have dropped the whole matter.”
“I’m not going to just ‘drop’ my son. You should know that right now.”
The cold tone of his voice sent a shiver through my spine. My maternal instinct kicked in, the only desire I had to protect my son. Walker posed a threat to that world. My hands started to shake with anger, a rush of heat jumping to my cheeks. It may have only been a passing threat, but it was a threat from Walker all the same.
“What are you going to do then? Like I said, you have no rights, and you better believe we will be long gone before you even think about making a move.”
“Why won’t you just meet me in the middle? Let me meet him.”
“You said you’d drop it after I told you, and that was a lie. Why should I believe you will let go after meeting him? So far, the only Wheeler legacy I see is one of bullshit. If you come near him or me, we will disappear so fast, people won’t remember our names.”
“Please don’t do that.” He said.
“Then, don’t make me. You think I want to uproot my entire life? Hell no, but if you think for one second, I’ll sit around and let you take him away from me, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“But it’s okay for you to just take him away from his father?”
“Get it through your head, you are not his father. He doesn’t have one.” I snapped.
“I don’t accept that! I know what I said earlier, but it isn’t fair for you to keep him away from me. You think that you know the law so well, but he is my son, and I will stop at nothing to make sure I can be a part of his life.”
“Then you should get ready to be disappointed. I know for the Wheeler men, not getting your own way is something new altogether. You’ve never gone up against a mother fighting for her son before. I know what’s best for Harrison, I have since the day he was born. You haven’t been there for the good days and the bad ones, that was all me.”
“Maybe if you’d been a little less selfish and stubborn, I could have been! Hell, I would have loved to go through that with you!”
“Until you didn’t want to anymore. Until all you wanted was an out and our son. Then you would have shucked me to the side like I was nothing.”
“Jesus, what kind of a man do you think I am?” He asked. “What happened to you that you think all men are these evil and jaded creatures. Are you going to instill that man-hate in our son too? I come from a long line of good men.”
“Right, whatever helps you sleep at night. I guess being a conceited prick isn’t your fault. That’s just how you were raised, after all…” I glared at him. “You’re a Wheeler.”
“God, you are an infuriating woman! What the hell is wrong with being a Wheeler? You say it like it’s so bad. I’m sorry we are successful and driven. Most women appreciate that in a man but not you! No! Not Stacy! You think that you are so tough, you’re just afraid to let anyone in.”
“Save it.” I snapped. “I don’t need to justify my actions to anyone, least of all you. Why don’t you climb back up on your high horse and ride off into the sunset because I sure as hell don’t want you around here.”
“One of these days, you are going to let someone in, and they are going to show you what it really feels like to have a heart. I hope you don’t rip theirs out like you are doing to me. I deserve to know my son.”
“I don’t owe you anything,” I said.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I stormed away from Walker as he called after me. Jumping into my truck, Walker was already halfway down the hill when I threw it into drive and cut through the pristine grass. My truck left deep ruts in the yard, catching the gravel as I took off down the driveway. After a few seconds, I knew that Walker wasn’t following me, and my heart started to slow some. Still, as I reached the highway, my hands continued to shake.
Chapter Seven (Stacy)
I shoved open the glass door with far more force than needed as I scanned the gallery for customers. It was late afternoon. The evening