The Laws of Love

by Belle Winters

  I took a step closer to him. “Then what the fuck is it? Because it looks pretty fucking bad.” My arms were straining ready to take the first punch.

  My mother appeared out of nowhere and put a hand on both of our chests. “What is going on over here?” she hissed. I looked up and noticed that we’ve created an audience but I don’t care.

  “Ask these two, they look real fucking cozy.” I said waving at them.

  My mother glared at me but didn’t correct my language. “Charlie?” she asked looking at him with a question.

  He shook his head. “Seriously it’s not like that.”

  Cassie stepped forward. “It’s my fault. I don’t know what he thought he saw but we were only talking… and dancing.”

  I grunted. “and kissing.” I threw in.

  My mother looked to Charlie with wide eyes. “Not like that…” he said again.

  She looked all the way fed up. “All of you go upstairs and handle this.”

  Charlie backed up a step. “Nope, I’m out of this. They can go though.” And he turned on his heel and walked away. I started to follow after him, I still wanted to kick his ass.

  My mom slapped my chest. “Up. Stairs. Now.” She demanded and he was lucky I loved my damn mother.

  I gripped Cassie’s arm and practically dragged her up the stairs. I took her to my room and slammed the door so hard I think the shit almost came off its hinges.

  “Relax, I’m not sure – “she started but I was already done.

  “WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?” I roared.

  She flinched but I don’t fucking care. “Charlie and I were just talking I swear.”

  “What the fuck were you talking about that way?” I asked. My body was shaking with anger.

  “Can you just sit down and we can talk?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “you can fucking sit down, you need to start talking… NOW.”

  She wrung her hands together. “Fine. All of this goes back to before Christmas…” she began.

  I saw red, we were still together then. If she tells me she was feeling Charlie or something happened between them before I’m going to lose the last shred of my sanity. How she had me this wound up I have no idea, but here we were. I crossed my arms holding her prisoner under my death glare.

  “Alright so that day when we were in your office and I got sick while we were eating… I felt like that that night. When it happened again the next day I thought for sure I had a stomach bug. It was weird because that was the only symptom I had…”

  I was getting annoyed. “Can you get to the point and how Charlie factors into all of this?” I asked impatiently.

  Her eyes flashed with anger but she controlled herself. “Anyway my mom knew about me being sick and she made a suggestion. Initially I couldn’t handle it so I kind of tuned out. I was afraid and was trying to come up with a million other reasons than the one that she suggested. That was the day before Christmas eve. I was depressed and distracted and confused. I didn’t know how to handle it and I wasn’t even sure so I couldn’t really say anything. Then after the fight we had and I went home I decided I needed to know. The not knowing was what was killing me.” She sighed. “Then I found out she was right and well; I didn’t feel the way I thought I would. I thought it would ease my stress but it hadn’t at all. It just opened up a whole new can of worms. With everything confirmed and you approaching me that day I just, I was a nut case. I knew you wouldn’t like what I had to say so I thought it was easier to just not say it.”

  I tapped my foot. “And Charlie?” I prodded again.

  “Right so he called me out on my shit basically and I told him. He acted so much like a big brother that I couldn’t help but talk to him about it. That was all. He was actually just telling me to talk to you about things and being supportive. You shouldn’t be mad at him.”

  I put my hands on my hips and looked at her. “I get what you’re saying but you’re going about it in a roundabout way. Nowhere in your story did you say what it was you weren’t telling me.”

  She groaned. “I forgot you’re a fucking lawyer. Seriously though you might want to sit down.” I suggested.

  I shook my head. “Out with it. Whatever it is has already caused enough trouble, might as well let it out.”

  “Impregnant!” she blurted out as one long word that she couldn’t hold in anymore.

  “What?” I asked. I think she said I’m pregnant but she isn’t talking clearly.

  “I said I’m pregnant.” Ok so I did hear her right the first time. That seat was sounding like a mighty fine idea now.

  I took a seat at the edge of the bed. “You’re pregnant.” I repeated.

  She eyes me wearily and nodded her head. “Like with a baby?” I asked for clarification.

  I shook my head. “No need to be sarcastic.”

  “no need to ask stupid questions.” She shot back.

  “Listen, you freaked the fuck out on me, practically lost your shit when you thought you were pregnant. I’m just finding out so excuse the fuck out of me for having some type of reaction.”

  She jumped to her feet and started for the door. “That is why I didn’t say anything to you. I knew you would react badly and I didn’t want to face it. Well there it is, thanks for showing me that.”

  I was right on her heels. “Don’t fucking walk out the door. Goddammit just give me a fucking moment.”

  She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at me. “I don’t know what to say or to do right now. I’m scared shitless right now and you’re not helping any.”

  I sighed, she was wearing me the fuck out seriously. My mind was trying to take it all in and all she was doing was fucking nagging the shit out of me. I wanted to leave to go home to think, I haven’t been able to have a straight thought with her around me in a while and this shit wasn’t helping. I also knew that it wasn’t the right thing to do. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t go over well in that bat shit crazy noggin of hers.

  “Cassie… please just give me a minute to get my head together. That’s all I ask for right now. Can I have that?” I asked her in a desperate plea.

  She sighed and sat back down. It was silent for a few minutes each of us lost in our own thoughts. “Are you mad at me?” she asked quietly.

  I did a double take at her. “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “You know, are you mad at me? About this, and me being bitchy and lashing out, and well… everything.”

  I sighed. “Why would I be mad at you about that? it’s not like you did something to me Cass it’s just a lot to take in at once. And yes, I’m angry at you for being bitchy. You could’ve just come out and told me when I was asking you. I just wanted to be there for you and help you as best as I could, but you shut me the fuck out. We could’ve did this together. I wouldn’t be in so much shock and you wouldn’t have been going ape shit on me over the whole thing.”

  “I did not go ape shit.” she tried to say in her defense. I quirked my eyebrow at her to indicate that I called bullshit and she huffed. “Fine! I may have freaked out a tad bit but can you blame me?”

  I shook my head. “No, but I think you could’ve handled the situation a little bit better though.” I admitted.

  “Can we just call a truce?” she asked.

  “No, can you admit this is your fault?” I asked.

  “You stubborn bastard. Fine I started this shit now you know I’ve apologized and now where do we go from here?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “The doctor?” I suggested.

  Her eyebrows rose. “You’re really not going to kill me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Can you quit the shit already. I’m not mad that you’re pregnant I’m mad at you because you’re you. You have to go to the doctor that much at least I know and I guess we can ask our parents about the rest or look it up, get some books.” I shrugged. “We may not have been looking for this but it’s happening.”

  I stood up and she watched me. “You need to pack your shit… aga
in.” I said.

  “Why?”

  “Because, you’re moving into my home.” I said leaving the room.

  She followed me out of the room and down the hall before she gripped my arm. “Was there a question in that statement that I missed?” she asked.

  I got a hold of her arm again and backed her into the wall. “No, there was no question.” I slammed my lips onto hers and she instantly melted into me. I kissed the shit out of her for all the missed days, minutes, and hours that I could’ve spent doing this to her if not for her being a pain. I pulled back slowly and her lips followed mine. “Are we done talking about this?”

  She nodded slowly and licked her lips. Her breathing was irregular and the faint blush coating her chest told me everything, she was turned on. “Let’s go back to the party.” I said grabbing her hand.

  When we returned to the party I noticed a few curious stares on us. Victoria made her way through the crowd and I saw she had me zeroed into her sights. I sighed, I didn’t want to deal with her annoying ass. Cassie gave me enough of a headache for the whole year.

  She put on a hand on my chest and shot Cassie a glare. I was getting really fucking tired of her shit. “Baby, what happened?” she purred.

  Cassie tensed and I rolled my eyes. I pried her hand off of my chest and shook my head. “Don’t.” That was my first and only warning.

  She caught my eye and became cautious. She saw the warning, but she decided to push her luck. Bad decision. “Don’t let her ruin our night. Let’s go back to your place.” She looked at Cassie with a smile.

  “One. There’s no we, us, or any other pronoun you can think of. We don’t talk, we’re not friends, and I frankly don’t fucking like you. Don’t push your luck with me just because I can remain cordial in public.” My grip on Cassie’s hand tightened and I started tugging her away leaving Victoria there with her mouth gaping open.

  Cassie pulled against me stopping me in my tracks. She turned to Veronica and her smile was sinister. “Plus, that’s my man. You keep coming around him and you’ll have to answer to me.”

  Veronica seemed to gain back some of her bravado. “Oh no sweetie. He doesn’t do relationships. You poor thing, are sadly mistaken.”

  Cassie dropped my hand completely and walked right into Veronica’s face. I became a little nervous because I know what a hellion Cass could be and Veronica wasn’t built for that. “Oh no sweetie, he is in fact mine. I don’t fuck around with what’s mine so I would suggest that you back off. You put your hands on him I will put my hands on you and not in the way you’re probably hoping. As of a few minutes ago we will be living together soon. That’s the type of shit that’s happening over here.” Now she was practically toe to toe with Veronica. “This is my one and only warning baby girl. Leave him the fuck alone. You have no chance and its done.” With that Cassie turned on her heel and slipped her hand back in mine. She gave me a bright smile while she’s searching for my reaction and I leaned down and kissed her. I loved her little feisty ass. Hold up. Did I just think that? Love? Goddamn, I’m in far deeper than I thought I was.

  Chapter 13

  Cassie

  It felt good to lay a claim on Ayde. When I said it out loud to another person it made it seem real. He was really mine, we were together, and we were having a baby… oh and moving in together. Yep, pretty fucking fast if you ask me.

  He led me back to the party and I caught Irene’s eye. She was watching us with a smile and knowing glint in her eye. I guess seeing us hand in hand means that the talk she forced upon us was successful. I nodded my head her way and she turned her attention back to the person in front of her.

  “Care to dance?” Drayden asked.

  Could I turn him down? Not at all. “Sure.”

  He led me out and Bruno Mars’ song Gorilla was playing. He kept his grip on my hand and wrapped an arm around my back pulling me in close. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I sighed. “I missed you.” I admitted softly.

  I felt his sharp intake of breath. “I missed you too sweetheart.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He chuckled. “I know.” He reached up and put a finger under my chin directing my head up. “You look beautiful tonight.” He told me and I could see the desire in his eyes.

  “I picked this dress at first because it was almost the color of your eyes.” I admitted and felt a blush coat my cheeks.

  He smiled. “I’m flattered. Where do you think I got this blue from?” he asks motioning to his blue vest and tie.

  “It looks good on you.” I said. The slow throb that he had stirred earlier was pulsing even harder now. Being this close to him, breathing in his scent… I could still taste him on my lips. It was all so very intoxicating.

  “You should see me when I take it off.” He responded with a waggle of his eyebrows.

  I laughed at his silliness. “And when do I get to see this?”

  His eyebrows shot up. “We can get to work on that now.” He suggested. When I nodded he looked surprised then determined. The next thing I knew we were in his car on the way to his home. The second that we were through the door clothes were flying, teeth were clashing, and hands were everywhere. We didn’t make it past the couch for the first round.

  Drayden

  After we deposited her parents safely to the airport, we headed back to the penthouse to start packing her things. There was no point in wasting time really and to be honest I liked waking up to her. I spoke to my father about what we’d been working on and he was baffled. When I gave him the names involved he told me that he was familiar with Gregory Simmons. He was friends with his father and could arrange a golf game with all of us.

  I knew I was a lucky bastard to have such a supporting and loyal family. Shelly was in and so was my dad. Everyone doing what they could to help me fix this whole mess. When I took over the reins for my father I promised myself that I would not let the company crumble under my hands. He had worked his ass off to create everything this place was and I would be a failure to myself if I let these weasels tarnish not only my company but my family name with this bullshit. Cassie’s loyalty to me and having this resolved was a welcomed surprise. Once I saw how dedicated she was to doing this with me I was blown away and extremely grateful. The one thing I didn’t like – and still doesn’t – is her lack of faith in herself. When she’s paid compliments on how smart she is and her work ethic she’s always so surprised and unsure of herself.

  “I’m over this, I don’t want to pack anymore.” Cassie pouted.

  Since she’d moved in she had accumulated more things. Her closet was starting to look fuller and she actually kept all the shit I bought for her.

  “Stop complaining, we’re almost done then I’m having a moving company take care of the hard shit.” I told her.

  She rolled her eyes and pouted at me. “But I’m so tired.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You sound like a five-year-old. Get your ass up and move it woman.”

  She grunted and got back to work. “You’re fucking bossy you know that?” she asked.

  I nodded. “I do. When we’re done I’m going to take you home then I need to head to the golf course. I don’t want to be late.”

  She stood and gave me a goofy smile. “Yes sir!” she said with a mock salute and I flipped her off.

  We were finished and I got her home with barely enough time for me to make it to the golf course. I ended up running a few stop signs and I may have turned right on red like it was legal in the City. Let me not expose all the laws I just broke before I have cops and a million dollars in fines on their way to me… In any event, I made it there by the skin of my teeth.

  My father had set this up to seem like a friendly meeting. Catching up with an old friend and all, and that he would have me so he suggested that Darren – Gregory’s dad – bring his son as well to even things out.

  When I walked into the private club all three men were standing in the entryway chatting. “Hey dad.” I greeted him
pulling him into a quick hug.

  “You made it. I was a bit worried there.” He laughed and patted me on the back. He gestured to the two men beside him. “You remember Greg don’t ya Ayde?” he asked.

  I nodded. That’s what you do most of the time when your parents ask if you remember someone… which they do even if you’ve only seen the person twice in your life ages ago. “Nice to see you again.” I said by way of greeting.

  Darren smiled. “I’ve only heard great things about you man. This is my son Greg; you’ve met him before but you were both really young.”

  Greg offered his hand to me. “Nice to meet you… again.” He said with a chuckle. I followed along.

  “Right.” I turned to my dad and slapped him on the back gently. “Ready to get beat old man?” I asked him.

  Golf has never been my thing but any sport I play with my dad turns into a competition despite the reason we’re there. “Remember I’m the one that takes you to the sandbox.” He replied and I laughed. My father led the way to get ourselves together and out on the field.

  For the first time, I wasn’t into the game. My father was hell of competitive and I took after him in that sense. However, the true reason why we were here was weighing heavily on my mind. Today’s goal wasn’t to compete with my father it was to get close to Greg and get information out of him. I cozied up to him throughout the first few holes keeping things very social but strictly towards the here and now. I cracked old dad jokes with him and we babbled about mundane shit. I waited until we were past a quarter through to make things a bit more personal.

  “These old timers man… always so damn serious.” I joked.

  He nodded and laughed. “They take these things to heart. There are so many other things that are way more important… and have a hell of a better payout.”

  I saw my opening and faked a groan. “ugh, please don’t talk work. It’s enough that as his son I was expected to take over the company. It sucks, it’s as though they reproduce looking for someone to be just like them. That is exhausting.”