Page 22 of Half of My Heart
ChapterNine
“Why arewe going to Jenna’s again? Is everything okay with her and Avery?” My mother asks with concern after she hears me tell Marco to make a detour to Jenna’s place before going to the airport.
“I just want to make sure she’s okay after our meeting with the lawyers this morning.”
I wasn’t expecting our meeting to be emotional for Jenna, but it turns out it was. It started off fine at first. She signed off on the paperwork for voluntary declaration of paternity. We then crafted a joint statement to put out to the press asking them to respect our privacy while we deal with this situation as a family. We agreed that Jenna should have primary physical custody of Avery, but we’ll share joint legal custody so I can be involved in all decision making that impacts her. When the discussion turned to holiday sharing, her demeanor started to change. She smiled less and was snappier.
“Why wouldn’t she be okay? You said today went well.”
“I think it did, but she seemed to get upset when we started to discuss money.”
“Did she feel what you were offering was too low?” my mother asks, looking perplexed.
“On the contrary, she felt it was too high.”
Jenna was adamant about not accepting alimony from me, arguing that she does just fine on her own and doesn’t want or need my money. Her lawyer had to pull her out of the room to try to convince her otherwise. When they returned, she still refused my offer and instead, reluctantly agreed on me retroactively paying for her expenses these past four years after she produces receipts. I have a feeling Jenna plans on convenientlynotturning any in.
When my mother gives me a questioning look, I continue to explain. “She basically refused alimony and thinks the amount of money I want to pay for child support is exuberant. When she found out how much Avery plans on gaining when she turns twenty-five, she went ballistic and said our child will not become a spoiled rich kid who does not know the value of money.”
“That makes me like Jenna even more,” my mother comments with a smile.
I nod my head in agreement because Jenna is extraordinary. I couldn’t have picked a better woman and role model to be the mother of my child. “She’s pretty special, Mum, but also very stubborn.” I smile as I recall her eyes flashing with anger at me. It was sexy as fuck and I wanted to pound that anger right out of her. Although I don’t enjoy her being mad at me, at least it was for the good of our daughter.
“Well, that explains why she was a little distant earlier, but does she even know we are stopping by again?”
“No, because if I asked, she would’ve said no.” I give her a boyish smile, one I know usually melts her heart.
“Calvin,” she scolds using my full name. “This isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?” I ask in mock innocence. “I’m concerned for her well-being and just want to check in on her.” The car conveniently pulls up in front of Jenna’s building at the exact same time. “We’re here already and it won’t take us long. Besides, don’t you want to get one more goodbye hug from your granddaughter?” I give her a victorious smile because of course she isn’t going to say no to that.
“Fine,” she groans, already reaching for the door handle. “But we must be quick about it. I don’t want to intrude on Jenna’s privacy.”
I tell Marco to stay here since we won’t be long, and we exit the car and go into the building. We make our way to the front desk to sign in where a tall man with blond hair is waiting with his back to us. As we approach, the concierge sees us and nods his acknowledgment while on the phone. “I have Cal HarringtonandJax Morrow here for Ms. Pruitt.”
I turn to look at the blond man standing next to me, his expression mirroring my surprise as we stare at each other. I completely forgot about Robert and Jenna’s earlier conversation about her seeing him tonight and I especially wasn’t aware of what time. I knew Jax Morrow was a good-looking bastard from the photos Thomas had sent me, but it pisses me off that he looks better in person. I wasn’t anticipating meeting him so quickly. In fact, I was hoping tonotbe meeting him at all. My mood darkens at the realization that I will have to watch him interact with Avery and even worse, watch him put his hands on Jenna.
“You’re both free to go up after you sign in.”
We take turns signing in and he gets a head start on us for the elevator. I watch him walk swiftly ahead and notice he’s just as tall as I am, but leaner in build. We stop beside him to wait for the elevator and the air is thick with tension. He decides to break the ice by turning toward us and introducing himself.
“I’m Jax Morrow, Jenna’s boyfriend.”
I clench my jaw at his words and notice he holds out his hand for my mother to shake, but only nods in my direction.
“I’m Cal Harrington and this is my mother, Rose.”
The elevator doors open, and we walk in together. He pushes the button for Jenna’s floor and then turns his attention to my mother.
“Ah, you’re Avery’s grandmother,” he acknowledges in her direction with a smile on his face. “Avery is a wonderful child. I enjoy every moment I get to spend with her. How long will you be in town for?”
I see the game this man is starting to play, and it makes me want to punch his fucking face in. Although his question was directed to my mother, I answer for her. “My mother is leaving tonight to go back to London, but I will be moving here permanently as soon as possible.”
His smile falters but he quickly masks his surprise. “How wonderful for Avery,” he responds with fake enthusiasm and says nothing more.
My mother decides to fill the awkward silence by asking questions on where Jax is from and what he does for a living. He answers her questions politely while we get off the elevator and walk down the hall to Jenna’s door. I don’t contribute to the conversation because everything he’s telling her are things I already knew and quite honestly…I don’t give two shits about this bloke and prefer him out of our lives.
Unfortunately, none of that is up to me.