Chapter 13 Ella
THIRTEEN
ELLA
I sighed as I stood at the stove, scrambling up almost a dozen eggs.
I had no idea how much Texas ate in the mornings, but I was pretty sure it was a lot.
The bacon sat on top of some paper towels on a plate, and the steaming pancakes were on the table already.
I reached over and turned on the pot of coffee, percolating it strong.
None of us had gotten to sleep last night until almost three in the morning.
I sighed when my phone rang out. I didn’t feel like picking it up, but I knew who it was. Since Texas was moving in and staying here, my brother had taken over the responsibility of tailing Jett.
Which meant he was calling with his two-hour update.
“Morning, Stone,” I said, yawning.
“Hey there, sis. How ya feelin’?” he asked.
“Exhausted.”
“I can only imagine. How’s Keva?”
“Still asleep, if you can believe it,” I said.
“I can. She woke up at one in the morning and was adamant on staying up until we were finished.”
“That’s what happens when you drop a box on your toe and scream out into a dark house.”
“That box was heavy as fuck.”
I giggled softly. “You know Texas cooks. You know he’s gonna have his own pots and pans he works with.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
“You really don’t like this, do you?” I asked.
“Forgive me if the last guy I passed you onto in this crew beat you to a bloodied pulp.”
“Fucking hell, Stone. Really? You couldn’t have phrased that a better way?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ella.”
I sighed as I pulled the finished eggs from the stove.
“So, what’s this update you’ve got for me?” I asked.
“Well, I’ve been tailing Jett ever since I left your place last night,” he said.
“I know. I woke up to several voice messages.”
“So far, he’s acting normal. He’s at work right now, but I’m planning on keeping an eye on him throughout the day.”
“Well, how about we make a rule that you call me if you think something’s going wrong,” I said.
“What? You don’t like talking to your big brother?” he asked.
“I love you, but no.”
The two of us laughed as I set the table for breakfast.
“You sound like you’re feeling better,” he said.
“Having Texas around last night made me feel a little better about things,” I said.
“He keeping his hands to himself?”
Unfortunately.
“Yes, Stone. Texas is keeping his hands to himself,” I said mockingly.
“Good. Because if he doesn’t, I’ll—”
“Focus on killing one man at a time, yeah?” I asked.
He snickered. “You know me too well. But there is another reason why I called.”
“Oh?”
“Yep. I’m sending over a different lawyer to help you file another request for a restraining order. I know all of our previous attempts have failed, but now that there are witnesses and video evidence of him confronting you at the grocery store—”
“We might stand a chance at getting one. Especially since my manager had to step in on my behalf.”
“Exactly. It’s worth a shot, and don’t worry about the bill. The guy owes me a favor anyway,” he said.
“I don’t even wanna know,” I murmured.
“No, you really don’t.”
“Do you know what time he’s supposed to show up?”
“He’s got one to three blocked off for you.”
“Two entire hours?” I asked.
“Well, that’s just what he’s got blocked off. He might not show up until one thirty. Or even two. But whenever he shows up, you’ve got him until three.”
“Gotcha. I’ll make sure I’m around,” I sighed.
“I didn’t like the tone of that statement,” he said.
“Sorry, Dad,” I said jokingly.
“You need a lawyer, Ella.”
“Look, Stone. I’m not saying it won’t work. I’m just saying that it might be a little pointless. I mean the cops have never helped me before. We’re pretty sure Jett padded the judge’s pockets during the custody hearing. They’ve never once cared about me or Keva. So why would they now?”
“I’m hoping that with a different lawyer involved, it’ll help our case.”
“I don't know. I’ll give it a try, but I’m not so sure it’ll work,” I said.
“Look, Jett’s not going to ever hurt you again. I’ll make sure of that. And in the meantime, it isn’t gonna hurt to try and saddle him with some shit that keeps him away from you and my niece. The second we stop fighting, he’s won. Got it?”
“Got it,” I said.
“Good. So, you working today?” he asked.
“Nope. I called in sick, so I’ve got today and tomorrow off.”
“That’s good. What about Keva?” he asked.
“She’ll be home with me and Texas. I know she’s safe at Joanne’s, but I just kind of want her around right now. You know, so my eyes are actually on her.”
“I don’t blame you. Want me to stop by later?”
“You mean after you’re done tailing Jett?”
“I mean the man’s gotta sleep sometime,” he said.
“I think we’ll be fine. Plus, having two territorial men in the same small house is a bit much,” I said.
“You aren’t Texas’ territory,” he glowered.
“It was a joke, Stone. Lighten up, would you?”
“Oh, I gotta go. Jett’s leaving his workplace for his car. Call you in—”
“Call me whenever something pertinent happens. I don’t give a damn what that man eats for lunch,” I said.
“Duly noted,” he said.
I hung up the phone and tossed it back onto the counter. The coffee was finally done brewing, and I pulled two mugs from the cabinet. I pulled out the cream and the sugar and started making myself the best cup of coffee I knew I’d ever taste. Especially with how tired I was.
And when I turned around with it in my hands, I saw Texas standing in the doorway.
“Morning,” I said softly.
“I agree with the restraining order,” he murmured.
I rolled my eyes as he meandered into the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee.
“How much did you hear?” I asked.
“Enough,” he grunted.
“You know as good as I do that even if we do get something like that, it won’t stop a man like Jett.”
“Which is why I’ve moved in.”
“So, you’re telling me you’re going to live here forever?”
“Or until Jett’s behind bars. One of the two,” he said.
Texas leaned against the kitchen counter beside me, his body heat reaching out for mine. I leaned my head against his chiseled arm, feeling his muscles flex to better accommodate me. I sighed heavily as my eyes fell closed, and I sought comfort in his presence.
“It’s gonna be okay, Ella. I’ll make sure of it,” Texas said.
“I don’t know. I don’t know if anything will ever be okay again,” I said.
“Mommy! Mommy! Doll time! Please?”
Keva came rushing down the hallway, completely ignoring the fact that breakfast was ready.
“Don’t you want to eat first?” I asked.
“My dolls wanna play,” Keva said.
“Yeah, Mom. The dolls already had breakfast,” Texas said.
I pushed off his arm and looked up at him, watching as a grin crossed his face. He chugged back the rest of his coffee while Keva bounced around the kitchen chanting about how it was time for her dolls to go to school and learn things.
“It sounds like it’s school time too,” Texas said.
“Come play with me!” Keva exclaimed.
I watched her tugging on Texas’ hand, and I tried stepping in.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you go—”
“What subject are we learning about today?” he asked.
My eyes whipped up to look at him as I shook my head.
“You don’t have to do that,” I whispered.
“Come on, Tex! We gotta learn about butterflies,” Keva said.
“Sorry, Momma. It’s butterfly day. Gotta go!” Texas said playfully.
As breakfast sat on the table getting colder by the second, I looked on at Texas and Keva.
She had dragged every single one of her dolls and stuffed animals out into the living room and set them up all around.
My couch was filled with them. My chairs.
The corners. Even the middle of the floor!
My daughter had two dolls hanging on for dear life on the television and one of her massive Valentine’s Day teddy bears was hanging off Texas’ back.
And I watched as the two of them interacted.
“Today, class, we’re gonna learn about butterflies,” she said.
“And where do they come from?” Texas asked.
“Everyone knows butterflies come from acorns, silly,” she said.
“Oh, oh. Right,” he said.
He looked over at me and winked as I giggled from behind my mug of coffee.
“All right, class! I’m gonna draw a ‘pitcher,’ and I want help naming all the body parts of the butterfly,” she said.
“Where’s its butt?” Texas asked.
Well, not really Texas. He had put the massive bear in front of him and was speaking for the bear.
“Mr. Bear! No unkind words in class,” my daughter said.
“You said body parts!” Mr. Bear exclaimed in Texas’ voice.
“Detention! All of you!” my daughter cried out.
She fell apart in laughter and Texas chuckled. He tossed the massive bear at her and Keva shrieked with joy, and then Texas crawled at her on all fours. The two of them wrestled on the floor, knocking over the dolls and stuffed animals wherever they went.
Watching them made my heart ache.
He was so good with her. Tossing her around, but always making sure she had a soft landing.
Making her smile and giggle and working with her on the few words she was still slurring and getting wrong.
While Jett got frustrated with her that she couldn't talk right, Texas showed Keva what his tongue did whenever he talked. He helped her with her soft G’s, showing her how to curl her tongue back and push air from the back of her throat.
I found myself wishing I’d met him long before I ever met Jett.
I sighed as I sipped my coffee. The two of them began coloring a butterfly, and Texas ended up labeling the “butt” of the insect.
I laughed along with them as Keva went wild with the colors on the wings, and I envisioned such a different life for myself.
Things would have taken a much better turn had I focused my eyes on anything other than Jett at the time.
There Texas had been, right by my brother’s side, and I’d never given him a second look.
Texas would have made a fantastic father.
“Too bad you screwed up your life before he came around,” I murmured.
“What was that?” Texas asked.
“Nothing. Just thinking out loud,” I said.
“Wanna come play, Mommy?” Keva asked.
I paused. “You know what? I think I do.”
Might as well enjoy it while I can.