When You're Mine (MINE #3)(39)
After Tabitha shut me out, I went back home. Determined to settle this shit with Brent and get on with my life. I couldn’t start this endeavor with Maddie and have that hanging over my head, so I told my father everything. He watched the video, which was so shoddy and grainy you couldn’t even tell it was me. Not only that, we were all three so out of it, the only incriminating person on the video was Brent, who didn’t even appear to be drunk.
Even still, I couldn’t risk it. We had to find something that would make him stand down. It took a while, but we finally found what we needed. Apparently, Brent had a thing for underage girls. I mean, seriously? I knew he was a piece of shit, but I had no idea he was a sick f*ck. The PI we put on him dug up all kinds of disgusting proof. Needless to say, I got the other copies of the video right before I turned his ass over to the police.
We sold our shares to the McMillians, finally giving my father a reason to retire, and it made my decision to partner up with Madison a whole lot easier. Granted, we weren’t bringing in high profile cases, but we were taking on ones that mattered. Madison had an insatiable appetite for wrongful convictions, and we’d taken on quite a few over the last few months. Her passion was contagious and I found myself, for the first time in my career, actually wanting to make a difference.
Instead of always winning.
I settled in. Even going as far as renting a house outside of town. It was small, two bedrooms, but it was all I needed. One for me and one for the baby. My chest still constricted and I found it hard to breathe each time I thought about that.
I often wondered if I had it in me to try again. Of course, I’d forgiven Tabitha for the way things went down between us. I knew she had her reasons. It didn’t hurt any less, but I understood why she did what she did. Plus, she was the mother of my child. That alone was enough to forgive her. I often wondered how I would feel if she found someone else. I didn’t want another man having any part in raising my child, but then again, I wasn’t ready to give it another chance either. My conflicted emotions kept me guarded at all times. Knowledge is power, and she had the power to destroy me in ways no one else could. So I continued to keep my heart locked away.
Today was Tabitha’s five month checkup. She had to see the doctor every two weeks due to her being high risk, so it worked out perfectly with my schedule. My eyes darted to the house just in time to see her walk out. It was spring, and Tabitha had always worn pretty dresses, but none as pretty as the one she had on today. The flowing fabric was a shade brighter than her eyes. Smiling, she walked to the car, a gust of wind blowing strands of flaming red hair across her glowing face. My eyes dropped to her slightly swollen belly, where the love we created was growing and thriving every single day.
Tabitha opened the door, bringing with her the smell of spring and sunshine. “Hey,” she greeted with a soft smile.
“Hey,” I went to put the car in gear.
She placed a hand on my arm, her gentle touch lighting my skin on fire. “Wait,” Tabitha looked nervous all of the sudden. Shifting in her seat to face me, she laid it all out. “Holden, he loves to cook, and he’s really good at it, and well, tonight they’re having a welcome home dinner for Katy and Archer. Actually, they’ve been home two weeks now, but they’re finally comfortable with bringing the baby out… so I was wondering, if you wanted to… would you like to go with me and hang out for a bit?”
“As in, together?”
“Yeah, I thought it would be good for us. To be around other parents, hold a baby, ask questions. I don’t know about you, but I’m scared to death. Might be good to have friends who know what the hell they’re doing.” She laughed nervously.
I just stared, unable to take my eyes off of her. The last few months had been hell, not being able to touch her, kiss her. God, I wanted her lips on mine so f*cking bad. I’d had my hand on her belly twice, but this was not of my own accord. The baby had been fluttering, as Tabitha called it, and she immediately reached for my hand, placing it there so I could feel it, too. But each time… I felt nothing. Except, the overwhelming loss and sadness when I had to pull my hand away.
“You ok?” she asked, the smooth skin between her eyes bunching in concern. “If you’re not comfortable going with me, I understand. I just… I know you’ve hung out with Maddie and Holden before so…”
“What time?”
Her face lit up, hope strong in her eyes. “Maddie said to be there around 6.”
“I’ll go.”
Did I really just say that? What the hell was I thinking? This was crossing the line. A dangerous line. She knew her place in my life and I knew my place in hers. We had to be smart. One wrong move could destroy everything, and she and I were in a good place right now. We still cared about each other. Fuck, I still loved her. But I had to do what was best for our baby, and my heart.
I’d been to the Brooks’ home for dinner once before. Madison had insisted Holden and I break bread, even though we were well past making amends. I liked Holden a lot. He was an honest guy, sincere and shared some of the same views and morals I did when it came to friends and family. I’d even found myself at Archer’s a time or two, sharing a beer with him and Madison after work.
Archer, on the other hand, was a whole other story. While I could sense he was as genuine and loyal as his cousin, Archer was more quiet and observant. We hadn’t talked much at all in my time here, but tonight had been different. Archer and I had bonded over beers and one hell of a steak dinner. He’d given me what little he knew of fatherhood, I absorbed every word.