“Why are you scared, baby? They’re going to love Hadley and be so excited to meet her.”
“I’m not worried about that, Rayne. I’m scared that they’re gonna hate me,” she quietly sobs. “I kept their grandbaby from them. They’ll never look at me the same again.”
“They’re going to be in shock, a little hurt and quite possibly a little angry. But you won’t be facing them alone, Jacey. I’m going to be right here at your side the entire time. In time, everything will settle down, but we can’t keep hiding her existence from them. It isn’t right.”
“I know,” she says, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. “When, when were you thinking we should do this?”
“There’s no time like the present, Jacey.”
“Now, you want to do this now, Rayne? I’m not ready. I haven’t had a chance to mentally and emotionally prepare myself.”
“All the more reason we should do it now, tonight. I know you, Jace. If you have time to think it over, you’ll compose an entire list of why we shouldn’t. You’ll get yourself all worked up and we’ll end up pushing it off until Hadley’s graduating from high school. Think of how much worse it’ll be if we keep putting this off.”
“Damn, I hate it that you know me so damn well.” Any other time, I’d find her expression comical and cute, but this is a serious topic. Cracking a smile would more than likely piss her off. Tremendously.
“So, you ready to do this, Jace?”
“No,” she says, while vehemently shaking her head back and forth.
“I’ll take the lead and do most of the talking. I just need you here at my side to answer any questions they may have about her that I don’t yet know, okay?”
“Sure, yeah, okay,” she stammers out as she lifts her eyes. She looks petrified, so I reach over and grasp her hand with mine before hitting the FaceTime button on my iPhone.
When my mother’s face appears on my screen, I can’t help the wide smile that crosses my face. I miss my parents; I need to spend more time with them. “Hey, Mom.”
“Well, hey there yourself, my handsome boy. Are your sisters there with you?” my mom excitedly asks.
“No, but I do have a surprise for you,” I tell her as I tuck a shivering Jacey, securely into my side.
“Jacey,” she heavily breathes, excitement dancing in her eyes. “My baby girl, we’ve missed you so much. I’m so glad the two of you have reunited!” She claps her hands together in glee.
“We have,” I begin, interrupting her before she has a chance to begin asking us twenty questions. “Grab Dad while I conference in Jacey’s folks, would you?”
“I will, is everything alright?” The worry in my mom’s tone should have me explaining everything to her now so she doesn’t spend the next several minutes worrying herself to death, over nothing, but I only wanna do this once. I can’t put Jacey through this twice.
“It’s all good, Mom,” I announce before switching screens.
Here goes nothing, yet everything at the same time. I blow out a deep breath before gathering my courage to connect with the four adults who taught us everything we know. The four people who bandaged our knees and cooked us meals.
This is going to blow them away.
12
Rayne
As promised, I take the lead once we have everyone on the line. As soon as I told them about Hadley, things became eerily quiet. You could hear crickets chirping in the background.
The disappointed looks in our fathers’ eyes, the endless tears streaming down our mothers’ faces, are breaking my damn heart. I knew there was going to be some hurt feelings on all of their parts, but I wasn’t prepared for the silent treatment from all four of them.
Finally, my mother breaks down and begins a conversation, asking, “And you just found out about your daughter recently? How? Why? I don’t understand why you’d keep her from her family, Jacey!”
Knowing that this is going to get me another punch to the face from Jacey’s father, I accepted that we’d have to lay the entire sordid tale out for them. They need to know that we were both in the wrong, not just her. I’m man enough to admit when I did something unforgiveable, inconceivable, enough to send Jacey running and not looking back.
“As you know, three years ago we had a fight and ended up breaking things off. It was miscommunication on my part,” I start, looking over at Jacey to see that her eyes are solely placed on me. I look at her for a few minutes, trying to show her how I truly feel. I don’t hold back the pain from my actions embedded in my eyes. “I had all of this pressure placed on my shoulders by our promotion team. I had a hard time seeing straight. I couldn’t show the world that Jacey was mine. I had to play the persona of the single man. It became too damn much for the both of us. I had to let women paw on me and Jacey had to sit back and watch as it took place.”
“It wasn’t all of your fault, Rayne. I knew what the life was going to be like. I understood the importance to the band’s future that you were seen as an eligible bachelor. I just allowed my jealousy and insecurities to get the best of me.”
“I still should’ve fought harder for the two of us, Jace,” I say with a deadly, serious tone in my voice. “There are no excuses for the fact that I sat by and watched the way this tore you apart. I’ll never be able to say sorry enough to you.”
“We were both wrong and acted on impulse, Rayne. We need to forgive ourselves for the past and move forward, raising our daughter as one cohesive unit. That’s all I ask of you now.”
“So, you two are getting back together?” Dad asks.
“Yes,” I disclose.
“No,” Jacey says at the same time.
Fuck that, yes we are. I am going to get my family back and never leave their sides again.
“Yeah, we are. I just need some time to work on this one here,” I state, bumping my shoulder into hers.
“Oh, buddy, you’re going to have to pull out all of your best moves,” she jokingly counters.
“I’ve got moves you haven’t seen yet,” I wink at her.
“You’ve got a lot of work to do there, mister,” she playfully banters back.
“Not that this isn’t cute and all,” Mona, Jacey’s mom interrupts, “but could we please go forward with what led to my daughter hiding our granddaughter from us?”
We spend the next hour on the phone with our parents. We are one hundred percent truthful with them. We share what was witnessed by Jacey, what we went through, and how we reunited with one another.
By the time we hang up the phone, we’re both mentally exhausted. David, Jacey’s father, gave me the ‘we’re gonna have words’ look before we disconnected. Why is it I get the inkling that it’ll be more of his fists doing the talking than actual words leaving his mouth?
I’d never strike David. He’s been like a second father to me all of my life. I’d have to just stand there and let him dole out his punishment until he exhausted himself.
I do deserve it after all.
Jacey
Now that the parental figures are aware of Hadley’s existence, I’m expecting an ambush any day now. I just hope and pray that by the time they make it my way, they’ve had time to get all of their anger out of their systems. I don’t want the tension anywhere near my girl.
As I say goodnight to Rayne and his sisters, I suddenly don’t want him to go, but I know I must stay strong—stick to my guns and make him work for it. He has a lot to prove to me in order for me to hand my heart back over to him. He still owns a piece of it, but I’m keeping the other parts hidden from him. He can’t have it all… not yet, anyway.
I was always so willing to jump through hoops for him. I was so damn young when I ultimately agreed to be their manager. I remember their first show as if it were yesterday.
“I can’t believe this is really happening,” Rayne excitedly stammers as we peek out at the audience from backstage.
“Believe it, baby, those are your drums out on that stage!” I holler back. The crowd is
roaring out their names in anticipation for them to take the stage.
“Jace, can you believe it! All of our dreams are coming true,” he says in awe as he takes in the overcrowded auditorium. It is filled to max capacity. There are people standing in the back since all of the seating areas were sold out.
“Rayne, Jacey.” Sebastian, the man who discovered the sibling band comes up to us with Sibley, Billie and Justine in tow. Following close behind them is a man I’ve never encountered. “I want to introduce y’all to Jameson. He’ll be helping Jacey while she gets her footing. He is to be her assistant in any way she will need him to be.”
The man, Jameson, sticks his hand out to shake Rayne’s, but I get an instant dislike for him. Not that he’s said or done anything wrong, but there’s something dark and sinister about him, I can feel it. I’m going to have to keep an eye on him.
After introductions are made, Sebastian slaps Rayne on the back as he steps onto the stage and begins introducing them one by one.
“Welcome ladies and gentlemen!” As he starts, Rayne leans down and places a chaste kiss to the top of my head. “Let me start off by introducing you to our drummer, Rayne Wilde!” Rayne walks out onto the stage, drumsticks twirling through his fingers as he lifts his arms up high. Not once do his sticks stop moving. It is a sight to see! “Next up, is our keyboardist, no one can rock your world the way she does, Justine Wilde!” Justine gives me a quick side hug before sauntering off on the stage. These girls are too much sometimes. Her hips do some sort of twist dance as she does her thing while Rayne plays on his drums during her introduction. “Next up, we have the guitar goddess herself, Billie Wilde!” Billie gives me an air kiss as she dances on the stage to the beats of her siblings playing their instruments.
“I can’t believe this! I’m nervous, Jace. What if I get out there and my throat closes up?” Sibley asks me as she wears a petrified look on her face.
“Sibley, you’ve got this! Look at all those people, they are here to support you. If you get nervous, close your eyes and get lost in the music.”
“Love you, Jace,” she tells me as she brings me into a hug.
“Love you back, Sibs, now, go knock their socks off!”
“And our vocalist, the lady who can belt out a tune like no other, Sibley Wilde!” Sebastian introduces her as she places her game face on and marches out on that stage like she owns it.
“So, you’re their manager?” Jameson asks me.
“Sure am,” I quickly respond, wanting to watch the show, not talk to this asshole.
“What are your qualifications?” he snidely questions me.
“Listen.” I turn around and aim my ire at him. I do not like nor enjoy the way he’s speaking to me, and he’s fixing to learn that I’m not the one to be fucked with! “I don’t know who you think you are to question my qualifications, that’s not your job. I’ve known the Wildes since we were all in diapers. I know every single damn detail of their lives. I know who’s allergic to what, how they like their toilet paper put on the holder, what times they eat and when they shit. What do you know about them?” I angrily glare at him.
“It was just a question.” He tries to defend himself.
“No, it wasn’t. I don’t know what game you’re playing here, Jameson, but just remember, I’m a damn shark, and I’m protective of every damn one of them. Do not take my young age to mean I’m naïve, I’m anything but. I will always win. Do not come in here and try to pit us against each other, you will lose every damn time,” I confidently express. My emotions are high, and I’m ready to fight this sonofabitch if he tries to mess with my family.
They are mine!
I turn around, dismissing him by ignoring him and watch as my friends, my family, my lover own that stage and audience. I allow myself to get lost in the melodic sound of Sibley’s voice and the way the rest of the band is in perfect harmony with one another.
Turns out, my intuition where it pertained to Jameson, and my first impression of him, was spot on. I force myself to close my eyes, knowing that Rayne has planned to pick Hadley up bright and early and spend the day with her. He’s bought out the petting zoo and has had the employees sign a non-disclosure contract. So, if the media catches wind of them being there, that man is going to have a hefty fine to pay.
I’m sure Rayne paid more to have a day in the park with his daughter than that man makes in a year’s profit from his small business.
13
Rayne
I pull up to Jacey’s house and notice that most of the lights are on. She had some business that required her attention today, and her normal sitter, Mrs. McGuire, a lovely older woman who lives near her, wasn’t able to keep Hadley. I feel bad using her circumstances against her, in a way, but it gives me an an opportunity to spend some quality time with Hadley.
Just a father and his daughter enjoying some time with one another.
As I step out of my rented truck, I notice the blinds move in the front window. A little hand sticks itself out between the blinds and is furiously waving at me.
“My’s daddy’s here!” I hear my baby girl holler out as I make my way closer to the front door. “I’m ready to go’s Momma, I spend the day wiff my daddy’s, okay?”
“Hadley, go brush your teeth, wash your face and then you can go with your daddy,” I hear Jacey inform her, her voice causing my body to take notice. Her voice is sleek and melodic, reminding me of what I’d imagine an angel to sound like. I clamp my jaw tight and take in a deep breath before raising my hand and knocking on the front door.
“Hi, Rayne, Hadley will be ready to leave here shortly,” she says by way of answering the door. She’s dressed in a tight, form-fitting dress, and I can’t help but admire her curves; they’re in all the right places. Giving birth has done her body good; she has the perfect hourglass-shaped form. I can’t wait to get my hands on her hips as I pound into her from behind.
Before, she was delectable, now, she has the damn body of a goddess.
I nearly grab her and pull her into an all-consuming kiss, but the sound of little feet pattering along the floor draws my attention away from my woman. I look around Jacey and see Hadley standing there, toothbrush hanging out of her mouth as she waves frantically at me. Jacey, noticing my attention placed where it is, slowly turns around and I hear a sigh leave her mouth.
“Hadley Nicole, where do we brush our teeth?” she asks our daughter.
Hadley attempts to answer her with her mouth full, toothpaste beginning to slide down the sides of her mouth. I can’t help but chuckle at the rabid dog appearance she has. “Bathroom, baby girl, Daddy isn’t going anywhere,” I promise her, pointing my finger in the direction of the bathroom. She slowly turns on the balls of her feet and marches back the way she came.
“She’s a spitfire,” Jacey says, shaking her head.
“Hmm… wonder where she gets that from?” I smirk as I ask her.
“Are you implying she gets that from me?” Jacey asks, pointing at her chest.
“Not implying, confirming,” I emphatically state.
“Whatever,” she says, rolling her eyes at me. “So, y’all are heading to the petting zoo for the day, anything else?”
“After that, we’re coming back here. I figure I’m gonna need a nap after keeping up with her,” I admit. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything other than sit in a studio or perform on stage. I hit the gym religiously, but I have a feeling this is going to be a completely different sort of workout session. But this day, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Jacey has given me individual time with Hadley, but she’s always been around somewhere in the background. Today, it’s just me and I couldn’t be any happier than I am at this moment.
“She will wear you out if you’re not careful. You may have to rein her in some here and there, Rayne. She gets rambunctious when she’s excited and can disappear on you if you so much as blink.”
“Should I get one of those harness things I see parents using?” I j
okingly laugh at the visual.
“She’d drag you around like a dog on a leash,” she jests back.
“Daddy, I’s ready!” Hadley comes bouncing into the room with Annabelle clutched to her chest.
“Hadley, maybe, Annabelle should stay home today and rest,” Jacey suggests.
“No’s, Mommy, she wants to see the animals too!” Hadley protests, sending her mother a glare of annoyance. I’m guessing this is a thorn of contention between the two of them. Something I intend to steer clear from.
Jacey turns a gleaming eye in my direction, then says, “We’ll leave this decision up to your daddy.” The evil wench smiles at me. “Do you think Annabelle should go with you two today?”
Fuck me.
“Um,” I stammer out.
“Pwease, Daddy.” Hadley begs me with wide, begging eyes while her bottom lip is protruding out.
“Um,” I repeat, unsure of which one of their sides I should take. If I don’t take Hadley’s, I’m sure to have a sullen child on my hands all day long. If I don’t take Jacey’s, I could find myself locked out from her for longer than I already am. “Let’s make a compromise,” I state.
“I doesn’t like that word, Daddy. Momma’s always uses it and Annabelle has to stay home.” Hadley dramatically stomps her foot as she gives her mother a scalding look.
“You women get that look down pat early, don’t y’all?” I ask Jacey. I’ve seen the look Hadley is sending her mother aimed in my direction throughout life from all of the women I’m surrounded by.
Jacey
“I have no clue what look you’re referring to there,” I state, innocently batting my eyelashes at him. I’m quite enjoying not being the bad guy in this situation. I know there’s no way in hell Rayne wants to keep up with a doll all damn day alongside of his daughter. There’s gonna come a time when she’s going to throw a fit that her arms are tired and he needs to hold Annabelle. I can just envision Rayne walking around the park clutching her doll.
Uninhibited : Savage Wilde Page 7