LONDYN
“Ican’t believe you left me hanging all night.”
“I didn’t really have a choice.” I started flipping through my files as I explained, “He didn’t leave until this morning.”
“So things went well?”
“Yeah, they went really well.” I looked up at Jackson and smiled, “It went better than I could’ve ever hoped for.”
He sat down on the edge of my desk and took a sip of coffee. “Do tell...”
“He read my letters.” I glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot. “He knows I tried to tell him about Dalton, and he felt terrible about not reading them sooner.”
“As he should.”
“It wasn’t his fault. He was trying to do what Dad told him to.” He gave me one of his disapproving looks—which I ignored. “Any-way, he was wonderful with Dalton. He was a natural.”
“Dalton makes it easy.”
“Yes, he does.” I placed the files on my desk and sighed. “I’ve got so much work to do.”
“Work can wait. Tell me the rest.”
“Well, we spent the afternoon at the park. Dalton played while Malcomb and I talked about things. Found out he was at the bar the other night.”
“Oh really?”
“Um-hmm.” I cleared my throat. “He’s the one who brought me home.”
“Do what?”
“Oh, yeah.”
I told him all about my drinking escapades and how Malcomb had made sure I’d gotten home safe and sound.
I also told him about Danny and the text Malcomb sent.
Judging by his expression he didn’t approve, but he didn’t say a word.
He just sat there and listened as I told him, “And I was too hungover to remember any of it.”
“I didn’t realize you’d drank that much.”
“Neither did I,” I shrugged. “Guess it was good he was there.”
“Yeah, it was.” I needed to get some work done, so I rushed to tell him, “After the park, we went back to the apartment, and Malcomb made us pancakes. It was a really great night.”
“And that was it?”
“Yep.”
“Bullshit,” he argued. “You just said he didn’t leave until this morning, which means he stayed with you last night. Now, quit stalling and tell me.”
“Well, he was going to head home, but he kissed me and umm...” I leaned in closer. “You know.”
“You dirty little whore.” He gave me a playful shove. “You banged him, didn’t you?”
“Jackson,” I hissed. “Keep your voice down.”
He leaned in with a smirk as he whispered, “You banged him, didn’t you?”
“We had a lovely night together.”
“You. Dirty. Whore.”
“Jackson!” I giggled. “Stop.”
“Well, I’m proud of you. It’s about time you two started figuring things out.”
“About that...” I shifted in my seat, preparing myself for his reaction when I told him, “He’s asked me to move in with him.”
“Whoa. That was fast.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Jackson’s voice was laced with concern as he asked, "Are you sure you're ready for that kind of commitment?"
I nodded, feeling my heart swell as I answered, "I think so. I mean, I’ve been hoping for it, right?"
"Yeah, but this is a big step," Jackson pointed out. "It’s been a long time since you two spent any real time together. You do this, and you two will be seeing each other day in and day out, and that can be tough right out the gate."
“I know.” I bit my lip, feeling a surge of anxiety wash over me. “But isn’t that the point?”
“Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
“I guess I have.”
Jackson studied me for a moment before adding, “Just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I will. You don’t have to worry.”
“I’ll always worry, but you do what you think is best. And I’ll support you all the way.”
I let out a relieved breath, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I had been so worried about telling Jackson, afraid that he would judge me or try to talk me out of it. But he was being surprisingly supportive.
"So, when are you guys moving in?" he asked.
“Oh, we’re a long way from that.” I looked over to the large stack of files I still had to go through and let out a grumble.
“I’ve gotta put in my notice here and figure out things with my apartment.
But before I start any of that, Dalton and I are going to go spend the weekend with him at his place in Port Angeles. ”
“Oooh, that should be interesting.” Concern marked his face as he asked, “Wonder if that means he’ll be taking you by to see his folks because that should be an interesting conversation.”
He was right. It would be a very interesting conversation, and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
I knew what kind of man Cotton was. He hated secrets.
Even with all the extenuating circumstances, he wouldn’t be happy when he discovered that I’d kept his grandson from him.
I just hoped that Malcomb would be able to help me smooth things over.
I sighed as I told him, “It will be a tough one for sure, but it has to be done. They should have a chance to get to know their grandson.”
“Yeah, they do. But if they cause you any trouble, they’ll have to answer to me.”
“Is that right?” I giggled.
“Yeah, no body messes with my girl.”
I felt a warm feeling spread through my chest. Jackson was such a good friend, always there for me when I needed him. "Thank you, Jackson. I don't know what I'd do without you."
“Right back at ya kid.” He smiled at me and squeezed my hand. "I’m not going to lose you. So, go move in with your little boy toy, but you better be prepared to see me as often as possible.”
“Absolutely.” I stood and reached over, hugging him tightly as I said, “Now, get out of here. I’ve got a ton of work to do.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll go.” He turned, and as he headed down the hall, he shouted, “See ya in a couple of hours. Lunch is on me today!”
“I want Italian!”
“You got it.”
With that, he continued down the hall and left me to tackle the work I’d been putting off all morning.
Unfortunately, my head was all over the place, and I was struggling to keep my focus.
I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about my night with Malcomb.
A smile slipped across my face as I thought about him lifting me up onto the counter and the things he did after.
It was memorable, to say the least. I was fighting back the tingles when I heard my cell phone chime with a message. I grabbed it out of my purse, and my smile grew even wider when I saw that it was a message from Malcomb.
Malcomb:
I need a shower.
But I don’t want to wash away your scent.
I’ve missed it.
Me:
Boy, you really know how to flatter a girl.
Malcomb:
Just telling it like it is.
Me:
Well, I’ve missed it, too.
Malcomb:
That mean you’re going to move in with me?
Me:
I’ve been thinking about it.
Malcomb:
I’ll let you get back to it.
Have a good one.
Me:
You too.
Before I had a chance to type anything further, my phone started ringing, and my mother’s name popped up on the screen. I quickly answered, “Hey, Mom. This isn’t a good time.”
“I know you’re at work, but I wanted to check on you. I’ve been so worried about you.” She paused for a moment, then added, “I called and messaged you several times yesterday, but I didn’t hear back from you.”
I’d seen her messages and all the voicemails, but I’d avoided them all. I knew she wanted to talk about Dad and the horrible thing he’d done, but I wasn’t ready to talk to her about it.
The wounds were still fresh, and I was afraid I’d say something I would regret. “I’m sorry. I had a lot going on yesterday.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“So, you talked to Dad? He told you what he did?”
“Yes, sweetheart. He told me everything, and I’m so sorry. I can’t believe he did that.”
“Me either.”
“I’m just so mad at him. I don’t know what the man was thinking! He had no business saying the things he said.”
“I can’t disagree with you there.” I got up and closed my office door before saying, “I get why he did it. I think he really did want what was best for me and all that, but I don’t understand how he could stand by and watch me fall apart day after day and never say a word about what he’d done.
Not even when he found out I was pregnant.
Not even when I lost the scholarship. It makes no sense to me. ”
“It doesn’t make any sense to me either.” She let out a deep sigh before saying, “I always knew he had his hesitations about you seeing Malcomb. I had them, too. I still do, but I never dreamed he’d do something like this.”
“You have hesitations?”
“I had the same concerns that any mother would have about their daughter seeing a man in a biker club, especially one with a reputation like Satan’s Fury, but I saw the way he looked at you.
That boy loved you. He would’ve moved heaven and earth for you.
I knew in my heart that he would never let anything happen to you. ”
I’d been so angry at my father that I hadn't even stopped to think about how my mother felt about Malcomb and everything that had happened. It was tough to hear that she had her doubts, but I couldn’t deny that her concerns were understandable.
Satan's Fury did have a reputation, and it wasn’t a good one.
And Malcomb was no angel himself. He’d gotten himself into a pickle a time or two, but he always managed to come out unscathed. And Mom was right. He did love me and would do anything to make me happy. He proved that the day he sacrificed his own happiness for mine.
“I love him, Mom,” I said, surprising even myself. “I know that might sound crazy after everything that’s happened, but I do. I love him, and I want to be with him.”
“I know you do, honey.” She sighed. “I’ve always known that.”
“He’s asked me to move back to Port Angeles with Dalton.”
“I can’t say that I’m surprised. I can’t blame him for wanting you two to be closer, but is that what you really want, sweetie? I mean, you have your job and your apartment, and Dalton’s school is--”
“I know, Mom. But we’ve already lost so much time.” I could feel the tears welling in my eyes as I told her, “Malcomb missed seeing his son being born. He missed him saying his first words and walking for the first time. Those are moments he will never get back.”
“I know, sweetie. And I am so very sorry for that, but there are many more moments to come.”
“And I want those moments to be with him.”
“It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
“No, but I’m definitely leaning in that direction,” I admitted.
“Okay. Well, I’ll support whatever you decide. Just promise me one thing.” Her voice was strained as she said, “Promise me that you'll be careful and listen to your instincts. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“I promise, Mom. Don’t worry.”
“I’m your mother, dear. I’ll always worry.”
I talked to her for a moment longer, then ended the call and finally got to work.
Surprisingly, I was able to keep my focus, and by the time lunch rolled around, I was feeling pretty good about what I’d accomplished.
I went to grab a bite with Jackson, then returned and got back at it.
By the end of the day, I’d finished everything I needed to do and was feeling pretty good about things.
I grabbed my things and headed to the daycare to pick up Dalton. On the way home, we stopped for a quick bite of dinner, then we both got ready for bed. I kept expecting a call or text from Malcomb, but I received neither. And the following day was more of the same.
And just like that, I was back to questioning everything.
And I’d questioned things for long enough.