Beautiful Broken Promises(94)

“Deal.” His quick response was finalized with another heated kiss.

Sadly, I slid from his lap and walked toward the bedroom to get ready, knowing I had to face another unfortunate part of my life I wish I could bury forever. My nerves were skyrocketing at the thought of seeing Adam. I had a bad feeling about why he was here. If he wanted more time with Braden, or even—God forbid—shared custody, I just didn't know what I would do. I didn’t want to give up any of my time with Braden, and Adam didn't deserve his time. But could I keep Braden from his real father?



LANE -

I stood on the front porch with Raegan and waited for the * to arrive. Unfortunately, he pulled up at exactly seven p.m. He probably understood that I would have taken her out to dinner myself if he had been at all late, and there would be no second chances. Damn him.

She started to pull away when he came to a stop in my driveway, and I noticed that he made no move to get out of the car… probably another good move on his part. I tugged her back into my arms and tilted her chin to look up at me.

“You got my phone?” She nodded her head and I continued, “Call Jace if you need me. I’ll answer.”

“You two aren’t going to secretly follow us, are you?” she asked, smiling.

“Should we?” My stomach was flip-flopping and I didn't like the idea of her being alone with him—not even for a second. But there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.

“No!” she laughed. “Lane, this will be over fast. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

“I don’t like this.” I had to be truthful, even if it made her uncomfortable.

“I don’t either. I’d rather hang out with you guys any night.” Her voice was filled with melancholy, and I pulled her tighter into my arms and kissed the top of her head.

“This is only to talk about Braden, right? You’d tell me if it were something else?”

“Of course! I love you, Lane. Please know that.”

“I do. Now, show your douchebag ex how much you love me.” I smirked down at her, challenging her to do as I asked.

She complied with ease as her hands wound behind my neck and her fingers threaded through my short hair. She rose up onto her tiptoes and lifted her face closer to mine. I wanted her to take me. And yeah, I wanted Adam to see her doing it. Her lips crashed against mine and without words, she told me everything she loved about me and everything she would let me do to her later tonight.

I pulled back before she made me so hard I would have to hold her hostage for the rest of the night. Her cheeks were flushed and I grinned from ear to ear.

“Damn, I love you. Now, hurry along.” I swatted her ass and she giggled. “Come back to me as quick as you can.”

She skipped down the walkway, and I noticed Adam had the windows down on his car. I leaned over to view him eye-to-eye through the opening. “Drive safe,” is what I said. What I knew he understood I was saying was, “If you do anything to her, I’ll hunt you down and tear you apart, limb from limb.” And he knew I was damn well capable of it, too.

~~~~~~~

“Why are we at Uncle Jace’s house?” Braden asked from the backseat.

I pushed the car into park and unbuckled my seat belt. We had hopped in the car almost the second Raegan and her ex-boyfriend turned off my street. She had asked if Jace and I were going to follow them tonight, and I couldn’t say that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind a time or two today. But I was really only here for one reason.

“I need to hit the punching bag in Uncle Jace and Jaxon’s barn.”

“Oh! I want to come too!” Braden exclaimed. I reached back behind me and helped them unclip their straps.

“Can I go see Auntie Audrey and the baby?” Kate asked. I knew that she would ask that. I loved how easily Braden and Kate had become part of my extended family. Everyone had been so great with them and accepted them as if they really were their niece and nephew. I nodded my head at both of them. “Yay! I hope Auntie Em is over there. She’s so funny!”

At the sound of her name, Braden turned to look at Kate. “I like Aunt Em too. She’s pretty.” I couldn’t believe it, but he actually blushed!

“Boy, you’re too young for that,” I chuckled. These two could help any rotten mood I was in. I came here to pretend the sand bag was Adam’s face, but Kate and Braden were helping me calm down, little by little, all on their own.