Interference by Sophia Henry Read Free Book Online

happy to know how much the Taylors wanted me. On the other hand, I always wondered how it could be so easy for my birth mother to let me go. Mom told me she’d met Valerie on two occasions during their interview process. Valerie had gotten pregnant in high school and her parents wouldn’t let her keep the baby. Deep down, I know she made the right choice for herself and for me.
    As a cop, I’d interacted with a shit-ton of teenage moms struggling to survive, yet still bringing kids into their lives. So, in retrospect, I should be more appreciative of the choice Valerie made. She’d given me a better life than I ever would’ve had with her. I’d grown up with a family who’d provided me with unconditional love and support, as well as every opportunity I ever needed or wanted.
    The logical side of my brain knew that.
    But it was one of those “easier said than done” situations. It’s easy to see the good in someone’s choice when you’re on the outside. Deep down, it sucked to be given up because I wasn’t convenient. And if that wasn’t bad enough, finding out my biological mom got pregnant again and kept that kid definitely was. In my mind, that’s the ultimate fuck you, even though I knew Valerie was at a different place in her life four years later when Auden came around.
    Although I still had issues to work out about the situation, my sister is the one who got the worst end of the deal. Valerie had gotten pregnant by the same guy—my father—but that dude ditched her before Auden was born. Then Valerie was shot and killed when Auden was six, and she had to grow up with Valerie’s parents.
    It was a shitty situation all around. At least I had a supportive family to fall back on. Maybe that’s why I was adamant about forging a relationship with Auden. We were blood. Brother and sister. I already felt a fierce protectiveness toward her that only a brother can.
    I clasped Mom’s hand. “Thanks again for being supportive about Auden.”
    “I don’t want to keep you from your sister. You deserve to know her, to have that bond.”
    “Landon is pissed.” Because, for some reason, my brother always feels shafted.
    “Give him time. He’ll get used to it. He’s never had to share your attention before.” Mom squeezed my hand.
    “He’s had to share me all his life.”
    Landon and I had only a few solitary years together. More than thirty foster kids had come through Camp Taylor, which is what I started calling our house after the first dozen.
    “Technically, yes,” Mom said. “But you two have been the only constants. You’ll always be his big brother, and he’ll always want your undivided attention.”
    “Yeah, I get it. He’s still making too big a deal about it.”
    “He’s allowed to feel how he wants. He’s always been the sensitive one.”
    “Whiney little bitch is more like it.” I laughed.
    “Jason.” One-word Mom-warning. “He’s feeling overwhelmed right now. He’s playing in the NHL. He’s got a girlfriend now.”
    I could think of a few ways his girlfriend could help ease his stress, but Mom didn’t need to hear that. I’d call Landon later.
    “Cry. Cry. I’d give my left nut for his kind of stress.”
    Mom patted my leg. “You have enough stress in your life, dear. Don’t go making more by giving up your left testicle.”
    Mom would sneak a joke in at the exact time I’d taken a drink. I grabbed a small square napkin from the bar and brought it to my nose before beer spewed out.
    At just that moment, Linden chose to approach with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. “Are you ready to order?” Her voice was sweet, like an angel’s, and she was obviously getting the utmost joy out of watching me struggle. I’d get her back in time.

Chapter 8
Indie
    I’m not usually the type of bartender to eavesdrop on conversations, but because of my proximity to customers, I can’t help but hear some of them. It sounded like Officer Jackweed and his mother were arguing. At