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Jackson
“Come on in. We just got everything cleaned up and this little stinker just woke up from his nap, didn’t you?” Rose coos at the baby, and I look at Easton curiously.
When the hell did this princess grow maternal instincts?
He rolls his eyes, and we all make our way inside.
I look around, noticing that a lot of the furniture has been either moved or taken out, making the area wider and easier to move around. A lot of Cara’s mom stuff—all of it, actually—has been removed.
I glance up at Cara, and she’s looking at me nervously.
After a few beats of silence, Easton steps towards Rose. “Unless you need me, I’m going to go home and take a nap. I’ll be back later to check on you and I can help with whatever you need.”
Rose hands Cara the baby, “Are you sure about this? I can stay as long as you need…” She whispers to Cara.
“We’ll be fine.” She takes Wesley like a pro and curls him in her arms. “Go, please. You’ve done more than enough.”
“I’ll be back in a few hours.” Rose urges.
Cara shakes her head. “No. Come back tomorrow. I’ve got everything today. If something happens, I’ll text you.”
“Or call me.”
“Or I’ll call you.” Cara laughs. “Now, go, you guys. Get out of here.”
Easton gives me a questioning look, and I do nothing but stare at him. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or say. I’m helpless. Literally a dead body and I can’t do a damn thing.
When the door shuts behind Cara, she turns around and stares at me.
I stare at her.
“So, how’re you doing?” She asks, settling down on the couch in front of me like it’s just another day.
“Are you really going to play that game?” I stare at her blankly.
“What game? What’re you talking about?” She cocks her head to the side.
I sneak a glance at Wesley. His dark hair has a little curl at the edges as his big eyes blink up at his mother. He does nothing but stare at her, like he’s in awe of her beauty.
I feel you, little man.
“How we left things. How I spoke with you. Aren’t you going to yell at me? Scream? Throw a fit for how I treated you?”
She shakes her head. “What’s the point? I heard you. I know how you feel. You staying here… it’s not about anything besides taking care of you. Even if you don’t want to… be with me, I’m still your friend, Jackson. I’ve always at least been your friend.”
“You have?” I’m an ass. An absolute ass.
She sighs and stands up. “Okay, I see even now, with your life completely upside down, you’re going to act like a jerk. I can’t play into games anymore or deal with this bullshit, not with Wesley around. I made this a home for you, so that I can help you, but I’m not going to sit and listen to you be a fucking ass. I’m going to my room, but I’ll be here if you need me.”
She starts walking to her room and I call out, “Wait. Stop.”
She stops and turns around, adjusting Wesley and running her nose along his forehead. Is she... smelling him?
“What, Jackson? This is what I’m talking about. Push, pull, push, pull. I don’t want to do this with you anymore.”
“Okay, I get it. I’m… I’m sorry. I just—I don’t want to be a burden to you. Not when you already have your hands full like you do.”
“I don’t have my hands full. I mean, yes, I’m fucking exhausted. A newborn baby will do that to you. But he’s a good baby, and I want you around. We don’t have to be together to raise this baby together. And I don’t even need you to raise the baby if you don’t want to. I just want you in my life. Whether or not you believe it, you mean something to me. A whole lot, actually.”
