Page 106 of When the Stars Fall
“I didn’t...” I took deep breaths through my nose. In. Out. In. Out. Because it was true. Whether I’d done it intentionally or not, I’d abused her.
My memories of that time were hazy. Probably because I was always drunk or high on something.
“Yeah. You can’t even deny it, can you?” I couldn’t deny it. It was why I left her. “She tried to hide it. Lied about it to protect you, you stupid fuck.”
“Stop,” I gritted out. “Just fucking stop.”
“No. You need to hear this. You promised her you’d always be there for her. You broke your promises and you fucking broke her. So you don’t get to come over here accusing me of anything. She’s happy now. She has a son to raise and a business to run. You need to stay the fuck away from her. You don’t deserve her. Not anymore. Not after all the shit you put her through.”
“And you think you do? What did you think would happen, Brody? You’d get her pregnant and she’d choose you?”
“She’ll always be a part of my life. We’ve got a son together. What have you given her besides a shitload of bad memories?”
Bastard. Red hot anger bubbled to the surface. I grabbed him by the shirt and flung him. He stumbled then righted himself and lunged at me. “That’s the best you can do? Pussy,” he taunted. He jutted out his chin and held out his arms. “First shot’s free.”
Brody had it coming.
I took the first swing. My knuckles slammed into his nose. Blood spewed all over, but I didn’t stop. Another punch to the gut, and I thought he’d go down, but he didn’t.
He slammed his fist into my jaw. I shook my head and tackled him to the ground, raining punches on him.
“Brody! Jude!”
Dazed, I looked over at Lila just as Brody’s fist connected with my temple. Blindsiding me. Motherfucker. I rolled onto my back and we lay there writhing and panting, my hand on my head.
“Oh my God. What is wrong with you two?”
Head pounding, vision blurred, I sat up and waited a few seconds for the world to stop spinning. Then I got to my feet, weaving a little and took a few deep breaths to steady myself. The funny part? I could have beat him to a bloody pulp but I’d held back. And he’d punched me in the head. My weak spot.
Like I said, Brody had always fought dirty.
“Brody. Where’s Noah?”
“Fuck,” he said.
Brody put his fingers between his lips and whistled. Seconds later, the border collie raced across the field and stopped at his feet then sat up and looked at him. “Shit. Buster. Where’s Noah?”
“You’re asking a dog where your son is?” Lila asked, panic raising her voice a couple octaves.
“It’ll be okay,” I assured her. “He couldn’t have gone far. We’ll find him.”
She shook her head and strode toward the barn. “Noah!”
The three of us separated, calling his name. I headed in the direction where I’d last seen him when he ran across the field chasing the dog that was now following close on Brody’s heels.
“Noah,” I called as I jogged across the field. Up ahead, I saw a flash of red dart behind a live oak and I slowed my pace, my approach stealthy and quiet so he wouldn’t run again. When I reached the tree, his head popped out to check if I’d caught him. Having spotted me, he took off again and I chased after him, grabbing him around the middle and lifting him off his feet.
“Put me down!”
I set him on the ground and turned him around to face me, keeping a firm but gentle hold on him so I wouldn’t hurt him but he couldn’t run away again either.
“You scared us. Your mommy and daddy are looking all over for you. Are you going to come back with me or do I have to carry you back?”
“Let me go.”
“As long as you promise not to run away again.”
He thought about it for a minute then nodded and I walked him back to Lila who ran to him when she saw him.
