“IranintoAshlyn’sdadtoday,andshewaswithme,” I say as quickly as verbally possible.
“You what?” she screeches.
“Oh, God, Mom, I don’t know. I took Ashlyn to the place she likes with all the trampolines and he was there with his son. I tried to leave and he stopped me. He knew right away that Ashlyn was his, and I swear, Mom, I swear he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about when I told him about the messages.”
“You need to come home.”
“Mom,” I sigh, sitting down on the couch.
“Honey, that prick told you to get rid of my granddaughter. He doesn’t get to come in now, filling your head with a bunch of bull-hocky, making you believe that he never told you those things.”
“I know, Mom, but what if he didn’t do it? I can’t keep Ashlyn away from him; she knew right away who he was. If he really does want to be in her life, I can’t keep him out.”
“I have a 12-gauge that says different.”
“I think that’s illegal, and I kinda love you, so I would hate to see you in jail.”
“Honey, just,” she pauses, “just promise me that you know what you’re doing.” I had not a clue what I was doing.
“I am thinking of Ashlyn, Mom. That’s my one thought.”
“How is my grandbaby taking this?”
“I haven’t really talked to her about it yet. She fell asleep in the car on the way home. I have no idea how to explain this to her.”
“Well,” she lets out a long breath, “don’t start off by saying that her dad is a good for nothing ass**le.” I laugh. I can’t help it; my mom is funny.
“That’s sound advice.”
“Just tell her that he is ready to get to know her—that he missed her and is glad that you moved close so that they can see each other.”
“That’s even better advice.”
“Well, kiddo, you know I love you, and you know if you need anything—even an alibi—me and your dad will be here for you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you,” I whisper, laying down on the couch. “Tell Daddy I love him.”
“I will, honey. If you need us, you call.”
“I will, Mom. Don’t worry about me; everything will be all right.” I hang up, staring at the ceiling, knowing I need to get up, but I don’t move until I see Ashlyn standing in the hall rubbing her eyes. I call her over, pulling her into my lap. I explain as best as I can about Cash and why he wasn’t around before, and how that was now going to change. Then I tell her about him coming over the next day, and she is very excited about that. My dad was the only man who she’s had in her life, so having her dad would be huge for her. After Cash, I only dated one guy. He was sweet and good friends with my dad. We didn’t get serious—I wasn’t ready for that. When I got the job here in Tennessee, he was a little upset I was leaving, but understood why. Plus I never wanted to feel the loss of someone that I loved again like I felt when Cash left me. So it was easier to get out before we got too involved.
Ashlyn jumped off my lap and ran to her room, yelling over her shoulder that she wanted it to be perfect for when her daddy came to play tomorrow. I snorted to myself; maybe there was a bright side to this after all.
*~*~*
Cash
“What’s going on?” I turn, looking at Asher as he walks through the door. The last time I called a meeting at the barn was the day I broke up with Lilly and my life changed forever. I can’t help thinking that this time the meeting is no less serious but I am praying that the outcome will lead me to my own happiness.
“No clue,” Nico says, frowning down at his phone.
“Is everything okay?” Trevor asks Nico, who puts his cell phone away before sitting back in his chair.
“Work stuff.” He shrugs before looking at me. “So why are we here?” he asks. Since he started working for Kenton, his whole persona has changed. There is an edge to him that wasn’t there before. Now, he doesn’t just look like a bad ass with tattoos; he is a badass with tattoos.
“I saw Lilly today,” I say.
“That’s good, right?” Trevor says, looking slightly confused.
“Well, she has a daughter.” I clear my throat, running my hand down the back of my neck. “I…have a daughter,” I say the words that I still can’t believe myself.
“What do you mean you have a daughter?” Asher asks.
“Seems that when we were together, she got pregnant. I didn’t know this, and she says that she tried to tell me, but someone sent her messages from my phone telling her to get an abortion.”
“What?” Trevor asks loudly.
“I really don’t know what the f**k happened.” I scrub my hands down my face. The image of Lilly and the look of pain in her eyes feels like a weight against my chest. “All I can think is that Jules somehow got my phone and told her. She also told her that we were getting married, and this was long before I had even agreed to marry her.”
“Dude, what the f**k?” Nico growls, and I look at him. “So why didn’t Lilly try harder to contact you?”
“She Googled me at some point and saw my wedding announcement. That, coupled with the fact that I had supposedly told her to have an abortion was the final straw.”
“So you have a daughter with Lilly, and what, she finally called you after all these years asking you for support or something?” Nico asks.