Page 100 of When the Time Is Right
She looked out the side light glass and pulled a face when she saw that it was me. She opened the door, and to my surprise, Jack was right behind her. I couldn’t blow up in front of him.
“Um, hi,” Lauren said like a happiness-sucking ho-bag.
I really needed to get a grip because it wouldn’t take much for me to escalate this way past what it needed to be.
I smiled down at Hudson’s little mini. “Hey, Jackie Boy. Me and your mom need to talk in private out here. Okay?”
Lauren studied me with a baffled gaze and smoothed her hand over her son’s blond head. “Go back in and finish the show. Then it’s bedtime.”
“Ugh. Fine. Bye, Lex. I hope I get to see you again someday.” He was still being dramatic about it, but I couldn’t blame the little fella because I was about to throw the biggest fit of us all. As he stomped off, my heart pinched and my passion for letting my man’s baby mama have it surged.
Lauren closed the door and then looked around me and exchanged a wave with Cal, my pussy-ass brother.
“Hey. You and I need to have a conversation.”
She straightened at my tone. “I gather that. What’s up, Lex?”
“Who do you think you are, ruining this whole family?”
Defensively, she crossed her arms over her fancy silk robe. “What?”
“I just said it. Who do you, Lauren Rafferty, think you are, ripping out the heart of this family?” Meanwhile, my actual heart was racing, but Cal was right. Even if I just told her off, there was nothing more she could do to any of us. And I’d rather go down fighting than wondering for the rest of my life what if.
“I think I’m trying to find some happiness of my own.”
“At whose expense? Hudson’s? Your parents’? My parents’? Cal’s? Mine? Jack’s? Why should we all have to suffer for you and some guy we barely know?”
“Well, Lex, I guess because it’s my life and I can choose to do whatever I want with it. And don’t throw my kid in my face.”
“Okay. I get that.” I threw my hands up. It was a fair point—a selfish-as-fuck point, but fair nonetheless. “It just sucks so much for the rest of us and it’s like you don’t even care.”
“I care, Lex, but other than Hudson changing our custody agreement, and now you, everyone has been supportive.”
I wanted to scream.
So I did.
“Are you really that blind? Can’t you see? That’s all we’ve ever done: support you. When you guys got pregnant, who threw you a baby shower? Me and our moms. When Jack was born, who took turns watching him while you fast-tracked the last year of your degree and Hudson was busting his ass? We did. Who’s been cheering you on to chase your dreams while you’ve missed countless holidays, birthdays, vacations, and even weddings, Lauren?!”
I glanced back at my brother who was—I swear to God—either watching something on his cell or recording this whole thing. “And maybe everyone else can just sit by and keep their mouths shut, but I can’t. Not now. I’ve got too much to lose. Hud is giving up his company for you—no. For Mark. I’m giving up the man I’m in love with for you—no. For Mark. Jack is giving up the only life he’s ever known for you—no. For Mark. My parents are losing their only grandson, your parents are losing their only daughter and grandson, and Cal is losing his best friend and nephew for you—no.” I paused and cupped a hand to my ear. “Any guesses?”
She glared at me, but like a coward, she didn’t say a damn word.
“For Mark! And honestly, it’s not even for Mark. It’s for a fucking job. I am losing the best thing that has ever happened to me over a Goddamn 401K and benefits package. Please tell me you realize how fucked up this is?”
“I don’t know what to say, Lex.”
“You don’t have to say anything, but I hope you figure it out. Because what you’re doing is wrong. And don’t you dare take any of my family’s silence as support. No one thinks this is a good idea.”
Her hands flailed, and then she rubbed her forehead. “Hudson agreed to it.”
“He didn’t have a choice! It wasn’t like you and Mark talked to him before Mark applied for jobs on the other side of the planet. And do you really think he’d just let you take Jack away like that? That Hudson wouldn’t follow him? He’s not that kind of father and you know it! You’re moving his whole damn life. And when you get out there, you’ll have Mark and Jack half the time. And who will Hudson have? He’s been nothing but good to you, Lauren. And this is how you repay him?”
