Page 53 of Until Waverly

I nodded. “She’s a little weed.” I didn’t want to admit it might have something to do with Jackson and me working as a team when it came to feeding her and playing with her. I was a damn good mom, but I could see the difference once we started supplementing her feeding. She had the cutest little rolls, even though she wasn’t very chunky. “I’d like to take you up on your invitation.”

“Perfect,” Ireland said.

Mack approached the table with several servers. They placed the dishes on the table for our lunch, then stepped away. There were hamburger sliders, fries, petite steaks, baked potatoes, soups and salads, bread, and all the fixings Mack could think of. It was obviously too much food, but who cared? It looked so good, and like I said, I wouldn’t ruin this for my family.

“Dig in,” Mack said, sitting at the foot of the table flanked by Hunter, Landon, and Macey. The latter hadn’t talked to me since I’d called her to help me.

Again, I made mistakes. I owned that.

The platters were passed around until all our plates were full and the babies had their bottles and small snacks. Conversations murmured through the group, and the knot in my stomach tightened. As much as I was hungry, I didn’t think I could eat. I didn’t belong there. Everyone was so happy. Jackson wasn’t mine. I was on the outside. I should’ve gotten up and gone out to the car or better yet, ordered an Uber to the apartment. I needed a nap.

“Hey,” Jackson said, reaching across to me. “You okay? You look a little pale.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah, just tired is all. Big day. I think my leg is a little sore. Kind of throbbing. You know.”

“Do you want a chair to put your leg up? You can ease it on my lap. Won’t bother me none.”

If I said no, it would start another argument. So, I lifted my booted foot up onto his lap. His warm smile and the way he relaxed tugged at my heart. I relied on him a little, even if it was to protect me. What the hell was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just lay it out there and speak my truth? Why was I torturing us?

“Thanks.”

“Anytime, sunshine,” he murmured, tucking back into his meal.

“There you are! Oh, look at her, she is gorgeous!”

I stilled. The shocking jolt of recognition zapped across my senses as if I’d touched an electrical fence.

“Both babies! Oh my God! Look at how big they are. My heart can’t stand this cuteness.”

Slowly, I raised my gaze. There she was, the woman of the hour. The same woman who’d saddled up to Jackson that night when I’d been so excited to tell him I was pregnant. She stood beside Jackson andmydaughter, gushing over Alandria. Fury ripped through my body. Even though I’d known there was a possibility she’d be there, I was seething mad. I couldn’t believe she’d just walk right up to us. I’d played this type of scenario over and over in my mind since Jackson picked me up at the hospital.Now, everyone would know the truth.

“Gosh, Jackson, I am so happy for you,” she continued.

Her long silky sable locks fell in wavy layers over her shoulder as she continued to stare at Alandria. Her golden eyes were filled with such love and adoration. She placed her hand on Jackson’s shoulder as he beamed with pride and looked at her with such adoration.

I was going to be sick.

They planned this. My mother and father had been trying to get me to tell Jackson the truth when they’d already met the woman—Jackson’s girlfriend. Bile bit at the back of my throat. Irrational anger churned within me. She’d already carved a small part out to be in my daughter’s life. Well, it would be a cold day in hell. I’d been preparing for this moment since Jackson showed up in my hospital room.

If they wanted the truth, they were going to get it all right now.

“Fuck you,” I said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Fuck every single one of you. I can’t believe you did this to me, Jackson. What, you’re sweet and nice to me at my apartment, but the second you find out I’ll be going back to school, you invitethiswoman to our lunch?”

“Waverly,” Ireland said, shaking her head while shock played over her face. “You’ve got it wrong.”

“The fuck I do.”

“Sunshine,” Jackson murmured. “Who filled your head with these lies? Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

I curled my lip in disgust. “Bet you didn’t think I figured out the truth about you, huh?” A wild laugh left me, causing Alandria to cry. “I saw everything.”

I pushed away from the table and bit the inside of my cheek when my foot fell to the floor. How dare they just sit there and look on like this was the best moment when I was dying on the inside? I couldn’t stand this. I couldn’t be there. Standing on wobbly legs, half from being so angry and half from not being steady on the walking boot yet. I threw my napkin on the table and started for the exit. I didn’t care where I went. I needed to get away. The truth was out there now. Maybe everyone would stop asking me why I’d walked away from Jackson.

An apology from all of them would be great too.

I pressed my hands to the door, needing to escape. The second the air hit my face, I realized I couldn’t see a damn thing as tears fell from my eyes, and my heart broke once more.

“Waverly, stop!” Jackson shouted.

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