I don't own anything.
Chapter Thirteen
"I think its time you and I have a talk." He said coldly, and Taylor immediately felt a chill race down her spine. Stumbling back slightly Taylor moved to shut the door, but Jason just pushed it opened easily and looked at her a frown marring his features. Stepping inside the house he picked up the jacket that Taylor had dropped and looked it over. "I'm guessing this is the white boy's jacket, huh."
"Jason you need to leave right now."
"I will leave when we have our talk and not a moment before." He said tossing the jacket aside and stopping in front of Taylor his light brown eyes burning her with their intensity. He smiled when he saw Taylor shaking and shook his head.
"And I thought you had actually grown a backbone or is that just over the phone."
"Jason…just go away."
"What did I tell you when you moved down here, Taylor? I told you that I didn't want that White man around my son. But you just didn't listen to me did you…you didn't listen and now you're going to pay the price."
"What are you going to do?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." He murmured as he looked at for a brief moment. "I expect to be listen too, and you are going to listen to me damnit…don't bring that man around my son." He yelled reaching out and shaking her roughly. "So are you going to listen to me now?" he yelled. Pushing with all her might, Taylor freed herself and stepped back away from him.
"Jason, if you leave right now I promise you that I won't tell anyone you were here okay." He watched her for a moment a small smile spreading across his face. Crossing his arms over his chest he watched her for a brief moment before saying.
"So what…do you think I care who you tell. You could tell that man you got for all I care."
"I will and then we'll see just how big and bad you really are." She said just as she heard a car pull up outside, Jason froze as well and looked over his shoulder as the door opened and in walked his son. Lucas came in with a bright small on his face as he closed and locked the door.
"Yo, ma…man that dinner party is going to be so cool…Sharpay and Zeke were telling me about everything on the way home and…" he trailed off as he noticed his father standing there beside his mother, looking quickly between his mother and father before narrowing his eyes at his father, and sneering.
"What are you doing here?" Glancing at Taylor for a moment he looked back at his son while placing a hand on Taylor's forearm.
"That's a good question son, Taylor tell Lucas why I am here." When Taylor made no move to answer him, he nudged her roughly in her side. Taylor sent him a look before looking at her son who was watching her silently.
"Lucas, your father is here because he wants to talk."
"I didn't know we had anything left to talk about…especially after the way he pushed us out of his life."
"Boy you better watch how you talk to me…I am still your father." Jason yelled getting angered immediately at his son's words. Lucas however didn't seem fazed by his father's words or tone.
"Really you are…last time I checked fathers didn't force their children out of their lives. Hell, I bet if I was Troy's son he'd never do something like to me or mom," he snapped back ignoring the warning look at that Taylor was sending his way. Instead he focused all his attention on his father who was slowly getting madder and madder. "Yeah, that's right I bet Troy would treat me better than you ever did…in fact he already has."
"Lucas!" Taylor screamed as Jason lunged at his son, tackling his son to the floor, Lucas however was expecting the action and fought his father back landed a blow to the side of his father's gut but was stopped cold when Jason sent a sound punch to his chest groaned he released his father and Taylor rushed over. Jason however was not going to allow her to help Lucas silently thinking that the pain would be good for his son. Raising his hand he slapped Taylor across the face and stood, looking between his weeping ex-wife and son.
"This is all your fault." He bellowed as he pointed a finger at Taylor turned to go towards her.
"Leave her alone, dad." Lucas said struggling to stand holding a hand to his chest. "Leave her da hell alone…I am not going to let you touch her again. I might have been scared before but not anymore." He spat, Jason turned to look at him for a moment before shaking his head.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"What, you don't think I know about how you used to beat her…how you used to hit her. It didn't matter that you waited till I was asleep. Screams do wake people up." He said meeting his mother's glaze who was currently looking at him in shock.
"I used to watch from the top of the stairs…I didn't know what to do. It's not right for my mother to get beat by my father. But I was to frighten you were so big to me back then what could I do, but now that I'm older I know what I can do…I can beat your sorry ass."
"Oh so you wanna fight me." Jason sneered as he turned to Lucas his eyes glinting dangerously. Taylor took this opportunity to rush pass Jason and over to Lucas placing herself in the middle.
"No, Jason just leave him alone."
"Mom, I can handle myself." Lucas said gently placing his mother behind him, looking back at his father he glared at the man for a moment before smiling. "His problem is that you found a real man…the truth is Troy is more of a man in his pinkie then he could ever dream of being." Lucas' words were the last straw, reaching out Jason grabbed his son and planted his fist into his mouth. Taylor screamed as they started fighting again. Jason seemed possessed as he punched his son yelling curses. Lucas fought back, but he was no match for his father's strength. Taylor tried her best to push Jason away from him but the man wouldn't budge finally she slapped him across the face. Jason released Lucas and turned to her, Taylor stumbled back frightened by the familiar look in his eyes. Knowing that she would probably be hit again, she raised her hands up to protect her face. Jason just grabbed her wrist with one hand and backhanded her again.
"Lucas, I suggest if you don't want your mother to get hit again you better control yourself." He said as Taylor cried, Lucas seeing his mother in pain stood up and looked at his father not bothering to hide the hatred in his eyes. "Now I came back just to check on you two."
"Yeah, sure you came back to see if I was with Troy again." Taylor mumbled already feeling the swelling of her jaw.
"I don't want to hear his name again."
"What the hell is your problem?" Lucas shouted. "What is your problem can't my mother be happy…I know you are with your new family."
"She can be happy with anyone else but him." Jason said releasing Taylor and pushing her to the floor. "I don't want that man around her." He said watching as Lucas came over and helped his mother up. Suddenly he remembered what his son had yelled when he came into the house earlier. "Is he going to be at this party?"
"What?" Lucas asked pausing from looking over his mother to look at his father, who was watching him for a moment.
"I said is he going to be at this party you were yelling about when you came in here earlier and you better tell me the truth." He shouted making Taylor jump in Lucas' arms. Clenching his jaw, Lucas looked down at his mother and all she could was nod.
"Yeah he's coming."
"Then I am coming when does it start." Jason asked calmly as if he was discussing the weather. Lucas sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair.
"One."
"Good and where is this party going to be?"
"At Shar…it's a restaurant downtown." Lucas whispered as he looked at his father, Jason smiled and nodded his head.
"Good I'm going to meet you there…now you two have a good night." He said dismissively as he walked past Taylor and Lucas out of the front door. Once the door closed Lucas rushed over and locked the door before going back to his mother and helping her into the kitchen.
"Oh mom I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you." He whispered as he filled a bag with ice and gently placed it on her cheek. Taylor winced and then reached up and held it to her cheek.
"Sweetie its okay…you shouldn't have to do that."
"But I had too, mom…he's was going to hurt you." He said as he waving his hands in the arm before inhaling sharply in pain. Taylor looked at him with concern before setting the bag of ice down and looking at Lucas.
"Where does it hurt?"
"In the center of my chest." He murmured, reaching out she opened his shirt and gasped at the red and already darkening bruise that marred her son's skin. She felt fury rise up in her as she thought about what her ex-husband had done to their son.
"Oh my goodness, Lucas sweetie here place this ice on it." She said handing him her bag, he reluctantly accepted it and placed it on his chest wincing at the contact while Taylor put together another bag for herself.
"We should tell, Troy." Lucas said suddenly, Taylor turned around and shook her head. "Why not?"
"I know Troy…he…he won't take the news well and-."
"Isn't that the point, mom."
"No he might try to kill Jason…I don't want Troy to go to jail over him." She whispered softly as she thought about what exactly Troy might do, her mind taking her back to an incident that occurred while they were still in highschool. "Believe me Lucas, I know Troy and I know he wouldn't take the news well."
"Who would?" Lucas replied looking at her for a moment.
"Look I know Troy…and when someone hurts someone he cares about he loses it…and he would lose it if we told him about what happened. Lucas eyed her for a moment before shaking his head. Tossing the bag of ice down into the sink he moved to exit the room before saying.
"Well I don't know if I can just keep this to myself anymore. Cause someone needs to put Jason in his place." He said silently thinking that he would tell Troy about what happened but he would wait till his father was at the restaurant, because it was time his father learned a lesson.
Taylor wandered upstairs after her son left silently thinking about all that had transpired that day. Jason was back. Why? Didn't he hurt her enough already or was he not going to be satisfied till she was alone. She had let him dictate so much of her life, but she wasn't going to let him stop her from seeing Troy. She loved Troy and she would be damned if she let someone come into her life and tell her that she couldn't be with Troy the man she loved while he was with whoever he felt like being with it wasn't fair and it wasn't right.
The next day, Troy pulled up outside of Taylor's house whistling he was looking forward to spending the day with Taylor and Lucas. He was also looking forward to the party that the Baylor's were throwing at Zeke's restaurant getting out he walked up to the front door, but was surprised to see that Taylor had already opened the door, bending down he kissed her cheek softly and then frowned as she winced. "Tay, baby you okay."
"I'm fine…I sort of hit myself on the cabinet door…I left it opened and ran into it." Troy gently trialed his fingers tip along her swollen cheek and saw the light bruise there. With a sigh he kissed her forehead and held her tightly.
"Baby you gotta be more careful…it won't do you any good to continue to hurt yourself." He whispered in her ear before looking up as Lucas came into the hallway. He watched his mother and Troy. Thinking that his mother had told Troy about what his father had done, Lucas spoke out.
"Mom, did you tell him."
"Tell me what." Troy asked.
"I told him about hitting myself in the cheek with the cabinet door." Lucas' frowned at her answer and then looked back at Troy who was watching him curiously, before rubbing a hand over his hair. "Don't you remember, Luc?" she said her eyes pleading with him not to tell. Lucas nodded and chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, ma I remember…you know my mom she's can be pretty clumsily."
"No…no I didn't know that…for as long as I've known your mother she's never been clumsily." Troy said calmly as he looked between Taylor and Lucas. Taylor gently removed herself from Troy's arms and stepped back.
"Um Troy I'm going to go and get my jacket alright." She whispered as she kissed his cheek, he returned the gesture and watched as she bounded up the stairs. Once she was gone from sight he turned to Lucas and leaned his head to the side as if studying the younger man before pointing up the stairs.
"She's lying."
"What!"
"I said she's lying…your mother is lying to me and I want to know what really happened to her cheek." He replied, sternly wondering when Taylor would figure out that she couldn't lie to him. He knew her like the back of his hand, and for as long as he had known Taylor she could never lie to him. It just wasn't natural. Lucas looked at him in surprise before shaking his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you do…your mother was lying and so were you so are you going to tell me what has you two on edge or am I going to have to wait till you both tell me." Suddenly an idea came to Lucas; it would be an easy way to tell Troy while Jason was around.
"Look, Troy I'll tell you later when I feel that the time is right alright."
"Does it have to do with your father?"
"I'll tell you later." Lucas said again, as he looked at Troy who seemed satisfied with that answer.
"Fine…I can accept that just don't hide it for to long." Troy said softly patting Lucas on the shoulder as his mind thought over what it was that Taylor could be hiding. He purposely pushed back the idea of her getting hit by Jason because that was just something he didn't want to imagine at least not now when she was finally back in his life because he would most definitely would beat the hell out of any man who had the nerves to lay a hand on Taylor.
It barely took two hours before Taylor, Troy and Lucas were walking into Shar, Olivia ran over to greet them first in excitement. "Luc, I thought you guys were going to be late." She said with a shake of her head as she looked at him for a brief moment.
"Oh come on baby I told you yesterday that we wouldn't be late." He said softly as he looked at his girlfriend for a moment before letting Olivia lead him away towards the tables in the VIP room. Taylor and Troy followed with smiles on their faces however they were stopped cold at the sound of Taylor's ex-husband voice.
"Taylor…oh hey Taylor." Turning around she frowned as she was pulled into a stiff hug with her ex-husband. "Where's Lucas." He asked ignoring Troy who was standing beside Taylor silently giving him a death glare.
"Um, he's up there." She pointed behind her; Jason smiled and moved to step closer but was held off by Troy's hand on his shoulder.
"I don't think so…" he trailed off, as Taylor touched his arm looking down at her, he watched as she shook her head in an attempt to make sure he didn't do anything. With a grumble he moved his hand and watched as Jason brushed his shoulder off and walked upstairs. Once Jason had walked past him and Taylor he turned to her and looked at her sternly. "What the hell is going on between you two?"
"Nothing."
"That's a lie, Taylor…now I know you've been gone for over a decade but guess what I still know when you're lying." He stated furiously. "And I know you're hiding something from me." Taylor didn't say anything she just walked upstairs knowing that if she told him now with Jason so near by that he would flip and try to hurt the man. Troy watched her n shock as she walked up the stairs, frowning and mumbling to himself he marched up the stairs after her.
Everyone was surprised to see Jason there with them sitting across from Troy beside Chad and Zeke. The lunch was an awkward one at best. Troy handle took his eyes off other man ignoring the attempts of everyone to get him involved in the conversation. Jason however seemed to get some sort of sick pleasure out of the anger he was receiving from Troy. Clearing his throat he looked at Troy for a moment and tilted his head to the side. "So Troy." Snapping out of his glaze he met the other man's eyes he snarled and grounded out.
"What!"
"I was just wondering why you quit the NBA when you did…was the pressure getting to you." Everyone stopped talking as the question slipped out of Jason's mouth. Leaning back he smirked and continued. "I mean maybe that's why Taylor quit you…you're a quitter." Troy's jaw clenched in angry as he looked at the other man. Chad and Zeke shared a look and slowly shifted their seats closer to their wives and away from Jason. Chad looked at Jason and then back at Troy, whose blue eyes had darken to a bluish black.
"A quitter…I'm not the one who pushed one of the most beautiful and intelligent women out of my life…you did that, you quit your marriage and your family." Troy snapped ignoring Taylor's hand on his shoulder. Lucas sat silently for a moment before looking over at his father and then at Troy.
"Yo, Troy I think its time I told you what happened…I think that later is now." Troy barely glanced at Lucas as he continued his staring contest with Jason who was looking over at his son curiously.
"What do you have to tell him?" Jason asked as his glaze went over to Taylor who was looking at her son, and trying her best to silently tell him that now wasn't the time. However Lucas only had one thing on his mind and that was getting himself and his mother away from his father and the only way he could even think about doing that was involving Troy.
"I'm just going to tell Troy about your little visit to the house last night." Lucas said as Troy looked over at Taylor and then back at Lucas who was just looking at his father. Rubbing a hand over his chin, Jason looked at his son and shook his head.
"And that's all that happened."
"Is it…how about the bruise you gave me when you punched me in my chest or the two slaps you gave to Mom sounds like a lot more happened then you just visiting." Troy froze at Lucas' words and looked between Taylor and her son before his blue eyes narrowed on Jason.
"Oh shit." Zeke and Chad said standing up and pushing their wives and family members away from the table. Troy however was still silent as he looked at Jason. His mind going a mile a minute, he had told Taylor that everything would be okay and that had turned out to be a lie. He had failed to protect the woman he loved.
"You hit them." He grounded lowly; the only reply he got from the man in question was a mere shrug of his shoulder and a laid back smirk. The little gesture was enough to make Troy snap. After a moment that is exactly what he did… jumping across the table he tackled Jason to the floor with the intent on killing the man that dared lay a hand on the woman he loved and her son.
A/N: If you haven't checked out my new story Being A Man please go ahead and check it out and tell me what you think.
Baby S