Which is just one more reason I need to get Jameson out.
“What’s wrong with my son?”
Aside from the fact he has you for a mother?
“He has pneumonia.”
“What?” she screeches, waking up her son. “I thought it was just a cold.”
“No, it’s pneumonia. Something we would have found out earlier if you brought him to the doctor like you said you were going to.”
I go to take Jameson out of her arms because he needs to rest, but Becca takes a few steps back, evading me. “Fuck you, Preston.”
That’s Buster’s unfortunate job. Poor bastard.
“If you were so concerned you could have taken him yourself,” she prattles on. “I’m sick of you always giving me shit when I’m doing the best I can.” Feigning adversity, she eyes Buster. “It’s not easy being a young mom.”
It takes everything in me not to wring her neck until her eyes pop out. Giving birth doesn’t make someone a mom.
I throw another log onto the fire. Because fuck her. She’s pulling this young single mom act because she’s in front of her boyfriend, but it’s all bullshit.
“Charlotte said she’s been trying to call you all night, but as usual, you didn’t pick up. Where were you?”
Judging by her skimpy dress, dramatic clown makeup, and her drunken slur, it’s clear she was partying with Buster.
Shooting me a malicious smile, Becca sneers, “Last I checked, my whereabouts don’t concern you.” She regards Buster again. “Told you he was still obsessed with me.”
Now I do laugh. She’s so certifiable it’s impossible not to. “Obsessed with you?” Disgust billows in my chest as I get off the bed. “Last I checked, you were the one trying to get in my pants, and I was the one running out of your apartment like a bat out of hell because you can’t accept that I’d rather stick my dick in hydrofluoric acid than your nasty snatch.”
Becca glares daggers at me. “You asshole—”
And that’s when Kit walks in.
To her credit, she plays it cool and looks around like she’s lost. “Whoops, sorry. Wrong room.”
She starts to backtrack but Becca squawks, “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Visiting my Nan—”
“Leave her alone,” I grind out.
I’m so fucking sick of Becca having my balls in a vise.
Sick of her having control over me.
Sick of the moments where I have to pretend I’m not in love with Kit and that she doesn’t exist when she’s my fucking world.
Becca’s lip curls. “Why the hell is that little dyke here, Preston? You knew the deal.”
“If you ever call my wife that again, I will rip your goddamn tongue out and wrap it around your throat,” I roar so loud she flinches.
I relish the sheer shock on her face before it turns to outrage.
Kit takes a step forward, her eyes trained on Jameson, who’s acutely aware of all the tension in the room. “Preston, calm down.”
She’s right. I need to because I hate that he’s seeing me like this…
But then Becca starts cackling.
“Yeah, right. There’s no way you two are married.” Her gaze flits to Kit. “Since when are you into men?”
Hazel eyes spark with disgust and she crinkles her nose. “Since my last girlfriend was such a manipulating cunt bag, I figured I’d try something new.” There’s a wry little smirk on her face when she sticks her left ring finger up. “I enjoyed it so much I married him.”
Upon realizing this isn’t a joke and Kit’s being serious, Becca’s mouth drops open…and then she turns her furious stare on me.
“Hope she’s worth it, because you’ll never see Jameson again.” The look she gives me is venomous. “Get out.”
Her words tighten the noose she placed around my throat.
My guts twist and my chest constricts so much I can’t breathe…
And then I fucking lose it.
Chapter 52
Kit
Fifteen minutes ago, I was heading down to the cafeteria to grab some snacks for Jameson, feeling grateful there was something I could do to help.
Fifteen minutes ago, the only thing I wanted was for him to get better.
Fifteen minutes ago, my husband didn’t look like his entire world was going up in flames.
I knew Becca wasn’t going to be okay after she found out the truth about me and Preston given her contingency, so I was fully prepared for her to be pissed.
However, I thought her son being sick would take precedence and she’d put her anger on the back burner until Jameson felt better.
Not kick out the person he needs the most.
Or rather, attempt to, because Preston’s not having it.
“You’re even dumber than I thought if you think I’m leaving him,” he barks so loud I jump.
Becca clutches Jameson tight…but not like a mother comforting her child.
Like he’s her pawn.
“I’m not kidding, asshole. You knew the rule and you broke it.” Her lips press into a tight line. “Now get out.”
Crossing his arms, Preston bares his teeth. “Make me.”
My heart jumps to my throat. “Becca please think about Jam—”
“Shut up.” Her smirk is every bit as vindictive as she is when she slams the call button. “I won’t make you leave…but they will.”
My stomach bottoms out when Jameson twists around in Becca’s arms and makes grabby hands for Preston.
“Don’t worry, bud. I’m not going anywhere.”
He reaches for him, but Becca leaps back with so much force Jameson’s IV almost comes out. “Help!”
Oh, God. This is ugly.
And it only gets uglier when Preston lunges for Jameson again. “You’re not taking him away from me.”
“He’s not yours!” Dodging Preston for the second time, Becca looks at the guy who I presume must be her boyfriend. “Do something, Buster.”
Coming out of his stupor, he wedges himself between Becca and Preston. “Come on, man. You heard her. Time to go.”
Three things happen at that moment.
One. Preston punches Buster.
Two. Several nurses rush inside the room.
And three…Jameson starts crying.
One of the nurses darts over to Buster who now has blood dripping from his nose. “What is going on in here?”
“This psycho is trying to kidnap my son!” Becca shouts over Jameson’s cries.
Good Lord.
“That’s not true,” I cut in at the same time Preston bellows, “A son you don’t even want.”
Shit. That’s definitely not something that should have been said in front of Jameson. “Preston—”
“I’m the one who brought him here,” he tells the same nurse from earlier. “She was too busy partying. Like always.”
Visibly torn, the nurse looks between them. “Okay. Everyone calm—”
“Last I checked it wasn’t a crime to go to a party.” Expression full of innocence, she looks at the nurse. “I didn’t know he was sick. He was fine before I went out for the night. And I would have been here sooner, but my phone was out of service—”