Part 15 (2/2)

”How come? I don't like that. I don't want Daddy not at my house.”

I had to think fast. I had to give him something. Anything. I wanted to rea.s.sure him that he was not losing Royal.

”I know, and Mommy doesn't either, Bubba.”

”Why doesn't he wanna live at our house anymore? He doesn't like us anymore?”

Every drop of blood in my body rushed to my brain. The pressure was intense and the throbbing uncontrollable.

”He absolutely still likes us. He loves you very much, but he and Mommy are not getting along. You know, like when Macy locks herself in her room so you, Laney, and Skylar can't come in. She just needs to be alone, but she still loves you guys. It's like that. He just needs a time out. That's all.”

”You're mad at Daddy?” he asked.

I took a moment to answer. ”Yes. I'm mad. He did something that made me very mad, so we're going to spend some time apart until we can get along. You don't like it when we fight, do you, bud?”

”No,” he said quietly.

”I know you don't, and we don't like it when you hear us fight. It's not fair. It'll be okay, Benji. No matter what, Daddy and I love you and your sisters with all our hearts. It hurts Daddy very much not to be at home.”

He didn't answer me, and he didn't talk to me the rest of the ride. I knew his little head was trying to process everything, and it killed me inside. I wanted to run to Royal and beg him to come home, no matter what happened.

But on the other hand...

No matter how much I hurt, watching my kids hurt was ten times worse. I couldn't handle it.

The moment I pulled into the driveway at my parents' house, I felt the tears begin to sting my eyes. I'd held it together the whole drive down, but my battle was ending. Their home had always been a comfort to me-it was my safe haven, a place I could always count on when I was down.

I wiped at my tears just in time to look up and see the kitchen curtains pulled back, my mother peeking out between them. Dragging myself out of the truck, I grabbed my purse and the roses I'd cut for her and headed up the parkway toward the front door.

The back door creaked as she stepped outside, and Benji ran straight into her legs.

”What are you doing in our neck of the woods today? Not that I'm complaining.” She smiled sweetly and patted Benji on the head. ”How's my handsome boy today?”

I smiled. The warm, soothing feeling washed over me, and I felt better instantly.

Benji let her kiss his cheek before wiping it off with his sleeve and running in the house, calling out for my dad.

”So...” she said, kissing me on the cheek.

”I should've called first, but I just missed my mom,” I said, realizing how rude it was dropping in on her unexpectedly.

”Nonsense! You are always welcome, Jenna! You know that. Especially when you bring my little man along. Now, come inside and tell me what has you so upset.” She pointed at me before turning and walking through the door. ”Don't try to deny it. I'm your mother.”

I gave her a watery smile. ”Thank you, Mom.”

Once we were inside, I took a seat at the kitchen table while my mom fixed us a cup of coffee. I loved the way my mother's house smelled-like cinnamon and home. Her kitchen made me smile, the soft yellow paint and bright curtains so happy and cheerful.

She placed a cup in front of me and slid the sugar bowl over, knowing I had a little coffee with my sugar. She sat down, wrapped her hands around her mug, and watched me over the rim as she blew on the liquid.

She was trying to read me-I knew that look well.

”How are my grandbabies? No one's hurt, are they?”

I shook my head. ”No. Everyone's just fine. Healthy and safe.” I took a deep breath and steeled myself for my next statement. ”I asked Royal to move out.”

She was quiet-too quiet. Especially after a revelation like that. I chanced a look at her and found her eyeing me more critically than before.

”Are you mad?” I asked softly.

Her lips pursed into a tight frown as she shook her head. ”Mad? No. I'm not mad, sweetheart. Sad? Yes. Confused and sad is what I am, Jenna. What happened?”

I took a slow sip of my coffee and put it down. ”We haven't been getting along for a while. Things have been rocky and weird, and then Lana showed up. He's been spending time with her, talking on the phone, meeting with her, and now he's signed on as the contractor to do her remodel. Macy saw them kissing, but I'm not sure what actually happened. I trust her-she wouldn't lie. When he got home, I freaked out and kicked him out. It was awful, Mom. G.o.d, I've never talked to him that way before.”

I sniffled, rubbed at my eyes, and suddenly forgot how to breathe. I hadn't realized how hard it would be to tell my mother.

”Oh Lord, girl! My sweet girl,” she cooed, reaching over to rub my hands.

”Mom, I'm scared. I'm so angry, but I can't live without him. I mean, I could, but I don't want to-I don't know how! I'm trying to hold it together for the kids, but I feel like I'm going to break at any minute.”

She moved from her side of the table and knelt in front of me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. She kissed my forehead and rocked me gently.

”Of course you're scared. Everything will be okay-just give yourself some time to sort it all out and talk to him. That's the most important thing right now.”

”I know.” I nodded.

She stood, pulled her chair closer to mine, and slid her coffee over in front of her.

”I blew up at him, I slapped him-and even though I regret doing it, he deserved it. I asked him-no-begged him not to a.s.sociate with her, and he went ahead and did it anyway. It's like he forgot all those horrible things she did to me. What she said after I lost Teddy, how she hara.s.sed me while I was pregnant with Macy, all of it. She put me through h.e.l.l.”

She sighed, dipping her spoon into the sugar and dropping a few spoonfuls into my mug.

”How are the kids taking all of this?”

I felt weak. Emotionally, I was just drained. My face was on fire from crying, so I laid my head on the table and let the cool wood give me a small relief.

”They're upset, naturally. Macy and Skylar saw him, Mom. Macy saw the kiss, and she's a wreck. She's p.i.s.sed off and I don't know what it will take for her to forgive him.”

She was thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. ”So, where did he go, or do I even have to ask?”

”He's with Sarah. He's staying on her couch. She left me a pretty nasty message on Sat.u.r.day. I haven't returned it.”

My mom patted my hand and scowled. ”Don't even bother calling her back. It's not her place. For once, she needs to mind her own business.”

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