Second Chance With Me - S. Moose Page 0,24

with the woman who holds my heart in her hands.

My hand goes to the back of my neck, rubbing the ache away. “I’ve asked Ashley for another chance, and I’m giving her time.”

Leigh makes a face. “I don’t think you coming back is a good idea,” she says, standing up to face me. “You are not a good idea.”

Taking her hands into mine, I peer into Leigh’s eyes. “I need you to understand something. I love Ashley and Alex. They’ve been my reason. I left Seattle to be with my family and help my mom. My father suffered a stroke, and he was in the hospital for a while, so I couldn’t leave them. I needed to be the rock for my family. It was my brother, Nolan, and I. My mother was a wreck. She couldn’t handle the pressures of taking care of my father and his position at work by herself. I had to leave everyone behind and be there for my family. When it was time to leave and come back, I did. Without looking back. So I’m back to repair the damages I left behind.”

Leigh’s hands cover her mouth. “I didn’t know. Does Ashley know?” I shake my head. “You need to tell her.”

“I will,” I whisper and pull back a little to contain my emotions. “I’m here now, and I’m going to fight for my family.”

“I see that now.”

“I’m glad you do. I know I don’t deserve them. Nothing was done on my part to deserve getting another chance, but all I’m asking is for Ashley to keep an open mind and let me in.”

I’m not going to let it stop me. I let her go before, but I’m not going to let her go again. No matter what it takes, Ashley and our son will know who I am and the man I want to be.

“You should go talk to her. She’s home.”

I nod. “Thank you. I’ll walk you out.”

Each beat of my heart pounds harder against my chest as I take the final steps up to the door. Before I can raise my finger to the doorbell, the door opens, and I’m faced with a short woman with short brown hair and dark brown eyes. I’d know those eyes anywhere.

“Hi.” Pathetic, I know, but it’s the only thing I’m able to say. “I know we haven’t met, and I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry we’re meeting like this. I’m Clayton…”

“I know who you are.” She raises a brow, and I watch her open the glass door and step outside. She’s shielding me from what’s in the house. “There’s a reason I’m not very welcoming, Mr. Turner. You are not a good man. You walked away and let them go. Now, you can do the same.”

Where both sides of my heart live.

“I won’t walk away again. I have a son, and I’d like to get to know him. I’d like to mend my relationship with Ashley. Even if we don’t end up together, at least she and I can co-parent.”

She raises her hand in the air. “You have some nerve to come here and talk to her, Mr. Turner. How dare you come over and try to worm your way back into Ashley’s life? She’s been a mother to that sweet boy since the day he was born. And it was without you. She’s perfectly capable of continuing to be his mother.”

I step back. “I’m sorry. I know my words are cheap, but I mean it. I’m here to hopefully talk to Ashley and let her know how sorry I am. Let her know I’m here to make things right.”

“Your words mean nothing to me,” she shoots back. “I know why you’re here. My grandson told me everything. Do you know how hard the pregnancy was on my daughter?”

I gulp in fear, swallowing my shame.

“Do you know when your son was born, my daughter nearly bled to death? She went against medical advice. For months I saw her suffer. She was weak and bedridden. Your son was born ten weeks early. For nearly three months, he was in the NICU. For two weeks, my daughter was in a coma. Do you have any idea what’s that like on a parent?”

“Mom.”

We both look over, and I’m doing everything I can not to rush to her and bring her in my arms.

Ashley.

“Mom. Stop. It’s okay. Can you please come inside and stay with Alex?”

Alex.

My son.

My boy.

“Ashley…”

“It’s okay. I got this.”

Her mom gives me a look before