Page 32 of Caught in Us
“I think I deserve to know if I have a son in the world.” My heart cracks a little that I even have to explain this. That she must view me unworthy of the role. And maybe she’s right. But damn, I think I deserve a chance. “I’d do right by him. And you.”
Pain flashes in her gaze before it darts away. “I thought I could do this. See you again.” She blinks as if she’s holding back tears, and pushes past me. “But I can’t.” She marches toward the truck.
“Alicia, wait!” I follow her back to the truck.
She opens the passenger door, grabbing her purse from the front seat. Before she can shut the door, I’m there caging her in with my body. Only this time I won’t be distracted by her mouth.
“Chase. Move.” A frustrated exhale leaves her lips as she brings her hard gaze to mine.
“He’s mine, isn’t he?” I know he is. Damn it. But I need to hear it from her.
17
Alicia
I crossmy arms over my chest, my chin lifting with challenge. “And why do you automatically assume he’s yours?” I’m being a brat. I know so. But it doesn’t stop my defensiveness from taking over.
“Because,” Chase practically growls, his gaze flashing with something I can’t quite read. He leans in, one arm braced above my head as his body draws dangerously close.
I hold my breath, my body stilling. The anticipation for his lips on mine has me frozen in place. I want him to kiss me again. Even though it’s a horrible idea. Even though we shouldn’t.
But Chase doesn’t reach for me. He slides past my body and reaches into the cab. His fingers slide along the glove compartment, releasing the latch. He heaves out a sigh, taking something out and then stepping back before handing it to me. “Here.”
“What’s this?” I ask, but my question is answered without explanation. Gripped in my fingers is a stack of photographs.
My heart stops.
Time stands still.
These are of Chase, they have to be, because the resemblance to Matthew is uncanny. They might as well be twins. “Oh, Chase.”
“That’s how I knew.” His jaw is tense, his gaze unreadable as he holds my stare.
“He looks just like you.” The admission flies from my mouth as I flip through these captured moments of my child’s father.
“Keep them.”
I lift my gaze from the photos. The sincerity of his offer catches me by surprise. “You don’t want them back?”
His lips press together, his face somber. “Matthew should have them.”
“Chase. I . . .” I’m at a loss. How do I make him understand? Why I left. Why I stayed away.
“Were you even going to tell me?” The hurt in his gaze cuts straight through my soul. He takes another step back, almost as if he can’t stand to be near me. “Jesus, Alicia. Why now? Why disappear if you weren’t going to stay away? Or is this part of your plan? Come back here. Fuck with my emotions. Fuck up my life.” He runs a hand through his hair, pushing it back in frustration. “Don’t you think our son deserves to know his father?”
His words hit like an arrow in a space where I’m most insecure. That I’m not enough for my son. That I made the wrong choice when I decided to raise him alone. “No. That’s not it.” I shake my head.
“No? So, what, then? It was easier to keep me in the dark? Jill and Callie too? That’s why you cut them out, isn’t it? God forbid your career goals be inconvenienced by having to tell everyone you were pregnant withourchild?”
How dare he? I’m not the bad guy here. Not when I’ve given up everything to keep our son safe. His patronizing tone enflames a rage inside my chest.
I stomp forward, getting in his personal space as my chest heaves with unsteady breath. “Look, I didn’t come back for you. Okay? I don’t want anything from you. I don’t need you. We’re doing just fine on our own. And I thought— You know what?” I throw my hands in the air and stop myself from going off. “No. I don’t have to explain myself. I don’t owe you anything. The code for the garage is seven-one-five-three. Do the rest yourself. I’m done.”
“Mama!” My son’s squeal of excitement deflates my outrage. So does the flash of pain that crosses Chase’s face.
I turn around, grab my bag from the truck and shove the photos inside as I power walk to meet Matthew as he dashes across the lawn. Simon follows him with long strides. I don’t look back over my shoulder to see if Chase is watching. Part of me expects he is but I can’t deal with his judgment. Even if it’s deserved.
Matthew’s little body races forward, closing the distance and falling into my arms when I drop to my knees.
