Secret Indiscretions (Carson Cove Scandals 2)

“Fuck it…” I reached for my phone. “I can’t fix everything, but maybe I can fix my latest screw up.”

Jon: Hey, we should talk…

Melanie: I’ve got something going on right now. Can I call you later?

Jon: Sure.

So much for that. She doesn’t want to talk to me either…

Chapter Nine

Melanie

“Mom, I don’t know what to do.” I tossed my cell phone on the counter after responding to Jon. “He’s her dad…”

“Is he?” My mother’s jaw tightened up. “He hasn’t been here for the last four years—where was he when you got pregnant? Where was he when his mother threatened to take your child if you asked for help? Do you really want to expose Charley to all of that?”

“No…” I put my hand on my forehead and tried to hold back the tears. “But he’s in Carson Cove—and he wants to see her.”

“You did the right thing by turning him away last night.” My mother put her hand on my arm. “I think you should be really careful here. You need to sit down with him and have a real conversation—not one that takes place on the front steps after midnight when he ambushes you.”

“That’s probably for the best.” I nodded. “He’s definitely not going to just walk in here and see her—not after four damn years.”

“You also have to think about how she’s going to feel. If she finds out her father showed up, she’s not going to understand why you didn’t let her meet him.” My mother sighed.

“I used to dream that my dad would show up one day—that he’d rescue us…” I shook my head back and forth. “I was too young to understand that it was better for him to stay away.”

“It was my place to protect you, a

nd I did.” She patted my arm. “Now you have to decide what’s best for your own daughter…”

“Yeah,” I exhaled sharply.

I had to call in to work and let Mr. Moretti know that I wasn’t coming. I hated it—I was breaking the promise I made to work out my notice—but I had no idea when Jackson would show up at my apartment. I didn’t want to come home after dark and find him sitting on the front steps again, or worse, have him start knocking on the door to try and get my mother to open it. I spent time with Charley and kept an eye on the window—every car that came in caused me to jump up and see if it was Jackson. Shortly after one o’clock, I stopped seeing strangers or neighbors—and saw the man who replaced the boy that broke my heart.

“Charley, I’m going to leave for a little bit, but I’ll be back soon.” I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“I thought you weren’t going to work today?” She looked up at me with a suspicious stare.

“I’m not, but there’s something I need to take care of.” I smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you too—is this about the big office building you’re going to be working in?” Her suspicion faded, and her face lit up.

“No, but I promise I won’t be gone long.” I kissed her again and walked towards the door—my mother was already waiting there.

“Stay strong—don’t stop forgetting how he made you feel…” She put her hand on my arm and then stepped away from the door.

Yeah, but he made me feel so damn good before he shattered my heart…

I walked to the elevator, and before I could hit the button, the door opened, and Jackson walked through it. He looked different in better lighting. He was a lot skinnier—it was almost scary. If it wasn’t for the set of eyes that looked back at me every time I looked into my daughter’s face, I might have thought he was a stranger.

“Hey…” He smiled—that stupid smirk that I used to love.

“Let’s go somewhere and talk.” I motioned to the elevator.

“We talked last night…” He tilted his head. “I want to see my daughter.”

“You don’t get to see Charley—not yet.” I stepped into the elevator. “You coming, or not?”