Page 175 of Timeless

Tyler was reminded of what my temper was really like when I got pushed to my limit. And Jack got a glimpse of my bad side.

End result; I got the money and Jack went quiet. Something I didn’t know my son was possible of. Especially since he hadn’t stop whining since we left the house. When we got back to the car, he was deadly quiet, and then even helped me strap him in. I knew then I had done damage.

And I wasn’t sure how to fix it. Him wanting money ran through my head. So, I opened up the black bag the bank so nicely gave me, and I went to give Jack money but he didn’t want it. Being stubborn. Like his mother. In the end, it turned out Jack wanted two dollars for some lollipop that had been on the counter in the bank.

I learned then, when he was asking for something, I had to ask what and why. So, I went back in the bank and, Tyler being Tyler, wanted one as well.

They were still both sucking on a lollipop when we came to the destination. The jewelers.

“Come on, Jax, when you said we were going shopping, I thought for a bike or something,” Tyler griped.

Jack hadn’t complained or misbehaved since I lost my temper at the bank. I noticed he was sticking to Tyler’s side as well. I was immediately pissed with myself for not keeping my temper in check. I knew kids were meant to test your patience. Amber used to have a shorter temper than me, how had she managed to get better control over hers?

I was going to have to ask her for tips.

But I didn’t have her help now. Which was when I need it because right now, my son was scared of me, or scared I was going to yell at him like I yelled at the bank clerks and branch manager in the end.

I had noticed Amber always went to Jack’s level when she needed to calm him down or get him to come around. So, I went down to his level, even though he was hiding behind Tyler.

Tyler was looking rather smug. When it came to the Shield boys, it seemed like they just got enjoyment out of me suffering.

“Jack.” I made sure there was no anger in my voice, even though a brave man would not willingly test my temper the way he had. Thanks to prison and riots, my temper was shorter than ever. Which wasn’t really helping me be a good parent right now.

Jack slowly came out from behind Tyler’s legs and when he was standing in front of me but not looking me in the eye, I felt like I made some progress.

“I need your help.” I kept my tone calm and considering how frustrated I felt moments before, it was a real fucking good effort on my account.

Jack’s eyes slowly came off the ground and he looked at me. “With?” His one word told me, he was insecure right now, thanks to me losing my temper earlier.

“I need to buy your mom a few things.”

“She doesn’t like my picking. I picked Will’s suit color and she hated it.” Jack’s eyes immediately dropped, and his voice was deflated. He made it sound like he was disappointing me. Which wasn’t the case at all.

“Nah, I’ve got that covered, Jack. Your mom has me pretty well trained.” Which, according to Amber, I was. She had faith in me knowing what she liked. Though I was doubting that. I knew what she used to like. From her closet to the jewelry in her cabinet, what I thought she would like was way off to what it seemed like she liked now. “I need your help with something after that.”

Jack’s eyes went back to me, seemed I had him interested.

“I need to pick six birthday presents, six Christmas presents, and enough chocolate to make up for six years of missed Easters.”

Jack frowned. “Mom doesn’t eat chocolate. You should just get her something from in there, because that’s what Will did.” He had pointed to the jewelers behind me.

I was really going to enjoy throwing out all of Amber’s jewelry later, knowing that asshole of a boyfriend of hers added to her collection.

“Nah, this isn’t for your mom.” I brought Jack’s attention back to me. “I know what she wants. It’s when it comes to you that I’m not sure what to get.”

Jack’s eyes widened. “I was naughty.”

So, he knew he had misbehaved. Had to reward Amber for teaching him to know what classed as misbehaving. “I dragged you away from your favorite TV show, fair is fair.” I shrugged it off, like his little tantrum hadn’t gotten the best of me. “You know how you and your mom make deals?”

He nodded.

“You put up with me spending a shit load of cash on jewelry for your mom and as soon as I’m done, we go get whatever you want.”

“Whatever I want?”

“Anything?”

“What if it’s expensive?”

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