Chapter 138

“Where’s Jaden?”

Jon didn’t even move from his position, a glass balanced on his knee.

“At Meg’s parents.”

“Wanna come with me tonight?

“Not in the mood bro’.”

“Sulking wont get you anywhere. You can just as well, put that glass down and come have a few beers with me.”

“No thanks Rich.”

Shrugging he made his way towards the door.

“If you say so. I’m heading over to our usual hangout. So if you decide to come…”

Jon lifted a hand, waving him off.

Sitting there pouring one glass after the other, Jon felt the effects of the wine after a while.  Grabbing the bottle to fill his glass, he muttered as a tiny drop wavered on the rim if the empty bottle.

“Arrggh, fuck!”

Slamming it down he stood up, maybe going out wont be such a bad idea. He stumbled towards the door.

~~

Dorothea felt quite excited when she saw Richie walked in. Those two were usually inseparable. Disappointed that Jon wasn’t with him she turned towards the bar again, ordering another glass of wine. The girls invited her along for a night out on the town, but they were already all tied up with some or other guy. Sighing heavily she let her eyes roam the noisy place.

A few guys asked her for a dance, hot and sweaty she flopped down on the barstool. That’s when she saw him standing at the door. He had been drinking she could tell even from that distance. His hair was disheveled, his eyes had a slumberous look and his clothes were in disarray.

His eyes met hers and she waved. Making his way through the crowd, she saw the appreciative glances from the women. He saw it too and gave them that slow, lazy smile Dorothea knew so well.

“Hey Dot.”

“Hey you. Where have you been partying?”

“I had myself a nice bottle of wine at home.”

“Oooh I see. All alone?”

He nodded, calling out the bartender for a glass of wine.

It was on the tip of her tongue to warn him, but a thought crossed her mind and she sat back, letting him drink himself into a stupor.

With a sigh of relief she realized Richie had gone.

~~

Megan didn’t finish her main course. The food was superb and the company impeccable. He was a wonderful companion and made her laugh so much she could feel the ache of unused stomach muscles.

“Jason, I’ve had a wonderful evening…”

“Cutting it short?” he arched an eyebrow.

“No! Not at all but there is something I need to tell you. I feel you deserve the truth.”

“Oh, my! That’s sounds hefty…” he leaned in closer, dwarfing her had with his.

“Jason I haven’t told Jaden who his father was but circumstances forced me to tell him and his father. You see,  his father didn’t know about him until recently. Jon is Jaden’s father.” His hand jerked in shock, crushing hers.

Realizing from the look on her face he was hurting her, he eased his grip.

“Oh God! I’m sorry Meg..I didn’t mean…..Jon is Jaden’s father?”

She stared at the table.

“Yes he is.”

“ I couldn’t understand why you were so comfortable in Jon’s kitchen that day. You seemed so at home. Now I know why…”

“Please Jason, don’t be angry with me. I know I’ve hurt a lot of people by keeping silent all these years but in my naivety I thought it was the only way.”

He stroked her cheek with the back of his huge hand.

“Why would I be angry? I’m just glad you trusted me enough to tell me the truth.”

Silence stretched out between them. Megan watched his face trying to read the expression on his face. There was no anger…just sadness.

His green eyes caught hers, capturing them he asked softly.

“Do you still have feeling for him?”

“Oh Lord..Jason..”

“Just yes or no.” His voice was so gentle she felt like crying.

“Y…yes.”

She saw pain and disappointment in his eyes. Her heart felt heavy seeing him like this.

“Does he know how you feel?”

“I haven’t told him. I’m planning to tonight.”

Staring at the beautiful woman opposite him, he made up his mind.

“Promise me one thing. If he doesn’t want you or it doesnt work out, you’ll give me…us a shot? You know how I feel about you and Meg I can make you happy. I love Jaden as my own, we can have a wonderful future. But you owe it to yourself and your son to try and make this work.”

His words droned into her cloudy mind. Is this man for real? How can anyone be so unselfish?

“Jason, I don’t know what to say! You are a wonderful man and I cant believe you would do this!”

“I love you Meg and I’m prepared to wait or back off which ever makes you happy.”

Taking his big hand in hers, she brought it to her lips.

“You are a saint Jason Dutton.”