12. Losing Patience
CHAPTER 12
Losing Patience
H eath’s mood deteriorated rapidly as he contemplated his closet the next morning. He’d lost track of how many times he and Addy had made love, but he knew he’d never been happier or more satisfied.
Now, he had to face the people who’d ensured he didn’t have that for the past twelve years. Rage simmered as he thought about it.
Addy’s small hands reached around him from behind, and she rested her cheek against his back. “You okay?”
He ran his hands over her arms. “Not really. I’m so angry still. Part of me wants to turn around and head to Phail. Forget they even exist. But most of me wants some answers. I need to know why they would do that to us.”
Addy kissed his back and then squeezed more tightly. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I imagine they thought they were doing the right thing. They love you and were trying to protect you the best way they knew how.”
Frustration ran through him. “If that’s the best they could have done, they’re pretty pathetic human beings.”
Addy chuckled softly, then moved around his body to face him, hands remaining in contact to keep him calm. “I know they’re not demonstrative people, but they love you. Try to remember some of the good memories before you go in. It’ll give you more of a balance.”
He hugged her tightly. “You’re a much better person than I am.”
She laughed again. “Doubtful. Now, let’s get dressed and head out.”
Shock rippled through him. She would go with him.
“I’ll stay in the car, but I’m going with you.”
He hugged her again, but when the kiss started toward nuclear, she stepped back. “No distractions. You’ve worked yourself up to do this. Let’s get it done.”
And she moved to get dressed herself. Not her usual leggings and sweatshirt, but a pair of jeans and a sweater that actually fit her.
When she turned back to him, he hadn’t moved. She looked down at her outfit and back. “What?”
He smiled. “You’re one incredible lady. Now stop distracting me with that sexy body, and let me get dressed.”
She grinned as her eyes roved over him. “I’m not the one showing off my muscles while wearing only a towel. Get dressed, Heath, you’ve got this.”
Then she left him in his bedroom. No wonder she was such a wonderful mom. Face the bad shit head-on, but with a determination that things wouldn’t be as awful as you’d imagined.
He would carry that confidence with him. Instead of reaching for one of his suits, he matched his level to Addy. Jeans and a sweater. He would head into this as himself, not as the man they’d tried to create.
Feeling better, he moved to the kitchen to find Addy filling up two coffee go-mugs. Her eyes roved over his outfit, and she smiled. “Perfect. Let’s go.”
Then she ushered him out the door. He took her hand in the elevator. “Thanks.” She squeezed his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder.
The contented feeling lasted until the gates of his parents’ home came into view. He pulled into the circular drive and parked in front of the house that had never been a home.
Addy ran her hand over his shoulder. “You’ve got this. Remember, they love you and probably did the best they could at the time.”
He grunted. “You might be too optimistic.”
“Nina and I have you in our lives. I’m allowed to be an optimist.”
No wonder he loved this woman. Instead of saying that, he kissed her hard.
She squeezed his hand. “That’ll keep me until you get back. Text me if you need me.”
He huffed out a breath and stepped out of the car. “Keep it running. I don’t want you getting cold.”
“I’ll be fine. Good luck.”
He nodded and walked to the front door. Instead of ringing the bell, he walked straight inside. If this was the last time he entered their home, he was doing it on his terms.
The woman who’d been taking care of his parents’ home for decades rushed into the foyer at the sound of the door. Her face relaxed as she spotted. “Mr. Heath. It’s so nice to see you. I didn’t realize you were coming today.”
Her warm welcome soothed some of his frayed edges. “Nice to see you, Mrs. Collins. It’s a surprise visit. Are they both home?”
She nodded, eyes wide, knowing full well his parents would prefer to be warned of his appearance. “They’re in the breakfast room.” Surprises weren’t common in this house. Which gave him a little zip of power.
Thanks to Addy’s prodding, he hadn’t missed them. His father would probably head into his office soon, and if Heath had stalled longer, he would have had to do this twice. This would be better. Get it all done at once.
He shook his head at Mrs. Collins’ offer to announce him and headed on back. They weren’t getting a chance to prepare for this meeting.
His parents sat at a small table in a nook overlooking the gardens. They were surrounded by expensive linens, fancy silverware and china, and absolute silence. No talking or teasing or laughing. He didn’t remember any of that in his past, but he did remember the silences.
Nina was a lucky kid, and he was going to be even more fortunate to be a part of her life.
His father spotted him first, eyebrows winging up and then down into a frown. Definitely not a fan of surprises. His mother reacted with a slight smile, and when she spoke, there was a hint of rebuke in her voice. “Heath. We weren’t expecting you.”
No shit. “I need to know why you hid my child from me.”
His mother’s eyes showed surprise and guilt, but his father’s expression was pure annoyance. “You had a future ahead of you. We weren’t about to let that?—”
“Watch how you finish that sentence.” He took a threatening step forward, fists gripped at his side.
His father rolled his eyes. “You had a future planned, and you didn’t need the distraction.”
“My child isn’t a distraction.”
His mother’s hands fluttered. “We didn’t know that girl was expecting.”
When Heath raised his eyebrows in disbelief, she continued. “We didn’t. She came here several times looking for you. We told her you were unavailable and were looking to start fresh in your new life. She never mentioned a daughter.”
His father rolled his eyes. “You were losing your way. You needed to get your life straightened out before you were ruined.”
His gut tightened. “So you had someone alter my phone so I would think she didn’t want to see me.”
“Heath, we were doing what was best for you.” His mother’s eyes showed hurt.
“Bullshit.”
She flinched backward. “There is no need for that kind of language.”
He almost laughed and repeated the word, but he didn’t bother. “You said Addy never told you there was a child. How did you know she’s a girl?”
His mother looked at his father, who waved away the question. “It doesn’t matter. We did what needed to be done. You should be thanking us.”
Absolute rage poured through him. He’d never been a man who chose violence, but the thought of tossing his father through the window behind him held a lot of appeal. He couldn’t contain the growl, and the flicker of fear in his father’s eyes was satisfying.
Until Heath realized he couldn’t descend to that level. He wanted Addy and Nina in his life, and if he ended up in jail over this, he would lose them both. Even if he didn’t end up in prison, the shame of resorting to violence would stain his soul.
It took several deep breaths, but he kept his voice slightly below a roar. “Where are the parcels she sent?”
Again, the flicker of recognition in his mother’s eyes before the lie. “What parcels?”
“You know what parcels. The ones Addy sent on my daughter’s birthday. The ones telling me about my child’s progress through life. The ones with carefully chosen pictures and stories. The ones where she continued to give me the benefit of the doubt instead of believing I was a derelict father.”
His mother’s back straightened. “She wouldn’t dare accuse you of such a thing.”
Heath nearly laughed. “Are you serious? Because of you both, I was a derelict father. I haven’t contributed a single cent to her care. Despite that, she’s healthy and happy, living a wonderful life. She’s smart and amazing. So creative and curious, she’s going to change the world for the better.”
Which was all so true. “Addy had next to nothing while she was carrying our child. Yet, she got through college, cared for our daughter, and created a wonderful life for the two of them. She’s taught our daughter to believe the best in people until proven otherwise. Hell, she even tried to get me to believe that you’d made the choices you did because you loved me.”
When they started to speak, he held up his hand to stop them. “You’ve proven a few things to me with your lies and deception, your willingness to deceive me and to tamper with my mail, which is a felony, by the way.”
Another flicker of fear in his father’s eyes. Good.
“One. Addison Syrette is a much better human being than either of you can ever aspire to be. She’s everything I want my daughter to be. You have no idea what actually matters in life. You have nothing but appearances, and you have nothing of substance. How could you keep her from me? How could you do something that heinous to someone you’re supposed to love?”
He blew out a breath. The rage was spent, but the disgust remained. “Two. My daughter was better off without you in her life. Three. I will be better off as well because I am done with you both. You took my daughter away and now you’ve lost your son.”
Without a goodbye, he turned and strode out of the house.
Addy had switched to the driver’s seat of his vehicle and he slipped into the passenger seat. Tears streamed down her face as she put the car into gear. “I’m so sorry, Heath. I’m so sorry.”
And if he’d needed any more proof he’d chosen correctly, he had it now.
A ddison didn’t know how to help Heath deal with the confrontation with his parents. There was no need to ask questions. His face told the whole story. They’d betrayed him and his trust. They’d somehow altered his phone and hidden his parcels. Or destroyed them.
He’d already suspected exactly that, but the confirmation had to be devastating. Not sure what else to do, she followed the GPS back to his condo and parked in his slot.
He’d barely climbed out of the car when she got to his side of the vehicle. She took his hand, and they walked to the elevator and into his condo.
Once inside, she wrapped herself around him and leaned into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Heath. You deserve better. You always did.”
His arms banded around her and squeezed. He buried his head into her hair and gulped in deep breaths. She kissed his chest. “Let it out, Heath. Scream, cry, pound a pillow. Go down to your gym and run it out. Whatever you need.”
He squeezed harder, and eventually, his breathing slowed a bit. Still, they stood together in his entry, twined around each other as her heart broke for him. How could any parent treat their child that way?
She ran her fingers over his back, hoping to offer some comfort to him. Finally, his hold eased up a fraction, and his hands moved as well.
He huffed out a breath. “Thank you.”
She hugged him again and kept her hands moving. “You’re welcome.”
Eventually, he straightened and kissed her forehead, then just held her some more.
“What do you need, Heath?”
“You, Addy, I need you. I need to wash away some of the ugly and the hate with the goodness that simply pours from you.”
She smiled up at him. “I don’t know about that, but I’m here, and you’ve got me.”
He studied her face, and the desire that filled his gaze had her body reacting in an instant. A moment ago, she’d only been thinking of comfort. Now, she wanted to show this man he was worth everything.
His voice was gruff. “I’m feeling a little wild and out of control.”
She grinned. “Sounds like fun.”
And that broke the protective mask that had been on his face and his soul. He laughed and then lifted her to toss her over his shoulder. She was laughing as he headed for the bedroom.
It was wild and uncontrolled. And absolutely perfect.
Much later, she lay sprawled on her stomach while Heath drew lazy circles on her spine. “You okay?”
Addy laughed and rolled over to look him directly in the face. “Yes. More than okay. I may not have the energy to move for a year or two, but I’m okay with that. How are you feeling?”
His lopsided grin had her tracing her hand over his lips and along his jawline. “A hell of a lot better now.” He propped up a few pillows and helped her sit up to snuggle into him.
After they’d sat quietly for a minute, he spoke. “I used to worry that I’d be like them.”
She straightened to look at him. “You know better, don’t you?”
He smiled sadly and kissed her softly. “I do now. It’s a hard thing to be embarrassed by and ashamed of your parents.”
She’d never known her parents, but she always liked to assume they’d been young and scared. That they’d given her up to ensure she had a good life, one they couldn’t provide for her. “I’ve always thought you took after your Gramps. I never met him, but the stories you’ve told sound like they could be about you.”
Heath smiled. “Thanks. I hope so. He was a good man. Don’t know what he would think of his son and daughter-in-law. Gramps would have never done something like this. How could they not want to get to know their granddaughter? How could they not want to know the bright light that she is?”
Addy hugged him. “I don’t know, but it makes me feel sorry for them. With all they have, they don’t have any of the important things. You’ve never been like that, Heath. Not even once. You’ve always seen the important things.”
His eyes softened, and he kissed her forehead again and just left his lips there for a long time. “I’m going to sell this place.”
She sat upright. “What? It’s your home. Don’t jump to a major decision because your parents are jerks.” Oh, she shouldn’t have said that. “Sorry, I mean-”
Heath laughed and kissed her. “Don’t you dare apologize for speaking the truth.” Then he scooped her up so she was straddling his lap. “I haven’t been happy here for a while now. Something’s been missing. Now I know it’s you and Nina. I don’t have a single qualm about leaving Boston. I’ve enjoyed the city, but it isn’t home anymore. Home is wherever you and Nina live.”
Tears flooded her eyes, and she blinked hard. Heath used his thumbs to gently wipe away the ones that fell.
His gaze was steady and sure. “I want to live in Phail and I can’t believe how bad that sounds when I say it out loud.”
She laughed. “Strangely, you get used to it. Eventually.”
“I’m going to move all my things to the farmhouse for now, but I’m thinking long-term, Addy. I want you and Nina in my life. I’ll always want that. But I think we should go slow for Nina. Let her get used to me being around. Is that okay? Do you want that, too?”
His eyes showed his vulnerability. After the morning, she knew he had to be shaky, and she wanted to give him everything. “I want that too. I want it all with you, Heath. I love you, and I always have. Don’t say anything yet. Your emotions have to be on overload. Not even counting this morning, the last week or so has been a lot coming at you emotionally. But I want you to know where my heart is.” She patted his chest. “It’s here with you.”
Addy squealed as Heath reversed their positions so fast she didn’t think she’d had a chance to blink before she was on her back, with Heath’s sexy body pressing her into the sheets.
He kissed her so deeply that she thought their souls touched. Her heart shivered with joy. Even if he never said the words, she could feel them. He loved her back.
Then he eased back and framed her face. “I love you, Addy. Always have, always will. Finding you again was the best moment of my life. Well, after I knew you were going to be okay.”
She grinned. “It was a pretty epic reunion.”
He laughed. “God, I love you.” Then he picked up her hands and wrapped them around the iron railings of his headboard. “Why don’t you hang on to those? I think we need to make this time memorable.”
Her body shivered right along with her heart as she smiled. “We’ve had several memorable moments since we got here.”
“And you ain’t seen nothing yet.”