Page 133 of Stella
Cale
Cash sits by my bedside. I’m getting out today, the doctors just wanted to keep me in for observation, but the surgery went well and somehow that bastard managed to miss any major organs or arteries. I’m one lucky motherfucker.
He gives me a chin lift. “Thought this would be more awkward.”
I smirk. “You saying it isn’t?”
He chuckles. “You’re my kid.” He shakes his head. “I want you to know that I never knew, Cale. I would never lie about somethin’ like that.”
I nod. “I know. I believe it. I’m not gonna paint any pretty pictures, I know what my mom was and what she wasn’t.”
“I won’t speak ill of the dead, so we’ll let that rest, but if I had known about you…” He shakes his head. “Cale, I’m sorry.”
I’ve never seen Cash like this, then again, I never knew he was my pops until a few days ago. “It isn’t your fault. From what I can gather, a lot of bad shit went down with my mom. From what Stella told me recently, Harlem said you tried to help her.” I swallow hard. It’s always been a bitter pill, and now I know why they say that. “But I’m lucky. My grandma and grandpa did an amazing job.”
“They’re amazing people, you're lucky to have them.” He looks down at his hands in his lap. “I want to get to know you. If that’s what you want?”
“You think we can put our differences aside?”
He grunts a laugh. “You took a bullet for me, kid, and here I was always tryin’ to kick you out of my clubhouse. We both have a mutual love for Stella, obviously mine is more of a father figure role, she’s like a daughter to me. I’ve known her since she was born.”
I nod. “I’m never going to do anything to hurt her. I know her mom leaving is a big thing for her, and the club was there in every capacity. I see that now. Before I only ever saw the club as menaces because I couldn't see straight. That’s on me,” I say. “But I have had my eyes opened, I’ll say that much.”
His smile is watery as he wipes a hand over his face. “We’ve so much to catch up on.”
“It’s never too late,” I say, meaning it. “We’re both clearly capable of change, and that’s the first step.”
“I gotta ask.” His eyes meet mine. The same eyes. “Why’d you do it?”
My eyebrows jerk in surprise. “Why did I do what?”
“Take that bullet. Was it just instinct?”
I shake my head. “You’re my pops. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Spoken like a true Hudson.”
“I hope you don’t expect me to change my name.”
“That’s another thing. Lauren never went by Callaghan, even if she did have the same last name, I still wouldn’t have put the dots together. It was almost thirty years ago.”
“There was a lot about her we’ll never understand,” I say. “But what matters is moving forward. I have a sister, and a brother on the way.”
Cash finally grins. “Family.” He thumps his chest. “Family means everythin’ to me, and you’re part of that now.”
“Is this where we hug?”
He chuckles as we embrace. “I guess.”
“Jesus,” Nevada sings from the door. “You do realize you get to call Deanna Mom now, right?”
Tag jerks him back by the scruff of the neck, laughing.
I roll my eyes. “I’m sure she won’t appreciate that,” I mutter.
Cash clasps my hand in his. “Godspeed.”
“Just for the record.” Tag points at me from the doorway. “I’m okay with you, Callaghan, but if you hurt Stella I’ll use your nuts as cable ties while I finish you off nice and slow.”
