Chapter 17 Freedom
Being a father gave me a new sense of responsibility and purpose.
I no longer craved alcohol or drugs, liking myself more now that I was sober.
Jamie and I spoke every day about his school work, about his hopes and dreams, and even shared some song lyrics.
He texted me good night without fail for the last month, and I loved it.
Jamie was the kind of kid you rarely had to reprimand.
He was polite, respectful, and funny. He might have been fascinated with my career and money, but I was fascinated with a young boy who wasn’t caught up in social media or succumbing to peer pressure.
I loved that Jamie walked to his own tune.
Whatever issues I might have with Kody, he’d helped Jamaica raise a good son.
Jamaica had been right. I’d judged Kody harshly about his parenting.
Flashbacks of my father’s hatred of something he didn’t understand had tainted my thoughts about Kody.
From what I gleaned from Jamie, although he didn’t want to disappoint Kody, it sounded like it came from a place of respect and not fear.
Most children didn’t want to disappoint their parents.
Jamaica had been keeping her distance since the conversation in the guest room, and I gave her space.
She’d already told me she was overwhelmed, and I added to her plate when I desired to subtract.
We hadn’t talked or texted since the Sunday they left.
That whole day, we all hung out together, enjoying each other, and I never had her to myself again.
I missed her, but the daily talks with Jamie made up for not communicating with her.
My tour was over, and I wouldn’t hit the road again until early September.
It was the end of April, and I was back in Dallas to review the final plans so they could break ground tomorrow.
I’d leased a house while my new home was under construction, so Jamie had a place to visit me.
This afternoon, he would spend the night with me, and I would bring him to school.
We were both excited about my new move, and I relished the bond we were building.
I pulled into the driveway of Happy Homes, Jamaica and Kody’s construction business.
It was in a quaint house that had been remodeled into a business.
I liked the feel from the outside. It seemed so Jamaica.
Warm and cozy. They’d done well enough for themselves without my money.
Mixed feelings assailed me, and I jammed my hands in my pockets as I walked up the stairs.
Was I a glutton for punishment to work so closely with a man I no longer trusted and was married to the love of my life?
The receptionist stopped mid-sentence of her call when I walked in. Her mouth flew open. Used to this reaction, I smiled. “Keep talking. When you get a chance, let Mr. Griffin know I’m here.”
I adjusted my pants before I sat down and pulled out a toothpick.
Kody waltzed in from the front door, apologizing.
“Sorry, I’m late. Got stuck at home, helping Jamaica with some stuff around the house.
Told her you were coming in today, and I needed to run.
Still gave me lists to do.” He barely looked at me, though I assumed everything he said was addressed to me.
“I’m not in a rush. I’ve already approved most of the plans.
Just need to make sure there’s space for the horses.
” I slowly stood, and we quietly assessed each other.
Admittedly, he looked good, and his once round face slimmed down into an angular one.
The gold band on his finger and the nice suits made him even more appealing to women.
He looked the part of a husband whose wife should feel lucky to have him, and I hated the twinge of jealousy that panged my heart.
He had my Jamaica in his bed every night for years.
She cooked for him, sexed him, took care of his children, helped him with his business, and made his house a home.
Her absence was clearly felt at my house after she’d only been there two days.
Whether he ever loved her like I did, he didn’t want to lose her, either.
He finally held his hand out. “For the friends we were.”
I took it. “Or the friends I thought we were.”
Kody’s jawline tightened in acknowledgement.
The receptionist finally got off the phone and waved at me. “Can I have a pic? My sister didn’t believe me when I told her that Freedom Cade was here.”
“Trina.” Kody admonished.
“It’s fine.” I walked over to her, and she bounced on her heels as she held the camera to our faces. At the last minute, I kissed her cheek. She squealed. The look of surprise on her face captured on camera was priceless.
“Thank you, Freedom,” She gushed.
“You’re welcome. I’ll be around,” I promised as I followed Kody to his conference room, where he had the plans on iPads that he shared with me.
We worked harmoniously for over an hour, deciding what made the most sense for a homestead that would have an eight-bedroom main home and two one-bedroom cottages.
I was impressed with his expertise, ideas, and enthusiasm about constructing my place.
Maybe we could work together and keep it professional.
“The men will start tomorrow, and the secondary plans for the cottage are in my office.” He walked through a door on the side of the conference room. “Take a seat over here while I get the specs together.”
As soon as I sat down in front of his chrome desk, their wedding picture stared back at me. A young Jamie, handsome in a black suit, leaned on his mother, though he held both of their hands. They were outside, and the sun reflected their happiness. No denying that they were in love.
At least in this photo.
Then there was another picture with a pregnant and glowing Jamaica, and Kody’s arms were wrapped around her.
Lastly, there was a pic of the four of them.
This time, Jamie stood beside Kody while KJ and Jamaica were in front.
They were all wearing white shirts and bright smiles.
The pain of regret and longing stabbed deeply.
All the years of being a critical and commercial success couldn’t top being with a woman and a family you loved.
I looked up from the pictures at a smug Kody, unable to hide my hurt.
“I know you believe that we’re not real and that you can just come in and take what was never yours, but this is real.
” He pointed to his ring. “This is real. Yeah, I fucked up a couple of times. I’m not going to make the same mistakes anymore.
I’m recommitting to my marriage because this.
..” He picked up the family portrait. “…means more to me than a piece of ass.”
I leaned forward. “Then tell her the truth. Tell her you framed me for a crime I didn’t commit. A crime that could’ve got me fifteen years.”
He half-smiled. “I didn’t frame you.”
“Bullshit. You told my brother about the job. He wouldn’t have known to do something like that without you.”
“Yeah, I did tell him. We did it together.”
“What?” I stood up. “He never told me you were there, too.”
“He didn’t know. I followed him to make sure he didn’t fuck it up. Neither one of us expected anyone to come home. They only saw him when he ran, but knew that it was two of us.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He dropped his gaze from mine. “It was either going to be you or Peace going down for it. Back then, you two looked alike. I figured you would rather go to jail than your brother, so we didn’t say anything. I mean, it all worked out in the end. Look at the life you have now.”
“I wanted Jamaica.” I barely contained my rage. “No, I didn’t go to jail, but I was shipped away from my baby…from my heart for something I didn’t do.”
“You chose to plead guilty.”
“Say that one more muthafucking time.”
He held his hands up. “Look, I didn’t expect to fall for your girl.
I felt guilty about what went down with the home invasion, so when I saw her in the store carrying Jamie on her hip, I decided the least I could do was look after her for you.
She and I were friends for a long time because she still hoped you would come back to her.
She wanted to tell you about the baby, but I didn’t know where you were once you left Laredo.
Then, after a while, we decided that I would be Jamie’s father.
Hell, I didn’t know you came back for her until we were together.
That’s when her father said he was glad that she had found me, since you didn’t want to have anything to do with her once you found out about Jamie. ”
“You know me. Would I have ever abandoned my child?” I poked his chest hard. He flinched, though he didn’t move from his chair. “The first thing I did once I was released was seek her out. Hoped we could somehow get back together. Her father stopped everything.”
FOURTEEN YEARS AGO
Nervously, I stood before her parents’ door, with flowers in my hand, ready to share about my new agent and work in Nashville.
I had a fresh contract for $75k, which was enough to start a new life.
The Job Corps had taught me mechanic skills, and I could get a job at an auto shop while I worked on my music.
I had my speech ready to go. I would win her heart back even if she had another. She hadn’t taken my calls, and then her number changed. That still didn’t deter me because I had a plan now. A plan to take care of her while she was in school.
The door finally opened, and her father walked out. He still wore his cop uniform, and I backed up instinctively. “Mr. Bennett, sorry to bother you. I don’t know if you remember me.”
“I remember you. You’re that thug that lives on Charleston with that drunk father of yours and your sissy brother.”