“Now, how about you start acting like grown-ups and follow me to my damn house?!” Bri’s dad says a soon as he and the bodyguards get my dad off the mayor with the bloodied face.
“What the hell is wrong with you Ben, has the alcohol fried whatever brain cells you had left?” Mrs Ashwood yells as she rushes to be beside her fallen husband. “We will be pressing charges!” she glares up at my father.
“I’m going to say this for the last time, everyone meet me at my house in fifteen. All of you!” Brianne’s dad sound pissed off at this point.
We all get into our separates rides in silence and head toward the Bentley’s. Well then, I guess this is going to be one hell of an interesting day. When I woke up this morning, I had my day all planned out. Go work half day, go to the Jewelers and find the perfect ring, grab lunch with Carson at Patty’s, go to the gym to work off my greasy lunch and then go talk to Mr. Bentley about having his daughter’s hand in marriage and then go out with Carson to celebrate the yes, his dad would have given me. Well, I hoped it would have been a yes.
Never in a million years did I think this day would turn out this shitty.
“Hey Jax, you okay?” Carson asks as we stop in front of his childhood home.
I sigh before looking over at him. “Yeah, I guess I’m fine,” I answer.
“You didn’t look or sound very surprised when Ben told you that he wasn’t your father,” Carson frowns as he asks this.
“Because I wasn’t,” he takes a sharp intake of breath at my answer. “I was never hundred percent sure, but I’ve known since I was fourteen that he wasn’t my father.”
“What?!”
“Yeah, one night I overheard him talking to himself while drunk, saying that he will teach the bitch and her bastard child a lesson.” I shake my head at the memory. “At first, I was confused and didn’t know what he was talking about but the more I thought about it, the more it made more and more sense to me that I wasn’t his kid. But these were just assumptions, I didn’t have the facts or proof, so I never questioned it.”
“Damn Jaxon, why didn’t you come talk to me?”
“As I said, no fact and no proof,” I say. “Now let’s get inside, I’m sure your dad is waiting for us,” I tell him.
“Actually, dad texted me just now said that I’m not really needed in there. So, I’m just gonna drop you off and then I need to go pick up my mom from the airport she’s coming back today from her few days visit at my aunt’s in Georgia.”
Well damn, guess I’ll be on my own in there. I was hoping that my best friend would at least be there, but I guess his dad is right, this meeting or whatever should only consist of the people involved.
“Alright then, I’ll see you later,” I say opening the door to his truck.
“Yeah, a bit later, I’ll be going to help Liv after getting my mom,”
“Olivia?” I ask, tilting my head. “Since when are you and Liv on a help basis? You two can’t stand each other.”
“Yeah, um look; I’ll talk to you later man, good luck in there.” He says this so fast that I start wondering if the words burned his tongue on the way out.
“Sure, laters!” I say confused before closing the truck door and making my way toward the house. I guess I can't dwell too much on Olivia and Carson at the moment; I have my own shit to sort out.
The door to the house is open, so I walk right in and make my way to the living room where I hear people talking amongst themselves. As soon as I walk in, everyone looks at me with annoyance; they were probably wondering what took me so long.
“Jaxon, good you are here.” Mr B says as I take a seat next to Brianne before taking her hand in mine. She gives my hand a light squeeze of reassurance causing me to get an overwhelming urge to kiss her for being so perfect but instead, I give her hand a squeeze back.
“Jaxon is here; now someone explain to me why that maniac assaulted my husband like that!” Mrs Ashwood demands as she glares at Ben who is glaring at Mr Ashwood with so much hate that it’s scary.
“I don’t see why this was necessary, let’s just forget today happened and move on!” My mom says in a trembling voice.
“You sure would love that, wouldn’t you Loretta?” Dad says, shifting his glare to my mother whose tears have started falling again.
“What the hell is going on here!?” Mrs Ashwood is starting to get annoyed with this being in the dark.
“Loretta, I think you should be the one to explain to Sophia why your ex-husband beat her husband almost to a pulp.” Mr B says as he takes a seat.
“I…” My mother starts but is cut off by a hiccup. “I don’t… I can’t… I’m so sorry,” she cries because she is unable to tell her best friend that she has been sleeping with her husband for years.
“I’ll tell you why I did that Sophia because I can promise you that Loretta is too chicken shit to tell you the truth.” Dad points at my mother. “I beat the shit out of Henry because the fucker is a homewrecker!” he’s getting angrier by the minute.
“What? How is it my husband’s fault that you are a good for nothing who beat up his wife and kid?” It looks like Mrs Ashwood is struggling to contain her own anger.
“I know what I did was wrong, I know I should have just taken my shit and left, but I didn’t, and for that, I’m truly sorry.” Dad pauses as he looks over at me. “But that is not what I’m talking about Sophia; I’m talking about the fact that your husband has been fucking my wife all these years, it’s even possible that they have a child!” The sincerity from a moment ago has vanished from his voice, replaced by the hatred I saw in his glare earlier.
“You are lying, Ben! Just because you fucked up your own marriage don’t attempt to ruin mine!” Mrs Ashwood’s chest rises up and down in quick succession like she is hyperventilating. “Loretta has been my best friend for years; she would never. And there was a point when you and my husband were the best of friends, why the hell would he do that to you?”
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this Sophia but it’s true, Henry has been having an affair with my wife- well ex-wife for years, and Jaxon isn’t my son, it’s possible that he is his.”
Loud, heart-breaking sobs echo through the house as Mrs Ashwood buries her face in her husband’s chest. “Say it isn’t so Henry,” She says looking up at the Mayor.
“I…” Mr Ashwood struggles to finish his sentence, so my dad does it for him.
“Oh, it’s true alright!”
I’m expecting Mrs Ashwood to shoot up and try killing my mother, but it doesn’t happen. Instead, she stands from beside her husband and takes the seat beside her daughter. Her eyes widen when she takes a look at Sabrina.
“Oh God baby, no!” she says. I’m sure it’s finally hit her that Sabrina is pregnant with my child. Sabrina doesn’t say anything; she just bows her head in shame.
“You see the mess you have made, ma,” I speak up for the first time, causing everyone in the room to look at me. I take a deep breath, ready to ask her who my father really is, because she hasn’t confirmed that it really is the Mayor and dad said that he knows of one, meaning that there might be someone else. I sure hope to God that it’s someone else.
“Now tell me, who the hell is my-”
“I’m just happy that I’m not really pregnant,” Sabrina cuts me off, whispering just loud enough for us to hear her.
What the fuck!
“What the hell do you mean?” Brianne speaks for the first time. I can feel her body radiating anger. And quite frankly, I don’t blame her because that same anger is running through my veins.
“Loretta made me do it!” She points at the conniving woman that is my mother.
“I’m sorry,” Sabrina starts crying. Her tears are just pissing me off even more. She may point at my mother saying that she made her do it, but it doesn’t change the fact that she actually did it!
“She told me to fake a pregnancy, said that it would open Jaxon’s eyes
that we belong together.” Sabrina sniffs before continuing. “She even paid off the doctor who did the test to confirm my pregnancy.”
“You little bitch,” Brianne hisses as she lets go of my hand. “What did I ever do to you to deserve so much heartache? God, what the hell did Jaxon do to you?” Bri’s getting worked up, and I’m trying to calm her down, but she’s on a roll. “And you, Loretta. What kind of mother doesn’t want her son to be happy? What kind of mother tries to force her son to get together with his sister?!” Bri has started shouting, and I worry that this could be bad for our unborn kids.
“Half-sister!” Sabrina groans as it the half part actually makes a difference.
“Half or not, you are still his damn sister!” Bri is seething.
“Jaxon isn’t Henry’s, he’s Jacob’s!” My mother yells through sobs.
What the hell? Did I just hear her correctly?
“Wait, the pastor?” Mr Bentley is the one to ask out loud. “You mean Jaxon is Pastor Jacob Lonnergan’s?” He buries his face in his hands. “Goddammit Loretta, what the hell is it with you and married men?”
Well, fuck me! How the hell did this become my life?
Chapter Twenty
Brianne
I can’t believe that Loretta is such a tramp, does this woman not have any morals whatsoever? I mean, she doesn’t care that she’s sleeping with married men, that she could be breaking up a home. What the hell is wrong with this woman?
“Loretta, he’s a man of god! He should know better as should you! God, to think I loved you once, knowing you were sleeping with that asshole was bad enough.” Jaxon’s dad, well Ben points to Mayor Ashwood with so much hate in his eyes that I think he may punch him again. “But you slept with our pastor! The man everyone goes to when they have problems, he’s the man who we went to for counselling. What the hell is wrong with the two of you?”
“You went to counseling?” Jaxon is just as shocked as the rest of us, “What the hell for?”
Ben looks at Jaxon with so much remorse that tears spring to my eyes. “Because I’m an asshole and I treated the one person in this world that I loved like they were garbage. I know that you hate me Jaxon, and I don’t deserve your forgiveness but it’s the main reason I came back to town. Once I got sober, I realized that you are my son and I love you.” Ben starts to move towards the front door, he’s just bared his heart and soul to Jaxon and in front of an audience.
“Ben, stay the hell away from my son! You hear me, you’ve caused enough heartache for the both of us.” Loretta shouts at him and it infuriates me to no end that she has the nerve to tell anyone to stay away from Jaxon after what she’s done.
“No matter what you say it won’t take away the fact that you’re an abusive asshole. I saw the bruises that you left on Loretta!” Sabrina stamps her foot as she inserts herself into the conversation, that bitch is giving me damn whiplash. One minute she’s slapping Loretta’s ugly face the next she’s so far up her ass she’s eating shit.
“I should have choked the fucking bitch while I had the chance!” Ben shouts looking disgusted at both Sabrina and Loretta before turning to Jaxon, “I’m staying the night, and then I’ll be gone again. I came to apologize to you and I know that it’s not enough and I have to live with that for the rest of my life.”
“Thank you for your apology but the damage is already done.” Jaxon’s being very polite and I’m so proud of him.
“I know son, I wish you and Brianne the very best. I always said that you both would make a wonderful couple; my grandbabies are going to have two awesome parents. I’m proud of you son. Forrester, thank you for raising my boy the way I should have. He’s grown into one hell of a man and that’s because of you.” Oh, my God, the tears are streaming down my face as Ben says his final goodbyes. He takes one last look at Jaxon before he leaves.
“Thank God he’s gone. That man shouldn’t be around my grandbabies!” Loretta says causing my mouth to drop open in shock.
“This is bullshit, you’re a two-faced bitch Loretta, I can’t believe you! You’ve wanted me and Jaxon together for years and now you’re taking her side?” Sabrina starts to sob, and her mom pulls her closer to her and tries to console her.
“Sabrina honey, don’t cry in front of these people. They are just here to see a show, they’re disgraceful. They thrive of seeing us suffer.” Sophia tells her insulting my family.
“Listen here Sophia, I tried to save your family from humiliation, and I shouldn’t have bothered! Hell, I should have let everyone in town find out about Loretta’s and your husband’s affair!” Dad tells her, and I watch as her cheeks start to redden.
“Like the whole town doesn’t already know. It’s not like I was the first or the last. There’s plenty of women who have had a taste of Henry and many have come back for seconds.” Damn, Loretta doesn’t know when to shut the hell up. Olivia is going to be mad she missed out on this!
“Shut up, for Christ sake Ma, will you just shut the hell up!” Jaxon shouts at her but she has a wicked smile on her face, she’s up to something, and I’m dreading whatever it is.
“Loretta, you’re a filthy whore! How dare you, you were supposed to be my friend. Why did you do this? How could you do this?” Sophia should take her own advice, if anyone in this room is thriving off her emotions it’s Loretta.
“He’s amazing in the sack, what can I say? What do you expect me to do?” Loretta is like the cat that has got the cream. I never thought I’d feel sorry for Sophia or Sabrina, but right now I just want to hug them both. Neither should have to listen to a crazy bitch talk about having sex with their husband or father.
“What about me?” Sophia whines and God, she’s making things worse. They should have all left when Ben left.
“What is it that Henry says again? Oh yeah, you’re as cold as a dead fish.” She starts to laugh but that laughter is cut short when Sophia walk up to her and gives her one hell of a slap, it’s so hard that Loretta stumbles but she quickly rights herself, “You bitch!” I gasp as Loretta throws herself on top of Sophia and the two of them roll around the floor of my parents’ home having a cat fight.
Dad and Jaxon pull the women apart but the damage between them is done and there is no way either of them can be friends again. “Ma, it’s time for you to leave.” Jaxon informs her, and Sabrina has a smirk on her face that makes me want to slap it from her face.
Loretta does as her son asks but of course she couldn’t leave things like this. She sways over to Mayor Ashwood who’s sitting on the couch, he didn’t get up to help his wife. She leans down and kisses him on the lips. What the hell? There is seriously something wrong with this woman. The kiss is still going on and I have to look away before I throw up.
“Ma!” Jaxon’s outrage causes me to look and they’re still going at it! What the fuck?
Loretta and Henry finally stop swapping saliva and turn to face the rest of us, Loretta has a smirk on her face and Henry has the decency to look embarrassed. “I’ll see you tonight.” Loretta blows Henry a kiss as she leaves the house.
“Dad, how could you do this to us?” Sabrina demands as she stamps her foot like she’s four years old.
“Sabrina, there are somethings you don’t understand about your mother and I. Things aren’t what they seem.” He gives Sophia a look, one in which has her cowering.
Sabrina starts to cry and walks over to Jaxon and tries to wrap her arms around his neck, Jaxon walks backwards out of her reach and looks to me for help. Hell no, she’s yours to deal with, “Jaxon baby, what are you doing?” She purrs at him while she has tears running down her face. Is she for real?
“I’m not your baby! What the hell are you all still doing here? Don’t you have your own damn house to go to?” Jaxon shouts, and I’m getting tired off all the bullshit drama.
“Jaxon, we’re not related! Don’t you want to celebrate?” She bites her lip as she walks over to him, swaying her hips as she does. As soon as
she gets close to him, she runs her finger down his chest. “I miss your cock Jaxon and I need you.” She whispers loud enough for only Jaxon, and I too hear.
Jaxon leans in close to her, and she smiles, “If I went near you again, my cock would shrivel up and hide in my damn nuts! Now get the fuck outta here. How many damn times do I have to tell you that I’m with Brianne, I don’t want you, I’ll never want you so leave me the hell alone.”
“But Jax…” She starts to whine.
“But Jax nothing, you lied about being pregnant with my baby, and you’ve made the mother of my babies stressed so much that it isn’t good for her or the babies!” Jaxon says and a tiny bit of spit flies out of his mouth and onto the bitch’s face and I smile.
“Jaxon but that’s all in the past. You know that you want me, come home with me?” She purrs yet again as she starts to stroke his chest.
I’ve had enough, I’ve held my tongue for a hell of a long time when it comes to this bitch and it’s time I stood my ground. “You’re pathetic, take your filthy hand of my man. How many times can you be rejected and still go back? You reek of desperation. Now get your ass out of this house and take your parents with you!”
She laughs, “What are you going to do? We all know that you trapped Jaxon into being with you by getting pregnant. He doesn’t love you.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “And he loves you? Funny, he told me that every time he fucked you he thought of me. Hmmm, must be something about the Ashwood women, men always want someone else.” Oh my God, why did I just say that? I feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but I stand my ground, she’s not treating me like crap anymore. I hear Jaxon laugh and my dad coughs and I know that he’s trying to hide his laughter.
Mayor Ashwood jumps up from the sofa “You can’t speak to my daughter like that! How dare you, I’ll make your life a nightmare in this town.” He points his finger at me and I take a step back at the anger he’s displaying.
My dad has had enough, “You’re the talk of the town Henry. All the men are going to hate you, well those that don’t already as they’ll think you’ve been sleeping with their wives and the women will despise you for abusing your power. Everyone in town thinks that Jaxon is your son and that your daughter slept with her brother. Even think about doing anything to my child, and you’ll have me to deal with… do I make myself clear?” Dad is one hell of a papa bear when he needs to be, and right now he looks menacing, and every member of the Ashwood family have fear on their faces.
One Night Page 14
