14. Londyn
LONDYN
“Well, that just went about as bad as it could go.” I went over to my bed and opened my suitcase, quickly shoving my things inside. “I mean, I knew it would be bad when we finally talked, but I wasn’t expecting it to be that bad.”
“Yeah, it sounded like it got pretty heated.”
“It did.” I dropped my head into my hands and sighed. “And I was stupid to think it would go any other way.”
“You weren’t stupid, Londyn.” Jackson came over and sat on the edge of the bed. “You were hopeful that you two could work things out. No one can blame you for that.”
“It doesn’t matter now.” I started unzipping my dress as I told him, “I’m pretty sure he hates me and will never forgive me for keeping Dalton from him.”
“Don’t get where he gets off being mad at you about that. It’s not like you didn’t try to tell him.”
“I did.” I slipped off my dress and tossed it into the bag.
“But it wasn’t enough. I should’ve had someone go to him and tell him, or I should’ve tried talking to one of his brothers or his folks.
” I pulled my t-shirt over my head as I continued, “But I was too embarrassed and didn’t want anyone to know that he wouldn’t see me or talk to me. ”
“Just hearing you say that makes me hate this guy even more.”
“Dalton is his son.”
“And he would’ve known that if he wasn’t such a fucking dick.”
“You’ve got a point there.”
I slipped on my shorts and shoes, and when I started collecting the rest of my things, Jackson asked, “So, what’s the plan here?”
“We’re going home.”
“Now?”
“I don’t want to take a chance on him coming back.”
“And what about your parents?”
“We’ll wait until they get home, and then, we’ll go.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
I finished getting my things together, then went down the hall to help Dalton.
He wasn’t happy about packing to leave and was putting on quite the pouting show—which only got worse when my parents arrived.
Mom walked into the living room, and she looked like her world was coming to an end when she saw our bags sitting by the front door. “What’s all this?”
“We’ve decided to head back.”
“But it’s so late. Why not wait until morning?”
“It’s not that late. Besides, I think it’s best if we go.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
“Malcomb came by, and things didn’t go so well.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”
Her eyes skirted over to Dalton, and before she could ask, I said, “He knows, and he wasn’t exactly happy about it.”
“I see.” I could see the worry in her eyes, but she did her best to keep a brave front. “Just give it some time. It’ll all sort itself out.”
“I don’t know, Mom. It was pretty bad. I’m not sure Malcomb will be able to forgive me.
” Dalton was standing in the corner, and I couldn’t help but notice that he seemed to be slightly intrigued by the mention of Malcomb.
I didn’t want to say something I shouldn’t, so I told her, “Regardless, I think it’s best if we go. ”
Dad nodded, then said, “I’ll help you get your bags in the car.”
“That’s okay. Jackson can...”
“I’ll do it,” he insisted. “It’ll give us a minute to talk.”
“Okay.” I turned to Jackson and Dalton as I said, “You guys do a quick walk-through and make sure we got everything.”
“Sure thing.”
Dad grabbed what bags he could, and I got the rest, then followed him out to the car.
Once we had everything in the trunk, he turned to me with a serious expression on his face.
“I want you to know that I really thought I was doing the right thing. I thought you would eventually get over him and put all this behind you.”
“I don’t know what you’re saying, Dad.”
“I’m the reason Malcomb broke things off with you.”
“What?”
“It was me.” He let out a breath before adding, “I told him if he really loved you, he’d let you go.”
“But why would you do that?”
“I knew you’d never take that scholarship if he was around, so I told him to break it off with you.”
“You didn’t!” I stepped back in horror. “You knew how I felt about him. You wouldn’t have done that to me.”
“I did,” he admitted. “You earned that scholarship! You deserved a chance at a good life.”
“But I loved him!” I screeched. “And he loved me!”
“You were just kids. You didn’t know what love really was.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this!”
“I know you’re upset, but I still think it was the right thing to do.”
“And what about when you found out I was pregnant with his child? You watched me spend all those days and nights heartbroken and crying. You watched me struggle when Dalton was born. I could’ve had someone there to help. Maybe then, I could’ve kept that scholarship. Did you ever think of that?”
“You could do so much better than that boy.” He sounded utterly defeated as he admitted, “I’ve always thought a lot of Cotton and Cass, but everyone knows what that club is all about.
Those men are dangerous criminals who have no regard for anyone but themselves.
I know you don’t want to hear it, but I didn’t want you or my grandchild involved in that. I still don’t.”
“That’s not your choice to make. It never was.”
“Of course, it is. I’m your father,” he spat. “It’s my job to protect you.”
“But you didn’t!” I argued. “You hurt me, and you hurt my son!”
“Malcomb isn’t the man for you. He never was. You need to let him go and move on. For your sake and for Dalton’s.”
“I can’t let him go! I love him! I always have.”
“Then, you’re a fool!”
“Just stop!” I ordered. “I don’t want to hear another word.”
I felt like my world was crumbling beneath my feet.
I couldn’t believe that my father had done such a cruel thing.
His actions cost me more than he could fathom.
Not only had I lost Malcomb, but I’d also lost my trust in him, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get that back.
Infuriated by it all, I turned and shouted towards the house, “Jackson! Dalton! Let’s go! ”
“Don’t leave like this.” Dad reached over and took hold of my arm. “You know I love you and only want what’s best for you.”
Before I could answer, Dalton and Jackson came rushing out with Mom. Having no idea what was going on, Jackson smiled at my father and said, “It was good to see you, Mr. Hollings. I appreciate you letting me hang out with you for a couple of hours.”
“The pleasure was all ours.”
Mom helped Dalton into his car seat and then hugged him one last time. After she closed the door, she walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“No, Mom. I’m not.” I was overcome with emotion—a mix of betrayal, anger, and devastation. I had to know if my mother was a part of it all, so I took a step back, looking her right in the eye as I asked, “Did you know?”
“Know about what, sweetheart?”
“About Dad’s conversation with Malcomb.”
“He talked to Malcomb?” She glanced over at Dad with anger in her eyes, “What did you do?”
“He broke my heart. That’s what he did.”
Without saying anything more, I got in my car and pulled out of the drive. I was an absolute wreck. I felt like my entire world had been turned upside down, and I had no idea what I was going to do about it. Noting my unease, Dalton whispered, "Momma... you okay?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Momma is fine."
I continued down the road, and it wasn’t long before tears started streaming down my face.
I tried to hold them back. I didn’t want Dalton to see that I was so upset, but the realization of what my father had done was too much for me to bear.
I couldn’t believe he would do something so cruel, especially after everything I had been through.
I was lost in thought until I heard Dalton’s voice again. “Momma, are you ‘qi-ying?”
I quickly wiped away my tears and put on a brave face for my son. “No, sweetheart. Momma is fine. Just a little tired. That’s all.”
But Dalton wasn’t convinced. “I w’ove you, Momma... Don’t be sad.”
His innocent words warmed my heart, and I knew I had to try and put my own feelings aside for his sake. I smiled at him and said, “I love you too, Dalton. Everything will be okay. I promise.”
But I wasn’t sure if I could keep that promise.
Everything seemed to be falling apart, and I had no idea what I was going to do about it.
I glanced up in my rearview mirror and was relieved to see that Jackson was trailing close behind.
I prayed that he would be able to help me make sense of it because my mind was racing with questions and doubts about everything in my life.
When we got home, Jackson helped us get our things out of the car and into the apartment.
Dalton was exhausted, so I helped him into his pjs and put him straight to bed.
Once he was settled, I went back into the living room, where Jackson was waiting with a bottle of wine and two glasses. “Okay, let’s hear it.”
“It’s so bad, Jackson. I honestly don’t know where to start.”
“How ‘bout you tell me what happened with you and Malcomb first?”
“Okay, but it isn’t pretty.” I sat down and took a sip of my wine. “I got the feeling that he’d come there to try and mend things, but the second he saw Dalton...”
“Well, you knew that was going to be a tough conversation.”
“That’s just it.” I tilted the glass back and took another long sip. “He was too mad to really talk about it. He wouldn’t even listen when I tried to explain. He just kept saying I should’ve tried harder, and honestly, he was right.”
“I don’t know about that. I think you did your part. You can’t help that he was an asshole who broke it off with you.”
“About that...”
I spent the next half-hour telling him about the argument with my father, and when I was done, he looked positively stunned. “You gotta be kidding me.”
“Afraid not.”
“Damn, Londyn. That changes a lot.” Anguish marked his face as he said, “I actually feel bad for the guy.”
“It explains why he refused to see me.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he knew it would only make things harder for you both. That had to be tough.”
“I know.” I tried to push back the tears as I muttered, “What am I going to do?”
“You’re going to give it some time. Eventually, the anger will fade, and you two can figure this thing out.”
“I don’t know.”
“I saw the way he looked at you, Londyn.” He shook his head and smiled. “There’s no doubt that he’s still into you. Hell, it was all he could to keep from snatching you up right then and there.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am.” He placed his glass on the table, then stood and said, “It’s late. You need to get some rest, and I’ll swing back by tomorrow and check on you guys.”
“Thank you, Jackson.” I stood and gave him a hug. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You would be a mess... a complete and utter mess.” He gave me a quick wink. “But you’d manage. You always do.”
Once he was gone, I locked up and turned out the lights, then headed to my room. I crawled into bed and pulled the covers over me. My room was cloaked in dark stillness, but my mind was anything but quiet.
I tossed and turned, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape the relentless whirlwind of thoughts that raged through my mind. My argument with Malcomb replayed in my head over and over like a broken record, his harsh words echoing in my head.
Each accusation, every hurtful remark, seemed to claw at my conscience.
My only distraction was the argument I’d had with my father, but that only made my heart ache even more.
I tried desperately to push it all from my mind and sleep, but it was no use.
I simply couldn’t sleep, so I turned on my TV and tried to find something to watch.
I was flipping through the channels when I spotted a shadow in the doorway.
I sat up, and my chest swelled when I saw my precious son standing there with his pillow. “I can’t sleep.”
“I can’t either.” I eased the covers back and waited as he curled up next to me. Knowing it wouldn’t be long before he drifted off, I asked, “You want to watch a movie with me?”
He nodded, and I continued flipping through the channels until I found an older kids' movie that I knew he wouldn’t care for.
As the movie continued, I watched Dalton’s eyes slowly droop and his breathing even out.
I was grateful for the quiet moment and the feeling of his small body against mine.
It was a reminder that despite everything that was happening in my life, I was still a mother, and that was something to hold on to.
Midway through the movie, I glanced down and saw that Dalton had fallen asleep. I turned off the TV and rolled to my side, closing my eyes and willing myself to finally fall asleep. But just as I was beginning to drift off, I heard the sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand.
I groaned as I reached over and picked it up, quickly looking down at the screen. My stomach sank as I read:
Unknown Number:
I read the letters.
We need to talk.