was too scary for even me to want to be around.
Having enough for one day, I stood up from the couch. “I think I’m ready to go.”
Brax saw my face full of fear and pulled me into his arms, kissing the side of my head. “Just wait, baby. I’m sure Stone will be out soon. If not, we’ll go sit in the truck.”
“But…” I shook my head, looking at the door. “I don’t want to be here, B. I’m ready to go.” I grabbed his hand. “I just want my daughter. I want to be home where I feel safe.”
I released his hand and leaned down to grab my purse. The guys stood up and followed me to the front door. We made it to the end of the hallway, when I heard someone call my name.
“Jazz?”
I shifted on my toes and glanced toward the steps, but no one was there. I moved around the corner, checking in the piano room, but there wasn’t anyone in there, either. Brix pushed his way around Brax, opening the door. Brax and I followed his lead outside and I couldn’t thank God enough for the fresh, cold air. For an hour, I had felt like I was suffocating, like I was going to die with the thick tension around me.
I was never good around angry older men. It was a fear I was pretty sure I would have for the rest of my life. Living with foster parents who yelled and screamed over anything they possibly could would put the fear of God in you. It wasn’t something I wished upon anyone.
No one should be that angry. There was too much in life we ought to be grateful for. And being alive was one of them.
We made it to the truck and Brax opened the door, waiting for Brix to climb inside. He lifted me by the hips, helping me inside the cab, and then leaned in toward me.
“You okay?” He brushed the hair away from my eyes, kissing my mouth.
I held my arms around his neck, needing to feel his touch. I knew my husband loved me more than anything in the world, but at that very moment, I needed to be reassured. I needed to feel wanted, needed, because, after everything that just went down, I was feeling extremely insecure.
Brax walked to the driver’s side and climbed inside. He turned on the ignition, cranking up the heat.
“Man, this is some fucked up shit,” Brix stated, releasing an aggravated breath. “What in the hell was that dude’s problem?”
I laid my head back and closed my eyes, trying to make myself calm down. I was five seconds away from hyperventilating. I couldn’t do this to myself. Not here and certainly not now.
“No joke, cuz. What was his problem?” Brax agreed.
“Don’t know, dude, but I swear to God, if that prick says another fucking word to either one of us, I’m going ape shit on his old ass.”
We sat there in silence, unsure what to do next. Brax thought it was best for us to wait it out, but I didn’t have a good feeling about what was going to happen next. He continued holding my hand, rubbing circles around my palm, trying to calm me down. Yet nothing was working.
I sat there wondering about Landon and if he was Peyton’s brother. Did Phyllis and Pat have Landon after Peyton died or was he older? He looked young, close to thirty-seven maybe. I soundlessly add up the years and figured out that Peyton would have been forty this year. I bet the Lander’s were an emotional wreck when she passed. I couldn’t imagine what they went through.
Thinking about it all sent chills down my spine. I focused on my breathing, taking long, deep breaths, praying Stone would hurry up and get out here. I needed my daughter. Savanah and Brax were the only two who could help me right now. I just wanted to go home, sit in the recliner, and hold my baby girl. That was it. And maybe we could try this again when everyone calmed down.
I was sure catching the Lander’s off guard wasn’t the best idea now that it had happened, but I was human. I had never done this before. When Tanya mentioned it to me, Brax and I talked, thinking it would be best if we just showed up. I guarantee that if I had called
Yenthu Wentz
Aneesa Price
Suzanne Weyn
Mary Marks
Craig Johnson
Patrice Michelle
Kate McMullan
Sherryl Woods
Steven Savile
Hallie Swanson