Chapter 21 ~ #2
His words summon the image of Alec parenting stuck in my mind. At first it’s just him when there’s all of us.
I’m standing in the kitchen.
Jace’s arms curl around me, his hands gently caressing my swollen, pregnant belly.
Mase’s laughing at something Mav had whispered in the ear of a black haired, green eyed child. Alec’s feeding her while Luc’s making face’s behind him.
The little girl collapses into giggles. She dobs on Luc who cries out in outrage.
Dom sneaks up on her and whispers ‘boo!’ in her ear. She squeals, making the guys burst out laughing.
I lean my head back against Jace’s chest and he leans down to kiss me.
Then it’s gone and a strange longing settles into my soul.
I push the feeling away—the image with it and finish eating. Mase beams when he takes my empty plate away. Since I’ve been with them, I look healthy. Before, I was eating one meal a day if I was lucky but now I have a bit more meat on my bones and life in my face. Or at least I think.
The sound of the roller door to the garage opening has everyone’s eyes swinging towards me for my reaction.
I don’t feel anything. I’m not angry or upset, just…neutral.
I sip my coffee. It’s a nice flavour, like beans and caramel. Maverick scooped some foamy stuff out of his before and put it in mine.
From the corner of my eye, Jace walks in, shopping bags in his hands.
And that’s when the hurt settles in. The pain.
All I can hear in my head is fuck you.
He places them on the counter and tells the twins that there’s more in Dom’s ute. Actually, I’m not sure you can call a Dodge Ram a ute. Mav and Mase begrudgingly get up.
Something is placed in front of me. I don’t look up at Jace as I open the bakery box. Chocolate and vanilla marbled cake. With the good icing.
He really does know he screwed up.
Marbled is my favourite, it’s a pain to make though. Helen could pull it off but I haven’t had it for three years.
My mouth waters at the sight of it, despite having just eating breakfast.
A fork and knife are slowly pushed before me like he’s afraid I’ll pick it up and stab him with it.
I don’t bother with the knife and just use the fork. The flavours melt onto my tongue. Mmm, it’s still slightly warm—like it was freshly baked. I sigh. Jace really knows how to grovel. And how to make it really hard to stay mad at him.
At least a fifth of it disappears before I set the fork down.
“This doesn’t mean anything,” I tell Jace, trying to sound serious.
He leans over and wipes the chocolate from the corner of my mouth with the pad of his thumb, looking like he’s trying to contain a smile.
“Of course not,” Jace says simply.
The guys pretend to give us space, moving to the kitchen table.
“I’m sorry, Ro,” Jace says, softly. “I shouldn’t have said any of that. I didn’t mean it.”
I look down. “Then why did you say it?” I ask in a small voice.
Jace sighs. “Because I’m scared.”
My betraying eyes glance up, seeking his. Regret spins around the grey hues.
“I’ve already lost you once, Ro. I can’t bear to lose you again,” he murmurs.
“You were right. My life meant nothing to me without you and Declan in it so I drank you both away. Knowing you were out there somewhere, probably hating me for not protecting you…I couldn’t deal with it.
So I drank away the pain and I lashed out at everyone who tried to help me. ”
This time, Jace is the one to cast his gaze away, swallowing deeply.
Guilt hits me. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have said what I did,” I say quietly.
“It was called for.” Jace smiles faintly.
I tap my fingers on the counter briefly, thinking over everything. Without breaking our eye contact, I slide the cake towards him. Jace’s eyes widen.
I’m sure he thought I’d make him grovel more but I don’t want to fight anymore. I hate being mad at him. Why hold onto the resentment? I did enough of that for three years.
His eyes search mine, seeing if I’m being serious. He must find what he needs because he quickly eats a forkful of cake.
Whenever Jace did something to really piss me off as kids to the point where I wouldn’t talk to him, he bought me cake. Or he got Helen to make it. I always ate it regardless of where it came from but he’d know I’d forgiven him when I left him a little piece. He eats it, then we’re good.
He swallows then turns my chair and steps between my legs to kiss me deeply. Mmmm, chocolate.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbles against my lips. “I love you crazy.”
“Love you wild, J,” I whisper softly.
I grab his shirt, keeping those lips on mine. He kisses me desperately, nibbling on my lip. I decide turnabouts a fair play and drag his bottom lip between my teeth before releasing it.
“I’m guessing this means everything’s okay now?” Dominic interrupts, amusement lacing his words.
Jace pouts when I pull away. I reach up and nip his bottom lip, swallowing his groan with a kiss before slumping in the stool.
“Now we’re good,” I announce. The guys chuckle.
I see Mase come up behind me out of the corner of my eye. His hand reaches for my fork and I slap it away.
I point my finger at him and say sternly, “No.”
He pouts. “Jace got some.”
“Because he’s an idiot,” I tell Mase, closing up the box but not without giving him a spoonful. Cause I’m nice like that.
Jace doesn’t bother denying it. “Word of advice guys, do not touch Rory’s forgiveness cake. I get one little bit which is her accepting my apology but the rest of it is hers to make up for me being a dick.”
The guys don’t seem to understand that but decide to take Jace’s word for it.
I hop up and carefully place the box in the fridge.
I will return for you, darling, I promise it.
“Did you talk to the construction guys?” Alec asks Jace as he unpacks things from the bags.
“We’ll have to double up for a bit until we can finish the last two rooms ourselves. It’s mostly minor things left.” Jace crosses his arms, leaning back against the counter.
“When…when are we leaving?” My gaze shifts between the guys.
Despite telling me about the house, no one’s said when we’re supposed to leave.
Maverick puts his hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently. “Tomorrow.”
Tomorrow…
I don’t know what to think about this. I mean, I want to get as far away from here as possible but…I haven’t been back there for three years.
I’m not foolish enough to think someone won’t come after me. Now, six months, three years from now…they’ll come.
But I will not leave my guys.
“You okay, Ro?” Jace’s concern tugs me out of my thoughts. His hands on my face forces me to meet his eyes.
“Yeah,” I finally tell him. “It’s just…I spent a long time thinking about this happening and now it’s finally happening.”
Jace opens his arms and I fall into them. The sweet scent of his spicy cologne and something that is just…Jace, tickles my nose and I breathe it in.
It finally hits me that freedom is one day away. I’ll finally be out of this fucking town. Away from him and the Dark Riders.
I don’t want to leave Drake but he’s a big boy—he can take care of himself. If he needs help…I’m sure it won’t take long for him to turn up. After all, I am his partner in crime.
My guys have been amazing. They’ve kept me safe but being a few hours away will help me to breathe a little easier.
I know the guys are thrilled about the house. They’re trying not to overwhelm me but they look so excited to live together. With me.
It’s crazy but while it’s only been a few weeks…we feel like a family. And that’s scary as hell to admit but also the easiest thing in the world.
“Are you okay with all of this, Ro?” J asks quietly in my ear.
“Yeah, it’s just…a lot,” I tell him. “I’m, um, I’m gonna start packing.” I retract myself from his arms.
Concern has him pulling down his eyebrows but he lets me go.
“I’ll bring a box in for you, Sunshine,” Alec tells me. I nod, giving him a faint smile.
I grab my coffee that I haven’t quite finished and bring it with me to my room.
I quickly change, putting Dom’s shirt back on after, tying a knot in the side. His shirt’s freaking huge on my small frame.
Despite having the intention to pack…there’s not a lot. Clothes and school stuff. That’s about it. There’s a few things I’ve ended up with over the last few weeks that I put in my school bag.
Waiting for Alec to bring the box in, I stare out the window. Faintly, through the trees, I can see Marcus’s and what used to be my house.
God, I can’t wait to finally be gone.
Hannah’s home has kind of become mine and I’m sad to leave all the memories we’ve made the last few weeks.
But, this town could never be home. So many painful memories. My chest tightens and I swallow deeply.
I turn away from the window and as I sit on my bed to check I’ve got all my textbooks, Alec knocks on the door, pushing the door open.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
Alec doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t need to. We just simply start putting my textbooks in the box before Alec orderly places my clothes on top.
I stifle a laugh when Alec rearranges them when he thinks I’m not watching.
“You have just a smidge of OCD, yeah?” I tease lightly. I knock my shoulder against his playfully.
Alec’s cheeks flush red. “Just a little.”
A small smile lights up his face as he openly reorganises the box so that my shorts are together and my shirts are together. I put my underwear in next and I notice he doesn’t reorder those.
He’s wearing his glasses. I love when he wears them. The black outlines his hazel eyes and highlights his strong cheekbones. They’re kinda sexy.
“What?” Alec looks up and sees me staring.
I just smile and shake my head. My secret, I tell him, silently with our gazes intertwined.
His eyes soften.
Alec’s hand curls around my wrist, tugging me towards him. I have to tilt my head up to lock eyes with him.
“Yes,” I breathe, when Alec opens his mouth. His head immediately dips, his hand moving to cup my cheek as he kisses me deeply. I sigh into him.