A Daddy for Jacoby(64)

Fear seized her in a viselike grip. “And you think the Ellsworths can fill that void better than you?”

“Gina, look at the differences between us.” He turned back to her. “I live in a two-bedroom shack owned by my brother-in-law. I work in a bar with my hours cut because I need to be here at night. Thankfully, my sister is paying me enough so I’m getting by, barely. My truck is almost to the legal drinking age and ready to fall apart.”

It broke her heart to hear him talk that way. “Justin, you’re not giving yourself a chance. The cabin is beautiful with all the work you’ve put into it. Jacoby’s mother grew up in a mansion and look how she turned out. It’s not about where you live but making a child feel loved and safe and cared for.”

An idea popped into her head. “And who says you have to continue working at the bar. You have a college degree and you were fantastic with those kids at the dance. You could teach.”

“What kind of fantasy world do you live in, Gina? I got that degree while in prison for drug trafficking. Do you really think the school board is going to allow someone like me to teach their kids?”

“But you were great at the dance! Talking about what you’ve learned from past mistakes, not to mention you put yourself in harm’s way to protect those kids.”

She had to make him see there was so much more to him than his past. That he could have a future with his son and maybe even with her, if he would just believe in himself.

“You’re wonderful with Jacoby. I know it’s been hard since he came into your life, but please don’t demean what you’ve accomplished. You’re a good man, Justin. Your son needs to be with you and you need to be with him.”

“What I need doesn’t matter anymore. The moment that boy came into my life, my wants and needs ceased to be important. I’ve been a selfish, self-centered person most of my life, always looking out for number one.” His words were passionate, but his face expressionless, his eyes cold and lifeless. “That’s not who I am anymore. I have to put what Jacoby wants and needs before anything else.”

He’d already made up his mind.

For a long moment Gina could do nothing but stand there, utterly still, as if an icy shower had splashed over her. It seeped into every crack and crevice until it reached her heart. The pain numbed her from the inside out until it felt like she was made of glass, ready to shatter if he uttered one more word.

“Well, I’ll leave you alone to make your own decision.”

He blinked, as if her words woke him from a trance. “Gina, I’m sorry, but you don’t understand…”

She closed her eyes.

Justin was right. Who was she to tell him what he needed? Because she loved him and his little boy?

Yes, she loved Jacoby.

She loved him as much as she loved his father. And she couldn’t stick around and watch Justin throw it all away. “I do understand, Justin, more than you could possibly know.”



A week later, Gina answered the knock at her front door, knowing it was Racy. “Thanks for coming by so quickly after I called— Ah, hi, Jacoby.”

“Gina!” Toting his raggedy pillow case, the little boy entered and gave her a big hug.

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” she said.

“Sorry about this,” Racy said, following her nephew inside. “I’d just picked him up at school when you called.”

“Yeah, my dad has an appointment, so I’m hanging out with my aunt Racy,” Jacoby said. “Cool, huh?”

“Very cool,” Gina agreed, forcing her smile to stay in place.

An appointment? It had to be with the Ellsworths.

A sharp pain jabbed at her heart, and she tried not to respond. She’d thought she’d accepted this physical reaction that happened every time she thought about Justin. Maybe someday it would fade, but for now, she needed to let go of wanting to help him live his life.

It was past time she focus on her own life.

“You sounded like you really wanted to talk,” Racy added, “so I thought I’d stop by and tell you it’ll probably be until after dinner tonight before we can hook up.”

Garrett entered from the kitchen. “Hey, Racy,” he said around a mouthful of chips. “Hey, squirt. What are you two doing here?”

“They stopped by for a visit.” Gina eyed the junk food. “Aren’t you supposed to be studying for finals?”