22. Londyn
LONDYN
There was a time when I loved being at the Fury clubhouse.
The guys were great. I loved hanging out with them, listening to the teasing and the crazy stories. They always made me feel like I was a part of their rowdy clan, and I adored them for it. I felt safe there like it was a second home, but a lot had happened since those days.
Now, I felt like an intruder who had no business being in their clubhouse, much less their family room. I thought my imagination was screwing with me until I heard Cotton shouting in the hallway, “Answer the damn question, Malcomb!”
Out of pure curiosity, I stepped over to the doorway and listened as he answered, “A few days. Maybe a week.”
“And you didn’t think to mention anything to me or your mother?”
“Of course, I thought about it! I was going to tell you, but I just found out about him. I wanted a chance for him to get to know me before I unloaded the whole family on him.”
“It’s always been about you and what you want.”
“It’s what Londyn wanted, too.”
“So, this is Londyn’s kid?”
“He’s our kid.”
Dalton glanced over at me when Cotton shouted, “And she’s kept him from us for five years!”
“It’s not like that.”
“The hell it isn’t! She could’ve come to you and told you what was going on. Hell, she could’ve come to me! But she chose to keep him a secret!” Cotton roared. “Who does that? Who keeps a child from his family for five goddamn years?”
Before I realized what I was doing, I’d stepped out into the hall. My stomach was in knots as I muttered, “I tried to tell him. I tried so many times.”
Cotton whipped around, and I was a little startled when I saw the fierce expression on his face.
I knew he had a reputation for being tough as nails, but Cotton had always been so sweet and kind to me.
Today, he looked anything but sweet and kind.
I could literally feel the rage and hurt radiating off him.
My heart was racing as I tried to explain, “I called, but I never got an answer. I came by here, but I was always turned away. I even tried writing letters.”
Cotton turned his attention to Malcomb as he barked, “Is this true?”
“Yeah, it’s all true,” Malcomb answered. “I would’ve told you that if you’d given me a chance to explain.”
“Damnit.” Cotton shook his head, still clearly angered. “I told you. I told you time and time again, but you were too damn stubborn to listen. You were always so fucking stubborn.”
“Yeah, I wonder where I got that.”
“Don’t you try turning this on me,” Cotton snapped back.
I knew he was hurt. I also knew I played a part in causing that hurt, so I was compelled to try and fix it. There was only one way I knew how to do that, so I asked, “Would you like to meet him?”
Cotton nodded, and then he and Malcomb followed me into the family room. I could tell that Cotton was a little uneasy as we made our way over to the pool table, but it was Cotton. He had a way about him that could set people at ease. I had a feeling Dalton would love him.
Cotton watched silently as I crouched down next to Dalton and said, “Hey, sweetie. I have someone who I’d like you to meet.”
Dalton’s eyes widened as he looked up at Cotton, and I could only imagine what he was thinking.
Cotton didn’t look like any man he’d ever been around before.
He was about the same age as my father and had the same salt and pepper hair, but he was covered in tattoos and he was much, much bigger than my father.
And in his Satan’s Fury cut, he looked quite intimidating.
Hoping to ease his mind, I told him, “This is Cotton. He’s Malcomb’s father, and your grandfather.”
“Oh, hey,” Dalton replied in barely a whisper.
“Hey there, buddy.” Cotton knelt next to me as he said, “It’s really nice to finally meet you.”
Dalton didn’t respond.
He was nervous, and rightly so. He was in a strange place with strange people, and after our eventful ride, I couldn’t blame him for being worried.
Cotton picked up on his unease and smiled as he motioned his head towards the pool table.
“I heard you’re quite the pool shark. You wanna play a round? ”
Dalton’s eyes lit up, and I knew he had him. He nodded eagerly, then scampered over to the table and started collecting all the balls. Cotton gathered them up in the triangle then slid them into the correct position. He removed the triangle and smiled. “I think we’re all set.”
Dalton nodded with a bright smile.
I was concerned that Dalton wouldn’t be able to hold a pool stick, much less aim one, but Cotton was one step ahead of me. “Let’s skip the pool sticks and play a round of ball slam.”
Cotton took the white ball and rolled it towards the triangle. It hit, and all the balls started rolling in various directions. Dalton hopped with excitement. “Cool!”
“You wanna go?”
Dalton nodded, then took the ball from Cotton and placed it on the table. He rolled it towards one of the stripes, causing it to smack the ball into the pocket. A big smile crossed Cotton’s face as he cheered, “There you go!”
“Can I do it again?”
“Absolutely!”
When Dalton reached for the ball, Cotton turned to Malcomb and said, “Call your mother.”
“Dad, we’ve got other things to deal with first.”
“Call her.”
Malcomb didn’t argue.
He simply took out his phone and stepped out into the hall to call his mother.
I didn’t move. I was too engrossed with the way my sweet boy was looking at his grandfather.
It was instant adoration, and I could tell that Dalton was having a similar effect on Cotton.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man smile so much.
They took turns rolling the ball, and each time the balls crashed, they would both cheer like they’d won the World Championship.
They were about to start a second game when Malcomb came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist. “They seem to be hitting it off.”
“Yeah, they do.”
“Thanks for helping me out with him. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make him understand.”
“He just needs some time.”
“I hope you’re right.” He let out a deep breath before saying, “Mom’s on the way over.”
I could tell he was anxious—not just because of his mother.
He was eager to check in with the guys and see what they’d found out about the man who’d tried to run me off the road.
I wanted to do my part to help, so I offered, “I can handle things with your mother if you want to go check in with the guys.”
“I couldn’t let you do that.”
“You could and you should.” I shrugged. “They might need you, and your father will do most of the talking with Cass. I’ll just be here to fill in the gaps.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“You’re the best.”
He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss before going over and talking to his father.
They spoke for a moment, and Cotton nodded.
They exchanged a few more words, then Malcomb leaned down and told Dalton, “I’ve gotta go take care of something, but I’ll be back when I can.
And my mom’s going to come by and say hi if that’s okay? ”
Dalton nodded with a smile. “O-kay.”
“You guys have fun, and when I get back, I’m playing the winner.”
Malcomb walked out of the family room, leaving me alone with Cotton and Dalton.
They were still playing their game, laughing and talking, and it was nice.
Really nice. Dalton was gathering the balls for a new game when Cotton stepped over to me and whispered, “He couldn’t look more like Malcomb if he tried. ”
“I know. They have the same smile. The same walk. It’s kind of crazy.”
“I’m trying real hard not to be mad at you, but it isn’t easy.” Cotton’s eyes met mine, and they were riddled with anguish. “I always thought a lot of you.”
“And I’ve always felt the same about you.”
“Then, why didn’t you come to me and tell me what was going on?”
“I thought if he didn’t want to talk to me then you wouldn’t either. And I didn’t want you to think I was trying to trap him or anything.”
“I would’ve known better than that.”
“I couldn’t have been sure. Besides, I wasn’t thinking straight. I was so heartbroken and embarrassed and stupid. I didn’t know what to do.”
“And what about your folks?”
“They did their best to support me and my decisions—even when they didn’t agree with them.” My chest tightened as I told him, “I asked them not to say anything. I didn’t want anyone to know. That’s why I never came back to visit.”
“You should know, I’m going to have a word with your father. A lengthy word.”
“I wouldn’t blame you for that. In fact, while you’re at it, throw in a couple of words for me.
Our conversation came to an immediate halt when Cass appeared in the doorway and muttered, “Oh, my God.”
Neither of us said a word.
We let her take a moment to put the pieces together on her own. She looked at me, and then back at Dalton. Then, back to me. “Oh, my God.”
“Babe, why don’t you come over and meet Dalton?”
Dalton looked up from his game, and the second he smiled, tears started streaming down Cass’s face. “He’s Malcomb’s, isn’t he?”
“Hey, babe. He is.”
“He’s so beautiful.” Cass looked over to me and asked, “How did... when did?”
“We’ll explain all that later,” Cotton answered. “For now, come over and meet your grandson.”
Cass nodded, then slowly walked over to Dalton. Like his father, Dalton had a way with the ladies, so I wasn’t surprised when he flashed her a big smile and asked, “You wanna play a game wit’ us?”
“I would love to.”
Cass quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and joined in the game.
I stood back and watched as Dalton swept Cass right off her feet.
They were laughing and playing like they’d known each other for years, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me.
As much as I had been dreading this moment, it was clear that everything was going to be okay.