“Do not tell me to calm down!” I seethe with frustration.
“And don’t you dare speak to me with such disrespect. You remember who pays your bills? Who provides everything for you and that precious child? The least you can do is consider my proposal.”
I have to get off this call. If I don’t, I might actually scream.
“Ineed to go.”
“We’ll discuss later.”
We’ll discuss this when pigs fly.
“Good-bye, Beckett.” I end the call before he can respond, but that only provides temporary satisfaction. An anxious feeling swirls in the pit of my gut.
Everything was perfect a few minutes ago. Everything. And yet here my past comes again to ruin it all. All because of one stupid phone call.
I think I’m going to be sick. I focus on breathing, but that makes it worse. I might pass out.
“Rosalie?” Jackson is with me, pulling me to his side. I didn’t even hear him come in.
“Jackson.” Tears fall and they don’t stop until I’ve recounted the entire phone conversation.
“Call him back.” The expression on his face is lethal, but his voice is calm. “Let me talk to him.”
“Jackson, this isn’t your battle.”
“You’re right, but I’m on your team now. We take care of each other, and I’m not going to let this dude come in and ruin tonight. He wants to talk about Edward’s future? Fine. He and I are going to have a conversation about it, man to man.”
Worry tumbles inside my belly, swirling and growing with each anxious thought.
“He doesn’t like it when someone challenges his authority. He could retaliate.”
“Rosalie, do you trust me?” Jackson covers my hand with his.
I do. I trust him with my entire heart. I trust him with Edward too. On a long exhale, I unlock my phone screen and go to the call log, pressing Beckett’s phone number and placing the call on speaker as I hand the device to Jackson.
“Hello?” Beckett answers on the second ring.
“Hello, Beckett,” Jackson says. “I’d like a few minutes of your time.”
“Who am I speaking with?” He’s already annoyed.
“Jackson Wilder,” he states with confidence. “Rosalie filled me in on your conversation of a few minutes ago.”
“She did? I’m not sure what she told you, but you should know she’s under very strict guidelines that carry heavy legal consequences.” His threat is clear.
Jackson squeezes my hand as he continues.
“I don’t know about you, sir, but where I come from, a man’s word means something. And right now, I have a few things to say. It’s my understanding you are Edward’s closest relative on his father’s side, an uncle. Do I have that right?”
Bless him. He’s making it clear to Beckett that I haven’t broken my contract.
“That’s correct.”
“Okay, Uncle Beckett, I’m gonna need you to listen, and listen real good because I won’t be repeating myself.” The temporary relief I felt is eradicated by the sternness in Jackson’s tone. “The current agreement between you and Rosalie is the only agreement she’ll be following. If you want more time with Edward, we’ll see you in family court and you can explain to a judge why exactly it is you deserve more time with a child than his own mother. You understand?”
I wait on bated breath for Beckett’s answer. This could work, or it could backfire.
“Edward deserves the best education, and I can assure you, he’s not getting it in that town of yours.”
