Easy to Love You (10 page)

Looking over Mom’s shoulder to see what had made her stop was like a gust of cold air hitting me. I was staring at the exact same eyes as my own. I’d never thought I’d see him again, not since he walked out on us all those years ago.

As soon as everything had sunk in I started to act. First, I grabbed the car seat and set it behind me. No way was this fucking asshole getting near my son! I’m nothing like him and I protect what’s mine. Always. Then, I grabbed a hold of Mom’s arm and pulled her slightly behind me with Ryder. Mr. Cahill planted himself in front of Mom and he pulled Mrs. Cahill behind him as well. We were making a wall and protecting our own. In my eyes, once you’ve violated that trust, that’s it, you were cut and never trusted again.

Jason, my father, the sperm donor in my eyes, started laughing loud and deep. It was nasty and so was he. “Well that wasn’t the greeting I was expecting.”

Mom gripped the back of my shirt and I shifted from one foot to the other.
Who does he think he is?
“What the fuck do you want?” I snarled.

Dickbag glared at me, “Watch your mouth, son.”

“I’m not your son.” I spat back.

He huffed, “Figures you would grow up to be a disrespectful little asshole. I should’ve taken you with me and taught you how to treat your elders.”

“Yeah? You set a real great example of being respectful.” I seethed. Mom tightened her hold on my shirt and I heard Mrs. Cahill fidgeting behind me. I glanced around and noticed we were drawing a crowd.

“Let’s not do this now.” Mr. Cahill spoke up.

I started to turn around to grab for Ryder when Jason started running his mouth again, “And you are?”

“None of your business Jason, we were just leaving.” Mom said, raising her voice slightly.

If my night wasn’t already ruined with this piece of shit in front of me, Mason and Hailey showing up did the job.

Mason’s hands turned into fists and Hailey looked confused. I had talked to Mase about my father a few times and he’s even seen a few pictures, so I could tell he knew exactly who was standing here with us. CC knew of Jason, but that was it. I’d never wanted to show her who he was, since he was nothing to me and never would be. I’m not really sure how Mr. and Mrs. Cahill knew who he was, and I didn’t really care right now, I wanted my son away from all this shit.

Mason grabbed Hailey’s hand, strode over to Ryder, picked his car seat up and started for the doors again. I’d have to make sure I thanked them for that later.

“He yours?” Dickbag asked.

“None of your business. Why don’t you go back to your grimy hole and rot in it? No one wants you here.” There was no way in fucking hell that I would tell him Ryder was mine.

He shook his head; Mr. Cahill led Mom and his wife out the front doors. I had nothing left to say so I started walking away, but he grabbed my arm. I yanked it free and got in his face, “Don’t you ever touch me again.”

I saw security guards heading our way; he must have too, because he threw his hands up and backed away from me.

There was no way I could leave now, not with him here at the same hospital CC was staying alone in. Mason, who apparently still had my spare keys, pulled my truck up front just as I walked out the doors, Hailey was standing there with the car seat in her hands. I took a few calming breaths before I went over to them.
What the hell was I going to do now?

Mason must have seen the turmoil in my face, “I got it dude. Hailey was sleeping here with Kenz anyway, I’ll just stay too.”

I’d have to settle for that. I needed to get Ryder home and safely tucked in bed. “Thanks man.”

“Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?” Hailey was fuming.

“We’ll talk about it later Hailey; right now we need to get up to my sister, she shouldn’t be alone. I know you said you wanted to spend some alone time with her but not tonight.” Mason said, trying to calm the situation.

Hailey looked from Mason to me. Worry, confusion, concern and fear flashed over her face. I wasn’t sure if she knew that I was aware of Mr. Cahill’s career as an FBI Agent. I didn’t want to stir another pot tonight though, so I’d let Mason handle it his way and pray that she didn’t start talking to CC about this shit.

I went to grab the car seat from Hailey, but before she handed him over she kissed his little forehead and said, “Don’t be too rough on Daddy, Chunky Monkey.”

Mom hopped up from the front seat of Mr. and Mrs. Cahill’s car and jumped in my truck. “I left Kenzie my phone so if anything goes down, call the house and I’ll come here as soon as I can.” Nothing better go down or there would be hell to pay.

Mason nodded, “Get my nephew home.”

I opened the door and placed Ryder’s car seat in the base, then walked around the other side and crawled in, “Mom, I need your phone.”

She handed it over without question. I dialed Cooper.

“Hello.”

“Hey it’s me; I left my phone with your sister.” I explained.

“Yo, you on your way home?” Cooper asked; I could hear
Call of Duty
in the background.

I put the truck in drive and took off for home, “Yeah. Where’s Jay?”

“Taking a bath.” He must have been in the middle of a match because there were gun shots and bombs going off.

“We got a problem; my dad showed up at the hospital.” Cooper was aware of the shit that my dad was in to.

There was silence, no background noise, nothing. “Fuck!” Cooper yelled a few seconds later.

Fuck is right, shit’s about to get real.

“Well MacKenzie, we’ll be able to release you today but we’ll need to set you up with home healthcare. We offer that through the hospital and Lynn has volunteered to assist you, if you should choose her.” Dr. Clearly explained to me.

As much as I didn’t want Lynn to help me and my son, I really didn’t want anyone else doing it either. She’d been with Ryder and me since we’d arrived. “There’s no way that Hunter, or even my mom, could help me until I’m able to care for myself?” It was worth giving it a shot.

“No, I’m afraid not,” he responded.

Hunter knocked once and then walked in. Dr. Clearly nodded at him, “I really think at this point Lynn would be your best option. Once we can get you up and moving we can have the catheter removed and you’ll no longer need her services.”

Hunter had set Ryder’s car seat in the chair and was removing him from it when he started fussing. He shook his head, lifted the baby on his shoulder and began patting his back. He was trying his best to comfort him but Ryder just wasn’t happy. Dr. Clearly stood there for a second observing and I lifted my arms for him to bring Ryder to me. Hunter reached down and adjusted the pillow, just like when I’d held him the last time, and then placed him on my chest. He instantly settled.

Hunter shook his head and smiled, I winked at him. “We agree with Lynn being MacKenzie’s nurse until she’s able to take care of herself. As you can see we need her home as much as she needs us.” Hunter handed me Ryder’s bottle and he began drinking it with no problems.

“Very well then. I’ll get all the paperwork for that completed and then you guys can be on your way.” Dr. Clearly cleaned his hands and left the room with a smile.

Hunter bent down and kissed my forehead. “Can you do me a favor?” I asked.

He winked, “Of course.”

“Can you please help me freshen up? I feel gross and I’m not going to be able to take a shower for a while.” I scrunched my nose thinking how nasty things were going to be.
I’m going to get this catheter out of me by the end of the
week
! I’d figure out a way, and figure it out fast
. Just thinking about not being able to shave gave me the chills, and I couldn’t torture poor Hunter by making him sleep next to a cavewoman. I refused to let Lynn help me when I knew I’d be able to do it myself once I got this catheter out.

Hunter gave me a pity smile, “I’ll do whatever you want. I just want you home, in our bed, next to me.” He kissed my forehead again. “And for the record, I can’t smell you from here.” He said with a chuckle.

“Gee, thanks!” I said sarcastically. “So are you going to tell me what was going on this morning? Was it Ryder?”

Hunter sighed and sat in the chair next to the bed; I’d removed the bottle from Ryder and was getting ready to burp him. “No, there’s some shit going down, but don’t worry about it right now. I’ll fill you in about it later. Just one step at time, CC, for me.”

Hunter gave me those eyes, the ones that said, “This conversation’s over,” so I let it go and continued to feed Ryder. I was going to have to pick my battles, and this one just wasn’t one I wanted to pick. I wanted to put my family in a little bubble and live happily ever after.

“So you’re sure Lynn helping is going to be ok? If not just say the word and I’ll have them get someone else. I don’t want any extra stress on you.” Hunter said while scrolling on his phone.

“It makes sense I guess, she knows what I’ve been through.” I shrugged my shoulder. “She’s supposed to be a professional after all.”

“Yeah she’s supposed to be.” Hunter grumbled. “If anything she does makes you uncomfortable you have to tell me, alright?”

My strong protective man was out in full force today. “I will.” Before I could even get Ryder up to my shoulder to start burping him, he let out a huge belch. I scrunched my nose at the awful formula smell and Hunter laughed. “Times really have changed, huh?”

“Yeah and I wouldn’t change it for the world, baby.” I really did love this man with all my heart.

Hunter stood up and said, “I’m going to start taking some of this stuff out to the car. Will you be ok with him by yourself?”

I looked down at Ryder who was barely able to keep his eyes open, “Yeah we’ll be great.” This was the first time I would be by myself with him, even if it was only for a few minutes.

Hunter gave a peck to Ryder’s cheek and brushed his pointer finger down the side of his cheek, making his little eyes close. He gave me a wink then grabbed the flowers and a few gifts from around the room and left to put them in the car.

As I sat there snuggling with Ryder, I thought about just how much this little human being had made our love stronger than it’s ever been. I knew there were going to be some sleepless nights — the house would never be quite the same — and some things would have to be put on the back burner, but it was my future, our future now, and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out.

After leaving the hospital last night, I’d worried about how my mom would cope with seeing Jason again. I’d offered for her to stay with us but she insisted on going back to her own house. I dropped her off and made sure she got in safely before heading straight home, where Cooper and Jaylinn were waiting for me. “Hunter?” Jaylinn called out to me. I could see them from where I was, but they couldn’t see me.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

I heard Cooper say, “See I told you. No need to worry, Twinkle Toes.” What the fuck’s up with that nickname? I’d never thought I’d see the day that a girl, my sister nonetheless, brought Cooper to his knees. I was still amazed he was hanging around; I thought for sure I would’ve already gotten into it with him about Jaylinn. The Cooper I knew had a different girl every week; he was a veritable man whore.