Cassidy
OVER THE NEXT few weeks, Carter beca a pretty solid fixture at my apartnt, as did the dog. I was half expecting a neighbor to rat out and contact the managent, but so far so good. For the most part, we spent weekends at Carter’s place and weekdays at mine, which worked for now, but would probably have to change relatively quickly.
Most weeks, instead of taking Maverick to daycare, Carter would take him to his place on Friday mornings and hang with him while I went to work, and I’d drive to his place in the evening. Maverick loved his one-on-one ti with Carter and I loved that I got to sleep in.
One Thursday morning, I got a phone call from the director of the daycare and it seriously put a wrench in my busy day.
"Ms. Dennis, would you please co down? Ah, we need to discuss your son."
My stomach dropped. "Um, sure, is everything okay?"
"We’ve had an incident, and I think it would be a good idea if we talk about it in person."
"I’ll be there as soon as I can." I hung up, let my boss know there was an ergency, and headed to my car. My mind ran rampant with all the issues it could be.
"Cassidy?" I turned to find Tom following into the elevator. "Everything okay?"
"Sothing’s happened at my son’s daycare," I said, and pressed the button to the lobby.
"Can I drive you? You look upset."
"No, I’m okay. I just need to get there as soon as I can."
"Let drive you," Tom insisted.
"No, it’s really okay. Thank you, though." I left Tom standing in the elevator and rushed for my car. I probably broke a few speeding laws, but figured if I got pulled over, the cop would more than likely be sympathetic. I pulled into the parking lot and saw two Harleys parked by the entrance. I recognized Carter’s and frowned. I couldn’t imagine the school would have called him, unless they couldn’t get a hold of .
Walking into the building, I saw Maverick sitting next to Lily on a chair outside of the director’s office. Carter was standing close by.
"Mom!" Maverick called, and rushed to .
"Hey, honey. You okay?"
"Ms. Dennis, if you could join us, please?" Monica leaned out of her office and waved in.
I nodded and led Maverick back to his seat. "Just hang for a bit with Lily, okay?"
"Yeah, Mom. I’m protectin’ her."
Oh, this did not sound good. I frowned up at Carter and then walked into Monica’s office and frowned, Carter following. Hawk stood looking very fierce and sowhat pissed off, while Payton sat on one of the chairs looking more worried about the state of her husband than anything.
"What’s going on?" I asked.
"Have a seat," Monica said. "We’ve had a little bit of an incident with Maverick and Lily. I must ask your friend to step outside."
"I’m not goin’ anywhere," Carter said.
"He’s Maverick’s father," I said, unsure exactly what to say.
"Oh, in that case, co in," Monica said, and sat at the desk. "Maverick hit another little boy today."
I gasped. "What?"
"Yes. Ethan Walker. According to Maverick, he was harassing Lily and Maverick was protecting her."
I forced myself not to let out a holler of victory.
"Lily, as you know, Mr. and Mrs. Jas, unfortunately, has a nasty bruise on her arm, and since we have a zero-tolerance policy, Ethan is expelled, however, I’m attempting to figure out the best course of action for Maverick."
Hawk looked like he was ready to kill soone.
"I don’t understand," I said.
Monica sighed. "I can’t condone violence, Ms. Dennis. Maverick hit Ethan and then put him in a chokehold that caused him to pass out for a few seconds. This is very serious."
"Yes, very serious. I agree," I said.
"Maverick said the reason he put Ethan in a chokehold, was that even after Ethan was hit, he would not release Lily, which I believe is why Maverick went that route... how he even learned how to do that is disturbing, but in this case, it was effective."
I narrowed my eyes up at Carter who gave a look of complete innocence. Well, right there was proof of how Maverick knew how to do that. Crap!
"So," Monica continued, "I think it would be a good idea if Maverick takes the week to talk about non-violent ways to resolve his conflict—"
"That little bastard put his hands on my daughter," Hawk said, his tone frightening.
"I’m aware of that, Mr. Jas."
"He nearly broke her arm."
"I... I know. I apologize..."
"Are you hearing , lady? He nearly broke my daughter’s fuckin’ arm. If Maverick hadn’t stopped him, he would have. Where the fuck were the adults in this fuckin’ situation?" he bellowed.
"Honey," Payton whispered.
A disturbance outside had Carter pulling open the door, then, "What the fuck?"
We rushed out to see Maverick shoving Ethan away from Lily, a large man drawing his arm back as though to hit him. Carter moved with lightning speed, as did Hawk. The man I assud was Ethan’s father seed rather surprised when Carter’s fist landed squarely in his face, while Hawk pulled Ethan away, and Maverick rushed to stand in front of Lily, blocking her from harm. I wasn’t sure I was correctly processing everything that was happening.
"Ohmigod," Payton said, groaning.
Payton and I guided the children into Monica’s office, while Monica pulled Ethan aside. Hawk, Carter, and Ethan’s dad had disappeared, but I caught movent out a side window, so I assud they were having a discussion... well, or sothing.
"I’m calling the police," Monica stated, and pulled out her cell phone.
"I think we should get the kids ho," I said, and grabbed Maverick’s hand.
"Good idea," Payton agreed.
"You need to wait for the police," Monica said.
"My husband can deal with the police," Payton said. "I would rather get my daughter sowhere safe... it’s obviously not here."
"Yes, what she said," I said, and tugged Maverick toward the exit.
I was pulled up a little as I realized Maverick had taken Lily’s hand and was guiding her with us. I caught Payton’s eye and she bit her lip... yes, even in the stress of a biker fight, my kid protecting this little girl was adorable.
We arrived at the car, luckily parked in the opposite direction of where I assud our n were, and I pulled open the door.
"Hold on, Mom," Maverick said, and faced Lily, laying his hands on her upper arms (the way Carter did to , I might add). "Hey, you okay?"
"I’m okay, Mav," she said, her tiny little voice lilting as she smiled at him with hero worship. "Thanks for helping ."
He kissed her forehead and gave her a hug and I had to turn away and bite my knuckle to keep from sighing out loud. Payton had her lips pressed in a thin line in an effort to do the sa.
"I’m gonna make sure Lily gets in her car seat safe, ’k, Mom?"
I smiled at Payton and then turned to the kids. "Absolutely, buddy."
He took Lily’s hand and then stared up at Payton. "We’re ready, Mrs. Jas."
"Right," she said, recovering a little slower than Maverick expected. "Let’s go."
Payton hadn’t parked far from us, so I followed her to the car, sandwiching the kids between us. Once Lily was in the car, she smiled over at . "Why don’t you guys co back to our place for a bit? I don’t know how long the guys will be and maybe we can order pizzas or sothing."
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