69. Epilogue Two

Epilogue Two

Toby

T he café is sparse for a chilly afternoon like this, especially considering I've chosen to take up one of those weirdly unstable mesh metal tables still standing outside.

It's fucking freezing, but the brew is great and the space is wide open.

Space is a good thing when you're trying for discretion.

I take a steaming sip from the plastic lid reminding me that this shit is hot and let the coffee heat me from the inside out as my gaze wanders over the few patrons braving the cold like I am.

Shouldn't be long now.

At least, I'm hoping that my guest shows when she's supposed to so that I don't have to go through the bullshit of tracking her down again.

She had a hard enough time believing it was really me to begin with considering the sendoff she got when she received her hush money.

Probably shouldn't call it that in front of her.

A shadow darkens my back, and a voice I don't know whispers from behind me.

"Holy shit, it really is you."

I aim a raised brow over my shoulder at the woman wearing not much more than an old band hoodie and even darker bags under her eyes. I wait until she makes her way around and takes the seat opposite me.

"In the flesh."

"Wow," Zoey Inna murmurs and rubs her hands together to combat the cold. "I really thought that I was being set up." She shivers. "Again."

I nod and settle my hand against the icicle of a table. "Understandable."

Who wouldn't feel that way after being chased away by the most notorious rock band's entire label team?

"So …?" Zoey looks at me expectantly, though not maliciously, and I have to admit that the woman gives me pause.

Because exactly one year ago yesterday, the woman gave birth to a child that she'd claimed was mine just long enough to screw up my life.

While also being the catalyst to putting my life back together.

What I knew to be before Zoey showed up at Nitro's radio show crumbled at her feet when she presented papers containing a lawsuit and custody claim for a kid that I knew wasn't mine.

But what she did in return was drop Anna right in my lap for the taking.

I'm angry that she took advantage of me and mine. While also grateful as fuck that she did what she did that lead me to Anna and this life I get to live now. The peace I've gained. The spot I've earned.

I'm in her debt.

"So," I state with my brows still bunched and my coffee cup twirling in my palm. "How's Jack?"

Zoey shoots back in her seat, her shock flaring her already widened blue eyes. "How do you know my son's name?"

I chuckle. "You think I wouldn't? After the shitstorm you caused?"

She bites down on her lip. "I am so sorry for that, Toby. I—"

I hold up a hand and Zoey's trembling lips snap shut. "We're not here for apologies."

"Okay," she breathes out and leans back in her seat, her arms going across her chest. "What are we here for then?"

Nodding, I take another scalding sip from my cup and lean my forearms onto the table. "I have a proposition for you."

Her dark brows shoot up to her hairline and her sleeved hand goes to her mouth. "I don't think I like the sound of that."

"You might."

She stares at me, her blue eyes too haunted, and I know I'm all in already.

As long as she agrees.

"See, when 25k was gifted to you in exchange for your silence, the purchases made were tracked. So it surprised the shit outta me when I learned that only one was made, for a place over in Meadow's Park, in someone else's name."

Zoey freezes in her seat and those dark circles get darker.

"When I asked around, that name threw up some flags I didn't like, Zoey."

If it's possible, she scrunches further in on herself, and I would bet just as much money that the woman is hiding bruises beneath that tattered hoodie.

And that fact alone makes me wanna hide her away from whoever is putting their hands on her.

But then there's Jack.

"Look, I don't want any trouble," she mutters from behind her hand, her teeth working away the threads of the sleeve's already torn cuff. "I just want to raise my son and that's it."

"Funny, seeing as how that's exactly what I want for you, too."

"I don't understand what you're getting at, Toby, and frankly, I went through a lot just to get here."

I nod again and click my tongue. "Back to the proposition, then." I sit back in my seat, my gaze steady on hers. "I have a place and I have some cash that's yours if you want it."

She jolts again like I shocked her.

"No rent until you can get on your feet and a pretty damn good motherly woman in need of some company."

" Why ?" The response comes out so fast, I think it startled even her, judging by the shake of her shoulders. "I mean … I'm sorry. I just don't understand why you would offer me anything ."

"Because while Jack isn't mine, and I don't know you at all, I know enough to see that he deserves a chance better than what he's got right now."

Her brow furrows deep and her sight drops to the table.

"Are you saying I'm a bad mom?" Zoey whispers.

Clearly not the first time she's thought that.

I shake my head and dip my gaze to meet hers so that she sees the sincerity setting my jaw. "I'm saying that I know what it's like to lose a parent and I don't want Jack to live that life."

She goes quiet for a long beat, her teeth worrying that cuff of her sleeve, then shakes her head. "There's no way you care about my son that much."

I shrug. "I also owe you."

She finally lifts her distant gaze.

"How?"

"If you hadn't done what you did, I wouldn't be where I am right now. Funny how that works, isn't it."

Zoey lets out a breath that screams disappointment and my stomach drops.

Is she going to say no?

"If that's how life is supposed to work, then I owe a lot to a few people. And not in a good way." Her words are just shy of a whisper and muffled by that fist by her mouth.

"Then let me change that." I throw a glance over my shoulder to the woman sitting just inside the café, waiting for this very moment.

Marie Thompson throws open the door like this is her show, and makes her way over to our table. Except, the woman who practically raised me when my dad passed doesn't stop to greet me at all.

No.

Instead, she rushes right to Zoey's side and throws her arms around the trembling woman.

" Ma ," I chastise, though it makes my lips pull up at the corner. "You're gonna scare her off."

"Nonsense," Ma corrects right back and gives Zoey another squeeze before throwing a cocked brow at me, then pulls out her own chair.

Zoey fidgets in her seat.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Zoey," Ma says softly and I don't miss the way her blue-green eyes drift to the fist hiding Zoey's mouth.

"It's nice to meet you, too," she responds flatly, automatically. As if it's the last thing she really wants to say.

"Well," Ma starts. "After hearing from Toby about you, I knew I had to get to know you. I'm hoping you'll allow me just that."

She shakes her head. "I really have to get back to Jack."

My muscles tense. "Five more minutes and I'll personally drive you home."

" No —" Zoey shoots upright in her seat, her pale face flushing, her hands grabbing at the arms of her chair. "I'm sorry. I mean …" Her throat works down a swallow. "No thank you."

"Zoey," Ma coos and touches a reassuring hand on top of her grip. "Don't boys have the kindest hearts? The sweetest little smiles and laughs."

Her gaze trails over to Ma. "They do. My JackJack laughs so much." Tears spring to her eyes and she blinks rapidly against the assault.

"I'd love to meet him soon, if you're okay with that, dear," Ma continues, her voice soothing and low. "How about tomorrow?"

"O-okay. I can sneak away for a little bit."

"Perfect," Ma says on a grin even though my insides are burning. "How's noon sound?"

She nods, the action a little more animated this time.

"I'll make us some lunch." Ma raises to her feet, her hands reaching out for Zoey who meets her.

The two step closer, and I watch as Ma's knowing gaze bounces between Zoey's. "In the meantime, this is my number." Ma presses a small piece of paper in the hands that clasp hers. "Call if you need anything. Anything at all."

"O-okay. Thank you."

Ma nods and takes a step back, with a smile. "Tomorrow."

Zoey's lips lift in the first hint of smile since she arrived and I would swear her trembling has calmed. "Tomorrow."

Once she makes her way down the sidewalk on foot, alone and cold, I turn to Ma and wrap my arms around her.

"Oh!" She startles when I engulf her, but leans in and hugs me back.

"Thank you."

Ma sniffles against the leather of my jacket. I pretend not to hear it, but I don't let it stop me from squeezing her tighter.

"I'm just … so glad you boys are home," Ma says on a chuckle that sounds a little thick.

"Me, too."

"Okay, okay." She leans back and swats at my chest. "Let's get out of this cold."

We're two steps away from the car, Lugh shadowing our backs, when her phone rings and she shoots me a knowing look.

"Hello, dear."

The speaker is tiny, but I can hear every word from Zoey on the other end of the line like a shotgun blast in the dead of night.

"I'm so sorry," she rushes out on a sob, her voice echoed by a man yelling in the background. "I'm sorry. C-c-can I take that lunch now?"

"Of course." Ma's lifted brows swing to me, but I'm already signaling to Lugh to drive us there. "We're on our way. Get to the street if you can." She takes on a whole new level of calculated when she instructs the woman over the phone. "Don't worry about bags or things. Grab Jack and get out."

When Lugh pulls onto the street, I see Zoey walking along, little JackJack in her grasp.

She's sobbing when we jolt to a stop at her side, her lip busted and her son barely contained in the thread-bare blanket she wrapped him with.

Ma wastes no time ushering Zoey in and buckling the kid into the seat between them.

"Get us the fuck outta here, Lugh," Ma demands.

We're off just as fast as we came, Jack calming with each mile we put between him and his old life, his mother slowly sinking into the seat beside him.

I watch in the rear view as tears track silently down Zoey's face, and I can't stop the boiling rage that tangles up my insides.

"Zoey."

Her gaze is slow to find mine in the little mirror, but when it does, I make sure my face says all the things my words don't.

"You don't have to worry about him ever again."

One single dip of her wobbling chin and I know I made the right decision coming out here today.

She gave me my life back.

It's my turn to give back hers.

Theirs.

It's never really the end when they live rent free.