Everyone rushes outside to his aid, so I turn to pour myself a glass of wine.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Margaret’s cold voice hisses behind me.
What?
I turn to her as my heart starts to thud. “I beg your pardon?”
“Who in the hell do you think you are?” She growls.
“I could ask you the same question.”
She steps forward. “Do you really think that trapping my son is the way to go?”
“I haven’t trapped anybody.”
“That’s your plan, isn’t it? You little gold digger. You get yourself pregnant and turn up here to demand half of Cameron’s empire.”
“What?” I frown. “You’re delusional. Leave me alone, Margaret. I have nothing to say to you.” I turn my back on her because I know if I don’t, I’m going to lose my living shit.
“Listen here, you lying little witch,” she continues behind me. “You walk out of my son’s life right now. He doesn’t need a distraction like you and he is not your bank boost or ticket to freedom.”
“How dare you?” Cameron growls from behind us, and we both turn in surprise.
Cameron walks over and puts his arm around me. “Don’t you ever speak to her like that again. Do you understand me?” he yells.
“She’s… she’s no good for you, Cam,” she stammers nervously. “She’s a gold digger. She got pregnant on purpose and then she turns up here, making demands.”
Cameron steps closer to her. “Let’s get one thing straight here… I’m the one pursuing Ashley. It’s not the other way around. I’m the one who fucked up, and if I have it my way, she’ll soon be back with me and you will have nothing to fucking do with it.” Natasha and Joshua come back inside and frown as they approach all the shouting.
Cameron glares at his mom. “If you dare disrespect Ashley again, you disrespect me and Owen, too, and I’m not going to allow that to happen. You better apologize now.” He growls.
“I will do nothing of the sort,” she snaps.
“Margaret,” Natasha interrupts. “Cut it out. Ashley is my friend, and what was she supposed to do? She had no way of contacting Cameron. How dare you speak to her like this?”
“Natasha, she’s fooled you, too. She got pregnant on purpose. This was no accident,” Margaret shouts.
“That’s enough, Mother.” Joshua sneers.
“Apologize,” Cameron yells.
“No,” she shouts back.
“That’s it.” Cameron growls. “Get Owen, Ashley. We’re leaving. I’m not putting up with this shit.”
“No,” I say calmly as my eyes hold Margaret’s.
The room falls silent.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Margaret narrows her eyes and raises her chin defiantly.
I fold my arms in front of me and smirk. “You misunderstand me, Margaret. I’m a lot of things, but weak isn’t one of them.”
“How dare you? This is my son’s house.”
I smile sarcastically. “Oh, I dare. This is Owen’s family time, and I will stay with my son while he’s here. If you don’t like it, that’s just too bad.”
Our eyes are locked.
“You don’t have to like me, Margaret,” I say calmly. “But, as my son’s grandmother, I will try my best to like you……. although you are making that increasingly difficult.” I glance over and Natasha smirks.
“Now, if you don’t mind cutting down on your dramatics, I’m here for Jordana’s birthday. Go and make a scene somewhere else.”
The room falls silent and I turn to Cameron and kiss him on the lips quickly. “I’ll be out the back, baby.” Then I turn and head out the door.
“Hell, yeah,” I hear Joshua mutter as Natasha giggles.
I smirk and head outside without looking back.
Fuck off, you old mole. I’m not taking your shit and I’m not backing down.
I do things my way.
29
Ashley
I read the text from Cameron and smirk. It’s Thursday lunchtime now. We’ve been flirting all week and, other than the quick kisses he gave me when he dropped Owen off, we haven’t been alone at all. The Sunday family dinner at Natasha’s cemented that we are officially trying again. We went back to his house and had a big talk after dinner and I agreed to try and give things a go. We snuggled on the couch while Owen watched television. Cameron didn’t push for anything because he knew I wasn’t ready. Things are good between us and I think I’m finally ready to move on. He can sense it.
I missed you last night
I glance up at him across the cafeteria table and our eyes lock. He’s sitting with Amber, listening to her babble, yet he’s messaging me. I text back.