Page 51 of Jeremy
Itrace the tattoo with my finger. “You have a tattoo. I didn’t notice itbefore.” My voice is husky.
“Itwas dark the last time you were down there,” she teases.
“Whatis it?”
“Nothing.A teenage mistake. It’s a long story I don’t want to get into now, okay?”
“Okay.”My head is bursting with the new information. After she’s dressed and packedup, Leah and Zoe walk in, all smiles.
“You’reout of here, girl! The nurse will be here with the wheelchair any time.”
Theystart chatting about the baby and the nursery while I excuse myself. I step outinto the hallway and right into Tucker.
“Whoa,what the fuck, dude? You look like you’re going to rip someone open.”
“Shelived there. They had her. True Life. Fuck.”
I’mnot making any sense. Tucker pulls me into the men’s restroom, which is empty.“Calm down. Tell me what you’re talking about.”
“Melissahas their mark, the tattoo they brand the True Life followers with. It’s tinyand hidden on her ass, but it’s there. She was there. If they hurt her, I swear,I’ll fucking slaughter them.”
“Fuck,”Tucker breathes.
“Shedoesn’t know I know. She’s still weak and—”
“Yeah,you can’t hit her with this right now. She’s just had major surgery and herson’s life is hanging in the balance.”
Atthe mention of the baby, another devastating realization strikes me. She saidthe father was dead. That may be true, or she could be lying to protect Calvinfrom an abusive biological father who still belongs to the cult. I have to makesure Calvin is safe, and the best way to do that is to make sure there’s nodoubt he belongs to me.
“Ihave to do something,” I announce and head toward the door, only to be stoppedby a solid wall of ex-soldier.
“Whatare you doing, Jeremy? You can’t do anything crazy.”
“I’mjust going to sign the birth certificate. I wasn’t here when she named him.”Tucker studies me for a second, and I know he sees the truth, that Calvin isn’tmine.
He’llbe the only one who knows. Calvin will grow up as my son. I never want him todoubt my love for him.
Finally,he slaps me on the back. “Let’s go make it official then.”
Itdoesn’t take long for me to hunt down the nurse, who hands over the paperwork.All it takes is a signature, and I’m legally the father of Calvin—holy shit. Mychest swells to bursting when I read the name.
CalvinJeremy Sanders.
Shegave him her last name, but named him after me all the same.
Tuckergrins down at me. “Come on. Let’s get C.J.’s mother home.”
#
“I’mfine, Jeremy. Leah is taking me to the hospital to sit with Calvin, then we’re goingto go have dinner. Go do your thing.”
Melissawaves me off, and I drop a kiss on her forehead. “Okay. I’ll be back tonight. Idon’t know how late. Kiss C.J. for me.”
Shesmiles and smacks my ass as I walk away. She’s been out of the hospital for threeweeks and she’s feeling much better. Every day we go to the hospital to staywith our son until the nurses chase us out.
Wehad a little scare the day after they took him off the ventilator. Hisbreathing slowed, and his oxygen numbers dropped. We were afraid he’d have togo back on the machine, but he pulled through and has been improving eversince.
She’llbe fine for the day with Leah and Zoe. Plus, the guys will all be at my placeif they do need anything. Still, I hate that I have to leave them to deal withthis cult bullshit. I called Anthony and told him I was out of town dealingwith an emergency, that a friend had gotten himself into trouble and needed myhelp. He didn’t sound suspicious when he told me not to worry, and to come backwhen I could, but until I talk to him face to face, I’m going to be on myguard.
