I planned to hirea physician to give him a thorough exam as soon as possible. I absolutely did not put it past Margret to harm her own father to get what she wanted. What she wanted was control over him and to make sure I couldn’t cause trouble for her.
What she didn’t know was that something wicked was coming her way. Something she’d created. This wasn’t exactly what my doctors and therapist meant when they told me I had to face my demons, but it was necessary. For me and for Rayna.
The next day, I was in meetings all day with Liam and the record label. Thenew ownerswere more than accommodating for our current situation. Not that I was surprised. Though on more than one occasion I wanted to beat faces in, on principle alone.
The thing I’d learned most in therapy is that the anger wasn’t going anywhere instantly. The baggage would always be part of me. I just had to handle it in healthier ways. That wasn’t easy or natural either, but I sat through the entire meeting without launching myself across the table.
The two days following, I was in AA meetings and meeting with my therapist. That was stillhard butgetting easier. I hated talking about the past, but I’d recognized that I needed to in order to move past it. To stop allowing it to fester and grow like a cancer.
When Friday rolled around, I was wound tight with need. Need to see my girl and my kid. Six weeks away was hard after missing years. Five days should’ve been a snap, but it wasn’t. Swear to God it was harder than the six weeks.
I was absolutely at their mercy and I kind of liked it.
Matt opened the door, a big grin stretching his face when he saw me. I grinned back. I kind of like that kid too.
When I walked in, Heaven threw herself at me with eyes shining bright and promises of mischief for later. Tyler launched himself from the stairs, nearly giving his mom and me a stroke. This kid was shortening my life by decades. I kind of liked that too.
That evening I mentioned what I had to do.
“I’m not sure how long it will take,” I told Heaven quietly, trying to keep the boys from hearing me. “Could take a couple of days. Could take a week.”
She sighed a soft sound, a small smile played on her lips. “I suppose this is something I should get used to, huh? You having to go forextended periodsof time? You’d think the last few years would make it easier, but it’s just made it harder.”
“You misunderstand me, pixie. I want you to come with me. All three of you.”
Her eyes grew wide as she grasped what I was saying. “You want us to come to London? While you deal with your mother?”
I pulled her onto my lap, giving her a firm nod. “I absolutely want you to come with me. I will also understand if you don’t want to go. She’s hurt us - Tyler, you, me - over and over. But I have to do this. For us and for Rayna.”
She grew quiet, thoughtful for a minute, gnawing on that bottom lip with contemplation. I knew the moment she looked at me what her answer would be.
Which is how we ended up here, pulling up to my grandfather’s home. The sight of the house, and the last time I was here takes me back ten years ago.
I lean back against the booth in the dark corner of the bar. Eyes closed, I replay the events of the last few days for the hundredth time since I got here. I toss back my glass of Irish whiskey, holding my hand out to let the waitress know I need another round.
“Bring some tequila too,” I tell her, my words slurring slightly. No surprise considering the amount of liquor I’ve consumed.
I’ve been in this place for hours. My phone rang incessantly until I finally turned it off. Listening to it started grating on my nerves.
People are wondering where I am. Wondering why I didn’t bother showing up today. If they only knew, they’d wonder no more.
“Here ya go, love,” the pretty waitress sets more drinks in front of me. “If ya need anything else, just give a shout.”
I tip my drink to her with a sloppy smirk, wondering if I could convince her to help me in other ways. Judging by the way she rakes her eyes over me with a lick of her lips, my guess is that I could. I’m about to call her over when a shadow falls over my table then slips into the corner across from me.
“Everyone was looking for you,” he tells me as he waves the waitress over.
“Were you?”
“Nope. Knew you wouldn’t be anywhere near that. That’s why I was there. Your grandfather was disappointed though.” The waitress comes back with a bottle of non-alcoholic beer and water for him. He hands her a few pounds for a tip before she walks away.
“If he knew what I knew, he’d understand. I can’t be around her right now, Mads. I won’t stop next time.”
He nods, his blue eyes going dark and dangerous in understanding. “Are you going back there later? Before we leave?”
“Want to, but I know she’ll still be there.Plus,I’m completely sloshed. Grandfather isn’t a fan of this particular state.”
Maddox chuckles with a shake of his head. “Might help ya to slow down a bit.Fairly surethere will be more somewhere later. You don’t need to drink all of London tonight.”
