Chapter 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
ZERO
I was still riding the high of the night prior, both the confession from Simone and the joy I felt when she pulled a duffel out of the back seat of her car, all prepared to spend the night again without me even needing to ask.
I spent the night wrapped around the woman I loved, steady with the knowledge that my crew was safe, my cousins were happy and healthy, and things were hitting their new normal.
Not the life I remembered, but something better.
Something I never knew I wanted until I had it.
With everything going on, I hadn’t had a chance to return to Hannah’s house for a hot minute. With Jasper and Simone back at the school, I left Isla with Skylar for the day and took the drive to Hannah’s place, riding my bike with my colors back in place and a huge smile on my face.
The yard was my first priority when I pulled up into the driveway, the grass high enough I was surprised there hadn’t been any complaints from the city posted on the door.
There were a few packages left there, and the mailbox was stuffed full.
I’d need to figure out who was in charge of that kind of thing, cancelling mail and all that.
I figured that her parents would handle that at the very least, but they were dicks, so maybe not.
After unlocking the door and pushing the packages inside with my boot, I took a few seconds to flip through the mail for anything important.
Most of it was junk, but one name kept popping up over and over.
Jayden Reed. It didn’t strike any bells, but the last name was familiar. Jasper and Isla had that last name.
Unease skittered along my skin, especially when I looked at the packages and saw they were all from the same guy. The social worker said no other family claimed the kids. She never mentioned the biological father.
Pulling out my phone, I dialed the now familiar number, waiting for the cheery female voice to answer. “Hi, Zero. Is everything going okay?”
“Hey, Rachel. Everything is fine. I’m just wondering, did you ever contact the kids’ biological father?” I’d assumed sperm donor because Hannah was married to a woman, but maybe I was wrong?
Rachel hummed. “We tried, but couldn’t get ahold of him. The number we had listed for him was disconnected. Why?”
My eyes scanned the letters and packages again. Fear had a death grip on me now. Things just got good. The threat was gone, the kids were happy, my crew was back to normal. I didn't want to invite some unknown into our lives and throw that all into chaos again.
But… What were the chances this guy didn’t know? What if he had a good reason for being absent and he actually had a strong connection to his kids? Was I really so selfish that I’d leave him wondering just to keep what I’d gained?
“Can I get that number? I want to see if I can try to contact him.”
“Okay, sure,” she said uncertainly. “Are you rethinking the kids’ placement?”
“No,” I answered quickly. “No, not that. I just… I want to check something.”
She rattled off the number and I wrote it down on a notepad Hannah kept on the fridge.
I could tell she was confused why I was asking, but I couldn’t get the words out to explain yet.
I said a polite goodbye, then stared at my phone for a long time before calling the one person I knew could find someone unreachable.
“Yeah?”
“Wraith? I need you to find someone for me.”
Hopefully, this wasn’t the worst mistake of my life.
JASPER
“All rise. Court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Thomas presiding.”
I stood when Zero did, my heartbeat like a drum in my ears as I waited for the judge to come in and sit down.
Isla was asleep against my shoulder, wearing a fancy dress Ms. Brooks had picked out for her.
Zero had offered to hold her, but I refused.
I was still afraid they’d separate us. Yeah, things were good now, but they weren’t at the start.
I got into trouble, got into some fights.
What if they held that against us? What if they decided I couldn’t stay with Isla?
What if all this effort was for nothing?
“Please state your name for the record, and your role in this case,” the judge said.
The social worker stood up, smiling at the judge. She didn't look worried. She said this was just a formality, that everything was good and we just had to get it cleared by the judge. What if she was lying to keep me from freaking out?
The adults introduced themselves, but I didn't really listen, looking around the courtroom at the people who’d showed up for this thing.
Not the whole crew, Prez wouldn’t allow it, but a few of them were there.
Prez was next to the social worker and Zero, dressed in a suit that looked weird on the biker.
Ms. Brooks sat behind us, and when she leaned forward and squeezed my shoulder gently, I let out a slow breath.
She didn’t look worried, and I trusted her more than the rest, except maybe Zero. I knew she wouldn’t lie to me.
A couple of the calmer crew members were there for support, one holding up his phone discreetly like he was filming or something.
When he noticed me looking, he turned the screen around, showing me Rooster’s face as he watched what was happening.
That made me smirk. The dude was on bed rest, being fussed over by the old ladies of the crew, and hadn’t been happy not to be allowed to come. Apparently, he decided to make it work.
“Please provide the court with your findings regarding the placement of Jasper and Isla.”
My spine stiffened and I whipped around, swallowing hard as I looked up at the social worker.
Her voice was calm and professional, but warmer than I’d expect from a government person.
“Your Honor, I’ve been monitoring Jasper and Isla for the past few months.
Their current placement has proven stable, nurturing, and in their best interests.
I have letters from teachers, the children’s family therapist, and friends of Mr. Fletcher that attest to their emotional growth, academic progress, and overall well-being.
I believe there are no concerns with their placement. ”
She handed a folder to someone who brought it to the judge to look through.
While he looked through it, she read through some of it out loud, letters from teachers and from the therapist helping me and Isla adjust. One stood out and I turned around to look at Ms. Brooks as the social worker read her assessment.
“Simone Brooks, who was Jasper’s math teacher at the beginning of his placement, wrote about how despite the struggles they’d had in the start of Jasper’s placement at his school, he’d had the support and reassurance of his guardian, and his change in behavior was night and day after they learned to work together. ”
“Struggles?” the judge prompted. The social worker nodded and I squirmed uncomfortably. Why did Ms. Brooks have to bring that up?
“As we all know, initial placement after trauma is difficult on kids, especially kids Jasper’s age.
This is normal, and his guardian responded perfectly to get him the care he needed.
They started family therapy, Mr. Fletcher gave tools to Jasper to help him feel more secure being separated from his sister, and when things were difficult at school, Mr. Fletcher sat with his cousin and supported him in the classroom until he felt more confident with what was expected of him. ”
My face flushed when the judge snorted, raising an eyebrow at me. “I bet that set you straight, didn’t it?”
He didn't look like he was mad about it, and he smiled at Zero when his attention turned his way. “It’s a clever punishment, I’ll give you that. And it worked?”
Zero dipped his chin once. “Yes, your honor. Not really a punishment, I wasn’t trying to embarrass him or anything, but a few of my crew told me the most important thing I could do with Jasper was be present. I figured I’d start with school so he knew he had my support.”
He’d more than made that clear. From day one, Zero was present. He didn't push me when I was uncomfortable, didn’t pretend we were closer than we were. He let things happen without forcing it and it made me feel better knowing he was on my side.
The judge went over everything the social worker brought, and I felt my chest tighten the longer it took.
When he eventually nodded, all my breath left me in a rush.
“Based ont he evidence provided, the letters, and my review of the case file, it is the court’s finding that this placement serves the best interests of Jasper and Isla.
The placement is hereby approved and finalized. Court adjourned.”
Zero and I melted at the same time, which made me laugh. He shot me an easy grin, lifting a shoulder. “Everyone said it’d be fine, but I was still nervous. You?”
I nodded. “Same. Can we go now? I was too nauseous to eat this morning and I’m starving.”
Prez chuckled as he stood, pushing in his chair. “You’re good to go. You’re all coming to the party later, right?”
The crew was celebrating those assholes from before finally leaving town, as well as Rooster’s release from the hospital.
I still thought it was weird bringing a baby to a motorcycle club party, but more than one of the guys assured me no one was allowed to get drunk around the kids.
Anyone wanting to get wasted went to Axel’s bar where kids weren’t allowed.
I trusted Zero enough to believe it. Besides, I wanted to hang out with Xander.
Ever since that confrontation with those bikers, we’d been texting regularly.
The kid was cool, and he invited me into his friend group like it was nothing. It was nice to have friends again.
“Yeah, we’ll be there. Just need to do something first. Come on, Jay. I got a surprise for you.”
“Jasper,” I corrected with a mock scowl. “I don’t like nicknames.”
“What about Jas?” he offered, grinning when Ms. Brooks shook her head at him, stealing Isla from me once we’d stepped past the weird wooden gate thing. I let her because she was heavy and my shoulders were tight after that meeting.
“Still no,” I carped. “Where are we going? I want food.”
“It’s a surprise. But I promise, there’s food there.”
I eyed him suspiciously, but ever since I kept him out of the loop for that cookout with his friends, he decided to be cryptic whenever he wanted to surprise me. Xander and I were planning a little payback for it, and this would only add to the list.
We rode together to a Mexican restaurant we’d been to before. It was decent, but not surprise-worthy, and I was still frowning at Zero when we stepped inside.
A familiar face stood as we entered and my stomach dropped. “Uncle Dalton!”
I was moving before anyone could stop me, throwing myself at him. He caught me up in a hug, squeezing me tightly. His shoulders shook like he was crying and when I looked up at him, tears streamed down his face.
“Where were you?” I croaked, fighting back my own tears.
“I’m so sorry, JJ. I didn’t know.”
I thought after my moms died, me and Isla would go stay with him. He was Mom’s brother, he came to visit several times a year and always sent letters and stuff. He lived out of state, sure, but I thought he’d be there. When he didn’t show up, I thought he decided he didn't want us.
Zero came closer, offering him a hand for Uncle Dalton to shake. “Glad you got here safely.”
Uncle Dalton shook it without letting me go. “Thanks. And thanks for calling. Me and Vanessa were all we had left. Not sure Hannah’s family ever would’ve shared the news with me willingly.”
Twisting, I looked over my shoulder at Zero. “You called him?”
Zero’s smile was a little strained, but he nodded once.
“He’s your family, Jasper. Once I figured out who he was, of course I called him.
I’m sorry I didn’t sooner. I didn’t know about him until I went back to the house for some maintenance and saw the letters.
The social worker couldn’t get ahold of him and no one told me he existed. ”
My heart swelled and I released my uncle to hug Zero next. I knew he didn't have to do that. He did it because he cared, even if it meant–
I froze, looking between the two of them. “Does that mean we have to move?”
Guilt and fear churned in my stomach and I felt my chest tighten uncomfortably. I didn’t want to go. I’d finally gotten used to being here, made friends, and Isla was happy. Uncle Dalton was in the military. If he took us, there was no telling where we’d end up. But he was my uncle…
Squatting in front of me, Uncle Dalton put a hand on my shoulder, his lips pressed together tightly.
“No, buddy, you aren’t moving. That’s not why I’m here.
I’m not in a place to take in two kids. If they’d called me first, I would’ve done it, don’t doubt that for a second, but you’ve got a good thing here.
I’ve spoken to your cousin, heard about all the things you’ve got going for you here.
This is a good spot for you. That’s why I didn’t come to court today.
I didn’t want to get in the way of things. ”
“But…”
His smile was warm and familiar and looked so much like Mom’s, tears spilled out unbidden.
“I’m still going to be coming around. Just like before.
We’ll still have the same connection. I’ll just have to drive a little farther to visit, that’s all.
You and Isla are still my family, JJ. I’m always going to be there for you. ”
Huffing a watery laugh, I scrubbed at my eyes. “You know I hate that nickname.”
Chuckling, he ruffled my hair. “I know. But your mom gave you that name, so it’s stuck now. Now come on. I’ve been on back to back planes for two days. I’m starving. Let’s see who can eat more in one sitting.”
The weight that had been sitting on my chest since the social worker told me the only family member who would take us in—Zero— finally lifted.
I felt like I could take in a real breath for the first time since the police told me what happened to my parents.
I thought even Uncle Dalton turned us away.
That’s why I was so mad. But he didn’t. He just didn’t know.
And I didn’t have to give him or Zero up anymore.
I shot a grateful look at Zero, who smiled back at me while Ms. Brooks handed over a sleepy Isla to Uncle Dalton.
This was my family. And while I’d do anything to get my moms back, the family I ended up with wasn’t so bad.
It came with a crew of bikers, the kind of big family Mama always wanted for me and Isla, and a feeling that no matter what happened next, we’d be okay.
There was more than just Zero looking out for us now. I was happy with that.