Page 41

Chapter forty

He’s tasted my wounds and loves me anyway

Charlie

T he warmth of Jake beside me is the first thing I notice as I blink awake. His arm is slung loosely over my waist, chest rising and falling in that steady rhythm that always seems to soothe me. For a moment, everything feels calm. Safe.

I close my eyes again, soaking up the security of his presence. The way he held me last night, like he was shielding me from the weight of the world... I don’t know what I’d do without him. But the peace doesn’t last long. The anxiety over Alex still lingers, curling through my mind.

Last night was a mess. Alex showing up unannounced, throwing around those veiled threats. I hate this—the uncertainty, not knowing if he’ll show up or if he’ll let the kids down again. The thought clings to me, heavy and suffocating.

I shift slightly, trying to push it down, but Jake stirs and his arm tightens around me. "Mm, stay," he murmurs, voice heavy with sleep. "You’re warm.”

A soft chuckle escapes me, and I snuggle back into him as he presses a lazy kiss to the back of my neck.

“Morning.”

“Morning,” I reply softly, turning in his arms.

He’s barely awake, hair a mess and a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. I press my forehead to his chest, breathing him in. For a moment, the knot in my chest loosens, the tension dissolving in his steady presence. His fingers thread through my hair, a gentle rhythm that quiets my mind.

“You good?”

I nod, even though I’m not entirely sure it’s true. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Jake cups my cheek, tilting my face up to his. Sleepy hazel eyes search mine, watching for any sign I’m slipping back into my thoughts. His thumb strokes my cheek, quiet worry evident even though he’s trying to hide it.

“You’re thinking about him. Don’t let him take up space here.”

I nod again, but the weight of everything still presses down on me. “It’s hard to shake the feeling that he’s going to push things further. Last night felt like the beginning of something.”

Jake’s jaw tightens slightly, his arm pulling me closer. “If he pushes, we push back. He doesn’t get to walk in and disrupt your life, their lives.” His voice softens when he adds, “Our lives.”

I sigh, leaning into him, letting his warmth surround me. “I just don’t want to lose any of this.” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Jake pulls back slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. “You won’t. I meant what I said last night, Charlie. You’re mine. We’ll figure this out.”

His words are a balm, even as the worry still gnaws at the edges of my mind. “I know. I love you.”

His smile widens, and he brushes my hair back, admiring me like he’s memorizing the moment. “I love you, too.” Then he leans in and kisses me like he’s trying to erase the tension with every touch. And for a moment, it works.

We lay there for a few more minutes, wrapped up in each other. Jake’s fingers trace light patterns on my skin, his presence grounding me, reminding me that the world outside can wait.

“You know,” Jake hums, his lips grazing my temple, “we could always stay in bed. Skip the day altogether.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Tempting, but I think the kids might notice if we never come out.”

“They’ll survive.”

Before I can respond, a soft knock on the door makes us both freeze.

“Mum?”

Noah’s voice is quiet. Jake moves beside me, reaching for a t-shirt and pulling it on.

I roll over and adjust my tank top, offering Jake a reassuring smile before calling out, “Come in, buddy.”

Noah pushes the door open, his small face peeking around the corner. He clambers onto the bed, crawling between us. I smooth a hand over his hair as he curls up next to me.

“You okay?” I ask gently.

Noah nods but doesn’t speak right away. After a moment, he whispers, “Are we seeing Dad today?”

My stomach twists, that familiar dread rising up in my chest. I hate this—hate how Alex holds the reins. Hate that I don’t know how to answer Noah because his father hasn’t bothered to give me any information.

“I’m not sure, honey,” I say softly. “Your dad hasn’t told me yet.”

Noah’s face falls, and he burrows into my side, quiet and still. “I don’t want to see him,” he whispers, and my heart aches.

I glance at Jake, who’s watching us with that protective look, his jaw ticking slightly.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, Noah,” I reassure him, stroking his hair. “It’s your choice, okay?”

Noah nods, but the tension in his small body doesn’t ease. Jake leans over, brushing a kiss against my shoulder before murmuring, “I’ll go check on Meadow.”

He ruffles Noah’s hair gently before slipping out of the room, leaving the two of us cocooned in the warmth of the blankets.

A few moments later, I hear Meadow’s happy shrieks echoing down the hallway, and then Jake walks by with her perched on his shoulder.

She spots us through the doorway as they stroll by. “Mama! Pancakes!”

I chuckle, pressing a kiss to Noah’s head as I watch them disappear down the hallway. My heart feels full despite the lingering stress from last night. Jake’s presence, the way he handles everything with such steady confidence, makes me feel like we can get through a nything. Even Alex. Even custody threats.

“Come on, bud. Let’s get some breakfast.”

***

Downstairs, the smell of coffee fills the air, mingling with the sound of Meadow's giggles as she runs circles around the kitchen island. Jake’s busy at the stove flipping pancakes, but he throws me a playful wink as I step into the room.

I scoop Meadow up, kissing her chubby cheeks. “Good morning, sweet girl.”

She beams, snuggling into me. “Jake’s making pancakes!”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “You’re spoiling them.”

Jake just grins, flipping another pancake. “Nothing’s too good for my family.”

There’s a pointedness to his words, a quiet possessiveness that makes my heart swell. He’s doing everything he can to show me he’s here—that he’s not going anywhere. That he’s ready to be whatever I need him to be. The gratitude I feel for him, it’s overwhelming.

He loves me and my kids fiercely. Even though I still house heartache, even though I have deep battle wounds. He’s tasted them, and he loves me anyway. Despite them. Like I was always meant to be his.

Meadow darts over to Jake, immediately attaching herself to his leg. He laughs, lifting her up easily with one rippling forearm, reaching for his coffee with the other.

“You’re clingy today,” he jokes, kissing her head.

My throat burns. This man. If I focus for too long on the sheer love he showers us with, I’ll lose it. So instead, I grab the coffee he poured for me, sipping it as I watch them.

For a moment, everything feels normal. Like this is just an ordinary morning. Jake with the kids, the rush of breakfast before the day begins. It’s easy to forget the shadow of last night, the weight of Alex’s sudden appearance looming over us.

I take a breath and remind myself I need to shift gears. I have a big client onboarding meeting next week , and my mind is already spinning with everything I need to do. This is a make-or-break moment for me at work, and it demands all of my focus.

Jake has practice today, and then he’s off for another week of away games tomorrow. I know he’s feeling the pressure too. The playoffs are looming, and the pressure is ramping up for him as much as it is for me.

Nina arrives a moment later, her energy filling the room as she helps get the kids ready for the day. “Morning, team! Ready to conquer the world?”

“Nearly,” I mutter, but she catches it.

“Long night?” she asks quietly.

I nod, not elaborating. She doesn’t press, but I can tell she’s reading the tension hanging in the air. Nina has been with us long enough to know when something’s off.

Jake moves beside me, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, a silent reassurance. I smile up at him, the tension easing ever so slightly under his touch.

The moment shatters as my phone buzzes on the counter and Alex’s name flashes across the screen.

I pick up the phone, stepping out of the kitchen as I open the message.

Alex: Meeting tonight to discuss the kids. 7 p.m. My hotel bar.

I stand there for a second, staring at the screen. Of course this isn’t over. Alex wouldn’t let it be that easy. And naturally, he schedules the meeting at a time that suits only him. Not even considering that 7 p.m. is dinner, bath, and bed time for his own children.

“Everything okay?” Jake’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

He’s leaning against the doorway, eyes steady but filled with concern. I hold up the phone, letting him read the message.

His expression hardens. “You’re not going alone.”

I shake my head, frowning slightly. “You’ve got away games starting tomorrow.”

He steps close r, his eyes locking on mine with that unyielding intensity I’ve come to love. “I don’t care, I’m coming with you. He’s not pulling this shit again.”

Jake wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “I’ll stay here tonight, then head to the airport in the morning. We’ll deal with Alex together.”

I lean into him, grateful for his unwavering support. “I hate this. What if this custody thing is real? What if he actually follows through?”

His arms tighten around me. “Then we fight, and we win. You’re an amazing mom, Charlie. You’ve built a beautiful life for your kids. Alex is just trying to rattle you. He won’t follow through.”

I close my eyes, letting his words sink in, but the anxiety still simmers. “I hate that he can still get to me. After everything, he can still get in my head.”

“That’s because he’s a prick who hates he's lost control of you,” Jake mumbles. “He’s all talk. But you’ve got me. And we’ve got this.”

I breathe him in, some of the tension loosening. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Jake’s hands skate up to my shoulders and squeeze lightly. “Go get ready, I’ll make sure Nina has everything she needs with the kids.”

I close my eyes, shaking my head with a smile. Moments like this show me just how deeply Jake cares, how he’s always two steps ahead, thinking of me. He loves me enough to know all the little things as much as the big ones.

“You’re too good to me,” I say, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

“Trust me, Lady Lightning,” he says, pulling me in, voice dipping into that possessive timbre. “You make it easy. And it’s not about being too good, I want to be the man you deserve.”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Okay, I’ll go get ready.”

“Good,” he says, his hands sliding down to give me a light tap on th e ass as I head for the stairs.

I laugh, already feeling a little lighter. Like he’s injected his own brand of sunshine into my veins, and I’m ready to take on the day.