Chapter 28 #2
“It’s okay; I’d be jealous, too, if Andi were looking at you the way she’s been staring at me.
” He wags his eyebrows, my cheeks heating from his bluntness.
“No need to be ashamed, Angel. You have excellent taste.” Briggs drops a kiss to my temple, his lips lingering for several seconds past the point of polite friendliness, causing Raiden to shift uncomfortably.
Thankfully, Briggs disappears a second later, the awkwardness he caused disappearing with his departure.
As the two of them make the trek across town, I take advantage of the brief solitude and get myself ready for the day.
The entire time, my mind cycles through a dozen possibilities of what this meeting could entail.
“You’ve gotta be shittin’ me,” Dayton grumbles, glaring at Briggs as we make our way across the street to where he’s parked. “That’s your car?”
“Nah, just thought I’d take up grand theft auto and catch myself a felony,” he snarks sarcastically, clicking the key fob to unlock the doors.
“You’ve been blocking me in for the past week. I had to jump the curb to make it to work on time.” The vein in Dayton’s forehead throbs in tune with his annoyance.
“I’m aware.” Briggs laughs, not the least bit concerned by the metaphorical daggers being hurled at the back of his head.
“You have the mental acuity of a half-rotten potato,” Dayton deadpans, my lips quirking at their underhanded jabs.
“Ooooh, big words, Teach.”
I tune out their bickering, grabbing Dayton’s hand as I slide into the backseat, knowing the two of them will be at each other’s throats if they’re forced to sit too close to one another.
Colsen takes the spot beside me, leaving the passenger seat open for Raiden.
Our drive is spent in relative silence, the low hum of the radio offering just enough background noise to keep my thoughts from spiraling.
I can’t help but wonder what Hudson is doing, if he’s happy or not.
It’s only made worse when I’m reminded I have zero say in how any of this is being handled.
People he’s never met are making decisions about his future, and it’s killing me that I can’t comfort him during yet another traumatic event he shouldn’t be experiencing at such a young age.
Colsen squeezes my hand, bringing me back to the present.
I blink, shocked to realize we’ve arrived.
Glancing around, I note the worn brick facade of the building we’re parked in front of.
Etched on the glass door is Martin Leery–Attorney at Law.
We’re not in the nicest part of town, but the unease I’m feeling has nothing to do with the state of the neighborhood.
My palms start to sweat, a mixture of nerves and adrenaline propelling me into motion.
Dayton helps me out, his thumb stroking my wrist in an effort to soothe my anxiety.
Raiden ushers us inside, his eyes catching mine, a silent show of support passing between us.
A bell above the door chimes, alerting the office staff to our arrival.
A moment later, a rotund man huffs his way down a short hallway to greet us.
“Miss Adams?” he questions, extending his hand towards mine.
I nod in confirmation, the guys sticking close as he leads us to a small conference room.
“Mr. Taylor was a fairly new addition to my clientele, but I’m sorry to hear of his passing.
He left explicit instructions that you were to be contacted immediately following his death.
Per his adamance, his final thoughts have been recorded for the sole purpose of your viewing.
I’ll leave you to watch in peace, but please find me once you’re finished.
I’ll be in the office next door.” He exits quickly, leaving us on our own.
Raiden steps forward, tapping the laptop’s mousepad.
The darkened background comes to life, Seth’s forlorn face filling the screen.
I suck in a pained breath, stumbling towards a vacant office chair before my knees can buckle.
My fingers shake as I hover above the key that needs to be pressed in order to start the video.
It takes me several tries to work up the courage to actually tap it, tears springing forth the instant his voice fills the room.
“Hey, Andi.” His broken smile just about kills me.
“If you’re watching this, that means I’m gone.
I’m so fucking sorry I couldn’t be stronger, but I knew after losing LeAnna I wasn’t long for this world.
I have no grand plan, but I promise you I’m fighting like hell to stay, though something tells me I’m just prolonging the inevitable.
You might think this is the coward’s way out, and maybe it is, but I was never cut out to be a parent the way my wife was.
She was born to be a mother, and I was too involved with the Army to give fatherhood the attention it deserved.
LeAnna compensated for my slack so seamlessly, and once she was gone, it became increasingly clear how shitty a job I’d done.
“My boy deserves so much better than me. I’d give anything to be what he needs, but LeAnna took a piece of me with her.
A vital, integral piece of my being, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without it.
Without her. Please don’t hate me. You’ve proven how much you love my son, which is why you’re the only person I trust to take the reins.
He has a chance to heal and move forward, neither of which I have the luxury of experiencing.
Don’t let my death tarnish his memories.
Make new ones. Love him enough for both of us.
” I take the Kleenex Colsen offers me, my cheeks streaked with tears.
“For those reasons, and many more, I’ve named you Hudson’s legal guardian.
” My hand flies to my mouth, shock holding me hostage as I’m slammed with a hundred different emotions.
“I know it won’t be easy, and it’s a dick move for me to make this decision without having run it by you first, but broaching the topic would’ve only invited questions and concern, and I can promise you, this was never a cry for help.
I’ve been steadfast in my decision for a while now, and nothing you could’ve said or done would’ve changed my mind, so please don’t entertain the possibility. I’m past the point of saving.
“I put the house up for sale last month. Grief lives there now, and it’s the last place I’d want Hudson growing up.
It’s currently under contract and should turn a decent profit.
That, as well as the remainder of my savings and checking account, is rightfully yours.
Leery has all the paperwork you need to sign to get the ball rolling to relinquish the funds.
My only request is that my funeral service be private.
I don’t want military recognition, just bury me beside my wife and let me go.
I’d prefer there be no one in attendance, aside from you and the guys.
And because I know you four are listening…
” Seth pauses, a faint smile stretching across his face.
“Do right by Andi, and stop bickering about shit that doesn’t matter.
She’ll deny it, but she’s going to need all the help she can get.
Step up or walk away before the going gets tough, because I’m not above haunting your asses if you hurt her.
” Briggs snorts, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Lastly, and this is a big ask, Andi, but I need you to embrace being Hudson’s mom.
He’s young enough to forget me, so please let him, at least for a while.
LeAnna wouldn’t want to hinder Hudson’s chance of having a normal life for the sake of a title.
She’d want you to love our boy like he’s your own.
And one day, when he’s old enough to understand, maybe he’ll find it in his heart to forgive me.
Maybe he’ll know what it’s like to love someone so profoundly that you can’t bear to walk the earth without them.
Until then, give him everything I can’t. ”
The feed goes dark, the abrupt ending blanketing us in silence.
A sob works its way up my throat, the pressure building behind my ribcage becoming unbearable.
It feels like I’m being pried apart from the inside.
Col tucks me against him as my cries fill the quiet, his soft reassurances falling on deaf ears.
I have no idea how long it takes me to compose myself, but the guys never leave my side.
With puffy eyes and a battered heart, I gesture for Raiden to find the attorney.
I can’t stomach being here much longer. Mr. Leery takes one look at me before averting his gaze, his lips pressed in a grim line at the sight of my tears.
“My sincerest condolences for your loss, Miss Adams,” he remarks somberly, clearing his throat before proceeding.
“Mr. Taylor’s will is simple and to the point; I just need a couple of signatures to get things moving.
The house on Elderberry Lane is set to close November 25th.
You’ll need to be present for that, so please mark your calendar.
All personal belongings will need to be removed from the home at least twenty-four hours prior to closing.
Between all of Mr. Taylor’s accounts, a total of seventeen thousand, two hundred forty-two dollars and twenty cents will be transferred to Andilyn Adams.