Page 58 of Takedown

“Oh my God, will you stop? Jason, I thought you of all people would understand that I wanted today to be a peaceful and happy experience. I’m not going out of my way to hurt our mother.”

“But you did, and I was left downstairs trying to clean up the mess you left behind. You didn’t see—”

“You need to shut the hell up right now, Dupree,” Adam warns. “But if this is how it’s always been between the three of you, I can see why Mel keeps her distance from that woman downstairs.”

“That woman is our mother, so show some damn respect. On second thought, just shut the hell up and mind your own damn business.”

Adam takes a step to Jason. I step between them and put a hand to Adam’s chest. “My wife is my business. Which part of that don’t you get, Dr. Genius? And I know she upsets my wife every single time they see each other. And now I know you always side with mommy,” Adam taunts.

“Enough!” I yell, turning to Jason. “Don’t you say another rude word to Adam. Just stop. And for the record, you left for college, and I was left with her for four years, dealing with her disappointment and criticism every time I fell short of measuring up to her perfect son. Everything I did was met with Jason did it better. It was always Jason, Jason, Jason. You are her perfect child, and you have no idea what it’s like for me. You’re not going to come up here and make me feel bad because I chose my peace of mind.”

Jason stands there, hands on his hips while he takes shallow breaths. I reach for Adam and let him wrap me in his strong arms. I bury my face in his chest and breathe him in, each breath bringing me closer and closer to peace.

Adam rubs my back and murmurs soothing words, and the entire time, I can feel him scowling at Jason, who now remains quiet. The door bursts open and Alex waddles in.

“Jason Dupree, I warned you. Let’s go home. Addison needs a fresh diaper.” She grabs Jason’s hand. Adam and I follow them out and watch as they pack up the rest of their food, say a quick goodbye, and leave. Ananda soon follows, mouthing sorry to me while she runs out the door, leaving us alone with Molly.

“That looked tense.” Molly pulls me from Adam and takes me in her arms. “I don’t know how I didn’t pick up on it before. Your mom’s not sick, darling.” I shake my head at her, confirming her theory.

“It’s a complicated relationship,” I tell her.

“My mother and I wrote the book on that. I’ve only scratched the surface with what I told you, so I understand. The thing you must remember, darling, is that it’s your relationship and you have to navigate it however is best for you. Whatever you’re comfortable with, but please make sure you don’t do anything you’ll regret when she’s gone.” She hugs both of us before leaving.

When it’s just me and Adam, he cradles my face and searches my eyes. He only relaxes when I smile at him. Wanting his comfort, I wrap my arms around him and stick my face in the middle of his chest. He lifts me off the ground and takes me to Lola. Once I’m comfortable on his lap, I soak up his warmth.

“I’m sorry Jason treats you that way. He only does it because of the things I said in the beginning. That’s on me. I’ll fix it.”

“Mel, I don’t care about how Jason treats me. As long as you don’t treat me like that.”

“Never.” A sudden wave of emotion hits. I let out a choked sob and hide my face in the crook of Adam’s neck and sob.

His hands pause on my back, and I sense the confusion rolling off him. “I’m sorry, love. I can go downstairs and beat your brother’s face in. Just say the word.”

“This isn’t about Jason.” An involuntary sob catches me off guard and more tears fall. I pull myself together enough to look into his eyes. His brows are furrowed, and I think he’s stopped breathing.

“No, Mel. Don’t you tell me you’ve changed your mind about us. You promised—”

“Shh.” I put a finger to his lips. “I haven’t.” His relief is immediate. He lets out a rushed breath and it caresses my cheek. “And I won’t.” I take a deep breath while I ponder my next words. “But I’m so afraid, Adam. I’m so afraid that you’ll be the one who changes your mind about us.” Unable to take the look in his eyes, I lower my gaze and focus on his chest.

“Mel, how can you believe that after I’ve chased you for two years? I’m exactly where I want to be.” His words are reassuring, but my heart won’t stop thumping.

“I like this. I like what we have, and I don’t want to lose that. I’ve always felt less than. Not good enough. It’s hard when your own mother treats you as if you’re unimportant. I’ve always been so afraid that when people get to know me, they’ll see what she sees, but I don’t want to be that scared person anymore. I’m all in, Adam. I’m going to rock this marriage thing.”

He leans down and graces me with soft kisses. He presses his forehead on mine, and when he closes his eyes, his eyelashes tickle my forehead, and I giggle at the sensation.

“Promise me you’ll never take it back,” Adam says. “Promise me that you’ll honor our vows. That we’re in this until death do us part.”

I open my eyes, look deep into his blue orbs and say, “Didn’t you hear me? I’m going to grab marriage by the balls.”

“I don’t know what that means, but it sounds kind of painful, love,” he says with a laugh.

“It means I’m going to be the world’s best wife. So, I promise.”

“Maybe this thing we have, this obsession, deep down I’ve always recognized your feelings about not being good enough. Your issues with your mom and mine with my father. He never bothered with me, and it hurt. It still hurts, Mel. Even now as an adult, I still struggle with it. In my head, I know it’s not my fault, and that he was a selfish man, but my heart is another story. We share the same pain, love.”

“We do. And your father missed out, Adam. It was his loss, and now he’s gone and will never know the amazing son he created.”

He rests his forehead on mine. “Thank you for saying that. You don’t know how much that helps.”

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