Page 60 of Timeless

But I saw the small things. Like how she was tapping her nails on the bedside table. How her other hand was on her stomach, tracing her faded scar. And then the big indictor that something was wrong. Her eyes.

They were cold. She was facing a problem, and she didn’t have a solution for.

I got up and walked to her; she was so deep in thought she didn’t even notice when I wrapped my arms around her. She only realized I was there, when I turned her around.

She didn’t push away from me. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me and leaned her head against my chest. “Jack comes first.”

“Yeah, sweetheart, he does.” I ran my hands down her back. “But in my case, you and he come equally first.”

“I’ve learned over the years sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for your child.”

“Do you mean by working? Because we both know you weren’t made to work a nine-to-five job.”

She pulled away from me. “You are going to be a great dad, Jax.”

I frowned. “Well, you are already a great mother.”

“I need to ask something of you.” Amber unwrapped her arms from around me and ran a finger down my jaw. “I need you to take Jack.”

What? “What do you mean?”

“I’m in a position where it’s me or him. And he always comes first.” Amber smiled dimly at me. “I know you can look after him. I know you will love him.”

“Amber, you are speaking like you won’t be a part of his life anymore!”

Was I hearing her correctly? My phone started ringing in my pocket. But whoever it was could fuck off. Right now, Amber was scaring me.

“Amber, what is going on?”

“I have to go somewhere tomorrow and I need you to look after Jack.”

I frowned. “For the afternoon or morning or what?”

She smiled again. “Yeah.” And she just lied to me. I knew her well enough to know when she was lying to me. “I’m trusting you with him.”

Something else was going on. But I didn’t know what. “Who called before?” She wasn’t talking like this before that phone call.

“Someone who wants to meet me tomorrow.” She forced a smile. “We should really get some sleep. Jack is going to be jumping off the walls tomorrow. Dad feeds him candy on purpose.”

“You’ll be back before Jack gets here, right?” I was nervous enough facing him; I needed her there.

“Jack knows all about you, Jax. And my brothers will be there.”

“But Jack will want you?”

“No, he will just want you.” She went up on her toes and kissed my cheek. “I’m really sorry, too.”

I frowned and pulled her back. “For what?” I can’t believe she was planning on not being there for Jack in the morning. “I’ll um… wait to you get back tomorrow. I’m not facing him without you.”

She smiled. “He needs you. Just remember that.”

I was so fucking confused. I let go of her. “I’ll um… let you sleep. I guess.”

My phone started ringing again. Who the hell would be calling me at this time of night? And who had this number?

Amber ran her hands down my arms. “Night, Jax.”

I guess that was my cue to go. I slowly walked backward, and she kept a smile on her face.

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