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It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Cole hates James, and he resents his brothers for accepting the truth that James is their father. A father who abandoned them, leaving them with a junkie mom and a deadbeat dad.
And as much as it hurts to admit, he doesn’t want me here.
I throw back the sheets and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. The lingering nausea slams into me and I take a deep breath, trying to keep the little bit of food I ate yesterday inside.
When it passes, I slip into the small bathroom attached to the Jaggers’ guest room and clean up.
Remi is waiting for me when I reappear.
“I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to see how you are?” Hurt shines in her eyes, and I hate that I put it there.
“I’m sorry for shutting you out, I just...”
“Hey,” she comes over to me, reaching for my hand, “it’s okay. You’re going through something huge. I just want you to know I’m here for you, whatever you decide.”
I wince at the suggestion in her tone, as if there is any other option besides keeping the baby.
“Everyone is downstairs waiting.”
“Everyone?” My brow lifts, because I know Cole won’t be there.
“Give him time.” Remi offers me a sad smile.
“Yeah,” I say, because I don’t want to make this any more awkward than it already is.
But the truth is, I’m not sure time will fix any of this.
Cole isn’t ready to be a father, and if—when—my parents find out about this, they will cut me off for good. Goodbye trust fund, goodbye any hopes of a secure future.
Tears pool in my eyes.
“Hey,” Remi says, pulling me into her arms. “It’ll be okay, Hads.”
I wish I could believe her.
It’s strange, watching the Jaggers celebrate Thanksgiving. Remi’s mom, Sarah, wears a permanent smile as she helps Ellen prepare the food. The two of them laugh and joke, acting as if nothing is wrong. But it occurs to me that maybe they’re just used to the tense atmosphere hanging over us as we all take our seats at the table. It’s beautiful, adorned with dried flower arrangements and deep gold place settings, and taking centerstage is a turkey big enough to feed a family of twelve. Although, with Conner’s never-ending appetite, I’m hardly surprised they went big.
“This looks amazing, Sarah and Ellen. Thank you,” James says, taking his seat at the head of the table.
I hover, unsure of where to put myself, but a hand lands on my shoulder, urging me to an empty chair. I glance back to find Conner grinning at me. “Happy Thanksgiving, Hadley,” he says.
“Yeah, you too.” I manage a weak smile.
Ace and Remi sit opposite us with Sarah between them and James, leaving an empty chair beside me for Cole. But there’s no sign of him.
“Did you talk to him?” James asks Conner, who nods.
“He’s—”
Silence falls over the table as Cole stalks into the room. He looks like shit, his eyes bloodshot and skin sallow.
“Thank you,” James says as Sarah pats his hand, something akin to relief glittering in her eyes.
Remi’s mom is cool. The way she’s accepted Cole and his brothers and all that comes with loving a Jagger… Not to mention the fact Ace and Remi are as good as step-siblings. But nothing was going to tear them apart, not James or Sarah. I envy the way they support their kids. Something tells me there isn’t much they wouldn’t forgive.
That’s how it’s supposed to be, isn’t it? A parent should love their child unconditionally.
