Forever (Empire High Book 8)

Chapter 16

Friday

Brooklyn

I didn’t even have time to scream. Matt pushed me behind him. I couldn’t see anything in the darkness. But I still heard the zombie groaning.

“Who’s there?” Matt said.

“It’s just me,” said the deep voice.

A voice I was pretty sure I’d never forget now. Magnus King.

“I’ve been waiting to talk to you,” he said.

We had nothing to talk about. What was he doing caging us in against this gate? I grabbed Matt’s arm.

“Why is it so dark?!” yelled a high-pitched voice. And then she screamed bloody murder.

The zombie groaned again. But this time it sounded like it was because he was in pain.

The gates creaked open behind us.

“Step away from my friends or you won’t be able to walk ever again,” Tanner said.

I’d recognize his voice anywhere.

The lights turned on and Tanner was standing next to Matt. Tanner didn’t look intimidating in his old man costume. But his authoritative voice made up for it. And after seeing him throw a knife at Luigi Locatelli, I had no doubt that he could hurt anyone he wanted.

“What the fuck is going on?” Magnus said. “Everyone calm down.” He reached into the hole in the floor to help Poppy up.

The zombie actor did not look happy that Poppy had fallen on him.

Magnus and Poppy were both dressed like Dr. Evil. It was an off-putting sight for several reasons. But mostly because the taller one had kidnapped me a couple weeks ago. And the shorter one was Poppy, which was off-putting all by itself.

“Magnus,” I said. “Poppy.”

“I was just trying to apologize,” Magnus said. “For the other night.”

Poppy rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why Uncle Richard is making us do this. Brooklyn knows we’re on her side.”

I didn’t. Not really. I just wanted nothing to do with any of them. “I like the Mini Me costume,” I said to her.

“I’m not Mini Me. He is.” She pointed to Magnus.

Magnus laughed. “Definitely not, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me that. I’m not your sweetheart. And you’re Mini Me because I’m the one in charge.”

“You can think whatever you want to think,” Magnus said.

Someone else cleared their throat behind us.

I spun around to see someone standing there in the ghost mask from Scary Movie. There was a bloody knife in his hand.

The lights cut off again.

And this time I did scream.

Matt stepped in front of me again.

But honestly, I didn’t know which was worse. A masked stranger with a bloody knife? Or Magnus and Poppy?

When the lights turned back on, Tanner had the masked man in a headlock.

“What are you doing?!” Magnus yelled. “It’s just Richard.”

Tanner looked at Magnus and then back down at the guy in a headlock. “Richard Reginald Pruitt?” Tanner asked. “Is that you?”

“Yes,” my dad grunted.

Of course my father was dressed like a murderer.

Tanner let go of him and my dad coughed and fell to his knees.

“Sorry, old chap,” Tanner said. He grabbed him by the back of his black robes and pulled him to his feet. “You’re all good.”

He coughed again.

Realizing who it was didn’t make my heartrate go back to normal.

“What’s with the bloody knife?” Matt asked.

My dad pulled off his mask. “It’s part of the costume. It’s fake.” He tossed it on the ground and it bounced. It must have been made from plastic.

“Speaking of costumes,” Poppy said. “I love what you have going on, Matthew. I have no idea what you’re supposed to be, but it’s very form fitting.”

Matt turned around so she couldn’t keep staring at his butt in his tan boxers.

I just ignored her. “What are you doing here, Dad? You’re not even friends with the Caldwells.”

“I was invited.”

“That doesn’t really answer my question.”

“You’ve been avoiding me ever since I neutralized Luigi and Patricia had her…accident.”

Accident? Yeah right.I wasn’t sure why he seemed so confused about my not speaking to him. He’d killed two people. And I knew in my gut that he’d had a lot more people killed than that.

“I thought we were on the same page,” he said. “I stepped down from my position. I want to be a part of your life. That’s why I’m here.”

I didn’t want him here. And despite him trying, my opinion of him that I’d formed 16 years ago hadn’t changed. I didn’t want him to be part of my life. Miller wouldn’t want him to be part of our son’s life. I’d had a couple weeks to think more about this. And I wasn’t going to cave. I couldn’t. I’d never put my son at risk. “I can’t do this, Dad.”

“I just want to be part of your life.”

That wasn’t what I wanted.

“I didn’t hurt Miller. And I’m sorry if I ever hurt you.”

If he’d ever hurt me? He’d stolen my fucking kidney! I took a deep breath. I’d come to terms with all that shit years ago. It had led me to Miller. It had led me to having Jacob. I couldn’t regret or be spiteful about any of that. And I knew he hadn’t been involved with Miller’s death. I understood what happened. But it didn’t mean my father wasn’t dangerous.

“I’m sorry,” he said again. “Angel, I’m so sorry.”

Tears started welling in my eyes. “I forgive you.” It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders as soon as I said it. James told me he’d felt similarly once he’d forgiven his father. He was right. Holding on to that pain was only hurting myself. I did forgive my dad. I had to, or else the pain would eventually swallow me whole.

“So, maybe I can come over tomorrow? And spend the afternoon with you and my grandson.”

I shook my head. “I forgive you, Dad. But I don’t trust you. I don’t know if I’ll ever trust you.”

He pressed his lips together. “Just tell me what you want me to do. I already stepped down. I…”

“I need time,” I said. I wasn’t sure if time would help. But I knew I needed it.

“Brooklyn, you’re the most important part of my life…”

“She said we needed time,” Matt said and put his arm around my shoulders.

My father was great at manipulating me. If I was the most important person in his life, he would have done things differently 16 years ago. He would have listened to me and sent Isabella away instead of me. He would have put me first. I wasn’t the most important person in his life. I was just all he had left.

When he’d shown up to save me from Locatelli, I’d been ready to put everything aside. To move forward. I couldn’t explain why my mind had shifted over the past couple weeks. But I felt different. I needed to be home. And safe. I needed to protect my family.

“Okay,” my father said. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be waiting.” He leaned down and hugged me.

It caught me off guard and I almost stepped back.

But then I closed my eyes and breathed in his familiar scent. It twisted around in my head. All the good and bad. I hugged him back. Because despite everything, he was my dad. And maybe one day we’d be able to repair everything. But that day wasn’t today.

He sniffed and pulled back. “Magnus, Poppy, thank you for making your apologies. But we should be going.”

Poppy definitely had not apologized for anything. She’d just hit on my fiancé. But I expected nothing less from her.

“Take care of my girl,” my dad said and patted Matt’s back before departing down the hall with the two Mini Mes.

“Well he has that wrong,” Tanner said when he disappeared. “You’re our girl,” he said and winked at me.

I smiled.

“And speaking of girls…how did the two of you enjoy Tatiana?”

“We did not,” I said.

“Oh?” Tanner stared at Matt. “What did you do wrong? I swore you said you could handle at least three…”

“Stop it,” Matt said.

“Were you about to say three girls at once?” I sighed. “My future husband is a total slut.”

“No, apparently he’s not a harlot at all,” Tanner said. “If he couldn’t please both you and Tatiana.”

I shook my head. “We didn’t have a threesome, Tanner.”

“Oh, no,” Tanner said, completely horrified. “Matt, were you not able to perform?”

“Jesus,” Matt said. “No. Stop talking about threesomes.” He turned to me. “You said you wanted to dance?”

I laughed. “Actually, can we just get out of here? I want to go have that conversation with Jacob.”

He smiled. “Absolutely. Later, Tanner.”

“Comfort and speed, my boy.” Tanner slapped Matt on the back and then walked back toward the party.

“Ignore him,” Matt said.

“It’s a little hard to ignore Tanner. In a good way.”

Matt laughed.

I smiled. “Matt?”

“Yeah?” We started walking down the hallway.

“Thank you for having my back.”

“Always.” He kissed the side of my forehead.

***

If I was being completely honest with myself, I had been delaying this conversation with my son. Because this was hard to explain. And I had this horrible feeling that I wouldn’t be able to make him understand.

“Let’s go get ready for bed,” I said when we walked into our house.

“Never!” Jacob yelled and ran into the living room. He sat down and started zooming his trucks across the floor.

“Someone has had way too much candy tonight,” Matt said.

I laughed. “Apparently so.” I stared at Jacob playing.

“I’m really not trying to pressure you into anything you don’t want to do. I was just trying to talk.” He gave me a sad smile.

I knew he wasn’t pressuring me. But I was done standing still. I was done wasting time. I’d already wasted so much of his. Hurting him was the only thing I regretted. I wasn’t going to hurt him anymore. “Come with me.” I grabbed his hand and led him over to the couch. We sat down. “Jacob?”

“Yessie?” He didn’t look up from his trucks.

“Matt and I need to talk to you. Can you come sit with us for a minute?”

He ran over to the couch and jumped on top of me.

Ooph.He was definitely hyper. This conversation would have been better outside under the stars. Or in his bed with the fake stars on his ceiling. I looked up at one of the pictures of Miller up on the mantel. It was okay. He was here. And he’d always be here.

I blinked fast so I wouldn’t start crying. “Jacob, you know how much I love your dad.”

He nodded.

“And I will always love your dad.”

He frowned and looked at Matt.

That wasn’t a good start.

I stared at Jacob. He looked so much like Miller. And I knew how much Miller would have loved Jacob’s football costume. Down to the cute little black lines under his eyes. I would always keep the memory of Miller alive for us. “Your father isn’t replaceable.”

“I know,” Jacob said. “My daddy is my daddy.”

Yeah. None of this was coming out right. “But I also love Matt.”

Jacob looked at Matt again.

“And I know you love Matt too,” I said. “So I really want him to be part of our family.”

“Like an abuelo? Or…like a brother? Scarlett has a little brother.”

“No, not like either of those things.” I pressed my lips together. “Matt proposed to me. And I said yes.”

Jacob just stared at me.

I knew he didn’t know what any of that meant. What was I doing? But I couldn’t think of what to say.

Matt reached out and grabbed my hand.

Jacob stared at our intertwined hands and frowned again.

“I’m hoping to marry your mother,” Matt said. “One day. When we’re all ready.”

I slowly exhaled. He’d worded it much better. I squeezed his hand.

Jacob shook his head and looked up at me. “But you’re already married to my daddy.”

His present tense killed me. “I will always love your father. And he’s always with us. Right here.” I put my hand on the center of his chest.

Jacob looked down at his lap. “I don’t need another daddy. I just want mine back.”

God.“Sweet boy, Matt isn’t replacing your father. Okay? He could never do that. And if I could bring your father back, I would. I’d give anything to have him back.” I wasn’t sure if my words were hurting Matt. But we’d talked about this. He knew I’d always love Miller too. And I didn’t know how else to explain this. It felt like my heart was breaking all over again.

“I’m sorry about your father,” Matt said. “I know how wonderful he was to you guys.”

I squeezed his hand again as I tried to hold back my tears.

“I’m just hoping to be part of your family. And I’m hoping you want that too. I love you and your mom so much.”

I blinked faster. Matt was much better at this than me.

“I don’t want to call you dad,” Jacob said.

“I’m not asking you to, kiddo. You can call me whatever you want. Just like before.”

“Okay, Coach.”

Matt smiled.

“Can you play trucks with me?” asked Jacob.

“I can definitely do that.” Matt picked Jacob up off my lap and set him back down on the floor. “You okay?” he said to me.

I quickly nodded. “I just need a minute.” I hurried out the back door before either of them could see me cry.

I wrapped my arms around myself and stared up at the sky. “I don’t want to hurt anymore, Miller.”

I swear the brightest star in the sky twinkled.

I finally let the tears stream down my cheeks. “It’s okay, right? This was what you wanted?”

It twinkled again.

Miller had always been so understanding. So caring. He’d want all my scars to heal. He’d want me to be happy. I took a deep breath.

I don’t think my heart would ever heal from losing him. But I knew he wanted me to keep living. I pressed the tips of my fingers against the rings hanging against my chest.

It was always easier to take deep breaths when I touched those rings.

When Miller had proposed to me, I’d hesitated. But I’d said yes because it didn’t feel like a betrayal. I hadn’t broken any promises to Matt when I’d said yes. I’d promised Matt all my firsts. And Matt had technically still been my first fiancé.

But when I’d gotten pregnant with Jacob? That’s when I’d known it was time to make it official. And breaking one promise cascaded into breaking a whole lot more. Like a dam breaking. I’d married Miller right away. It was like Jacob had given us permission to embrace life. I felt guilty and hopeful at the same time. So freaking hopeful.

I let my hand slowly fall to my stomach.

The star twinkled again.

I inhaled sharply and looked down at my stomach.

I had felt this way before.

Protective.

Wanting to stay home.

Emotional.

Hopeful. Exactly what I was just recalling. Really freaking hopeful.

I spread my fingers out on my stomach. When was my last period?