Morrison Page 12

  “Claim her?” I laugh. “Hailey isn’t one to lay claim to, Hendrix. The minute I do that, she’ll jet.”

  “She ain’t going anywhere, Morrison. She knows what you’ve done, and anyone with half a brain and a heart knows she is falling just as hard and fast—”

  “I’m not in it for the fucking fall, Hendrix. What happens after you fall?” I don’t wait for him to answer. “You get up and move on. I’m not gonna let that happen.”

  “You’re wrong, man.”

  “You ain’t listening.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  “Different strokes for different folks. Your approach with Livi—the caveman shit, moving her in without her even knowing what was going on—that worked for a woman like Livi. The underwear and shit; she already let you inside her—”

  “Watch it,” he growls.

  “Will you shut the fuck up and listen! It was exactly what she needed. She agreed to it, gave her consent to the thing that held her back. She wasn’t owned by her abuser in the literal sense of the word. You know that. But I know Hailey. That little momma isn’t gonna be around if it’s just because of the fall. I lay claim to her, and she’s gonna head for the fucking hills the second there is a problem. With her, she needs to feel freedom from everything like she never did before, so she’s gonna be the one to claim me, you feel me?”

  He smirks.

  “I’ll play bitch to Hailey any day of the fucking week until she feels free. Then, and only then, will I show her what a Caldwell man really is. She doesn’t just have to fall; she has to jump.”

  “I wanna play twitch.” I hear the little one’s feet pitter-patter on the cement floor as she runs to me.

  I squat down as she stops and smiles, and then I grab her and pull her into a hug. “You, I’m claiming.”

  “Like the mermaid with that shell?” She giggles and hugs me back.

  I have no fucking clue what the hell she’s talking about. I look up at Livi, who smiles at me and holds her hand to her heart.

  “She’s been watching The Little Mermaid movie,” she explains. “Clams.”

  “You wanna watch?” Marisa asks.

  “How about you call your momma and ask her if it would be all right for me to take you out on a dinner date?”

  Chapter 16

  Hailey

  Days. I have spent days feeling like I am holding on to something while wondering if it’s really there in the first place.

  Morrison and his road trip…Frustration builds further inside me as I dwell.

  Does he really think I buy the bullshit he’s selling? Is he upset because I got in and played the game? Is he angry that I won my own pot to pay my way out? Did I mess up some plan he had for me to be in debt to him?

  My head is all over the place, as are my emotions. I want so desperately to trust him. The closer I get with Livi, the more I can see that the Caldwell boys are good. Then, when I don’t hear from Morrison, doubt fills me. Do I have blinders on? Am I seeing what I want to see, not what’s really there?

  Given my history, I’m not good at judging people’s character. Honestly, I have never been in a situation to sort out who is good and who is bad—I was never allowed choices. The people I met and associated with were Monte’s people. Even Jamie, in the beginning, was chosen by Monte to be my best friend, although I’m sure he never expected her to become a true friend and not just another pawn in his game.

  Sure, Morrison answers when I call, but he has made no attempt on his own to reach out to me. His return from Vegas has taken longer than I ever expected it to, as well. His response to that is he was taking in the scenery.

  Again, I call bullshit.

  I wipe down the bar in front of me. Oh, well, it is what it is, right?

  “Deep in thought over there, girl,” Jared barks out at me.

  I hurry over to him, then take another look around to make sure he really was talking to me before I smile sweetly at him.

  The man holds his liquor well. He also holds back so much behind those dark eyes as he spits out joke after joke to his friends. Serving the regulars, night in and night out, I have learned that friendships seem to form, and to last, over a simple glass or two, or three…

  “Hit me with your best line.” He raises an eyebrow in challenge to me. It’s the same thing he tries every night, and every time, his response is the same—a deep frown and a reply to try again on a different day.

  “Why does Alice ask so many questions?”

  He shrugs his shoulders for me to answer.

  “Because she’s in Wonderland.” I smile, and Jared shakes his head.

  “Momma, we need to get you out more often. Every night I come in here and you give me some fairy-tale joke. My days of reading bedtime stories have long since passed. Serve me up, darlin’, and we’ll keep this our little secret.”

  I laugh out loud, making him look at me strangely.

  “I can actually serve you without making you laugh, really?”

  “Well, I’m pretty sure that’s what I said.”

  “You don’t let anyone serve you until they get at least a chuckle,” I add, not hiding my amusement.

  “Everyone needs a break sometimes, Hailey, and I think you need to catch one. So grab my drink and let’s chat.”

  I do just that, and stay so enthralled in conversation it takes several seconds for my anxiety to build when my phone vibrates in my back pocket. No one has this number except Jamie, Olivia, the Caldwell boys, and Marshall.

  Marshall. Vegas. Time to get a new phone.

  Monte is a man of his word in business ninety percent of the time. Am I about to become part of the ten percent?

  “Hailey, you should answer the phone, not stare off like you just saw a ghost,” Jared barks, taking me out of my crazy thoughts.

  Pulling the phone out, I swipe the screen when I see Morrison’s number. Of course he’d call now, when I’m busy.

  Sighing, I answer quickly.

  “Hey, little momma.”

  At his voice, I quiver. God, why am I so vulnerable to him?

  “Ris Priss and I wanted to know if it was okay if we go out to dinner.”

  “You’re here? You’re home? When did you get back in town?” I fire off the questions without stopping to let them sink in.

  Morrison Caldwell is finally home from doing who knows what, who knows where, and the first thing he wants to do is take my daughter out to dinner? I don’t know if I want to smile or cry.

  No matter Morrison’s distance from me, he has made sure to talk to Marisa on the phone every day, and the first question he always asks is how she’s doing. She is a priority to him.

  I just didn’t fully realize it until this moment.

  “Slow down, Hailey. I got in about thirty minutes ago and found out you’re working. I wanted to take Marisa out for dinner and milk shakes, but before I go anywhere, we wanted to get permission and see if you want us to bring something back for you.”

  “Ummm…no,” I mumble, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this gorgeous, all-consuming man who could be doing who knows what right now wants to take my daughter out for dinner and milk shakes. No one outside of Jamie has ever wanted to do something with her by themselves.

  “Okay, I’ll keep her here at Hendrix’s, then. We’ll order pizza, if she can have that,” he says, sounding disappointed. When he doesn’t say anything further, it dawns on me that he misunderstood my reply.

  “Wait!” I freak, realizing I am not getting the words out correctly. “I meant yes, you can take her out, but no for food for me. Thank you for the offer, though.”

  “All right. We’ll see you after work, little momma.”

  As we disconnect the call, Jared is watching me.

  “What?” I ask innocently.

  Jared just shakes his head.

  I serve a few more customers before Olivia comes in to help, since Morrison has Marisa. In the time I have had with his family, I have
built solid bonds with each of them, especially her. Although I’m still not sure why Olivia is constantly rubbing her ass like she is right now as she talks to Jared.

  “Miss Independent,” she says, wiggling her butt, so I smack it playfully. Then we both laugh.

  “Who is Miss Independent?” I ask, joining their conversation.

  “My panties tonight remind me to be ‘Miss Independent.’ ” Livi answers like this is common knowledge.

  My face must show my confusion, because Jared chimes in, “Inspirational underwear. Chick lives for them.”

  Olivia beams at me. “We have to get you a pair! You are totally Miss Independent.”

  I drop my head in shame. “Not really. I came here on Morrison’s dime, running from my past. I’ve lived with you and Hendrix, and even though I’m paying rent, I know Hendrix is paying me more than he probably should. I don’t really consider that independent.”

  “Good help is hard to find. Do you know the turnover rate here? He’s paying you good because you are dependable and hardworking. You earn every penny you make, Hailey.”

  I shrug as my mind drifts. “I need to find a place.”

  “You know you’re welcome with us as long as you want.”

  “Thanks, Livi, but I really need to find a place and start settling into my new life. Besides, I’m on edge waiting for Monte to send the papers signing over his rights to Marisa. Maybe having to put my mind on finding and then moving into a new place will ease some of my anxiety.”

  Livi rubs her ass again. “Miss Independent.” She smiles at me. “We’ll find you something.”

  Jared pipes up, “Got a few places available in my building. It’s nothing fancy, and I wouldn’t say it’s the best neighborhood, but it ain’t the worst. And I’ll be there to keep an eye on ya if you need something. Just a thought.”

  We finish up the rest of the night in casual conversation as my mind continues to sort out what I can afford for my own place. I am relieved when I get off work to find that Morrison ended up driving my car back from Vegas. Even though it’s a piece of shit, already having a car means one less thing for me to try to squeeze into a budget right now. I’m also in shock, because the man has a Porsche, for crying out loud, so why would he drive my beater of a car?

  He looks like hell, but he won’t tell me what happened. The bruising has turned yellowish, so I know it’s a few days old. Part of me needs to know if one of Monte’s guys did it; however, I know Morrison won’t tell me if it was.

  —

  It takes me three weeks of working and saving for all the utility deposits on top of rent and deposit for the two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment I now hold the keys to. The apartment building, luckily for me, has only three units on my floor. One belongs to Jared; there’s my apartment; and the other belongs to a little old lady who, when she heard me moving in, came to her door with a baseball bat, totally ready to kick some ass. She also happens to be an awesome baker and greeted us with chocolate chip cookies two days after we finally finished the move. It may not be the nicest place or be in the best neighborhood, but it could be a whole lot worse.

  Among the many other things she did Livi took me to a secondhand store, where she helped me outfit our living room with a futon and a small TV and entertainment center. We don’t have cable, but we have more than enough DVDs to keep Ris Priss occupied. Blow-up mattresses will have to do in our bedrooms for now, but it’s a start, and it feels good.

  Morrison has been quiet other than talking about Marisa. Those two have bonded, and I am not sure how I feel about it. I try to keep my personal feelings separate from his relationship with my daughter.

  It stings, though. He won’t even kiss me. For a man who had to have me any way he could get me the night we met, now he doesn’t offer more than a quick hug in passing. Does my past turn him off that bad?

  Of course, in the grand scheme of things, none of that matters. I have my daughter, a job, and now my very first place, all on my own.

  Checks and balances—my scales are all even. For the first time in my life, no one owns me. For the first time in my adult life, I can say with confidence I owe no one.

  It feels good.

  Chapter 17

  Morrison

  I stand in the doorway of the room originally intended for Momma and then occupied by Hailey and Marisa. I hate seeing it empty, though for a while it couldn’t have been more perfect…for her and that little chick. Not even gonna lie to myself: Their leaving is the second hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.

  Hailey was strong when I met her—fierce, actually. Never in a million years would I have thought she felt like that fuck really owned her. Given what she went through, I understand she needed to build a wall. I wanted that wall strong, and not only for her.

  The little one needs her momma strong, fierce, and independent, and she is seeing that now, no doubt about it. She even told me “Mommy is happy all the time now” on Wednesday night, my night with her. Those nights, I take her out of the nest, so to speak, and we have dinner.

  Hailey’s new nest. The original nest—the home in which my family embraced both my girls—was great for the two of them. And for us, too. I’m sad to see that time end.

  However, now little chick and I have our one-on-one Wednesday date night, and fuck if she doesn’t have me opening doors and shit. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve wined and dined someone who actually tugs at the hardened Caldwell heartstrings. Okay, so it was chicken tenders, fries, and milk shakes, but dammit, it was a step.

  Someday soon, I am gonna give that to little momma Hailey.

  “You okay?” Hendrix asks from behind me.

  “Monday nights, I want the bar,” I tell Hendrix, looking over my shoulder.

  “For?”

  “Cards, man. I need that. I also need a couple nights at the bar.”

  “I’m down with that. Livi gets pissed when she trains someone and then they get caught fucking up, so she insists on being there a couple nights. I’d like her little ass at home more often, though. Weekends are getting busy as hell, too, if you can work then. Sally, me, Livi, and sometimes Jagger can hardly keep up. You want—”

  “I’ll help out wherever, but I have a few plans of my own.”

  “Atlantic City? Reno?”

  “Nah, man, I’m here for good. I left Aces in Vegas, retired his ass. I’ll sell my place in Atlantic City, too. Now I want something else. I appreciate the job, and I know it’s only for three or four hours on Friday and Saturday when you get overwhelmed. I have no intention of taking money out of your pocket.”

  “You just said yourself that you know I need the help. It’s cheaper to pay you than one of those fucks that wants to steal me blind.”

  “For now, I will take it.”

  “ ‘Earn’ it, man. It’s not ‘taking’ shit.”

  “Cool. I’ll gladly step in even when I’ve sorted my shit.”

  “You wanna fill me in on your plans?”

  “Not yet. Still need to see what’s coming in before I make the move.”

  “You free tonight?” Hendrix asks from my doorway.

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “Married Livi two months ago today. I was gonna go eat dinner at the bar, but I’d rather eat it in bed. You mind going down and helping close up later?”

  “Who’s working?”

  “Does it matter?” he asks.

  “Thursday night: Hailey’s working,” I state, and he nods. “Sure, I can handle it.”

  “Mail came today with something from an insurance company, and something from Vegas police?”

  “No shit?”

  I walk over and grab the envelopes off the counter, then go to my room, where I open up the one from the Vegas police first. Apparently, Monte is pleading not guilty. I have no clue how the idiot thinks he can pull that off. It makes me laugh out loud, until I read the part about me being called to testify against him.

  Now little momma is gonna find out
, and I know she will be pissed. I have to tell her sooner rather than later. I have a few weeks, though. Three, to be exact.

  Fuck, she’s pissed now. I try real damn hard to keep the physical contact to a minimum, but I still give her a hug once in a while. You bet your ass it’s quick, though, or I’d be popping wood.

  I see her look at my lips, and I know she wants me in that mouth as bad as I do, but I can’t, not yet. Things need to be solid, and I am gonna make damn sure she is the one making that first move. But God help her when she does.

  The next envelope is the insurance check for my totaled car. The green is gonna come in handy, but it still pisses me off that that asshole rolled up on me the way he did. He’ll get his. In prison, someone will roll up on his ass, and then he’ll see what it feels like to be taken from behind with no fucking warning.

  —

  As soon as I walk into the bar, Livi grabs her things, then gives me a squeeze. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  She practically runs out the door.

  The place is hopping; it has been for a few months now. Caldwell’s is the place to be.

  Hailey’s behind the bar, running her little ass off, so I get behind there with her.

  “Here to help.”

  “Do I look like I need help?”

  Piss-ass, I think. “The place is three deep, so yeah, you need some help.”

  “Coolers could use stocking, and the Miller Lite keg is nearing its end. You could change that. Other than that, I got this.” She doesn’t miss a beat, continues pouring shots, filling cups, and taking in cash while she speaks.

  “Sure thing, boss lady.” I laugh, unable to help myself, and she stops dead in her tracks, then looks at me, pissed.

  I don’t look away.

  “Hey, sweet-ass, I’m empty,” a guy yells.

  I whip my head around, ready to lose my shit, when she yells back, “Sweet-ass? Is that all you can come up with, Romeo?” She laughs as she pours a shot.

  “It’s mighty fine,” the fuckhead says, giving her a wink.