Incandescent

Z shows no signs of feeling uncomfortable with my being in his dad’s clubhouse. He even hung out with us most of the time. The day was a success. It also solidified in my mind that I really want things to work out between Nix and me.

Until his ex-wife walks in.

I’m sitting next to Z talking with Kelly and Brooks when I realize something is wrong. Z freezes next to me. His happy, normal self sinks further in his chair and I’m instantly on alert.

“Are you all right, Z?” I ask, reaching out and lightly touching his arm.

“Bitch, get your hands off my son,” Addison’s voice yells out across the back courtyard.

“Addison!” Nix warns, calling out from across the huge area where he was talking with Jesse. He begins stalking closer with long steps.

“Sorry, Prez.” Hunter comes up behind Addison, obviously the one to let her in. “She fucking said it was an emergency.” He shakes his head, clearly realizing he fucked up.

“Z, come with me,” Kelly says, jumping into action, standing from her spot next to me and holding out her hand.

“Z, it’s time to go, now!” Addison yells, walking closer to us.

“I’m warning you, Addison,” Nix comes up, standing in front of us.

Everyone is quiet around us, but my brain is trying to keep up with Nix and Addison yelling at each other and Kelly trying to convince Z, who refuses to leave, watching his father and mother stand up against each other.

“Z, go with Kelly, would ya, bud?” Nix turns to look at his son.

“Like fuck,” Addison spits out, still being a pain in the ass and only pissing Nix off more.

“Z, look at me, buddy.” Z’s eyes find his dad’s. “Go inside.” He nods to him, letting him know that it’s going be okay.

“Z, get your ass in the car. We’re going, now. Get your shit together.” Z stands locked in their battle, unmoving, stuck between who to listen to. Reaching my hand out to his shoulder, I squeeze it to get his attention. I feel sorry for him, standing there watching his parents go at it with each other and fighting over him. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.

“Get your hands off my son, bitch,” Addison yells again and I watch Z flinch.

That’s the second time she’s called me a bitch, the temper in me slowly rising each time she spits it at me, but I ignore it for Z’s benefit. He doesn’t need to see this, bigger things are happening.

“Z?” I softly call. He looks up at me, his eyes pleading with me.

“I don’t wa

“It’s okay, Z. I won’t let her take you, but you need to go with Kelly so your mom and dad can talk, okay?” He nods his head and moves forward with Kelly, Mia in her arms. Brooks moves in now, standing closer to me.

“Z, quit being fucking stupid. I’m not go

“What the fuck, Addison?” Nix’s voice takes on a coldness that I’ve yet to hear. I step in closer to his side. I know he wouldn’t hit her, but the tension in the air is so thick, who knows what’s about to happen. Everyone is on alert, Jesse, Beau and Sy, all moving closer.

“You speak to my boy like that? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Kelly takes Z’s hand and walks him past his parents, away from the shit storm that’s brewing.

“Why is Z’s teacher getting comfortable with our son?” Addison immediately begins when Kelly closes the door.

“I’m not telling you anythin’, woman. You think you can walk in, spewin’ your fucked-up shit. The only reason my hands aren’t on you, draggin’ your sorry ass out of here is ‘cause our son is sittin’ in the next goddamn room scared out of his fuckin’ mind,” Nix grates out, his temper riding the wave of the anger we all are feeling at her words and the way she spoke to Z.

“Don’t be dramatic, Nix,” she scoffs, like it’s no big deal she just tried to put her hands on her son.

“Fuckin’ tell me why I shouldn’t just do it? Speakin’ to our son like that, the shit you’re spewing is affectin’ my boy. What the fuck is your problem?” He asks the question that’s on everyone’s lips.

I go to walk past them, not prepared to be a part of it. Watching Z shut down like that, it’s not hard to see that his issue has to do with his mom. After meeting with them back at the classroom weeks ago, I would never have guessed that things could be this bad. Nix’s hand comes out, grabbing my wrist in his fingers.

“You’re stayin’,” he firmly states.

“What the fuck?” Addison screeches. Knowing that I’m not going to get very far arguing with the man, I nod, agreeing to stay.

“So you’re fucking Z’s teacher now? Is that it? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

I swallow past the urge to defend myself, to tell her it’s none of her business, but I kind of know it is so I just shut my mouth, knowing things will only just get more out of hand.

‘We’ll talk about that in a minute,” Nix says, letting go of his hold on me, and taking a large step into her space. “First we’re go

“What are you doin’ here?” he asks again, seemingly calmer than me. How he can seem so controlled, while I stand here overwhelmed with anger and a need to protect Z, impresses me.

“Heard she was here.” She points to me, hatred etched over her face.

“So? You think that gives you the right to walk into my club? What happens while Z is in my care is my responsibility.”

“You fucking her?” she hisses with disdain.

“That’s none of your business,” I say, interrupting them, forgetting I should keep my mouth shut.

“I’m not talking to you, bitch,” Addison spits out at me.

“That’s the last time you call her a bitch. You speak only to me. We have enough problems, Addison. Don’t create more.” Nix squeezes my hand, letting me know that he has this. Frustration and anger flow through me. Seriously, this woman is a piece of work.

"Go home, Addison. I'm not gettin’ into it with you tonight in your state,” Nix tells her.

“I’m taking Z with me,” she continues not to listen.

“Like hell you are. After today, I’m not even sure I’m bringin’ him back after my four days.” I have to agree with that idea, knowing for sure that Z won’t be safe at his mom’s. I saw the fear in his reaction; something or someone has instilled that in him.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Addison scoffs, not getting how fucked she really is.

“Wouldn’t I? I’m over this bullshit you keep pullin’. Z is my main concern, and this just seals the deal. You need to leave Addison, now, before I do somethin’ I’m go

“This is all your fault,” she seethes, taking her anger out on me. “You’re a home-wrecker,” she accuses.

“Right, you blew it,” Nix snaps, signaling Sy and Jesse. “This conversation is over,” he states, pulling me away from her. Sy takes one arm and Jesse the other, pulling her along. She doesn’t leave without a fight, kicking and screaming.

“Fuck you, Nix. You’re my husband. You’re fucking my husband, bitch,” she continues to scream as Sy and Jesse struggle with her.

“Are you okay?” I ask as she is dragged away around the corner.

“Who fuckin’ told her Kadence was here?” he bellows out to everyone standing around. “We got a songbird on our hands,” he sneers.

“Nix,” Brooks speaks up, “it was probably fucking Chrissie, relax,” he says trying to calm him down as everyone starts leaving, heading inside to give Nix some space.