“Make a deal with the pact sisters. Or even one of us. We’re here for you.”
And then we were in the car, neither of us speaking. My knees shook as we made it back to my house. As soon as we pulled into the garage, I practically jumped out of the car, tension riding me.
I did my best to calm my breathing, but before I could open the door, Macon grabbed me around the hips and pressed me to his front.
“Macon,” I whispered frantically. My heart raced, but it wasn’t from fear. Though considering what had happened to me in the past, I was surprised I didn’t scream.
But this was Macon.
And why that would slow my heart rate and let me find my balance...I didn’t know.
“Calm yourself. If you go in there like a momma bear looking for her cub, you’re going to freak out Joshua. And I bet you he’s already pretty upset after seeing his babysitter get sick. You know that kid loves Constance. He talks about her all the time. Just breathe. Walk into the house like everything’s fine. If you do that, you’re not going to scare him.”
I closed my eyes and let out a breath, my hands shaking. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to do something. But Macon was right. I let myself lean against him, closed my eyes as I rested my head on his hard chest.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome. I need to do that sometimes. Little moments trigger me, and I need to breathe so I don’t stress others and make things worse. You’ve got this. Now, go hug your kid.”
“Okay.” He’d opened up to me, and I knew that meant something, but I needed to see my son before I let myself dwell on it.
“Let’s go inside. Joshua needs you.”
I opened the door and walked into my home, doing my best not to weep in relief at the sight of Joshua sitting on the couch, rocking back and forth as Constance’s father read to him. My little boy was stressed and likely needed a hug. He was getting attention and being cared for by Constance’s father, but I needed to hold my son.
“Mom!” Joshua said and leapt off the couch to run to me. I went to my knees and caught him, hugging him fiercely.
“Hey, there, baby boy.”
“I’m not a baby,” he mumbled, burrowing into my neck. “Constance is sick.”
“She is. But now that I’m here, her dad’s going to the hospital, and he’s going to make sure everything is okay.”
“Thank you, Dakota. We’ll keep you updated. Bye, buddy.” The man rubbed Joshua’s head before heading out without another word.
Constance’s father was quiet but caring. And I knew he was worried. He would keep us updated. So would Shireen. I was worried about Constance, about what it would mean for babysitting duties and Adam...about Macon. Yet right then, I could only focus on the child in my arms.
“We’ve got you, little man,” Macon whispered from behind me.
“Macon!” Joshua said as if just realizing that Macon was in the room. He nearly pushed me away to scramble towards the man.
I tried not to feel offended.
“Hi, buddy.” Macon picked Joshua up, holding him tight.
“You were with my mom?” Joshua asked, looking over his shoulder at me.
I knew my cheeks had reddened, and I didn’t know what to say. Macon and I weren’t dating. But we had kissed—I could still taste Macon’s mouth on mine.
Macon’s eyes darkened for a moment over Joshua’s head, and then Macon brought him to the couch.
“I heard you had an eventful night.”
“Constance threw up, and she was really sick. Her mom got worried, but then her dad said everything was going to be okay. But I’m still scared.”
“I understand,” Macon said, and I tried not to take in the tableaux in front of me. Macon looking so large and yet caring with my little boy in his arms.
Joshua had never had a father, and Macon wasn’t going to be it. I didn’t want to get married. I didn’t want a dad for Joshua.
I didn’t want that connection.
Only…was I making a mistake?
“I think it’s past your bedtime,” Macon mentioned, bringing me out of my thoughts.
I checked the clock and winced. “It is, little man.”
“But, Mom…” Joshua whined, and I shook my head.
“If I hear any updates, I will let you know. But Constance’s family is with her, and it’s going to be a long night. You need your sleep so you’re all strong and ready to go tomorrow.”
“Can Macon tuck me in?” Joshua asked, wrapping his arms around Macon’s neck like a little octopus.
I met Macon’s gaze, wondering what this feeling was inside me.
Macon gave me a questioning glance, and I nodded. “Of course. He’s here. Now let’s see how he does with the whole bedtime routine.”
“I’ll be good, I promise.”
“Well, at least he made that promise for someone,” I said dryly as Joshua ran off to brush his teeth.
“You sure it’s okay?” Macon asked.
No.
“I think Joshua just needs people around right now. It’s fine.”
“And are we going to talk about what happens tomorrow?” Macon asked.
“Nothing,” I whispered.
Nothing happens tomorrow.
“Are we going to talk about what happened tonight?” Macon asked.
“I don’t know,” I whispered honestly. “I just need to make sure my son’s okay.”
“We can do that. And then we’ll figure out what comes next.”
With a tight nod, Macon followed my son to help with his bedtime routine, and I wondered just how this had happened.
And what the hell I was going to do about it.
Chapter 8
Macon
Something soft was on top of me. A warm weight that cuddled closer, and my dick hardened at the movement. This had to be a dream. Because all I wanted to do was let my hands travel and gently cup her ass, make it so she spread her legs so I could piston into her as we both came.
I was warm and sleepy and content.
And not awake.
“Macon.” My
