Don't Promise (Don't 3)

The shock was immediately replaced with anger. “And you didn’t tell me?”

Shit. I thought it would make her happy, but I saw the fury in her eyes.

“I didn’t want to get your hopes up or down or whatever roller coaster this is.” I tried to soothe her. “I knew I could handle it,” I explained.

“You drove to see Hunter’s possible mother and didn’t think I could handle the roller coaster?”

“Ok. Fuck. When you say it like that it sounds shitty. But, baby, I was trying to help. And I did. It’s over. He’s ours.”

“He is not ours.” Her hands flew to her hips. “I’m not on the papers. I’m not even listed for guardianship. And what you did tonight, shows me exactly where you think I fall on the list of people you need to consult. At the bottom.” Her eyes flared.

“God, no. I was trying to take care of you.”

“This isn’t how you do it, Hawk. You don’t just make all the decisions yourself. There’s a child involved. You said we were doing this together. And right now I feel completely alone in this. You went out on your own. You didn’t ask. You didn’t need me. You didn’t want my input.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know why I’m here.”

Fuck.

“You’re here because he needs you.” I lowered my voice. “You’re here because I need you.”

Her sapphire eyes lifted to mine, cutting me right through the chest. Did she know she could take my breath away with one look?

“You don’t act like you need me. You act like a man who is used to being alone. Who doesn’t know what family looks like.”

I knelt in front of her.

“You’re right. I don’t. I never had a real family. I never had Christmas. I never had someone like you.”

I tilted her chin toward me. “Don’t shut me out now, Jules. Not when we just got our shit together.”

“Isn’t that what you did? Shut me out as if I’m not even here?”

I hung my head. “Damn it. I don’t know what I’m doing. I fucked up ok?”

“Do you see those boxes? The suitcases?” She pointed across the room where she had started moving her things over from her apartment. “I can easily take it back. Take all of it back.”

“Fuck. No,” I growled. “You’re not leaving because I screwed up. I can’t do this without you, baby. I don’t want to.”

“You have to include me. No more decisions about Hunter without me. Understand?”

Damn. She had me by the balls. “Got it.”

I thought I saw a grin tug at the corners of her beautiful lips.

“Hunter’s been asleep for two hours.”

“I’ll carry him upstairs. Don’t move.” I didn’t want the tiny bit of forgiveness to evaporate. I had to capitalize on it while I could.

I walked to the living room where the boy was curled under a blanket. The tree twinkled next to him. I lifted him into my arms and took the stairs two at a time. His eyes opened for a second when I lowered him to the bed. I pulled the covers up to his chin and he rolled on his side.

“Good night, son.” I kissed him on the head, turned off the light, and closed the door.

40

Julie

Hawk walked back into the bedroom and locked the door behind him. My emotions were twisted inside me.

I was still angry, but it was nestled inside relief. He had saved Hunter from a legal battle. He had kept him safe. He had fulfilled his promise to me.