Page 105 of The Originals

He’d gotten a call from the owner of the diner. As he’d said, the townspeople weren’t part of the club, but they too recognized they were all part of Ghosttown.And we take care of our own.

“From who?” She gripped her hips, seemingly annoyed.

Jack ignored the question. She’d given up the right to know any information when she’d walked out on the boys. Some may have thought Jack held a grudge against his ex for fucking around behind his back. They were wrong. He wasn’t happy about it, especially knowing she’d done it in his house, the kids within earshot. But that wasn’t the main source of his contention. Her shitty mothering skills were the prime reason.

If anything, Jack was relieved to be rid of her crazy ass. He’d done the right thing back in the day and married her, though had she not pushed so hard for it, he wouldn’t have made that mistake. But he questioned if he ever really loved her. Or any woman for that matter. Until… No, he wasn’t going there.

Jack took a drag of his cigarette and tapped the ashes in the ashtray. It was a homemade art project Caden had made fiveyears ago.It’s the ugliest fucking thing.But it was a Father’s Day present, and his boy was so damn proud of it. Jack used it every day.

“What do you want?”

She lifted her chin, smirking. “Can I get a cup of coffee?”

“Yeah.” Jack sipped his coffee and pointed to the front door. “Families in town makes a hell of a good cup.”

Her lips twisted. “Still a bitter fucking prick, I see.”

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah.”

He wouldn’t argue. His ex was right. Jack was fucking bitter, but not for the reasons she thought.

“Where are the boys?”

The fucking nerve of this woman.

“Well, that’s a fucking testament to what a shitty parent you really are. You’re their fucking mother. Shouldn’t you know where your kids are?”

Her lip curled in a sneer. “Don’t stand there and give me your holier than thou bullshit. Stepping in to care for your kids doesn’t make you a king. It makes you a parent.”

Jack smirked, arching his brow. “And what does it make you when you step down?”

“Fuck you, Jack.”

“No, fuck you, and get the fuck outta my house. You wanna see the boys, then pick up the fucking phone and do something you ain’t done in a while. Call them.”

“I’m only in town for the weekend.”

“Well, you’re shit outta fucking luck then ’cause neither of them is around.”

“You can’t keep them from me.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? It was you who walked out on those boys. Decided the mother thing wasn’t working around you fucking around. You abandoned them, and I still left that fucking door open for you to come back. To them, not me.You were the one who never came around, couldn’t make time for your boys. You think leaving them, making no contact, is somehow my fucking fault?” Jack pointed his chest. “You’re just as fucking crazy as you were years ago.”

****

Colleen had heard what sounded like the television playing downstairs. After waking up alone, but most importantly, in Jack’s bed, she considered not leaving. His sheets smelled like him, among other things, mainly sex and sweat.

The man lived up to every expectation, and even exceeded in a few areas. The last three days waking up in his bed had been the highlight of her year.Possibly, my life.While she wasn’t eager to leave the comfort of his bed, she was more than eager to see him. Jack hadn’t mentioned any plans for the day, but for the last few days, they’d had breakfast together, and if she remembered correctly, it was her turn to cook.

Some might roll their eyes at domesticated life, but Colleen was loving every minute of it. With Jack.

She grabbed a T-shirt from the chair in the corner of the room but didn’t bother putting on her panties. Hopefully, she’d have no need for them today. She walked out of the room and down the narrow hallway, making a pit stop in the bathroom. When she washed her hands, she looked in the mirror. She didn’t have a lick of makeup on, and her hair was ruffled. She drove her hands through it trying to make some decent semblance of style, but in the end she was left with her originalI got fuckedlast nighthair. She smiled, taking one last look then walked down the hall and stairs.

She took a few steps, glancing over at the television in the corner. It was off. It should’ve given her pause considering she knew she’d heard voices. It wasn’t until she stopped in the doorway to the kitchen that she realized exactly who she’d heard.

Oh shit.

She didn’t recognize the woman, but clearly she was not happy. Colleen wasn’t sure what she’d walked into, but she regretted her decision to get out of bed. She tugged at the hem of the shirt, but it still barely covered her ass cheeks.

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