Page 46 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

My nerves buzz frantically as I peer around the restaurant. It was my goal to be early, but ever so prompt, she beat me.

Mom stands, raising her hand to wave, then stops herself and settles back in her seat.

Shockingly, she’s dressed in basic jeans and a lightweight sweater. Similar to last week, her accessories are toned down to the basics with the addition of a few bangles Chase and I gifted her one Mother’s Day.

She gives me a small smile, motioning for me to sit at the table. A frazzled waitress approaches, handing me a menu. I order a water, not sure my stomach can handle anything more.

“Willow, I—” Her voice is shaky. She draws in a breath and exhales slowly. “Thank you for meeting me on your lunch break. I know you are busy.”

I knew this would be awkward, but seeing her nervous somehow eases my own anxieties.

“I received your messages.” I clear my throat, searching for confidence. “One thing I promised myself when accepting this invitation was total honesty.”

“That’s expected.”

“I’m here because of April Simms, Talon’s mom.”

“Oh?”

“She and I spent the weekend together and it opened my eyes to some things.”

“Can I ask what things?”

“She’s an amazing woman, and her family is everything to her. Talon spent ten years in the Marines. She lived in fear of all the unthinkable atrocities happening and if her son would survive.”

“That is terrifying.”

“She loves her son with all her being and wasn’t afraid to show it. While she was scared shitless for a decade, she was also proud.”

“A mother’s love is irrevocable.”

“I saw a lot of that this weekend. And it got me thinking. April is witty with a touch of sneaky. Without actually saying anything, she challenged me to confront the pain and emotions I lived with for all that time following Rylee and Joseph’s betrayal.

Seeing as I don’t give a rat’s ass about either of them, only one person has the answers. ”

The waitress drops my water off, catches the tears in my mom’s eyes, and excuses herself hastily.

“Did you know it was happening?” I ask bluntly.

She shakes her head sadly. “Not until you had already confided in me there were problems in your relationship. I noticed small differences in Rylee’s attitude and knew she’d met someone. Then one day it clicked. At first, I was in denial, hoping I was wrong.”

“You suspected my boyfriend and sister were seeing each other and kept it to yourself? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

“There was no proof until the day you called and said you broke up. I asked you to come over and you declined.”

“I remember, Bex and Lucas took me out.”

“That day, I followed Rylee from work. She went straight to Joseph’s. When he opened the door, there was my proof.”

“What did you do then?”

“I drove away like a coward and tried to come up with a plan to save my family.” Her appearance goes sickly with the admission. “It didn’t work.”

“I hate to interrupt, but can I get your order?” The waitress stands away from the table, regarding us with fright.

“The salad bar, please.” I hand her back the menu, knowing food is the last thing on my mind.

“Same, please.” Mom does the same.

She scurries away.

“Well, seems like we succeeded in scaring the waitress.”

“Not sure it was us.” Mom notions over my shoulder.

I turn to find Ace and Ford standing at the bar, their eyes zoned in on our table.

“Really?” I raise my hands in the air.

One side of Ford’s lips curl in a pompous way and I know my annoyance is no use.

“Ignore them.” I turn back to the table.

“Kind of hard to ignore that.”

“Talon is on shift today and wasn’t happy about my meeting you alone.”

“Does he honestly think I’d hurt you?”

“He’s aware of our history.”

She drops her gaze to her lap and sighs. “Guess I deserve that.”

My heart clenches in my chest, but I force myself to forge on. “What happened after you found out they were sleeping around?”

“I wanted to come up with a fool-proof plan. Telling your dad or Chase was one option, but I figured Joseph may not survive. It had to be me. I had to confront Rylee and still find a way not to devastate you. I was physically ill trying to work through scenarios. Then Rylee beat me to it by inviting you over that night. Joseph had arrived a few minutes before. Your dad didn’t have time to absorb the whole situation before you came through the door. You know the rest.”

“You stood by her. With each word she spewed that night, you watched me crumble.”

“I didn’t stand by her. I stood frozen in horror as my daughters’ relationship disintegrated into ash, knowing I didn’t protect you.”

“No.” I slam my fist on the table. “You didn’t protect me, then chose to stick by her.”

A large hand closes over mine, and I tip up to find Ace’s dark eyes blazing. “Lo, let’s go.”

“No, Achilles. I am fine.”

“We don’t agree.” Ford’s curtness would normally shock me. But his worry is evident.

I close my eyes and breathe a few times, finding balance. “Guys, I promise. Let me do this.”

They’re less than pleased as they back away.

“You may not believe this, but my family is everything to me, too.”

Oh, hell no, she doesn’t get to throw my words about April in my face. “Talon was across the world from his mom. I wasn’t even across town from you.”

“I know.”

“A year. You didn’t contact me for a year.”

“That’s not true. You wouldn’t take my calls.” She has a point.

“After you told me I was making you choose.”

“You were doing so well. Everything you worked to achieve was within reach. My devastation seemed selfish next to your accomplishments. That night you were in the hospital, something inside me died, knowing my first baby girl was suffering and I wasn’t able to see you.”

That night comes back to me in vivid color. Her voice, her words. “I heard you. You thought because I had Talon, things would go back to normal.”

“I was shocked, and hope sprung.”

“You supported Rylee, essentially choosing her.”

“No, I didn’t support her. But I did what I always did by letting her get her way.

Sterling and I were tense. Chase was furious with me and he was pulling away with Wyatt.

Lynden and Rosie were resigned. The one thing I set out to do to protect my family had backfired in the most horrendous way.

Two of my children hate me because I didn’t have the courage to stand up to my overly spoiled and malicious daughter. ”

“Rylee’s a bitch. But you’re wrong. I don’t hate you.”

Optimism blossoms on her face, her eyes welling. “Really?”

“Really. I don’t trust you, will never be able to erase what happened, but I also can’t measure the position you were in.”

“What?”

“Wyatt owns a piece of my heart. Jewls’ twins, Levi and Koby, are my little love bugs.

Harley’s unborn baby already has me wanting to scream with excitement with each day we get closer to the due date.

These aren’t even my own children. One day, when I have kids, I expect my heart may belong outside of my body. ”

“This is true.” She gives me a sheepish grin.

“That being said, you had three of us to love. Rylee was your baby. We were raised with the same values and morals, but she strayed. You and Dad placated that behavior. She lived with no consequences until recently. None of that changes the fact that you love your children.”

“From the bottom of my soul, I am sorry for the way I behaved this last year. You were always on my mind, but at some point, I reconciled that you were better off without me.”

“Stacy, this may take time. But one common denominator I take blame for is people always wanting to protect me. You hiding Rylee’s betrayal, Chase and Bex hiding their relationship, Talon trying to put me behind a fortress. I’m stronger than people give me credit for.”

“You always have been.” The sincerity in her compliment sends a wave of warmth through me.

“Thanks.”

“One more thing. Are you sure you’re okay with Sterling and me moving forward with bailing Rylee and Joseph out?”

I try to cover my laugh, which turns it into a muted squeak. “We already went through this. It means nothing to me. I have Talon because of their mess.”

Her smile is genuine and laced with a little mischief. “Yes, Talon. Quite a man you landed.”

There’s a light rumble from behind.

Oh my God, these bruisers are listening. I do a quick glimpse around the table for anything out of place and notice a small silver device next to my water. No wonder the waitress is spooked. These men are insane.

“Man, neanderthal, brute, boor… you name it. He and his friends are developing a side gig as caveman trainers.”

One of them, possibly Ace, snickers. I chuck the device over my shoulder without looking to let them know I’m on to them.

Mom’s gaze lights with amusement. “I hope to get to know him and his friends one day soon.”

“Stacy, I’m living the best life possible. There is no room for toxicity or distrust. If you want to be a part of this life I’m building, I’m willing to give it a try. Small steps.”

The amusement fades out and tears well. “I’ll do anything in my power to win your trust again. Small steps are fine.”

“Well, then we’ve come to our place.”

“What exactly is our place?”

“The place of opportunity.”

“Does this opportunity allow for you to call me Mom again?”

“Small steps.”

She nods, gathering her napkin from her lap and slapping it on the table. “We better take advantage of this fabulous salad bar before you have to return to work.”

“You know about the salad bar?”

“Of course! I love this place.”

“You do? It doesn’t seem like your kind of establishment.” I take in the clientele dressed more like me in scrubs.

“Your dad had an office close to here many years ago. We met up often.”

“Why’d you stop?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “You always wanted to go to upscale restaurants when you met me for lunch.”

“Because somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I thought taking you to fancy restaurants was part of my job. Show you the finer things.”

“I didn’t need that.”