“It just happened. That chick’s been all over me for months.”
“Yeah and everyone else that steps foot in this gym. Did you at least use protection? Please tell me you did.”
“Yes,” is all he says to my question.
“Look, I’m not telling you how to live your life but imagine for just one second that the shoe was on the other foot.”
He’s quiet for several minutes with his eyes cast down at the floor before his head snaps up and words I wasn’t expecting to hear come out of his mouth, “Not to change the subject but congratulations. It’s all over the news man.” What the fuck is he talking about?
“What are you congratulating me for? What’s all over the news?”
“Stop fucking with me. How could you not know? Oh shit, I hope you didn’t want to keep it a secret.”
“Keep what a fucking secret? Stop talking in fucking riddles and tell me what’s all over the news.” He’s starting to piss me off. It’s almost like he’s trying to bait me into forgetting what I had witnessed in the locker room.
“You really didn’t know? You’re gonna be a dad.”
“Excuse me? What the fuck did you just say?”
“It’s all over the news man. That chick you’re banging is knocked up.” Why would she not come to me with this information? Wait a minute this is the media we’re talking about. They would spin anything for a buck.
“First of all; she is not just the chick that I’m banging and I doubt there’s any truth to it. She would have told me.” Wouldn’t she? I get a sick feeling in my gut that there’s a chance that it’s not mine and she won’t answer my texts or see me because people have already started to link us together and her pregnancy got leaked. But she couldn't be pregnant, not by me.
“Hey man; I’m just telling you what I’ve seen and heard,” he says and I step from the treadmill.
“Listen I have to go. Think about what I said okay.” He gives me a quick nod and I snatch my bag off the floor and storm out of the gym.
I know I shouldn’t jump to conclusions but either one or both of us are being fucked over and I plan on getting answers.
Everything is a blur as I drive to Tanya’s work. I know I shouldn’t just barge in there but fuck it; I’m on a mission. My body is on auto pilot while my mind is in overdrive thinking about the many possible scenarios in which this whole ordeal will play out.
I walk into her building with my head held high and I don’t miss the stares that are aimed in my direction or the whispering behind cupped hands. Great everyone knows about Tanya being pregnant but me. With all the channel surfing I was doing last night, I can’t believe I hadn’t seen not even one inkling of news about it.
I take the elevator to the correct floor for WBCN and make my way to the receptionist’s desk amidst more gawking and mumbles from the various employees and visitors surrounding me.
“How can I help you?” The too perky red head behind the desk asks while trying to keep a straight face. Is there some fucking joke I don’t know about? You would think that if one knew that someone was going to be a father they’d be happy for them. Which makes the pit of doubt in my stomach tighten. Do they know Tanya was seeing someone else? She does work with these people.
“Yes, hi, I’m here to see Tanya Mitchell please,” I say with as stoic of an expression as I can possibly stand right now. On the inside I feel like a burning man, ready to engulf into flames any second.
“Hold on please; let me call her department. You can have a seat right over there while you wait.” She points to the row of chairs behind me and I take a seat.
The receptionist is on the phone for quite some time. She seems to be in a disagreement with someone on the other end. When she hangs up she clears her throat to get my attention which was already hers. “Someone will be with shortly.”
I simply nod in reply. What does she mean someone? I’m not here to see someone; I’m here to see Tanya.
I’m taken by surprise when Autumn rounds the corner, a look of pure fury on her face and for a minute I think she’s pissed at me until she pulls me from my seat and wraps me in a warm hug. I might be mistaken but I think can hear a hint of crying in her voice as she speaks. “I’m so sorry Julian. That woman is a royal bitch. I would have knocked her ass out if I didn’t need my job.”
“Whoa, slow down Autumn. Can we go somewhere to talk?” I have a feeling I’m about to get the explanation I’m looking for. She walks down the hallway towards a row of closed doors and I follow her, finally stopping at what I’m guessing is her office.
“Have a seat. I think you’re going to want to sit down for what I have to tell you.” Great, as if my thoughts of what’s going on need to get any more fucked up; she drops that on me.
I sit down in the only chair besides hers in this small space and brace myself for whatever it is that she has to say. “I’m listening. Wait, where’s Tanya?”
“I’ll get to that but first I want your promise that you’ll keep calm while I’m telling you what’s going on. It won’t do either of you any good to make it worse. You’re a celebrity around here and are all too familiar with how the media works; Tanya not so much.”
Oh man, this is going to be bad and I need to sit here and listen to it with an open mind. I have no idea what’s about to come out of her mouth but once the words spill, they shed light on the situation and suddenly it all makes sense. I hate myself just a little for thinking she was cheating on me. That’s the farthest thing from the truth. Unfortunately it’s exactly what Tanya was afraid of and I can’t do a damn thing except ignore it.
*****
The screen door swings open, its old rusty hinges whining in protest and I’m faced with the extremely disgruntled father of the girl I love before I can even lift my fist to knock. I can’t say I’m surprised; my car isn’t what you would call quiet. “Mr. Mitchell,” I say as he sweeps his arm inward, gesturing for me to enter.
I take a quick look around as much of the downstairs that I can see for Tanya before asking about her whereabouts. “Is she around?” I ask. No need to mention names; he knows exactly who I’m here to see and it’s not his eldest son who still lives at home. I’m fuming and I’m quite positive he knows it by the expression on my face and heavy breathing.
“She is but I want to talk you first, and please call me Jim.” Instead of staying in the living room he leads me into their spacious kitchen and I take a seat at the long solid mahogany table. Walking to the fridge he asks, “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Some water would be great; thank you.” I answer him and steel myself as he takes his seat across from me an hands me my beverage of choice.
“Let me start by saying that I know this must be hard. But nothing worth having in life is ever easy is it?” That's funny. I said the same thing to Tanya.
“No Jim it’s certainly not. I have plenty of experience with hard work and determination to achieve everything I have.”
“Right. So I think it’s safe to say that you had no idea what was going on in the media. Correct?”
“You would be correct.”
“And it’s also safe to say that you have feelings for my daughter?”
“Yes,” I say simply; wanting him to continue.
“Now, Tanya hasn’t gone into great detail about what’s going on but I do know that she was offered some sort of ultimatum and she shot it down. I know it’s taken a lot for her to change and accept challenges where before she would normally just give up and for whatever reason she feels that you’re worth making that change for so I’m only going to ask you once before I let you take her out of this house that she’s been cooped up in for days. Is she worth it for you? Worth it to deal with slander and rumors and anything else that may tarnish, even if only momentarily, the way you feel about her? The need to protect her and take care of her the way that I need the man that replaces me in my little princess’ life to be there for her?” He finishes with his chin propped in his palm w
hile his fingers tap against his chin. I can see the unshed tears welling up in his eyes and I know that wasn’t easy for him. Hell the last man his daughter thought she loved turned into a psycho who kidnapped and planned on doing God knows what to her.
Shit just got deep real fast and I understand completely what he’s asking. “Sir, I know it seems too soon but I think that I’m in love with your daughter. I can’t think straight when she’s not around and I want to love her, nurture her, support her, protect and take care of her and only her for as long as she’ll have me.”
“Well that’s the answer I was hoping to hear young man. She’s upstairs in her room. I’ll go get her for you. Sit tight.”
CATCHING UP
Tanya
I haven’t left my bed with the exception of using the bathroom since the talk with my father yesterday after seeing what was on the news.
I’m startled when there’s a knock on my door and my dad enters. “Hey sweetheart, there’s someone downstairs that would like to talk to you.” I have no idea what he’s smiling about, but it’s there, a big smile on his face as he comes to sit next to me all curled up underneath my covers and I turn away from him. His smiles, although usually contagious, I’m in no mood to join him.
“I really don’t want to see anyone daddy. Can you just have them come back later?”
“No Tanya, I’m not going to let you rot away in this room. You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. I think it would be a good idea for you to get out of the house.” He slowly rubs my back as he speaks and it’s comforting. “Besides you need to talk to him. He’s just as affected by this mess as you are.”
“Julian is down stairs?”
“Yeah pumpkin, he is.” I roll over once again to face him and I see the truth in his eyes.
“He must hate me,” I say as I start to cry. My God, I’ve been doing way too much of this lately. I wish it would stop.
“No he doesn’t. Not even close. Why don’t you go talk to him? I think it would do you some good.” He stands from the bed and as he’s walking to the door he turns. “Oh and Tanya?”
“Yeah, dad?”
“We won’t be waiting up.” I return his smile. Whatever Julian said to him must have made a good impression. I don’t think he ever approved of Eric. Hell in hindsight, I think he might have been on to something.
I take a few minutes to make myself presentable before rushing downstairs. Making my way to living room first, expecting to see him sitting on the couch, I’m disappointed. Did he leave? Think better of it? Or was this all a ruse so my father didn’t hate him after this? For what? What should it matter to him what my father thinks if he just leaves me because he doesn’t want to be burdened with some chick he met a little over a month ago?
All of these thoughts are going through my mind as I cross the hallway and start climbing the stairs back to my room. The sound of his voice stops me dead in my tracks with my foot on the first step. “Tanya?” I turn to the sound of his voice. “Did your father not tell you I was here?”
I can feel the tears burning again; wanting to seep out but I fight them back. “I thought,” I stop myself, not sure of what to say next.
“You thought what?” he asks.
“That you had left. That maybe you didn’t want me. That you just came to smooth things over with my dad before walking away from this mess.”
“First of all, I’m not going anywhere and secondly, we’ll get through this mess together. It’s you and me now. I don’t give a shit what anyone says as long as we know the truth.” I don’t know how I could ever doubt this man. The sincerity in his voice speaks a thousand words and I rush to him, letting him crush me to him in his embrace. He lifts my chin and kisses me sweetly, barely caressing my lips with his tongue and for a minute I forget where we are. When I start to deepen the kiss he pulls away. “Slow down baby. Let’s go grab some lunch and bring it back to my place. Your father was very vague about what happened and I want you to tell me everything.”
“I’m so sorry,” I break down into sobs again. Damn it, I’m such a wreck.
“Shhh, you have nothing to be sorry about. Come on, grab your things. I want you to spend the night. My bed’s been lonely without you.”
I wipe the tears from my eyes as I enter my room and grab the duffle bag under my bed. I don’t bother packing any pajamas since I either sleep in the nude or one of his shirts anyway.
As I round the corner at the bottom of the stairs I hear Julian say, “Your daughter is safe with me Jim. I’ll take nothing but the best care of her.”
“Hey, I’m ready to go.” I walk to my dad and give him hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I follow that hug with a kiss on the cheek before leaving his arms. Julian takes my hand in one of his and my bag in the other. I’ve missed his smell. I can’t quite figure out exactly what it is he wears but it oozes masculinity. He looks like he just left the gym sans shower and I swear he smells even better when he’s all sweaty. I think I just might have to snoop in his medicine cabinet while I’m there.
I spot his car at the curb and he notices when my face falls. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I was kinda hoping you had your bike.”
His face lights up as he asks, “You want to go for a ride?”
I nod my head vigorously and he laughs. “Okay hot shot; let’s go dump your bag and this piece of shit car off at my house.”
“Hey!” I give him a playful slap on his arm. “This car is far from a piece of shit. It’s quite sexy actually.”
He comes from the back of the car where he’s placed my bag in the trunk and wraps and arm around my waist. “You think my car is sexy?” he asks as he pulls me flush against his body.
“Yeah, its owner isn’t too bad either.” My hands have made their way inside of his shirt, tracing the contours of his toned stomach. He sucks in a harsh breath and watches me. He watches the expression on my face and the sparkle of mischief reflecting in my eyes as I run my fingers under the edge of his shorts.
“Oh, I see. You’re just with me for my car.” He takes hold of the back of my neck and gently squeezes.
“Na,” I say playfully pushing away from him. “You only have one stick I’m interested in riding.”
“Let’s go,” he opens my door for me and closes it once I’m safely inside. He quickly makes it to his side and is buckled with the door closed in record time. “As much as I want to take you home and let you ride my stick, I did promise your father I would feed you. We can take the bike to get a bite and talk while we eat. That will give us the rest of the day to get caught up on other things, if you know what I mean.” I certainly know what he means and I think about it all the way to his house. No words are needed on this ride. We hold hands with the radio playing softly. My mind is so preoccupied with images of our sweaty bodies tangled in his sheets that I have no idea what songs are playing.
*****
I had never ridden on a motorcycle before Julian's and the feeling is invigorating. I love having my arms wrapped around Julian’s waist as I squeeze him tight, afraid to loosen up for a split second as he takes corners. I caught on quickly the first time to lean into them with him. I finally get the nerve to open my eyes after about ten minutes, unlike the first time when I kept them closed the entire ride and I’m not sorry that I did. The scenery is beautiful, rushing by us without the confinements of the car.
We leave the city behind us and I wonder where he’s taking me until the coastline comes into view. I’ve seen it a hundred times but for some reason, on the back of Julian’s motorcycle with him in my arms, it seems like the first time; the only time that matters. The ocean seems a little clearer, the sky a little bluer and the air a little fresher while I’m here with him. He rides around for a few more minutes trying to find a place to park and when he does, he turns in his seat, removes my helmet and kisses me like he’s never done before. I feel so much conviction in his kiss and I return it in kind.
“What was that for?” I ask,
feeling out of breath.
“Because I can,” he answers smugly and I have to agree. He definitely can.
We walk the streets trying to decide on something to eat. The smell of the ocean is inviting and I wish I had my suit with me. Maybe another time. He stops at a hotdog vendor and I shake my head. “Nasty.”
“You don’t like hotdogs?”
“Nope. Used to eat them right out of the fridge when I was little. I can’t stand them now.” Just the smell is making me nauseous.
“What are you in the mood for then?”
“Hmm?” I think it over for a couple of minutes before answering. “I could really go for some fish n’ chips but I probably won’t be able to finish them all. Do you want to split a plate?”
“Sounds good to me. Salty’s is right around the corner. Have you ever eaten there?” he asks and pulls me in the direction of the restaurant, not waiting for my answer. The streets are busy with people so he clutches tightly to my hand, making sure I don’t let go.
As soon as he parked the bike he traded his helmet for a snug baseball cap. He’s wearing it low to try to hide who he is. He might have been successful in another state but he won’t be getting away with it here. His slightly too long chestnut hair peeks out from the front and sides, his handsome features only being intensified. He doesn’t notice but he’s being ogled by practically every female and some men that walk by and if he does he’s not showing it. He just walks with my hand in his making small talk on our way to the restaurant.
The view from our table is breathtaking. The small restaurant sits at the end of the pier, its large windows facing the ocean. I sit and mindlessly people watch while I pick at my food. As expected I haven’t even put a dent in our plate and I’m glad he agreed to share with me. I hate wasting food.
He breaks the silence and I’m forced to look away from all of the happy families playing with their kids on the beach below. “Do you want to talk about this now or wait until we get back to my place?”
Fighting Control (Bay State Series Book 3) Page 15