“I need to go and see my Mum,” I said, torn because I wanted to see her but I also wanted to stay right here with J.
“I’ll take you.”
I kissed him, and grabbed my bag before he headed out. I was very apprehensive about what we would find when we got to my parent’s house, but at least I had J with me.
***
My mother answered the door dressed in a bathrobe. So out of character for her.
“Madison,” she simply said, as a way of greeting me. Her face was all puffy, and she looked like shit, but at least that ugly red welt from where my father had slapped her was gone.
We followed her inside and sat at the kitchen table. My father was noticeably absent. Thank god, because I think I may have punched him if he had been there.
“So, you’ve heard the wonderful news, I take it. You have another brother.” I didn’t fail to note the sarcasm.
“Mum, talk to me,” I pleaded.
J stood up. “I’ll leave so you girls can have a talk,” he offered.
“Sit down, J. You’re part of this family, and as far as I am concerned, there should be no fucking secrets anymore,” my mother said.
“Did you know before today?” I asked her.
She sighed. “I always suspected your father was playing around,” she shrugged, “It’s what happens in that club. I chose to ignore it. But I had no clue he had a mistress and a child.”
I didn’t want to ask my next question, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Is that the first time he hit you?”
The way her shoulders slumped, and the sad look that flitted across her face told me what I needed to know. J made a noise and I looked at him. He was clenching his fists, and grinding his jaw. This must be hitting close to home for him; his father used to beat the shit out of his mother.
“How bad, Mum?” I was so mad at not only my father, but also at myself, for not noticing. I had lived in a happy little bubble that was actually just one big, fat fucking lie.
She sat in front of me, a picture of vulnerability. I watched as she pulled herself together, and plastered the stoic look that I knew so well, onto her face. “Not as bad as some women receive. And only when I really pushed him.”
Oh my god. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Are you leaving him?” It was almost a challenge, because I was fairly sure I knew what she had already decided to do.
“No, and I don’t want to hear your opinion on it. Or Scott’s.” Her eyes pierced me with defiance, and I knew there was no point arguing with her. Sharon Cole was not a woman who listened to other’s opinions. And I think I just figured out why she was such a tough, strong woman. My father had made her that way.
Chapter 27
Jason
It had been three weeks since Madison had discovered her father was a lying, cheating piece of shit. I had watched her struggle with this, and the fact that her mother was staying with him. I had also watched her begin to deal with it. And I couldn’t have been fucking happier about how she was doing that.
My girl kicked ass.
It’s a tough fucking pill to swallow when you realise the father you adore isn’t perfect after all. I know, because I’ve been there. That knowledge takes a piece of your heart with it, and you can’t get it back. Ever.
We had spent the last three weeks laying low, doing our own thing, away from the club as much as possible. I turned up every day for work, but I stayed out of Marcus’s way. I would have probably knocked the fucker out if I’d run into him. Madison hadn’t seen or spoken to any of her family in the last three weeks. I think she needed time to work through it all in her head.
The one thing she hadn’t done was turn to alcohol. Sure, she hit as many AA meetings as she could, but mainly, she turned to me. And that was just how I fucking liked it.
We were enjoying a lazy Sunday morning in bed when she stole my heart all over again. “I can’t imagine my life without you, J. Those years we spent apart were some of the hardest years of my life, but I think we needed them. They gave me time to grow up, and become me. And this me is so much better than the old me. This me is in your corner all the way, baby, and won’t leave you ever again.”
I rolled so that I was on top of her, and pinned her arms above her head, holding them there with one hand, while I moved my other hand to her breast. I dipped my mouth to hers, and took the kiss I desperately fucking needed.
Coming up for air, I grinned at her, “God, I fucking love you, woman.”
“I love you too, baby. But can you let my hands go? I need to touch you.”