Page 57 of Hawk
“It was something I needed to do, but I was afraid you would try and convince me it was a bad idea.”
“I would have, but not for the reasons you think. I don’t want anyone to cause you additional stress or pain. But you’re free to make whatever decisions are best for you, and I’ll always support you.” I paused and kissed her softly again. “Always.”
She smiled and her eyes lit up as she leaned back in her chair. “When should we call Hailey?”
At that moment, Devlin walked back into the room and lifted one cheek in a shit-eating grin as he said, “I was just going to ask that question myself. Do you want to meet here, or is there someplace else you have in mind?”
Stella looked at me, and I shrugged, letting her decide. “I think here would be okay, as long as it won’t disrupt Elise and DJ.”
“How about this,” Elise said as she waddled back into the room. Devlin turned and placed his large hand over her belly as she spoke. “Why don’t you go to the fourth floor apartment? That way, you have privacy without prying eyes. Then, if it’s okay, we can order some lunch and come down in a few hours to eat as a family.”
“That sounds great. Thank you, Elise,” Stella responded, and Elise looked at me with a knowing smile.
I was wearing my feelings for Stella right out in the open, but I didn’t care. Even if it was just as friends, I wanted to be there for her. But I hoped we could be more. There was an ocean of water under our bridge, but when I looked at her, I didn’t see the bad that I’d witnessed—only her beauty, her grace, her ability to survive, and the immense amount of love she carried in her heart.
Everything she’d done had been for Hailey, even if the girl didn’t know anything about it.
I helped Stella stand and took her hand in mine, needing to ground myself as much as her. Knowing she and Hailey were about to be face-to-face was overwhelming for me, but I couldn’t get a read on Stella. She’d learned to hide her emotions and feelings behind a mask in order to survive, but this was one of those times she needed to let herself feel.
Devlin looked at our connection and offered his sister a smile as he offered, “I’ll get you settled downstairs.”
He turned away from us, and Elise pulled Stella into a hug before patting me on the back with a wink. The elevator ride lasted seconds, and when the doors opened, we stepped into the small lobby area.
Devlin glanced at the door on the right and remarked, “I’ll need you to teach me how you got past all the security.”
“Maybe,” Stella joked, and I looked down at her with such admiration.
He unlocked the door on the left, and we followed him inside. The apartment looked ready to move in as he gestured to the left. “The kitchen is fully stocked with whatever you may need to snack on or drink. The bathroom is down the hall, and the patio is comfortable if you need fresh air.”
Stella looked at him as he approached us. “Thank you.”
“I’ll let Hawk call her, and I’ll walk them up when they get here. There’s something to help calm you down in the box on the coffee table,” Devlin disclosed, and I lifted my chin in appreciation. “If you need anything, I’m right upstairs.”
“I’m nervous,” Stella admitted, and he placed his hand on her shoulder as I squeezed her hand.
“You have nothing to be nervous about. The past is done, and all you have is the future to look forward to. Don’t let the what-ifs and guilt get to you. Hailey doesn’t blame you for anything, and I need you to give yourself some grace. This family has suffered enough.”
“I’ll try,” Stella returned, and Devlin lifted his eyes to me.
I tried to convey that I wasn’t going anywhere, and he offered me his hand. I released Stella long enough to shake the madman’s hand, and just as he was about to walk out the door, he added, “Welcome to the family, Colton.”
“Madman,” I warned, and he chuckled as he pulled the door closed behind him, leaving Stella and me alone in the apartment.
I walked her to the couch and sat next to her, keeping her hand in mine. “I’m going to call Hailey and Jacob now. Can I get you anything?”
“I wish I had my pen,” she replied as Zeus jumped onto the couch next to her and rested his head across her lap.
I opened the box on the table in front of us, and her eyes grew wide as she looked inside. There were at least two dozen perfectly rolled joints along with a lighter. I took one out and handed it to her as I retrieved my phone. Turning to her, I remarked, “Why don’t you go out on the patio, so the house doesn’t reek when DJ gets here later.”
“Good idea,” she said and looked at the phone in my hand.
I could tell she didn’t want to miss anything, so I dialed Hailey’s phone number and waited for her to answer.
“Hawk, what have you heard?” Hailey asked, and I smiled at Stella.
“Your mom and I are at your uncle’s place and wanted to see if you felt like meeting here.”
“We’re on the way.”
