Page 68 of Broken Warrior
MARBLES:Church.
MARBLES: Now.
MARBLES: Early service per Prez. Got a big fucking prayer request late last night and we need asses in seats.
The other guysstart responding since it went to the EC group chat, and I hate that I have to bail after what just happened. I hate having to leave either of them at all, orgasms and breakfast invites from a four-year-old aside, but if Prez is holding church this early then shit definitely went down last night and that’s a fucking problem.
One my gut is telling me has everything to do with my girl and the little boy we both love.
“Unfortunately, I can’t.” I get to my feet and shoot Tate an apologetic smile, the worry in her eyes clear. “I’ve got a little work to do with your uncles today, but maybe we can get dinner together tonight?”
James nods but I don’t miss the hurt look on his sweet face.
Which is why I add, “And maybe, if it’s ok with your mama, I can stay the night again so we can work on some Lego sets.”
“Really?” He asks, his smile wide and hopeful as he looks to Tate. “Can Fin comes back and have another sleepover with us, Mama?”
She smiles as we both look at her, but my dark angel is wringing her hands and that feeling in my gut grows, but she answers anyway. “Of course, baby. Fin is welcome here anytime for however long he wants.”
“‘Cause we loves him,” James says with a firm nod.
“Yes, baby, because we love him.” Those dark blue eyes are almost pleading with mine now, causing my anxiety to spike. “We both love him so very much, and we want him around all the time.”
“‘Xactly.” James echoes. “So super much. The mostest.”
My gaze narrows on Tate’s for a beat before I force a smile and turn back to my little buddy. “Well that’s perfect because I happen to love you and your mama the mostest so super much, too.”
“You do? MeandMama?”
“Yes, sir. YouandMama. So you can take it to the bank,” I say before I turn and lean down toward Tate. “I will get my work finished as quickly as I can, then I will most definitely be back.” I kiss her, her lips sweet as she cups my cheeks but I can feel her anxiety creeping through. “I love you,” I whisper. “I love you, but we’re going to have to have a talk later because I don’t like how quickly your mood changed.”
Tate nods as she kisses me again. “Ok.” Another kiss, another nod. “I love you, too, and I promise, if you come back later, we will talk.”
Well that’s foreboding as fuck.
And while it could be taken as awe fooled around for the first time, you got what you wanted and won’t come back because of it, I know Tate well enough to know that’s not what she means, that’s not how she operates anymore. Just like I thought as soon as I got the text about getting my ass to church, my dark angel’s loadedif you come back laterall but confirms the feeling in my gut about this impromptu meeting and what it’s about, I just don’t know if I should be glad for it or pissed about it. Either way, I need to hide how I’m feeling right now. I don’t want James to worry about anything, especially the three of us.
With another forced smile, I round the coffee table, snatch James up on the way to my boots, then swing him around before I stand him up on one of the dining room chairs. “You gonna keep your house in lockdown while I’m gone?”
James straightens up and gives me a firm nod. “Yep. Just like you. Gonna keeps me and Mama super safe.”
“And you’re gonna eat a good breakfast before snuggling with Mama and watching some cartoons?”
“You bet, Fin. I’m gonna eats so much foods so I can be a big, huge giant like you.”
I crack a smile as I reach out and ruffle his hair. “Sounds like a plan, buddy.” Boots on, I move to the door and slide into my cut. “I’ll see you soon, ok? Be good for Mama.”
“I will, Fin! I promise!”
My throat goes tight as I look over his enormous smile and hopeful blue eyes. “I love you, James.”
“I love you, too, Fin! Have funs working with all my uncles.”
Doubtful, but I don’t tell him that.
No, I just nod, look between the little boy and the woman that have quickly become my entire fucking world, then slip out the door.
I know without a shadow of doubt that this church meeting pertains to them. Call it intuition, call it Prez’s doom guts wearing off on me, but I know this has something to do with Tate and James, and I know my dark angel has at least some kind of idea what it’s about, too.
