Tangled Hearts

10 years ago, I ran away on the back of a stranger’s bike and never looked back. No one came looking for me, and I got over it. I was 18 years old, broken and felt beyond repair.

I found a family. A family who loved me without judgment and helped me become the woman I am now. Strong. Happy. Now, I stood outside the funeral home in the town I ran from, wishing I could spit on my mum’s coffin and leave. I didn’t care that she died. I’d wished for it to happen since I was a kid, but having to face the people I left wasn’t something I wanted to do.

“Come on, kid,” Ralph said, flicking his cigarette away, “The sooner you get this done, the sooner you can see your dad.”

I gritted my teeth, “I hope he is suffering.”

“He probably is, kiddo.” Ralph motioned for me to walk in first. I pushed my sunglasses onto my head as I did so. Family members turned to see me walk in, but turned their attention away.

It was a good thing they didn’t recognise me. I had much to say to each of them, apart from my younger cousin Sarah. Sarah was the only family member who gave a shit about me. She helped me pack my things and gave me a spare phone the night I ran. Her parents were a piece of shit but they never beat her or neglected her. They controlled more than anything, but as Sarah grew up, they backed away. She grew the backbone I wished I had growing up.

“Good turnout,” Ralph said, sitting next to me.

I scoffed. “Probably after her money and estate. They were rarely around when she was alive.”

“Can’t wait for the will reading,” He smirked.

“They want what they can’t get,” I shrugged. “I still owe your lawyer.”

“Nah,” Ralph chuckled. “He was more than happy to help you. You are family, and family helps family.”

Ralph was the stranger who helped me. He was passing through town after going to a meeting in the next town and stopped when he saw me running down the road, bag thrown over my shoulder. Or that Sarah jumped in front of his bike.

He could have been a serial killer, and I would have felt safer. He patted the seat and handed me a helmet.

Since then, Ralph has been the father I needed and wanted. He took me in when he realised I had nowhere to go and introduced me to his family. They weren’t related by blood, but that didn’t mean anything. His biker friends were protective and looked after me when I was sick and at my lowest.

I wanted to pay Ralph back for everything he had done for me, but he brushed me away, saying I’d given him something he never had.

A daughter.

I’d cried so hard his friends had to leave, so they didn’t join in. The big, bad bikers weren’t so hard once you got to know them. His second in command, Tony, AKA Bones, taught me how to ride a bike, and his wife taught me how to run the bar. I always went to his wife, Missy, when I was stuck in life and couldn’t talk to Ralph about it.

My first-ever pregnancy scare was the worst time of my life, and also the last scare.

Ralph and his close friends pulled a gun on the guy. Thankfully, he didn’t piss himself and said he would step up if I were pregnant. Luke was involved with the bikers, and a drunken hookup with me almost got him killed.

I was then watched like a hawk until Missy told Ralph to get a grip and let me be a woman. Ralph didn’t like it, but he stepped back. I was surprised he let me come here knowing I’d face my dad. I’d told Ralph everything, and he wanted to pay a visit to my parents and send them to an early grave.

“I didn’t realise funerals were so fucking boring,” Ralph said, folding his arms. “This isn’t normal.”

“Biker funerals are different.”

“True. There is life. Here, it’s like everyone joined the bitch in the coffin.”

I held back my laughter and nodded. “Once my dad joins her, I’ll spit on their graves.”

“Set fire to them. It’s more fun,” He grinned. “How long did you want to stay?”

“I’ll walk out once my aunt says how she will be missed and how good of a woman she was,” I said. “I’ll laugh and tell them I’m glad the abusive bitch is dead. Good riddance.”

“Then see your dad?”

I nodded. “Then go back to the house and try not to blow it up.”

“That’s my girl,” Ralph smiled. “You can always sell it. Your dad is on his deathbed, and the deed is in your name. You don’t have to tell him. Send him an eviction notice. It’s not like he can go there and move his shit.”

“My nan was a smart woman,” I said. “Shame I won’t see the look on my mum’s face.”

“I hope she rolls in her grave,”

“While burning in Hell.”

The hospital hadn’t changed much. It still looked run down, but at least the broken windows had been replaced. The hospice ward my dad was on was through the main building, just past the children’s ward.

A ward I was familiar with.

I pulled my helmet off and placed it on my bike. “You don’t have to come with me.”

“Yes, I do,” Ralph said. “The boys are a few minutes out. They will watch our bikes.”

I nodded and took a deep breath. The last time I’d seen my dad was when he broke my nose for not cleaning up fast enough. He’d punched me and slammed my face against the wall, splitting my lip. My mum? She stood there laughing, calling me a failure, and no one would ever love me.

That night, I escaped.

People turned to watch Ralph walk by, and I didn’t blame them. Ralph didn’t fit in, and I was glad he didn’t. He stood at 6 feet 6, with broad shoulders and peppered hair, in a low ponytail. He had started going grey a few years ago, and the few friends I did make said he looked like a sexy silver fox. His beard was cut short, and his hair needed a cut, but he refused.

I’d started dressing more like his biker friends and loved it. Black skinny jeans, with the knees ripped out, black tank tops or black fitted tops and always a leather jacket. I’d gotten tattoos and piercings. It made me feel free. My parents thought they were disgusting and that people who were criminals.

A nurse pointed me towards my dad’s room, and Ralph put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. I swallowed hard and walked into my dad’s room.

He was frail and thin. Nothing like the man who used to knock me around. His skin was slightly grey, and his eyes were sunken. He’d lost his hair, and I didn’t feel sorry for him. The machines beeped steadily as he slept, but his eyes shot open when he realised he wasn’t alone.

“Maeve?” He croaked.

“The one and only,”

“Oh, my beautiful girl,” He said, tears streaming down his face. “I missed you so much.”

“Did you?” I took my jacket off and sat down. “Or did you miss beating me up?”

“I made mistakes in my life, but hurting you was the biggest one.”

“Bullshit,” I laughed coldly. “You don’t care about beating me. You never did. I was a hindrance. Once I left, I felt free. I was happy and unafraid.”

“You were never a hindrance.”

“Stop lying,” I said. “You are only saying this because you are dying and you think you can get forgiveness for all the shit you put me through. Well, guess what? No one gives a fuck about you dying. No one. You’re going to die alone and in pain. Then, you’ll join my bitch of a mother in Hell.”

“Maeve, please,” He croaked, more tears dripping down his cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “No, you aren’t. I’m okay with that. I have been okay for the past 10 years. I’ve made my peace with that, and now, you can die knowing I will never forgive you.”

“I-”

“I’ve said good riddance to Mum and now I can say good riddance to you,” I said, standing up. “I found a dad. He’s done more for me in 10 years than you did in 18. So good riddance, and I hope the guilt eats you as painfully as the cancer. Oh! Before I forget, you’re being evicted. The house you liked to brag about? It’s always been mine. Goodbye, Dad.”

I turned and ignored the insults he was sending my way. Nothing he said would hurt me anymore.

I didn’t say anything until we got outside and I took a deep breath. Ralph put his hand on my shoulder again as I calmed my racing heart down. I know his family would call me heartless and cruel, but they did nothing when he beat me black and blue or when he locked me in a cupboard for 2 days straight. I’d come out smelling of piss and I’d only be beaten more. I had scars on my legs, arms and back where he’d beaten me with his belt, and the buckle cut my skin. Welfare checks did fuck all because they’d blame my bruises on the people I used to be friends with.

“How are you feeling?” Ralph said.

“Free,” I breathed heavily. “I should have said more, but I think it got to him. I’m glad. I could have ripped him apart, but…I couldn’t do it.”

“He is your dad,” Ralph said. “Hate or not, it’s hard to express feelings sometimes. I know you hurt him, and now he is going to cry with guilt. He’s lucky the cancer will take him before I do.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Okay. I’m good. Let’s go see what my childhood home looks like, and I can decide what to do from there.”

When we arrived, there were cars outside and I sighed, knowing who they belonged to. My family had decided to use the house for the wake, and probably go through everything. Too bad I was about to crash their party.

The revs of the bikes gathered the attention of my family, and they came outside. I spotted Sarah, who covered her mouth as she smiled.

I climbed off my bike at the same time as the others and pulled my helmet off. “You are all trespassing. You have a minute to leave, or I'll make you leave.”

“You can’t do that!” An aunt screeched. “This isn’t your house. Who are you?”

“Aw, I’m hurt you don’t recognise me,” I grinned. “Linda, get the fuck out of here and tell your no-good husband to keep his hands in his pocket. The last time he was here, he stole a load of shit.”

“Who-”

“Maeve. Who else would kick your ass to the curb?” I asked, and recognition hit everyone.

“You’re alive?”

“Obviously,” I scoffed. “Time to get the fuck out.”

“No. This isn’t your house. This was my sister’s house.”

I sighed, and I pulled the house deed from my pocket. I walked over to her and handed it over. “This is a deed. And as you can see, my name is on it. No one else’s. So yes, this is my house, and you will leave. I won’t call the cops because I don’t need to. I have scary friends who will throw you across the street without a care in the world. If I were you, I’d make the right decision and fuck off nicely.”

Linda gasped dramatically. “How dare you? How dare you come back here and make demands! You always were a troublemaker. I was happy when my sister told me you were dead.”

I grinned widely. “Oh, I certainly am a troublemaker now, Linda. I’m not opposed to slapping you either. I’ll make you feel what I felt growing up with abusive parents.”

“You-”

“Everyone get the fuck out of my house and leave everything behind. If I catch anyone stealing, I’ll break your fucking fingers!” I yelled.

My family scrambled around grabbing their coats, and they left, while yelling insults at me. Ralph and his men stood around, watching them to make sure they took nothing.

When they left, Sarah hugged me. “You are such a badass!”

“I wouldn’t break their fingers,” I laughed. “It’s good to see you.”

“I heard you laughing when Mum said Lucy was a kind and loving woman. I rolled my eyes.” Sarah smiled. “I’m glad you are back. It might be good for you.”

“I doubt it,” I said and looked at Ralph and the guys. “Come in. Make yourselves at home.”

Ralph nodded, and I walked in, feeling the painful memories hit me like a brick to the face. My breathing was unsteady as I walked through the large foyer and into the oversized living space. The sofas had been replaced and were too white. The pictures were of expensive art, and above the fireplace was an oil painting of my parents.

No pictures of me.

It was like they wiped away my existence.

“You grew up rich, Trouble?” Luke whistled. “Nice.”

“I didn’t grow up rich,” I said, looking around. “I only lived here. I was a pest.”

“What do you want to do?” Ralph asked.

“I say we have a bonfire.” I lifted their picture from the wall. “This will burn nicely.”

A/N: I hope you enjoy this story of mine. It’s different from the others. I’ve not done a story like this either.

So, just to let you know, it is a reverse harem and there will be a HEA <3