Page 58 of Quiet Chaos

I scoot back up, roll my hips between her thighs, and say, “I’m sure something will come up.”

***

I contact Julia. She wants to drive out here, so I’m meeting her in an hour at a café. I can’t focus on work. Different scenarios churn in my head like a coffee grinder, but my reaction remains the same in each one. She asks to be a part of my family, and I tell her to fuck off. Julia apologizes for the loss of Christine and Charlie. She wants to know about me, and I tell her to fuck off. I shake my head at the negativity when Sky’s smile comes to mind.

Before leaving, I check in with Hal to make sure all is running okay. Today’s orders will have to wait until later, depending on time, or for tomorrow. Sky told me she’ll have dinner ready whenever I’m able to make it home. Right now, all I want is to slip inside her, balls deep.

Through the café window, Julia is at a small corner table, sipping a hot beverage. I let out a frustrated sigh, pull the door open, and take the seat across from her. She gives me a timid smile.

“Thank you for meeting me. Can I get you something?” I shake my head.

We sit for a moment, scrutinizing each other.

“I’m sorry to hear about Christine and Charlie.” I called it. My eyes bore into hers.

She shifts her legs, and with a quiet voice, says, “They were good people.”

I cross my arms over my chest and stretch out my legs. I will not make this easy for her.

“Seth told me he let you know how we searched and found you. You were the cutest, happiest little boy. And now…now you’re so handsome.” I glance the cafe to see how many people are here.

Julia lifts her cup with shaky hands, sips, and places it back down. “I always wanted to meet you, but I respected Christine and Charlie. It wouldn’t have been right to crash into their lives and uproot you.” She swirls her spoon in her cup. “When I heard about Charlie’s death, I assumed it would be a good time to meet and get to know each other.”

Anger and grief are combating each other. My chest tightens in sync with my fists.

“Cade? Please say something.”

“I called you because that’s what Sky wanted.” I flex my hands under the table. “My life was fine before and it’s fine now. I don’t see any reason to change it.”

She finds solace in her lap. “I see.” Then her eyes catch on mine. “I’m so happy your life is good, and I don’t want to disrupt it. I was hoping I could see you from time to time. Possibly become a part of your life.”

“Why?”

“Because ever since my mother took you from me…” Tears pour down her face as she dabs at them. “I’ve waited for this moment…to see my son. To talk to him and learn about what I missed.”

My jaw and gut clench. Why does she have to cry? I slide deeper into the chair because now I feel like an asshole. When I was young, I wondered why my parents didn’t want me, but now…now I don’t care. Life is great. Sky is my new wonder.

She snaps me out of my thoughts as she continues, “When I gave birth to you, I never knew it was possible to love someone I just met, yet there you were in my arms, staring back at me.”

She reaches for my arm, placing a hand on it, and I let her because I’m not that much of a bastard.

“So many plans entered my mind. Seth and I were ready for a family. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there at your birth because my parents forbade him from coming.”

Julia’s hand falls away. She presses a fist to her mouth to choke back the tears. “During the night, my parents took you and refused to tell us where they left you. My parents have money, and my father isn’t afraid to use it to his advantage. Once we found you…well, it was too late for us. Charlie and Christine made a happy home for you.”

The silence at our table enhances the other people’s conversations in the café. I’m fucking confused. She looks so broken, yet I’m worried about opening an assortment ofproblems. Her parents are dicks. I don’t want them in my life. And Seth. I bet she’s clueless about the illegalities of his club. That’s something I don’t want around us. But none of those things is her fault. She didn’t ask to get rid of me. I guess leaving me with Christine and Charlie was a selfless thing to do.

“Alright.”

She gasps and her hands ball up in her lap. “Alright?”

“We can, as you say,” I gesture with my hand, “get to know each other.”

Julia wears the biggest smile. “Thank you so much, Cade.”

“With a few conditions.” She bobs her head. “I want nothing to do with your parents. Don’t ask, don’t try, or we’re done.” She agrees. “I also don’t want Seth around.”

“But he’s your—”

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