Chapter 8 – Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas
"I 'm so sorry," I say into the phone. "I actually think I have the wrong number."
"No, not necessarily. Who are you trying to reach?" the bright female voice asks.
"Jamen Jacobs, he gave me this number a few years back. My name is Riley Thomas. My brother Bryan Thomas was good friends with his son Rook. Do I have the right number?" I ask.
"You sure do. I'm Sheena Jacobs. My husband is currently elbow deep in play-doh. Good Lord, never thought I'd say those words." Sheena chuckles.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. If this is a bad time-"
"It's not. Why don't you tell me the basics and I'll have Jamen get back to you shortly," Sheena says. Her voice is friendly and kind.
Before I can stop myself, I ramble out the reason for my call.
"A few years ago, at Bryan's funeral Jamen told me if I ever needed anything not to hesitate to call…" I swallow thickly. I hate even thinking about Bryan's funeral. "I know that was probably just the kind of thing you say and don't expect to ever hear from the person again-"
"No, absolutely not. Bryan was like family to Rook and our boys," Sheena says, this time her tone is firm. "Whatever you need, don't be shy."
Blowing out a heavy breath, I lay it all out there. I tell her the basics of my relationship with Jeremy, but withhold his name.
"He was injured and forced to retire from his sport.
His family is extremely wealthy and his father was only willing to welcome him back if he agreed to an advantageous match.
He dropped me like a hot potato with two kids under four.
More than that he showed up to our last meeting with a lawyer in tow and a bunch of confidentiality agreements. "
"What a dick," Sheena hisses. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't use that language, but good God what a bastard."
I laugh. So far, I really do like her even from the little I know.
"He is. I'm not well-connected or powerful and while I'll survive without him…
" I pause trying to find the right words.
"I was hoping Jamen would help me find a decent lawyer to look over the papers I signed.
There are things I agreed not to talk about, but I think if I had a lawyer I could ask them under confidentiality or privilege.
I just need to know he won't get married and suddenly change his mind and try to come after my girls. "
"Yes, of course," Sheena says. "I understand. I'll speak to Jamen and we'll get back to you tomorrow at the latest. Are you in a safe place? Doing okay?"
"I am," I tell her, and I realize I absolutely believe it's true.
Sheena verifies my contact info and we disconnect. My head falls to the desk and I cry. I'm not sure if it's in relief that I have someone who will help me understand my rights and ensure Jeremy can't pop out of nowhere somewhere down the line.
Or it might be reaching out to Jamen. He was such a huge part of my brother's life. It always hurts to think about Bryan.
But he's gone, and I have two munchkins who are counting on me not to fail at this whole life thing. That means I don't get to sit around wallowing in hurt and sadness.
Not about Bryan and certainly not about Jeremy. I hope he's very happy with his new fiancé. I pray he's so fucking content he completely forgets the girls and I exist, but life rarely gives me what I want. So I'll prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
* * *
Finn is sitting next to me on the bed the next morning when I wake up. Cove is gone. He's not holding Lily and when I glance over, she's not in her bassinet either.
"Good morning, darling," Finn says, smirking down at me.
"Morning," I grumble around a yawn. Sitting up, I frown at Finnegan. He's far too cheerful for this time of day.
"Rough night?" Finn asks.
"Not any worse than any other night. Why?" I ask, suddenly suspicious.
"No reason." Finn chuckles. "Do you always wake up with your hair doing that?"
Frowning, I run my hands down over my hair. Okay so it is likely sticking up in a million different directions. I had nightmares all night that Jeremy showed up and stole the girls.
"Breakfast is served in the kitchen. The wee ones are already being served as we speak," Finn says, shoving himself off the bed.
Coming around, he offers me his hand, and pulls me up off the bed. He yanks a bit too strongly and I careen into his bare chest with an oomph.
Finn grins, bending down he runs his nose along the column of my neck. My breath catches as my pulse picks up at his proximity. His sexy citrus scent fills my nostrils as he gets even closer.
"Mmm, you do smell quite nice," Finn says. "Take your time. We've got the little ones under control."
I'm busy blinking at the door long after he saunters out of the room.
* * *
Sheena Jacobs is a woman of her word.
I'm contacted by a receptionist for the firm of McAnders and McMillan the afternoon after speaking with Sheena. She explains that Jamen Jacobs will be taking care of their fee, but due to concerns about privileged information I'll need to pay the whopping one dollar retaining fee.
A lawyer by the name of Hawthorne McAnders calls me back within five minutes. He instructs me not to cash the check if at all possible. If that's not feasible, I'm to hold off cashing it until he receives a picture of the check and pictures of all the documents Jeremy pressured me into signing.
The conversation is relatively quick and painless. I have to track down Cannon to obtain the address as McAnders is sending over paperwork I'll have to sign and overnight back.
Cannon waits patiently as I disconnect the call.
"That sounded important," he says, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"Just trying to cover my bases," I say, shrugging.
"That's smart. Did you give any extra thought to sticking around?"
"Um, I have. I need to see what Killian's mom charges to watch two kids. Also get some idea of how much rent will be," I say, grabbing a cup and filling it to bring back to Cove. She's always thirsty when she wakes up from a nap.
Thick sheets of snow fall outside the giant picture window. It makes for a truly beautiful image.
"We'll make it work," Cannon tells me. "I need an employee. You're doing me a favor. I won't be taking your whole check in rent. Honestly, if I thought you'd accept it, I'd tell you to stay rent free."
Frowning at the floor, I shake my head. I've got to figure out how to stand on my own two feet.
"I get it," Cannon says. "Let's see how much you make in tips and how much the child care cost is. We can go from there. Does that work?"
"Thank you," I say. "That sounds great."
"Good, I want you to be happy here." Cannon's lips tip up and my heart does a bizarre little flutter. He runs a finger over my cheek and my pulse races.
"It's awesome." I nod to the view. "You have a beautiful home," I tell him honestly. "That view is unreal. Does the cottage have heat and everything?"
"Yeah, central heat and air although it's rare we've ever turned on the air." Cannon grins, scratching at his jaw. "Oh I forgot, I promised Cove a treat after her nap."
My belly flip flops with pterodactyl size butterflies at his words. He returns a minute later with a Mason jar. It has several layers of different shades of brown powder, a sugar layer, a white powder layer, and marshmallows.
"Hot cocoa?" I ask, clapping my hands together like he just brought me a treat.
It's a well-known fact that omegas have an ungodly affinity for sweets. It's probably why we're all so round. Okay, so that's a stereotype, but it's also highly true for me personally.
"Yes," Cannon says, grinning. "My mom handed them out to everyone on Halloween." He chuckles, shaking his head. "There's another baby sitter option. My brother and his wife have the only grandkids close by and their children are all school aged now."
"It's much different being asked to watch your own grandkids versus a random person's kids," I say, focusing on the instructions on the tag rather than the sour pit in my gut.
My girls have no grandparents they can count on. No aunts or uncles or cousins who they can sleepover with or have a fun play date. My only brother chose to end his own life rather than put up a fight against his bullshit.
Cannon takes the jar, setting it down on the table. "You've obviously never met my family," he says. His eyes stare into mine. "I have three dads and my mom's an omega. I have four brothers, but the others live elsewhere except for Savannah's husband."
It's strange he doesn't say his brother's name. Is it because he doesn't want to remind me of my dead brother?
"Trust me when I tell you, it'll be a battle to convince my mom the kids don't really need to spend the night.
If she gets her hands on them, you'll have to force her to give them back.
" He chuckles. "She's a baby hog. She only has one granddaughter and she's spoiled rotten.
" He rubs his thumb over my cheek. "You're obviously used to doing everything alone and I can respect that.
Truly I do. It's also not a crime to accept help when it's being offered.
I know that can be scary. If you trust someone then they can disappoint you when they disappear… right?"
"Right," I say, blowing out a breath.
"Not everyone is like your dickbag ex," he says, studying my face. His body leans close, so very close.
There's commotion behind me. A small soft sniffle fills the air.
"Sorry to interrupt," Killian rumbles.
"Go on, handle that," Cannon says, releasing my chin. "I'll make you and Cove some hot chocolate. I've got kid friendly disposable cups even though I'll hear about it from my dad if he ever finds out."
Spinning around, Cove is desperately clinging to Killian's neck. She peed through her pull-up, her bottom and back are a big wet mess. Killian is holding her with exactly zero fear of toddler pee.
"Oh no, what happened?" I ask, darting across the room.
Killian gives me a look I can't quite decipher.
"It's alright," Killian coos. "No one is upset."
"Mommy," Cove whimpers, tossing herself at me when she spots me. "I leaked all over our bed."
"It's okay," I tell her, patting the back of her head. "Let's go get you changed. We'll get you all cleaned up."
"There are sheets in that closet," Cannon calls toward my back.
I give him a wave in thanks.
"I'll strip the bed," Killian says, following us. "You get her cleaned up."
He's brisk and obviously tense. My breath starts to quicken.
"I-It's o-okay." I say, swallowing thickly. "I-I'll get it c-cleaned up."
My anxiety is through the roof. My hands are actually shaking against Cove's back.
What did Cove say to get him that upset? I'll bet she repeated something Jeremy spat out in anger. He couldn't stand it when she had an accident. Jeremy was never physically abusive, but he sure didn't mind making threats.
Killian ignores my words completely. He peeks over at Lily and immediately heads to the bed.
I carry Cove into the bathroom and make quick work of cleaning her up.
When we come out of the bathroom Killian has already re-made the bed.
There's a thick towel under the sheet where Cove sleeps.
I pull the sheets up, pressing around to feel if it's damp, but thankfully it didn't seem to soak into the expensive mattress.
Collapsing on the bed, I sigh. I can only imagine what he thinks of me. He's probably right to be disgusted. I put Cove and I through too much being weak and afraid.
Jeremy Northbrook isn't only a manipulator of the highest order. He's also a bully. My gut aches with regret and shame thinking about all the times I made excuses for his actions.