Spring It On Me

by Weston Parker

  “I didn’t go looking for it. My friend is going to be the head of it and thought I would be a good fit for the program director position.”

  I slowly nodded, betrayal burning in my gut. “I see. Your friend didn’t stop to think about your existing job?”

  She blew out a breath. “Ashton, I have loved working here and you did so much for me just by taking a chance on me.”

  Anger boiled in my veins. “I didn’t take a chance on you. I didn’t hire you, remember? I turned you down. It was my partner at the time who forced me to take you on.”

  She flinched. My words were harsh. I didn’t mean to be angry, but I was furious. Furious at myself for wanting her to stay. Furious at myself for letting my feelings get involved. She had made it very clear we were strictly business.

  “I’m sorry you were forced to take me on,” she said in a quiet voice. “I tried to do a good job.”

  “I suppose you did.”

  I could see the hurt on her face but refused to let it soften me. She had used me. She had used me until something better came along.

  “Ashton, I would like to be friends.”

  “We’re not friends,” I shot back. “You worked for me. This was strictly business. I think you’re the one who said that.”

  She slowly nodded, her hands still twisting in her lap. “I can work out a two-week notice to allow you time to find a replacement.”

  I shook my head. “No thanks.”

  “What?” she gasped. “What do you mean, no thanks?”

  I shrugged, adopting my usual give-no-fucks attitude. “I don’t need you to work out your two weeks.”

  “But you need a secretary.”

  “I don’t need anyone,” I told her, my tone cold and unfeeling.

  “Ashton, please don’t be angry,” she said, her voice quivering.

  “I’m not angry. This is a business. You are an employee. I am your boss. I’ve been without a secretary before. I’m not an invalid.”

  Her mouth dropped. “I didn’t say you were. You don’t have to be so cruel.”

  “I’m not being cruel. You’re making this a big deal. It isn’t. People quit jobs all the time. It isn’t exactly a novel concept.”

  She slowly shook her head. “What are you doing?”

  I held up my hands. “I’m sitting here.”

  “No, you know what I mean. Don’t be glib.”

  “Willow, you can pack up your things,” I said, my tone even and devoid of any emotion. “I’m sure you’re anxious to start your new job. I don’t want to hold you back. I’ll put in a call to HR and we’ll get someone in here tomorrow. Before Kyle went and hired you, I was already in the process of interviewing qualified candidates.”

  I could see the hurt on her face. I refused to let it affect me. She was the one leaving me, not the other way around. She was the one who went job hunting without letting me know she wasn’t interested in working for the full year. It was all on her.

  “Okay,” she said. “I guess that’s that.”

  “I suppose it is. I will need you to sign a paper that states you are quitting.”

  “Obviously.”

  “I mean with my attorney,” I told her. I wasn’t sure how much she knew about the arrangement with Kyle, but I was not going to get fucked because she decided my job wasn’t good enough. “As I understand it, you signed a contract to work a full year. I’ll need you to make it clear that you are leaving, and I didn’t fire you.”

  She nodded. “Fine. Whatever makes your life easier, Ashton.”

  “I’ll call him now and have him start on the paperwork,” I said.

  She looked at me for several seconds. I refused to meet her eyes. There was nothing more to say. I didn’t want to say something that was truly cruel and figured it was best to keep my mouth shut.

  She got to her feet and stood, still staring at me. I looked up, finding her eyes glassy like she was actually sad. I was calling bullshit. She had expected me to beg her to stay. That wasn’t going to happen. If she wanted to walk away, I would hold the door open for her.

  “Ashton, you’re angry, so I’m going to give you a free pass for being a total dick in this situation.”

  “Don’t give me a damn thing,” I snapped, my cool façade slipping a little.

  “Anyway, thank you for the opportunity to work here. I did enjoy myself, and I would like to say I would hope we could remain friends, but I think that is pretty clear.”

  “We weren’t friends to begin with,” I told her.

  She slowly nodded. “Whatever you say. Have a nice life.”

  She turned on her heel and walked out, softly closing the door behind her. I would have expected her to slam it. I wanted to slam it over and over and over. I could hear her shuffling around beyond the door. I had to fight the urge to go and tell her I was sorry. I had to fight against the part of me that wanted to ask her to stay.

  Instead, I picked up the phone, called the lawyer, and gave him a quick rundown of the situation. Since he and Kyle had gone behind my back and made the little arrangement in the first place, they could figure out how this worked. I wasn’t a history buff or a law expert, but I was pretty certain indentured servitude wasn’t a thing anymore. They couldn’t make her stay if she didn’t want to. She was choosing to leave of her own free will. I knew damn well I had done nothing to make her leave.

  Barring the sex. But that had been mutual. I would not consider for one moment I pressured her into that or made her feel like she had to put out to keep the job. My next call was to HR. I needed an assistant, preferably an old woman who knew how to do her job and didn’t have kids that would have emergencies.

  With the phone calls made, I turned and stared out the window. Would she come in and say goodbye? Would she tell me to fuck off or get bent? I waited a long time and never heard from her. I knew she was gone. The phone went unanswered, which told me she wasn’t out there. She had left without saying another word.

  I blew out a breath and tried to shrug it off. It was done and over. There was nothing more to be said or done. Life would go on. Soon, she would be nothing more than a memory.

  Chapter 36

  Willow

  I felt like hell. When the lawyer called to set up the appointment for me to sign the paperwork, I made sure to schedule it for late morning. That was usually the time my stomach settled down. The stress of the week had only made the nausea worse. I tried to tell myself it was for the best, but damn if I didn’t miss the asshole. And he was an asshole.

  I couldn’t believe I had thought his edgy hardness was attractive. It wasn’t. He was a jerk, and when he turned that asshole attitude on me, I realized there was nothing sexy about it. He was mean.

  I told myself to be happy I got away when I did. I would raise the child and he would never need to know about it. I would have Lilly to help out and Jake. Jake would be a huge blessing, even if it was to give me ten minutes to take a shower.

  I put on my makeup, using the new concealer I had picked up at the store to try and hide the dark circles under my eyes. I wasn’t sure if he was going to be at the meeting, but I didn’t want him to see me looking like shit. I didn’t want him to know he had hurt me by talking to me the way he did. I was a fighter. I was not going to let one man get me down. I had a new job I loved, and Ashton would be a distant memory—minus the fact I would be reminded of him every minute of every day for the rest of my life—but a memory all the same.

  I got to the lawyer’s office and immediately spotted Kyle in the lobby area. He was on his phone, pacing back and forth. When he saw me, he smiled, waved, and quickly ended the call.

  “Hey,” he greeted me with a warm smile and extended his hand. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’re going to be delayed about thirty minutes. The attorney had an emergency court appearance. Do you have to be anywhere?”

  I smiled, shaking my head. “No, I’m good.”

  “Great, I was hoping we could chat for a few minutes.”

&
nbsp; “About?”

  He grinned. “I want to understand what happened.”

  I shrugged. “I got a new job offer that was really too good to pass up.”

  He looked at me and I was convinced he was staring into my soul. “Why do I get the feeling there is more to the story?”

  I owed him an explanation. He had given me a chance and had only asked one thing in return—to work the year. I felt like I had let him down. “It’s complicated.”

  He nodded. “It usually is when Ashton’s concerned. Can I buy you a coffee? I’d like to hear what happened. I won’t pry, but I was absolutely sure the two of you would be a good fit.”

  I scoffed. “That’s the problem.”

  His eyes widened. “Oh.” He looked stunned and had apparently been robbed of speech. “Now I am very interested.”

  I followed him to the lobby of the building where a small coffee shop was tucked into a corner. I ordered a decaf latte and followed him to a small table. “Thank you for the coffee.”

  “You’re welcome. So what happened? Did he mistreat you? Say something cruel?”

  I shook my head. “No, no, nothing like that.”

  “But there is something?”

  “The job I was offered will allow me to spend more time with my son while doing something good for the kids in our community.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I understand.”

  “I also need this new job because it will allow me the flexibility I need during my pregnancy.”

  I watched his expression. I felt like I had just dropped a proverbial bomb on the man. It felt strange to tell a complete stranger I was pregnant, but it was a valid excuse for leaving the job. I was hoping he would see it that way.

  “Pregnancy,” he repeated the word. “You’re pregnant now or you are planning to be pregnant?”

  I looked down at the cup between my hands. “I’m pregnant now.”

  I raised my eyes to his and saw what almost looked like anger. “I know I am way overstepping here, but can I ask just how pregnant you are?”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “About a month,” I heard myself say, the words more of a squeak than a whisper.

  He cleared his throat. “I see. Does Ashton know about this pregnancy?”

  “No!” I said way too fast.

  I could see him putting it all together. I was ashamed of myself. I had banged my wealthy boss and got knocked up. It was crude, but it was the truth. I had fallen for his charms, even if he had not actually tried to charm me. I was weak. He was too damn sexy for my own good.

  Kyle rubbed a hand through his hair before rubbing his jaw. “I know I am way crossing a line here, like way over, but is it Ashton’s baby?”

  I frowned at him. “Why would you ask that? Is this something that has happened before?”

  “No,” he quickly said. “I mean, there have been a few women that have tried to say they were pregnant with his child, but it wasn’t the case.”

  I rolled my eyes. “So I’ve heard. I met one of them on my first day.”

  “That’s not who Ashton is,” he said, defending his friend. “He isn’t like that.”

  “I don’t think he is,” I agreed.

  “Is it his?” he asked again.

  I wanted to tell him no. I was blaming the hormones. Tears streaked down my face. Kyle reached for a napkin and held it out for me. I quickly dabbed at my eyes, not wanting to smear my makeup.

  “Yes,” I finally admitted.

  He blew out a breath. “I see. And he doesn’t know anything?”

  I shook my head. “No. He’s made it very clear he doesn’t want a family. He doesn’t like kids and doesn’t want anything to do with them. This wasn’t supposed to happen. It isn’t his fault. Truthfully, I think I’m the one to blame. Please don’t be angry with him.”

  “I’m not angry, but I am concerned.”

  I knew what he was getting at. I vehemently shook my head. “It wasn’t like that. He didn’t take advantage of me.”

  “I don’t need the details, but do you feel like you were harassed or made to feel like that was part of the job?”

  I smiled and reached across the table to take his hand in mine. I looked directly into his brown eyes, needing him to see my truth. “No. Not even a little. It was me. I know that makes me sound a little on the promiscuous side, but it was me. I made the move. We had a very good understanding. I don’t dislike him. It’s just, I don’t want to put him in a position that forces him to do something he doesn’t want to do. He’s not a bad guy. Not everyone is cut out to be a parent. My child will be loved and cared for. The new job is perfect for my situation, and quite frankly, I probably would have taken it even if I wasn’t pregnant.”

  Relief crossed his face. I took my hand back and sipped the latte.

  “Thank god,” he breathed.

  I laughed. “Sorry to have worried you. I’m not that kind of a girl. If he would have tried to pressure me into something I didn’t want to do, I would have made him a very sorry man.”

  He grinned, nodding as he sipped his coffee. “Which is exactly why I hired you. I hate to see you go, though. I talked with him last week and he said things were really going well. He seemed almost happy, which isn’t something I’ve ever seen in him.”

  I shrugged. “Things were going well. We worked very well together. There were some hiccups in the beginning, but we got through them.”

  He chuckled. “I can only imagine what those hiccups were.”

  I shrugged. “It all worked out okay. I did enjoy the job, and I am sorry to be leaving it, but this program is what I really want to do. I feel like I can make a real difference in my little corner of the world. It isn’t about money or Ashton or any of that. This is about me doing what’s best for me and my family.”

  “I understand. I did the same thing. You have to do what makes you happy.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “Do you think you’ll ever go back to work there?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. We’ll just have to see. I’m happy where I am.”

  “Should we go back up and see if he’s back?” I asked. I wasn’t necessarily anxious to be done with the whole thing, but the sooner it was done, the sooner I could try to move on.

  “Yes, let’s.”

  “I didn’t ask before and I probably should have, but am I going to have to pay money for breaking the contract?” I nervously asked.

  He smiled. “No. The contract was more about Ashton. He has a tendency to go through secretaries. I had a feeling you would be good for him. I wanted him to have someone there that could be the guiding light he needed. I didn’t realize how well you two would get along, though.”

  I felt my cheeks turn red. “I don’t think any of us did.”

  We stepped into the elevator. “Is there anything between you?” he asked. “Do you think there could be a future for the two of you?”

  “No,” I answered without having to think about it. “I have a son and a child on the way. I won’t put Ashton into a position he isn’t comfortable with. I don’t want him to feel obligated.”

  “He should and would absolutely pay support,” he insisted. “Ashton is a lot of things, but he isn’t the kind of man that shirks responsibility.”

  “I know he would, but I don’t want him to get the idea this was done on purpose. Like you said, he’s been confronted with this situation before. I’m not like that. I don’t want him to think I used him or went after him because of who he is.”

  “I know you aren’t, and I have a feeling he would know that as well.”

  The elevator doors slid open, saving me from the very awkward conversation. The lawyer’s secretary waved for us to go into the office. We sat down, and ten minutes later, I was no longer working for Ashton. It felt a little strange and oddly sad.

  Kyle walked with me to the elevator. “I guess this is goodbye,” he said.

  I smiled and shook his outstretched hand. “Thank you again for giving me the chance. I hope I m
ade a little difference.”

  “You made a big difference.”

  “Thank you,” I told him. “Can I ask you something that is over the line?”

  He shrugged. “Shoot. I think we’ve erased any line there may have been.”

  I giggled. “I suppose we have.”

  “What is it?”

  “Do you know why Ashton is anti-family, anti-fatherhood, and apparently anti-relationship?”

  He blew out a breath. “I don’t. I worked with the man for three years, but it could have been two weeks with as much as I know about him. He doesn’t open up. He doesn’t talk about his personal life. I don’t know.”

  It was as I suspected. “I see.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  I shrugged. “It’s fine. Really, I’m going to be fine. Everything will be fine.”

  We stepped off the elevator. He touched my shoulder, stopping me from leaving. “Willow, he may not think he wants to be a father, and maybe he has his reasons, but I think he would rather be a shitty father than an absent father. I think you need to tell him.”

  I grimaced. “I know I should, but I don’t want to make a big thing of it.”

  “It’s a child. It’s a big thing. Telling him doesn’t change anything. Not telling him? Well, I just don’t think that’s fair to anyone involved, least of all the child.”

  I nodded. “I know. I’ll think about telling him, but right now, I need to figure some things out.”

  “Understandable. Let me give you my card. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Ashton is a friend, even if he doesn’t feel like a friend. I’ll help out with anything you might need on behalf of Ashton.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. Take care of yourself.”

  “You too, Willow.”

  I walked to my car, feeling a sense of relief and sadness at the same time. It was over. I didn’t ever have to see Ashton again if I didn’t want to. He would never know about the baby if I didn’t tell him. We didn’t run in the same circles and the chances of running into him were slim to none.