THANKSGIVING MORNING I woke up excited. I hadn’t seen Alex since the morning after girls’ night out when he informed me he had “club business,” so we couldn’t hang out, so he dropped me home, kissed me quickly, and was gone. To make matters worse, the week got away with us, and we’d only managed a few stolen moments on the phone. The only bright spot on our drive home was that Lily was with him, so she and I got to talk a little and I convinced Alex to stop at Starbucks for hot chocolates which helped me butter up his daughter.
I showered and did my makeup and hair, but dressed in sweats and a T-shirt first, since I knew we’d be doing last minute cleaning and I didn’t want to sweat through everything. I walked upstairs to find the house in organized chaos, Bailey and my sisters were already in the kitchen, Brock and my brothers-in-law more than likely hiding. Macey and Dallas would be here later¸ which was surprising. It was rare Brock and Dallas had holiday time off at the same time.
“Good morning, sunshine. Nice of you to show,” my oldest sister Kristen droned sarcastically.
I stuck my tongue out at her before I pulled her in for an extra long, annoyingly sappy hug. I was hugger… Kris, not so much.
Bailey giggled. “I just got here five minutes ago, so you’re in good company.”
“Where are Mom and Dad?” I asked and hugged my other older sister, Anna.
“Herding the kids,” Anna said. “Or having sex in a closet.”
“Ew! Anna!” Kristen complained. “Gross.”
“Talk to Dad about it. He over shares.”
“He told you they were going to have sex in a closet?” Bailey asked.
“He calls Mom his GILF. He implies it every time he says it.”
“Okay, enough of that subject,” I said with a giggle. “What can I do to help?”
“Mom bought stuff for the kids and put them on the table. Mugs or something,” Anna said. “Can you grab the candy and fill them, please?”
“No problem.” I grabbed the bags of chocolates from the hiding place in the pantry and headed to the large dining room table.
My mom had purchased Christmas mugs for each of the little kids, including one for Lily, which would also be used to mark their place settings at the kids’ table. Thinking of Lily brought Alex to mind and my stomach fluttered. I couldn’t wait to see him… and kiss him. That made me think again about Lily and now my heart dropped. I wouldn’t be able to kiss him. His daughter would be with him… and his sister.
“Why so glum?”
I raised my head to see my brother walking toward me. “I’m not glum.”
“You’re in your head, sissy, I can tell.” Brock sat in the chair at the head of the table to my left. “Thinking about Hawk?”
I sighed. “Yeah.”
“He’s a pretty good guy, Pay.”
“You think?”
“Yeah.” He smiled. “He’s clean.”
“Ohmigod, Brock. You did a background check on him?”
“Are you surprised?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, I guess not, but it would have been nice to know beforehand.”
“You know me. I want to know what I’m up against.”
“You?” I paused in the doling out of candy. “You have nothing to do with this.”
He rose to his feet and gave me a mock clip of the chin. “Oh, Payton, you are so cute.”
“Bite me, Brock.”
“Payton!” my mother snapped. “Language.”
Where the hell she’d come from, I have no idea.
“Yeah, Payton, watch your fuckin’ language,” Brock whispered, and gave me a smug smile.
“Don’t fall asleep, big brother. Ever,” I threatened.
He laughed and left me to my work as my mother walked into the dining room.
“Morning, honey,” she said, and kissed my cheek.
“Hi, Mom. Kids settled?”
“Yep. Best investment in our whole life is that big screen television. However, it’s Frozen again.” She grinned and sat where Brock had been earlier. “I just couldn’t stick around, so Elizabeth is keeping an eye on things.”
I giggled. Elizabeth was the oldest niece, Kristen’s daughter, and she was great with the littler kids.
“So,” my mom said, and laid her hand on my arm.
“So.”
“Tell me about this man.”
I had a feeling this was coming, and my mom and I were super close, but she still managed to relegate me to a teenager on occasion. “Not sure what to say. He’s nice.”
“Single dad.”
I sighed. “Yeah. He’s a single dad.”
“And what’s his ex-wife like?”
“He was never married. She took off when Lily was little, so he hasn’t seen her in years. Doesn’t even know where she is.”
“Wow. So, he’s responsible.”
I smiled. “Yeah, Mom, he’s responsible.”
“Did your brother do his thing?”
“Yes, Mom. Alex is a ‘good guy’ according to Brock.”
Mom chuckled. “Well, your dad got a good vibe off him.”
“Vibe, Mom, really?”
“What? It’s the perfect word in this situation.”
“I like him,” I said, and then gasped.
“What?”
“I forgot to tell him we dress up.”
“Oh, honey, don’t worry about it. We don’t care what he’s wearing.”
“I know, but I don’t want him to feel weird.” I bit my lip. “But then again, he probably doesn’t care. He’s kind of his own man.”
“The perfect kind.” My mom rose to her feet. “I’m going to check on the food.”
“I’ll be in when I’m done.”
“Sounds good.”
My mom left and I grabbed my phone, debating if I should call Alex or not. They wouldn’t be arriving for a couple of hours, but if I told him to dress up, I felt like I was trying to change him somehow. I slipped my phone back into my pocket. I liked him just the way he was, so I’d take him however he came.
Done with the mugs, I headed to the kitchen to help with the rest of the prep.
* * *
Hawk was helping Lily with her tights when his phone buzzed in his pocket. “Just a second, baby girl.” He grabbed his phone and frowned. He didn’t recognize the number, but answered it anyway. “Yo.”
“Hawk?”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, baby. It’s Jenny.”
His blood ran cold. He laid his hand over the speaker and called, “Kayla?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you come help Lily?”
His sister appeared in the doorway. At first she looked pissed, but then she raised an eyebrow.
“Jenny,” Hawk whispered.
“What the hell does she want?”
Hawk shrugged and walked out of the room, leaving Kayla to take care of Lily, while he closed himself into his bedroom.
“What the fuck do you want?” he bit out.
“Come on, baby. Don’t be like that. We have a baby together.”
“We don’t have shit together, Jenny. I have a little girl who knows nothing about you and never will because you walked out on her.”
“I just want to see her. See how she is.”
Hawk forced himself not to break something. “Never gonna happen.”
“I’m doin’ real good, baby. Been clean for nine months.”
“You’re on drugs now?”
“No. That’s what I’m sayin’. I’m clean. I was in a bad way for a couple a years. But I’m good now.”
“Jenny, you weren’t usin’ when you left, so what the fuck changed?”
“I was young, Hawk. Stupid.”
“You were thirty!”
“Look, I didn’t call to fight. I want to see Lily. I’m back in the area and I have the right to see my daughter.”
“No fuckin’ way.”
“Don’t make me get a lawyer.”
“Jenny, do whatever the fuck you need t
o do. I gotta go.” He hung up and sat on the edge of the bed, dropping his face into his hands. A knock at his door brought him out of his head and he sighed. “Come in.”
Kayla sat beside him and frowned. “What did she want?”
“She wants to see Lily.”
“Why?”
He filled his sister in on the conversation which was probably a mistake. Kayla hated Jenny even more than Hawk did, so the news wound her up tight.
“Fuckin’ bitch,” Kayla snapped.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to think about Jenny,” Hawk said. “Right now, I need to see Payton. It’s been almost a week and I fuckin’ miss her.”
This brought a smile to Kayla’s face. “You really like her.”
“Ya think?”
“You’ve never acted like this before and you know it.”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Hawk groaned.
“What?”
“I love her, Kay.”
His sister gasped. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “She’s everything I never knew I wanted—”
“Or thought you deserved,” she interrupted.
“I don’t fuckin’ deserve her and the thought of losin’ her…” he couldn’t finish the thought.
“Hey. You’re not going to lose her. I’ll help however I can.”
Hawk smiled. “I know, babe. Couldn’t do life without you. Don’t know if I’ve told you how much I appreciate you, but I’m telling you now.”
Kayla grinned. “Back atya.”
Hawk sighed. “This shit with Jenny is the worst fuckin’ timin’.”
“Well, in general, yeah, but why, specifically?”
“Payton doesn’t do drama.”
“She’s a woman, how the hell does she avoid drama?” Kayla asked.
Hawk laughed. “Yeah, but bitch drama? Not sure she’ll put up with it.”
Kayla patted his knee. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”
“You dump your asshole of an old man and now you’re a sage.”
She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t you forget it.”
“Daddy.” Lily ran into the room. “I put my soos on.”
Hawk glanced at her feet. “You did a great job, baby girl, but they’re on the wrong feet.”
She lowered her head, then smiled and crossed one foot over the other. “Not anymore.”
Hawk laughed and scooped her up, holding her above his head. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“All the way to the moon,” she squealed.
He lowered her enough so she could wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. “I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, baby girl. Let’s fix those shoes and then we’ll go hang out with Payton.”
“Yay,” she sang.
Setting her on the ground, he fixed her shoes, and then they headed to Vancouver.
* * *
Because I had no idea what Alex would be wearing, I chose to dress down a little. I wore a dark pair of jeans, a festive red sweater with a deep V-neck and a black lace cami underneath it. My knee-high black boots finished off the outfit and because they were my favorite, I felt extra comfortable.
I was standing in the kitchen when I heard the doorbell ring. Since Macey and Dallas had arrived thirty minutes ago, I knew it had to be Alex. “I’ll get it.”
I rushed to the foyer, my heart racing in anticipation. I smoothed my hands over my jeans and then pulled open the door, my breath leaving my body. I didn’t think Alex could get better looking, but he wore dark jeans, almost black, a dark blue button up shirt, open at the throat, and a pair of black boots that looked in better shape that his regular motorcycle boots.
I smiled. “Hi.”
“Hey, baby,” he whispered, his eyes raking over me. “This is my sister, Kayla.”
Kayla looked a lot like her brother. And I mean, a lot. I looked a little like my siblings, but mostly like Brock, so people figured out we were related, but Kayla was the feminine version of Alex and she was beautiful. Long blonde hair, the same blue eyes as her brother, and she was tall and slim… model slim. Her hair was bigger than I was used to and her makeup was heavier, but she was gorgeous. I shook her hand and smiled.
“Nice to meet you, hon,” Kayla said.
“You too.”
“Hi, Payton,” Lily said, unable to stand still.
“Hi.” I hunkered down in front of her. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
She wore a red dress with black tights and black sparkly shoes. Her blonde hair had been pulled back at the sides and curled, and she wore pink lipgloss.
“Fank you,” she said.
“My nieces are all downstairs and you know what they’re doing?”
“What?”
“They’re watching Frozen.”
Her eyes got wide. “They awa?”
I nodded. “Do you want to join them?”
She looked up at her father. “Can I, Daddy?”
“Let’s meet everyone and then, yes, baby girl, you can.”
Lily jumped up and down. “’Kay, Daddy.”
I rose to my feet. “Come on in and I’ll introduce you to the masses.”
They stepped inside and Alex’s hand brushed my back before I led them into the great room where all of the adults were congregated. I was grateful my family hadn’t followed me to the door, but now, they stared at Alex in open interest.
“Everyone, this is Alex, Kayla, and Lily,” I said, and the group rose enmasse, and the next few minutes were spent with introductions.
I was glad Alex at least knew Brock and Dallas. I was confident they would make him feel included. I was a little concerned about Kayla, but then Kristen and Bailey descended on her, commenting on how beautiful she was, and Kayla was returning the compliments, so it appeared she was well in hand.
“I’m just going to show Lily where the other kids are,” I said.
Lily grabbed onto Hawk’s leg, but he knelt beside her and pulled her close. “I’m coming baby girl. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she said, and he rose to his feet.
Lily slipped her tiny hand into his big one and Alex smiled at me. “She’s good.”
I nodded and led them to the basement stairs. We arrived at the double doors just as “the song” started and I heard the voices of Elizabeth and Molly singing at the top of their lungs. I watched Lily’s face brighten as we walked into the entertainment room. Billy, my seven-year-old nephew (and Molly’s brother) was in the corner, headphones on and his face stuck in a gaming device. The baby, Callie who was two, was doing her best to keep up with her cousins, a big grin on her chubby face as she bobbed to the music.
I grabbed the remote and paused the television, my nieces turning in annoyance to face me. “I want you to meet Lily. Lily, this is Elizabeth and Molly.”
Elizabeth grinned and made her way to Lily. “Hi Lily. Do you want to watch Frozen with us?”
Lily nodded and looked up at Alex.
“I think Lily wants to know her Dad is close,” I said.
“If you want to see your dad, I’ll take you okay?” Elizabeth said. “You just let me know.”
Lily released Alex’s hand and rushed to my niece. I gave Elizabeth the remote with a grin. “You’re the bomb.”
Elizabeth giggled. “I know, Auntie, I know.”
Alex and I watched the girls for a few minutes, but since Lily appeared totally comfortable, we took the distraction to leave the game room. I led Alex back toward the stairs, but found myself pulled into the room closest to the stairs. The room was my mother’s craft room and typically a mess, which meant the door was usually closed. But for whatever reason, it was open and I found myself pushed against the wall and kissed almost to the point of no return.
“Fuck, baby,” Alex whispered, dropping his forehead to mine once he broke the kiss. “I have missed you.”
“You have?”
“Yeah.” He stroked my pulse.
“Me too,” I rasped. “You have no idea.”
“I think I do.” He smiled. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you. So do you.” I licked my lips. “I kind of want to peel you out of those jeans.”
“Do it.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “You’re killing me.”
“Would now be the wrong time to point out you’re the one making us wait?”
I glared up at him. “Yes, it absolutely would.”
Alex grinned. “We’ll have our time.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Fuck me,” he whispered.
“Yes, please.”
He groaned. “Payton.”
“Sorry,” I said. “Not helping.”
“No, not helping at all.” He kissed me again. “You really are beautiful, baby.”
“Thank you.”
“How’s your bruise?”
“Much better. I put a little makeup over it.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I see that.”
I laid my hands on his chest. “We should get back upstairs.”
“In a minute.”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” He took my hand and kissed my palm.
“Did you get everything done this week?”
He nodded. “Everything I could. As long as someone doesn’t jump bail this weekend, I might have the next few days off.”
“Is there like a numbering system? Someone else might get called up before you?”
Alex shrugged. “Depends on who jumps bail. I offer a certain set of skills others don’t.”
“Oh,” I said. “Probably won’t ask what.”
“Probably a good idea.”
“We should go back up.”
He nodded.
I licked my lips. “But I need another kiss.”
He chuckled and obliged.
Arriving back upstairs, Kayla and Kristen had their heads together and were staring at a recipe card.
“She fits right in,” I said, and smiled up at Alex.
He laid his hand on my lower back and nodded. “She does that.”
“Hawk,” Dallas called, and headed our way. “Guys are on the deck. As is the beer.”
Alex chuckled. “Say no more.”
I frowned up at him. “What? You don’t want to help us make the pies?”
“There is nothing more I’d love to do, baby, but I’m thinkin’ it’s better I don’t burn down your house.”
Road to Redemption Page 8