Page 16 of Anchor

“Is it just me, or are we being watched?” Steal whispers as we descend the bleachers, and I snort, my eyes going to the mothers standing near the coach, their eyes on us.

“It’s the cuts,” I admit, and he shudders when one mother bites her lip and undoes the zipper on her jacket a little.

“Let’s get outta here before Cass’s radar goes off,” he murmurs and I laugh, putting my arm over Micha’s shoulders and guide him to the parking lot, waving to the assistant coach so he knows I have my kid.

I chuck Micha’s bag in the back of my matte black truck and look at Steal to ask if he’s coming back to the house, a house I can’t call home, especially when I know I have a house built on club property for my family, only to his eyes are on Micha.

“How’s school going, kid?” he asks, and I lean against my truck.

The fucker is going in easy, but I know what he’s doing, and I can’t say I’m sad about it, either.

Heaven is keeping something from me, and I’ve felt like she has for a while now; I’m just hoping it’s not another man because, if it is, the fucker is going to end up six feet under.

“Good, Jodie Michaels in my class asked me out and tried to touch my hand. It was weird,” Micha innocently admits, and Steal and I share a grin.

“It’s because you’re good-looking,” Steal says, and I shake my head. “So uh, how’s your mom doing?” he asks not so subtly, and I stand up straight, waiting for my son’s answer.

“She’s good. She has a date tonight, though, but I’m going to call her and wreck it,” he answers, and I cough behind my hand to hide my chuckle.

It’s not just me who wants my marriage back on track; our son does as well, and even though he’s grown up with us separated, he knows exactly what his mother means to me, I’ve never hidden it from him, and he knows what I mean to his mom. He’snoticed that she keeps our wedding photo inside the drawer on her bedside table.

“Tonight? So, what is she doing today, then? I mean, normally, she’s here, right?” Steal asks innocently, and Micha looks down at the ground, and I frown at his reaction.

“I uh, um. I can’t say. I don’t want to betray Momma’s trust,” he says quietly, and instantly, my blood pumps faster.

Since when does Heaven make our son keep fucking secrets?

Even though I don’t want to confront our son, to put him in this position, I still open my mouth to question him because Heaven caused this, not me, but before I can say anything, Micha speaks up again, looking my way and says, “I promised Mom I wouldn’t say anything because she doesn’t think she’ll pass, but I want to celebrate with her….” He gives me the best puppy dog eyes and asks, “Can we make her a meal, Dad?”

I tilt my head and ask, “What is she doing today, bud?”

He winces and admits, “Mom’s been going to college,” and my eyes widen as Steal’s mouth drops open in shock. Micha continues, “She’s been doing it part-time. She wants to be a lawyer, and today, she has her bar exam.”

Holy….

A feeling of regret and sadness fills me that she never told me, that she never came to me with this, and even though it fucking hurts, I know it’s my fault.

Steal clears his throat at seeing my reaction and butts in, “Actually, kid, instead of you and your dad cooking, why don’t we shut down the Huntsmen Grub tomorrow and throw a party to celebrate with Uncle Acid and Uncle Piston, along withCassidy, Natalie, and Perrie? Your dad can get you out of school an hour early, so your mom doesn’t suspect a thing.”

Acid and Piston have not long learned of my marriage, but they’ve been supportive.

Micha’s eyes light up, and he jumps up and down in celebration, and I lock eyes with my best friend. He shows sadness for me, but determination fills me.

Yes, she kept this from me, but I know she’s stubborn, and I know she’s still hurt even after all this time, but that just means she still loves me.

I’ll win her back, one way or another, and I’ll make our son happy by throwing a celebration party for her tomorrow.

Nodding to Steal, I open the truck door for Micha before he climbs in, and I shut the door with a sigh.

“You’ll win her back, brother, and I’ll help any way I can,” he says.

I nod. “I know, but first, I have a date to ruin.”

He chuckles and wishes me luck as I walk to the driver’s side and climb in. I start the truck up and state, “Let’s go ruin your mom's date, son.”

Micha laughs.

I won’t lose Heaven. She’s had her years to resent me, to hate me, and I’ve allowed her to have it because I know her mom is a little prissy with men, but her time’s up.

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