AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I plant my finger on her soft lips to stop her from continuing her little rant. "Patience is key and rewarding, Alex."
The true vixen she is, she needs to make her statement and does it by cupping my cock in one hand and massaging it. My friend goes haywire at her touch, and I can't help but let out a groan.
In reaction, she returns my earlier smirk. "It better be, Walker." She turns and walks to the door. "Let's go."
"I'll wait here.Take your time," Brian says, parking the car in front of my mother's house.
"Thanks," I answer, tapping him on his shoulder.
It takes a few moments for the door to open, once we ring the bell, but when it does, my eyes widen at the sight of my mother. Her hair is loose and messy instead of pulled together in a neat, tight bun. The dark circles under her eyes, combined with her red eyelids, remind me of the days after my father's death. She places her hand on her upper chest and swallows.
"Hey, can we come in?"
She nods while taking a step back and gesturing us to come inside. After closing the door, she turns. Her trembling hands fumble with her cotton knee-length dress.
"Mom, is everything okay?"
Within a second, she rushes our way and inspects me. A soft cry leaves her lips as she lifts her hand and gently touches my face.
"Oh, my sweet boy!" she states while investigating the fading bruises on my face.
Touched by the sincerity in her voice, I let go of Alisha and take my mom's hands. "We're okay," I say. "We're here to talk."
She nods and turns her attention to Alisha. "Thank you. You're truly a remarkable woman. I prayed day and night for your safe return."
The three of us jump at the sound of shattering china. When we turn, we find Jeremy standing in the kitchen doorway—broken plates surrounding his feet.
"Jeremy? Are you injured?" my mom asks as she passes us and rushes his way.
He shakes his head, and he sucks in a breath as his gaze pings between Alisha and me. I glance over to Alisha, who takes my hand and squeezes it hard. I run my thumb over her knuckles is a soothing motion, knowing this calms her.
"I'm sorry, Jeremy," she whispers in a thick voice. "I—"
Jeremy's eyes shoot to her as he steps over the fragments on the floor and comes our way. He stops in front of Alisha, who gazes at the floor. "Don't say sorry. What he did is..."
Jeremy’s hands cover his face as his shoulders begin to shake when he breaks down. "T-That monster was my son!" he stammers.
"Please don't blame yourself,” she says, glancing over at me.
"Alisha is right, Jeremy. It wasn't your fault," I state.
"Yes, it is. David was my son," Jeremy states between a sob.
"Did you know he had mental issues?" I ask.
Jeremy shakes his head, and a long, audible sigh leaves his lips. "But I should have known." He roams his hand through his short, dark hair. "His mother lives in an institution because of her mental illness. I should have tried harder to keep in touch with my children. My daughter contacted me a few months ago and told me she hadn't spoken to David in over three years. She lost contact with him when she moved to Canada. God, if I had taken more time to find him, I would have seen he had mental issues, like his mom." Jeremy lifts his chin and stares at Alisha and me. "I'm sorry for the pain he inflicted."
Alisha holds out her hand, and he takes it. "And I'm sorry for..." she stops, unable to say the words out loud.
"You did the right thing, sweetheart."
She bursts into tears, and he pulls her in and keeps her in a warm embrace while saying, "It’s okay." My heart overflows with love for these two and how they handle the trauma that connects them. As I glance at my mom, my mind shifts to the encounter I had with my father.
"Mom, can we talk?"
She nods, and I follow her. The moment she leans against the countertop of the kitchen island, she speaks. "I'm sorry, Cole."
I stroll over to her and take one of her hands in mine. This action sets her tears in motion, and as she wipes them away, I start with what is on my mind and in my heart.
