Samuel: Second Chance Romance/Secret Child (Cooper Brothers #2)

by Nikki Ashton

  “I mean it Maisie, open up.”

  I then heard a key scraping against the lock and thanked god I’d payed out a huge amount of money for new locks. When Sam had suggested it I’d thought it a stupid idea, but the more I pondered about it throughout the day, the more I realised he was right, so I called a locksmith.

  “You fucking bitch,” he yelled. “You can’t do this. I’m entitled to be in this house.”

  He went quiet and I held my breath, listening intently for any noise at all, jumping in my seat when he bellowed my name again. Tears started to roll down my cheeks as the fear intensified when the banging continued. It was then that I heard a thud above me – Frankie had woken up. I got up quickly and rushed into the hall, heading for the stairs, desperate to stop him from coming down.

  As I put my foot on the first stair, the letterbox was pushed open causing me to screech out.

  “I can fucking see you Maisie, now open this door before I set fire to the damn house.”

  I gasped, pushing my hands against my churning stomach as I looked over my shoulder. Josh’s hand was poking through, but was too big to get much more than his fingers in. When I caught Frankie out of the corner of my eye, I turned and ran up to him.

  “Frankie, sweetheart,” I said, holding out a hand to him. “Go back into your room.”

  “Mummy, he’s going to get in,” Frankie cried, rubbing at his sleepy eyes with his hands. His chest heaved in his Spiderman pyjamas and his bottom lip started to tremble.

  “It’s okay, he won’t, I promise. Let’s go to your room.” I put a hand between his shoulder blades and ushered him along the landing to his room.

  Once there, I held back the duvet and urged him to get in and then got in next to him, pulling him into my arms. He snuggled his face against my chest, his little body trembling as Josh’s banging continued. When it stopped for a couple of minutes, I hoped it meant that Josh had got bored, but when the banging started on the back door I almost screamed.

  “Mummy make him go. Call the policeman like Sam said.”

  I kissed the top of Frankie’s head and slipped my mobile out of the back pocket of my jeans. As I keyed in my PIN, I had every intention of calling them, but before I realised what I was doing, I went to my contacts and pressed Sam’s number.

  He answered within seconds, sounding breathless.

  “Maisie, everything okay?”

  “I’m sorry, am I disturbing you?”

  “No. What’s wrong?”

  I glanced down at Frankie and closed my eyes to stem the tears that were brimming at my lashes. “He’s here, Sam. He’s banging on the doors and wants me to let him in.”

  “I’m on my way, I’ll call the police.”

  “Please hurry,” I whimpered, hating myself for feeling so weak.

  The line went dead and I hugged Frankie to me, waiting for Sam to arrive.

  Just over ten minutes later, my phone rang and I saw it was Sam.

  “I’m here,” Sam’s voice said as I answered my phone.

  “He’s around the back. Please be caref-.”

  I didn’t have chance to finish before the line went dead and seconds later I heard Sam shouting.

  “Frankie, stay here,” I said, slipping out of the bed and pulling the duvet over his shoulders,

  “Mummy no, don’t go, please,” he sobbed.

  “I’ll be right back, I promise.”

  As Frankie called to me again, I slipped out of his bedroom and down the stairs, into the hall and toward the kitchen. I could hear Sam shouting outside, but it didn’t sound as though Josh was there. I rushed to the back door and listened carefully.

  “Where the hell are you, you prick?”

  I unlocked the door and flung it open to see Sam standing with his back to me, looking around the garden which was lit up by the security light.

  “Sam,” I called. “Has he gone?”

  Sam turned and stalked toward me, his arms outstretched. “Are you okay? Is Frankie okay?” As he reached me, he took hold of my biceps and stooped down to look me in the eyes. “The truth, Maisie.”

  “He’s fine,” I croaked out. “We’re both fine, just scared. He wouldn’t stop banging on the door and shouting and banging and-.”

  “Hey, hey,” Sam soothed. “Calm down, he’s gone now. I think he jumped the fence.” He nodded toward the fence where my garden bench was pushed up against it.

  “He’s definitely gone?” I asked, my eyes searching the garden warily.

  “Yes, he’s not here, I promise. Come on let’s get you inside.”

  Gently he ushered me inside and when I moved over to the table I heard the door lock behind me. As I wrapped my arms around my stomach, I felt Sam’s hand on my shoulder.

  “Sit down and I’ll get you a brandy or something. Do you have any brandy?”

  I looked up at him and shook my head. “I’ve got some vodka in the cupboard over the fridge, but I don’t want any.”

  “Just a shot,” he said, moving away from me. “Just to calm your nerves.”

  “Mummy,” Frankie’s tiny voice came from the doorway.

  I pushed off the chair and went to him, kneeling down in front of him and pulling him into a tight hug.

  “It’s okay sweetheart, he’s gone. Sam checked and he’s not here.”

  Frankie looked over my shoulder and I sensed that Sam was behind me.

  “Has he really gone?” Frankie asked.

  The next thing I knew, Sam was crouching down next to me. “Yes buddy, he’s gone.”

  My gaze shot to the man next to me, and I felt my breath hitch as I saw how his eyes were full of warmth and comfort as he watched his son. This man who didn’t want to be a father, who’d told me over eight years ago there was no way he could be a father, was looking at Frankie like a father looked at a son.

  “But what if he comes back?” Frankie asked, bringing my attention back to him.

  I drew in a jagged breath, my heart sinking at the sound of my little boy’s fear. I released him slightly and looked directly into his eyes.

  “You don’t need to be scared, Frankie,” I whispered. “I will never let him hurt you, I swear.”

  “Neither of us will,” Sam added.

  The sound of his deep voice and the words he said made my heart miss a beat. Having him here made me realise how hard it was doing this alone and how Josh had never really supported me. Sam’s four words gave me more comfort than Josh had ever done in almost four years.

  “Did you call the policeman?” Frankie asked.

  I looked to Sam who gave Frankie a comforting smile. “I did, they said they’d keep a look out for him.”

  Sam gave Frankie’s shoulder a squeeze and then looked at me. There was something off in his gaze as his jaw tightened.

  “Hey,” I said brightly, turning back to my son. “How about you go and get back into bed and read a book for a little while. There’s no school tomorrow, so you can have your light on for half an hour, okay?”

  He gave me a grin and nodded. “Can I have my iPod too?”

  “I don’t think so,” I said around a quiet laugh. “Don’t push it. A book and that’s it.”

  Frankie sighed. “It was worth a try,” he said, grumbling softly to himself.

  I felt Sam laugh beside me as we both watched Frankie walk away. Once he was bounding up the stairs we stood up.

  “What is it?” I asked. “What weren’t you telling me?”

  Sam raked a hand down his face and breathed out heavily through his nose. “The police said they’d try and get a squad car to drive past, but that was the most they could offer. Fucking idiots,” he hissed.

  “It’s fine, Sam. He’s gone now, that’s the main thing.”

  “Yeah and what if he comes back?” He moved away from me back to the counter next to the fridge, where the bottle of vodka stood. He looked around the kitchen and then reached for a mug that I’d washed earlier. He poured in some of the clear liquid and then came back to me, holdi
ng out the mug for me to take. “Drink that.”

  With a wince, I swigged down the drink and handed the mug back to Sam. “Thank you. I’m sorry I dragged you into this. I should’ve just called the police.”

  “Yeah well, we’ve established they wouldn’t have helped,” he grumbled, turning to put the mug into the sink.

  “I know, but I shouldn’t have called you.”

  Sam swivelled around and glared at me. “Yes you should. I told you to.”

  “But we’re practically strangers,” I argued, placing a hand over my fast beating heart. “I should’ve called my dad if not the police.”

  “No you shouldn’t. You should’ve called me and I’d have been pissed if you hadn’t. It doesn’t matter how well we do or don’t know each other, I want to make sure you’re both safe.”

  “Why though Sam, why would you want to get involved in all this crap?” I cried taking a step closer to him. “It isn’t down to you.”

  “I want you to be safe, I want my…” He paused hanging a hand off the back of his neck. “Listen it’s all irrelevant, you did call me and I’m here, so we just get on with it.”

  I knew he’d been about to mention Frankie, his pink cheeks and the way he couldn’t look me in the eye showed it. Even if I hadn’t heard the word ‘my’, I would’ve known it was his son he was trying to protect.

  I took a few breaths in the silence and then walked over to the cupboard that held my glass wear and took out two tumblers. I then went to the fridge, taking out a bottle of tonic water. Moving silently to the vodka, I then poured us both a drink, turning to hand one to Sam.

  “Here you go. You probably need one too.”

  He gave me a small smile and took the glass from me. “Cheers.”

  We both took long swigs of our drinks, standing opposite each other, the silence echoing around us.

  “Was his car here?” I asked, the thought suddenly striking me.

  Sam shrugged. “It wasn’t on the drive, or on the road. Maybe he was on the way home from the pub or something and drink made him brave.”

  “So you don’t think he’ll come back?” I asked, hopefully.

  “Who knows, but what I do know is I’m staying here tonight.”

  My eyes widened as I stumbled back. “What? No, no you’re not staying here. You can’t.”

  “Um yes I can and I am,” Sam replied, taking another swig of his drink. “I’ll sleep on the sofa. Did you change the locks like I suggested?”

  “Yes,” I snapped. “God, bossy much.”

  “Maybe I am, but I was right when I said he’d come back. Did he try and get in?” he inclined his head, waiting for me to prove him right again.

  “Yes, okay.”

  His lips twitched and moved to one side, so like bloody Frankie it was scary. He gave me a quick grin before he finished off his drink and turned to place the glass in the sink alongside the mug I’d used.

  “Right, do you have a spare duvet or blanket?”

  “Yes, but it’s nine-thirty, you’re not going to bed yet are you?” I asked, realising it was pointless arguing about him staying if the strong jut of his jaw was anything to go by.

  “No,” he replied, frowning at me. “I’m going to watch the footy. Lounge this way is it?” He pointed in the general direction of the hall and strode off leaving me standing with my mouth gaping open.

  I’d slept fitfully all night, listening carefully and jumping at any noise outside. The last time I’d checked the clock on my phone it had been four-thirty, but I must have then dropped into a fairly deep sleep because it was the sound of rain outside that woke me at just gone six. I lay there for a few minutes with my eyes closed, desperately trying to go back to sleep, but it was useless. With a sigh, I kicked off my duvet and dropped my legs to the floor. Frankie would be dead to the world for another couple of hours at least, especially as he hadn’t gone to sleep until almost ten-thirty the night before – I knew because I’d checked on him about forty times, mainly because it was better than sitting with Sam, feeling awkward while he watched football on my TV. It had been almost eleven when Sam started to yawn and I decided to go to bed myself. I’d have gone earlier but thought it rude after he’d dropped everything to help us. I’d started up the stairs and realised I’d left my mobile in the lounge, so had pushed back through the door to find a tattooed and topless Sam about to drop his jeans. I’d only seen the hint of ‘Calvin Klein’ but it had been enough to make me blush, grab my phone, and practically run up to my room.

  Deciding to get myself some breakfast, I yawned loudly and tying the belt of my dressing gown tight, decided to check Frankie was still asleep. When I walked into his room, I almost screamed when I found his bed empty and his duvet and pillow missing. My heart thudded erratically, as fear gripped me and I ran from the room and down the stairs calling his name.

  I barrelled into the lounge and pulled up short, as a thudding ache took the breath from my lungs. Lying on the floor, wrapped in his duvet was Frankie. He looked peaceful with one earphone in his left ear. My gaze followed the line of the white wire to see the other earphone was in Sam’s right ear. They were both snoring lightly, lying on their backs, both with an arm in the exact same position – cocked at an angle above their heads. That was enough to bring a huge lump to my throat, but what made the tears fall was when I noticed Frankie’s left arm was reaching up and his tiny hand was resting on his dad’s bicep, on the tattoo of an angel.

  Sam

  the present

  I stretched myself out, trying to alleviate the back ache I’d woken with. As I did, the earphone dropped out of my ear, plopping onto the pillow next to me. It was then that I also noticed the little hand resting on my arm, and all sorts of shit started to rush through my head and my chest.

  I turned my head to look at Frankie, holding my breath in case he woke. I just wanted a few minutes to look at him, without worrying that if my gaze stayed on him too long he’d recognise himself in my features. There was no denying he was a Cooper and I knew if anyone saw us together, it would be difficult to persuade them that we weren’t related.

  His nose was a smaller version of mine, his eyes were the same shade of brown as mine and even his ears were the same shape. He was the epitome of a mini-me, except for the smattering of freckles on his nose and they were most definitely Maisie. It all was all too weird, but it was fucking amazing too and the emotions welling up inside of me were ones I never thought I’d ever feel and were as alien as fuck. For eight years I’d denied myself of this kid, denied him of a father, and even though I still wasn’t sure I was going to be any good at it, or even deserved it, I was beginning to think I wanted to try. I knew it was a big ask of Maisie to change her mind after just a couple of days of being around Frankie to let him and everyone else know that I was his dad, but she might at least let me be a friend to him.

  Slowly I turned on my side, holding his hand in place on my arm and continued to watch him sleep, glad that he was and didn’t seem scared, as he had done when he’d sneaked into the lounge at three in the morning. I’d been awake, listening for the prick coming back, when the door pushed open and a little voice said.

  “I think the men should sleep in the same room, it’ll be safer for Mum.”

  I’d wanted to laugh at him calling himself a man, but even in the dim light I could see his tiny shoulders shaking and could hear the quake in his voice.

  “You want the sofa?” I’d asked, pulling back the blanket that Maisie had given to me.

  “No thanks, I’ve got my duvet and pillow.”

  Frankie then moved further into the room, trailing his bedding behind him. He dropped it onto the floor, close to the sofa, and then moved over to the oak cabinet that the TV stood on. Kneeling down, he opened the bottom drawer and pulled out his iPod.

  “I’m not allowed to have it at bedtime anymore,” he’d said, pushing the drawer closed. “Now he’s gone though, Mum might change her mind.”

  I’d lifted mysel
f up on my elbows to watch him and grinned to myself when he walked back to me, his gait long and lazy, just like mine. Frankie had then wrapped himself in his duvet and lay down, popping an earphone into his ear. I started to settle myself back down when he poked me in the arm.

  “Here you go.” He handed me the other earphone. “Wigan Casino, forty Northern Soul tracks,” he announced and settled into his makeshift bed.

  I had no idea what time either of us fell asleep, but Frankie’s humming stopped at track five, and I was pretty sure I only lasted another couple of tracks before I too fell asleep.

  This was not what I’d expected to be doing on my Saturday morning, watching my son sleep, but I had to admit I was glad that Maisie had called me. The thought of what Josh might have done, had he got in, scared me. Even if I hadn’t had a connection to Maisie and Frankie, I would have been worried and would have wanted to help them, but knowing it was my own flesh and blood in danger had made me crazy with fucking deep black anger. If I’d caught the stupid prick I was pretty sure I’d have ended up in a police cell for assault and battery. On the drive over my only thought had been how I was going to smash his face in for scaring my kid.

  Each time I’d thought of Frankie as ‘my kid’ over the last few days, it’d been when he was being scared by Josh, and each of those times I was willing to kill for him. And what sort of knob of a dad did that make me, only admitting he was mine when there were thoughts of violence swimming through every vein in my body? Not a good one that was for sure.

  I sat up, letting Frankie’s hand fall against the sofa and then down onto the floor. He stirred a little, but turned onto his side and snuggled further under his duvet. Sighing heavily I dropped my feet to the floor and pushed up from the sofa, edging myself around Frankie’s sleeping form. I reached for my jeans and t-shirt pulled them on and then pushed my feet into my boots and left the lounge.

  When I got to the kitchen, I’d planned on getting a drink of water and then leaving, but was shocked to see Maisie standing at the hob. She was shaking her hips as she stirred something in a pan with a wooden spoon. The radio was softly playing some crap pop tune, but she seemed to like it, if the way she was dancing was anything to go by. She was swaying from side to side with the occasional thrust of her left hip to one side, with a quick shake of her shoulders.