Beautiful Broken Promises(95)

“I’m gonna go with Kate, okay?” Braden requested. Guess Auntie Em was more appealing than punching a bag in the barn.

“I’ll walk you guys in.”

Jace and Audrey were lounging on the couch in their family room. Baby Jocelyn was perched in her dad’s arms, snoozing away. Audrey was stretched out across the couch with her head on Jace’s shoulder. She was so happy now, and that was all I had ever wanted for her. As Kate and Braden’s feet pattered across the hardwood, the two lovebirds looked over the back of the couch and smiled.

“Hey guys,” Jace called out.

“Come join us,” Audrey invited. Kate was the first to crawl up next to her and Braden wasn’t far behind.

Jace handed Jocelyn off to Audrey, and I knew it wouldn't be long before she was in either Kate or Braden’s arms. Jace stood and walked toward me.

“Beer?” he asked.

“You have beer in your house?” I laughed, because Audrey and Jace had never been drinkers. Insane, I know.

“Audrey buys it for y’all,” he said with a shrug.

“I’m good, thanks. I actually came for the bag.” I pointed down the road a bit, where I knew the big, red barn stood. On the inside of it, Jace had strung up different weighted punching bags. Sometimes it was nice to come here instead of the gym, especially if I had the kids with me.

“Let me change and I’ll come.” As he jogged up the stairs, I noticed he was still in his suit from work.

Kate and Braden had already settled in on either side of Audrey, as close as they could possible get to her. Audrey was naturally such a motherly person that children had always flocked to her. And she absolutely loved it. She was beaming and soaking in every moment. They all sat and listened to Jocelyn coo at them, while Kate and Braden giggled at her every noise.

“Damn, that’s cute,” Jace said as he reached the bottom step.

“Hey little man, you coming or do you really want to stay?” I called out to Braden.

“Can I stay here?” he asked while looking over the backside of the couch.

“You sure can. Watch out for the girls for me, okay?” He nodded his head and we bumped knuckles.

Jace and I jogged down the road toward the barn so we could warm up. We had been working out together for over a year now and had our routine down pat. He was a great sparring partner in the ring because he could take and deliver the hard punches I needed. Tonight, that’s exactly what I was desperate for. Otherwise, I might explode and end up hunting down Adam and pissing off Rae. I didn't need to think about those two off alone together. Jace already knew where she was, so thankfully he didn't have to ask.

By the time Jaxon strode in through the barn doors, Jace and I had already gone seven rounds. The only problem now was that I still craved more of it. And I wanted it to be Adam’s face that met my fist next, not a padded-up Jace.

“What are y’all up to tonight?” I panted, as I pulled the red gloves from my hands. Jace was doing the same and tossing his headgear to the side as well, trying to catch his breath.

“Fucking absolutely nothing,” Jax groaned. “Seeing as I just went to the store to buy chocolate and tampons, I should probably say absolutely no f*cking.”

“That blows,” I chuckled at his sullen state.

“Shouldn’t you be at home giving her that stuff?” Jace nodded toward the bag Jax had tossed to the ground.

“Yeah, but I’m gonna hide out here awhile. Quinn’s over and they’re watching sappy movies, just so they can make themselves cry.” Jax made his way to a mini-fridge and pulled out a beer.

“Seriously?” I laughed. “I’ll never understand chicks.”

We sat and shot the shit for a long while, and I hoped the clock was ticking along at rapid pace. I forced myself to not look at the time, but I hoped this dinner would be wrapping up soon.

Jace’s phone began to chime and he pulled it from his gym shorts. “You’re calling me, dude,” he said, puzzled.

“Shit, it’s her. Toss it,” I called out. I caught it mid-air and had it next to my ear in a heartbeat. “Need me to come get you, baby?” I asked into the line.

“I had a cheeseburger,” Raegan’s voice said quietly. “It came with French fries, so I ate a few of those too.” Her voice sounded sad, and I wanted to rip apart Adam’s throat for doing whatever the hell he had done.

“Rae, do you need me to pick you up?” I walked outside of the barn and into the cooler summer night air. My skin was already heating up in anger again.