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Realisation dawns. “And the only way you’d allow me to turn on the tracking was if you could see my location in return!”
His triumphant grin at having used my own app against me sees me stifle a grin.
The little shit!
I roll my eyes before running my palms down either side of his face. “Baby, you should be in big, big trouble for being so reckless.”
His big blue eyes widen—the epitome of innocence—making me narrow my eyes in remembrance. “And you’re in massive trouble for swearing in that text message, mister!”
He smiles that Cheshire Cat grin of his, and I pull him into my arms. “But right this moment, I’m just so relieved that you’re okay.”
Maggie enters the kitchen then. “Jesse, dear. I have a room made up for you.”
Pulling out of my embrace, my son meets my eyes. “We’re staying at Caden North’s house? Really?”
I swallow roughly and nod with a tight smile. “Yup.”
Well, you’re staying. I’ll be unceremoniously kicked out, and rightly so.
“Oh my God, Mom.” His face flushes bright red. “I thought you were like…a groupie or something. I was defending your…your honour.”
He drops his face into his hands. “Oh my God, IpunchedCaden North.”
His words are muffled through his palms. “I hit myidol.”
Turning horrified eyes to mine, he whispers, “All those times I begged you to bring me to Madison Square Gardens, and I said I wanted to be just like him…oh my God, he’ll never sign myHallowed Heartalbum now!”
My heart clenches, knowing that by the time this is said and done, my son will hate me too.
I press a kiss on Jesse’s temple. “I’ll chat with him on your behalf. Now, eat up, and I’ll see you in the morning, baby. Okay?”
My son nods enthusiastically before taking another bite of his sandwich. “May I have a glass of milk, please, Maggie?”
I slip from the kitchen as Maggie launches into a story about how she makes the butter from scratch here, and despite feeling like a lamb headed to the slaughter, I can’t help but smile at her ability to distract Caden’s house guests with inane chatter.
The walk from the kitchen to Caden’s office is short, but even so, it feels interminable. I slowly ease the door open, my eyes locking with Cade’s as he pours himself what looks to be at least his second glass of whiskey before closing the door behind me with a softsnick.
I’ve made it less than three feet inside his domain when his voice breaks the silence with a hoarse bark.
“Start at thefuckingbeginning, and leavenothingout.”
Knocking back the contents of the tumbler, he slams it down on the desk, lifting his head to penetrate me with a stare.
It’s part confusion, part anger, and absolute pain. I swallow the lump in my throat before slowly moving to the sideboard to pour myself a hefty measure of the amber liquid.
Downing it in one gulp, I grimace and pour a larger one, then shift around to find Caden’s steely gaze hasn’t left me.
“It’s a long story, but it happened on the day of Archer’s burial….” I suck my bottom lip between my teeth, nibbling furiously before raising the glass to my trembling lips to take a large gulp.
Crossing the room, I settle into a high-backed armchair and straighten my spine.
I can do this.
“The day Layla told me she was pregnant…”
* * *
“I don’t know whose baby it is, Summer. I don’t know who the father is.”
