“Sorry, you’re right. Maybe I can take him to dinner tomorrow after school?” she asked, releasing Oliver and straightening.
“I’ll let you know,” was all Logan said.
“Well, maybe I can hang out now for a little while and play with him?”
“Fine, but he stays in the house,” Logan said. He turned to Oliver, his features softening. “Go get dressed, and make sure to brush your teeth.”
“’Kay! Be right back. Don’t leave—promise?” Oliver’s eyes were big and bright as he stared at Natasha.
She smiled. “Promise.”
Appeased, he ran out of the room.
Caleb was on his feet crossing the room in the same instant. He stopped in front of me.
“Now—let’s talk.”
I nodded, chewing my bottom lip. I had to tell him—and as scared as I was of how he’d react, he deserved the truth.
“Living room?” I suggested for privacy’s sake.
He headed in that direction without a word.
“Everything all right?” Natasha asked.
“Yeah,” I answered as I left the kitchen.
Natasha followed, but I didn’t realize it until we were standing in the entryway to the grand room and I heard her sharp intake of breath.
So much for privacy.
I’d turned to ask her to give us a moment when I caught the look of horror darkening her expression. Confused, I followed her gaze over my shoulder, my mouth open and heart swelling at the sight it beheld.
There, above the mantel in the center of the room, hung a new painting I’d never seen before. The canvas was massive, frame elegant and bold. And there in the center were Oliver and me, sitting in the dirt below my treehouse. Logan’s brush had perfectly captured the relaxed feeling and instant connection of that afternoon, as well as the cheerfulness in Oliver’s smile and adoration in mine. I was in awe.
I was in awe. When had he painted it? It wasn’t there the previous day, which meant he’d hung it while I was out at night.
One look back to Logan—who was now standing in the doorway, his head cast down in thought—reminded me it wasn’t the time to gush, or overanalyze what it meant that I was hanging on his wall as though we’d been together for years.
I blinked and refocused my attention on Caleb, who stood in front of me, waiting impatiently for answers.
“Can you guys just give us a minute?” I asked, peeking back at Natasha.
She tore her gaze from the painting to look at me, a tight smile twisting her lips.
“Sure. Oh, and Caleb, can you tell Hilary I had a great time last night?” Natasha asked. “She’s a sweet girl. It was great getting to talk to her.”
“Did she say anything to you?” Caleb moved quickly, sweeping past me straight to her, hopeful. “Anything at all?”
Natasha’s brows drew together, but her smile never wavered. “Like what?”
“Anything. She left this morning, and I’m trying to find her. I know you two aren’t close, but if she said something, I need to know.”
Her shoulders slumped, face puckering with fake sympathy. “Ah, I’m so sorry. She didn’t say anything. I can’t believe she’d leave. Especially considering…never mind.”
She knew; I’d seen it the moment she cut her gaze to me after seeing the painting. Natasha knew, and seeing me take up half a wall with her son in her ex-fiancé’s house meant she was pissed enough to spill the beans.
I shot forward and grabbed Caleb’s arm as I opened my mouth to speak, but his broken voice stopped me.
“Considering what?” His voice dropped dangerously low. “Tell me.”
“Look, I know I don’t have the best track record, but I could never have taken my child away from his father. It’s just not okay. I’m sorry, Caleb. It’s your baby, too—you have rights.”
My lungs stung; I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath. I blew it out in a giant puff, balling my hands into tight fists, wishing I was wearing actual clothing and not a robe as I struggled to watch the scene unfold. Caleb’s eyes went wide as he processed her words, the air thickening around him and igniting his rage.
One moment, Caleb was near Natasha, and the next, he was pounding his fist into the wall across the room. His words were incoherent growls that continued until Jax and Logan flanked him, yanking him back and trying to calm his rage.
It was useless. Natasha moved to leave the room, but I stepped around her.
“You know what’s not okay? Playing off someone else’s pain to weasel your way back into this family. I should have known better than to think we could ever be friends. You haven’t the first clue about what friendship means.” I stepped closer, but she stood impassive, my words ricocheting off her frozen heart. “Who told you?”
Her lips curled up. “Told me? I figured it out myself, and she all but confessed in the restroom last night. A shame, really—like you said, Caleb’s a good guy. I’m sure he’ll find someone he deserves.”
She moved around me, but I sideswiped her. “What did you say to her?”
“Nothing but the truth: That fatherhood changes a man—changes a relationship. But I didn’t know she’d up and leave after our conversation. That’s on her. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my son’s waiting.” Natasha shouldered past me out of the room.
I stood there watching Logan and Jax restrain Caleb, attempting to talk him down.
“I didn’t know she’d leave,” I said, walking toward them.
“Stay back, damn it, Cassandra!” Logan shouted.
I flinched at his cruel tone, but halted my steps. Caleb wouldn’t hurt me, would he? The look on his face frightened something inside me, though, and I moved back. If he was like this with me, what was Hilary in for? I needed to talk to her.
“She was going to tell you—today, actually. She was scared before—thought about leaving, but we talked it out. She wanted you to know. Something must have changed last night, but I can bring her back. I know I can.”
“Why would she leave, huh!? Is there even a sick aunt!?” Caleb yelled, his body struggling against the strength holding him pinned against the wall.
“No, she’s not sick. And honestly, I don’t even know if that’s where Hilary went. I’m trying to reach her, and I’ll keep trying. I won’t give up. You have my word. I’ll do everything I can to stop her from—”
I inhaled sharply, regretting what little I’d said.
Caleb went still. “Stop her from what?” His eyes went dark. “Answer me!”
“She won’t do it. I know her…she won’t.”
“Ah, Christ, no!” Caleb closed his eyes. His body went slack, and he slid to the floor slowly. Jax let go, but Logan went down on his knees beside him as Caleb continued, his voice distant and shattered.
“No. No, she can’t. Fuck! She wouldn’t. She knows me! I let her in, God damn it!”
“We’ll bring her home,” Logan told him.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, choking on a sob.
Logan looked up at me, and the disappointment that met my gaze wrenched my gut. This wasn’t my fault, but what was I supposed to do? I needed to talk to Hilary. She had to come back home. I’d go find her and bring her back myself if I had to.