We Thought We Knew It All (Invincible Book 2)

by Michelle Lynn

  “I've been trying to call you,” he said. “We need to talk.”

  “I know.” I bent to pick up little Declan as if I could protect him from all the future years of wanting his father to be something he wasn't.

  Colby stepped in front of me. He'd always hated Dylan. “You shouldn't be here.”

  “Why the hell not?” Dylan boomed. “They're my kids.”

  “Because we know that's not really why you're here.”

  I put a hand on Colby's arm to stop him. “It's okay.”

  “No, it's really not.” Colby wouldn't budge. I looked helplessly at Jay, but his face showed his agreement with Colby.

  Jamie stepped closer to me.

  My dad, who'd known Dylan longer than anyone, spoke up. “She's selling the rights, Dylan.”

  “I'm not even going to fight you on it, Dylan,” I said. “You get half, so you can go back to L.A. and your fancy job at Hendrick's.”

  Dylan looked to my father. His eyes narrowed. “Your dad fired me. I work for A&P now.”

  “Dammit, Dylan!” It burst out of me and I suddenly couldn't control myself. “That's why they've been hounding me so hard and not going through Nicole?”

  When I calmed down again, I found my three boys staring at me with wide eyes and was suddenly ashamed. My dad seemed to read my mind because he came to take Declan out of my arms and herded the other two outside to play.

  “So, you sold to Hendrick's,” he sneered. “Of course.”

  I stepped closer and lowered my voice. “I wouldn't let you or A&P near my mother's story.”

  “Oh, nice. It's good to hear what the mother of my children thinks of me.”

  “You don't want to know what I really think.”

  He moved even closer until Colby stepped between us again. Jamie was at my side in a heartbeat and I let him wrap an arm around my waist.

  “Who the hell is this ass-wipe?” Dylan asked.

  “Jamie,” I said. “I'd like you to meet the reason my two-year-old says things like 'eat shit'.” I paused. “Scratch that. I really don't want you to meet him, but here we are.”

  Jamie didn't extend his hand. Instead, he tightened his grip on me.

  Dylan thought hard for a moment, placing the name, then a look of disgust cross his features.

  “Is this the guy?” he asked.

  I suddenly couldn't breathe. My lungs expanded, but no air entered the space. All I could hear was white noise. I stumbled back out of Jamie's grasp and shook my head vehemently, willing him to stop speaking. Not now.

  “It is, isn't it?” Dylan accused. “You left me and ran back to him.”

  “She left you long before she came back,” Colby said, knowing exactly what was going on. Dylan had come as a bombshell, ready to blow my life to pieces.

  “You should leave,” Jay said. He too knew. It seemed everyone did except for the one person who it would affect the most.

  “She hasn't told you,” Dylan continued, his eyes still on Jamie. “Has she?”

  Jamie looked from me to Dylan and I felt a tear roll down my face. It was like a freight-train coming down the tracks. I could feel the earth rumble and hear the howling horn. I should have been prepared. Instead, I found myself standing in the middle of the tracks, feeling the wind from the oncoming impact.

  “Callie was pregnant when I married her.” I could smell the burning fuel. “And we didn't know who the father was.”

  Crash.

  * * *

  “I have an announcement to make,” Morgan called, walking back into the room. She was oblivious to the tension. Dean followed close behind. “I'd like you all to meet my husband, Dean.”

  I couldn't muster the surprise or excitement or whatever else I knew I was supposed to feel. Instead, my eyes stayed on Jamie, waiting for his reaction.

  Morgan looked around, finally catching on to the tension. For the first time, she saw Dylan and her mouth formed an o.

  I reached for Jamie's hand, needing to touch him, but he stepped back. His forehead scrunched up as he regarded me. He clenched his jaw and I knew he was trying to stop himself from flying off the handle like he would've done when we were younger. His temper was still there, but now he kept it bottled up.

  His eyes burned into me.

  “Explain,” he finally said harshly.

  “Maybe we could go somewhere privately and talk,” I pleaded.

  “Screw that. Tell me what the hell this dick-wad is talking about.”

  “Jamie.” The tears came faster. Colby moved to my side, lending me his support and also cutting off Dylan's line of sight at the same time.

  “You need to tell him, Callie,” Colby said quietly. “It's time.”

  I shook my head and stepped around my brother to face Dylan. “You. I want you out of my house right now.”

  His eyes softened for a moment and he nodded, adding gently “We have things to discuss.”

  “It's Thanksgiving, Dylan. What did you expect to accomplish today?”

  At least he had the decency to look sorry. Things hadn't always been bad between us - only in the last year of our marriage. There'd been a lot of holidays where he was part of the family. Now he was the unwelcome guest. He seemed to get that. He shot Jamie one last hard look and left.

  “I need a drink.” I stalked past Jamie on my way to the kitchen. The wine was already on the table, so I pulled at the cork and poured myself a large glass. It had a calming effect as it hit my throat. I'd expected to have this conversation at some point with Jamie, but not like this. His accusatory gaze entered my mind and I took another gulp of wine.

  That was what Thanksgiving had turned in to. Me, in the kitchen, gulping wine alone. Not for the first time, I wished Kat was there. She'd know what to say. She'd been urging me to tell Jamie for years - or at least get Jacks tested so I'd know for sure. But no, Kat was with Noah's family and I was living my mistakes.

  I'd been so scared to test Jacks. When I was married to Dylan, I worried what it would do to their relationship if we found out Dylan wasn't his father and Dylan had agreed. Since coming home, I'd been seeing Jamie in Jacks and the fear had changed. I'd wanted Jamie to be his father - as messed up as that was - but I knew there was little chance. We'd only slept together once.

  But it was time we all knew.

  I wasn't ready for this.

  The smell hit my nose before I saw the tiny wisps of smoke coming from the oven. I put my glass down and grabbed the oven mitts. When I opened the oven, I was hit with more smoke and the stench of burnt meat. I pulled the turkey out.

  “Dammit!” It was coated in black char. Why had I thought I could do this? Amber had offered to host thanksgiving, but I wanted to thank everyone for their help getting the restaurant up and running and with the boys, but I failed.

  Glaring at the charred bird, I refilled my wine glass and sat at the table as the tears rolled down my cheeks. My back heaved and I buried my face in my arms.

  Soft footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn't look up. A little arm came around my shoulders. “Mom,” Jacks said. “Are you okay?”

  Pushing my glass away, I lifted my head and stared into the eyes of the boy whose very origins were being questioned. He was the boy who'd saved me and brought me so much joy during my hardest times.

  I gave him a sad smile and ran a hand over the top of his head, but didn't answer his questions.

  “It doesn't smell too good in here,” he said.

  I laughed. “No. Mommy isn't such a good cook.”

  “Jackson,” my dad said from the doorway. “I told you not to come in here.”

  “But I heard mom crying. I had to come.”

  What did you say to that? My dad smiled. Jackson was a sweet boy and his hugs could cure anything.

  “Colby has been making everyone give you space,” my dad explained.

  My brother knew me well.

  “Is Jamie still out there?”

  He shook his head. “He said he had to clear his mind, but
that you'd know where to find him.”

  I wiped at my face and kissed the top of Jackson's head. It was time. “Can you hold down the fort for a little while?” I asked.

  The question was directed to my dad, but Jackson answered first. “I'm in charge?”

  A laugh burst past my lips. “Yeah kiddo. You're in charge.”

  I left my son puffing out his chest with self-importance.

  Morgan and her supposed husband stood near the door. That was something I'd have to process later. She had some explaining to do. Right now, I was the one who needed to explain or I'd lose the man I loved.

  He'd been right. I knew exactly where to find him. The beach. Our beach.

  He'd left his jacket back at the house and had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His shoes had been removed and the bottoms of his slacks dragged in the sand as he walked near the edge of the water. He didn't see me approach.

  “Jamie.” My voice quivered as I searched for strength.

  He turned. His eyes were warm when he first saw me, an instinctive reaction, but then he shuttered them as if protecting himself.

  “Just come out and say it, California. Is the boy my son?”

  I closed my eyes for a second. “I don't know.”

  The heat in his eyes from a moment ago turned to ice. “Well that's just great, isn't it?”

  “I never -”

  “Never what? Planned to tell me? Because that's pretty damn obvious.” He was ranting now and there was no stopping him. “My God, Cal. This is big, huge, life-changing. He's nine-years-old and you never got him tested?”

  “I never thought I'd see you again.”

  “Oh, that's rich. So I'd never know I had a son out there? Were you always this selfish or am I just now seeing the real you for the very first time?”

  “You know me, Jamie.”

  “Obviously not. Forget about the past ten years for a moment. I thought we were good now. I thought … God, Cal, I thought we'd end up together in the end this time.”

  “I did too - “

  “Then you shouldn't have lied to me!” He breathed out slowly as he massaged his bad arm. Stress made it worse and I hated that I was the one doing it to him this time.

  Every word he said was like a knife stuck into my heart. They hurt because they were all true. Out of respect to him, I held in my tears. I didn't deserve to be the one who cried. This was my fault.

  “This is too much,” he said, more calmly this time. “I need to go.” He stalked by me and paused halfway up the beach without turning. “I want to find out the truth. Get him tested.”

  Then he was gone and I was left with no tears, no air, and all the regret in the world.

  * * *

  I entered the busy house unnoticed. Morgan and Dean were sitting together on the couch, talking in low whispers. Colby was chasing Jackson and Liam around the living room. Jay sat on the floor while Declan handed him toys. My dad and Amber's voices drifted out from the kitchen.

  Morgan saw me first. Taking one look at my face, she stood up and walked towards me to pull me into a hug. “Jamie didn't come back with you?”

  I shook my head.

  “Okay, then can I distract you with my husband?”

  I laughed weakly. “Since when are you married?”

  “Since like a week before I came back. It's a long story, but it basically goes like this: two Americans living in London and missing home. They meet. They fall in love rather quickly. They get married a month later. Then one of them freaks out because you shouldn't marry someone after a month. She runs home to her best friend. He follows her because he just can't live without her.” She laughed. “Get the gist?”

  “You're okay that he followed you?”

  “Okay, so I'm weird.”

  “Well, we all know that.”

  “Shut up.” She punched me lightly. “It just took one conversation with him to remember why I married him. I want to make a go of it.”

  “I'm happy for you.”

  “Even if it means I'll be going back to London?”

  I hugged her. “Even then. Come on. I need this happiness right now.”

  “You'll get it too. I promise.”

  “Morgan, you should have seen the way he looked at me. He's lost faith in me.”

  “Give Jamie more credit than that.” She stared into my eyes. “That boy has been in love with you since he figured out girls didn't have cooties. Your story is one for the ages, babe, and I refuse to believe it's over.”

  I wished I could think like her, but I did my best to push it away as I came face to face with Morgan's husband. He was sweet and he smiled every time his eyes found hers. I wanted that. I had it. I ruined it.

  “Dinner,” my dad called from the kitchen.

  We all filed in to where him and Amber had salvaged as much of the turkey as they could. Jacks and Liam wrapped me in a group hug that immediately put me in the Thanksgiving mood.

  It'd been a trying day, but it was Thanksgiving and I had a lot to be thankful for.

  We sat around the table chatting and dishing out food.

  “This turkey is soooo good,” Jay said, trying his best to hide the grimace when he took a bite.

  “Ewwww,” Liam said. “I don't like it.”

  “Yeah, Mom,” Jacks chimed in. “It kind of tastes like crap.”

  “Language, Jackson,” I said. Everyone was watching me tensely, but then I laughed. “God, this is awful.” They joined in my laughter.

  “I'm thankful for side dishes,” Colby said.

  My heart was a little fragmented, but the laughter and love from the people around the table that night kept it from breaking entirely. I made mistakes, big ones, but they couldn't derail my life.

  Chapter Twenty

  Jamie:

  It was the early hours of the morning before I returned to Colby's place. I laid down on the bed, trying to get some rest for my weary mind.

  What was I supposed to think? Or do, for that matter?

  How could Callie keep something so huge from me for ten years? Then I remembered that she also kept it from herself. She didn't want to know. If her relationship with Dylan hadn't fallen apart, I'd never have been told.

  I wanted to punch something. My Ranger training taught me to control my impulses, keep a lid on my anger when necessary, but sometimes it was too much.

  I couldn't sleep. No surprise there. Sitting in the corner of the room was my old guitar. Jay brought it the other day, thinking I'd want to play. He didn't know I hadn't been able to.

  It stared at me, the taut strings taunting, the smooth wood hypnotizing. Playing guitar was how I worked out a lot of things when I was a kid. I let my emotions flow through my fingers.

  My hands itched to hold it, so I walked over and lifted it gently. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, I rested it on my leg and wrapped my bad hand around the neck. Gritting my teeth, I squeezed harder, trying to make chords with my fingers.

  I strummed twice, cringing as I heard how out-of-practice I was. Switching chords was nearly impossible. I couldn't move my fingers like that. Last time, I hadn't even been able to play a single chord, though, so it was progress. It would take a lot of work, but I was suddenly determined to be able to play guitar again. That was something I could control.

  I worked for a little while longer and it kept my mind busy. By the time I quit, I was able to fall sound asleep.

  I woke to the sound of Colby in the kitchen and a new thought on my mind. I had to get out of there. I needed space. Callie's face was in my dreams, but I saw her differently now. Maybe I'd held some idealized version of her in my head and that Callie didn't exist. The real one couldn't live up to that.

  I wasn't sure she should have to, but I was so angry. She'd betrayed me. She'd let someone else raise my possible kid.

  Jackson. We'd been connected since the first time I met him.

  I never thought I'd have kids, but suddenly I wanted him. I loved him. I was going to be the best damn f
ather anyone had ever seen.

  But not now. Not this day. This day I had to leave.

  I packed up my small amount of possessions and slung my bag over my shoulder. Grabbing the guitar, I walked out to where Colby was making breakfast. He looked at me briefly before turning with a shake of his head.

  “Just go,” he said. “Maybe my sister is better off.”

  “I'm just going to Tampa for a little while.” I felt a strong need to explain myself, especially to Colby. “I'll text you to let you know where I'm staying so she can send the results.”

  He just waved me off with a sigh. There was a time when he'd have understood me without me having to utter a word, but we didn't live in that world anymore. This world was much more complicated.

  This time when I left Gulf City behind, I didn't feel like I was moving towards something as I had before. Now I was full of regrets.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Callie:

  With the boys out of school for the long holiday weekend, I decided to take it off from work at Emma's. Jackson sat on the couch reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Declan was napping in his room and I sat at the kitchen table with Liam with Harry Potter coloring books spread out before us.

  My boys were blissfully unaware of the true events of the day before. They looked on with child's eyes as their family sat down for a normal Thanksgiving dinner, oblivious to the tension.

  Jackson asked at one point where Jamie went and Liam wanted to know the same of their father. I didn't have the heart to tell them anything other than we'd see them soon.

  Dylan's harsh words hung in the fog of my mind. He'd come to hurt me.

  A knock reverberated through the house and by the time I made my way into the living room, Jackson had opened the door and greeted his father warmly.

  A part of me hoped it was Jamie, but that same part of me knew it wouldn't be.

  Dylan hugged Jackson and then caught Liam as he ran towards him. “Hi, buddy.” He laughed.

  “Daddy, wanna see my picture?” Liam asked.

  Dylan met my eyes for the first time as if asking for permission. I couldn't deny Liam his excitement, so I waved him in and tried my best to hold in the things I wanted to say to him. I wouldn't do it in front of the kids.