Page 48 of Hidden Desires

Chapter Fourteen

Davis woke Jackson up around seven the next morning, tapping him on the shoulder. “I need to talk to you.”

Jackson glanced down at Autumn sprawled out across his body, her head on his stomach. “I can’t get up. Can it wait?”

He shook his head. “I’ll be in the living room.”

After Jackson moved Autumn to her pillow, he covered her and kissed her before following Davis, closing the door behind him when he went. He yawned and sat in the recliner, waiting for his friend to start talking.

“They made an arrest but the prick made bond. He has an alibi for the time of the fire so that cuts him out of the arson charge, but they received an anonymous tip he’s running a dog fighting ring. They found the ring and a few pit bulls so they charged him with that while they continue to investigate. It’s really looking like a long shot though since no one actually saw a dog fight. He might walk free and clear.”

“Fuck.” Jackson ran his hands over his face. “That’s not what I wanted to hear this morning.”

“He’s paying them off.” Davis flopped down on the couch. “The only way someone that shady can evade the law is to buy it.”

Jackson agreed. “Do me a favor. Don’t tell your sister today. We’re supposed to have a planned ‘good’ day, and this will only make it shitty.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Good. We stayed up talking and she actually started smiling again. The poor girl has had more than her fair share of downs lately. I promised her we’d have a fun day today so if anything happens talk to me about it and not her.”

Davis nodded. “And what about you? Are you suppressing your feelings or are you really doing okay?”

His best friend knew him well. “I’m fine. I was a little shaken and shell-shocked, but I’m fine. She wanted to name it and we chose the name Peyton Reilly.”

Davis smiled. “That was the name of her favorite doll.”

Jackson nodded. “Anyway, it’s a unisex name and gives us a memory of the small baby’s life. No matter how short it was.”

Davis stared at Jackson for a while not saying a word. The two had been through hard times together, each seeing the other at his worst as well as his best. Jackson had been there when Davis got shot and everyone thought he’d bleed out before they got him to the hospital in Iraq. Jackson donated blood to save his friend’s life and it only brought them closer.

Davis, however, had been there in Jackson’s darkest moments, on every anniversary of his mother’s death. After Jackson got drunk and passed out in his own vomit, Davis had been the one who carried him back to his room, cleaned him up, and poured gallons of coffee down his throat so he wouldn’t get in trouble with the commanding officers the next day.

In their own way, they were a team. They were partners in crime and best friends all other times. And they each shared a love for Autumn that was indescribable.

“Do you realize what the other day was?” Davis asked.

Jackson thought back. The days were running together in his mind. “No. What?”

“The anniversary of your mother’s death.” Davis leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “Maybe you should go to her grave.”

“I can’t.” Jackson stood and escaped toward the kitchen. “Autumn will be with me. I promised nothing bad would happen today. Visiting my mother’s grave is anything but a fun time.”

“You haven’t been to see her in years, Jackson. It won’t hurt you to pay your respects. Plus, it gives you an opening to tell Autumn about your past.” Davis followed him, heading straight to the refrigerator for a soda.

“It’s not happening, Davis, so drop it.”

“What’s not happening?” Autumn came around the corner, hair tousled from sleep and a frown on her face.

Davis popped the top of his can. “Jack just woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning. He’s grouchy.”

Autumn rubbed her eyes and yawned. “We stayed up late last night. I suppose he has right.”

Davis shrugged. “He likes to think so.” He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Your niece or nephew’s name is Peyton Reilly. We named the baby last night.” She leaned against him, depending on his strength to keep her upright.

“So I guess Peyton Reilly did officially become part of the Callahan family.” Davis kissed her temple. “She used to carry that ugly doll around and make each one of us treat it like it was her child. I can’t count how many times I had to change its diaper.”

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