sighed and then smiled. “I remember the day you were born. Berg was thrilled to have a son.” Her hands folded together as she paused, her smile growing in size. “He tore off the little hat the hospital had on you and replaced it with a Bastards beanie. It was too big for you … made you look like a turtle. So we started calling you that.”

I remembered the nickname. My old man was the only person who stuck with it. Even after the club began calling me Shame, Pop still referred to me as turtle. I didn’t really mind … until … with his last breath …

“No Pop, you can’t die on me, Goddammit. An ambulance is on the way. Stay with me.”

“It’s okay, turtle. You take care of the club and your siblings. Be a good man.”

I shook my head violently. There were no fond memories, only lies. “Are we done with the trip down memory lane? You’re almost out of time.

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