Lane (Made From Stone Book 1) (14 page)

Gavin and I are standing outside of this seedy motel and I’m getting more irate with each second that passes. What the fuck is Mallory thinking? Our daughter has been sleeping in this piece of shit.

“What are you gonna do, Lane?” Gavin questions.

“Fuck if I know. I know they’re packing their shit and coming with me. Outside of that, I have no plans.”

Gavin lets out a little laugh and then says, “You sure about that? Mallory doesn’t seem to take orders well.” I laugh but in all seriousness, he’s right. She is stubbornly independent, but she also isn’t stupid. Well that’s still up in the air, after all, she has been staying here with my daughter.

“Hey, you guys can come in now,” Mallory says while peeking her head out the door. I can tell by her swollen eyes and tear streaked face that she's been crying. Both Gavin and I make our way in and sit at the edge of the bed.

“Pack your shit. You’ll both stay at my apartment until we get something figured out!" I say, not giving Mallory a chance to speak.

“I’m not leaving, but I agree Mallory should go,” Amy replies.

“What the fuck? You’re going!” Gavin demands.

“Everyone stop. This is between Amy and me, and I’ve come up with a plan,” Mallory says.

“If that plan involves you staying in this shithole then the answer is no,” I declare as Mallory shoots a hateful glare at me.

“Lane, I will stay at your apartment on my nights with Annie until I get my own apartment, which I hope will be soon. On your nights with Annie, I’ll come here to stay with Amy.”

She is going to be the death of me, I'm seeing red at this point and I'm not backing down.

“You are not coming back here. End of story. My daughter needs her mother and clearly you aren’t safe,” I reply, gesturing to Amy’s battered body.

“Lane, I told you earlier to stop. I’ll listen to you where Annie is concerned, but I will not leave my sister. She helped me through high school. She supported me during my pregnancy and she needs closure. I promise to not bring Annie back here, but I will be coming back.”

I swear I want to shake her, but instead I storm out of the room, slamming the door behind me. It takes about two seconds and Gavin is beside me.

“Maybe I can stay here with Amy some days. And between Eli and me, we can do drive-bys or park outside her room on the nights Mallory is here. Also, Lucas and Logan can pitch in some. Eli and I will start gathering more information and hopefully make an arrest soon,” Gavin says, trying to pacify me a little bit.

“Ok. But can you try to find their mom? I think that’s the real hold up. These two girls are pissing me off. Most people who are violently attacked would pack up and leave. But no! They are too stubborn for their own good! FUCK!”

“I told you she wouldn’t cave. You have a fighter and it’s too early to tell if that’s a good or bad thing right now," he says with a wink.

“As much as it pisses me off, it's a good thing,” I say. I mean, if Mallory just walked out on her sister it would make me question her. As much as I want to swoop in and save the day for both of them, I know I can’t. We need to come up with a solid plan because I’ll do anything to keep my girls safe. Anything.

Pulling up to Lane's apartment complex, several emotions rise to the top. The thing that bothers me most is feeling like I’ve abandoned Amy. It’s killing me inside. While it pisses me off and scares me to death, I understand.

I gave up on our mother the second I laid eyes on my own daughter. I could NEVER leave her. But my sister and I are a lot alike. Life has made us tough, so fighting Amy was pointless. Maybe I can talk to Eli or Gavin and get suggestions on what we can do to find Mom.

Something else concerns me. I’ll actually be living with Lane. I appreciate the offer and I’m very grateful Annie never has to sleep in that place ever again, but Lane and I are struggling to find a balance. He wants more and I don’t, or at least that's what I tell myself. It’s Lane. Since I bumped into him on my first day of school, my body has betrayed me. He's sexy, smart, and has a body women drool over on a daily basis. He also has an arrogant asshole mentality. At times, I think that that is one of the things that draws me to him.  Other times, I want to drown him in it. Although I don’t want more with him, I’m no nun. I’m certain my panties will constantly be soaked. Just thinking about being in the same space as him has my body screaming for release.

I watch the way his body moves as he gets out of the jeep and comes to open my door. He reminds me of a predator. His eyes meet mine and he grins that sexy grin that could melt the panties off a nun. Before I can get my door open, he opens it and I realize that I haven't even unbuckled my seatbelt yet. He doesn't give me the chance to unbuckle it myself. He reaches his long, muscled arm across my waist and clicks the lock. The close contact with him has my hormones in overdrive! Not wanting him to feel like we are a couple, I quickly wiggle from him and slide out the door, not taking the hand he has offered. He must know what I’m trying to do because he grins and drives me crazy. Watching his lips part and his tongue peek through has me flushing deep red all over. I sneak a glimpse of that body and the thoughts going through my mind are sinful. He really is sexy. It doesn’t help at all when he says, “Keep fighting it babe. I’ll wait.”

Trying to play innocent I reply, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take off to the staircase so he doesn’t have time for a smart-ass reply. He doesn’t say anything, but I hear a chuckle coming from behind me.

When he opens the front door, I see all the women in his family sitting on the floor just watching Annie sleep on a little blanket. The sight of my daughter surrounded by family who adore her chokes me up and changes the focus of my oversexed brain immediately. I am irrevocably in love with that baby girl. Lane must notice the need in me to have alone time with my daughter because he tells them all to leave. Several hugs and kisses later we are alone, and I am lying on the floor staring at the little lady who changed my world.

I’ve always talked about my favorite things. The rolling hilltop views in Kentucky. The Chicago skyline at night. The sideline views at football games. My life is made up of these memories, but the view I see before me right now, right here, is the most breathtaking view I've ever seen. Mallory is curled up next to our daughter on the floor. Watching her run her fingers over our daughter’s hair and hearing her hum a soft lullaby tugs at my heartstrings. I have to watch. Never have I needed anything like I need these girls in front of me. Though I know Annie will always be mine, I need to figure out a way to make her mommy mine too, and fast.

Living as 'just friends' with Mallory for the next few days will be difficult. And I don’t think I'm the only one this will be challenging for. I saw her eye my cock and flush when she got caught doing it. God, just thinking about it has my dick rock hard and pushing against my zipper. However, Mallory is in control. I’ve learned the more I push Mallory, the more she fights. I’ll take the couch, but sooner or later, she won't be able to fight it any longer. 

I’ve got to get on the computer at some point today and try to figure out my finances. My parents taught us early about the stock market and money market accounts. Everyone in my family is set financially. No, we aren’t rich, but we could all live a few years and not work with what we’ve been able to save. The first thing I need to do is move money around to pay my parents back. Then I need to figure out what I can afford when looking for a new place. I don’t think I’ll move into another apartment. I’d like to raise Annie in a nice subdivision in a good school district. It’s going to be tight, but I’ll do right by my daughter and give her everything I had growing up. Oh God, I need to call my grandpa.

“Mallory, make yourself at home. I need to go make a few phone calls, and then I’m going to get into the shower. Maybe we can go to dinner later,” I say.

“Can we order in? Or I can make something. I just feel like I’ve been going non-stop and I don’t feel like going out,” she replies. I can tell she’s exhausted.

“Sure. I need to go by my parents. I’ll pick something up. Just tell me what you’d like.”

“I need a big steak and an even bigger piece of chocolate cake!” Mallory's eyes brighten when she talks about food. Interesting. It’s weird how that small thing excites me. I want to know everything about Mallory.

“You’ve got it,” I say and head back to my bedroom where I make the dreaded phone call to my grandpa.

After a couple rings, my grandpa picks up. “Hello,” he answers. His voice always sounds so calm. Peaceful.

“Hey grandpa. I wanted to call and see how things are going.”

“Good, we found a new piano player at church and also the funding to start some construction work. I look forward to having you boys down next week to help do some of the heavy lifting,” he replies and I groan. I had forgotten all about the camping trip, and knowing my grandpa needs help and I won’t be there to help hurts. He never asks for anything.

“About that. I’m not going to be able to make it. But maybe I can come once things settle down here.”

“Ok. But what could possibly be so pressing that you can’t make the annual camping trip?” he questions and I groan again.

“You sitting down?” I ask.

“I am now,” he teases.

“Well... I just found out I’m a father. Things are a little crazy right now!” I spill the news and sit for several minutes before I decide to make sure he heard me. “Grandpa?”

“Yeah, I’m here. I just don’t know what to say. It’s like deja vu all over again.”

“I’m sorry,” I reply.

“Do you love the mother? Is it a girl or boy?” he questions.

“Well, I love a lot about the mother. I could love her. Oh my God, Grandpa. I do love her.” Holy shit! I love Mallory. When did that happen? Not wanting to be rude after my realization left me speechless, I continue, “ It was a one time thing and so I’m still in a state of shock. I know I want her forever. And I have a daughter. Her name is Annie,” I choke out. I know this is bringing out a mix of emotions in him and me. My grandma was incredible.

“Annie. I love that name,” is all he says. I can hear him clear his throat and then he asks, “Do you know why I pushed for all my grandkids to be married first?”

“Because you’re a preacher and that's your job?”

He lets out a big laugh and then says, “No, its because the greatest gift you can give your child can’t be bought. It’s parents who love each other. Parents who show their children what’s important. Your grandma and I wanted a house full of kids, but God had other plans. We didn’t know at the time that we would inherit eight grandkids and three sons. And the reason your parents never took you on fancy vacations is because they wanted to show you the importance of love, of living life simply. I’m not disappointed that I’m a great grandfather. I’m not disappointed that she came before marriage. To tell you the truth, knowing your dad and uncles I expected this. I also expect that you will do right by Annie.”

Fuck. I honestly want to cry like a little bitch. This man knows how to get straight into my heart. Instead, I respond, “All I want is to do right by my daughter and give her all the things I had growing up.”

“Well, bring her to see me soon. I won’t be able to make it up for a few months.”

“I will.”

“I’m proud of you Lane.”

“I know,” I say.

After hanging up, I go to my computer and move some money around. Deciding to shower later, I jump into my jeep and head to my parents. I don’t plan on staying long because I want to get back to my girls. Even though Mallory and I aren’t a couple, it will be nice for it to be just the three of us.

Pulling in to my parents place, I exhale deeply. Things are so messed up right now and I want to go to my parents and say this is my plan. I've always had things figured out and living in this constant state of chaos is hard. Also, Landon is home and it's been over a year since we've been able to hang out. How the hell did I get myself into this mess?

When I walk into the penthouse, I notice all my siblings are here laughing and having a good time. When they see me, they all stop and stare. This is another thing I hate. Unlike my twin brothers, who always wanted to be the center of attention, I never did. I like my privacy, but it's kind of hard hiding a baby, not that I would ever want to. Still, I want all the attention off me.

“Hey, can I have a few minutes alone with Mom and Dad?” I ask. I'm surprised to see them all get up and walk out of the room without a word.

“What's up, son?” Dad asks.

“I just wanted to stop by and give you the check. I'm not staying long,” I tell them.

Dad comes over and takes the check from my hand and then he hugs me.

“Have you thought anymore about what you're going to do?” Mom asks.

“Well, I'm going to be looking for a place soon. I'm thinking of buying instead of renting. I want Annie to have a home.”

“I meant what I said Lane. This place is yours, free and clear,” my dad replies.

No way!

“I can't take this place, Mallory and I aren't even together. And it's a big place for just one person, Annie won't be with me all the time.”

“She will be,” my mom says and I see the hopeless romantic coming out in her. For once, I hope my mom's right.

“I don't know. Mallory isn't someone you back into a corner, and she seems set on us not being a couple.”

“Well, think about it. The place is yours if you want it,” says Dad.

“I will. I need to get going. Tell Landon I'll call him later.”