don’t think I can stand to watch him hurtin’ like this much longer. I know. I love you too. Talk soon.”
I stepped into the kitchen. “Hey, Mom, who was on the phone?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Oh, just somebody tryin’ to sell me somethin’. You know how that goes...”
I hated that she felt she had to lie to me about talking to Uncle Jake. He knew I had to do this. They both knew that it would be hard for me to abandon Jaz. Especially, after I became attached. Stacy needed me to help her with the baby. There was no way she could raise a kid by herself. And we were married. I just needed to forget about my fucking fantasy future, and live in the here and now.
“Yeah, Mom, I know. I promise we will get out of your hair soon. I don’t wanna cause a burden for you. I really appreciate you letting us stay.”
Mom motioned for us to sit down at the table. “Son, I need to know what you’re gonna do about that girl in Missouri. I know you mean to do the right thing by that sweet baby girl upstairs. But what about those kids in Missouri? There as much yours as Jaz is.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Mom? The twins aren’t mine.”
“And neither is she. You can’t lie to me, Jaxon. I know that baby isn’t yours. A mom always knows this stuff. Now tell me why you’re lyin’.”
Wow, this woman was truly amazing. I was so relieved to get this out. “You’re right. We had a test done and she isn’t mine. But mom, she needs me. Stacy can’t raise a kid on her own. As it stands, she’s got one foot in a crack house. If I leave her, it won’t do either one of ‘em any good.”
Mom leaned across the table and took my hands in hers. “Jaxon, I raised you to be a good man, a man that does the right thing. This is not the right thing for you. You can’t do this for them. You have to live your life for you, son. You love Loralei, don’t you?”
I squeezed mom’s hands in mine. “Mom, I love her more than anything. She’s what I want and what I see when I imagine my future.”
About the time those words came out my mouth, Stacy came through the doorway. “So, you’re just gonna leave us? Just like that. Is that little country bitch really what you want? You’d give up a life with me and Jaz for her?” The way she referred to Loralei made my stomach churn.
I let go of mom’s hands and stood up from the table. I never broke eye contact with Stacy. I slowly walked to where she was standing. “I didn’t give up our life together, Stacy that was you. That little girl is not mine. We both know who her father is. Maybe you should give him a call and see if he’ll take you in. I can’t be your husband when I am in love with someone else.”
Stacy started sobbing, grabbing at my shirt, begging, “Please don’t do this, Jaxon. Please don’t leave us. I need you. God, how I need you. I can’t raise her by myself. You know Ratz won’t be there for us. I don’t have anyone but you.”
I tore her hands away from my shirt. “Stacy, you don’t have me. I am not yours. I don’t love you. Now get your hands off of me. And it sounds to me like you know damn well who her dad is. I’m sure you knew it the whole fucking time.”
Stacy stepped back from me. “Well, she sure as hell wasn’t yours. You weren’t even man enough to do that. Let’s see how much your little country bitch loves you when you can’t even give her a baby.” Her true colors were finally showing. I put my hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her aside, so I could step through the door.
Stacy started sobbing again. “What the fuck am I supposed to do Jaxon? Where am I supposed to go? I can’t go home. You know how my mom treated me after rehab.” She had a point. Her mom had written her off when she found out she was using drugs. But I had lost all sympathy toward her. Of course I wanted Jaz to be taken care of, but she was her responsibility. And she was going to have