Page 57 of Forever Ink

If I was able to look at my boys face, I was sure I’d see the twinkle of pure mischief in his eyes. “And that sensible decision is to let you have a puppy,” I answered, trying not to laugh.

“Of course. But no, that’s not what I need to talk to you about.” Rhys’s tone became more serious, losing the playful edge to it.

“What is it, baby bear?” I glanced over at Rhys. He was biting his lip, which was never a good sign. “Baby, your lip.”

He let his lip slip free of his teeth. “Sorry. Um, could we pull over so we can talk and you don’t have to worry about driving?”

“Yeah, there’s a services park just up ahead. Sounds like it’s important.” I was starting to worry.

“It is. I was going to wait until we got home, but it’s taking up a lot of space in my head and I really need to talk to you about it.”

I pulled off the main road into the services exit. The gravel car park was for the lookout into Tewsbury Bay, and there were no other cars about. Most people would still be at home enjoying the Christmas holidays. I pulled the car into a parking spot. Without having to leave the warmth of the car, we could look out onto the bay and talk.

“Okay sweetheart, what’s bothering you?”

Rhys unbuckled his belt and turned to sit facing me, pulling his legs up as he leaned against the door. “Okay, so I got a phone call Christmas morning.”

I frowned, not remembering any calls. “When?”

“While I was out cuddling Ragnar. I thought it might have been Donald phoning to wish us a merry Christmas, but it wasn’t.”

“Rhys.” Worry started to curdle in my gut.

“It was Susan.” Rhys held out his hand to me and I took it, the worry turning into anger that she would dare contact my boy.

“What did she say?” I gritted out. I tried to keep myself under control. The last thing I wanted Rhys to feel was that I was angry at him.

“She wanted to apologise, and then asked if we could meet.” Rhys tipped his head back, his eyes closed for a moment while he thought. “She wants my help.”

“I hope you told her to fuck off. You should have hung up on her as soon as you knew who it was.”

Rhys gave me a wan smile. “I gave her a piece of my mind, but I agreed to meet up with her, time and place of my choosing.”

“What the fuck, boy? No. I forbid it.” I sat up suddenly, bashing my head against the car roof and earning an eye roll from Rhys. As soon as the words came out of my mouth I regretted them. I’d never forbid my boy anything. Still, the thought of him being anywhere near that bitch set my blood boiling.

“Daddy, I love you more than words, but that’s not your call. I understand how you feel but put yourself in my place. I need closure, and I think this will be the best way forward. Besides, I want to know what I could possibly help her with.” Rhys spoke calmly, but there was a hint of steel in his voice.

I wasn’t going to win this argument, no matter what I thought.

“I don’t like this. What if she tries to take you away? You remember what happened last time.” The memories of the panic attack Rhys had suffered, the pain in his face, nearly broke me. If Mouse and Donald hadn’t been there… my heart thumped in my chest with a jolt of fear.

Rhys scooted forward, taking both my hands in his. His blue eyes were so clear. “I won’t let that happen. I’ve already decided to meet her at the café. I’ll talk to Donald and if it makes you feel better, you can both sit outside while I talk to her.”

“No. If this is going to happen, I want to be there.”

“No, Simon. That is not your choice. I want you to wait outside for me. I need your support, but I have to face her on my own two feet. I can do this. I need to do this.” Rhys’s fingers wrapped with mine, his slim fingers gripping mine tightly. “I need to do this, Daddy.”

I let out a long shaky breath, trying to get my emotions under control. “Fuck, baby bear. This scares the shit out of me.”

“It scares me too, but I need to do it.” Rhys was resolute in his decision. I could either support him on this or argue with him.

“I want you to talk to Donald and Dec before you decide, and before you meet with her. And if you won’t let me inside the Café when you do, then I will be damn well sitting out the front. I won’t budge on that.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I promise I’ll speak to Donald and Dec before I decide anything.”

Thumping my head back against the headrest, I let out a groan. I hated this. It went against every instinct to allow this. I just wanted to protect my boy. “I can’t lose you, love.”

Rhys moved forward and slid into my lap, his arms sliding around my neck. He leaned forward until our foreheads touched. “I promise you won’t, but you need to trust me. I need to do this.”

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