Chapter 17

Lauren

I began filling boxes when I heard Lance walk up behind me.

“She's really throwing me out,” I said more to myself than to him. “How could she? This way my grandparents' house. I've lived here since I was a little girl. They loved me. I'm her daughter.”

He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him.

“Stop,” he said. “She is the wrong one here, not you. Do not give her any power over you. You hold your head tall and walk out of here knowing that you and Jackson will have better lives without her. Do you hear me?”

I nodded before looking down at my feet. He'd been there those last few days and helped me so much. There he was, seeing every vulnerable, shitty part of me and my life. I felt so awful. He had it all together. He had an amazing family, great job, money, and his own place. I was a mess.

“Look at me,” he said.

I shook my head. His fingers brought my chin up so I was forced to look at him.

“That little boy can't be here,” he said. Even if you wanted to stay and fight for whatever it is you want with her, you have to go for him. You're grandma is gone. I'm so sorry for what you've just gone through, but there is no way you can keep him around that evil woman after the things she has said and done.”

“I know,” I said. “I can't believe you heard those things. I feel so stupid.”

“Don't,” he snapped.

“You don't get it,” I said. “Look at you, and look at me. You should just go. I'll figure this out.”

“Not happening,” he said. “I'm going to start in Jackson's room. Get your ass moving in here.”

Just like that, he turned and walked away.

“Lance,” I called after him.

“Not a word,” he said. “Don't fight me on this, Lauren. It won't do you any good.”

I let out a huff and went back to filling boxes. In that moment, I was so glad that my grandma saved every box she probably ever had.

By the time I was done, I was exhausted. I didn't take everything, but I got most of it. With having Jackson, I spent most of my money on him, so I didn't really have much. I grabbed photos of me and my grandparents through the years as well as a picture of my dad with me on his lap and put them in my purse.

When I walked into Jackson's room, I almost lost it. He was sitting on his bed talking away, and Lance was packing as he listened to every word. He even stopped to ask questions about what Jackson was saying. My mind began questioning things. Was I making the right decision? Should I stay and try to find something close? Was it bad that I wanted to go with him?

“You going to stand there all night?” Lance asked, pulling me back to reality.

“No,” I said, as I walked in and grabbed a box.

By the time we were done, it was midnight. We were able to fit all of the boxes into the cars. His was much bigger than mine. I followed behind him to the hotel. Jackson was so excited to be staying the night in a new place, but he fell asleep before we even made it. When I opened his door, Lance ran over from his car.

“I'll get him,” he said.

“I've got him,” I said.

He narrowed his eyes at me, and I rolled mine as I stepped aside.

“Have it your way, Boss,” I said sarcastically.

He gave me a fake smile before leaning into the car to get Jackson. When we got to his room, he set Jackson gently on the bed and covered him up. Then he turned back to me.

“Do you want me to get anything out of your car?” he asked. “I have boxers and a t-shirt you can sleep in.”

Wait a minute, I thought. How the heck did he have clothes? It took me days to think of that. How sad was that?

“Where did you get clothes?” I asked.

“I went shopping on the way back here the night I got here,” he said with a laugh. “Thanks for noticing.”

I went to turn away from him, but he reached out to stop me.

“I was just kidding,” he said. “You had a lot going on. Calm your ass down.”

“I'm going to go out and get my laptops,” I said. “I'll feel better if we have them in here.”

“I'll go,” he said. “It's dark out there. Hand me your keys.”

“I've been out in the dark before,” I said with a laugh of my own.

“Keys,” he demanded.

I handed them to him, and he turned to walk out the door.

“Open it for me when I get back,” he said. “Don't be a smart ass either.”

“Yes, Sir,” I said with a smile.

I heard him mumbling something on his way out, but I couldn't make it out.

When I turned around and saw my sweet baby curled up under the covers, tears slipped from my eyes. He'd been through so much. Our grandma was our everything. He spent so much time with her and loved sitting and playing with her. It was going to be just as hard on him as it was on me. On top of that, I'd packed his whole life in just a few hours and was moving him hours away. Part of me wasn't sure it was the right thing to do. The other part knew we couldn't stay there. Not only not in that house but not anywhere near my mom.

I heard the knock on the door and hurried to open it. His eyes hit mine, and I turned away to quickly dry them. He put my stuff down, spun me around, and wrapped his arms around me.

“I know all I seem to do is cry. I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through. If you hadn't come,” I said, but he quickly put his finger over my lips to quiet me.

“I'm glad I did,” he said, as he put his forehead against mine. “Everything will be okay.”

“How?” I asked. “She was all we had. She's gone.”

“I know,” he said.

He sat down on the bed with his back against the headboard and pulled me down next to him. His arms wrapped around me. My head went to his shoulder, and I slowly felt my body relax. It was the first time in so long that I'd actually felt safe, like nothing was going to hurt me.

“Thank you,” I said, as I closed my eyes. “Thank you for everything.”

“Get some sleep,” he said.

“Jackson,” I said barely awake.

“I already told you I'll stay with my parents,” he said sounding just as tired as I felt.

“No, it's your place,” I said. “He's never had a man in his life. It's always been my grandma and me. He's been through a lot, Lance. I'm so worried about him getting close to you. He's not your responsibility. I'm going to get on my feet and get my own place. I'll make sure we're not in your way. I'll make sure he doesn't bother you.”

“She really messed with you, didn't she?” he asked.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “Get some sleep. We'll be up before you know it. You need to be rested to drive. Close your eyes, and quit thinking.”

I soaked up the feeling of being in Lance's arms. I was so damn scared for what was ahead. It was just my boy and me against the world. All we had was each other. Could I do it, I wondered? Could I be everything Jackson deserved? Then I thought about Lance and couldn't help but wonder why he was helping someone like me?