I pushed those feelings to the back of my mind. I had enough on my plate and I didn’t need to unpack all those unresolved adoption feelings, too. Although, one fleeting thought brought a smile to my face—the thought of Evangeline as a grandmother. She was going to freak the hell out. For whatever reason, she still pretended she was in her twenties—an image that would be much harder to maintain when your child was going to have a child of her own.
“I wonder how your mother’s going to feel about this,” I blurted out. I knew Mills really didn’t need one more thing to think about, but my internal musing had popped out before I could stop myself.
Mills shot me a dirty look. “She’s your mother, too, Pepper, and I don’t want to get into that right now.”
I stroked her hair. “I know, I’m sorry. I just really wish I could be a fly on the wall when you tell her.”
“Pepper, stop! I’m already freaking out and you’re not helping. It’s not good for the baby!”
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry.” I looked at Mills and squeezed her hand. “Should we go in?”
“Okay.” She let out a long sigh. “I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
I nodded, and we got out of the car and walked up the steps to Fallon’s door. Mills fidgeted and I felt really bad for her. She’d assured me she and Fallon were really in love and their relationship wasn’t just a fling, but I also knew that didn’t necessarily translate into being ready to be parents.
After a few silent moments, Mills took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The housekeeper let us in and led us through the massive house to Fallon, who was in his studio, mixing music with some friends. Fallon thought of himself as a musician/producer but I’d never heard him play an instrument, or sing a song for that matter. He did know all the local talent, though and he’d helped me find a rocking DJ for Mills’ party, so maybe he had some promise. I glanced at Mills. She looked like she was about to throw up, and I was pretty sure it had nothing to do with morning sickness.
I’d always been protective of her and in that moment, she looked so grown up, but also so small and fragile at the same time. She had her oversized Coach purse on her arm and tottered in her stacked heels. She wore a slate gray mini dress that had a silky, black ribbon along the bottom and absently, I thought, “Hey, she looks pretty good in my dress,” but, now wasn’t the time to get territorial about some clothing.
She found her voice as Fallon looked surprised as he turned to greet us. “Hey, Fallon. I need to talk to you… privately.”
“Sure, just a second, babe. Hey, Pepper! Didn’t see you there. What’s up?” Fallon nodded his head along to the beat playing over his mixer and his small posse of four friends bounced along with him, giving us friendly nods. All I could think of was how disrespectful kids had become. If I’d ever nodded to our guests at home, Daddy would’ve been so disappointed. Daddy. Well, he never really was my daddy now.
I straightened up, swallowed hard and steeled myself before stepping up to Fallon. “She wants to talk to you now, Fallon. It’s important. We need to talk now.”
He shot me a questioning look, then turned back to his pack of buddies. “Okay, okay. Be back in a minute, guys.”
He dropped a quick peck to Mills’ cheek then took her hand and weaved through the house to the terrace. He glanced back at me following them, as though silently wondering why I was here but I kept my cool and didn’t give any indication of what was going on. This was Mills’ moment of truth. Not mine.
Fallon took us outside onto the back deck off the living room that overlooked a series of three swimming pools. The first was Olympic-sized, the next a training pool with an endless wave and finally, a kind of lagoon pool with a floating bar. I’d seen the view before, but it still struck me as beautiful in that moment as I stared out and tried to be as inconspicuous as possible.
I tried not to watch over them but I’d promised Mills I’d stay close by. He looked over at me nervously and I heard him ask, “What’s happening? Is this about your sister?”
“No, it’s about me and you. I asked her to be here.”
“So… are you breaking up with me?” Fallon had gorgeous, dark hair, like his sister, with big, dark eyes and perfect, olive-toned skin. He was quite a handsome guy. I couldn’t help but wonder what their baby would look like.
Mills couldn’t seem to answer for a moment and she just stared at him thoughtfully. “No, that’s not it,” she finally spat out. She moved across the deck and put her purse on a nearby table then turned back to face Fallon. She looked even smaller than usual next to his well over six foot frame.
“What is it, Mills? You’re starting to freak me out.”
“It’s that—well, I don’t know how to tell you this, except to just say it.” I could practically see her trembling, but she finally took a deep breath and spoke. “Fallon, I uh… we uhm… we’re having a baby.” She let a small smile grace her lips as she looked up and waited intently on his reaction.
“What?” He took a step back, a look of sheer horror on his face.
“I know it’s—” Mills started and then stopped when she saw the sharp look Fallon gave her as he glared down at her. I stepped closer, anger building in my stomach.
“What do you mean what? We’re pregnant!”
He snorted. “No, you might be pregnant, but I’m not. You’re tripping, girl.”
“I’m tripping?” she said. “Fallon! We’ve had sex a gazillion times! I told you to use a condom, but you were too freakin’ horny to listen. Now here we are… we’re pregnant!” Mills started crying as soon as she stopped speaking and I rushed over to her and gathered her into my arms. She instantly broke into body-wracking sobs against my chest.
A fierce, protective anger seized me and I glared at Fallon, suddenly wishing I had something sharp to throw at him. I hadn’t thought he’d respond like this and obviously, Mills hadn’t seen this coming, either.
Fallon returned my fiery gaze. “There’s no way I’m accepting what you say. You girls are wrong. I can’t be involved in this. I’m too fucking young to be a dad.”
Mills pushed away from me and stopped sobbing as she rounded on Fallon. “What? Too young? You’re not too young to fuck me, you piece of shit!”
Go, sis! She was only saying what I’d been thinking.
Fallon scoffed. “How do I even know that baby is mine? God only knows how many guys you’ve been fuckin’!”
“Oh, my God! You know it’s yours. I was a virgin, you asshole!” Mills cried out.
I’d heard enough. I couldn’t take anymore and I stormed across the deck, reared my arm back, and delivered a whipping slap across his smug face as hard as I could. “Don’t you ever talk to my sister like that! She’s no tramp and you know it. You’re just too fucking weak to accept your responsibilities.”
He held his cheek and his expression was a mix of shock and amusement. “Like you, you mean?”
“Fuck you, Fallon. You’re not good enough for Mills or the baby.” I turned to my little sister, who’d resumed crying her eyes out. “Come on, sweetie. You don’t need this piece of shit hanging around. We’ll figure this out together.”
Then I heard Aven call out in the background, “Pepper? Is that you?”
“I’m out here, Aven.”
Aven stepped out onto the deck. “I didn’t know you were coming—” Her voice fell away as she shifted her gaze between Mills and me squared off against her brother, who now sported a red welt across his jaw.
“Yeah, sorry, I should have called but we’re not staying. Mills and I are leaving. Right now.”
“What’s going on?”
I didn’t hesitate to fire back the answer. “Mills is pregnant and Fallon is trying to say it’s not his.”
“What? Fallon? What the hell?” She turned to face her brother and crossed her arms. “What are you trying to say? You know Mills isn’t like that at all. Idiot.”
“You’re my sister. You’re supposed to back me up.” He tu
rned his glare from us to Aven but she put her arms around Mills, who was finally starting to calm down.
“You need to go inside and tell those punks to go home so you can have a real conversation with your girlfriend.”
He made a gesture to show he was washing his hands of the entire situation. “I don’t have time for this shit. I’m out.” He walked away and nobody called after him. I let Aven hang onto Mills while I rummaged through her purse for some tissues. She needed them since her makeup was running all over face.
Aven still glared at the door her brother had disappeared behind. “Give him some time to think about things. He’ll do the right thing, I’m sure of it. If he doesn’t, I’ll kick his ass.” Aven hugged her again and then I took over to wipe up her makeup.
“I can’t believe he thinks that way about me—and what he said to you, Pepper. I’m sorry. I swear I never said that. This is all my fault. I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been.”
“No, no. Not another word. This is a baby we’re talking about here. It takes two people to make a baby. Don’t think like that.” I hugged her and smoothed her hair.
“I want to go home. I might as well talk to Dad. He’s probably going to throw me out.” She grabbed her purse and walked towards the French doors that led into the house.
I hurried to follow her, knowing her new resolve wouldn’t last long and stopped briefly to squeeze Aven’s hand on the way. “Thanks, girl. I so appreciate you.”
“I’ve got your back, Pep. Take care of your sister and call me if you need me. I’ll keep you posted on this jerk.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
Mills and I drove to Doug’s house in silence and pulled up briefly outside. His car was is in the driveway. I glanced at Mills and behind her big sunglasses, I could tell she was afraid, but she didn’t need to be. Doug would never put her out or cut her off.
We pulled into the driveway and I smiled at her. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
She leaned back against the seat and sighed. “How could I let this happen? I’m supposed to be so much smarter than this.”
“You are smart, but sometimes we follow our hearts and don’t listen to our brains. It happens, Mills. You won’t be the first or the last. All you can do now is be a good mommy. That I know you can do.” I gave her a warm smile, and we both got out of the car.
“You’ll stay with me, right?” she asked when we got to the front porch.
“I’ll be here every step of the way, but I’m not moving back in right now. I’m only a phone call away if you need me though and I’m sure Doug is going to be nothing but supportive.”
She nodded in agreement, but her lower lip trembled for a moment as she pushed the front door open and we went inside. We walked across the hall and found Doug in his study. I loved this room. It overlooked the ocean and there was a wall of bookcases that held shells we’d collected over the years. It was kind of a hobby of his but he was no ordinary shell-hunter. He preferred scooping up shells from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico rather than sifting for shells on the beach, except when he was with us. As kids, we’d spent many days looking for blue, pink and multi-colored seashells on the shore.
“Hi, Pepper, Mills. Nice to see you girls home. What are you up to today?” He took off his silver-framed glasses and tossed them on the desk.
Before either of us could answer, Mills broke into a sob and collapsed down onto the couch with her face pressed into her hands. Without wasting a second, Doug jumped up, sat by her side and put his arm around her.
“Hey, what is it? Is it your mother? Did she do something?”
Mills shook her silky, blonde head. “No, Daddy. This has nothing to do with her. This is all about me.” Her head was still in her hands but her tears had subsided. She lifted her head and wiped them off her face. “Daddy, I’m… me and Fallon…”
I sat down on a nearby chair and tried to stay quiet and out of the way. I wanted Mills to do this for herself.
“I’m pregnant, Daddy,” and then she started sobbing again.
My heart was breaking for her, and I felt beyond helpless watching her fight through the pain and tears. I knew Doug would do the right thing, but I couldn’t help but hold my breath while I waited for him to speak.
He froze on the couch for a second and then stroked her hair. “I’m glad you told me, Mills. I know it took courage to come to me like this. I’m here. Pepper’s here. We’ll get through this together.”
I watched the scene, happy for my sister, but also a little resentful somewhere deep down. I was glad Doug didn’t freak out about Mills’ pregnancy, but it also felt a little like some kind of double standard. The worst trouble I’d ever gotten into was getting drunk one too many times and ending up topless in a couple of tabloids. Surely, that paled in comparison to getting pregnant so unexpectedly.
I knew it wasn’t right, but I couldn’t help but wonder what the scene would have looked like had I been the one crying into his shoulder after such a confession.
I got up quietly and slipped out. The whole thing was too much for me right now. I didn’t stop to look back, but I bet they hadn’t even noticed I was gone.
Chapter Three — Gabe
I hung up the phone and leaned back in my chair. The board had finally signed off on the whale acquisition project and I was stoked. It was done. All we had to do was get the whales transported. I rested my hands behind my head, looked around the room and smiled. Life was good. Sea Lab was good.
I got up and walked over to the window. I saw the tanks below and remembered watching Pepper from this very window, swimming and playing with Singh. She was a natural. There was a soft knock on my office door. “Come in,” I called out. I usually had the door wide open, but that last conference call had needed privacy. I heard the door close but nobody said anything so I turned around and found Pepper leaning against it, wearing a fitted white overcoat and high heels. A smile spread across my face as I drank her in. She looked amazing.
“Hey, babe. What’s with the coa—” I’d started toward her when she locked the door and tugged her coat open. It fell to the floor and all she was wearing was a lacy white bra and panties. “Wow,” was all I could choke out.
She walked toward me with a smile on her face, her heels clicking on the floor. The sound sent my heart racing. “Wow, is right. I thought you could use a little break.”
She nudged me gently against the wall. The phone on my desk rang loudly but I ignored it and set my sights on the drop-dead gorgeous blonde in front of me.
“Pepper, you are one bad girl.”
“Yes, I am. You don’t know the half of it,” she teased. “Now, take off your pants.”
I laughed and started to protest, but she was dead serious.
“If you won’t, I will,” she purred, as she reached for my fly.
I helped her, and soon I was standing with my shirt unbuttoned and my pants and boxer briefs around my ankles.
Pepper leaned over and kissed a hot trail down my washboard abs, setting my skin on fire everywhere her soft lips touched my body. She sank down until she knelt on the floor before me and I sucked in a sharp breath. I was afraid I was going to come from just the sight of her on the floor before me in nothing but her panties and bra, her lips pouted and her eyes sparkling with mischief.
She kissed my thighs and my cock twitched in anticipation. Her fingers ran along it and when she reached the base, she grasped my length in her hands and stroked up and down the shaft. Her movements were slow and seductive as she kept her eyes locked on mine.
“Oh, my God, Pepper,” I groaned as she ran her fingertips over my balls.
She responded by sucking the tip into her mouth and teasing the sensitive skin with her tongue and lips. I moaned as she took more of me in and began a slow, rhythmic pattern. Her fingers stroked my cock, my thighs and worked the patch between my balls and my asshole. I nearly exploded right there.
God, she knew all the spots!
; I was about to tell her to slow down when someone tapped on the door. “Shit!” I whispered. Pepper seemed completely un-fazed as she grinned up at me. I put my finger over my lip as if to say, “Shh…”
“Who is it?” I called out.
“It’s Tina, Mr. Gregory. I’m here for our appointment.”
“Give me five minutes, Tina.”
“Okay,” she replied through the door.
Pepper covered her mouth with her hand, suppressing a giggle, before she kissed my lips and hopped up to get dressed.
“Hey, where are you going?” I asked, and reached out to get one last handful of her perfect ass before it disappeared behind the white coat.
“That’s all you have time for today, boss man. I’m going to the locker room to shower and change, and then I’m going to have some play time with Singh. Is that okay?”
I zipped up my jeans and pulled her close to me. “Thank you for the surprise, and of course, that’s okay. He’s been pining for you, anyway. Once I’m finished with this interview, we could have lunch, if you’re not busy.”
“I’d love that… and I love you. How’s my hair?”
“Wild...” I laughed and tried my best to help her fix it. “…but I like it like that.”
“I know you do.” She pecked my cheek and swept out of the room just as I pulled my shirt back on.
I stepped into the hall and saw a woman standing there waiting. “Hey, Tina. Come on in.”
“Geesh, should I go home?” she said. “ If she’s here for the job, I’m sure she got it already. She’s beautiful.” Her eyes followed Pepper’s departing silhouette and I couldn’t help but smile as my chest puffed with pride. “I feel like I know her from somewhere,” Tina added as she turned her eyes back to me.
“That’s my girlfriend. She rides the dolphins. You’ve probably seen her perform here.”
Destiny Undone: The Complete Series Box Set Page 27