Chapter Fifteen

 

Creed

 

13 Months Later

 

The door buzzed and I moved forward automatically, accustomed to the sound after so many months.  This time though, it meant freedom.  I stepped out into the sunlight, squinting against the bright glare.  I knew someone would be there to pick me up, but I didn’t dare hope it would be –

“Creed,” she called out and my heart clenched at the familiar sound of her voice.  I thought I’d memorized it, but my memory hadn’t done her justice.  I stepped out from the shadow of the prison as she ran toward me, catching her when she leapt into my arms.

“Jailbait,” I murmured as I buried my nose into the soft strands of her hair, inhaling the citrus scent.  Her legs wrapped around my waist as she squeezed me in a tight hug.

“Technically, I’m no longer jailbait,” she whispered in my ear, planting a soft kiss on my earlobe.  “All legal.”

“You’ll always be my Jailbait,” I informed her, lifting my head to meet her eyes, seeing the corners of them crinkle as she gave me a wide grin.  “I missed you.”

“The weekly care packages weren’t enough?”  She teased, looping her hands around my neck.

“They couldn’t replace this,” I replied, bouncing her lightly.  “They did make me extremely popular with the other inmates though.”

She laughed, the sound so carefree and joyous it was contagious.  I couldn’t stop my own smile as I studied her.  “I didn’t think you’d be here,” I admitted and her head lowered as she gave me a mock frown.

“Oh, I know you didn’t,” she reprimanded.  “Ye of little faith.” She bopped the tip of my nose and I flinched reflexively.  “I’m here to stay, Creed Hayes.”  She cocked her head.  “Can you handle that?”

A slow grin formed as I answered, “Yes, ma’am.”

 

***

 

It was a couple of days before life settled back into a routine.  The welcome home party had lasted from the time we’d pulled into the parking lot of the club until the next day as it seemed everyone in Friendly came to welcome me home.

“You were missed,” Jailbait reminded me, leaning down to kiss my cheek as I sat at the kitchen table, a stack of envelopes piled in front of me.  She bounced the little infant seat when Deacon fussed and he quieted.

“You look good doing that,” I told her and she smiled.

“Ready for one of your own,” she teased, her hair spilling around her shoulders, the color once again her natural blonde.

“We might wait till you’re of legal drinking age,” I suggested and she laughed.  It seemed she’d become the resident nanny while I was gone, and I couldn’t imagine a better fit.  She loved kids and they seemed to love her.  “Norah enjoying her job?”

Jailbait lifted one shoulder, her face worried.  “I’m not really sure she enjoys anything,” she answered, one finger stroking baby Deacon’s cheek.  “At least she’s trying though.”

I nodded, scrubbing my hand over my face as I stared at the stack of welcome home cards.  No doubt several had money in them, the club members’ way of helping out since I’d been incarcerated.  I sorted through them as Crew came in, grabbing an apple and taking a bite.  He made funny faces at baby Deacon as one envelope in particular caught my eye.  I stilled, my hand hovering over it as I recognized the block lettering.

This one had a stamp, but no return address, and a cold sensation crept over me.  I checked the postmark and saw it had been sent over a month ago.  It was addressed to me so no one had opened it, and I knew it was only because Crew hadn’t recognized the handwriting.

I swallowed, their idle chatter fading as I picked up the envelope slowly, the damn thing a time bomb ready to explode.  I peeled it open, unsurprised to see only a couple of lines scrawled inside, each one precise and to the point.

“Creed,” Jailbait’s voice broke through the roaring in my ears and I glanced up from the letter to find both of them staring at me curiously.  “Is something wrong?”

I held up the paper, my gaze settling on Crew as I told them, “Cord’s coming home.”