Page 131 of Beneath the Surface

He smiles back, lifting his shoulder. “We found some common ground.”

My brow quirks.

“Awex, did you know that Mommy was saved by Spiduh-Man?”

Mason’s focus goes back to the boy in his arms, and my stomach somersaults. How could I make my baby live without a man like Mason, when it’s clear that he’s in love?

How can I live without him, when it’s clear thatIam too?

“Hey, Lily,” Lee says. “I don’t know if you’re up for it, but next week I’m headin’ to Mama’s grave if you wanna go with.”

My stomach tightens, but I nod, wanting to be able to face Mrs. Carson and pay my respects.

She beams at me. “Great!”

Blakely grins, excusing herself to follow Jax back into the living room.

“Seriously, where have you guys been?” I ask, taking in their rumpled forms.

Chase’s eyes harden as he stares at me. “I told you that he would never get to you again.”

My insides seize, the breath cutting from my lungs. My body jerks and a burn ravages my side, making me wince in pain. Mason steps forward, baby Chase still sitting on his hip, his eyes flashing with worry.

I put up my hand. “I’m okay, it’s just easy to forget I’m immobilized.” My chest squeezes. “Are you saying...?”

Mason nods. “He’s in custody. He hasa lotof warrants, little bird. More than just charges against you.” He walks closer, stepping into me and brushing my hair behind my ear with his free hand. I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering. “You’ll probably have to testify.”

I nod, sucking down the anxiety that swarms my veins like a beehive. “I’ll do whatever I need to make sure he leaves us alone for good.”

“Awex!” Chase interrupts the moment, bouncing in Mason’s arms. “Let’s pway.”

Mason grins. “Okay, little man.” He looks to me, and I wave them off. “That’s fine, I’m tired, I think I’ll go lie down.”

I can see in Mason’s face that he wants to go with me, but he respects our distance, waiting until I choose to let him back in.

“Hey, can we talk, Lil?” Chase asks.

I nod, my eyes flickering down to his busted knuckles. “You wanna clean those first?” My stomach spasms, visions of what they may have done to Darryl flashing through my head. It’s probably less than he deserved, but either way, I can’t find it in me to care.

He brushes his fingers across the top of his hand. “I just want to say a couple things, and then I’ll let you sleep.”

Standing up, we walk to my bedroom, Chase closing the door behind us. My body feels heavy and I go to lie down on the bed, hoping I can stay awake long enough for this conversation. I’msotired, my body craving rest.

“I called Doc,” he says.

My brow arches. “Who’s Doc?”

He smiles, shaking his head. “My therapist. Well, hewasmy therapist, back when I lived in Nashville. But I think you’ll like him best. For our family sessions.”

Unease flickers through my middle. “Oh, okay.”

“I was fucked up over you for a long time, you know? He helped me work through it.”

I push down the nausea that climbs up my throat. “Listen, I..-I would say that I’m sorry for my mistakes, but the truth is that if I didn’t make them, then I wouldn’t have my son, and I would make the same decisions a thousand times over for him.”

My stomach flips, hoping that he understands what I’m saying. He closes his eyes and nods.

“For a long time, Lil,” he starts. “I felt like it was my fault.”

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