Page 58 of The Sacrifice
“I love you, too,” I sigh as I stare into his dark brown eyes. I’ll never get tired of looking at him.
“You two are adorable. I’m so happy for you.” She clutches her hand to her chest.
“My mom and dad are here and want to spoil Hadley.” He kisses my nose and turns his attention to Madison. “Thank you, Maddy. Keep feeding her full of the reasons she should stick around and love me forever.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He cups my cheek. “Promise?”
“Yes, I promise. You and Hadley are my world. I can’t live without you.”
“Jackson, where is that baby?” Tammy yells from the living room.
“Oops.” He winks. “I’ve got to go before my mom says I’m avoiding her, and Tate would never do that.” He laughs and exits the room.
“Holy cow.”
“What?”
Madison stands next to the stove with a gaping mouth. Her mouth snaps shut. “Well, for one thing, I wanted to grab a bag of popcorn and settle in to watch the show. And if he wasn’t my husband’s brother, I wouldn’t be opposed to keeping watching when things really heat up. But what’s blowing my mind is that he laughed about his mom comparing him to Tate. Those kinds of comments usually set him off.” She bites her bottom lip. “And likely increased his rebellion. You’re good for him. It's as if he’s at peace and not fighting to be someone else anymore.”
“Thank you. I hope that’s true.” My heart warms at her words. I’m not going to lie. Sometimes I overthink things and wonder if we aren’t going too fast. Or if we’re buying into this readymade family because it’s convenient for us. But I know how he’s helping to calm me down. And to be happy. And if someone who loves him sees that we’re good together, that ticks another worry off my list.
Chapter Thirty-Two
A Couple of Days Later
Jackson
When I grab my cellphone out of my locker, it chirps, indicating a missed message. The number is unfamiliar. I click on it with the intent to erase it when I stop. Roxanne. How did she get my number? Adrenaline surges through my body, and I drop to the bench, landing with a thump. How she got the number isn’t important. The words on the screen are what matter.
Roxanne: Hello. It’s me, Roxanne. I’ve been thinking a lot about dropping Hadley off with you. It wasn’t the right decision. You are a single man taking care of a baby girl. And…. You might not be the father. I think it would be best if I came back and got her.
The floor surges upward as if I’m falling on my face. If I hadn’t sat on the bench, my face would’ve been plastered to the floor. A few of my teammates pass by in varying stages of dress, moving around me like I’m not there.
That is not going to happen.Think. She can’t take Hadley.
Me: Hadley is doing great. Thank you for asking.
Seconds later, a message pops up.
Roxanne: When can I get her?
Me: That isn’t a good idea. She’s settled in at my house and doing well. She’s been to the doctor and had her shots. The ones she was behind on receiving.
Roxanne: Don’t insult me by implying I don’t know how to raise my daughter.
I slam the locker door shut and hop off the bench. Gunner raises his eyebrows from the locker adjacent to mine. “Everything okay?”
“I’m good. Sorry,” I mumble and return my attention to the serpent in my hand.
Me: You were going to drop her off at social services and head to Vegas. I think you did that on your own. Proving what a good parent you are, that is.
Roxanne: It was a mistake. I was overwhelmed taking care of her on my own.
Me: I thought it was your boyfriend who didn’t want her?
It would be easier to call her and hash everything out in seconds, but I want as many admissions in writing as possible.