“Yeah daddy, I know.”
He gives me a reassuring squeeze to my hands. “Not saying he’s not good enough, but take your time.”
“I’m trying,” I tell him knowing that I’m jumping in feet first and fast.
Jace and Tyler return shortly after I start getting dressed.
I am stuck in an internal debate. Do I leave Jace here, with my dad during the service, or should I take him with me in attempt to make peace with Brian’s family? Time to decide is running out. I sit Jace down and talk to him about where I am going.
“Baby, today is a special day. Do you remember the picture book mommy showed you of the boy who loved ball as much as you do?” He nods his head like he is paying attention to my words. “Well, he has gone to be an angel like Mam Mam. He was a very special friend of mommy's. And I would like you to go say goodbye to him with me. But, if you go, I am going to need you to not be scared and be on your very best behavior. Do you think you can do that for mommy?”
“I’ll be good,” he promises with a smile.
Tyler is so sweet helping me get Jace ready. He even shows him how to knot his tie. I even see my dad taking notice of how good Tyler is with my son. He gives me a nod of approval.
I kiss my daddy on the cheek while Tyler puts our bags in the car. Since Jace is going with us, there isn’t a need to make an extra trip back before we go to the airport. Dad shakes hands with Tyler one last time and makes him give his word that he will take care of Jace and me.
They are holding the funeral inside the local civic center due to the high volume of people they expect to attend. The burial is closed to only family. As we walk inside, I feel a panic attack coming on. I have to stop to catch my breath. There are thousands of fans here to show their support and celebrate Brian’s life along with his teammates, friends, and family.
Being here makes it real, and it truly sinks in that Brian is gone. I grab Tyler’s hand. “I don’t think I can do this.” My hands are shaky and my knees feel weak.
“You can and you will sugar, for Jace and the man you once loved” Tyler assures me supporting me fully. He didn’t have to come here and do this with me, but I love that he’s here for me and Jace.
I look at the brave face my little man is wearing, and I straighten my spine up. Today is for Brian and Jace. It isn’t about me and my fear or my guilt.
They are having everyone walk through in lines to view his casket. His family had it custom made. I heard my dad talking to Tyler about it while I was getting dressed this morning. It is team red. He called it the Cadillac of caskets. Brian’s parents and his older brother are seated beside the casket in a row.
It is our turn to view him and offer our condolences to the family. Tyler is behind me holding Jace. I look down at Brian lying there motionless in his uniform, and I can’t bear the pain as it courses through my veins. It takes hold of me and brings me to my knees. Then all hell breaks loose. Mrs. Case locks eyes with me. She stands from her seat. I think she’s coming to comfort me but she raises a hand to smack me. “You bitch!” She screams at me. Right when her hand should connect with my face she suddenly stops. Her gaze is now transfixed on Jace. She walks past me to Tyler.
“He looks just like his daddy. Oh, God, it’s true,” she cries.
The different outbursts taking place around him causes Jace to be scared and he starts to cry and shake.
“I’m so sorry,” I choke out to her. She takes me in her arms and says the last thing I expect to hear from her mouth. “Thank you for giving me a piece of my boy to hold on to.”
She walks back over to Tyler, “Can I hold him, please.”
We move off to the side to allow the line to continue moving. Jace won’t let go of Tyler. Beverly seems put off by it, but he is a small child, and the ways she is acting scares him. He doesn’t know her or what’s going on around him. I shouldn’t have brought him, but I never want him to resent me anymore than he will already when he is old enough to process all of this.
“Brian called me from his flight, and told me he was on his way to see his son. I thought he had knocked up a random girl, and then I find out that you were the one. The next thing I knew I couldn’t reach him to find out how things were going. Then I get the call that they found his car. Aria, why did you keep his son from us?”
“There is nothing that I can ever say to justify my choices. I can only hope to have you in Jace’s life. And that you can help me to tell him all about his dad, and what a wonderful man he was,” I answer the best I can without upsetting her further.
I give her my phone number and tell her she can see Jace any time she likes. We don’t go to the cemetery with the family, today has been hard enough on all of us. We take Jace to a nearby restaurant for an early dinner before we have to catch our flight. I can’t believe I was able to get through this day.
I spend the next few days trying to settle Jace back into his routine of daycare. We could use some normalcy after the past two weeks. I have returned to work it is helping to keep my mind busy, but there are moments when I am driving in my car and a song will remind me of Faye or Brian. Tyler wants Jace and me to move in with him, but I am afraid of too much too soon. He is used to living on his own, and Jace can be a handful at times.
He says he is sure and he is ready to give Jace the family I have always wanted for him. We are driving up to see his parents next weekend. They can’t wait to meet Jace. I am so scared of what could happen next. I’m not a superstitious person, but Faye always said deaths come in threes. Every night, I wake up from the same nightmare. Brian’s body is being pulled from the wreckage, and then I am back at the funeral home looking down at his body, his wounds are open and he is looking at me. He opens his mouth like he is about to scream and before any sound comes from his mouth, I wake up clutching my chest.
Caroline thinks I need to see a shrink to work through the nightmares, but I feel like Brian is angry with me and trying to tell me to “get fucked.” I have fifteen days before I have to make a decision about our living arrangements. I don’t know if I want to give this house up, with the money I am making from working two jobs, I think I can afford the rent.
Caroline has found someone to do an estate sale for the antique furniture and other odds and ends that I won’t be keeping of my mother’s. They are coming later today to pick the items up. Tyler is coming over to oversee the process since I have a late spray tan to do at the salon. He is also keeping Jace tonight while I work at the club. He is trying to prove to me that he is ready for the responsibility.
I finish marking the items for the sale so all that Tyler has to do is watch them load them into their trucks.
The furniture is nice, but it just isn’t my style and having my mother’s things staring at me every day is just another of the many reminders that she isn’t ever going to walk through the doors of this house again. I wish she were here to give me advice on my relationship with Tyler, even if she wasn’t the greatest at giving it. I took my time with her for granted. Another regret I will carry with me the rest of my life.
Chapter Eighteen
I am in the middle of my shift at the club when I get a text from Tyler.
Tyler: you need to come home ASAP.
Me: Please, just tell me. I can’t take any more bad news.
Tyler: Just come home and drive safe, it’s not life threatening but you need to come home.
I don’t even bother changing out of my costume. Tyler has me really freaked out right now. Pulling up on my street I see that there is an unfamiliar black car in my driveway. I grab my purse and walk through the door to find Tyler locked in an intense stare down with Brian’s mother.
“Mrs. Case, what brings you by unannounced.”
“You said I could see Jace anytime I like and this man was refusing me, telling me I can't see my grandson.” I give Tyler a look telling him he better explain.
“I didn’t know who she was at first and the circumstances I met her under were intense. I di
dn’t recognize her when I opened the door. And well, I wasn’t sure what you would want me to do. But then she started yelling and threatening to call the police. She was muttering, saying something about grandparent’s rights,” he tells me remaining calm.
“What are you wearing Aria? Are you some kind of hooker?” She eyes my clothes with disgust.
“It’s for my job. Why are you here?”
“I came to see about my grandson and it is a good thing I did. Obviously, you aren’t capable of providing him with proper care.” She picks lint off her pants and flicks it at my floor. Her attitude is pissing me off.
“I told you that you could see Jace anytime you want to, but I assumed that you would call to make plans to do so before just showing up.” My hands are resting on my hips and my foot is tapping. “Tyler, where is Jace?”
“I took him over to Carol’s, the way this lady is acting was scaring him. He didn’t want anything to do with her. I wasn’t going to force him to hug her and he was upset.”
“That’s another thing Aria. Do you just leave Jace with strangers at any given time?”
“Hold on one minute. You may be Jace’s grandmother, but I won’t allow you to come into my home and judge me, when you clearly know nothing about my life, and how I raise my son.”
“Oh sweetheart, I have seen enough. You can bet your sweet ass you will be hearing from my lawyer. No grandson of mine will be raised by a stripper and her pimp.” She turns her nose down at me.
“Excuse me.” I see the vein popping out in Tyler’s neck indicating he is about to go the fuck off on this old bitch. If I weren’t raised better, I would let him give her a piece of his mind. But I was, so I hold my hand up to him to signal I got this.
“Whatever you think you know is wrong. I’m a damn good mom. Call your lawyer. I don’t care. I am Jace’s legal guardian. I’m his mother, nothing you say or do will ever change that.”
“A simple DNA test and a court evaluation will prove otherwise. And don’t think for one minute you will be getting any of Brian’s money. He didn’t have any when he died. He was drowning in debt from his divorce from that whore he married,” she sneers.
“I never wanted anything from your family. If I had, don’t you think I would have contacted Brian from day one for child support? I’m not going to defend myself and argue with you. You clearly have no intention of listening. I would like you to leave now.” I point toward the door.
Mrs. Case leaves without contest. I can’t be mad at Tyler; he was acting in Jace’s best interest. But, what if she is serious? Their family has money and money talks. I love my job at the club, but maybe I should just quit. Then there is Tyler being in the motorcycle club. Beverly could use that against me in court if she finds out.
If she is serious about having me investigated, how will the court see my profession. “Tyler, I am going to quit the club. I have to.” I flop down on the couch next to him.
“Don’t let her scare you, Aria. She is upset and her threats are empty. But, even if she is serious, you have me. I’ll help you. Whatever the cost, I will pay an attorney. She is in mourning and she sees Jace as a way to replace what she has lost. All it would take is one call, and I could get rid of her for good. Just say the word.”
He can’t be serious. I shake my head pretending he didn’t just offer to get rid of Jace’s grandma.
“No, I can’t drag you into this. I have to do this. I have to prove I am good mom, and I am going to act like one. The MC is another thing. I don’t want to lie about your life. I mean look where all of my lies have gotten me.”
His eyes find mine. “They brought you to me.”
“Tyler, I didn’t mean…” He interrupts me with a kiss.
“Move in with me, you and Jace. Let me take care of you guys. It will show the courts that Jace has a stable life and a two-parent family.”
He goes to kiss me again, and I stop him as much as it pains me to do so.
“I can’t Tyler. I appreciate what you are trying to do. Really, I do, but if and when we take that step. I want to know that it is the right thing for all of us, and not because we feel pressured, or because you have some hero complex that you feel the need to take care of everyone.” The hurt expression that forms across his face looks as if I just smacked him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” I attempt to backpedal, but the damage is done.
“Actually, I think you did. But, I know you’re upset, and you’re scared right now. I love you Aria. I’ll call you tomorrow. And keep the costume. I think we could have some fun with it,” he teases as he goes to the door.
“Are we okay? Please don’t walk out that door upset with me.” A hard lump forms in my throat. If he leaves on bad terms and something happens to him I won’t be able to take it. I can’t help but remember what Faye said about death coming in threes.
Tyler stops at the door. He looks back at me and winks. “You can make it up to me by wearing that costume for me tomorrow night.” I laugh and he says, “There’s that smile I fell in love with the day I first laid eyes on you. I’ll see you tomorrow, sugar.”
I hurriedly change my clothes and walk next door to get Jace from Caroline. She wants details about what was happening over at my place, but I just don’t have it in me to talk about it right now. My head is pounding; I feel mentally exhausted. All I want to do is take my boy home and snuggle up with him in a protective bubble, where no one can bother us.
**
The sun has risen, and I have barely had any sleep at all. Every time I would try and close my eyes I would see Brian’s angry mother threatening to take Jace. I can’t afford to quit Indigo right now as much as I need to. With the possibility of Mrs. Case’s threats, I need to find a second job fast.
I have three spray tans today and hope that I am able to secure some new clients. I make ten dollars a head each new customer, it can add up some days on top of the salary pay I make.
I check in with Chrissy to see if she has the schedule for the next month ready. I am going to have to step up my game and recruit new customers.
“Is the schedule okay, I can try to move your shifts around if you need me to? I know you’ve had a full plate lately. You know my dad will help you, Aria. If you need anything just say the word.”
“Thanks a bunch, I really appreciate it. With everything that has been going on I can use keeping my mind as busy as possible. I just really need extra shifts,” I tell her. I guess I am more like my mother than I thought…I don’t want Bender’s money either. I can’t expect everyone else to jump in and clean up a mess of my own making. Taking care of Jace is my responsibility.
“How are things with you? I hear you and Tyler finally realized you two make a great couple.” She grins at me and winks. “I hear some girls at the clubhouse and Indigo are hating you right now. He told this one chick to get lost when she tried to suck his dick. It was so funny. You shoulda seen the look on her face when he shoved her away. She landed flat on her ass.”
“Yeah, he is a wonderful man, but I still want to take things slow.” I try not to let her words get to me. At least she said that he turned her down. I still don’t know much about his club life and from the sound of things, I don’t think I want to. I want to be able to trust Tyler, to believe in him and have faith that he won’t hurt me.
My shift drags by, and I’m not able to bring in any new customers. I hope this isn’t an indication of things to come.
Chapter Nineteen
I am in a tailspin trying to get ready for work at the club, and Jace didn’t get a nap today at daycare so he is being unruly. “Jace, baby, go get mommy your shoes, Caroline wants to take you to feed the ducks.”
“No, I don’t want to,” he cries holding onto my leg.
“Please Jace, we have to go.” I am walking out the door at this point with Jace on my leg, my keys in my mouth and his shoes under my armpit. I am going to be late, and I am so tired.
“Let go of mommy’s leg, we need to
get your shoes on.” I manage to lock the door and set Jace on the steps. As I am getting his shoes strapped, I sense someone approaching, their shadow washes over me.
“Ma’am, I am looking for an Aria Stuart. Can you tell me if this is her address?”
I turn around to a middle-aged lady now hovering over Jace and me.
“I’m Aria, you are?”
“Hi Aria, I am Selma Hackworth. I am from CPS. I would like to come in and have a well child visit with your son and yourself.” Gulp. I don’t have time for this right now.
“This really isn’t a great time, I am actually headed to work right now. I am running behind already.”
“Just a few minutes of your time is all that I need.” Her resting bitch face tells me not to argue with her.
I give up she clearly doesn’t care about my time. “Sure, let me unlock the door.”
She follows Jace and me inside. “Mind if I walk through the house?”
“No, but is it really necessary?” I call out as she goes down the hall.
Not answering me, she does a quick look in every room, before asking her questions. “Is it just you and Jace living here?”
“Yes, my mother was living with us but she recently passed away.”
“I see, sorry for your loss.” She takes a seat by Jace on the couch.
“I’m sorry, but what’s this all about?” I say with a hint of sarcasm. I know exactly why she is here. Brian’s mother is making good with her threats.
“Where is it that you work?”
“I uh, work at a nearby tanning salon. I give spray tans.”
“I see. Is that your only source of income? I think it was mentioned that you are a stripper?” She raises an eyebrow and whispers the word stripper like it’s dirty.
“No, I was dancing at a burlesque club, but I recently quit,” I lie.
“Do you leave Jace in the care of others often?” She pulls a notepad from her bag and begins making notes.
Dirty Truth (Fighting Dirty Series Book 2) Page 12