Hunter fit right in.
Mom was smitten, fussing over him like a grandchild. Odd, considering he was only five years younger than her own son.
The hospital was still oppressive. Still fucking depressing. But being back with my family cut through some of that weight. Celeste was right. They needed me. Now more than ever.
I was grateful to be here for them. And Jamie.
This plan better not backfire.
Part of me knew the strategy—let Hunter and Caleb work their magic, show Jamie what we could be together. But using kids to trigger sympathy wasn’t exactly the foundation for anything lasting.
And lasting was exactly what Jamie and I were going to have.
Whatever it took, whatever I had to tear down or build up, she was mine. The promise to her father had only solidified what my gut already knew. Not because a dying man had coerced me, but because claiming Jamie was what I fucking wanted more than my next breath.
Sure, my life was a mess. No job, no home to call my own. But for the first time in as long as I could remember, I had something that gave me purpose. Something on the other side of the darkness.
Jamie was that light. Every piece of her—the fun, sad, sexy, loving, beautiful, slightly crazy woman who’d gotten under my skin and rewired my entire world.
The urge to pull Hunter aside and explain everything burned in my chest. How much his mom meant to me. How we were meant for each other. How I planned to fight for her until she stopped running.
But that conversation belonged to Jamie, not me. He’d have questions that weren’t mine to answer. Questions he might not even want me answering, if his reaction to the kiss this morning was any indication.
He’d been shooting me sideways glances ever since, eyes narrowed, lips pressed tight.
“So, after the transplant, you still have to stay here?” he asked, in awe of the process Caleb had just explained.
“Yeah, but it’s not bad. I’ve got a couple nurses that are really sweet.” Caleb smiled at Hunter, then looked at me with his usual mischievous smirk. Sweet was code for hot. My kid brother was always prowling.
“Caleb.” I shot him a look of warning.
He ignored me, leaning toward Hunter. “But none of the nurses are as sweet as your mom. She took the best care of me. She’s the sweetest.”
Little troublemaker.
“It’s true.” Celeste nodded. “Hunter, your mom is fabulous. I don’t say that lightly. She made Caleb feel better just by talking to him. So awesome she made me cry with her ridiculous perfection.”
“I need to thank her for her generosity.” Mom chimed in.
“Where is she anyway?” Marc asked innocently. “I haven’t met her yet.”
Every eye zeroed in on him. He was clueless. I hadn’t discussed Jamie’s dying father with her son present.
Though, he’d handled Caleb’s illness and my family without losing his smile. Maybe Hunter was more resilient than I was giving him credit for.
“She’s with my grandpa.” Hunter sat taller, meeting Marc’s question head-on. “He’s here in the hospital, too. But he’s not doing good. She’s busy taking care of him now.”
Marc looked between us, guilt creasing his brow. “I’m sorry. No one told me.”
“It’s okay,” Hunter reassured. “I’ve never met him, so I’m not too sad. Except, it makes my mom sad. So I’m sad for her.”
I’d always thought Caleb was the most amazing kid on earth, but Hunter was giving him a run for that title.
Jamie had raised a boy that was smart, funny, and compassionate. She was incredible, and her kid proved it. Just another reason I felt so strongly about her.
“Oh, petite ange.” My mom’s voice softened. “We are all so very sad for her. I hope she will let us help if we can.”
I squeezed Hunter’s shoulder. “You too. We’re here if you need anything.”
