“Do you love her?”
The question hit him in the gut. He did love her. He just didn’t think she loved him back. He cleared his throat and spoke from his heart. “Yes. I love your daughter, and I adore your granddaughter. I would never do anything to hurt either one of them. Your daughter is smart . . . and funny. She sometimes takes life too seriously, but I love that about her, too. I love the way her hair falls down her back when she lets me pull it out of that blasted bun. I love her smile, the way her lips curl up, and the way it lights up her eyes.”
Douglas studied him for a moment. “Good. Because if you treat her like that other punk did . . .” His voice cracked but his threat never materialized.
Rick shook his head. “Of course not,” he said. “I’d never . . .”
Tara cleared her throat and Rick turned to see her standing in the archway between the living room and the dining room, her arms folded. He wasn’t sure how much of the conversation she had heard. “Dishes are done. Does anyone want cheesecake?”
“Yes, thank you,” Rick said, glancing over at her father. Douglas nodded.
They ate dessert, the conversation staying away from important things.
TARA LAID HER SLEEPING daughter on the guest bed and pulled the covers up, tucking her in. She turned the nightlight on and closed the door. If Kylee woke up in the night, she’d be on the other side of the wall and would hear her cries.
Tara stood in the hallway, her hand on her heart. She’d heard what Rick had said to her father. No wonder they paid him the big bucks. He was an amazing actor. She almost believed him when he professed his love.
And her father? Had he really gotten that upset about Bobby? It was the first time she’d seen any sign of him getting emotional over her. She knew he’d been mad when she married Bobby, but she thought it was because she was going against his wishes. This was the first time she realized it might be something else.
She slipped into the room that was her childhood bedroom. Everything was the same, down to the photos of her friends she had tacked to the corkboard around her mirror. They’d even left her old TV on her dresser. Rick sat on the bed in his usual lounge pants and t-shirt. “Did she sleep through you putting on her pajamas?”
“Yes. We wore her out with all the running in the backyard.”
“I must admit, I was a little jealous. I wanted to swing on that tire.”
Tara laughed. “I might pay good money to see that.”
He sobered. “Can I ask you something?”
Tara picked up her nightgown and leaned against the doorjamb of the tiny adjoining bathroom. “Yes.”
“Do you want to go back to school?”
Tara had not expected that at all. She thought about how to best choose her words. “I have to focus on Kylee right now.”
“Amanda can watch Kylee. If money were no object, would you enroll in college?”
Tara picked at her fingernail. She’d love nothing more than to go to college, but unfortunately, money was an object. It wasn’t realistic, even with the hundred thousand he was going to pay her. She had so much debt stacked up from Bobby taking her to court, most of it would go to paying that off. And what little would be left would be eaten up in a down payment on a small place to live. “I think my time has passed.”
Rick stood and crossed the room, leaning one hand against the wall. His close proximity made her heart jump. He smelled good. “Of course not. You’re young and smart. You’re not past anything. What were you planning on majoring in before you married Bobby?”
Tara broke his gaze. “I wanted to study French literature.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re ambitious. One thing I like about you.”
“Just one?” Why did she say that? She needed to stop flirting.
His grin widened. “There’s many more.”
She knew he’d flirt back. They’d been playing this game ever since they ran off to Las Vegas two weeks ago. She had to stop, though. It was hard on her heart. She took a step back. “Well, school was just a dream. I have to raise a daughter, and the money you’re paying me is all going to settle my debt and get us a new start. There won’t be any left for college.”
His smile vanished, and his jaw worked. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but simply nodded and backed up.
She hugged her nightgown to her chest. “I’m going to change and get ready for bed.”
“Okay.”
After she was done in the bathroom she made her way through the dim light to the bed. Rick was on the far side, already under the covers. They’d been sharing a bed since the wedding, and Rick hadn’t made any moves on her, but this was not a king-sized bed. She’d have to sleep right next to him. She swallowed and climbed in.
“I can sleep on the floor if you’re uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice squeaking. Smooth.
Rick chuckled. “I’ll sleep with my back to you. Would that help?”
“Thanks.” She turned over as well, their backs now pressed against each other. The warmth from the contact seeped through her nightgown. She sighed. Sleep might take a while to come to her tonight.
“If you wanted to take a few classes . . . while we’re still married, I mean . . . I think it would be a great idea,” he said, his voice quiet in the darkness.
She bit her lip. Would she even dare to start something like that, just to have to stop when they divorced? She’d hate to start something she couldn’t finish, but it would be stupid of her not to take him up on his offer. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think for too long. Fall registration is happening now, I’m sure.”
She smiled even though he couldn’t see her. Start college? Her excitement grew at the thought. She could really start classes in a few months, if she wanted to? That was almost too good to be true. She clutched the covers. “Thanks, Rick.”
He didn’t answer.
Chapter 22
Rick sat back in the lounge chair, a cold Diet Coke in his hand. The bright sun made it hard to see without squinting. He slid on his sunglasses. Kylee squealed and giggled as Tara pushed her on the tire swing. Douglas and Joyce sat with Rick on the patio, watching their granddaughter.
Joyce turned to Rick. “What movie are you working on?”
He forced a smile. “I’m between movies right now, but there are some things coming down the pike that look promising.” He’d said the words so many times, he could say them without thought.
“Ooh, really? Can you talk about them?” Joyce’s eyes lit up.
“No, not really.” Easy way out of that.
Her gaze fell. “Oh.”
Dang. Now she was disappointed. He leaned forward. “But if you can keep a secret, I did audition for a new Disney film. I’m not allowed to say which one, but the script is epic.”
She grinned conspiratorially. “I won’t tell a soul. How exciting!”
Kylee wiggled down from the tire swing and ran to Douglas. “Come play with me!” She tugged on his hand.
He hesitated, but then a smile spread across his face. “Alright.” He crossed the grass with her and lifted her gently onto the tire swing, almost like she was made of glass.
Tara came and sat down on Douglas’s chair. She wiped her forehead. “Man, she wears me out.”
“Just like you when you were that age,” Joyce said.
Tara smiled. Rick loved the way it reached her eyes. “I did love to run, didn’t I?”
Douglas laughed at something Kylee said.
“I know he’s still angry I married Bobby. But he seems to be mellowing out a little since yesterday’s outburst,” Tara said.
“He just wants what’s best for you. You know that, don’t you?” Joyce said.
Tara nodded. “Yes, I think I understand it better now. When he kicked me out, I thought he was mad at me. Hated me, even. Now I see he was trying to protect me from myself. He was trying to keep me from getting hurt, but he didn’t know h
ow to do it.”
Joyce worried her hands together. “We saw how immature Bobby was. How self-centered he could be. He loved you in the way a person loves a hamburger. He wanted to use you to satisfy his hunger. But a marriage needs to be built on more. You need the kind of love that puts the other person first.”
Rick blinked. He’d never thought about it that way before, but it made perfect sense. Was he putting Tara first, or wanting to use her? Obviously, he hadn’t started out loving her at all. The whole situation was for their mutual benefit. But now that he had feelings for her, he wasn’t sure where he stood.
Her long-term goal was to move back to the Midwest. He could see the draw. Clear skies, green grass, and the air smelled fresh and clean. Would he be acting selfish if he proposed she stay with him in L.A.?
He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that he was treating Tara like a hamburger.
Douglas came back over to the group of adults. A scraping noise rang out as he pulled another folding chair over to them. Kylee was now picking dandelions.
“How long are you planning on staying?” Douglas asked.
“I thought we’d leave tomorrow, if it’s okay to stay another night,” Rick said.
“That’s fine.”
“We’re glad you came.” Joyce lowered her gaze. “We weren’t sure you would.”
Rick reached out and took Tara’s hand. He wasn’t sure why, but he thought maybe she needed the reassurance. Tara looked like she was working up the courage to say something. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry for running off with Bobby.” She lifted her gaze to meet her father’s. “You were right about him.”
Her father set his jaw. His fingers tapped on the sides of his chair. “I shouldn’t have kicked you out.” He didn’t look like he was done, so no one said anything. Time seemed to tick by slowly as everyone waited for him to finish. “I was wrong.”
No one moved for a few heartbeats. Then Tara blinked a few times. “It’s all in the past.”
A tension hung in the air for a moment before Joyce said, “Where’s Kylee?”
Rick quickly scanned the backyard but didn’t see her. Tara jumped out of her chair. “Kylee!” she called.
The backyard wasn’t fenced in, but hedges surrounded the area. It would be most likely that she wandered on into the front yard. Rick walked around the side of the house, checking the bushes and behind the air conditioning unit to see if she were hiding. “Kylee?”
With no sign of the little girl, his concern grew, especially when he saw Tara, Douglas, and Joyce coming around the other side of the house without her.
“Kylee!” Tara yelled, her face pale, her gaze scanning the street.
“Mommy!”
Bobby stepped out from behind the neighbor’s tree, carrying Kylee on one hip. Kylee grinned, one arm hugging Bobby’s neck. “Daddy’s here.”
Acid boiled up in Rick’s stomach and he marched over to Bobby. Tara ran and took Kylee. She wrapped Kylee in her arms protectively and backed away from her ex.
Anger pulsed through Rick. He swung a fist and punched Bobby in the right eye. Bobby went down like someone cut his puppet strings. Rick wasn’t expecting that at all, and just stared at him sprawled out on the ground. Joyce sucked in a breath and Tara said, “Oh!”
Bobby clutched his eye and moaned. Then he stood and pointed to Rick, his pain suddenly gone. He looked at something across the street. “Did you get that?”
A man stepped out from the shadows holding a camera with a zoom lens. “Yep.”
Rick’s anger intensified, filling his chest with heat. “You did this on purpose? To set me up?”
“I’m calling the police,” Douglas said.
Bobby grinned. “Yes! Call the police. I want to press charges.”
“I’m calling because you tried to kidnap my granddaughter,” Douglas said, almost growling.
Bobby held up his hands. “Whoa, I didn’t take Kylee. She came running to me when she saw me. I’m on a public sidewalk.” He took a step off the grass so his statement could be true. “I’m her father and I have a right to see her.”
What a lowlife. It made Rick sick to see Bobby using Kylee like that. He wanted to pound him into the ground. Rick grabbed Bobby’s shirt in his fists. A satisfied grin spread across Bobby’s face. “Go ahead. He’s still filming.”
Rick released Bobby and took several steps back. He dragged his hand through his hair, trying to calm his anger. Nothing good would come from him beating up Bobby on camera. Shoot, he was already in trouble. People would flock to Bobby’s defense, given the footage the man across the street had. Rick realized his career could be completely over if that surfaced.
No one seemed to know what to do. Douglas stood frozen, his phone out but not making a move to call the police like he’d threatened. Joyce and Tara shielded Kylee from Bobby. Rick stared at the smug look on Bobby’s face. He’d won.
“I’d hate for that video to get out,” Bobby said, smoothing his shirt.
“I bet you would,” Rick said under his breath. How had Tara ever seen anything good in this guy? He was slimy. And from the look on Tara’s face, she was thinking the exact same thing.
“I think we can all come to an understanding.” Bobby stuck his hands in his pockets and looked up at the sky like he was commenting on the good weather.
The only understanding Rick wanted was the one where his fist was down Bobby’s throat. He shouldn’t have given in to Bobby in the first place. This had gotten out of control. And now there was no way to stuff the genie back in the bottle. He’d probably spend the rest of his life doing whatever Bobby wanted in order to keep Tara and Kylee safe.
A small movement from Douglas caught his eye. He had opened his camera app, the lens still pointed to the ground. Rick returned his gaze to Bobby, praying Douglas would turn on his video recorder. “What do you want, Bobby?”
“I want your agent to get me some auditions.”
Perfect. Rick resisted the temptation to glance at Douglas’s phone. “Just auditions?”
Bobby froze, a look of glee spreading across his face. “Can you rig the auditions?”
What a slimeball. And an idiot on top of it. “Is that what you want?”
A hungry look came into Bobby’s eyes. “Yes. I want a part. Not just anything. A good one.”
“And if I can’t get you that?” Rick asked.
Bobby glanced back at the guy across the street. “The video will come out.”
Rick nodded, pretending to think about it. “What about Kylee?”
“If you get me a big enough part, I’ll be too busy to use my allotted time with her. You’ll be rid of me.”
“Hmm.” Rick frowned. “I can’t believe I fell for your setup. Pretty clever, staging something like this.”
Bobby chuckled. “I’m not as stupid as people think.”
Rick turned to Douglas. “You getting all this?”
“Oh, yeah,” Douglas said, turning the phone up so it was now recording Bobby’s face.
Rick turned back to Bobby, who had lost his smug look. “I have you on tape blackmailing me. You basically just admitted you set me up.”
Bobby’s face turned white. “Hey, now, I didn’t—”
“Listen.” Rick took a step toward Bobby, who backed up and bumped against the tree. Rick stuck his finger in Bobby’s face. “I’m going to sue you for everything you’re worth. You might be able to put up a decent fight in court, but I have more resources than you do, and better lawyers. I can drag this thing on until you have nothing left.”
Sweat broke out on Bobby’s forehead. Rick continued. “You are a sorry excuse for a human being. You treat your daughter as a pawn. I’m going to take this tape to court and sever your parental rights.”
“You can’t do that,” Bobby said, his voice squeaking.
“Maybe not, but you’ll spend months in court fighting it. Is that really how you want to spend your money?”
Bobby swallowed, his Adam’s apple risin
g and falling. He took a step to the side around the tree and backed away from Rick. “Look, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
Tara took a step toward Bobby, still cradling Kylee to her chest. “You didn’t mean any trouble? How long have you been waiting outside my parents’ house? I wonder if the neighbors have seen you hanging around. I bet the police would be really interested in what you’re doing lurking around the neighborhood.”
Bobby retreated further. “I’m not—this isn’t what it looks like. I think this has been a big misunderstanding.” He held his palms out. “I think we’re all fine here. No need to do anything rash.”
“I’m glad we’ve gotten everything sorted out,” Rick said.
Bobby gave them a pathetic smile. “So we’re good?”
Tara hugged Kylee close. “Leave, Bobby.”
Bobby turned and jogged toward his car. Rick exhaled, not realizing he had been holding his breath.
Chapter 23
Tara couldn’t stop shaking. She sat in her parents’ living room, holding Kylee on her lap. As soon as Kylee realized her father was leaving, she’d wailed. Rick had taken her and consoled her until she stopped crying, but Tara needed to hold her daughter. She couldn’t believe she’d let Kylee slip away from her. Those brief moments when she didn’t know where Kylee was had terrified her.
Rick sat down next to Tara and handed her a glass of ice water. “Here, drink this.”
She took a gulp, the icy water sliding down her throat, numbing her.
“He’s gone. He won’t come back.” Rick wrapped his arm around her, his contact sending her heart into overdrive.
“How can you be sure?”
“He just wanted leverage so I would do his bidding. He doesn’t have that anymore. We have evidence. He’s not going to want to risk that getting out.”
“What about . . . ?” She looked down at Kylee, who had snuggled in and closed her eyes.
“We can’t legally stop him from seeing her. But when they have visits, I can hire protection for her, so we make sure he won’t ever take her and run.”
[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 79