Jackson was trying his hardest to tell me what time to feed little man and this and that. I just shook my head to agree with him, but I really wasn’t listening. I know how to take care of a baby. I’m not dumb, but who am I to interrupt a sexy man trying to tell me what to do with his son? Especially when those sexy arms are moving back and forth trying to “explain what to do”. Muscles bulging and flexing, those plump lips constantly moving a mile a minute. I was staring alright, but not at what he was saying. Just at his fine as sin self. Those amazing green eyes sparkling as he talked about Rhys. After he was done, the only part I heard was him ask if I had questions. Afraid of what might actually come out, I shook my head no.
Chubbs and I are chilling out on the sofa watching Blue’s Clues. The guys have been gone maybe an hour, when my phone goes off. I have no clue who it could be. Britnie is on vacation with her parents, Ma is asleep and the guys are out. Shrugging to myself, I lean towards the coffee table and open up my phone.
Unknown Number: How is everything?
Me: Who is this??
Unknown Number: Chubbs’ Daddy.
Oh dear lord, he just HAD to hear me call him that, right? Wait, why is he texting me? How did he get my number?
Me: How did you get my number? And Chubbs is A-Ok. We are watching Blue’s Clues, if you must know.
Unknown Number: Your brother gave it to me just in case something happened and you couldn’t reach me. I should’ve left my number with you before I left. I’m sorry… And Blue’s Clues again? Really?
Me: Sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing is going to happen. Do you have something against Blue’s Clues? And aren’t you supposed to be enjoying yourself?
Unknown Number: I am enjoying myself…
I seriously don’t even want to know what he means by that. Simply replying ok, I save his number in my phone so I know who it is next time. I’m glad he’s having fun, but once again, I don’t want to hear about it nor do I want to think about it.
Trying to keep my crazy mind from wandering, I get all of Chubbs’ stuff in a pile and put him down in the crib. I can hear him cooing as I walk into the bathroom. Turning the water on in the bathtub, I let it start to fill up. I walk to the closet and get out a towel, wash rag and baby shampoo. Yes, we have baby shampoo in the house. Hell, we have a ton of baby stuff. I still babysit in my free time and my precious second cousins sometimes sleep over, so it’s always good to be prepared. Walking back into the room, I quickly undress little man and put him in the tub. At first, he is screaming his lungs off. Most people would be nervous, but I just laugh. Taking the rag, I ever so gently put water on his chest. He quickly stops crying. He starts to move his little legs just a bit. He’s enjoying himself and it’s absolutely adorable. After about 20 minutes or so, I take him out, rub him down with lotion and dress him. It’s almost time for his bottle, so I pick him up and haul him down to the kitchen with me.
Grabbing everything I need to make a bottle, I turn on the radio. The house is just too quiet. Waiting for the water on the stove to boil, I hear a familiar NSYNC song. Humming to “Bye, Bye, Bye,” I hold Chubbs in the air a little bit and shake my ass. He is all smiles. See, I can be entertaining! I start to sing to him, “I don’t wanna be your fool in this game for two, so I’m leaving you behind. Bye, Bye, Bye…” He coos and next thing you know I turn around and my mother is standing there smiling. Not only is she smiling, but she has her phone pointing at me. “Ma….” I start to say when she starts to laugh and shakes her head yes, confirming what I was about to ask. She did indeed record me singing and shaking my ass. Just perfect. I give her a smile, but my eyes are evil. I make Chubbs bottle and let it cool for a few.
Turning back to Ma, I see her eyes are shining and she is still smiling. “Ma, you better delete that.” I say with a little authority. “Not a chance babygirl. You have a great voice. Plus, I woke up and saw you shaking your booty in my kitchen. You are definitely my child.” She beams proudly. I still don’t trust her. I’ll have to take her phone somehow and delete it. “How is Rhys doing? Everything ok?” she asks in her motherly voice.
“Yeah Ma, everything is fine. He is such a happy baby. I mean like really happy. He only cries when he is hungry. He’s amazing.” I say back to her not realizing everything I just said, was said with awe and love. I’m starting to fall in love with Rhys. How did this happen? I love babies and kids, but this feels like something else, something more than I’ve ever felt before.
“Babygirl, I know you care for him. I’m not just talking about the baby either. I see the way you look at Jackson. Hell, a fool could see that you care for him. He’s been through a lot. Let him come to you. I know you want to help everyone all the time, but not this time. Let him come to you with whatever he needs. I promise it will all work itself out. No matter how bad you want to fix his problem and all, let him be the one to take that step. I’m not going to tell you his business, but it’s not all roses. I know he told you just a snippet of what he told me. The only reason I got answers is because he wasn’t having a good day and I asked him a simple question and it flew out of his mouth. He is such a strong person, but he doesn’t see that yet. Let your heart guide you babygirl, not your head. You know I’m only telling you this for your own good. I’m not saying it to be mean or anything; I just know how you operate. Take it easy honey. Just know, that Mama knows best and follow your heart. I love you.”
She kisses my head and then Rhys’ and walks out of the kitchen. What the heck was that all about?
Chapter 14
Staring at the spot where my mother left the kitchen leaving me completely mind fucked as to what the hell she meant, I am brought back into the present where a little man seems to want to eat. Rocking him slowly, I walk up the steps and into the guest bedroom. Sitting in the rocking chair, I cradle Chubbs just right and feed him his bottle.
While he is drinking his bottle and has his little hand completely wrapped around my finger, both literally and figuratively speaking, I look into his little baby eyes and remember the very first time I heard his little cry. I remember thinking I was going crazy, only to find out that I wasn’t. I did indeed hear a baby cry. I never thought that I would become attached in just a matter of seconds. Those few seconds of looking at him, I knew there was something special about him, and now, I really do love this little guy. A lot. It amazes me how much love I feel for him. I’ve only known him for a matter of a couple of weeks, but to me, it feels like a lifetime.
Seeing Chubbs drifting off, I wipe his drooling little mouth and rub his back. Placing him into the crib, I cover him up. Looking down at him, I remember that Jackson always kisses his forehead. Jackson isn’t here to do it right now and I don’t want that tradition they have going on to stop. Draping my hair so it doesn’t fall forward, I lean over the side of the crib and gently kiss Rhys’ forehead.
As I look at him, my heart swells. Why am I feeling like this? I don’t understand why I feel so strongly towards this little person. I knew you could love a child differently, but I thought it was with your own child, not someone else’s. Trying to shake this feeling I’m having, I turn on the monitor and make my way back downstairs. Going to the living room, I see that my phone is blinking. Unlocking it, I see that I have a few missed calls and texts. All but one are from Jackson. The one text is from my brother. I open Jared’s to see what it says.
Jared: Hey sis. I know all is well, but Jackson was trying to see what you were up to with the baby and when you didn’t answer, he started to freak out and attempting to leave. After we calmed him down and told him you were probably putting lil man to bed, he started throwing back shots. We are on our way back now just an FYI and he is beyond loaded and has passed out. Don’t worry we are all taking a cab back so I’ll see ya in a bit.
Well shit. What the fuck did he think I was doing or going to do with his son? Remembering that he called and messaged me, I start going thru my messages.
Jackson: What are ya’ll up to?
>
Jackson: Is there a reason you’re not answering me?? Please let me know that Rhys is ok!
Jackson: Why the fuck aren’t you answering your phone about my fucking son?? I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to go out!
Jackson: Neeevvverr thee fuccckk aaggaaiinn
The last message seems as if he was drunk, but the other message are pissing me off and breaking my heart at the same time. What the fuck did he think I was going to do? Seriously, I want to fucking know! How dare he talk to me like that?! I am so mad and hurt that my heart starts to swell with so many emotions. I have no clue what was going on in his head, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he’s going to talk to me like that and get the fuck away with it. Fucking bastard! I shake my head. The nerve of him! I am beyond fuming right now. He should be lucky he passed out or I’d kick his ass for not only those messages, but being a complete bastard about it.
I have no clue what to think, but as I sit here and wait for my brother, Colin and Jackson to get back, I am getting more pissed as the minutes pass.
Hearing a car pull up out front, I open the door. I see Jared and Colin, helping a barely awake Jackson, up the walk way. Still feeling down right pissed at him, I can’t help it that my heart breaks when I see him like this. Why the hell would he get so drunk that he passed out and has to damn near be carried into the house? I know I didn’t answer my phone, but I was taking care of Rhys. HIS son that HE asked me to watch and take care of. Not only that, but my phone was down here and I was upstairs. I want to wring his neck and hug him at the same time. Colin sees me and says something to Jared that I can’t hear, and Jared looks up at me and just shakes his head.
Finally they get to the door and Jackson smells like a bar. Literally. It’s both sickening and saddening to see him like this. Again I think, why the hell would he do this?
Closing the door I turn around and see the guys carrying an inebriated Jackson up the steps. I follow them, but head to my bathroom instead. I grab some Tylenol and head to the guest room. Walking in, I see an almost naked Jackson. I look at Jared to ask what the hell he’s thinking when he says, “We tried to take his boots off and next thing you know, he starts taking his own clothes off. We tried to stop him, but it didn’t work. He shouldn’t give you any problem, but if he does, just come and get us.” I give him a questioning look and he continues, “We figured since he’s used to sleeping close to Rhys, he could sleep in here. You know there’s that pull out bed if you need it. I’m taking a shower. Night sis.” He bends down and kisses my head as he always does. Colin steps in front of me and whispers, “Be easy with him okay? Don’t stay mad, you aren’t that kind of person. Night girl.” He does the same Jared did, kisses my head and then walks out of the room. Completely dumbfounded for the second time tonight, I look at a snoring Jackson, then towards the bedroom door and then once again at Jackson.
Shaking my head, I ask out loud, “What the fuck just happened?”
Jackson
Colin decided he would drive to the club, which was cool with me. Jared gave me Avery’s number just in case at any time I wanted to check up on her to see how Rhys was doing.
We arrive at the club around 9 and it looks like everyone has the same idea tonight because the parking lot is starting to fill up. We get out of the truck and make our way inside. The music is booming and there are bodies everywhere. I guess everyone needed to let loose tonight. We hit up the bar first and then find a table to chill. After we find a table, we start shooting the shit and whatnot. A few girls came up to our table seeing what was up. Jared went to dance with a girl, leaving me and Colin.
The second Jared left the table, Colin looks at me and says, “You like her.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. I was a little blown away at first because I didn’t know what he was talking about. I give him a look and he says, “Avery, you like her don’t you?”
I don’t know whether to shake it off or answer honestly. I choose the latter. “Yeah man, I do like her, but I’m not ready for all of that.” He shakes his head as if he understands.
He watches me for a few minutes and then says, “She likes you too, just don’t hurt her. She’s like a sister to me. I’ve seen the way you guys look at each other. Y’all think no one can see that, but trust me dude, we can. All that shit about the past, leave it there. I don’t know about it, but I do know Avery. She’s a good girl with a good heart, let her in.” I look at him amazed that he said something like that. He’s only ever talked about school and shit. Before I can reply he says, “Why don’t you text her and see what she’s doing? I know you are itching to.” And with that, he gets up from the table and heads to the bar.
I text her to check up on Rhys, but I really just want to talk to her. Just as the final text comes thru, Jared says, “Okay dude, I know you are digging my sister and all, but you aren’t together because you said so. We came out to let loose, so let’s get to it. I know you aren’t looking for anything right now, so dancing with a fine honey won’t hurt you. Let’s move bro.” With that, he moves back to the floor with the girl he was dancing with. I’m guessing the girl next to her is her friend. She walks right up to me and starts dancing. All I can think about is Avery, but I’m actually out to have some fun, so I might as well make the most of it.
Four songs later, and I need something to drink. I figured I’d text Avery to see how everything is going, but she doesn’t answer. I wait a few minutes and then try calling her. Nothing again. I grab Jared as he is walking back. “Your sister isn’t answering her phone. Do you think something is wrong?” All I can think about is something happening and her not being able to call me. I can feel my anger starting to push thru.
Jared looks at me to say, “Dude, she’s probably putting Rhys to bed or something. Calm down, I’m sure she will call back when she can.” Well, that only helps my emotions just a tad, but not much.
I wait fifteen minutes and tried again and she still didn’t answer, I’m ready to leave. Now. Grabbing Jared, I tell him I’m taking a cab back. He shakes his head no. “Look man, nothing happened. You are working yourself up for nothing. I get that you are freaking out, but Avery would never let something happen to Rhys. She loves that little dude. She probably fell asleep or something. Give it a little bit more time and if you still wanna go, we will all leave okay? Trust me, everything is fine.” I settle down my breathing and nod okay. He heads to the bar and when he comes back, he has shots ready. I down it without even a second thought. Needing to stop thinking about Avery not answering her phone, I head to the bar and order more beer and shots and tell them to have a waitress to keep them coming.
I don’t remember how much I had to drink; all I can remember is Jared waving his hand in front of me and then us walking outside. The second I got into the cab, darkness welcomed me with open arms.
Chapter 15
Pulling the cot out, a string of thunder and lightning scare the heck out of me. I didn’t even know it was supposed to rain, but then again, that Mother Nature is a bi-polar bitch. Getting a set of pillows and blankets out for me, I look at Jackson snoring away. He looks as though he is relaxed. He sure as hell won’t feel that way when he wakes up, that’s a fact.
Getting everything situated with my bed, I head back into my room and get ready for bed. After getting changed, I head to my bathroom and brush my hair and then braid it. It’s long, down to the middle of my back, so in order to not look like Medusa in the morning, or scary looking, I braid it at night. After I’m done my hair, I brush my teeth and then wash my face. When I’m done taking care of my business, I head back into the guest room.
Checking on Chubbs, I give him another kiss. I settle into this thing I’m calling my bed for the night. Tossing and turning for what seems like forever, I get up and head to my room.
In my room I search for the one thing to keep me occupied until I pass out; my kindle. Grabbing it, I head back into the other room. Before I head to the cot, I check on Chubbs once more. He really does have a special place i
n my heart. Lightly sighing, I get into bed and find a good book to read. Settling on a good old mushy love story, I get lost in the authors words.
In the middle of reading, I hear whimpering. Thinking that Rhys is going to wake up again, I jump out of bed. Looking at him, I notice that it’s not him. Turning around fully to look at Jackson, I see him tossing and turning. I wait a few minutes to see if I hear it again. After about 5 minutes, it’s still quiet. Hmm, well okay. I get back into bed and continue reading my book.
About 10 minutes after starting to read again, the whimpering starts again. This time. I know it’s not the baby. Looking intently at Jackson, I slowly make my way out of bed.
Standing at the bottom end of the bed, I shake his leg lightly to try and wake him up, or at least awake enough to know where he is. He doesn’t wake up at all; instead he starts to kick his feet at me and starts whimpering more. I jump back, as to not get kicked. Getting kicked by a 6 foot man, a drunken one at that, is not my idea of a fun night.
Walking over to the side of the bed, I shake his shoulder to wake him up, he starts to whimper again. Reaching my hand out, I hear, “Stop! Get off of me. Don’t touch me. I fucking hate you.” I jump back. What the fuck was that about? I jump back some more.. That just freaked me out. Is he even awake?
Walking back towards the bed I see that he is still asleep. I start to shake him harder this time. Standing directly next to him, I shake him until he starts to wake up. Oh he is definitely going to wake up this time.
Found By You (The Found Series) Page 5