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"I—"Fuck, don't cry."Nobody has ever reacted this way, I'm sorry. Thank you, guys."
Their raised eyebrows drop at the extra slice of information I dropped. Shit. Jackson's immediate thunderous gaze has shivers dancing up my spine. The change in the atmosphere doesn't go unnoticed by Layla, causing a nervous sweat to break out on my back.
"Where are you from, Rylee?" Jackson's voice is like gravel, but thank hell for my little one who loves to attempt the word Mississippi.
"You’re from Mississippi?" I don't like the sharp look on JJ's face. It's setting me on edge.
I nod. "Are you all from South Carolina?" I can still lead this conversation as long as they pick up on social cues. It's obvious that I am uncomfortable, and while the word Mississippi may have distracted Layla, her focus keeps returning to me, concern evident in the way she watches my every move.
"Yeah, we all went to college here. That's where we all met, aside from me, JJ, and Sunshine, of course." Jude waves a fry around the table with a small, tight smile on his face. I want to know what memory is playing in his mind right now, but that's outside of our relationship boundaries.
"Where are you moving after the lease is up?" Marcus feigns nonchalance, but I see the way he leans into the table like he's hanging on to my every word.
Jackson's eyes narrow on Marcus before they flash to mine. "Have you decided on Texas or Rhode Island?" I'm not crazy. There's definitely a coating of irritation lingering in his sharp gaze.
I glare. "Thinking Minnesota now." My appetite is diminishing quickly, and the wine has done nothing to calm my nerves. If this keeps up, I won't be finishing my second glass. I'll need to drive us home sooner than planned.
"What? No, you can't move!" I'm shocked that it's Leo who protests. Everyone else looks stricken, and Gabby is pointedly looking anywhere else but at the guys staring us down. Yes, Pixie knew all along, which, unfortunately, might put her right in between her family and me.
All I do is shrug. It's none of their business, which is why we are moving somewhere other than those three options.
"Why are you moving?" A ball forms in my throat at Leo's sad voice coming from above Layla's head. She had been fairly quiet until her personal chair started participating again.
"Can they come with us, Mommy? Jude said he would keep you safe. Remember?"
I will not cry.
Gabby's hand landing on my knee beneath the table does nothing to curb the sob climbing up my throat.
"They can't come with us, little Bug. I'm sorry." I try, but don't do a good job of concealing the crack in my whispered voice.
Her chin quivers. Sadness coats her eyes in tears, making me feel like the worst kind of mother. "But-but Jude said…" She takes a shuddering breath.
"Come here, sweetheart. Let's go get you a blanket and a movie, okay?" Gabby doesn't wait for Layla to respond and plucks her right off Leo's lap to bring her to the living room.
The eyes that watched Layla being carried away are now attempting to rip the skin off my bones and release my darkest secrets.
"Rylee, what's going on?"
"Nothing, Jackson. Seriously, don't worry about it." I wave JJ off, hoping like fuck they will let it go. I knew I should have brought some damn games.
"Where's your family?"
I sigh, shoving my plate away. "Right there on your couch." JJ's eyes narrow even further before asking me to elaborate. "My family is Layla, and we are traveling the US before she needs to start school." The lie comes out of me easily, but my heart batters itself against my ribcage, begging me to open up to these men. After everything I have learned tonight, though, there is no way I am dumping my bullshit into their laps.
"You're just traveling?" Marc draws the words out like they don't feel quite right rolling off his tongue.
"Yeah, mother-daughter road trip." I attempt a smile, but I don't think I pull it off if the tightening around Jude's eyes is any indication.
"Where's Layla's father, Rylee?"
Nope. Fuck that noise.
My spine snaps straight as I stand. "That is none of your business, Jackson."
He growls and stands in one swift movement, forcing a ripple effect around the table. The TV volume rises in the living room at the same time the rest of the chairs screech back, their owners rising to their feet.
"Jackson, calm down." Marc's voice is firm. His usual silliness gone, leaving behind a cautious man flexing his fingers.
