Chapter 8
Lila
“And showing his daughter how she should be treated,” I chimed in.
Bronson chuckled.
Cole also chimed in with, “And teaching me how to treat a woman.”
The woman looked at me and smiled, “You must be so proud. Way to go, little lady.”
Umm... what was I supposed to say to that?
He wasn’t mine.
They weren’t mine.
Even though I claimed them as my own.
Just as I settled to say, thank you, Madalyn wrapped her arm around mine and looked at the woman, and with a blinding smile on her face, she said, “Oh, she so is.”
And with that, we walked through the sliding glass doors.
And I would have given anything to have seen the look on Bronson’s face when she said that.
I shook my head at my internal thoughts, and then asked, “So what are we doing?”
All three of them smiled as they moved toward the right and commandeered four carts.
“Going to grab the coffee. You want your usual?” Madalyn asked.
I nodded, “Thanks, sweetheart.”
She winked.
Then I looked up at Bronson and waited.
I didn’t have to wait long. I never did when it came to Bronson Adams.
He lowered his tone and said, “You're about to find out something that few know.”
I lifted a brow at his statement.
And waited.
And once again, I didn’t have to wait long.
“I started this when I had a little extra cash after my first fight.” He said.
I nodded, “Your first underground fight?”
He jerked up his chin, “Yeah, you know about all that?”
I smiled, “Yeah. Cole told me.”
He smirked, “Course he did.”
I bumped my shoulder with his bicep, “He’s so proud of you.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up in a smile, then he shared, “What you don’t know, and not a lot of people do was when I was twelve, I refused to do something my mother wanted me to do. And when I didn’t relent, she disowned me and threw me out of the house.”
I gasped, then I shrieked, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
He nodded, “Yeah. Serious as a fucking heart attack. Anyway, there I was with nothing. And I mean nothing. She wouldn’t even let me get on my shoes and a jacket.”
I felt it coming.
Felt them wanting to trail down my cheeks for the twelve-year-old Bronson.
But I inhaled.
Breathed deeply.
And fought the tears back.
“Thankfully, a buddy of mine who was in the system told me where he was able to get things that his foster family wouldn’t provide for him.
So, I went there. I got shoes, a jacket, a backpack, and an extra pair of clothes.
And a lady was there, told her my story, and she set me up with a family.
It wasn’t until I was sixteen and finally came into the man, I was born to be that I fought to get some extra cash to help Cassie. ”
Now I understand their connection.
I’m not going to lie.
See, when Bronson and Cassie had reunited, I had felt utter betrayal.
It wasn’t right. I know.
He wasn’t mine.
And I had just met her.
But still... You can’t control your true feelings.
“So that all has something to do with what we’re doing today?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Yeah, once a year, after I’ve saved up a good chunk of change, I go and buy things for a shelter in the area. And I donate it all, silently.”
At his words, I wasn’t able to fight the tears.
They were trailing down my cheeks before I could even blink.
He smiled a soft smile and with his thumb, brushed them away.
I inhaled deeply, trying to get them back under control.
Thankfully, I knew one way to do that.
To get angry.
Therefore, I asked, “And have you seen your parents since then?”
He sighed, then ran a hand over his bald head, as he nodded, “Once.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, it wasn’t until I made a name for myself that they wanted anything to do with me. And stupidly, I fell for it.”
I shook my head, “No. You weren’t being stupid. You were being human. You wanted that connection so badly that you ignored the signs. There is nothing wrong with that. Human. Bronson, take the concept in through your hard head. Human.”
He rolled his eyes.
Fucker.
Then he shared.
“Apparently, my father had made a few bad investments. I found that out after I walked away from them. Anyway, they invited me over to talk. You get the picture?”
I nodded, “They wanted your money.”
He nodded.
“Yeah, they sure as fuck did. But they didn’t know that I had a son. And the only thing worse than having children was having them out of wedlock.”
I growled.
Then I said, “Keep them both away from me. I mean it.”
He snickered, “I will.”
I was right. Getting angry was the fastest way to get rid of the tears.
And that was when it hit me. That was the fifth time since that night my father took all my Christmas presents and sold them for money to buy alcohol and drugs.
Well... shit.
Cole and Madalyn returned with the coffees, and then I followed them to the apparel department.
The first cart was for teen boys. The second cart was for teen girls. The third cart was for little boys. And the fourth cart was for little girls.
I looked at Bronson and asked, “So what’s the limit for each cart?”
He smirked, “No limit. Not on something like this.”
Cole smiled, “I love doing this.”
Madalyn nodded, “Same.”
“Okay. Since Lila is with us. Cole and I will take care of the boys. And you and Madalyn will take care of the girls. We’ve got two hours. Let’s get it.”
And with that, we all headed in different directions.
Shoes. Jackets. Shirts. Shorts. Pants. Socks. Underwear. Bras. Jewelry. Backpacks. Feminine hygiene products. You name it, we grabbed it.
And when the two-hour mark was almost upon us, we all moved toward the registers.
Bronson handed each of us a card.
As soon as everything was back in the carts, we headed to the truck and loaded it all in the back. I had wondered why Bronson had a canopy on the back of it when he normally didn’t.
And now, I know why.
But that wasn’t the last stop that we made.
Oh no.
We also stopped by a GameStop. Got a bunch of games and devices.
We even stopped at a novelty store to get some cool toys.
And Bronson and Cole even came into the beauty store so we could buy girlie things.
We all got back into the truck and then headed to the Whispering Falls Community Center.
Whispering Falls Community Center was set up by a woman who used to work for Social Services. Oftentimes, during fundraisers, she would lament how the system was broken at times. And she wished so many times that there was more she could do for the kids she had cases on.
So, Whispering Falls Community Center was her answer.
It was a place where foster kids could go if they needed help.
Whether it be food, clothes, tutoring, an ear, or even a safe haven.
The moment we pulled into the lot, he pulled out his phone, hit some buttons, and brought it to his ear.
I watched as we rounded the building to the back, and I was surprised to see that there was a loading dock.
Once Bronson finished his call, he said, “Okay, we sit in the truck and wait for them to unload it all.”
Just then, my phone pinged.
I grabbed it out of my bag and checked it.
Mom – Dinner tonight?
I looked at Bronson and asked, “Anything else planned?”
He shook his head. “No. Why?”
I sighed.
I was hoping there was, so I could get out of this.
But I knew that I couldn’t. Not when I had promised her that I would attend the next dinner she had planned.
“What is it?” Bronson asked.
He must have seen my forlorn expression; I was sure was on my face.
Therefore, I shared, “It’s my mother. I love her. I really do. But she’s on this kick to find me a man. And every time she holds a little dinner party, she invites someone for me to meet.”
His jaw ticked.
His. Jaw. Ticked.
Wait....
Then he looked away, inhaled a deep breath, and said, “She shouldn’t be doing that.”
For some reason, I threw caution to the wind when I asked, “And why not?”
Come on, Bronson.
Come on.
He was silent.
I could feel Cole’s and Madalyn’s eyes on us from their place in the back seat.
But I didn’t turn my head to look at them.
Instead, I kept my eyes on the side of Bronson’s face.
Really, it was perfection.
The way the line of his jaw was covered in a neatly trimmed beard...
“Because you deserve better than to meet someone you don’t know.”
I chuckled, “Isn’t that how most people meet?”
He turned his head and looked at me, “Yeah, but dating is a different ball game entirely. He may be a creeper. And it would kill me if something happened to you.”
“Kill you? How do you mean?”
He sighed, “We’re friends. Lila. And it would hurt Cole and Madalyn if something happened to you.”
“Nothing could happen to me. He could be my one.” I teased.
Come on, Bronson. Do something.
I’ve seen the way you look at me.
I’ve seen how you are with other women and how you are with me... It’s more than friends.
But he didn’t do anything... or rather... he did... he looked out of the windshield and said, “Okay, well, I hope he’s the one if that’s something you want.”
What?
Did he really just say that?
Just then, the canopy window closed, followed by the tailgate.
And anything I might have said or done was broken.
I looked in my side mirror to see Madalyn’s eyes narrowed.
I wanted to turn my head and ask her what was wrong.
But... I had a feeling.
A very distinct feeling.
She too wanted her dad and me together.
And I had a feeling, so did Cole.
But now wasn’t the time to think about that.
Maybe it wasn’t ever the time to think about that.
Not with his words.
“Okay, well, I hope he’s the one if that’s something you want.”
Knowing I had promised my mother, I tapped the screen on my phone that I still held in my hand and texted her back.
Me – Okay. 7?
Mom – 5:30.
After Bronson and the kids dropped me off in front of my cottage after I told them goodbye, I went up the stairs, unlocked my door, closed it, locked it back, and leaned against the door.
I had a feeling that tonight was going to suck.
***
And as I sat there at their dining room table after the snotty ass asked another question, I glared at Mom.
She winced.
This was how it started.
“A woman who shows skin isn’t worth my time.”
That was how the man that my mother had just introduced me to said.
I looked down at my simple floor length plum colored dress with quarter sleeves and lifted a brow.
I smiled, even though I wanted to growl.
Mom had asked me to be on my best behavior tonight.
For my mom, there was nothing I wouldn’t do.
“Is this spring water?” douche dick asked.
My mother smiled, “It is.”
He sneered, “That’s got too many minerals that are not good for the body.”
My mother offered him sweet tea... “Too many added sugars.”
She offered him a beer, “I don’t drink alcohol.”
She offered him milk, “Is it organic?”
Once he had finally agreed to a bottle of water that wasn’t spring water, we all sat down around the table.
I promised my mom to be on my best behavior. Therefore, I asked, “So, Alan, what is it that you do?”
He looked at me after he looked at the lasagna, salad, and garlic bread on the table, and asked, “Can you please show me you were brought up properly?”
Umm, excuse-the-fuck-me?
I looked at Bax with a are you fucking kidding me look.
He narrowed his eyes at Alan.
Then I looked at Mom, who winced and gave me a pleading smile.
I growled low in my throat.
Then I asked, “What do you do for a profession?”
“Oh, that’s what you were asking me. Right, I am the manager at Whispering Falls Country Club.”
I nodded, “Ah. That makes sense.” I muttered under my breath.
Bax obviously heard me and snorted.
“So, Alan, we’re glad to have you in our home.” My mother said.
Alan nodded, “Yes. I am... well... how old is your house?”
Bax answered him, “It’s ten years old.”
Alan nodded.
Then we started passing around the dishes and loading our plates up.
Alan asked, “Do you have any fat-free dressing?”
My mom shook her head, “No. Sorry. We don’t like the way it tastes.”
“It shows,” he said and sighed, “Very well, I will have to work extra hard to get rid of the calories.”
I grabbed the bottle of the good ranch dressing and drenched my salad in it.
Bax snickered.
Mom giggled.
Then came the first of the proverbial final straw.
“Did you use fat-free cottage cheese in this?” Alan asked as he poked at his lasagna.
Mom shook her head, “No. I didn’t use any cottage cheese. Only mozzarella cheese.”
He snapped; he fucking snapped at my mother.
“That’s full of toxins!”
I growled.
Bax growled.
Alan paid us no mind as he picked up a piece of garlic bread.
And the final thing that was the final straw... he wiped his nose with his hand, and then we all watched as he licked a bugger off his hand and swallowed it... and then used that same hand to pick up his garlic bread. I snapped, “Yeah, enough of this shit. Get the fuck out.”
Bax nodded, “Agreed. You have overstayed your welcome. Fucking hell, I’d rather enjoy a five-course dinner with the dregs of society than spend another second in your breathing space.”
My mom nodded, “Yes. I have tried to overlook your snotty behavior as a favor to my friend, who wanted her son to be with a good woman. But she failed to inform me of the reason why you're still single.”
“I will not sit here and be maligned in this fashion.” Douche dick snapped.
“Then how about you get up off your ass, stand up, and leave.” I shared.
“You cannot tell me what to do.” He snapped.
“Funny. Because what I said was meant as a sarcastic suggestion.” I shared.
He glared.
Bax stood, “If you don’t get out of my house by the time I count to five, I will personally remove you.”
“I will be calling my mother about this.” Douche dick shared.
“I’m going to call my friend to get you out of here.” I shared. It was only a boast. But still.
Bax snickered, “On second thought, please do.”
I smiled, fuck it, then I pulled out my phone and scrolled to his name.
As my finger moved to hit the call button, I heard douche dick ask, “Friend?”
It was Mom who shared, “Oh. She’s great friends with Bronson Adams. Otherwise known as The Beast. You know, the former heavyweight champion of the world in the UFL.”
I was so damned grateful I was looking at douche dick.
Because he paled, stood, and raced out of the house.
The three of us looked at one another, and then we burst out laughing.
I put my phone down, picked up my fork, and took a heaping bite of lasagna.
I mumbled, “So good, Mom.”
She smiled, then said, “That was the last time. I’m not going to force this on you again.”
I swallowed my bite and nodded, “Thanks.”