“That was their house; Mom didn’t have the heart to sell it. Plus it’s not like we needed the money since they set Jaylinn and I up with a trust fund, so she hired a realtor and rented it out.” I huffed, reminiscing about the fun times with Grandpa. “I looked up to my grandfather, learned a lot from him. He was a great man.” Damn, I missed him a lot; I could have used some of his advice lately. “He passed away from lung cancer the year that we moved to Jersey, and my grandmother passed within days of him. Mom said that she passed away of a broken heart, and the medical examiner listed her cause of death as natural causes. Mom never went back there. I on the other hand, would try to get up there whenever the house wasn’t being rented out. I made some of my greatest memories in that house.”

I was back to gazing over the ocean, letting all the memories take hold of me for a little while. Really I was giving CC time to ask questions. I’m sure she had to have some.

Sometime later, CC squeezed my hand. I guess she was ready for more.

“Your dad has known about my whole situation since we moved to Jersey. Our moms got to drinking one night shortly after meeting and hit it off. The next morning Mom was worried that she’d told your mom too much and explained to us that we’d be moving again. She needed to keep us safe. Your mom sat mine down for coffee, and they talked for hours while Jaylinn and I were out playing with you and your brothers.”

This was probably going to dig the stake in her heart a little deeper; I knew she was still pissed off about her dad lying to her about being an FBI Agent.

“Your mom confessed that your dad was an FBI Agent and that she knew for a fact that he’d help keep us safe. Your dad tried to take my mom into headquarters but she refused to talk about it. He made a promise to my mom that as long as we lived near your family that he’d always look out for us and protect us. He said no family should ever have to go through something like that.”

I looked over at her and noticed that she was now crying. Fuck! She’s ripping my heart out and I haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet. I ran my index finger over her right cheek, wiping away the tears.

“I think that’s the reason…” I shook my head, “No, I know that’s the reason Mason, Cooper and Jackson didn’t want you and me together. They say it’s because of your dad but I don’t believe that.”

My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I dug it out and saw Jaylinn’s name flash across the screen. Bad timing sis, I rejected the call and set the phone on the bed next to me. A second later it went off, Jaylinn again.

I answered, “Jay, it’s not a good time. Can I call you back?”

I glanced over at CC who was watching me, I heard a sniffle, “No, Hunter. I need you to come home.”

Fear ripped through me, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine, but please, just come home. There’s more to this clusterfuck that you need to know about.”

I hung my head, dread taking over, “I’m on my way.”

I stood up from the bed, reached for CC’s hand, but she didn’t take mine. She stood, picked up her bag and walked out of the room. I grabbed mine, shut the light off and followed behind her. This was going to be the longest six hour drive of my life. What else can possibly happen? When was I going to finally get a break?

25

I was in shock. I wasn’t really feeling anything.

When Hunter and I emerged from upstairs, Mason and Hailey were sitting on the bottom of the steps. Hailey gave me a small smile. I frowned and it wiped the smile off her face. When I made it to the bottom step, they split apart and I walked right out to the car. I never said goodbye to Bentley, Zeke or Nikki. I knew it was wrong but I just couldn’t face anyone.

Why hadn’t he told me? Did he not think I could handle it? Did it hurt him that much to speak of his past? I could’ve been there for him, damn it. I knew of Jason, but I’d never pressed for more information when it came to him. No one ever mentioned him and I just went along with it. Was I a bad person for not asking? And oh God, Jaylinn, she may not remember, but knowing that something like that had happened to her when she was so helpless must kill her every day.

I got to the truck first and heard a click as the doors unlocked. Hunter must have hit the unlock button on the keypad. I climbed in and tossed my bag at my feet. I looked up but only saw Hunter walking down the driveway. He tossed his stuff in the bed of his truck then slipped into the driver’s seat. He didn’t start it right away.

“There’s more to the story, CC. That’s just the first part.” Hunter said; his eyes were fixed, looking out the windshield.

My head hit the back of the headrest waiting for the next blow. I was silently begging for Mason and Hailey to walk out to the truck so we could go home. I wanted my baby wrapped in my arms; I wanted to protect him from all the crazy f**ked up shit this world had to offer.

“The first time I saw my dad was at the hospital, the night I was taking Ryder home for the first time.” That felt like a sucker punch to the chest. “I’m not sure why he was there. We exchanged a few words,” Hunter huffed, “it wasn’t pretty. Mason and Hailey had walked up while the altercation was happening. Mason knew right away who Jason was; he’s the only person I ever really talked to about him.”

At least he had Mason to talk to, that made me feel slightly better. But then something dawned on me.

“You had Ryder?” It was the first thing I’d said since he started confessing everything.

He looked over at me, shifting in his seat, “I did. He was tucked behind me with Mom until Mason walked right up and grabbed him. He and Hailey immediately took him outside. Jason asked if he was mine but I told him it was none of his business. I’m not really sure if he knows for sure or not.”

Mason, my hero of a brother, saved the day again. How did I not see any of this?

“After I walked away from Jason I knew I couldn’t leave you upstairs by yourself, but what was I supposed to do? I had Ryder and I had to make a choice.” He reached for my hand again. This time I let him hold it. “Mason saw the turmoil on my face and told me that since Hailey was already staying the night with you, he would too.”

Well that explains why those two were acting miserable all night. I knew there had to be a reason, and that explains why Mason stayed even though it was clear Hailey hadn’t wanted him to.

Hunter squeezed my hand lightly, pain flashing across his face, “Do you remember when we were checking out of the hospital and there was a guy talking to you?”