“Thank you for doing this.” I watch as he sets a plate of pancakes in front of me.” You really didn’t have to.”
“I do this because I want to, Eden. I do it because it makes me happy. It’s always made me happy bringing Alec pancakes and spending time with him.” He tilts my chin up and kisses me. “You both make me happy and I’d do this every day if it made the two of you happy.”
My heart does this little flutter and a smile takes over that I can’t hide. I’m pretty sure it’s bigger than the one Kash just had on his face.
This man makes me happy and from the look on Alec’s face right now and the look I saw on his face last week when they placed together; he makes Alec happy too.
I can’t ask for anything more than that.
Kash
SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH EDEN wrapped in my arms last night was far more fulfilling than earning the rest of the money needed for my gym.
Yeah it felt good as hell knowing I have everything I need to get it up and running after all these years, but knowing that I was the man holding Eden in my arms as she curled into my chest made my life feel so damn complete.
It hurt leaving her this morning, but I did it for Alec. I wanted him to see me the right way. The same way he’s always seen me.
I knew showing up with pancakes like I do at Hannah’s would be a simple way to show him I’m not going anywhere. Just like I haven’t for the last six month.
Alec knew he’d see me every week and now I’m hoping he’ll get to see me every day.
Once we’re all done eating and just playing with Alec at the table, Eden’s phone rings, so she grabs it and walks into the living room to answer it.
I sit with Alec and listen to his talk about his video games and how his daddy brought him LEGO Star Wars. Of course that dick wouldn’t pay enough attention to him to know he already owned it.
“Well you know what . . .” I pull Alec’s chair out and clean begin cleaning up the table. “How about sometime this week we go and get LEGO Batman. You still want that, “lil man?”
He nods his head and begins making sound effects like he’s driving the Batmobile.
“Done deal then, buddy.”
When I look up, Eden is standing in the doorway watching me with a smile.
“I’m so glad you came back.” She walks into the kitchen and wraps her arms around my neck. “I hated waking up to you being gone.”
I run my thumb over her bottom lip, before kissing her. “I hated leaving too. I hope with everything in me that I don’t have to do that again.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to have to. I want Alec to know how much I love you.”
Alec’s head suddenly pops up, between us. “Mommy you said you love Hunter. Does that mean he doesn’t have to stay away no more?”
Eden smiles at me, before she rubs the top of Alec’s head. “Nope, baby. Kash is welcome to see us anytime he wants.”
Alec makes a funny face and looks up at me. “Kash? Who’s that?”
I laugh and rub his head. “It’s what a lot of people call me. Pretty cool, huh? Like money.”
“That is pretty cool. Can I call you that, too?”
“You bet, ‘lil man. Whatever makes you happy.”
Eden waits until Alec zooms out of the kitchen before she wraps her arms around my neck again and smiles. “That was my dad on the phone. I forgot that I told him that Alec and I were going to visit him today. I’m not sure what your plans are . . .”
“My plans are whatever you want them to be, Eden.” I pull her bottom lip into my mouth, before releasing it with a smile. “I was hoping to take you and Alec to play some ball, but I’m wherever you want to be.”
“Would you mind if my dad stops by the park? If not then I can just visit him later. He won’t mind-”
“I’m okay with meeting your dad, Eden. Like I said . . .” I lean in and press my lips below her ear. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She laughs as Alec runs past us and I reach out and mess up his hair. “Good. I was hoping you’d say that. And we should probably choose a different park to go to . . .”
I let out a small growl, thinking about that night. “We’ll keep that park to ourselves. I have one in mind for us to take Alec too.”
It’s the one my father always took me to as a kid. Now I want to take Alec there.
Eden looks at me and stiffens up, immediately looking worried when the front door opens to someone stepping inside.
On instinct, I push Eden behind me and look around the corner to see who’s inside the living room.
Rage courses through me when my gaze lands on Knight walking toward Alec, who is now sitting on the couch.
“You really think it’s smart to show up here unannounced?” I step into the living room and clench my jaw, not taking my eyes off Knight. “I’m pretty sure you don’t live here.”
He looks surprised for a second as if he’s just now noticed I was here, before his face turns to pure anger. Apparently, he missed a big ass truck parked in front of the house.
“It’s none of your damn concern. I’m here to take my son. I don’t want him around another man.” He turns back to Alec and holds his arms out. “Come with daddy. We’re leaving.”
“You’re not taking my son.” Eden gets ready to push past me, but I place my hand on her arm, letting her know I’ll take care of her and Alec. I’ll always take care of them.
“The hell you are,” I growl out. “Come here, Alec.”
Alec stands up and looks back and forth between myself and Knight, as if he doesn’t know what to do, before finally running into my arms and burying his face in my shoulder.
“Leave, Knight,” Eden says from beside us. “You have no right to be here. I won’t tell you again.”
“No, fuck that!” He grabs for the coffee table and flips it over, causing Alec to whine and grab onto me tighter. “You’re my family. Not his. What the fuck, Eden. This is bullshit.”
As much as I would like to rip Knight’s throat out for acting this way in front of Alec, I know I need to keep my cool. Violence is the last thing I want it to come down to.
“I’m asking you not to do that in front of Alec. If I have to ask you again, then we’re going to have to step outside and handle this like men.”
“I’m done playing games,” Eden adds, while rubbing Alec’s back to comfort him. “You’ve got five seconds to get out of my house or I’m calling the cops.”
He looks shocked from Eden’s threat. As if he didn’t think she’d ever get the law involved. “You know what. Fuck this shit. You can have the two of them. I don’t want them anymore.”
Eden releases a relieved breath the moment Knight rushes outside and speeds off in his car.
I turn to her and kiss the side of her head. “You okay, babe?”
She nods and grabs both mine and Alec’s arm. “Yeah. I’m good.” She kisses Alec’s arm and then rubs it. “Daddy won’t ever act that way around you again. I promise.”
I look down at Alec when he raises his head to look up at me. “Was I strong, Kash?”
I smile and push his hair out of his eyes. “Yeah, ‘lil man. You were strong.” I set Alec down and turn to Eden. “Come on. We need some time to cool off. Leave the table and I’ll clean it up when we get back. Okay?”
She nods her head. “Yes. I like that idea.”
It took everything in me to keep my composure the way I did, but I can assure you I would’ve liked to kill him there on the spot.
Now I’m taking Alec and Eden out for a day they both deserve. Knight will be forgotten soon enough . . .
Eden
IT SEEMS ALEC HAS ALREADY forgotten about the huge scene Knight made back at the house.
We’ve been at the park for an hour, the three of us playing ball as if we’re a family. My heart has never been so damn happy. This is exactly the kind of childhood I wanted Alec to have.
Two people who care about him, playing and spending time with
him, like he matters.
Alec deserves a man in his life who wants to do things with him. Seeing Kash and how he treats Alec as if he’s his own son has me so happy that it hurts.
Seriously, my face hurts from smiling so much.
I’m just sitting back, taking a break from playing ball when I hear footsteps in the grass beside me.
My heart does a little happy dance when I see my father standing beside me, watching Kash and Alec with a smile on his face.
It’s been a while since he’s seen Alec so carefree and fun with anyone besides the two of us.
“This is the guy you’ve been telling me about?”
“Yes. He’s so good with Alec that I seriously have no words, dad. They’ve been spending time together all morning and afternoon. It makes me so undeniably happy.”
“Hey.” He reaches for my hand and helps me up to my feet. “Makes your old man happy, too. I knew that piece of shit father of his would never do these types of things with him. I just hope you’re sure he’s going to stick around and not hurt Alec.”
I turn away from my dad and laugh as Kash hits the ball and then picks Alec up and begins running to first base with him.
The look on Alec’s face is pure happiness.
“You see that?”
My dad nods. “Yeah, I do.”
“That tells me that he’s not going anywhere. I have to listen to my heart and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
“You love him?”
“I do. A lot more than I ever imagined I could in such a short time. Everything I do is for Alec and I believe he needs Kash just as much as I do.” I turn back to face my dad again to see him smiling at me.
“I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time, baby girl. So I’m going to trust this Kash guy is going to take care of your heart better than Knight did.”
Just then Kash looks up at us. He freezes for a second, before pointing up the hill to show Alec who’s just joined us.
I can tell Kash is a little nervous but he waits for Alec to take off running before he walks up the hill, behind him, trying to keep his cool.
He waits for my dad to get done hugging Alec, before he reaches out to shake his hand. “It’s good meeting you, sir. I admire how much you love and take care of your daughter and grandson. Reminds me a lot of how my father would be if he were still around.”
My chest aches at the reminder of Kash losing his father. I lost my mother too but it was from her running off when I was young. I can’t even imagine his loss.
“It’s nice to meet you too, young man.” My dad gives him a sympathetic look and gives his hand a pat. “I’m sorry to hear you lost your father. He sounds like he was a good man and from what I hear from my daughter . . . you are too.”
“Thank you, sir. I do my best.” He smiles. “You here to play some ball? There’s always room for one more.”
My dad shakes his head releases Kash’s hand finally. “Not today. Just wanted to swing by and meet the guy my daughter’s been telling me about for the last couple weeks.”
“Okay, I’m ready to play again!”
Kash smiles and tosses the ball up to Alec when he begins bouncing around with energy.
“Looks like I’ve got a kid to play with.” Kash reaches out and grabs my father’s shoulder. “I hope to see you again soon. For longer next time.”
“Me too,” my father says with a sincere smile. “Take care of my daughter and grandson until then. That’s all I ask.”
“That’s all I want,” Kash responds. He leans in and kisses me on the forehead. “We’ll meet you on the field, babe.”
Happiness fills me as I watch Kash run down after Alec, them stopping every so often to toss the ball back and forth to each other.
“I have to say I’m impressed with this young man.” He kisses my forehead. “I should get going. My guys are a little behind so I’ve got to light a fire under their asses to get this job done.”
“Alright, dad.” He gets ready to walk away, but I stop him. “Thank you, dad.”
“For what?”
“For always talking care of us. Just like Kash said. I know I haven’t really told you how much it means to me.”
“You’re my baby. Always will be.”
I smile and watch him walk away, before I make my way over to where Kash is pitching the ball for Alec.
“Way to go!” I scream when Alec hits the ball across the field. “Wooo!”
Alec gets a big grin on his face as he takes off running to first base.
“Your turn, momma.” Kash winks and tosses the ball up, before catching it. “I’ll take it easy on you.”
“Yeah!” Alec yells. “Come on, mommy. You can hit it too.”
I narrow my eyes at Kash and pick up the bat, getting into stance. “Oh I know I’ll hit it. I’m not worried. Just wanted to let you boys warm up first.”
“Is that it?” Kash asks with an amused smile. “Someone being Mrs. Cocky now?”
I lift a brow. “Maybe you rubbed off on me.”
“I love that.” Kash says with a grin.
“Hurry and throw the ball!” Alec yells. “I’m ready to win!”
“Alright.” Kash winds up before pitching the ball.
Both boys look at me with wide eyes when the bat smashes the ball across the park.
This has me doing a little happy dance all the way to first base.
I know this is just the beginning, but I’m hoping with everything in me that things stay this way for as long as possible.
Kash being here makes everything feel so complete. Makes me believe that everything in this world is A-Okay.
I never thought that feeling was possible until him . . .
Kash
Six months later . . .
“RIGHT HERE, BUDDY.” I’M CROUCHED down in front of Alec, holding my forearms up for him to punch. “A few more times. You’re almost done.”
Alec does as told, letting out a grunt with each impact. The face he’s making is of pure concentration.
“Good. Now elbows.”
“I’m so strong, Kash!”
“Yeah you are, “lil man. Pretty soon you might be able to take me.”
I pull the sparring pads off my forearms and grab Alec’s head, resting my forehead to his. “I’m proud of you. Love you, bud.”
“Love you too, Kash.” He smiles when I mess up his hair. “Watch this.”
I stand up and watch with a proud smile as Alec begins punching and elbowing the air.
The sound effects only make it that much better to watch. I don’t remember ever being as good with that when I was a kid and my father taught me how to fight.
I love knowing that I’m the one who taught Alec everything he knows about fighting and self-defense. Makes me feel like my father. He was the greatest man I ever knew and it’s because of him I know how to be a father to Alec right now.
“You two behaving?”
We both look over at the sound of Eden’s voice.
My heart still goes crazy at the sight of her even after all these months. I’m pretty positive it’s only gotten more intense as time has passed.
Alec runs around in a circle and begins punching the air again. “Watch this, mommy! Kash says I’ll be able to take him soon.”
A huge smile spreads over Eden’s face as she watches her son go all crazy on the air like nothing in this world can hold him down. “Good job, baby boy. Just remember what you promised me, okay?”
“I know!” He stops punching the air and runs over to give Eden a hug. “I promise not to hit anyone.”
She grabs his head and kisses it. “And I know you’ll keep that promise. Remember how Kash taught you the importance of keeping promises?”
He nods his head. “Yes, mommy. Kash is a good teacher. First baseball and now fighting. I’m going to be so cool!”
I laugh and walk over to take Alec’s gloves off. “So cool, kid. Now why don’t you run over and have a snack before we take off.”<
br />
As soon as Alec runs out of the room, headed to the snack area, I grab Eden’s waist and pull her against me. “Fuck, baby. I’ve missed you all day.”
She grins and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me down to her. “Looks like you and Alec have been having fun running this place together though. I’m sure you can’t miss me that much.”
I growl and pull her bottom lip into my mouth. “If Alec weren’t here, I’d show you just how much. I’m sure you’d believe me then.”
She places her hands to my chest and laughs when I run my short beard over her neck, teasing her. “As much as I wish we had time for this . . .” She tugs on my beard, pulling me in for a kiss. “The others are waiting on us. Styx has already started the grill and Meadow has sent me three texts telling us to hurry before the guys lose their shit. Apparently, they’re starving.”
“Fuck me,” I growl. “They can start without us. They’re not going to miss us if we’re twenty or forty minutes late or so. I’ll let you choose which room. Alec will be busy with snacks for a while. He won’t even notice we’re gone.”
“And let him empty out the snack stash?” She shakes her head and begins backing away with a grin. “Why don’t you get this place closed down and Alec and I will meet you at Cale’s. Riley has already text me that she’s home.”
I grunt and run my hands down my sweaty face. “Alright, babe. But you’re mine after this little cookout and Alec falls asleep. We’re both turning our phones off and I’m dedicating all my energy into making you scream my name.”
She laughs when I lift a brow and slap her ass.
“I’m serious, babe. Our friends barely give us any alone time anymore. I’m desperate to get you to myself. No fucking lie.”
I grab her hand, before she can get too far away and pull her back against me. “Kash, we’ve gotta go!” She closes her eyes and moans when I run my tongue over her lips. “Okay,” she breathes. “Our phones are going off after this cookout. I promise.”
“I knew you’d say that,” I tease. “You never can resist my mouth.”
“That’s not a lie.” She kisses my neck and turns away. “See you there.”
Kash (Walk of Shame 2nd Generation #3) Page 17