54. Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Blake
W hen Meg handed me a plate, my emotions got the better of me. I thanked her and sat back down, staring at the plate in my lap as tears blurred my vision before spilling down my cheeks.
It wasn’t just Meg’s generosity. It was everything. Mary’s kindness. The stress of the day. AJ’s gentleness. My father’s guilt.
Losing my life as I knew it.
What am I going to do now?
AJ’s hand on my back brought me back. “Sorry,” I mumbled.
“No need to apologize. You’ve been through hell today,” Jack said.
“We’ll leave you alone,” Meg said, standing up.
“No, it’s okay.” I wanted them to stay, hoping the company would keep my mind off my father while we ate. Maybe the company will keep me out of my head for a few minutes.
I didn’t think I was hungry until I took my first bite. I wasn't just hungry, I was ravenous.
We enjoyed our food in silence for a few minutes, too hungry to talk.
When I finished my meat and started pushing the salad around, AJ offered me some of his. When I hesitated, he held his plate over mine and pushed more meat onto it.
“Thanks.” I blushed.
“Anytime, I’m just glad you’re not a vegetarian.” AJ laughed.
“Me too.” It feels good to laugh .
When the guys got up to throw our plates away, I took advantage of the time alone with Meg to apologize.
“You have nothing to apologize for. None of this is your fault,” she replied.
“I know, but I still feel bad. Like I should’ve known what my father was doing.” I still found it hard to believe he’d been corrupt under my nose.
“How could you have known?” Meg said.
"I don't know, but I feel like I missed so many signs." I sighed, the weight of everything pulling on my shoulders. "He's not the man I thought he was."
“I know it’s hard to hear right now, but despite everything he’s done, I truly believe he loves you.”
Maybe he did, but that didn’t erase the horrible things he’d done, or caused to be done. Thankfully, they hadn’t hurt her or her baby. I wouldn’t have been as lucky if SSI hadn’t saved me.
“Let’s go get some dessert,” Meg said, hooking my arm through hers. “Beth said Chase insisted we needed ice cream, so Beth, Emily, and Ashley created a sundae bar.”
Ashley was the woman I saw hugging AJ. Did they have a thing? “Who’s Ashley with?”
“No one, at least that I know of. She’s Emily’s best friend.”
“Her and AJ, did they?”
Meg’s hesitation was answer enough.
“They did,” I answered for her. How long were they together? How close were they? Would she steal him from me?
Steal him from me? I wasn’t even sure he was mine, or I was his.
He acted like we were, but we hadn’t talked about it yet.
And I wasn’t sure I wanted someone claiming me like a Neanderthal.
Who am I kidding? That was the old, misinformed Blake talking . I’d be happy if he called me his woman.
If there was one thing I’d learned, the ‘claiming’ wasn’t about possession or control, it was about pride and love. I saw it with Jack and Meg, Jamie and Emily, Doug and Beth, and to some degree, with John and Mary.
“You really should talk to AJ about it,” Meg said.
Jack and AJ came back.
“We’re getting ice cream sundaes,” Meg announced. “Want to come with us?”
“Hell, yeah,” Jack and AJ answered together before following us up the stairs.
I wasn’t sure I was ready for the crowd in the conference room, but I didn’t want to deal with reality yet, either.
Ice cream covered in chocolate and caramel with a mountain of whipped cream sounds like heaven .
The crowded conference room buzzed with comfortable friendship. The relaxed vibe was exactly what I needed. One end of the table was covered in large serving dishes with a few scraps of food left in each. I chuckled quietly at the small, still half-full salad container. I wasn't the only one who preferred meat.
Emily, Ashley, and Beth were at the other end of the table, organizing the ice cream bar.
“When did they have time to organize all this?” I asked, a hint of awe in my voice.
“I’m not sure, but Mary and Beth have a lot of contacts in Weatherford, and they aren’t afraid to use them.” AJ chuckled, leaving me to wonder what other marvels they could pull off on short notice.
Jack added, “One nice thing about living in a small town; when we ask for help, we get it in spades.” He swept his arms wide.
“We were just going to call you up,” Beth said. “Didn’t want you missing out on dessert.” She spread her arms over the colorful display in front of her.
“Thank you.”
“Dig in.” Beth announced to the group before stepping back.
“You first,” Doug said. A round of “Ladies first” followed.
It was impossible not to see the love in the men’s eyes when they looked at their wives.
I had it all wrong.
Everything these guys did was to honor the women they loved, not dominate them. They didn’t want to control them; they wanted to support and protect them.
Not because they’re weak, but because they’re important.
I was still getting used to the idea that men could be strong, masculine, and protective without needing to diminish the women in their lives. Why id I believed that? I wasn't sure, but I not longer did.
Nothing could have prevented the smile that pulled at my lips when I turned to AJ and saw the same look in his eyes.
So different from the rich, powerful, controlling men in my father’s political circle.
So different from the selfish, spoiled, petty boys I met at college.
I got in line to make myself a sundae, and enjoyed the distraction of the company and the sweet, creamy goodness.