I playfully pushed him back. “Thanks, Jo.”
“For what?”
“For always bein’ such an amazing friend to me. I love you.”
“Love you-“
“I told ya I’d kick your ass, Green. Stay away from my girl.” Madison had Joey in a headlock, laughing his ass off before he let go. “Just playin’, man. In all seriousness, I want to thank you too. I guess if I’m forced to live with ya bein’ friends with my soon to be wife, I’m just glad you’re a good one.”
“Oh my god, are you two actually becoming friends?” My hand went up to my mouth, feigning shock as they both looked at me with disgust. But I knew deep down that Joey Green was finally starting to win over Madison Raine.
Chapter 16
Madison
The next mornin’ I was practically runnin’ around like a chicken with its head cut off. “Baby, I gotta head to Grams’, you two good here?” I shouted as I made my way towards the back door that lead to my Grams’ house, waitin’ for her answer. She had been in the bathroom practically all mornin’, and I was really startin’ to worry about her.
“I’ll be ok.” She shouted back just before throwin’ up again. Apparently her and Joey decided to drink us clean out of wine last night while I went to bed.
I turned back towards our bedroom and peeked my head in through the crack of our bathroom door. “I’m takin’ Mia with me, love. Grams would love to see her, and you’re in no shape to be takin’ care of her, just rest.” I placed a chaste kiss against her head before retreatin’ to get Mia ready.
“Thanks, baby.”
“Always.” I shouted in return. “Mia my love, you wanna go see Grams today?”
“Grams, Gram. Yes, yes. Go play with the ponies?”
“Anything you want baby girl. I answered as I pulled her tiny pink cowgirl boots over her danglin’ feet. “All set.” Mia jumped into my arms and we were off.
I placed Mia on my shoulders and started trottin’ up the small hill towards my Grams’ house. Mia’s giggles bounced off every surface, and I couldn’t help but laugh right along with her. When we got closer to our tree, I gently placed Mia down and walked her over to the large sturdy trunk. “We just have to leave somethin’ here for Momma real quick, ok?”
“Ok, Daddy.” She smiled up at me, and my heart melted.
As I tacked the envelope to the strong trunk I noticed Mia lookin’ up at me with a quizzical look. “You wanna hear the story about how Daddy met Momma?”
“Yes, please.”
“Oh my sweet girl. Come sit with me.” I pulled Mia on my lap so we were both lookin’ at the significant tree in front of us. “This is where I first met your momma. I noticed her when Pap Pap and I picked her up from the bus station, but I wasn’t supposed to talk to her. Momma was havin’ a hard time, and I just felt like I needed to get to know her. She was the prettiest girl Daddy had ever seen, and as much as I knew I wasn’t supposed to, I started talkin’ to her.” Of course, I left out all the gory details, but I think I got my point across. “After that, we always came out here and met at this very tree and talked until late late at night.”
“Like past my bedtime late?”
“Like way past your bedtime.” My lips grazed her cheeks for a brief moment before pressin’ them against her chubby little face, forcin’ the cutest little laugh from her. “So now this is our tree, and we always come out here and…talk.”
“Nice story, Daddy.”
“I think so.” I whispered, knowin’ that one day Mia would fully understand just how much her mother means to me. “Ok, ready to go?”
“Yes, you it.” Mia took off runnin’ and I was right on her heels, makin’ sure she didn’t trip and fall.
It amazed me just how big she was gettin’ and all that I had missed. It broke my heart knowin’ that I’d missed all the major milestones in her little life thus far, but I took comfort in knowin’ that I was providin’ her with a life where she wouldn’t want for nothin’. I watched as her long chestnut brown hair swung back and forth. She looked exactly like her mother, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. All that mattered was that I had both of my girls, and soon we would legally be the family I’ve always wanted with Kayla.
When we reached Grams’ house a forlorn feelin’ rushed over me, and I stopped dead in my tracks. It had been far too long since I’d gone to visit my grandfather, and today seemed like the perfect day. Mia was already runnin’ inside and greetin’ Grams when I walked in.
“Hey Grams, you feel up to goin’ to see him?”
A weak smile settled into her expression. “I like that idea. We takin’ Mia with?” She began lookin’ around for Kayla.
“She’s at home sick today. Too much fun with Joey last night.” I laughed.
“Oh that football star of ours is in town, huh?” She laughed knowin’ just how much I dislike the whole “friendship” between him and Kayla.
“Yeah, he’s here.”
“Well, let’s pick some flowers to take first. You wanna help your lil ole Grams pick some flowers for Pap Pap?”
“Yes, yes.”
Mia began tuggin’ at Grams’ hand, and we all made our way out to the rose bushes just outside the back porch. Our kin are all buried in our family cemetery about two miles out on our property. I always try to make it out to say hi to my great grandparents and my grandfather, but lately it had been few and far between, though Kayla visited them quite often from what Grams has told me. I swear, just when I thought I couldn’t love my soon to be wife any more, my heart grew just a little bit bigger, lettin’ in even more love for her.
We pulled up to the cemetery a few minutes later, and Mia was the first one to run to Pap Pap. “Hi, Pap Pap. It Mia. Love you.” She gently placed a bouquet of flowers that her and Grams picked out, on the ground just below his headstone.
I walked up slowly next to her, placin’ my hand gently on top of her head. “You’re the sweetest, you know that, baby girl?”
“Yes, Daddy.” She looked up at my with those crystal blue eyes, smilin’ at me like I was the only man she’d ever need in this life. “Love you.”
“Love you too, baby girl.”
“I go play?”
“Yes.” Mia took off to the small patch of taller grass that she knew she was allowed to play in when we were up here. “Stay close.” She simply nodded and kept chasin’ around some poor butterfly.
I grabbed my grams’ hand, pullin’ her deep into my side. We rarely spoke when we’d come here, and I was perfectly fine with it. I knew she needed her time with him, just as she knew I needed mine. I kissed the top of her head, and then made my way to go play with Mia for a bit while she had her time alone with him. Every day I pray that Kayla and I will have a relationship and marriage like my grandparents had. There was always so much love and adoration for one another, and over the years it only grew stronger. It was a love I could only try to replicate and pray that I got it right.
A little while later, Grams was walkin’ up beside me, usherin’ me towards the cemetery, and then turnin’ to go keep Mia company. I walked towards my grandpa’s grave with trepidation in my step. It never gets easier comin’ to see him, and I always imagined him sittin’ right next to me as I spoke to him. I missed him terribly, and it took everything in me to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
“Hey sir. I guess I have quite a bit to catch ya up on. We just got back from our overseas tour, and we’re headed back out in another two months to do the rest of our west coast leg. It’s been hard though. I miss my Kayla and Mia somethin’ fierce when I’m gone, not to mention that I’ve practically missed out on all of it so far. I think what I’m doin’ is right for my family, but is it? Is it all worth it in the end? The missed birthdays, anniversaries, first steps, first words, I just feel like I’m failin’ em. I wish you were here to kick my ass and tell me the right thing to do, because I feel like I’m doin’ it all wrong.” I glanced back at Mia runnin’ around with Grams, and turn
ed with a smile, takin’ it as a sign when Mia’s little hand came up and waved at me. “Thanks, sir. You’re right. I love you, and I’ll be back real soon.” I placed my hand on the headstone in front of me and took in a deep cleansin’ breath.
As we all made our way over to the truck, I knew what needed to be done. I just wasn’t sure how well Grams was gonna take it. “Hey Grams, can I ask you somethin’?”
“Of course, honey. Anything. You know that.” Her frail hand reached out for mine and I didn’t hesitate to take it as she pulled me over to the chairs on the porch close to where Mia was playin’.
“How’s the new hands been workin’ out?”
She looked over at me with a serious look on her face. “They’ve been fine. Why you askin’?”
“I dunno.” I pushed my hands back through my hair in aggravation. “I’m just so sick of missin’ everything.”
Grams leaned forward in her chair, pullin’ my hands down from my face and into hers. “I knew it would get to ya eventually. Now I would never say what you chose to do was wrong, but seein’ just how much that little girl loves havin’ her daddy around, I just want more for your life, son.”
“Me too. I’m thinkin’ about quittin’ the band and workin’ the farm full time. I miss my girls too damn much.”
“Language.”
I smiled. “And I miss you. I miss it all.”
“Madison, you know what’s best for you and your family, and you’re the only one who can make that decision. Maybe you should speak with Kayla about it first. See where she stands on it all?”
“Yeah, maybe.” I rubbed my hands together knowin’ what exactly I would be givin’ up, but lookin’ at Mia, I was gainin’ so much more.
Grams roughly patted my hands and slowly stood. “Lunch time.” She smiled as she grabbed Mia’s dainty little hand in hers, and headed inside as I followed.
Chapter 17
Kayla
“KJ, you alive in here?” I pushed my pillow tight around my head as Joey Green’s annoying ass voice grated on my last damn nerve. “Well here ya are. How ya feelin’ this mornin’?” He laughed as he tickled my sides, causing’ me to fling the covers off of me just in time to make it into the bathroom and throw up for the umpteenth time.
“Ugh…never…drinking…again.” I muttered into the toilet as I flushed it.
“Sure sure.” Joey laughed as he helped me up and back into bed. “Where’s Madison, and why in the hell is he not takin’ care of his girl?” Irritation was very apparent in his tone.
“He’s takin’ care of his other girl for me.” I grimaced as I shot him a dirty look from under my pillow that was back over my head.
“Speakin’ of other girls.” I could sense the hesitation in his words, and my head instantly popped up, a little too fast, and I had to cover my mouth and breathe to try and not throw up again.
“What are you goin’ on about, Joey? Tryin’ to cause issues?” I frowned at just how irritating he was being.
“Trust me, I so wish I wasn’t the one that has to show you this.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, pullin’ up the band’s website. “Just look at this.”
I clutched his phone tightly in my hand as my hazy vision cleared up enough to see a picture of Madison with his arm around some blonde bimbo’s waist. Below sat a caption, “Best night ever when you get to take home the lead singer of your favorite band. A night I won’t soon forget.” I shoved Joey’s phone back into his lap. “Joey, if I got mad every time a girl posted a picture with Madison with some bogus claim, I would be in a nuthouse.”
“Uh, KJ?”
“Yeah?”
“Look in the comments at the next picture.”
I pulled the phone back and read a few of them, none of them standin’ out, until… “Are you fucking kidding me?” I was immediately reaching for my phone on my nightstand. “She has a picture of him laying in bed with his shirt off, sleeping? How the hell? What the…”
“KJ, there’s one more.”
I glanced back at Joey’s phone and rage instantly took over. I clicked on my phone, immediately dialin’ his number. As soon as he answered, I tried to, but couldn’t keep my composure. “Leave Mia at your Grams’ house and get home…NOW!” My phone shattered against the wall as I threw it as hard as I possibly could.
“Maybe I should go.” Joey stood, makin’ his way towards the bedroom door, but I ran in front of him, closing it before he could escape.
“You’re staying here, because if I kill him, I’m gonna need help burying the body.”
Joey put his hands on my shoulders, tryin’ to calm me down. “KJ, now breathe for a minute, and let him explain.”
Fear took over his expression as I became livid. “HOW DARE YOU TAKE HIS SIDE. YOU DON’T EVEN LIKE HIM HALF OF THE TIME. GET OUT, JOEY GREEN!”
“Hell no, I’m not leavin’ now. If you’re gonna murder someone, then you’ll have to murder us both.” He put his hands on his hips as the bedroom door smacked me in the back.
“What the hell is goin’ on in here?” Madison raised his voice an octave too loud for my liking, and he was about to receive my wrath in a way he has never seen before.
“Sit on the bed, both of you.” I growled through gritted teeth as they both backed up, doin’ what I said. “Joey, phone.” I held my hand out for him to put his phone in. I turned it around and shoved it into Madison’s face. “What the FUCK is this?”
He held the phone back enough that he could actually see it before answerin’. “That was in Dublin, but the entire band was in the picture. Babe, we’ve been through this before, girls always post this shit. I thought I told ya to stop lookin’.”
“Not that one.” I choked out.
“Which…what the fuck?” I was taken aback at how angry he was getting. “Baby, I don’t know how she even got that picture. I swear to you-“
“You better choose your next words wisely, Madison Raine.”
He tried to reach for my hand, but I swiftly pulled it back and out of his reach. “Baby, I swear to you, on our daughter, Jesus, on everythin’ that’s holy, that I didn’t do what this picture is implyin’. You’ve got to believe me.” He stood, tryin’ to pull me into his arms, but Joey was quickly standing and intercepting him. “Joey Green, so help me god, I will lay you out.” Madison’s anger was at a level I’d never seen it before, and I actually feared for Joey’s safety.
“Back up, Madison.” Joey was now standing between me and Madison, shielding my body from Madison’s grasp.
“I’m not fuckin’ around, Joey.”
“I’m not either, Madison. I told you if you ever hurt her, that I would hurt you. Now I don’t want to believe what that picture is implyin’, but I don’t think I can take your word for it anymore.”
“Jesus Christ!” Madison was angrily pushing his hands back through his hair as threw our bedside lamp across the room, causing me to flinch. “Fine, you want proof? I’ll give ya proof.” He reached in his front pocket, pullin’ out his cell phone. “Get to my house now. You have five seconds.” He clicked it off and shoved it back into his pocket where he had just retrieved it.
Second later our bedroom door was swingin’ open wide. “What the fuck, bro?” As Glenn took in the sight before him, he started hysterically laughin’. “Finally caught Jo with your girl, eh?” When he saw that none of us were laughing along with him, he stopped. “What is goin’ on here?”
“Look.” Madison shoved Joey’s phone in Glenn’s face.
“Oh hey, that’s the one girl that we took a picture with in Dublin, and this one is the one I took while you were droolin’ all over the place. How’d she get that one?” Glenn shoved Joey’s phone back at Madison as he chuckled.
My body instantly relaxed, and Joey slowly moved form in front of me so I could go to Madison. “Babe, I’m-“ He pulled his arm out of my grasp and moved to the other side of the room. I turned to Glenn and Joey. “Can you guys give us a minute please?” They both nodded and heade
d out towards the living room as I shut our bedroom door behind them. I tried to move closer to Madison, but he held his hand up for me to stay back. I held my hands up and began talking anyway. “Madison, I told Joey that it was the same old bullshit picture every other girl takes, but then I saw the one of you half naked in bed, sleepin’. What was I supposed to think?”
“You were supposed to think, hey you know what, Madison would never do that to me. How about that?” He threw his hands up in exasperation.
“I know. I know, cowboy.”
He looked up from under his thick black lashes with anger in his eyes. “Don’t.”
“Ok, fine. Madison, I’m sorry. You’ve got to believe me.”
“And what about you believin’ me? I’ve never given you any reason whatsoever to not trust me. For fuck’s sake, Kayla, I put the biggest rock I could afford on your god damn hand.” He pointed where my engagement ring sat high up on my ring finger.
“BUT YOU STILL HAVEN’T MARRIED ME!” My hands flew up to my mouth in complete shock and embarrassment from what had just came out of my mouth, but instead of Madison yellin’ back, or even leavin’ all together, he was pulling me into his chest, wrapping his strong loving arms that I didn’t deserve at the moment, around me as tight as he could.
“I know, and I’m sorry for that. I should’ve pulled my head outta my ass and talked to you about it a long time ago. I know.” My body shook as tears ran down my face, soaking clean through his t-shirt. “Please don’t cry, pretty girl. This is all my fault.” He pulled my tear stained face up, gently pressing his lips against mine before he spoke again. “I’ve wanted to make you mine since the day I met you at the bus depot. I would’ve married you that night had you been legal. I’m a fool, a fool who should’ve married you the second I could, instead of worryin’ about losin’ you, because I feel like that’s exactly what’s happenin’ now.” His tears were now melding together with mine. “Please don’t leave me, pretty girl.”
I pressed my forehead to his as my hands came up to cup his face. “Never, cowboy. Never.”
This Family of Ours (Raine #6) Page 8
