Page 86 of Meant to be Falling
“Deal,” they say in unison as we all get out, grabbing bags and heading for the door with Beck and Holland ahead of me. I’m gathering up the last load when an SUV comes to a screeching halt in the driveway, blocking me and raising the hair on the back of my neck.
“Where the fuck is she?” Jacob Richards barks as he pushes the driver’s side door with enough force it slams closed as he rounds the hood. He looks exactly like the photo I’d seen except his face is flushed, anger coming off him in waves.
And he seems…shorter.
I look behind me at Beck who pushes his sister behind him.
“Stay inside,” I say as I set the bags on the ground. “What are you doing, man?”
“What do you mean what am I doing? This is my house! Those are my kids!”
“This is Lana’s house, and as far as I know, you have no business being here.” They have a court date in a couple of weeks. Lana had told me as soon as her lawyer had confirmed it.
“And how the fuck would you know that? You fucking my wife?”
I don’t let the impact of his words show on my face and instead adopt a passive tone. “I’m not sure why you think it’s okay to come over here and make a scene and scare the kids.”
“You know nothing about my kids.” This time I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.
“I don’t, huh? I know that you bailed the last three times that you were supposed to take them, and you know absolutely nothing about all the amazing things they’ve been doing.”
He gets right up in my face until we’re literally chest to chest, and I take great pride in the fact that he has to look up to meet my gaze. “You don’t know fucking shit about me.”
“Honestly, I don’t care about you at all. I do care about those kids inside and Lana, so I’m going to ask you to leave. You want to be a tough guy? Then show up for your kids.”
“I’ll call the police and have you arrested if you think you’re going to keep my kids from me.”
I shrug. “Go ahead and call them, but take a step back before you do something you regret.”
“You threatening me, you little punk? What the fuck kind of douchebag name is Mason anyway?”
I snort. “You don’t scare me, and I don’t care who you think you know or whatever. The kids stay. You have a court order that explains your custody agreement. So now I’m telling you to leave.”
“That stupid bitch thinks what—you’re going to step in and replace me?” he roars as his fist flies through the air. It clips the edge of my jaw as I move out of the way and deflect it the best I can. His momentum sends him past me, and I put my hands up in defense.
“I’m not going to fight you, Jacob.”
“Fucking coward,” he snarls as he circles me, and I want to roll my eyes but I won’t take my eyes off him that long.
“I won’t hit you in front of Beck and Holland.”
“Don’t fucking talk about them!” he yells before he charges at me with his arm cocked back. He’s so blinded by rage he doesn’t realize how completely out of control his body is until it’s too late.
I let his fist sail right past me and use his momentum to take him to the ground. I don’t want to hurt him, but I’m also not going to let him fucking hit me either.
Jacob thrashes under me, but I have enough weight on him that he can breathe without getting up. He needs to chill his ass out before his kids never forgive him. He doesn’t see it, but I’m trying to help.
Sirens blare in the distance and I look up to see Beck standing on the porch with his phone in his hand.
“Go back inside, Beck,” I call, but he shakes his head as his phone points at me pinning his father to the ground. Sighing, I wait as two cop cars pull up into the driveway.
“He attacked me on my own property! Arrest him!” Jacob yells from beneath me. I hold my hands up as the officers approach.
“This is my girlfriend’s house; I was watching the kids today. He came here unannounced and got physical. I didn’t want him starting something in front of the kids. They have a custody agreement in place,” I say as the officers close the distance and motion for me to release Jacob from where I have him on the ground.
He clambers to his feet, practically spitting he’s so mad, as the other officer pulls him to the side.
Commotion on the porch has my head whipping toward the house. “Beck, get inside,” I yell but it’s too late as he comes barreling toward me and throws his arms around my waist. Tears soak into my shirt and I hug him tight. The kid is so brave and sogoodhe makes me want to be better every day.
