Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Knox
H ow can someone like her be with an asshole like him? He’s more of a lowlife than I am.
Why the hell did I tell her how I feel?
Walking through the streets of Boston, my feet lead me to the park across the street.
Yes, she said they weren’t together but knowing that she could have slept with him even once makes me sick to my stomach.
He’s a prick for screwing us out of the rights to our own music, which led to us having to buy them back at a profit for him.
But he’s a vile piece of toxic waste for forcing himself on my sister at an after-party when she was only eighteen years old.
Luckily, Owen, my brother’s best friend, walked in and things didn’t go as far as Rob would have liked.
Owen kicked his ass and Rob threatened to sue him. Trevor and I squashed that real quick .
I hate the man with every fiber of my being, and he’s been with her. Fuck!
Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I dial the number I always call when I need a touch of home or words of wisdom.
Besides, it’s time.
“Knox, how’s my boy doing?”
The sound of her voice is home to me. The home I ran away from all those years ago.
“Hey, Mom. Sorry it’s been so long.”
What I really mean is sorry I’ve been such a cowardice asshole who was too embarrassed to call and talk to his own mother about the biggest thing that’s ever happened to him.
“I knew you’d call when you were ready.”
Taking a seat on an empty park bench, I struggle to say my next words without getting emotional.
“I’m a father.”
“I know.”
“I had no idea.” My voice is shaking with shame.
“Oh, son. I can’t imagine how confusing this has been for you.”
“She went to such lengths to keep him from me.”
“Knox, what Mia did was cruel.” There’s that word again. “But I understand her need to protect her child. She went about it the wrong way, but I understand.”
“I do too.”
As mad as I want to be at Mia, I get it.
“Sawyer’s well-being is the most important thing. You’ve gotta protect him from the world the best you can.”
“Even if that means letting my brother raise him as his own. ”
“Sweetheart, Angus isn’t trying to take your place. You must know that.”
“But he’s the better father figure. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“How could I agree to such a thing when you haven’t even gotten the chance to try your hand at the job? You’re a good man. You need to remind yourself of that.”
“If I’m not there, I’m glad it’s Gus who is.”
“You’ll be here, son. You’ll be here for him.”
She’s right. Once this tour is over, changes are coming.
I knew life was about to shift, and even though fatherhood is the last thing I saw coming, I want to be there for Sawyer.
Mia too. The missing puzzle piece to my life may be home.
365 days a year, not sure about that, but roots are a possibility.
“You’re right. I will. But I think it’s fair to say my life hasn’t turned out how I thought it would. I’ve made so many mistakes.”
“Sweetheart, there’s a reason the rearview mirror is so small, and the windshield is so big. You need to look at the big, beautiful world in front of you and not focus on the past.”
“Right now, that seems impossible when I’ve missed so much.”
“Promise me something, son?”
“What’s that?”
“What Mia has done to you is something you don’t simply get over. Especially with your history when it comes to relationships business and personal. It seems impossible that you wouldn’t be jaded after everything you’ve been through. But please don’t stop giving people a chance. Promise me, kiddo.”
“I promise to try. ”
“That’s all I can ask for.”
My reaction to Ryan knowing Rob sprints across my mind. She did say she unfortunately knew him socially and that she would never be with a man like him, yet I blew up. Thinking that she was once again out to get me, when in reality she’s done nothing but prove otherwise.
Fuck, why is my head such a damn mess when it comes to this woman?
Mom likely knows Ryan well, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to know every morsel there is to know about the copper-haired vixen who’s infiltrated my world.
“Hey, Mom?”
“What’s up, honey?”
“What do you know about Ryan Jameson?”