Chapter Twenty-eight

Weston

Scarlet and Jackson are back at the house by the time I’m done talking with Mr. Williams. I’m not officially divorced yet, but the process has started. And it feels so fucking good.

My heart lurches in my chest, and I can’t stop smiling when I step onto the porch carrying a pizza. Jackson’s sitting on Scarlet’s lap on the couch, and she’s reading him a book. His eyes are heavy, and he looks like he’ll fall asleep at any minute. They haven’t noticed me yet, and I stop to watch them through the window for another few seconds.

Jackson rests his head against Scarlet’s shoulder, and she brings her hand up, running her fingers through his hair. His eyes start to flutter closed, making me almost feel bad for coming into the house and waking him up. It’s impossible to sneak in and out with our current alarm system, which is why I have it set up the way I do.

I unlock the front door and step in. Scarlet smiles the moment she sees me, and Jackson is more excited about the pizza. I set it on the coffee table and tell Jackson to go wash his hands before we dig in. The second he runs into the bathroom, I pull Scarlet into my arms.

Feeling her body against mine sends a rush through me, and I can’t kiss her fast enough. She hooks her arms around my neck and leans in, lips parting. I bring my head down, lips crashing against hers. Once I start, I can’t stop. My cock jumps, and I want to carry her upstairs, stripping her out of her clothes and burying my cock inside of her.

“I take it things went well with the lawyer?” Scarlet asks. Her arms are still around me and my hands are still firmly planted on her waist. Jackson will be out of the bathroom at any second, but even one more second with my lips on Scarlet’s is worth it.

“Yes,” I growl and go in for another kiss, which isn’t the smartest idea because I’m starting to get a hard-on, and now I’m thinking of how good it feels to make love to her. As if she can read my mind, she brings one hand down, sweeping it over my chest, and cups my balls.

“Jackson is pretty tired. He was up late at your parents’ last night. I think an early bedtime would actually do him some good.”

“It’ll do me good too.” I push my pelvis against her hand and she closes her eyes, moaning. “You’re killing me, Scarlet.”

“That’s all part of my master plan.”

“Oh, is it now?”

“Mh-hm.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What happened to me being too big to chop up and bury?”

“Now that it’s getting colder out, I’ll wrap you in a tarp and keep you in the shed.”

“I’d rot and would start to smell in a few days. It’s not cold enough yet.”

“Dammit.” She shakes her head. “I forgot you were a cop and know how these things work. So tell me, Officer, what’s the perfect murder?”

I laugh, but before I can get any words out, Jackson calls for help.

“What’s wrong, buddy?” I ask.

“I had to go potty, and I missed.”

Scarlet slides her other hand down my chest. “Good thing you’re home.”

“Fine. I’ll clean up the pee.”

“You’re a good dad.” She gives me a smile and steps away, going into the kitchen to get plates and drinks while I clean up the floor as well as Jackson, who requires new underwear, pants, and socks.

Finally, we gather in the living room, eating pizza while watching a movie. When we’re done eating, Scarlet scoots closer to me on the couch, and I drape my arm around her. Jackson gets a blanket and sits close to Scarlet, leaning against her. Scarlet helps him fix the blanket, draping it over both their legs.

“Are you comfortable?” I ask Scarlet, aware of how uncomfortable it can be when Jackson decides to use you as his personal pillow. Though at the same time, having him close like that is the best thing in the world. There really is nothing like snuggling up with your child.

“Yeah,” she says, turning her head to look at me. I sneak in a quick kiss, pressing my lips to hers. She puts her hand on top of mine and leans back against me. Sitting here with Scarlet and Jackson is such a simple thing, yet it means so much. We just admitted our feelings last night, finally hooking up after weeks of ignoring the spark. It’s not like we’re going out and getting married tomorrow, but I know I want her to be part of this family.

*

“Every time the weather turns, I question why I live in the Midwest.” Scarlet zips up her coat. We just got to my parents’ for Sunday dinner, and freezing rain is falling down on us. “And it’s not even winter yet.”

“I used to want to move out west. Though spending years in the desert kind of changed my mind. I like snow.”

Scarlet makes a face. “Not me. It’s too cold.”

“Come sledding with us this winter and maybe I can change your mind.”

She opens the back door to the Jeep, getting Jackson out of his car seat. She puts his coat on before he’s even out of the car, zipping him up and making him wear his hood.

“We’re walking fifty feet from the driveway to the house,” I tease. “We’re not going to die of hypothermia in that time.”

“You never know.” She snaps the top button on Jackson’s coat and takes his hand. She’s so good with him, and he’s so responsive with her. Seeing them together makes me so fucking happy, and I can’t stop smiling right now.

I let out a snort of laughter when I see the magnet on the back of Owen’s truck that reads Big Truck, Small Penis.

“What’s so funny?” Scarlet asks.

“Owen and Logan must be at it again,” I tell Scarlet, pointing to the magnet. “They put ridiculous and usually vulgar magnets on each other’s cars and see how long it takes before the other notices.”

She laughs. “That’s actually hilarious. I wonder how long that’s been on.”

“No clue. A few months ago, Logan drove around with a big smiley-face magnet that said, ‘I have herpes’ for four days before he noticed.”

“Can we get a magnet like that for your car, Daddy?” Jackson asks, and his innocence pulls on my heart.

“Sure,” I tell him. “Something similar but not the exact same.”

“Yay!”

We hurry into the garage, shaking off the slushy rain from our coats before stepping in and being bombarded by my mom’s dogs. Logan and Owen are in the kitchen at the big island counter, eating chips and salsa. Meat for tacos is simmering on the stove, and tequila and margarita mix sit out on the counter next to the fridge.

“Hey,” Logan says, and Jackson rushes over, getting excited to see his uncles. He flicks his eyes to Scarlet and then me in question, and I know he’s thinking about what we discussed back at the bar Friday night.

“Hi, Logan,” Scarlet says, pointing to him. “And Owen. I got it right this time, didn’t I?”

Logan nods. “Right, but it’s not hard. I’m much better looking than he is.”

Scarlet laughs and takes off her shoes and coat. “You dress alike, and even your mannerisms are the same.”

Jackson slides out of Owen’s lap, wanting to show him the farm set-up he worked on while he was here yesterday. Logan starts to get up to follow them, but I stop him.

“Does he know Charlie is engaged?” I ask in a hushed voice.

“Charlie’s engaged?” Logan’s eyebrows go up. Fuck. Owen doesn’t know.

Scarlet takes a seat next to Logan and pulls the bag of chips over. “Who’s Charlie?”

“Owen’s ex who he’s not over,” Logan tells her. “He won’t admit it, but we all know he still has feelings for her.”

“Poor guy.” Scarlet shakes her head.

“How’d you find out she’s engaged? Last I heard she was living in New York,” Logan says.

“I met with her dad today,” I tell him, and he puts two-and-two together right away.

“Are you free?” His lips curve into a smile. “Can I pour a round to celebrate?”

“What are we celebrating?” Mom asks, coming into the kitchen carrying an armload of Mason jars. “Oh, hello, Scarlet. It’s so good to see you again.”

“It’s nice to see you too. Need any help?”

“No, but thank you. I’m canning tomorrow and just brought these up from the basement.” Mom puts everything in the sink. “Is there really a celebration? I’ll drink to it if there is.”

“You’ll drink to anything,” Logan quips.

Mom nods. “That is true. I do enjoy wine, though tonight I’m having a marg to go with my taco.”

“Don’t call it a marg, Mom.” Logan shakes his head.

“Why not?”

Logan laughs. “Just don’t. And Wes said he talked to a lawyer today. So I’m assuming that means…”

“I petitioned for a divorce,” I finish, feeling a huge sense of relief as soon as the words come out of my mouth. “Given the circumstances, how long Daisy has been gone, and the fact that she hasn’t provided any sort of support for our son, Mr. Williams thinks he can have things handled fairly quickly and I’ll be granted full custody of Jackson.”

Mom gasps and claps her hands together. “I have been praying for this!” She pulls me into a hug.

“You know how weird it sounds to admit you’ve been praying for me to get divorced?”

Mom laughs, giving me one more squeeze. “Oh, stop it. I want you to be happy.”

“I am, Mom. I am.”

The garage door opens, sending the dogs running in a frenzy. Quinn and Archer make their way in, trying to make it to the kitchen table without being tripped by the dogs. Archer sets Emma’s car seat on the table, folding back the blanket she’s covered with. Somehow she stayed asleep through all the noise.

“Hey, guys,” Quinn says and notices Mom’s watery eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I assure her. “Mom’s being overly emotional.”

“Shocker, right?” Logan laughs.

“About what?” Quinn goes right for the tequila and unscrews the lid.

“I finally filed for a divorce,” I say.

Quinn reacts just like our mother, running over to hug me. “Yes! Can you make her take her maiden name back too? I don’t even want her to be a Dawson anymore.”

“Having your name be Daisy Dawson forever is almost a punishment,” Logan says.

“It’s pretty awful,” Archer agrees. “Sounds like a cheap p**n star.” He yawns, and I notice he looks dead on his feet.

“Long day at work?” I ask.

“I had a nine-hour surgery and then spent forty-five minutes arguing with a patient’s insurance company.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know if want to punch someone or take a nap.”

“Have a drink first,” Quinn says, going back to the margarita. “Then take a nap.”

“Why are you here?” Logan asks, grabbing another chip. “I’d be passed the fuck out if I did anything for nine straight hours.”

“I’m hungry,” Archer says, and we laugh. “And it’s nice coming here and being together. It means a lot to Quinn.”

“You’re so whipped,” Logan teases.

“I don’t mind it. Not one bit.” Archer watches Quinn mix him a drink. Gaining my approval to date my baby sister isn’t easy. But Archer’s a good guy, and I know he really cares about her.

“I think it’s sweet,” Scarlet says with a smile. “And it is nice that you all get together like this.”

“I love it.” Quinn pours way too much tequila into the drink, making Logan wince. “I missed it when I lived in Chicago.” She mixes up the drink and pours it into a glass. “Anyone else want one?”

“Let me take over, sis.” Logan gets up, patting Quinn on the shoulder and takes the margarita from her hand. He smells it and shakes his head. “Are you trying to get Archer drunk?”

“Kind of. Then I’ll ask for another cat.” She flashes Archer a smile. “Kidding. Eight is enough.”

“More than enough.”

“Actually,” I start, sure I’m going to regret this. “If you still want to get rid of one…Jackson keeps asking.”

“You guys need a pet,” Mom says, taking Emma out of her car seat. “But dogs are much friendlier.”

“Cats are easier,” I counter. “I’m not home enough for a dog.”

“But Scarlet is,” Mom goes on.

Scarlet wrinkles her nose. “I’m more of a cat person.”

“I knew there was a reason I liked you.” Quinn beams, going over to the chips and salsa. Dad, who was grilling corn on the covered patio, comes in. He’s a die-hard griller and will stand out there in the middle of winter.

Owen and Jackson come back to the kitchen, ready to eat. Dean and Kara aren’t here yet, and we all try to convince Mom to let us go ahead and eat without them. Right when we’ve just about got her to cave, we see Dean’s car pull into the driveway.

“I need to update Jackson’s forms at school,” I start, turning to Logan. “I’m putting you as an emergency contact after Scarlet. I had Quinn on there, but now it’s easier for you to get over to the school than it would be for her with Emma.”

Logan nods. “Okay.”

“I can be an emergency contact,” Owen offers, and I make a face. He’d do a good job looking after Jackson, I know, but it’s fun hassling him.

“You’re the last person I’d put on the list,” I tell him. “Quinn is first, and then Logan, then Dean, then Quinn’s cats, and then you.”

“You’re so fucking hilarious,” Owen says dryly.

“Finally! We’re starving,” Quinn says dramatically when Dean and Kara step into the house.

“Sorry.” Dean unzips his coat. “We couldn’t leave with the dishwasher going.” He rolls his eyes. Kara shakes her head, clenching her jaw. I can tell they were fighting, and I don’t think the dishwasher was the only issue.

“It might leak,” Kara says through gritted teeth. “Like it did before.”

“I fixed it,” Dean spits.

“Hey!” Quinn blurts, trying to be the peacekeeper. “Wes has good news!”

“Yeah, I do.” I put my arm around Scarlet. I look into her beautiful blue eyes and smile. “I filed for divorce, and Scarlet and I are dating.”