Shattered & Mended (Shaken Series)

by Julie Bailes

  “Why do you have my phone?” His head turns and he arches his brow, giving me a ‘calm your shit’ kind of look. “Chill, baby, I haven’t talked to him,” he assures.

  I let out a long breath, silently thanking him for not being the possessive prick he normally is. I assumed he’d blab what happened between us earlier to Blake before I had the chance to explain myself. “He’s called several times and even came by the house.” I look to Wyatt in pure fear.

  “And? What did you tell him? Oh, my God, y’all didn’t get all confrontational and shit, did you?” When those two come face to face, each of them puff up and explode, trying to see whose testosterone level’s higher. It’s absurd.

  “No, I didn’t touch him. I told him you went out to grab some dinner and left your phone behind. He said he was on break and for you to call him as soon as you stepped a foot inside the house,” he says nonchalantly.

  “And you didn’t tell him anything? Nothing?” I double check.

  He chuckles. “Not a word.” He winks, placing a hand on my knee and squeezing it gently.

  So, his heart isn’t made of stone? “Thank you,” I mumble.

  You hungry?” he asks, acknowledging the low growls coming from my stomach.

  “Uh, more like famished,” I confirm.

  “We don’t need to take you to the hospital or anything? You know, for the babies? You were cold as ice when I found you. You think they’re okay?”

  The sincerity in his voice warms my heart. “No, no hospital. They’re moving, so they’re fine.” I pull the covers up under my chin and relax back into the seat.

  “Chinese or pizza? You still like those, right?” I nod.

  “Either one’s fine.” He settles for our all-time favorite, Hawaiian pizza. As soon as the box is in my lap, I open it and consume piece after piece. Wyatt just laughs at my animalistic eating habits. When I’m hungry, I devour anything in my path, not giving a flying monkey’s ass what I look like doing so.

  Once we’re back at Mom’s, I go into my room, lock my door, and call Blake. He picks up on the first ring. “Hey, babe,” he answers, and I can hear his smile over the phone.

  “Hey, B. I miss you,” I pout.

  “Fuck, baby, I miss you so damn much. How are you feeling? The babies treating you good?” he chuckles.

  Ha, ha. I know he’s referring to the other day, when they bullied my bladder and forced me to piss all down my legs, little shits. “Sooo, you think you’re funny?” He covers his end of the phone to muffle his laughter.

  “Never, babe. When are you coming home? I miss you keeping me warm at night, and feeling the babies box me.” My stomach flips as I become apprehensive, wondering how and when to tell him what happened between Wyatt and me. “You there?” he asks.

  “Yeah,” I choke.

  “Listen, I know I haven’t been around as much as we’d like for me to be, but we only have one more year of this madness. I’m sorry if you feeling like I’m abandoning you, Al. You know I would never leave you to experience this on your own, right? Please, tell me you know I want to be by your side every step of the way,” he pleads.

  Of course I know he wants to be near, but it’s hard for me to believe that my loneliness will vanish once he’s finished with his residency. If anything, our lives will become more hectic. He’ll be an attendee, the one responsible for residents and patients. He’ll be held responsible if anything goes wrong. I only see his absences increasing in our future, unless he gives up his dream. Which he’d do if I asked him, but I won’t allow that to happen.

  “I know. I just … I’m lonely, B. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I had no idea how many nights I’d be sleeping alone. I know you try, and it’s not your fault.” He’s silent for a minute, giving orders to someone in the background.

  “I’m sorry, babe. What’d you say?”

  Lord, please let my reaction be hormone-related. “Nothing. It sounds like your services are needed. Go on back to work. I love you, and I’ll see you in a few days,” I snap.

  “Okay. I love you, baby. Sweet dreams.” I try to catch him before he hangs up to remind him of our appointment on Friday, but he ends the call too quickly.

  Before I’m able to climb under my covers and sulk in sadness, there’s a knock at the door. “Just go away, Wyatt,” I groan.

  “Love, it’s me. Will you let me in?” I go over and unlock my door. As soon as I have access to my mother, I wrap my arms around her neck and cry into her shoulder.

  “Aw, sweetheart, what’s the matter?” she soothes, rubbing her hands up and down my back and kissing the back of my head.

  “I just want to be first choice,” I express between sobs. “Just once, that’s all I ask. Is that too much to ask for?”

  She squeezes me tight and pushes me out to arm’s length. “You want to be first?” I nod, as she wipes my tears away. “What do you mean by that?” I look up to her just in time to see Jack come up behind her. My eyes move swiftly between the two of them, wondering why the hell he’s in this house, especially up here. No one comes upstairs unless they live here.

  “Allie,” he greets with a nod.

  “Jack,” I acknowledge rather harshly. I’m happy that he and my mother are together, but I have to take baby steps, and I’m not thrilled about him sleeping in the same bed my father once slept in.

  Mom turns to Jack and asks him to wait for her in the living room, thank goodness. “Go on, tell me what’s bothering you,” she urges. “I’m lonely, Mom. I’ve been at Blake’s, losing my mother lovin’ mind, begging for some sort of human contact. Don’t get me wrong, he’s amazing.

  He massages my feet, cooks for me, interacts with the babies, pampers me like a queen, but only when he’s home. But you see, that’s the problem; he’s hardly ever home,” I sniff.

  She walks us over to my bed and pulls back my covers. “That’s because he’s working.

  You know that.”

  Yes, I know, but it doesn’t make his absence any easier. “I know, but I miss him. I miss Sophie, Kyle, and you. I don’t have anyone, besides Wyatt. He’s the only person who’ll drop what he’s doing to come to me … And he’s the last person I should depend on, but lately, he’s the only reliable person,” I weep. This is definitely the hormones talking. I cry, yes. However, I’m being unreasonable and completely absurd. I know that Blake doesn’t have a choice but to work his ass off or else they’ll give him the boot.

  “Al, you know I’m here for you. I’m only a phone call away,” she says, tucking me into bed.

  “I know. I’m just emotional, I guess. Anyways, you and Jack are doing well,” I assume.

  Her smile brightens my dim room. “Yes, spectacular. He’s truly amazing,” she gushes. “He reminds me of Phil in so many ways. He takes me to lunch, surprises me with flowers or chocolate. He’s spontaneous, and he keeps me feeling young. Most importantly, he cares about you,” she adds adoringly.

  “Sure,” I reply dismayed.

  “He does. When you were in the hospital, he shut his office down and stayed in the waiting room while everyone else was working. He wanted to be sure that you had someone there when you woke up. He’s genuine, Al. You just need to give him a chance,” she suggests. Wow. Now, I feel horrible. I’m against judging others, yet I misjudged a kindhearted, genuine man.

  “I will, promise. He does seem like a great guy. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. But, I don’t really want him sleeping in Dad’s bed.” I crinkle my nose in disgust just thinking about my mom’s sex life. “And be careful,” I scorn, forgetting who the parent is. She laughs loudly.

  “Get some rest. I’m taking you for a pedicure tomorrow. I remember how much you loved them when you were carrying Lacy.” She smiles, leaning down and kissing my forehead.

  She heads for the door and shuts off the light, but not before scolding me over her shoulder. “And don’t think I didn’t see all those marks on your neck. You know I think they’re tacky, and I really hope B
lake put them there and not Wyatt. Don’t toy with their hearts, Allie. Remember how it felt when yours was played with? It hurts. Pick one or the other, love. You can’t have them both. Night.”

  Nineteen

  ~Wyatt~

  “Mr. Cooper and Mr. Morris, I’ve come to a decision,” the judge begins. A huge lump forms in my throat and blocks my airway, causing me to feel choked. Anxious and sweating bullets, I await her final decision, but she doesn’t announce it immediately. I just want her to get to the point and not drag this on any longer. I’m ready to have my angel in my arms. “Dr. and Mrs. Ruben, I want to thank you for your devotion to Miss Lacy over the years. It takes a special person to adopt and raise a child, and you two have done a remarkable job at raising Lacy. In the small amount of time I’ve spent talking with her, I can tell she’s very intelligent for her age,” she praises. Then, she turns her attention to me. With force, I’m able to swallow and use the napkin on the table to wipe the sweat from my head.

  “And Mr. Cooper, while I believe you’re a brave, brave man … and I thank you for your service to our country, fighting for my family and everyone else’s, I can’t excuse your absence at the time of Lacy’s adoption.” I open my mouth to defend myself aggressively, but she squints her eyes at me in warning. “Miss Anderson took all the appropriate measures in reaching out to you. She followed state regulations by reaching out to you in more ways than one. Being that you were on active duty, I can’t be ruthless and not give you some rights to your daughter. Obviously, the DNA test proved you to be her biological father, or else you wouldn’t be here today. However, I can’t overturn the adoption,” she announces.

  The chair flips backwards as I stand abruptly and slam my fist to the table. “You can’t be serious? I’m her father, dammit! She belongs with me,” I wail furiously.

  “Mr. Morris, you’ll control your client before I have him removed from my court.” Fuck her court. How am I supposed to react? You tell me how much you appreciate my services, how you aren’t ruthless? Well, she comes off pretty fucking callous, if you ask me.

  “Sit. Down,” Larry sputters. I flash him a ‘fuck off’ type of look, and he nods. I do as he instructs. I set my chair back up on all fours and sit down.

  “May I continue?” she asks sarcastically.

  “Yes, Your Honor,” Larry pipes. She glances to me and I nod.

  “As I was saying, I can’t overturn the adoption—completely, that is. I told you the first day that I’m here to protect the child and to determine what’s best for her, emotionally and psychologically. It wouldn’t be in her best interest to remove her from her home, the home she’s lived in her entire life. And it’s not fair to you or her if I don’t allow you two to know one another. Therefore, I’m granting you legal joint custody,” she announces.

  The lump in my throat vanishes. My lungs finally expand and allow me to breathe. It’s not the outcome I hoped for, but I’ll take it. I understand the circumstances, and I want what’s best for my princess, too.

  She continues to go over what legal custody means, letting us know that we have to make decisions together. Everything from medical decisions, religion, schools, sports- everything. The judge tells me to get a place of my own, and Lacy can spend every other week with me, and we’ll split holidays. The Rubens aren’t as elated as I am, and it’s understandable, but I can’t hide my excitement. The judge has the officer escort Lacy into the court and takes the two of us back into her panel, just Lacy and me. She observes Lacy and I as we interact, making sure she isn’t afraid of me, and that she understands who I am. And she’s right, Lacy’s intelligent. My heart lightens when I see Lacy lugging around the stuffed pink poodle I gave her weeks ago. We spend two hours together before we’re allowed to leave, but I wish it was longer. I won’t get to see her until I get my place, and I only have ninety days to get settled and show my proof of residency to the courts.

  I’m house hunting today. As soon as I leave here, I’m calling a realtor, because ninety days is too long for me to be away from her. Now that I have her, I can’t live without her. She wraps her little arms around my neck, and I lift her off the floor. Her short legs wrap around my waist, and she gazes into my eyes, searching them curiously. “What’s on your mind, beauty?”

  She cocks her head and bites her lip. “What can I call you? Mommy says you’re my daddy, but I alweady have me a daddy.” This is something I wasn’t prepared to answer. I look to the judge with pleading eyes, silently begging her to help me out.

  She smiles and walks over to place her hand upon Lacy’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, you’re a lucky lady. You have two amazing daddies. You can call him Daddy, if you want. But, if that makes you uncomfortable, you may call him Wyatt,” she explains.

  My neck’s twitching to shake my head vigorously, NO! “I can call him Daddy Wyatt,” she says, melting my heart with her sweet smile.

  After Lacy’s gone from the room, I explain my situation with Allie to the judge. I tell her my plans in winning Allie back, and she informs me that she doesn’t see any reason why Allie can’t be around Lacy. Of course, Allie doesn’t have a say in the decisions made regarding Lacy or her wellbeing, but she’s not forbidden to be near her. Lacy’s the only person I’d let Allie go for. My blue-eyed beauty trumps everyone, even Al.

  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a realtor who could show any properties today. I’ve thought about renting, but I don’t want to ask permission to make changes to a house I’m living in. If my princess wants a pink room, I’ll give her a pink room. If she wants a puppy, I don’t want a pet deposit or approval of what breed she can or cannot have. There’s an agency who offered me an appointment as soon as I got pre-approved for a loan, which won’t be a problem. My credit is excellent. I’ve saved every penny I earned over the last four year, and with the down payment I’ll be putting up, I doubt any bank will turn me away. Meanwhile, the realtor promised to be on the lookout for some homes that meet my expectations.

  Since I found out there’s no way I’m viewing any homes, I rush home to tell Allie the exciting news. When I pull up to the house, I see that her car’s gone. I pull my phone out and call her. The phone rings multiple times before going to voicemail, as usual, but at least she didn’t ignore my call this time. Instead of leaving a message, I send her a text, telling her I have important information and to call me ASAP. To my surprise, she actually responds.

  Butterfly: Will call later. At the doctor for checkup.

  Me: Cool. Wanna go to Mi Cabana for dinner, and we’ll discuss it then?

  Butterfly: Ummm, I’ll think about it. TTYL

  I go inside to grab some gym clothes and head for the gym. I slip out of my suit and throw on some sweats and a grey wife-beater. Gathering my gym bag, I throw in some jeans and a baby-blue polo. As I head for the door, I stop in the foyer and put my boots into my bag. When I step out onto the porch, Lucille’s pulling into the garage. I go and put my bag inside the Jeep and meet her as she exits her car.

  “Hey, Wyatt,” she smiles warmly.

  “Got some news,” I announce excitedly.

  “Yeah, do tell,” she urges.

  “I got joint custody of Lacy,” I exclaim.

  Lucille jumps into my arms, and I squeeze her tight and twirl us around. “Congratulations! I’m happy for you,” she squeals into my ear.

  When I set her to her feet, she places her hand to the side of my cheek and pats gently. “You’ll be a great father. Have you told Allie?” she asks.

  “Not yet. She’s at the doctor. I think we’re going to meet for dinner later, and I’ll tell her then.”

  Lucille tsks and looks at me in pity. “Oh, no, I’m sorry, Wyatt. Blake’s parents are in town, and they’re throwing her a reveal party tonight. They have a mysterious surprise for her, and they won’t even tell me what it is. They gave me an address and told me what time to be there, but that’s all. I’d invite you, but I know you and Blake don’t get along very well,” she says sincerely.

&
nbsp; “No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t be able to sit around and watch the two of them together anyway.” The thought of him kissing her in front of me shoots fire through my veins. Especially after the other night, after she let me pleasure her, comfort her. I can’t bear watching them play house. She’s not happy with him; she only pretends to be. I don’t want to upset her. She’s been through enough as it is. The last thing she needs is my possessive and aggressive ass ruining her party. I’ll go to the gym to pass time, rip my muscles, pick up a six-pack, and head home. It’s worked the last few months she’s been at Blake’s; surely my tactics won’t fail me now.

  I’m in the middle of my workout when my phone rings. Allie’s picture appears on my screen and I answer. “Hey, butterfly.”

  She groans at my nickname, but doesn’t scold me. “Hey, I only have a minute. I just wanted to tell you I can’t meet you for dinner tonight. Blake’s parents are in town, and he made plans for us to meet up with them. Can you tell me now?” I could, but I won’t.

  “Believe me, it’s tempting. But, I want to tell you face to face. It’s pretty fucking awesome,” I tease. “You coming to the house later?” I ask, hoping she says yes.

  “Probably not. Blake’s off work for the next two days, so I’ll be spending time with him. I’m sorry, Wyatt.” She’s apologizing, but it’s not for not coming home. No, her apology is much deeper. She’s apologizing for shooting a bullet into my heart. “He’s the father of my babies, Wyatt. And no matter what you believe, I do love him.” She pauses. “What do you expect me to do?”

  Simple: leave him.

  “I’m the father of your child, and you love me, too. You just need to open your eyes and stop fighting destiny. Anyway, I gotta go.” I hang up the phone before she can say another word. I’m sick and tired of her excuses. ‘I love him’, well, it’s not enough. She may love him, but her love for him isn’t as strong as it is for me. If it were, she wouldn’t fall into me so easily.