Page 22 of Timeless

“How the hell did you get this number?” I wanted to scream it at him. But if I did, Jack would hear it. So, instead, I kept my eyes on Jack, who was sitting on Chelsea’s lap, looking at pictures of pizzas. I saw the concern on Chelsea’s face. But I had to focus on Jack to stay calm.

The story of my old life was waiting around for Jax to come back from whatever mood he was in. Waiting for him to come around. Well, if he thought I would listen to a word he said, he could get fucked.

“Got Tae’s phone stolen. You were in it. Now tell me where you are?”

“Never.” I took my eyes off Jack for a second and my control over my temper was gone. I spun around and made a beeline for my study, not wanting Jack to hear I was on the phone to his father. “You hear me, Jax? I will never tell you where I am!” I hissed into the phone.

“I know you are with Tae. But I know you are in the country. So, if you want me searching for you, Amber, I will.” Jax was challenging me. Trying to scare me. Like that would happen. “I won’t stop until I know you are safe and away from his shit.”

He thought I was with Tae? All these years and that’s what he came up with?

Well, he gave me the ammo. “Tae keeps me safe. And I don’t want you looking for me. I’ve moved on, Jax. So, I’m going to be somewhat of a friend and tell you to do the fucking same!”

I knew one day he would have to meet Jack. But I always knew that day might never come. Because I couldn’t let a hurricane like Jackson Johnston into my son’s life. Not when all Jack would do is love him unconditionally.

“I knew you ran to him.”

I scoffed. “Leave me alone. Hear that, Jax. Leave me alone!” I yelled it so loud I knew Jack would have heard it. Any minute, he would open my the door and start demanding to know what was wrong.

He always got upset when I got upset. Even when I cried during a movie. Or if Will and I fought. Jack would get anxious. Upset. When it came to my emotions, Jack was very tuned in.

“Amber, that’s not happening while you are with him. You hear me! I won’t rest until you are away from him!”

God, he sounded determined. Like he had spent the last six years repeating that fact to himself. If me not being with Tae meant he would leave me and Jack alone, then I would tell the truth.

“I’m in a serious relationship. To a Will Daveson. He’s a lawyer. And Tae is the godfather to my son.” I blurred some details but I hadn’t lied when it came to Tae being Jack’s godfather. “I work a nine-to-five job. I don’t drink anything heavier than wine.” Unless I’ve seen Dad. “Tae sees me twice a year. On my son’s birthday and mine.”

Tae was always in the country at the same time of year. Right at my birthday and right at Jack’s. After all these years, I knew he did it on purpose.

Sometimes, he would visit on a stopover but those visits were never planned.

“I’m safe, Jax. Happy. With someone I love. And a mother.” And all this was true. But I knew he wouldn’t take my word for it. “In fact, my brothers found me this weekend. I’m sure they will report to you and tell you all these facts.” But they would be leaving out the fact that Jack was Jax’s.

“I would know if they found you,” Jax gritted out like I was rubbing salt into open wounds.

“Fine. Don’t believe me. Hear it from one of your presidents.” I slid my study door open and walked to Troy.

I handed the phone to Troy and he frowned at it. “It’s your boss.” I didn’t use names because Jack was in the room.

Troy groaned and then took the phone. “Yeah?” Troy glanced at me. “We were telling you Monday.”

I had just dropped Troy and the rest of my brothers into hot water. But they weren’t going to die from being putting in it.

“She’s fine. Has a son.” Troy looked at Jack. “Yeah, she has moved on and no, my nephew isn’t Tae’s.”

Jack’s eyes lit up hearing Tae’s name.

“Is Tae on the phone?” Jack jumped off Chelsea’s lap.

“No, Jack. It’s…” Well, I couldn’t tell him it was his father. I stopped Jack from grabbing the phone. “Don’t snatch the phone from Uncle Troy!”

“I want to talk to Tae!” Jack stomped his foot. “I need to tell him what I want for my birthday.”

Tae always spoiled him. My parent mode switched back on. “Don’t even think of asking him for a snake!” Tae would do that, buy him a snake and leave me with it.

Jack grinned, like that was his backup plan.

“Yeah, that’s Amber being a mom,” Troy said into the phone just before my son, who knew no boundaries when it came to Tae, ripped the phone from Troy’s ear.

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