“A lot. A lot that is still being sorted out where visitation is concerned, ma’am,” Lana admitted as she rubbed her forehead.
The group confirmed the arrival time of the rest of the team and the dynamics of the case. While talking with their captain, Jayson’s phone rang with a call from his Lt.
They had just hung up the phone with their captain when Jayson hung up with his Lt. Lana broke away from her group to head over toward him.
“Hey, everything okay?” Lana asked softly, placing her hand on his arm.
“Yeah. My Lt. confirming everything your captain already told us. I’m off duty tonight since I will be officially reporting in the morning with your team.”
“I’m sorry, Jayson. I know that you never wanted that promotion.” Lana squeezed his arm slightly, showing her support for him.
“Thanks. Look, Lana, I’m sorry I put you on the spot where your team was concerned. I figured if the kids were at my place, it would get them familiar with their rooms, and they could get used to me more. Plus, if you’re there when we are off, it would help them feel comfortable around me and in a new place. If you don’t want to stay there, I won’t push it.”
Well shit, when he put it like that, she couldn’t be mad at him. She also hated to admit that it would help ease her worries about the kids being away from her too.
“I’ll take the spare room…” Lana started to say.
“You’re sharing a room with me, Lana. No ifs, ands, or buts. I want this…whatever we still have between us. Stop being fucking scared and give us a chance.”
“Jayson…”
“Lana, this can be our chance to see how good we actually are together. At the end of this case, if you don’t want to be with me, then I won’t fight you on the divorce or custody. We owe it to the kids to say that we at least tried.”
Fuck him and his damn logic. She heard the kids’ laughter outside and let her defenses down, for them.
“Fine. We will try it, for the kids.” Lana held up her hand to stop his statement. “One fuck up, Jayson, just one, and then I’m gone. Divorce and all.”
Lana didn’t even have a chance to respond to his “yes” before he’d crushed their lips together. She couldn’t resist his taste as she returned his kiss.
“Let’s get the kids fed and settled at your place then we can figure out tonight with my team.”
“Actually, Mom and Dad were going to ask about them staying with them for a couple of days. So that they can get their rooms set up and spend more time with them while we’re working the case.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s okay.”
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Lana bit her lower lip. She couldn’t understand where the sudden possessive jealousy was coming from.
Despite their issues, she’d always wanted the kids to have a relationship with Jayson and his family. Now, she was afraid of being replaced and the kids not wanting or needing her anymore.
“Hey, hey…look at me, baby.”
Lana looked up at Jayson, her eyes slightly blurry. Shit, she was crying. What the fuck was wrong with her?
Lana plastered a smile on her face as she looked at Jayson. When she saw the worry in his eyes, she knew she failed at looking okay.
“I’m okay. I promise,” she lied, plastering a fake smile on her lips.
“No, you’re not. Look at me.” When she finally looked at him again, his hands cupped the side of her face. “Those kids love you. You are their world, baby. We could never replace you or take your place. Our kids cherish the ground you walk on. Dad said the whole time they were picking out stuff for their room, they asked about helping you decorate a room for you when came with them for their visits.”
Lana couldn’t stop the tears that started streaming down her face. She didn’t fight Jayson when he pulled her into his arms and held her.
“Thank you. Not sure why that bothered me as much as it did. I’ve wanted them to have you and your family in their lives, not sure why it’s hurting like it is.”
“Because you’re afraid of not being needed and you still want to be wanted by the hot dipshit whose arms you’re currently in,” Sunny called her out in front of the small group.
