“That’s all you have to say,” I agreed, placing a hand on his stomach. “You don’t have to go all grouch puss on a holiday because of it,” I grumbled.
“Grouch puss? Babe, seriously,” he griped at my choice of words.
“This was my first Thanksgiving with people I actually wanted to spend it with,” I defended. “You going all alpha-male jackass allows for me to call you whatever I want,” I told him haughtily.
He pulled me into his chest, kissing the top of my head. “I want to give you everything you want, holidays included. But your safety comes first. Please, babe,” he practically pleaded.
“Yeah, honey,” I agreed, kissing his chest.
“Wes had a point earlier,” he trailed off as he rolled on top of me suddenly, making me shriek with laughter.
“And what was that?” I asked, smiling up into his face.
“Pussy’s a hell of a lot better than any goddamned pumpkin pie,” he grinned down at me looking positively gorgeous.
“Yeah?” I giggled with a lifted brow, relieved our fight had been short-lived.
“Yeah, though I’d say you’d taste damn good with some whipped cream.”
Chapter 21
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to spend more time with you,” I apologized the next night as Jill and I sat out on the back deck snuggled up in blankets. It was surprisingly cozy, especially with the heat lamp humming that I’d convinced Axel to get.
Both of us loved sitting outside, even in the cold, and frequently sat on the deck talking after Maddox had gone to bed.
“It’s okay. You’ve had a lot going on.” Jill reached over to squeeze my hand before taking a sip of her wine and gazing out into the forest beyond. Both boys were asleep and Axel made himself scarce, allowing us our time alone.
“So have you,” I put in, trying not to press too hard but more than ready for her to share what had been going on. “Have you heard from him?” I asked quietly.
She grimaced. “Yeah. He’s threatening legal action because I took Mason across state lines.”
“What!” I exclaimed.
She nodded. “Yeah. The irony, right? He’s barely seen Mason since he was born but now that we’re not under his roof, he’s fighting it tooth and nail. Even when he was in town, he never helped. He’s never even seemed attached to Mason,” she swallowed audibly and I could tell how much that hurt her.
“What happened?” I asked.
“It wasn’t one particular thing,” she sighed. “We’ve been strangers for a long time. I could deal with the time away and raising Mason alone. Frankly, it was easier when he wasn’t around. What I can’t deal with is the husband I got when he did come home.” She fought back a shudder.
“And what’s that?” I pressed. It was clear she didn’t like talking about this but I felt the need to understand so I could help in any way I could.
“Angry,” she sighed. “So angry.”
“At you?”
“At everything. I could deal with a lot. I’m even fairly sure he had something on the side.”
“Oh, honey.” I reached over, squeezing her hand.
“But he’d escalated lately, starting pushing me around. I won’t have my son raised in that environment,” she shook her head adamantly, moisture pooling in her eyes.
“He hit you?” I demanded, reading between the lines.
She paused, her fingers dancing nervously over the fringe of her blanket. “Yes.”
“I’m so sorry,” I breathed. “You never have to go back there,” I added, reassuring myself as much as her. I’d known there were challenges in their marriage and that she wasn’t happy. I had no idea it was that bad.
“Your wedding came at such a perfect time,” she smiled through tears. “I needed to get out of town. Then everyone was so welcoming, even giving me a place to stay!” she marveled. “I kind of love it here. I’m just not sure how I’ll support us if we stay,” she fretted.
I hadn’t wanted my or rather, our money to affect our lives, but this was an opportunity for it to change someone else’s. For the better. Someone I loved.
“Jill,” I began, turning my body toward hers, choosing my words carefully. I knew if I approached this the wrong way, she’d balk. Hell, she’d probably do that anyway but I wanted to help her so vehemently that my heart was racing with the force of it. “Hear me out,” I asked quietly as I organized my thoughts. “You know with all this stuff with my parents that I’m pretty damn heartbroken over it,” I admitted. “It’s a hard fact to grapple with that my father could sink as low as he has. The money from my trust fund, even though it’s from my grandfather, well, I’ve struggled with it. I’m almost afraid to touch it – like it will somehow instantly propel me back to my old life,” I laughed without humor at the absurdity of it all. Axel had asked me about it more than once. I knew I was irrational, but in some bizarre way, I felt like the money was tainted. Like if I touched it, the beautiful life we were building could disappear.
“But if I could do something great with it – something for you, well, it would help,” I told her honestly.
Her eyes opened wide and she moved to shake her head.
“Please, Jill,” I cut her off before she could speak. “You were there for me when no one else was. You taught me so much about being a mother when I was floundering and completely overwhelmed. You saved my life, Jill,” I told her passionately. “I can’t ever convey how pivotal you were in my life and Maddox’s. And I know you don’t want me to repay you, but let me return the favor in some small way. Let me do something with that money that’ll help free you, something it never did for me.”
“What about Axel? It’s his money now too,” she bit her lip and I tried not to grin that she was clearly considering it.
“I’ll talk to him,” I promised. “But he’ll be fine with it,” I assured her.
“What did you have in mind?” she asked quietly.
“You’ll need a divorce lawyer,” I began. “A good one. Let us help with that and childcare while you’re getting back on your feet. I saw how excited you were about that job at the hospital,” I pointed out. “You’ll need someone to watch Mason if you want to go for that job. What is the arrangement with Kat’s old place?”
“Cal won’t let me pay for it,” she grumbled. “I don’t even know him!” she protested.
“If he made up his mind, good luck convincing him otherwise,” I grinned. “It seems like he’s taken a shine to you, hmm?” I hedged.
“I don’t know, maybe,” she shrugged, seeming confounded. “He’s handsome – I mean, really freaking handsome. You’d have to be blind not to notice but I’m in a crazy head space right now. I can’t deal with even thinking about anything romantic,” she sighed. “If that’s what he even wants,” she hastened to add.
I looked at my beautiful friend and could only assume that was the case.
“For now, he’s just been supportive from a distance. The whole club has been so awesome.” She smiled fondly.