Rejected Mate's Redemption (Freda and James) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121
FREDA WHITLOCK
…”I need to tell you something,” I said and turned to him with a look I was sure was intense.
He looked taken aback but I did not back away. “You said you know about Kaiden and me,” I said, and he looked confused,d, but he nodded. “What did you mean by that?” I asked. He chuckled with what seemed to be nervousness. “I… I did my research,” he said. “Research huh?” I chuckled and placed the glass of fruit punch on the table.
“You make me sound like a scientific experiment,” I said with a small smile. He shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he said almost with a panicked tone. I laughed this time. “Oh no, it’s okay.”
“I just wanted to be sure it would be okay to explain what I’m about to explain to you,” I said with a serious tone and he watched me carefully.
“Kaiden is the father of my child, as you know,” I said and he nodded, expecting me to continue. “I… We had a past. I was once in love with him. I cared deeply for him and he hurt me,” I said, licking my suddenly dry lips. He watched me with sympathy in his eyes. “I left because I was too hurt to stay when he chose my sister over me. That was probably childish, but it’s more complicated than I’m willing to explain. I just could not stay. I left, and I found out that I was pregnant for him when I left,” I swallowed as I told him those words, wondering why I
Chapter 121
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was even telling him this in the first place.
“wanted to stay away from him forever. I wanted to stay away from this d**n town. I wanted to keep my baby away from here, but my father is sick. I barely get to see him now because he’s always asleep. My father and Lyra are the only people I care for in this town and I came back here for them,” I looked at him and found his eyes watching me intensely.
I looked back down at the grass on the floor. They were shiny, a deep shade of green. “Kaiden found out that Francisco is his son and he has been after him, after me. I loathe him, but if he is willing to be a father to my son, I really can’t stop that. I hate to say it, but he made a mistake with me. He seems to be a better person now so he can’t possibly hurt my son. Francisco wants him as his father… Francisco heard our argument the other day,” I said and looked at him with a small smile.
“I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this,” I said, chuckling and feeling incredibly s**d. “I… I just think… If there’s something that’s going to happen between us… I’m not implying anything!” I panicked and he gave me his refreshing smile. He pulled me in for a hug and I wrapped my hands tight around him, embracing the comfort and peace I was getting from his warmth and beach scent.
Goddess, he smelt so good.
“I understand, Freda. I will not try to come between Francisco and his father. That does not mean I won’t give Kaiden the occasional punch,” he said and we both burst into laughter. “I will be whatever Francisco wants and allows me to be to him,” he said and I pulled back to smile at him. He kissed my forehead and my heart thudded desperately in my chest.
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“Thank you,” I said and resisted the tears that came to my eyes. All I had ever wanted from Kaiden was honesty and acceptance of me and who I was to him. He never gave that to me. Cole was giving me the honesty I needed and I appreciated it. It filled my heart with a feeling I could not explain.
“Come on,” he said and I looked up at him. “Let’s get out of here. Go someplace quiet and talk over a drink,” he said and I hesitated as I looked around for Lyra and the kids. My eyes landed on Kaiden. His eyes were on us as he absent-mindedly rubbed his hand over Francisco’s head and for the life of me, I could not read his expression.
“Come on, Lyra will take care of whatever comes up,” Cole said, calling my attention back to him. I smiled at him and pulled my phone out of my pocket. “I’ll just send her a text,” I said, and he nodded. “We can come back before the party ends and then you can take your car,” he said, looking in the direction of my car. I nodded.
“That sounds great,” I said and we headed for his car.
Throughout the walk to his car, I ignored the feeling of Kaiden’s eyes on me.