Prologue
Drake
I pull my hardhat off, wiping the sweat from my brow as I head back to my truck. Before I get there, I turn back around and examine all we’ve managed to accomplish over the last six weeks. We’re officially at the halfway mark. That sense of pride I’m still getting used to washes over me. I would have never guessed this is where my life would lead me when I moved to Los Angeles right before my junior year of high school.
Coming from a small town in North Carolina to Los Angeles, was a culture shock to say the least. However, it turned out for the best. My mother had given birth to me when she was still young herself. My grandmother, who raised me for most of my life, shipped my mother, Sadie, off to Los Angeles to live with her dad after my birth. My biological father wasn’t in the picture-- leaving me to my grandparents. When my grandmother became terminally ill, my mother came to spend time with us and bring me back to Los Angeles. At first, I wanted nothing to do with the idea of it, but then I found out my grandmother kept her from me-- so that changed things a bit. Eventually, I came to Los Angeles with my mom who had just found out she was expecting a baby with her husband, Axell. I had been terrified, but Axell and his family had immediately welcomed me. Axell even legally adopted me on my seventeenth birthday, officially making me a James boy.
A few years later, after college, I opened my own construction company; DJ Construction. It’s been pretty successful and is steadily growing. I couldn’t be happier. Most of my workers are brothers from the Motorcycle club that I’m a member of, Sons of Sin. It’s great to be surrounded by my other family.
Shortly after I opened DJ Construction, I met someone that changed my life, yet again. Jules had showed up in JamesTown one night when I was working at the bar. We were shorthanded and since I was the only single guy left in the family, I usually filled in. At the time, I was kind of dreading it but now, damn I’m glad I offered. Jules had come in from the rain, soaked to the bone. She had walked over to me and asked if she could borrow a phone. I managed to find out that her car had broken down and her phone didn’t have a charge. I offered to help her out after my shift was over. Jules hung out in JamesTown. I sent her food and drinks over and at the end of the night, I had learned enough about her to be completely smitten. After I locked up the bar, we headed to my bike and then off to her car. Once I got it fixed, she had smiled up at me with bright blue eyes before she leaned in and kissed me. One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew, we were in way over our heads.
I was completely in love with her. She was slightly indifferent, but I never questioned her feelings for me. They showed at the most random times. Then, almost a year ago, we found out that she was pregnant. I was on cloud nine. I had never really considered kids in my life before, but with Jules…well I was ready for anything. I had been in love once before in my life with a friend’s twin sister, but we were young and kids were not something we ever considered. Then again, we were never a couple. She was untouchable in my world.
So, a couple of months ago, Jules and I welcomed a perfect baby girl into the world, Aubree Hope. She was the best of both of us and I couldn’t love anyone or anything more. I didn’t even know I could love anything as much as I loved Aubree.
I had easily fallen into the role of a father, but then again, Axell had shown me how to be the best dad. I also had four uncles that were amazing with their children, so that didn’t hurt either. However, Jules has struggled. She gets frustrated when Aubree is fussy or if she interrupts one of Jules’ favorite shows. I asked the doctor if it could be postpartum depression, but he said no. I still worry though. Hopefully, with time she’ll ease into parenting.
Climbing into my truck, I hear my phone start to go off. I’m shocked when I look down and see Axell’s name on the screen. “Hey dad, what’s up?”
“Hmm…not much,” he replies. I can tell by the tone in his voice that something is off.
“What’s wrong?” I ask immediately, instantly worried something has happened to my mom or little sister, Dawsyn.
There’s a long pause and my heart moves into my throat. “You know I don’t like to get into your business, Drake. but have you and Jules had some kind of argument?”
His question catches me off guard. “No, not really, why?”
Axell clears his throat and then goes silent. I’m about to ask him again what’s going on. when he finally speaks. “Jules showed up here at the shop with Aubree. She told me she couldn’t do it anymore and handed me Aubree and left.”
“What?” I yell, not meaning to, but my emotions are all over the place right now. “What did she say?”
“That was it. She just said she couldn’t do it anymore, handed me Aubree, and left but Drake…” Axell pauses, and I already know I’m not going to like what he says next. “Aubree didn’t have any clothes and her diaper was dirty. It was a mess.”
“Shit! I’ll be right there,” I tell him. I leave without a second thought about the jobsite. I’m halfway to JamesTown, which has a body shop attached to it, before I realize I just left my guys. I quickly dial my foreman and explain a family emergency happened and to just finish up today for me. Luckily, he’s a chill dude and quickly promised me that everything would be fine. I get to the shop in record time, barely throwing my truck in park before getting out and rushing toward the building. Axell meets me outside the main door that leads to the small waiting room. “Is she okay?”
He gives me a sad smile. “Yes, she’s fine now. Summer brought me some diapers and clothes. She still had some of Halen’s stuff packed away, so it worked out and I also have been around a baby or two in my time.”
I sigh heavily and run my hands through my hair. “I can’t believe she would do this. I mean, I knew she was having a hard time with the change and just coping with being a mother, but I never thought she’d leave our daughter!”
Axell grips my shoulder. “Drake, some people just aren’t cut out to be parents, and from the sound of it, I don’t think Jules was, but you are an amazing dad and Aubree is lucky to have you.”
My throat constricts, but I manage to swallow past it. “Where is she?” I ask.
“She’s in my office with Jagger,” he tells me. I nod and head inside, waving at the guys as I pass them.
I pause as I reach the office door. Jagger James is my uncle and one of my dad’s younger brothers, he also happens to be amazing with kids. He looks up and smiles at me. “Look who’s here,” he coos at her. “I think Daddy is ready to see his girl.” Jagger gets up and meets me halfway, once he’s placed Aubree in my arms, he pats my shoulder. “You got this, kid.”
Tears prick at the back of my eyes, his words are too much. I look down at my perfect little girl and can’t ever imagine my life without her. She’s sound asleep. I press a kiss to her forehead. “Looks like it’s just me and you, Love Bug, at least for a while.”
One
3 years later
Drake
I wake up before my alarm ever goes off. The first thing I do after a quick pit stop into the bathroom is peek in and check on my Love Bug. She’s still sleeping away, looking like an angel, so I pull her door back and head into my makeshift gym/office. I squeeze in a quick workout while listening to my music before heading into the kitchen to start the coffee maker. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and head back to my bathroom to shower. I slip on my work clothes which basically consist of worn jeans, worn work boots, and a white t-shirt. I grab my safety vest and hard hat and toss them on the couch by the door so I won’t forget them.