by Kahlen Aymes
She laughed softly, rubbing her swollen belly lovingly. “Can you please hand me that glass of water?” Teagan pointed to the crystal glass of iced water on the counter next to me. “I don’t think I’ve peed in five minutes.”
I did as she asked, chuckling, and then continued to stir the simmering chicken in the fragrant sauce. “I wonder what’s taking the guys so long?” I wondered.
Teagan’s brows arched, and she rolled her eyes. “No doubt, they’re plotting on how to save the world.”
“In other words, how to deal with Derrick?”
She nodded, a somber expression settling on her face. “Don’t judge them too harshly. They’re close. They always ask each other’s advice, and if one of them is in trouble, the other steps in to help. It’s just the way they are. You’ll see.”
I made sure the chicken didn’t burn and reduced the heat by half. Warmth spread through me. “I already do. The way you and Chase have helped Dylan and me; I know it’s because of Jensen.”
“At first it was, sure. But now that we’ve gotten to know you, you’ve become like family all on your own.”
“I can’t stay here forever. I have to stand on my own two feet.” I didn’t want to intrude. Teagan was getting closer to her due date, and the last thing this family needed was un-related squatters intruding. I knew how special this time was for Teagan and Chase, considering he wasn’t around for Remi’s birth.
Teagan’s shoulder lifted in a half shrug. “Sure, when you’re not scared to death. This is a special circumstance.”
“So? You and Chase need privacy right now. And, Remi. She’s so excited about being a big sister.”
Teagan made a short roll of her eyes. “She sure is, if I don’t have a boy. She wants a sister, so badly.”
“I can see where that would be fun, but she’ll love the baby, no matter what.”
The sound of the garage door whirring as it opened made Teagan jump up. “Speak of the devil! There they are now. I need to put on the rice!” She walked around to the pressure cooker sitting on the other side of the counter, with only the slightest waddle. “It’s a good thing I have this contraption. It only takes ten minutes!”
Dylan and Remi were getting along better and had been playing video games upstairs in Remi’s room. Jensen preceded Chase into the house; through the mud and laundry rooms into the kitchen. Both men came over to us. Chase leaned in to plant a brief kiss on Teagan’s mouth, and Jensen came to stand next to me at the stove. “What are you cooking? It smells delicious.” I felt the warmth of his hand move from the middle of my back down to my waist, and he kissed my temple as I concentrated on the pan in front of me. I wanted to kiss him full on the mouth, but something held me back.
“Yeah, I’m starving,” Chase added.
“Hey,” Jensen said softly, in my ear. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I reassured him. My eyes met his as I nodded.
He was still standing close with his arm around me, and our hips were touching. His blue eyes were intent on drilling through any ruse. “Are you sure?”
I stopped and gave him a wry look. “Of course.”
“Okay,” he muttered and moved away.
Chase and Teagan were talking to each other in low tones, and he ran a hand down the back of her head before he moved to the cupboard and began taking out plates and silverware. “Should we just eat in here?” He asked his wife.
“Yes, if you don’t mind,” Teagan answered.
Chase nodded and started setting six places around the island countertop. It was clear this was routine because Jensen went to another cupboard and took out four crystal glasses and two plastic ones for the kids. “Milk for those two?” he asked.
“Yes.” I nodded, turning the burner temperature to the off position, and put the clear glass lid on the pan. It would stay warm enough until the rice was finished cooking.
When the table was set, I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the salad Teagan had made earlier, along with a couple of dressing choices and placed them all on the table.
Chase was sitting next to Teagan and Jensen was leaning with both elbows on the end of the bar. Three sets of eyes were all staring at me intently.
Apparently, Chase and Jensen were cooking something up, and Chase had let Teagan in on it while when I wasn’t paying attention. My eyes moved from one of them to another and then landed back on Jensen. “What is it?”
I cleared my throat. “Chase and I discussed the situation, and we both agree, that we should get the two of you, and the kids, some security.” He was careful about his words, speaking slowly to gauge my reaction.
I looked across at Teagan who she put her hands up. “Hey, don’t look at me. This is all them.” She paused for a beat. “But I do think it’s a good idea, Missy.”
“I’m not taking any chances,” Jensen agreed calmly. “We have no idea what his intentions are. Is he here on a job, or is he here just for you?”
I swallowed, considering my response. “I guess… I don’t know. He never took jobs outside of Texas before. Maybe he’s already gone back to Dallas,” I added hopefully.
“We can’t assume anything, so we need to get this in place, right away,” Chase interjected.
I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel that Teagan had on the counter and then set it down again. Guilt descended like a heavy curtain over me, and my heart fell. “Maybe I should have stayed in Wyoming with Ben. Derrick didn’t bother us.” I sighed heavily. “I guess, after two years, I thought he’d leave us alone.”
Jensen got up and walked over to me, taking my hand. “He didn’t bother you because he knew Ben would beat the shit out of him if he tried anything. We’ve just got to convince him someone here will do the same thing.”
“Or, two someone’s,” Chase added with a bright, over exaggerated, smile.
“Thank you for being so supportive, but I feel like a huge burden,” I said wearily, putting a hand through my hair. “What exactly are you thinking?”
Chase shrugged. “Just one or two guys. Not a big deal.” He was so casual about it, like adding security guards was an everyday occurrence.
I inhaled so hard that it felt like my lungs would burst. “It is a big deal. First, it will scare Dylan, and second, it’s too expensive.”
Jensen squeezed my hand. “I’m working out the money. Don’t worry about it.” He was so sincere my heart would have melted if the entire situation wasn’t freaking me out. “Dylan will think it’s cool. Sort of like his own secret service. You’ll see.” He was trying to sell it to me, and maybe he’d be able to convince Dylan it was an adventure and not because he was in danger, but I knew better.
“Even if you don’t agree for extra guards for you and Dylan, I’m putting them in place for Teagan and Remi, either way.” Chase moved around to deal with the pressure cooker when the buzzer went off. I flipped a switch and steam started to escape in a powerful stream from the top. “Did you want this in a bowl, or just dish it up at the stove, Babe?” he asked his wife.
“Just dish it up,” Teagan answered, getting up from her chair and heading out of the kitchen. “I’ll go get the kids.”
Jensen’s fingers were rubbing over the tops of both of my hands making me look up into his face. “I don’t want this to be such a big deal. Derrick hasn’t called—"
“Since Monday?” he asked, knowingly. “Why didn’t you tell me it was Monday? It’s been hanging over you all week?”
“It’s not all week. It’s only a couple of days. I didn’t want you to freak out,” I began. He opened his mouth to protest, but I shook my head. “No. You would, and you know it. I didn’t want you rearranging work again. I don’t want to give Bryan Walsh any concern about my ability to do my job. Jensen, this is so important. I need to get stronger and over my fear of Derrick. I have to.” I hoped the emphasis on the word would make him understand that it wasn’t just about my physical safety; it was for peace of mind. If I was ever going to be free of Derrick, I had to let
go of the fear, too.
His head dropped until his forehead pressed against mine, his shoulders rising and falling as he sucked in his breath. His hands never let go of mine as he spoke softly. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. I don’t want you out of my sight.”
My heart leapt at the intensity in Jensen’s eyes. It was easy to see he meant every word. We were having a private conversation in the middle of the kitchen as Chase moved around us, getting the food ready and the children came racing down the stairs with Teagan following, but I barely noticed. “I’d rather you stay in Atlanta with Dylan. That would help me the most.”
Jensen’s eyes closed and I could almost hear his unspoken protest. “Okay. But we are getting the security guards.”
“We don’t even know if he’s still around. What are ya gonna do? Send them with me on every assignment? Or, have them follow Dylan around at school every day? That’s crazy.”
“What the hell do you want me to do?” His voice was tight and full of anger, his head lifting until I could see his eyes flashing fire. “I can’t sit here and do nothing!”
“Then, let me go to Philadelphia without worrying, and while I’m gone, you keep Dylan safe.”
I could see it was hard for Jensen not to take charge of the situation and that the conversation was far from over. I had to convince him that the best way to handle Derrick was to give him as little power over us as possible and hope I could stay calm myself. I was scared of Derrick; old habits were hard to break, but I was sure that having him think he still had control of me would be the worst way to handle the situation.
“Hi, Chase! Jensey!” Dylan squealed as he came running into the room. “Are we going to a game tonight? Are we, huh?”
“Not tonight, buddy,” he said regretfully, ruffling my son’s head as he looked up at him. “I know I promised, but I couldn’t get tickets tonight.” I knew he was lying to my son. Chase and Jensen had planned on taking the kids to a Braves game tonight, but after their “Derrick” discussion, they’d must have decided to call it off. “But we can stay here with your mom and Teagan, and we’ll all watch it together on the big screen.”
“Awww!” he moaned. His disappointment was clear. “It’s not the same!”
“We can practice some soccer moves during the breaks,” Chase added. “Is that better?”
“As long as it’s out in the backyard!” Teagan said.
Dylan’s face perked up, and he nodded his agreement. “Okay! What’s to eat?”
“Teagan made something delicious. Butter chicken,” I said, pulling out a stool. Jensen lifted first Dylan and then Remi up to sit at the table.
Dylan wrinkled his nose. “Butter chicken? What’s that?”
“It’s good; that’s what!” Remi spouted happily.
“Dylan, I want you to at least try it,” I ordered sternly.
“What’s in it?” he asked in distaste.
“Dylan!” I said sharply. “Don’t be disrespectful.”
“It’s chicken and rice, dumb dumb,” Remi said indignantly. Her enthusiasm for the dish was patently obvious.
“Remi,” Teagan warned, shaking her head. “We don’t name-call.”
“Yeah, but what’s that yellow stuff?” Dylan seemed unperturbed by Remi’s remark.
“It has a lot of yummy stuff in it. Just try it, honey. One bite, please.” Chase had been dishing up our dinner at the stove and passing out plates, handing Teagan and myself smaller portions for the kids at the same time. I placed it in front of my son, as she put Remi’s down in front of her. “Just one,” I reprimanded again.
Dylan reluctantly picked up his fork and stabbed a piece of the chicken, sniffing it before putting it tentatively into his mouth.
“It’s good, right?” Remi said, putting a forkful into her mouth.
Dylan nodded and continued to eat. “I guess it’s good, but it doesn’t look like butter.”
We all laughed as we sat down to the meal.
***
On Friday morning, I was feeling more at ease. Derrick hadn’t made any other contact since Tuesday night, and Jensen had backed off of his insistence that bodyguards be assigned to protect us, though he was going to take Dylan for the weekend while I was in Philadelphia, just in case Derrick was lurking.
I called his office to see if he was in back in Dallas, but he wasn’t available, and his secretary was not very forthcoming. It worried me a little, but I didn’t tell Jensen. I just wanted Dylan to enjoy the weekend with him without worrying about Derrick showing up.
I parked in the parking lot outside the ESPN office building and got out of my car, locking the door behind me, and began to walk around toward the front entrance. It was then that I saw the Ellington Construction logo across the door of the big Dodge Ram truck parked across the street.
My heart skipped a beat and then started pounding like thunder, my steps faltered as I glanced around, looking for Derrick. I should have known he wouldn’t give up so easily. I could only hope he was waiting for me outside and wouldn’t make a scene inside the lobby. My hand fluttered to cover my heart because I found it hard to breathe. After a moment’s pause, and with no sign of my ex-husband, I continued slowly into the building. A few of my associates nodded or murmured good morning greetings as I proceeded inside the glass-enclosed lobby.
Instantly, I scanned for evidence of Derrick, though I wouldn’t have needed to. I was barely six feet inside the revolving door when he rose from his seat across from the reception desk. Once again, my steps faltered. Dressed in work clothes of jeans and chambray shirt with the business logo embroidered over the left pocket; he looked different than he had two years ago. He must have a job in Atlanta.
Shit! My mind railed. What the hell would I do now?
Derrick began to walk toward me, slowly raising both hands in front of him. “I just want to talk, Melissa,” he said when he reached me.
I inhaled deeply. “This is my place of business, Derrick,” I hissed.
“Then I suggest you not make a scene.” He offered a smile, but it was for the benefit of the onlookers. His voice held a menacing tone that was all too familiar.
“I have meetings this morning,” I protested, struggling to find a reason, any reason, to get rid of him. My first instinct was to find Jensen, but he was off today, and so wasn’t in the building. “I don’t have time to talk now.”
“Make time,” he said through clenched teeth. “I won’t take that long, and I’ll be out of your way.”
I sighed and nodded toward the elevators. “Come up to my office, but I only have ten minutes.” My first meeting was with Jarvis, but it wasn’t for another hour, but I wanted him gone as soon as possible.
“Fine.” Derrick nodded sharply, using his hand to indicate I should lead the way. I felt my skin crawling as he followed me into the elevators and all the way up to my floor. I felt my face burning with heat but prayed my associates didn’t notice as we made our way through the cubicles to my office.
Derrick closed the door behind him, and I took off my coat and threw it down. “So talk, but make it fast.” Every muscle inside my body was coiled as I gingerly lowered myself into my chair behind my desk, grateful for the barrier that it provided between us.
He took one of the two upholstered chairs opposite me. “Look, I know you’re going to cover the Eagles this weekend. I want to take Dylan. Get to know him again. I have a job in Atlanta that will keep me here a couple of months. I want to use that time to get back into his life.”
“No.” I shook my head adamantly. “You’re not going to see Dylan under any circumstances.” Derrick never knew my son. He just ordered him around and beat on him like a tyrant.
It was easy to see Derrick’s anger rise. His neck seemed to swell before my eyes as color rose under the skin of his face, his expression was tight, and a muscle worked in his jaw. “I have a right to see him; he’s my son, too.”
“No. He’s mine. I don’t trust you, Derrick. He doesn’t want
to see you. He remembers how you treated him. Now, if that’s all—”
His fist raised and slammed down on the edge of my desk, causing me to jump in my chair. “No! It’s not all!” he said fiercely. “Who in the fuck do you think you are? You’re just some whore I was stupid enough to marry, and I won’t have you keeping me from my son!” He stood, looming over me. “I sure as hell won’t let that other man raise him! I’ll be damned if I’ll let that happen!” he seethed. “Who is he, anyway?”
I was physically shaking, my body and mind reliving some of the times he’d beaten me in the past. His anger was a tangible thing. My eyes looked longingly at my office door. I routinely kept the blinds in the glass window between my office and the department closed, and I wished that I’d left it open. “Just a friend,” I said, doing my best to calm him down. The last thing I wanted was for Derrick to target Jensen.
“You make friends fast, don’t you? Don’t think I don’t know how broke you are, Melissa. I’ll go to court, and I’ll win.”
“You didn’t win in Wyoming, so what makes you think you’ll win here?” I spat, fury giving me an unnatural bravado.
“Don’t underestimate me, woman! I’ll pay whoever I need to pay to fuck with your career, to say things about you that you won’t want made public. I’ll ruin your reputation, and show you are not fit. You’ve robbed me of my son for long enough. You don’t have a fucking restraining order here, and I will see him. Mark my words.”
I stood, railing at him, and pointing a finger in his direction. “You don’t have a son! You didn’t give a shit about him for years! You never cared about him! He was just another thing to own!”
The door to my office suddenly opened; Jarvis put his head inside. “Everything okay, Missy?
I smoothed down my skirt and then ran a hand through my hair as relief rushed through me. “Yes, Jarvis. We’re finished here.”
Jarvis must have been able to tell from my expression that something wasn’t right, because, thankfully, he hovered in the doorway. “Good, because we have to be in the producer’s office in five.”
Derrick was still steaming mad, but he nodded and moved toward the door. “I’ll go but remember what I said. I’ll call you to make arrangements.”