Page 54 of Caged Heat

“Ella, you have nothing to be ashamed of, baby. It hasn’t taken away from the magical day that it was. I promise. Now, please dress in something sexy so we can show this promoter how awesome I am.” Jackson pressed his hands together, pushing his bottom lip out as he batted his eyelashes at me.

“You’re right. I’m not going to change Mack’s mind sitting at home. I need to live my life, and tonight that’s celebrating you.”

“Yes! Now, have you worn everything you got when Steph took you shopping?”

“I don’t know.” I tilted my head in thought.

“Can I browse?” He rubbed his hands together in anticipation, so I nodded, giving him the go-ahead. Jackson enjoyed picking out things for me to wear, and since I didn’t care and he had a better fashion sense than me, I let him. Plus, there was a thrill in wearing something curated by the man you loved that always sent a charge through me.

August snored softly in my lap, and I stared down at him, brushing his dark hair back. It was my fantasy come to life, and it was so much better than I had ever imagined. His woodsy and earthy scent surrounded me, making me relax as I stroked his hair and sipped my tea. At some point, I’d zoned out, jumping when he snorted himself awake. I chuckled at the sound as he sat upright and blinked.

“What?” he asked, wiping his mouth for any drool.

“Nothing.” I grinned, though, loving that even the big burly man snored and drooled. Before he could ask, Jackson stepped into the room, a frown on his face as he approached.

“There’s someone at the door for you, Ella. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to see him right now.”

“Who?” I asked, my heart lurching. I wanted it to be Mack but was nervous about what it would mean.

“Mom?” Mack said, stepping into the living room. He took in August sitting next to me, swallowing before his eyes jumped to Jackson and then back to me. “You’re really with them both. It’s not just a fetish thing?”

Scrunching up my nose, I stood and placed my cup on the end table. “I’m not sure where you got that idea, but no, it’s not a fetish. I love them both.”

Mack studied me, assessing me in a new light. I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, and whether I liked it. Part of me wanted my son to always see me as the perfect mom, and not all the other parts of me that made me human. But perhaps he needed to realize I was more than just a mom, too. Maybe we both had to.

“Can we talk?” he asked, glancing at the other two.

“We’ll be in the other room,” August said in response, standing and pushing out Jackson, who looked like he wouldn’t budge. I gave him a soft smile, letting him know I’d be okay.

Sitting down on the couch, I patted the spot August had just vacated. Mack hesitated for a second before he dropped onto the cushion. We stared at one another for a few seconds before both blurting out apologies.

“I’m sorry?—”

“You’re sorry?” he asked, lifting his brow. “I’m the one who needs to apologize. I…” He dropped his eyes, shaking his head. “Ashley and I broke up a few weeks ago. I realized she wasn’t the one I wanted to spend my life with. She’d never been nice to you, and her changing her mind on kids was a deal breaker for me. She asked me not to say anything yet, stating she wanted to tell her parents first and find a new place to live. With work being busy, I agreed. But I also didn’t want to deal with it.”

He sighed, dropping his head and rubbing his hands through his long hair. No matter how much I was hurt by his words last night, I couldn’t sit here while my child was upset and not comfort him. So I scooted closer and wrapped my arm around him, rubbing his arm as I clutched him to me. Mack rested his head on my shoulder, reminding me more of my little boy at that moment than my adult son. He took in a deep, shuddering breath before he let it out.

“I found out she’s been cheating on me. It hurt even though we’d already broken up. It made me question if I was the problem, if I hadn’t given her enough attention. When she called me last night and said she saw you kissing some fighter dude, I didn’t know what to think. It felt like another example of how people were keeping things from me and that maybe I didn’t know the women in my life as well as I thought. I never should’ve said any of those things to you, Mom.”

He turned, blinking his tear-filled eyes up at me. The sadness and remorse were crystal clear. I bit my tongue from saying it was okay because it wasn’t. But I appreciated him acknowledging his wrongs. It was what I wanted to see as a mom and as the hurt person to hear.

“I’m sorry for not realizing how awful Ashley was sooner. For letting her control me and convince me you didn’t want me around.”

I gasped, my face hardening at his words. “I’d slap her if that wouldn’t be considered wrong,” I mumbled, picturing how satisfying it would be.

Mack gave a soft laugh, wiping his face. “You were right that you never judged me, and I owe you the same courtesy,” he paused, taking a breath as he searched my face. “So, um, tell me about your boyfriends?” He grimaced, his cheeks rosy as he tried to come to terms with his mom dating two guys.

Leaning back, I told him how I met Jackson and about all the adventures he’d taken me on, leaving out the sex parts. Then I told him how August had been lurking for years in the background, just waiting to make his move. How he’d taught me self-defense and made me worm my own fish hook. When I told him about the disastrous dinner and how the guys knew one another, he somehow reined in his shock.

“And you’re not just waiting until you like one more than the other?” he asked.

“Nope. It might sound different, but I love them both. Jackson makes me feel young and carefree, reminding me not to take things too seriously. August is the solid ground I need, the peace and calm to my soul, and he takes charge, lifting some of the responsibility off me. I can just be myself with them, which I’d forgotten how to do until recently.”

“Then I’m happy for you, Mom. You deserve to be loved, so if these men do that, I’d like to get to know them too. It might take me a little while to adjust, but I promise to try. I’m not used to having to share you.”

I grinned, kissing his forehead. “Thanks, Son. That means a lot. They’re both great men who I think you’ll like once you give them a chance.”

“Why does Jackson fight if he’s that smart and successful?” he asked after it had been quiet for a few seconds.

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