“He doesn’t have to be perfect,” Kinsley said, her voice low. “He only has to be perfect for you.”
During the long pause that followed, I pondered that. According to my mother, my ex-boyfriend, Eric was perfect for me. Connected, rich, handsome … everything a girl like me is supposed to want. Of course, we all know how that turned out. Still, Chase had more than proven himself to me. The only thing holding me back from telling him exactly how I felt was me.
“We have a problem.”
I looked up from the pile of homework surrounding me on the bed as Chase barreled into my bedroom. After spending my entire Saturday pre-screening families for Blob, I was way behind on my homework for the weekend, so I’d dedicated Sunday to catching up.
“Shhh!” Kinsley admonished from where she sat in front of her laptop, churning out an essay. “Some of us are trying to work here.”
I glanced up and frowned at the look I found on Chase’s face. Pure terror mixed with panic. “What’s going on? I wasn’t expecting you until later.”
“Yeah, about that …” he trailed off, running a hand through his curls. “My mother is here.”
“Here?” I screeched. “As in, in our apartment?”
He nodded, his expression turning sheepish. “If I’d had time to call ahead and warn you, I would have, but things didn’t really work out that way. She wants to meet you.”
Panic tore through me as I stood and faced my reflection in the full-length mirror on the wall. My hair was in a messy bun on top of my head, my shorts were indecently short, and my baby bump was showing through the bottom of my tank top. Blob gave me a little kick, which only combined with my nervousness to make me feel sick.
“I can’t meet her looking like this!” I hissed, peering past him and down the staircase. I couldn’t see her, but I could feel his mother’s presence. “I’m not dressed and I’m not wearing any make-up.”
Chase grabbed my shoulders and gave me a gentle shake. “Chloe, you’re beautiful. Calm down. I told her about the baby because I figured she has a right to know she has a grandchild out there somewhere. She asked me about the mother, and then insisted we come over here so she could meet you. She has work all next week and won’t have time, so it had to be now.”
I forced myself to take a deep breath. “Your mother. What’s she like?”
“A female version of me, basically,” he said.
I groaned. “Oh God, she’s going to hate me!”
Chase chuckled. “Maybe at first. But hey, you won me over didn’t you? It’ll be fine. Put some pants on and come downstairs.”
He kissed my forehead, then backed out of the room, closing the door behind himself. I pivoted toward Kinsley, positive my eyes were bugging out of my head in shock. “Help me!” I wailed as I dashed toward the closet, rifling through its contents for something to wear.
Kinsley stood, shoving her laptop aside. “Oh my God, your hair is a mess,” she mumbled as she yanked at my bun and sent my hair cascading down my back. Running a comb through it, she followed me around the room as I tossed outfit after outfit aside.
“How could he do this to me at the last minute? I am so not good with parents!”
“My parents like you,” she offered.
“I meant the parents of the guys I’m dating.”
“Yeah, but you don’t date.”
“I haven’t in a very long time, but let’s just say once upon a time there once was a girl named Chloe, who always said the wrong things at the wrong times to her boyfriends’ parents. We’re talking highly inappropriate stuff here, Kins.”
“Just relax. Wear the black maxi dress, it still fits you and it’s pretty without being too dressy. Remember to smile, and to think before you say anything. Just be yourself.”
“Didn’t you hear Chase say she’s a feminine version of him? I can’t be myself.” I pulled my clothes off quickly and slid into the dress. I cringed at my reflection—not a drop of make-up. I was a hot mess, but there wasn’t much I could do without keeping Mrs. Watkins waiting for too long. “Okay, I think I’m ready.”
“Cool, leave the door open so I can listen in.”
“Kinsley!”
She shrugged as she climbed back onto her bed, reaching for her laptop. “What? Since Luke and Jenn moved out, and you and Chase became a couple, nothing juicy ever happens around here anymore. I need entertainment.”
Shooting her a dirty look over my shoulder, I made my way to the stairs. I paused on the landing to collect myself again before descending. I could hear Chase’s voice coming from the kitchen and the clink of cups. Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I paused in the doorway of the kitchen.
A woman—who I estimated to be about in her mid-forties—sat at our kitchen table with a ceramic mug between her fingers. She was curvy and tall, with a tanned and weathered face that suggested she spent a lot of time outdoors. Tiny smile lines surrounded eyes so identical to Chase’s it was scary. Her hair was the same rich mahogany color, though instead of curls, she was sporting waist-length dreadlocks. There was definitely an Earth mother vibe happening here. Both her wrists were covered with colorful, braided bracelets, and she was wearing a T-shirt with the outline of a snowman on the front that said “Snowmen against Global Warming” across the chest. I could see where Chase got his sense of style from.
She stood as I entered the kitchen, her eyes sharp as she sized me up. Chase paused in pouring hot water into a mug and set the pot aside, coming toward me. His hand found the small of my back and he gently pushed me forward.
“Mom, this is Chloe.”
She stepped toward me, hands on her wide hips as she looked me up and down. “Well, Chase, she doesn’t look at all like the stuck-up snob you described.”
My eyes widened at the insult and I found my hand reflexively going to my belly. I cleared my throat, trying to choke back my response before it could come out … but damn it, fish gotta swim. “Chase, you didn’t tell me you were related to the Marley family!” I exclaimed with mock surprise.
Chase’s eyes widened, but to my surprise his mother actually laughed. It was boisterous and loud, a lot like Chase’s. “Okay, you were right,” she said to her son with a huge grin. “I like her already.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I told myself to relax. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Watkins.”
“Please, call me Laura.”
“You want some tea, Chloe?” Chase offered, gesturing toward the pot.
“Sure.”
I took the chair across from Laura as she settled back in. I finally noticed that the television was on and tuned in to the Cowboys game. A teenage boy with broad shoulders and a mop of cinnamon-colored hair sat rocking back and forth, his eyes fixated on the screen.
“That must be Shannon,” I said.
Laura nodded. “That’s my baby boy. He’s obsessed with football and he loves the Cowboys. I figured if we put the game on, it would keep the guys out of our hair so we could talk.”
Oh God, please don’t leave me, I thought as Chase approached with my cup. No such luck, though.
“Thank you, Chase. Now beat it,” Laura demanded with a smile. “Time for girl talk.”
“You ladies be good,” Chase said teasingly, shooting me a pointed look over his mom’s head.
“I won’t hurt the girl, Chase. Geez.”
I forced a laugh as Chase disappeared into the living rom. Clapping Shannon on the shoulder, he plopped onto the couch beside his brother and the two became lost in man land.
“Now,” Laura said, fixing her astute gaze on me, “we can really talk. I don’t want my son hovering over us. He’s worried I’ll say something mean or hurt your feelings, but you look like a big girl.”
I lifted my chin as I held on to my mug, its warmth suffusing into my palms. “You want to talk about the baby. I don’t see any reason why we can’t cut to the chase.”
Laura nodded, taking a quick sip from her own mug. “All right then. I can’t say I was all that e
cstatic when Chase told me he’d gotten someone pregnant. Don’t get me wrong, I did want to be a grandmother someday, but Chase is just getting started in life. My son is going to be someone, he’s going to change the world. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of that. If it were up to me, he’d still be in Bryan, not here busting his ass to take care of his brother and me.”
“He’s a good guy,” I said. “He told me why he came to Austin, and I think it’s very honorable. I don’t see why he can’t do the decent thing and still save the world. If anyone is capable of that, it’s Chase.”
Laura nodded, a few of her dreads falling over one shoulder. “You’re right about that, but becoming a father, taking care of his single mother and autistic brother, and still living all of the dreams he has for himself? I just don’t see that panning out.”
“Then I’m sure you’re relieved about our decision to put the baby up for adoption,” I countered. “Trust me, it didn’t come easy, but we think we’re doing the right thing.”
“Oh, I know you are,” she replied, one eyebrow raised. “My concerns over the baby are no longer an issue. Chase is a smart boy, and you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders, so I know you’ll find a suitable home for the little one.”
I folded my arms over my chest, not sure I liked where this conversation was going. “You’re worried about Chase being involved with me after the baby,” I stated, narrowing my eyes at her. “You don’t think us being together is a good idea.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” she said slowly, carefully, “but it’s hardly practical. Other than this child, you have nothing in common.”
“We care about each other.”
“No one doubts that,” she said with a shrug. “I hear the way my son talks about you, and I know he’s head over heels. My worry stems from the way this relationship started. A fling that led to a pregnancy. How do I know you two won’t hop into bed as soon as you’re healed from childbirth, and have another little accident?”
“Blob is not an accident!” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low so Chase wouldn’t hear. Based on the cheers and jeers coming from the living room, he and Shannon were in another world.
Laura frowned. “Blob?”
“It’s what we’re calling the baby until we know the sex and the adoptive parents pick a name. And he’s not an accident.”
“But he wasn’t planned, either,” Laura pointed out. “Listen, Chloe, I don’t want to be the bad guy here. You seem like a perfectly lovely young woman. You’re beautiful, and from Chase tells me, you’re very ambitious and driven, and even though we’re from different worlds, I’m a feminist at heart so I can admire that. At the end of the day, it just seems that you and Chase’s lives are going on separate paths. It just seems like one, or both of you, will be hurt in the end.”
Clutching my belly, I stood slowly. “That might be true,” I admitted. “Trust me, I told Chase the same thing, but you know your son better than I do … he’s a stubborn bastard and he just wouldn’t let up.”
A small smile pulled at the corner of Laura’s mouth as she stood as well. “He gets that form his father. Once he latches on to something, you can forget about convincing him to let it go.”
“You won’t convince me either,” I insisted, “because I love him!”
“You what?”
My heart jumped into my throat when I realized we were no longer alone. Drawn to the kitchen by the commotion, Chase was standing just a foot away from me. His jaw had dropped and his eyes were fixed on me in confusion and something else I couldn’t name … maybe hope?
I swallowed noisily and lowered my eyes to the kitchen table. “Not exactly how I wanted to tell you,” I mumbled.
“Yeah, well, my mom has a way of pulling things out of people,” he said drily, shooting his mother a glare.
“It’s not her fault,” I said. “Don’t blame her. Our conversation got a little heated, but she was just being honest and she made some good points. Now, I have some to make.”
I crossed the kitchen to Chase’s side, placing an arm around his waist and facing Laura.
“We may not have anything in common, and maybe this relationship is a mistake waiting to happen. You might be right about that. But your son is the bravest, kindest, most caring person I know. If things were different, I know he would make the most amazing father on the planet. He has taught me so much about myself and what I’m capable of. My parents disowned me because I chose not to have an abortion. I don’t have a job, and in a few weeks I’m going to be flat broke. I don’t know anything about pregnancy or babies, and I’m terrified. Having Chase with me from day one has been the best thing that could have ever happened to me. So, I’m sorry if you have a problem with us being together, because there’s nothing you can do to convince me that I’m not standing right where I belong right now. I love your son.”
My arm tightened possessively around Chase’s middle as I realized that it was the first time I’d even admitted it to myself. It was so liberating to just come out and say it. There was nothing else to be afraid of anymore. If I could tell Chase I loved him, then I could get through everything else that would follow.
Chase returned my squeeze, his arm tight around my shoulders. “And Chloe is the most honest, headstrong, determined girl I’ve ever met. I’ve watched her face the worst possible situation with more class and grace than should be expected of anyone her age. Even as afraid as she is, she hasn’t backed down from the challenges life has thrown at her the last couple of months. I love her, too.”
Laura’s grin was wide as she nodded slowly. “Well, all right then,” she said. “Oh look at that, the Cowboys just scored. I’ll go keep your seat on the couch warm, Chase.” With that, she disappeared completely, leaving us alone in the kitchen.
I turned toward Chase, raising my gaze to his nervously. He grinned down at me and pulled me close, my belly brushing up against his washboard abs.
“That was amazing, what you just did,” he murmured. “I had no idea.”
“That would be my fault,” I admitted. “I’ve known for a while now, but I was afraid. You already know the reasons, so we won’t rehash that now. After all that’s happened, though, I know that I couldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for you. So many things are still uncertain, but I know I can get through them if I have you.”
“You’re damn right you will,” he growled, leaning down to kiss me. His mouth was possessive on mine, staking a claim and reminding me of just how fully and completely I belonged to him. “If I have to kick your ass every step of the way, you are going to make it through this.”
I clung to him, reveling in the moment and wishing for it to last as long as possible. I never wanted to forget this, because I knew the times to come weren’t going to be easy. I still didn’t have a job, Blob didn’t have adoptive parents picked out yet, and I was freaked out by the idea of giving birth … but just then none of that mattered. Just then, everything was beautiful.
Chapter 10
“Your portfolio is impressive for an undergrad, Miss Sanders. The sample stories you provided from your high school and college papers are well-written.”
I looked my interviewer, Mr. Dawson Graves, in the eye, and tried not to dwell on the hideous horn-rimmed glasses he was wearing. The Austin-American Statesman was my last hope for a job before I was forced to turn to waiting tables—not an ideal situation for someone who was gaining weight by the week and would soon be sporting swollen ankles.
“Thank you,” I answered with a polite smile. “It would be a great opportunity to intern for the Statesman. It’s just the sort of experience I need for my resume.”
Mr. Dawson nodded, his unruly, frizzy hair framing his gaunt face. His tie was askew, and his jacket was wrinkled. His fingers were ink-stained and twitchy, almost as if he couldn’t force them to be still. He looked like he was a bit jacked up on caffeine as well.
“Well, you’re definitely one of the best applicants. However,
we only take on so many interns, and with you being in the family way and all …” He trailed off, staring pointedly at my rapidly growing belly.
Straightening my shoulders, I leaned toward him and the desk separating us. “My condition is irrelevant,” I said matter-of-factly. According to the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, no employer has a right to discriminate against a pregnant woman in the process of hiring, firing, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, or benefits such as leave or insurance.”
Mr. Graves cleared his throat noisily. “Miss Sanders—”
“Furthermore,” I added, standing to my feet, “due to the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, a new parent may be eligible to up to twelve weeks of leave following the birth of the child.”
“Miss Sanders,” he repeated, fussing with his crooked tie, “we would never look to discriminate against anyone for any reason.”
I nodded. “Good. Not that it’s any of your business, but I plan to give this child up for adoption, so I won’t be needing the entire twelve weeks. Two or three will do, thank you.”
Mr. Graves stood, his smile a mile wide. “Oh yes, Miss Sanders, I believe you will fit in nicely here.”
I blinked at him, stunned by his easygoing reaction to my outburst. I was more than certain that I’d missed out on several jobs because of my pregnancy and I was tired of taking people’s shit. I needed this job, badly. “I will?”
He nodded and extended his hand to me. “Part of an intern’s job is fact checking and research. I can see you have exactly what we need—a go-getter’s personality, a no-nonsense demeanor, and you did your research on legal hiring practices. You came to this interview well-prepared. Welcome to the Statesman, Chloe.”
It didn’t really register until I got home. Somehow, I managed to shake Mr. Graves’ hand, thank him, leave his office, schedule my orientation with his secretary, and make it to my car without embarrassing myself. By the time I found myself standing in the kitchen, with everyone gathered around and staring expectantly, I’d finally snapped out of it.
Brat Page 14