Single Mom's Protector - Complete Series

by Nella Tyler

  He pulled up to my apartment and turned off the engine. I sat there silently unsure of what to say.

  “I hope everything is okay, Emmi. I hope you have no regrets about what happened tonight because I don't.”

  I looked up at him. “I'm fine, really. I just don't usually sleep with someone on the first date – I'm not sure what came over me.”

  “Well whatever it was, I really liked it.”

  I laughed. “I liked it, too. It was really good, Bennett.”

  “I thought so, too. Amazing chemistry we have, little lady.”

  I smiled, and he winked at me. “Can I see you again, Emmi, when I return from the games? I would love to spend some more time with you.”

  Relief washed over me and I smiled broadly. “I would really like that, too, Bennett. Give me a call when you get back and we'll make a plan.”

  He smiled and leaned over to me and kissed me softly on the lips. I got that feeling of being safe again and I closed my eyes.

  He pulled away from me and got out of his truck. I followed suit and he walked me to my door.

  “Have yourself a good night and I will be calling you soon.” He leaned in once again and kissed me goodnight. I could still feel the sparks every time our lips came together. It made me want to invite him in, but I knew I had to let him go. Connie was on her way and I needed to clear my head.

  We parted and I watched him walk back to his truck. He looked fantastic in the moonlight and I knew that I would miss him that week.

  I went into my apartment and put my purse on the kitchen table. I put a pot of coffee on and waited for Connie to arrive. I couldn't get over just how into Bennett I was. He had totally changed my landscape of how I looked at guys. No guy had ever made me feel the way I did with Bennett and in such a short time. I wasn't one to even get that close to a guy so soon and yet I had completely let my guard down with him. I worried that there was no turning back now. I was supposed to take things slow and that idea just got blown out of the water. I wasn't sure what to do.

  I heard a knock on my door opened it to find Connie there.

  “I hope you know I'm sleeping over now. It's too late for me to drag my butt home. Oh good, you made coffee.”

  She followed me into the kitchen, and I poured us both a cup of coffee. I put cream and sugar on the table so that Connie could help herself. I only put cream in my coffee and I tentatively took a sip of the hot liquid.

  “Well, it must have been really good for you to call me over right away.”

  “Yeah, it was amazing. Couldn't have gone better.”

  “Are you drunk?”

  “Not anymore, but I was probably a little tipsy about an hour ago.”

  “Wow, that’s good, right?”

  I laughed. “I had a lot of fun.”

  I decided at that moment that I wasn't going to tell Connie I had sex with Bennett. Not quite yet, anyways. I wasn't sure still how I felt about the whole thing and I worried she would give me a hard time about it. She was already worried about me dating a guy that travelled a lot. I knew she would worry that I had rushed things with a guy I barely knew. And the truth was I did rush things with a guy I barely knew. It had felt completely right, but was it? I didn't need to have sex with him so soon, even though it was easily the best sex of my life. What can I say, the guy was highly skilled and I could have sex like that every single day if I had the opportunity.

  I would tell Connie one day about the sex and how amazing it was, but it wouldn't be that night. I felt bad about it and I didn't want to lie to her, but I felt like I needed to protect myself, as well. I was still so confused about what I did that I didn't want to get bogged down with her opinion of my misdeeds, either. She would find out sooner rather than later and I would have to deal with that at the time, but for now I just wanted to tell her about the amazing time I had before we tore each other’s clothes off.

  “We went to the burger joint and you should have seen Candace's face when she saw Bennett. It was like love at first sight.”

  Connie laughed. “Yeah, I bet, watch out for that one. She is always in heat.”

  “She doesn't worry me. We were there all night, though. We drank so much, but it was a blast. We talked about everything, Connie. It wasn't awkward at all. I could tell him anything I think and it wouldn't matter.”

  “Wow, that's pretty amazing. Good for you. I hate those dates where you just stare at each other.”

  I laughed. “Totally and it wasn't like that at all with us. We talked so much I feel like I have known him forever.”

  “That's amazing. Do you think you guys are going to see each other again when he returns?”

  I smiled. “Well, he said he wanted to. He told me he would call when he gets back, so I guess we'll see. I'm sure he will, it was his idea, after all.”

  “I'm sure he will, too. It seems that you guys have really hit it off, so I don't see why he wouldn't call you again.”

  Unless he realizes he doesn't want to date a girl who slept with him on the first date. Gee, Emmi, get yourself together. It's not a big deal and he said it was okay. He also said he wanted to see you again. So chill out.

  Connie and I stayed up for hours talking about my good fortune to have met a guy like Bennett and to have such great chemistry with him. I seemed to just go on and on gushing about him. I was probably going overboard, but I think I was also trying to convince myself that everything was going to be okay. That's all I wanted was for everything to be okay. We decided at 2 a.m. that we should probably get to sleep since we both had classes in the morning. I wondered if I would hear from Bennett at all while he was away or if I would have to wait until he returned.

  Chapter Fifteen

  When I awoke, I felt incredible. All the worry and anxiety from the previous evening had disappeared. Maybe all I needed was to talk things out with my friend to get a clear head. She didn't know about the sex, but so what? I didn't feel so bad about it anymore. I felt completely content about my decision to have sex with Bennett. I felt like we belonged together and that we might have a real shot of making it together. The chemistry between us had just taken over and I shouldn't feel ashamed about where that led us. It was more than a one night stand, that sort of intensity doesn't come around every day and I didn't believe that Bennett felt like it was a one night stand, either. I knew he felt the same connection as I did when we were together. It just all felt so right, and I wasn't going to beat myself up any longer about experiencing that with him. We were going to be all right no matter what happened. I was officially floating on cloud nine and nothing was going to tear me from my good mood.

  I woke Connie up and we both got ready to go to school. Connie drove us there, promising me she would drive me back home after classes. Even my slight hangover couldn't affect my good mood.

  When we got to school, however, there seemed to be a suspicious buzz in the air. When we walked down the hallway curious looks came my way. Most people knew me because of my father, but even the people I didn't know were looking at me with new eyes.

  “What is going on?” I asked Connie.

  “Beats me, but something is up for sure.”

  We walked by a group of girls holding the latest issue of the paper when Connie went up to them and grabbed a copy.

  “Hey!” yelled a girl.

  “Just one second, sweetheart, and you can have your paper back.” She turned the paper over to the cover and gasped. “Holy shit, Emmi, you made the cover. How could your own paper do this to you? I would be killing someone if I were you.”

  “What are you talking about?” I went over to her as she held the paper up. My mouth dropped open and my good mood instantly disappeared. On the cover of the college newspaper was a picture of Bennett and I eating dinner at the burger joint and then a small snapshot of us kissing in front of my apartment. I looked at the group of girls who were somewhere in between smiling and feeling embarrassed for me.

  I looked back at the paper and read the headline
of the article. “Bennett Thomas Rises To The Top By Dating Daughter!”

  “Oh my God, Connie! Oh my God.”

  “Just relax, Emmi, you know its bullshit. I suggest we go kick the ass of your editor, though. How dare she run something like this about one of her own writers.”

  I was still reading the article while Connie vented. The group of girls had walked away knowing they weren't getting the paper back. The article was terrible and said awful things about Bennett and how he was just using me to get a position with the Long Island Stingrays. It stated that Bennett was determined to rise to the top at any cost and I was just one of many stepping-stones. How could they write this stuff about him? Who were their sources? Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.

  “Oh, Emmi, don't cry. This is bullshit. It doesn't mean anything. You can't let people get to you like this. It's going to be okay. We'll make them run a retraction. We will do something. Don't worry. But just don't cry.”

  I couldn't help it. The tears just kept coming as I stared down at the pictures. What had been a perfect evening for me was now tarnished and smeared across the paper for everyone to see and judge. How could this have happened? I was so happy literally 10 minutes ago.

  “Connie, how did this happen?”

  “I don't know. Maybe Candace got a hold of the paper, she would have seen you guys first.”

  “What if it’s true?"

  “Don't talk like that. You know it isn't.”

  “I don't know anything anymore. This is such a huge violation. Don't you see that?”

  “Of course I do. You have every reason to be upset and we'll get to the bottom of this, but I don't think this is Bennett's doing. I think he is being attacked just like you are.”

  “I don't know. God, this was the last thing I expected. I was so happy, Connie.”

  Connie put her arms around me and pulled me in for a hug. She held me tight as I cried on her shoulder. I sobbed harder than I ever had before. I felt so totally lost.

  I could barely think straight. I didn't know what to do or how to fix what had happened. I knew I needed to speak to my paper because I wasn't sure how I could continue to work for someone who was capable of doing this to me. I let the paper fall from my hands – I never wanted to see it again.

  I didn't know what I was going to do, but what I did know was that I could never go out with Bennett Thomas ever again.

  Throwing Love #2

  Chapter One

  I stirred cream in my coffee and watched it swirl together to make a creamy drink that used to cheer me up instantly. Coffee wasn't going to cut it this time, however. In fact, I had never wished more than to have a shot of whiskey at that moment. I looked up and found Connie staring across the table at me with a look of concern.

  We were sitting at table by the windows in the local coffee shop we often haunted in between classes. She had taken me there after I had freaked out in the hallway.

  “We really should have gone for something a little stronger.”

  Connie half smiled. “Yeah, sorry, my bad. I sorta panicked when I saw you sobbing in the hallway. We can go get one if you want.”

  “No, it's okay, the coffee will do for now. But tonight may be another story.”

  “Well, we'll take things one hour at a time. I'm fine for day beers if you want, so you just let me know.”

  I smiled. There was my friend. I knew I could count on her. I was completely mortified after finding out I was on the cover of my own newspaper. I wanted to strangle someone, anyone, for putting me through that. How could I have been so stupid as to get myself involved in a situation that was going to lead to ridicule?

  Seeing myself on the cover of the paper was almost too much to bear. I had never thought that I would be the subject of gossip. Hey, maybe when I was a sportscaster, but now in college, I wasn't exactly the kind of girl that made news. But that had all changed because of one stupid date.

  “How did this happen to me, Connie? I don't even know what to think right now.”

  “I don't blame you.”

  “I want to be mad. But how can I be? It's really my own fault. I shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place.”

  “Seriously? I think you're taking this really well, all things considered.”

  “What you mean?”

  “Well after reading the article, which by the way is awful, I just don't understand why you are not angrier about the person who wrote it. It's disgusting and to think it came out of the newspaper you write for. Who was this person that wrote the article?”

  The newspaper was still sitting there in front of us – laying there on the table between us like a reminder everything that I had done wrong in the past year. I wasn't sure what to think of it, but just looking at it made my stomach turn. When we had got to the coffee shop, Connie had read the article in full and she practically growled the whole time she was reading it. I couldn't blame her; I was pretty upset about the whole thing myself. I felt the whole thing was out of my hands, however, I had put myself in the situation. Now it was a matter of getting myself out.

  “I need you to get the paper out of my face. It’s driving me crazy.”

  Connie looked down at the paper, embarrassed. “Yeah, of course. No problem.”

  She got up from the table and took the newspaper to the garbage can to toss inside. It wasn't about to be something that I kept as a souvenir. In fact, all it really made me want to do was die.

  “Who wrote that stupid thing?” Connie said as she sat back down at the table.

  “It's this girl name Rebecca. She's actually really nice. I've worked with her and usually she is very good at research. I've never known her to make a mistake before. Maybe she was under a tight deadline and thought she had everything she needed. I don't know what to think. She definitely got her facts wrong, but she obviously thought she was doing the right thing. Like I said, I've never known her to make a mistake before; she's never gotten in trouble before.”

  “Well, if I was you, I would be going there and punching that girl in the face. That would be my first order of business today. A nice solid punch in the face.”

  I laughed. And actually it felt kinda good. I wasn't really the kind of girl that liked to punch other girls in the face, but maybe there was a time and a place for everything.

  “Look, as much as I would like to get out some aggression, I don't really think it's her fault.”

  “How could you possibly say that?”

  “It's easy. Somebody else assigned that article, she was just doing her job.”

  “Then she did a really shitty job.”

  “No, she must have gotten a bad lead or something. There's an explanation for this, I'm sure. The newspaper doesn't just write gossip, there has to be facts involved and for whatever reason, she must have thought that she had all the information she needed to write the article. That's why I think you can't really blame her – sometimes you just get a bad lead.”

  “Well, she should have followed up on that lead and made sure she knew what she was talking about before going to print. How could she possibly have figured anything out in the few minutes they saw you on the date? It's so ridiculous that it makes me crazy. How come you aren't going crazy over it, too?”

  “Oh believe me, I want to lose my mind. But I'm in the same business and sometimes when a deadline is close, you take a risk and hope that your source hasn't completely screwed you over. She's a nice girl and she has nothing against me, I'm sure. This wasn't a case of someone out to get me, she was just doing her job and she screwed up.”

  “Well, I hope there will be consequences for her screw up.”

  I sighed. “Look it isn't her fault. Not in this case, anyways. It's not the writer's fault she got bad information. It's my own fault.”

  “And how do you figure that?”

  “Because I should never have started dating him when there was all this pressure for him to go to the major leagues. How could I have been so stupid? That's
why it's my fault. I should have left it alone. That's what would've made sense. My own father for crying out loud was telling me to be careful.”

  Connie was looking into her coffee, probably trying not to admit that I was right. She always warned me that it was probably not a good idea to date a baseball player. I did it anyways and now I had to deal with the consequences of that.

  “I think you're being way too hard on yourself. It’s really not your fault that somebody wrote about article about you. You were trying to be happy. You were trying to have a date with a handsome guy and nobody else should be involved in that.”

  “Yes, you're right. People shouldn't be getting involved in my business. But unfortunately, that is part of my life. My father's famous, I'm going to be a sportscaster, I'm going to be in the limelight, too, to some extent; these are the things that are going to happen.”

  “Well, I still don't think you're to blame for this. I think you need to go talk to your editor and at the very least get an apology.”

  “I should have just left it alone, ya know? If I had never gone on this date, this never would have happened. I should have waited until he was picked for a team and then went out on a date with him. Then no one would be able to say anything about us. They wouldn't be able to say he didn't like me...for me.”

  Connie frowned. I was trying to fight off tears again. I couldn't help it. There was a small part of me that wondered if the article was right on the money. What if he was using me? I didn't want to believe it, but it was hard not to. My own father warned me to be careful, probably for that very same reason. I hoped he never got wind of the article, but that was hardly likely. Someone was bound to stumble across it and show it to him. Then I would have to hear all about why I shouldn't be dating players.

  I knew that Bennett desperately wanted to get on my father's team. He worshipped my father and wanted to play for him. Would he really go so far as to lie and use me to get what he wanted? I didn't want to believe it.