Page 111 of Creed
“You’re hatin’ on my boots?”
“Have you ever thought about trying a pair of sneakers?”
His eyebrows lifted, and he looked down at his feet and actually sounded offended when he asked, “Do you even know me, woman?”
“It’s 95 degrees outside.”
“They’re comfortable.”
“You’ve worn them every day since you bought them.”
“They’re good boots,” he defended, but there was a small, boyish grin tugging at his lips.
Before I could tease him any further, Austin reached for another piece of pizza and said, “I think the boots are cool.”
Surprised that he’d come to Jameson's defense, I gasped, “Oh, really?”
“Yeah. I’d wear them all the time, too.”
“I might have to get you a pair, then.”
Austin shrugged, but there was a shy smile playing on his lips. “That’d be alright.”
Jameson’s eyes met mine, and for a moment, the noise of the kitchen seemed to fade away. We both knew how hard this had all been on the kids, and we’d done our best to tread lightly, especially with Austin. He was close to his father, and the past few weeks had been rough on him. Because of that, he’d been hesitant to let Jameson in.
Tonight was a small victory, but I would take it. Because it meant we were one step closer to being the family I hoped we would be. I looked over at Jameson, and the second I saw that proud, loving smile, I knew that we were going to get there.
And we would get there together.
25
CREED
It had been just over three months since Devin and the kids moved in, and for the most part, things were going well. It had taken us a beat to adjust to all being under the same roof and figuring out how that all works. The kids struggled a bit more than Devin and me. They tiptoed around for a while, not wanting to rock the waters, but they were coming around.
Things got a little tougher when the hearings started, and the kids discovered what exactly their father had been up to. I was afraid the whole thing would drag out for months, but it seemed they wanted to sweep this one under the rug. Maddox pleaded guilty and took a plea deal that kept him from being charged with attempted murder.
In a matter of a few weeks, the trial was done, and he was moved to the Arkansas Department of Correction in Grady. He’d already been there a couple of days, so I needed to get moving. I grabbed my cut and was on my way out the door when I heard the soft murmur of voices coming from the living room.
Devin's voice was low and soothing, like she was trying her best to talk someone off a ledge. I took a step closer and leaned against the doorframe, just out of sight. That’s when I saw thatshe was talking to Chrissy. She was curled up on the edge of the sofa with her arms wrapped tight around her knees.
Devin was sitting right beside her, rubbing slow circles on her back as she listened to Chrissy say, “He’s not who I thought he was. I never thought he could do something like that.”
“I know. It surprised me, too.” Devin shrugged. “But he messed up. He messed up big, and now, he has to pay the consequences for it.”
“I know, but fifteen years. That’s a lifetime. What if he doesn’t make it in there?”
“Your dad’s stronger than you think, baby. And this isn’t forever.”
“That’s what everyone says, but it doesn’t help anything.” Chrissy shook her head and let out a frustrated sob. “It just feels like I’m losing him forever.”
My chest tightened.
That kind of helpless hurt was something I knew all too damn well.
I stepped into the room, and they both looked up. Devin’s eyes met mine, and I could see the silent plea in them. I walked over and crouched down in front of Chrissy. “I know all of this is a lot, and it doesn’t feel fair. Hell, maybe it isn’t. But his being in jail doesn’t change the fact that he is your father. He still loves you, and even though he’s made some bad decisions, you can still love him. You can love him just as much as you always did.”
She wiped at her eyes but didn’t say anything, just stared at the floor like she was trying not to fall apart. Devin leaned in and added, “And when you’re ready, you can write him or go see him. Whatever you want. You don’t have to shut him out.”
