Page 80 of The Jester and His Outlaw: Part 2

She sucks in a sharp breath.

“Mr. Sutton.” That statement draws my attention and my eyes snap up. We never once told her my last name. It’s none of her damn business. Not like she’d find much on me, but her knowing just exactly where I came from doesn’t sit well with me. It makes me feel dirty, worthless. Like I’m not worthy of Outlaw now that I face her parents on my own.

“How do you know my last name?”

She leans in, arching a brow. “Do you really think I would let my ladybug run off with some kid and not check him out? There may be things going on that you don’t understand, but rest assured, her safety is always my priority. Get that through your mind, son. If you’re going to be a part of my family, and judging from the way my daughter looks at you I’d say you’re sticking around for a while. You’re gonna have to learn to respect me,” she finishes with a whisper.

I cock my head to the side. This woman has lost her damn mind. Why the hell is she whispering? I study her in silence, taking in the bags under her eyes, her cheeks covered in makeup despite how much she’s been crying, the sag to her shoulders. She’s tired, worn out, weighed down by something.

Those green eyes… they’re pleading with me to understand.

“The only way I’m ever going to trust you, the only way Charley will ever fully recover, is if you tell us the truth. What the hell is going on?” She glances around, her eyes flicking to pointless spots in the dark as if someone could be watching us. Her hands fall to her pockets, seemingly empty pockets, like she’s reassuring herself that she doesn’t have her phone or something. The sigh of resignation that falls from her allows something in my chest to ease.

Is she finally about to give me an explanation of the absolute ridiculousness I’ve witnessed from them?

“I—” She’s cut off by Jensen’s voice.

“Charley’s awake.”

CHAPTER35

The memoriesof waking up are a blur, but I remember two things very well. The moment I woke up from surgery and had no clue who Riggs was—the anguish in his eyes—and the moment they told me that when I go home, I won’t be walking out. Seeing the hurt and fear in a person’s eyes that I didn’t know was gutting.

How could there be any time we built together that I don’t remember? But the way he looked at me… There was no way he was lying. There were too many memories flashing in his eyes that he needed me to remember. Too much love to deny anything.

You didn’t look at a person like that without knowing their soul.

So instead of freaking out and worrying that I’d never get those times back, I invited him to stay with me, to tell me about those times, some of his favorites. With our past… It was a wonder he came to me in the hospital at all. I was persistent and likely very annoying, but I couldn’t complain because he was hot sitting there misty eyed, a smile creasing his lips and the corners of his eyes when he was lost in the memories of our tumultuous relationship. I didn’t know Riggs much at that point, but I could sense that many didn’t see that smile, and certainly not often.

Over the next couple of days, my memory came back, but it didn’t matter. Riggs is someone my soul will love in this life and in the next. In just those few short days, his consistency made me fall in love with him again. Seeing his favorite parts of our relationship from the outside… Swoon.

I had to find the silver lining in my situation somewhere and that was: Who gets to fall in love with their person, not only once, but twice in their lifetime?

Those days and precious thoughts are over, though.

Today I’m filled with pity, self loathing, hate for the situation I find myself in.

No books are holding my interest.

T.V. shows are nothing but reruns.

Watching hockey without crying is a joke.

My mind has the urge to get up, but my legs tell me to go fuck myself.

I’m wallowing.

“Chandler, I’m not asking you at this moment. I am telling you to get out of my way so I can get to my ladybug.” My mother’s voice grates on my nerves.Outstanding. Exactly what I need right now. She is the absolute last person I want to see.

She was there when I woke up, but I haven’t been able to stand having her around. She wouldn’t give me any answers about what the hell has been going on. I already know what’s been going on, or at least Mr. Tucker’s version of it, but she won’t mention anything. Until she gives me those answers, I don’t want her in here.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I work for Charley and she doesn’t want you here.” Mom huffs.

“Last I checked, my husband’s name is on your paycheck. Am I right?” I slam my head back into the pillow. Chandler has done everything he can to keep her from me, but she is using that tone. That means she isn’t going to let it go. “Now have you done what I asked you to do?”

“There are no bugs and we have removed everything from her phone. When you go in there, if Charley will allow you, remove the battery.” What the fuck? Maybe I’ll get some answers today.

I take a deep breath to calm myself when the door inches open. Chandler’s head peeks in. I give him a knowing, annoyed look and he grimaces, ducking his head. “I’m sorry, Chuckles.”

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