Chapter 52
Fifty-Two
Jaclyn
Present
I knew today was going to be a bad one when I woke up late. Although waking up next to Hayden was nice and reminded me of old times, I hate whenever I feel rushed in the mornings.
Being late always gives me major anxiety, whether it be for work or lunch with friends, I always like being on time.
After I finished getting ready I still had to worry about getting Junior dressed and fed before going to school. Everything started to feel hectic but then I walked out of the room and saw Hayden leaning against the counter while watching Junior eat.
Hayden’s arms were crossed and his whole body looked hard and tense. Then he looked at me and I knew, I just knew every good thing that came out of last night had crumbled down. Hayden and I didn’t talk the rest of the morning and Junior tried to have us both talk during the car ride to my work but neither of us said anything to each other.
Hayden would only talk to Junior while I stayed silent, fixing Junior’s hair.
I let Hayden drop me off at work first so that I wouldn’t be late and he could drop Junior off at school.
Work today has been as normal as it could. Brandon bothers me, a meeting with Jules about the CEO article, and then just emails about other stories I needed to look over.
Currently I’m waiting in my office lobby for Hayden’s car. Brandon is with me because Hayden is going to send Brandon home with Junior while we both are at the conference tonight. Hayden mentioned last night he would pick me and Brandon up but after this morning I wouldn’t be surprised if he just bailed.
He is trying to do better though.
I need to stay positive.
“He’s here,” Brandon tells me as if Hayden himself heard my thoughts.
I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress pants and take a deep breath.
I know why Hayden’s mad at me.
It’s because I didn’t tell him about his son’s medical condition. He probably saw all the med’s in the cabinet and he got worried.
But it's fine.
I’m handling it.
I’ve been doing okay and just fine without him or his support.
Brandon and I walk outside as Hayden gets out of the car.
“Brandon, we never exchanged names or met properly,” Hayden says, putting out a hand towards Brandon.
Brandon shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you, officially. Glad you’re finally able to be a part of Junior’s life and experience him.”
Hayden nods his head, his jaw clenching. His eyes go to me and yup, he’s still pissed. “Yea, looks like you’re no longer needed.”
“Hayden,” I say, making him look away from Brandon and glare at me.
“What? I’m just saying the truth. He’s not Junior’s father so Junior isn’t his responsibility. I’m allowing him to hang out with my son since you and I will be busy.”
My hand clenches around my bag. “Brandon, can you wait in the car for us?” I say, keeping my voice calm while glaring at Hayden. Brandon gets into the Escalade before I go off. “What the fuck is wrong with you Hayden? Brandon’s my friend and he doesn’t deserve your stupid jealousy.”
Hayden walks closer to me until we’re about a foot away from each other. “I told you, I’m not jealous. I can’t be jealous of someone when they have nothing I want. You and Junior are mine so I’m making sure he knows his fucking place with you two,” Hayden says.
“Brandon is Junior’s friend. He will be coming over still and hanging out. You can’t just stop someone who is important to Junior from coming over and showing Junior love. I’ll let whoever loves Junior around him because that’s all that matters. So tone down the protective bullshit and quit the attitude.”
Next thing I know, Hayden’s hand slides onto me to hold the side of my throat, gripping it. Not tight enough to make me scared because I could never be scared of Hayden.
But tight enough to know who’s in control here.
“I’m not the one who keeps fucking lying and hiding things. I’ll make you a deal. You start telling me shit and stop hiding things that I should know from me, and I’ll back off on that piece of shit in the car.”
I push Hayden’s chest and move past him to go to the car.
Fuck him.
“So I know I’ve spoken with you, Ms. King, about Junior a few times but this is the first time I'm meeting you, Mr. Night,” Junior’s teacher, Ms. Johnson says.
The entire car ride here was spent in silence. I sat in between Hayden and Brandon so that there wouldn’t be any chances of Hayden nagging Brandon.
Brandon knows how to take care of himself but I just don’t like the fact that he has to when Hayden is acting like a child. When we got to the school, Brandon went to get Junior while Hayden and I walked to his class in silence.
Now we’re here. Sitting in two tiny desks with our son's teacher in front of us.
“Yea, Junior asked me to come and I know he’s a good kid from what I’ve learned. I just want the chance to meet the teacher properly.”
“I would have never thought you’d be a single dad, Mr. Night. I mean the fights and everything must be hard and a lot of work for a man like you,” Ms. Johnson says with a small smile.
I raise an eyebrow and that green monster slowly rises as I stare at her.
What’s with that tone and those comments?
Is she serious?
Right in front of me?
And she’s making it seem like I’m not here and Hayden’s doing all the work.
I swear I’m going to smash this bitch’s head-
“I’m not single Ms. Johnson. But I appreciate the concern,” Hayden replies politely.
I look at him and raise an eyebrow.
Since when did we decide we were together?
“Please, call me Robin.” Ms. Johnson smiles sweetly at him. Doesn’t she have a damn boyfriend? Why does she have to flirt and talk like that to Hayden when she already has someone at home. As if Hayden could sense me getting pissed off and starting to overthink, his hand covers mine under the table as he stares at Ms. Johnson. “Well let’s get started shall we? Junior is a spectacular kid. I mean knowing who his father is now, I know why. I must say your fights are impressive.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from saying something because I swear I’m about to go off on her.
Why the fuck is she being so unprofessional all of a sudden?
Hayden is just a fucking fighter, not the Bachelor from season one of The Bachelor .
She is prettier than me anyways.
I mean look at her and those curves.
Maybe Hayden is into her too.
Or maybe, just maybe, I should fucking make her lose her job for talking to Hayden, my Hayden, like that.
“I appreciate the comments, Ms. Johnson, truly but I’m here for our son. I could care less what you think of me. So if we could go on with the meeting without mentioning my fights or career that would be great,” Hayden says while running a thumb over my hand.
Ms. Johnson blushes and nods her head. “Of course, Mr. Night. I apologize.” Ms. Johnson put her notes together from Junior’s folder. “Junior is doing really well with all his letters and spelling. He’s a very bright kid. Only thing he’s struggling a bit in is some of his math.”
Ms. Johnson starts to go on about Junior and how he’s doing in school and with the other classmates.
She says he is one of the friendliest kids here with a good heart. Hayden listens throughout the whole time and asks questions every now and then to learn more.
Hayden holds my hand the entire time while listening to her while I hold his hand back.
“Overall, Junior is doing great.”
“Can you tell at all if he’ll need special ed or anything for math?” I ask, wondering if he's like me in school, struggling.
Ms. Johnson shrugs. “It's too hard to tell now. We’ll have to wait until he’s a bit older. But I wouldn’t be worried, Ms. King. He is doing well. You should be very proud of him.” I smile and nod my head. “Well that concludes this meeting.” Ms. Johnson gathers her papers together. “I have to talk to my next parents but it was lovely talking to you both.”
Hayden and I both stand up. “Nice meeting you, thank you for doing everything you do for our son,” he says and I swear that the green monster is about to come up again until he says, “Let’s go, princess.”
“You go, I’ll catch up,” I say to Hayden quietly.
Hayden raises an eyebrow, questioning me but I smile and nod my head. Hayden lets go of my hand and smiles at Ms. Johnson before walking out the door. I look at Ms. Johnson and walk up to her desk.
She looks up at me with a raised eyebrow. “Is there an issue Ms. King?’
“Yes. Look at and talk to my husband like that again and I’ll get you fired so quickly you’ll regret doing that,” I say, keeping my composure calm.
Ms. Johnson's face turns red and she laughs nervously. “Ms. King, it wasn’t my intention to threaten you. I didn’t even know you were married.”
We aren’t, but I’m sure with Hayden’s dedication we will be. “We are and I hope me telling you this is a lesson for you not to do it next time I come in with my husband. Know your place, which is being my son's teacher. That’s all you are to Hayden and all you’ll ever be. You’ll be smart to keep that in mind. Understood?”
Ms. Johnson nods her head. “Of course.”
“Good. Have a good rest of your day, Ms. Johnson,” I say before leaving out the door.