She wordlessly slides her phone over to me, and I pick it up. Reading through their exchange has me shaking with anger. This has gone on for too long, and I won’t stand around waiting for him to make a move. I’m by no means the fighter in our family; that title belongs to Rafe, but I sure as shit won’t lie down while this shit stain threatens my family.
I block his number and send it to my phone. I click out of the messages, then gently place her phone down. Standing, I grab my seat and move it over to her, then sit down. I cup the side of her cheek, and she nuzzles her face into it before looking at me with those devastatingly beautiful baby blues of hers.
“As of now, you don’t think about him, and you don’t worry about him. Throughout your life, you have had to be the one who takes control and fixes everything. You haven’t had that one person to lean on every single day, and so you got used to being alone. Sure, you had us growing up, but you never felt like you belonged anywhere, not really.”
She starts to cry some more, but I need to get this out.
“You see, that’s all in your head, Lacey. You had this misguided notion that you were unlovable, that everyone always left. Part of you still thinks that, but I am not going anywhere. No matter what is thrown at us, it is you, me and Peanut against them. I promise you that when it gets tough, we will talk it out, and when I ultimately piss you off, I want you to tell me. If I do something you don’t like or agree with, please tell me. I’m not perfect. I didn’t think I’d ever be good enough for you. I thought I was broken and unworthy of your love, but Lacey, I fucking love you so much, so much that sometimes…s-sometimes my heart…a-aches right here…”
I rub the middle of my chest and take a moment to breathe, the lump in my throat and the stinging behind my eyes making it difficult to carry on.
“It is you whom I have always wanted. You’re my best friend, my reason for everything, Lacey. Let me fix this for you, please?” I’m not above begging; I will get down on my hands and knees if I have to, but a moment later, she nods.
I swipe my thumbs under her eyes and take the tears away before placing a kiss on her lips. “It’s going to be okay, Lacey. You have all of us, and now your dad, too. This is just a bump in the road.”
“It’s not that I don’t want help…I do. It’s because I-I feel so ashamed, Cole. All of this was because I had one night with the wrong person. I don’t regret Peanut, not one bit, but I do regret who I let into our lives. We might never be free of him.” Hervoice falls to a whisper, and I gather her into my arms, holding her tight.
“We will, baby. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
**********
I had been wracking my brain to think of what I could get Lacey for the twenty-eight weeks. I wanted it to be an aubergine-themed party, but it was getting harder and harder to think of something. Instead, I called ahead to the spa that Marj recommended. I dropped her off a few minutes ago and insisted to her that I wouldn’t be long. I don’t plan on keeping her waiting much longer, so I need to be quick.
The phone rings four times before it clicks. “Hello, Cole? Is that you?Turn the music down, will you…”Don shouts at someone in the background.
“Yeah, it’s me. I just wanted to check if you’re working to schedule?”
“We are indeed. I really think you will both love it.” I can hear the smile in his voice and know I made the right decision in getting him to help me. I say goodbye and open up the group chat with my brothers.
Me
DBD texted Lacey again. Look what he sent.
Sending screenshot
Cas, I need your help with this. Can Vik work his magic? I need to know who he sent.
Cas
On it. Is she okay?
Me
Yeah, just upset. She thinks this is her fault
Arch
Well, have you told her it isn’t?
Nate
This is Cole, of course he has
Rafe
Same Cole that also didn’t tell her he loved her for a gazillion years?
Nate
