Chapter 18

Lance

We were up and gone early the next morning. I wanted to get home, and I wanted them safe and away from the shit she was leaving behind. She followed behind me the whole way. Each mile we drove brought us closer to her new start. I knew I should have been nervous. They were going to invade my home, the home I'd gotten so I could get away from everyone. Things were going to change. There wouldn't be anymore walking around naked or thinking of only me. Not only was she going to be there, but he was going to be there too. There would be cartoons, toys, and tiny chatter. I wouldn't be alone. My privacy would be no more. I should have been worried, but I wasn't. I was actually looking forward to having them there. There would have to be real meals and set schedules. The only thing set in my schedule was my job and my freezer full of boxed meals.

She pulled her car in next to mine. When I looked over at her, I could see the worry in her eyes. There was no way I was giving her time to think. She needed to jump in with both feet, or she'd be trying to find a way out at every turn. I hurried over to her car, pulled open Jackson's door, and scooped him up. Then I took off for my apartment.

The second we were through the door, he was looking around. I carried him down the hall to the extra bedroom and walked in.

“What do you think?” I asked.

Beside my old bedroom furniture, there were a few toys for Jillian and a few outfits for her. There was also a new television I'd just gotten for her. Thankfully, there wasn't any girl stuff on the walls yet.

Jackson's face lit up as he looked around.

“What about Jillian?” Lauren asked from the doorway.

“She'll be fine,” I said, as I set Jackson down on the bed. “We'll get another bed, or I can put one in my office for her. She's only here once a week or so. We'll figure that part out.”

“Oh shit!” she said just before covering her mouth. “Your parents. They're going to be so pissed.”

“That I'm helping a friend,” I said. “You think they're going to be mad.”

“Of course,” she said. “I can only imagine what your dad is going to say.”

“Not a damn thing,” I said.

“Lance,” she said, looking down at Jackson.

“So shit is acceptable but damn is not?” I asked her. “I suggest you watch your mouth as well, Woman. This is my apartment, Lauren. I don't need my parents' permission to have someone stay here.”

“What about Jackson?” she asked.

“Seriously?” I asked her sternly.

“I'm hungry,” Jackson said, as he looked up at both of us.

“You like your new room?” I asked him, and he nodded.

“Can we really stay?” he asked. “We don't have to live with grandma since my other grandma went to heaven?”

“Of course you can stay here,” I said. “We'll bring your stuff in and you can put it wherever you want. Before we do that, we need to get you fed.”

“I like it here,” he said. “You don't make mommy cry like that grandma does.”

I looked over at Lauren and knew she was about to lose it.

“Nobody is going to make mommy cry here, Jackson,” I said honestly, and I knew I'd do whatever it took to keep my word to him.

The biggest smile filled his small face, and I couldn't help but smile too.

“Why don't you go into the living room and watch cartoons. Mommy can turn them on. There are a couple of movies you might like out there too. I have a little niece that comes over, and she likes movies. I'll get us something to eat.”

“Can I meet your niece?” he asked.

“You sure can,” I said. “She's a few years younger than you, but she's pretty cool too.”

“Great,” he said, as he hopped down from the bed, grabbed Lauren's hand, and took off for the living room.

I walked into the kitchen and looked around. We definitely needed to do some shopping. Lauren got him settled before coming up behind me.

“You don't have to give him her room. We can sleep in the living room,” she said.

“No,” I said, as I quickly turned around. “He needs a room, Lauren. Jillian will be fine. I'm going to order some pizza. Is that okay for him? We can go shopping tomorrow and get things he likes and some food that isn't frozen. That was pretty much it for me.”

“Pizza sounds good,” she said.

“Great,” I said. “After pizza, I'll carry the boxes in. Then he can make that room his. Don't give him any crap either. You let him put his stuff all over in there. We can put your boxes in the office so you can go through them. There's a closet in there. I'll clear out a couple of my drawers for you to use in my dresser too. I'm going to go over and talk to my parents later. You and Jackson should come with me.”

“You really think he should go over there?” she whispered. “They're going to be pissed, Lance. This is all my fault. I should be the one to take the heat.”

“Yes, he should go,” I said. “My mom is going to love him.”

I could hear him singing along with the television.

“Listen to that,” I said. “He's a great kid, Lauren.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but I put my finger on her lips to stop her.

“Not a word,” I said before picking up my phone and calling for pizza.

I sent my mom a message that I was coming over and needed to talk to her and my dad. I also told her I was bringing two people with me. She knew I'd been at Lauren's because of her grandma's death, so I was pretty sure she guessed that Lauren was one of the people coming with me. She sent me back a time and let me know that she'd be making dinner, which I was super happy to read. My mom was a great cook. Dad said she hadn't always been though. When they first met, she ate frozen like I did.

We unpacked both cars and helped Jackson get his room in order. I wanted it done right away so he'd feel like it was his from the start. Once we were done with his room, it was time to go. I looked over his room one more time before leaving for my parents'. I had no idea what they were going to say or do, and I didn't care. I wanted Lauren and Jackson there, and that was all that mattered. Even if they didn't agree right away, I knew it wouldn't take long for Jackson and his smart mouth mom to win them over. She'd had a great start when she met them the first time. My mom asked me about her all the time.

When we walked up my parents' front steps, I reached down to grab Jackson's hand. I saw Lauren look over at me but didn't acknowledge it. I opened the front door a crack and yelled into the house.

“We're here.”

Lauren gave me a strange look, and I laughed.

“This is not a house you walk into unannounced. I believe not long ago my dad mentioned something about naked weekends. Not a sight I need to ever see.”

“No he didn't,” she said with a questioning look in her eyes.

“If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself,” I said. “I will not be scarred for life.”

I stepped forward into the house with Jackson, and Lauren walked in after us. We rounded the bend into the living room to find my dad sitting in his chair with my mom on his lap. When Lauren let out a laugh, my dad gave her a strange look. My mom jumped up, ran over, and wrapped her arms around Lauren.

“I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma,” she said. “I can't imagine how hard that must have been.”

“Thank you,” Lauren said.

I was watching my dad closely. He was looking between me and Jackson and then down at our hands. My mom took a step back from Lauren and looked down at Jackson.

“Who is this handsome young man?” she asked.

Jackson looked up at her and scrunched his nose at her.

“I'm Jackson,” he said. “Who are you?”

“It's very nice to meet you, Jackson,” she said, as she leaned down closer to him. “I'm Lance's mom, and that guy over there is his dad.”

“That's your mom and dad?” he asked, looking up at me.

“Yes,” I said.

“This is my mommy,” he said, pointing up at Lauren.

“I can see that,” my mom said. “You look just like her.”

“I don't have a daddy,” Jackson said. “Your daddy is big.”

“He sure is,” I said. “He's pretty nice though.”

My dad still hadn't said a word. I wasn't sure if he was just waiting to lower the boom on me later or if something highly inappropriate was about to come out of his mouth.”

Jackson walked right over to my dad, totally oblivious to the tension in the air.

“What are you doing, Lance's dad?” Jackson asked.

“My name is Lance too,” my dad said.

“Really?” Jackson asked. “That's kind of strange. Why didn't you give him his own name?”

My dad burst into laughter, and just like that, the tension was gone.

“Do you like baseball, Jackson?” my dad asked.

“Yes,” Jackson answered. “I watch it with my mommy. Do you like it?”

“I do,” my dad answered. “I used to play. I'm watching a game right now.”

“Can I watch it too?” Jackson asked, getting even closer to my dad.

“Hop on up,” my dad said.

I was just as shocked as Lauren when Jackson crawled right up into the my dad's lap and snuggled in next to him.

“You really are big,” Jackson said. “I like the Pirates. Who do you like?”

“The Pirates of course,” my dad said. “I think we're going to get along just fine. Get my boy a drink, Firecracker.”

My mom shook her head and took off for the kitchen. When she came back, she handed my dad a drink and then handed Jackson one too. Then she quickly turned to Lauren.

“I'm so sorry,” she said. “Can he have soda? I didn't even think to ask you.”

“A little,” Lauren said. “Thanks for checking.”

“He's a real cutie,” my mom said. “You two want to come help me with dinner while the two men over there watch the game?”

I could see Lauren looking between the game and us. Then I saw my mom shake her head. She saw it too.

“Go on,” she said.

“What?” Lauren asked.

“Go watch it,” my mom said, as she pointed to the screen. “Don't think I don't see you looking over there. You're as bad as Sammie.”

“Really?” Lauren asked.

“Go,” my mom said. “At least I can count on Lance to help.”

“Thanks,” I said. “Get moving.”

My mom didn't waste a second when we got through the kitchen door. She was surprised that Lauren had a son, but she didn't make a big deal out of it. I could tell she felt horrible that Lauren had just lost her grandma. My mom was no stranger to loss. She'd lost her first husband. I told her that Lauren and Jackson were moving into my place for a bit. She still didn't seem that shocked which honestly shocked me, but I wasn't about to question it. I didn't give her all the details of the time I was gone. I figured that was something Lauren would tell if she wanted to.

We had food on the table and called the three of them over. There were three grumpy grumblers heading our way, and I looked over at my mom.

“I'm not so sure about this after all,” I said.

My mom burst into laughter.

“We still have each other,” she said.

“There are some days you're just as bad as dad,” I said. “At least I get you part of the time though. I'm not complaining about that.”

Everyone had full plates and was busy eating. Jackson was smiling as he stuck forkful after forkful into his mouth.

“Does my mom cook good stuff?” I asked, and he nodded with another forkful ready and waiting.

I could feel the worry oozing off of Lauren, so I got it over with.

“Lauren and Jackson are going to stay with me,” I said.

Before I could say another word, Lauren had put her fork down and was looking from my mom to my dad.

“Please don't think I'm going to take advantage of Lance,” she began, and my dad coughed.

“Hotshot,” my mom hissed at him.

“Didn't say a word, Firecracker,” he said.

Lauren look over at me, and I could tell she was ready to cry.

“He doesn't mean it the way you do,” I said. “I already warned you about them.”

“Oh,” she said in a whisper. “Oh!”

She got it.

“I'm going to pay rent and cook and clean,” she said. “I'm going to earn our keep. I'm also going to make sure we don't get in Lance's way. I'm going to be sleeping on the couch, so no worries about me taking advantage that way either.”

“I wasn't worried,” my dad said with a smile.

“I didn't plan to come here,” she said, as she moved a bit in her seat and looked down at her hands. “I've lived at my grandma and grandpa's since I was little. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I intended on staying after she passed, but my mom had other plans. Yesterday, after everyone left, she told me I needed to leave.”

“She what?” my dad growled out loud enough to even have me looking up.

Lauren's eyes snapped up to his, and she bit her bottom lip.

“She told me I wasn't welcome anymore,” she whispered. “I guess my grandma never changed her will from what it had been all these years. I'll be honest with you, I don't have money. Any money I make, I use for Jackson.”

“His dad?” my dad asked.

“Dad,” I snapped.

“It's okay,” she said. “They should have questions, Lance. You're their son. They just want to make sure I'm not a bad person. Be happy they care.”

I instantly felt sick over the fact that I had so much love, and she had none.

“When my grandpa died, I kind of did the opposite of what I should have,” she said. “Instead of getting closer to my grandma, I pushed her away. I kind of started partying a bit and did some things I'm not proud of. One of them was Jackson's dad. I mean, I'm so happy I have him. You know what I mean. Anyway, it was a one night thing. Please don't think I'm sleazy. If you're like your son, you're probably judging me right now. I'll be honest with you, I've only been with one man since then.”

I know my eyes snapped to hers and widened larger than ever. I also know neither of my parents missed it. Only one man since. I was with her three times. I was the man she was talking about. Oh shit! Was she telling the truth? Maybe she was just saying that for them. That had to be it.

“My mom didn't want me to have Jackson,” she continued. “My grandma was the one who stood with me through it all. She helped me so much. I was already lost without her. The thought of having to live with my mom was horrible enough. When she said I had to leave, I didn't know what to do. She was putting me out with nothing. I don't know what's worse, the fact that I had nowhere to go or her not wanting me at all. It had been that way for a long time. It was just hard having her say it again. Lance heard my mom and said I could come back and stay with him. I argued it, but he wouldn't listen. I promise I won't stay any longer than I have to. I plan to get on my feet. This project is going to help me do that. Did he tell you I got through? We've been working on it over the phone.”

My dad looked up at me, and I narrowed my eyes at him letting him know to keep quiet. He knew damn well I got through. He was the only one I'd told.

“No,” my mom said after clearing her throat to try and cover her emotions.

I knew she was ready to burst into tears from hearing Lauren's story. It was horrible.

“Anyway,” Lauren said. “I just don't want you to think bad of me. I won't overstay my welcome. I plan to be on my own as soon as possible. If I get that job, I'll have to move there. Either way, it won't be long. I want you to think good of me, and me showing up here with a child probably does the exact opposite. I'm a good person. I can be a pain-in-the-ass. Lance had that part right. I mean well though.”

My mom got up, walked around the table, leaned down, and wrapped her arms around Lauren.

“We aren't judging you. We all have a past. Some suck worse than others. You're welcome here in our home anytime, even without my boy. Your mother is a fool. She doesn't know what she's missing. It makes me sick to see parents not taking care of their children. We don't think bad of you being at Lance's. Don't ever think like that. You'll get on your feet, and we will be right here to help you. You have an amazing son. No matter what happened for him to get here, it doesn't matter. You made the right choice there. He's just as welcome as you are. You hear me? Don't you ever apologize for anything, not to us or anyone else.”

“Thank you,” Lauren said with a tiny sniffle.

“Come on now,” I said. “Enough crying. Let her eat. I know I'm exhausted. I can only imagine how tired they are. We've done a lot today. I want to get them back so Jackson can relax a bit before bed.”

When we got back to my apartment, Jackson was already asleep. The poor guy had a busy few days. I carried him in and Lauren changed him into his pajamas before tucking him in. It didn't matter what her mom said, Lauren having Jackson was the right decision. She loved that little boy so much. It melted my heart watching her be so gentle and kissing him on the forehead.

When she walked into my room, I handed her a pair of sweats and a shirt.

“It's late,” I said. “I don't know about you, but I'm beat.”

“Me too,” she said.

“I'll lock up while you change,” I said before leaving the room.

When she walked out into the living room, it took all I had not to wrap my arms around her and cover her mouth with mine. My big sweats were barely hanging onto her little body, and my t-shirt look so damn sexy with her nipples pushing against it. I swear my dick twitched in my jeans.

“Do you have some blankets?” she asked.

“Why?” I asked confused.

“I need them to sleep,” she answered.

“In my bed,” I said, and she shook her head. “Just for tonight. I'll get the stuff tomorrow.”

When she shook her head again, I walked over to her, leaned down, and threw her over my shoulder.

“No arguing tonight, Woman,” I said. “I'll be on my best behavior. I just want you in my arms. There's nothing wrong with that. Now close your mouth and get some sleep.”

I dropped her down on my bed. Then I crawled in bed, pulled her close, and covered us up. She turned the other way and scooted her ass back against my dick. My hand grabbed her hip to still her.

“Stop,” I demanded.

I heard her giggle. Then I pulled my hand back and smacked her ass hard.

“Hey,” she yelped.

“Still that shit now,” I said. “I'm not fucking you tonight. Close your eyes and get some sleep. We've got to get some work done tomorrow.”

I held her tight until I knew she was asleep. Then I finally closed my own eyes wondering if I really had been the only man she'd been with in four years. I had no idea what was going on between us. All I knew was that I was so damn happy they were there.