Frowning, Mallory asked, “Do you really think she’ll do something?”
“Who knows? Best to be safe than sorry though. Mad has had enough drama to last a lifetime.”
“True. He doesn’t need to get hurt further.” Mazey looked at her funny and Mallory realized she’d revealed a little too much in that one sentence. To divert attention she said, “Okay, I’ll jump in a quick shower. I’ll be ready before they get here.”
“Great.”
Relieved that Mazey didn’t delve deeper into what she’d said, she dashed into the bathroom. She’d placed her clothes in there earlier and had just put her coffee cup in the sink when Mazey knocked. Grabbing a clip, she twisted her hair on top of her head and secured it, then switched the shower on.
Not waiting for the water to heat, she jumped under the cold spray. She barely had time to shiver before she was rinsing off and jumping back out. Drying quickly, she slipped into her underwear and shorts.
“Are you almost ready?” Mazey called through the door. “Ry just called and they’re pulling onto the street now.”
“Coming!” Mallory was thankful for the tank top with built-in bra. Not that she had much there. And what was there wasn’t hers…
Shaking her head out of those thoughts, she yanked the clip out of her hair, tossed it on the counter, and snagged an elastic. She was pulling her hair into a tail when she left the bathroom and found Mazey at the open front door.
“Are they here?”
“Just pulled in. I can hear them talking in the driveway.” She frowned. “Should we go around the front or use the back door?”
Shrugging, Mallory said, “Don’t think it matters. The back will be quicker though.”
“Right. Let’s go.”
They headed down the stairs and Mallory’s stomach churned. She hadn’t seen Jacob for over a week and yesterday she’d had to watch a crying Maddox be taken away while he tried to reach for her.
It had broken her heart not to soothe him. To let Shelly take him inside and not follow.
The connection she felt for both man and boy grew with every minute. Whether they were together or not, Jacob and Maddox Conners had wormed their way into her heart and she wasn’t sure how she’d survive losing them.
And once her link to Maddox’s mother was revealed she would lose them. She’d be surprised if he didn’t kick her to the curb and toss all her stuff after her.
Rounding the garage, they walked the short distance to the deck. The back door slid open and Rylan, Maddox in his arms, stepped out.
“Here.” Rylan pushed Maddox at Mallory. “She’s in the shower. Best if you guys get out of here before Jake tells her to go.”
“Wait.” Mallory hitched Maddox onto her hip. Was he in the same clothes as yesterday? “Did you wake Maddox up?”
Rylan shook his head. “No, he was in the kitchen on his own when we got inside.”
“Where’s Jake?” Mazey asked.
“In the living room.” Rylan looked over his shoulder before whispering, “I don’t think this is going to go well. All her things are in Jake’s room. There’s even clothes hanging in his closet.”
“Jeez. Maybe we should call Grant. Get his take on how to handle this weirdness,” Mazey suggested.
“I don’t think that’s necessary but I won’t rule it out.” Rylan leaned over, dropping a kiss on both Mazey and Zane’s foreheads. “I’ll message you when she’s gone.”
“Okay, where’s Mad’s stroller?”
“I can carry him,” Mallory said. “Plus he can walk some of the way if he wants. We do need a drink bottle for him though, and maybe some snacks…”
“I don’t know where Jake keeps all that,” Rylan said, his gaze once again darting over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry. Our place is between here and the park. We’ll pop in and grab something. And if by the time we get there Mad is tired, I can get Zane’s stroller out.”
Rylan smiled at his wife. “All right. I’ll call or message—”
