“You sent them to be here with me?” I quickly swing my head back in his direction. “Wait, you know about book club?”
“Yeah, I pay attention, but your secret is safe with me. Go. Talk it out with your girls and then get some sleep.”
Leaning over, I quickly kiss him on the cheek before opening the truck door and climbing out. “Thank you.” He tips his head in acknowledgement before I slam the door. I watch his taillights drive away before turning to my friends and walk towards the house.
“Get in here,” Beck calls. “It’s cold and Maggie sent emergency donuts.”
Chapter Forty-Two
True to his word, Riot took care of everything so my girls could be here with me, right down to arranging for Erin to sleep over with Ben, all while he was waiting for me on Logan’s back steps. And of course they showed up for me, no questions asked.
In between eating donuts and crying, I shared everything Logan had just told me with my best friends. As expected, they each had their own very big opinions on the subject. Beck suggested writing another list, but I declined. I was just grateful to not be left alone with my thoughts.
In true slumber party fashion, we made beds on the floor of the living room and didn’t fall asleep until well after midnight with the sound of a classic 80’s romcom playing in the background.
When I woke up this morning, my headache had eased up, and I had a little more clarity. After my friends left, I decided to take Riot’s advice and talk to my mom.
It’s not a long drive from the lake to my mom’s house in the village, but it doesn’t mean I’m rushing to get there. This conversation is long overdue and I’m trying to put into words all the things I want to say and the questions I need to ask.
Businesses are closed and the streets are quiet, on this holiday Monday. Everyone is likely recovering from eating too much turkey and restoring social batteries that have run low from spending too much time with their extended family.
Porch steps are lined with corn husks and pumpkins. I have a feeling that by the end of the day, Halloween decorations will be up. There is an unspoken contest between neighbours and displays become more elaborate every year, especially when teenagers get involved.
I have decided to avoid Logan’s street. Though I am feeling a bit better this morning, I only have the emotional bandwidth for one heavy conversation. I’ll reach out to him later.
For the second time in less than a month, I pull up to my mom’s house and find Mason’s truck in my mother’s driveway. My heart stutters for a moment, immediately thrown back to the day my dad died, but I recover quickly.
I knock a couple times to announce my entrance. The last thing I want is to catch him in his boxers or something else this early in the morning. My body gives an involuntary shiver at the thought. He’s a good-looking man but justno.
I find him fully dressed in the kitchen making coffee – again. The rich aroma of fresh ground beans waft through the warm kitchen.
“Good morning,” I mumble, walking in and sitting down at the island. Leaning my elbows on the surface, I rest my chin in my hands. “How’s your jaw?” I ask before covering my mouth to suppress a yawn. It doesn’t look terrible, but it’s still red and slightly swollen.
“It’s fine, a long way from my heart.” He snorts, rubbing his hand along the side of his face. “How about Logan? His knuckles were split up pretty good.”
“Umm good, I guess, I didn’t stay very late.” I have so many questions, but I have no idea what he does and doesn’t know. “So, what will happen to Jackson now? Can I ask that?”
Leaning back against the counter he crosses his arms. “That will be up to the judge.”
Sitting up straight, my brows furrow. “I don’t understand, why does he need to go before a judge, I thought he just needed to see his probation officer and check in?”
Pouring the hot coffee into my mug, he slides it along the counter to me; I smile my thanks before going to the fridge and grabbing the hazelnut creamer. He waits until I am finished before he answers my question.
“Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple,” he says, walking towards the kitchen table and sitting down with his own coffee. Taking a sip, he continues, “Yes, Jackson skipped a regular check in, but he also never told his PO where he was for a few weeks. He’s missed mandatory therapy appointments and there is a high probability of alcohol and drug use. Needless to say, punching a police officer in the face didn’t help his situation.” Holding his hand in the air so I don’t interrupt, he continues, “Before you say anything, no, I can’t swipe it under the rug and pretend it didn’t happen. That won’t help him anyway, he needs to be held accountable for his actions. But if either Jackson or Logan decide to press charges against one another that’s an entirely different issue with bigger consequences.”
Joining him at the table, I sink into the chair across from him. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I close my eyes briefly before looking at Mason. “Fuck.”
“Exactly. Because it’s a holiday today he won’t go to court until tomorrow at the earliest. All the appropriate people were notified last night. He got his nose reset at the hospital. Ryan advocated for him and made sure he was fed, and all his immediate needs would be met. He even called Beth to lether know what was going on. I don’t think he left until after midnight.”
“I don’t understand, why Ryan would involve himself like that.” Furrowing my brows and shaking my head with confusion.
“Because he is a good man – one of the best I know. He saw a vulnerable person in need and stepped in because he knew they needed support.”
Turning, I see my mom entering the room dressed casually in jeans and a long rust coloured sweater. Her hair is pulled back into a claw clip, making her look years younger. Then there’s me wearing the same sweats I slept in last night, my hair up haphazardly in a messy bun to keep it out of my face. I barely remembered to brush my teeth or put on deodorant before walking out the door.
“Good morning, sweetie. You’re out and about early again this morning. Are you okay? It sounds like you had quite the night.” Reaching across the table, she covers my hand with her own.
“It wasn’t great, but I’m okay.” Sighing, I give her a half smile.
