Page 71 of Single Mom's Undoing

“Are you sure you and Matty are safe?”

“We are, for now. I’m doing everything in my power to keep it that way,” I reply. “Please don’t worry about us. We’re staying somewhere nice and clean. It’s going to be okay; I promise.”

“Where are you?” she asks again. “Please, I just need to know.”

“Baker City. Jodie, I beg you, don’t tell anyone."

“Will you call me if you can’t handle this on your own? I mean, you shouldn’t be alone anyway, but if you need me, Clara, I’ll drop everything and drive up there. I won’t tell anyone about it, not Carter, not Jace, not Damon; I promise.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that. But thank you, Jodie. I don’t deserve you.”

“But you do. You deserve what’s best in this world, and it’s a shame you still can’t see it.”

“Maybe it’s better this way.”

“No. I refuse to believe that, honey. So, please promise me. Promise me, Clara. Promise me you’ll call me if you need me for anything, okay?”

“Okay. I promise. Just don’t tell the guys we spoke.”

“They’re looking for you, Clara. You disappeared with Carter’s son. You know he’s not going to stop until they find you.”

“I know.”

I can only hope that this entire situation is temporary, something that I’ll be able to get over, something that will take years’ worth of apologies to Carter and the guys until they finally forgive me when I can’t even forgive myself.

“One day, they will understand,” I tell Jodie.

21

CARTER

The tension in Jodie’s shoulders as she welcomes me into her home tells me everything I need to know, along with the way she avoids looking me in the eye. She is keeping something from me.

“Thank you,” I say as she sets a coffee mug on the table between us.

She takes the sofa while I stick to one of the chairs. My seat is a tad higher, giving me a good view of her expression and the slightest shift in her body language.

“Don’t mention it,” Jodie says. “How are you guys holding up?”

“We’re looking for Clara. Have you been able to reach her?”

“Carter, even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to tell you?—”

“Jodie, she’s got Matty, my son,” I cut her off, my patience already dangerously thin. “If you’ve learned something since Jace stopped by to talk to you, please tell me. I deserve to know. Ineedto know.”

Jodie takes a deep breath and a sip of her coffee, pondering my words with great care. I have to admit, I do appreciate her loyalty and devotion. Friends like her aren’t easy to come by. But Clara promised she wouldn’t run away from us again, and she threw me for a loop.

I’m getting my woman back and my son, no matter what.

“First, I need you to tell me something,” Jodie says, finally finding the courage to meet my gaze. “What happened five years ago?”

“I didn’t know either until today,” I reply. “But I will tell you and only you, Jodie. To make you understand why it’s so important that we find Clara and Matty sooner rather than later. You can never speak a word of what I’m about to tell you, do you understand?”

She nods slowly, and damn near holds her breath as I tell her the short version of the story. It’s a heartbreaking tale, and I watch the tears well in Jodie’s eyes.

“Oh, that poor girl,” she sobs. “No wonder she was so scared all the time.”

“Maybe I would’ve done the same, if I’d been in her shoes. It’s not my place to judge. I love her too much, Jodie. I love her so much, it fucking hurts to not be able to reach her.”