by JL Davis
Clearing my throat and wiping the tears away I look up at Nathan. “Oh, he will. My father will bury him.”
A few minutes later, the police arrive and take down our statements. Jeff is handcuffed and taken away. He never even looks at either of us. He knows he was wrong in what he did. I think he was jealous of Nathan. He wanted me and saw that wasn’t going to happen so he thought he’d try to take it. I’m so glad Nathan showed up when he did.
On the way to his truck I get to thinking about everything that happened. It happened so fast, but also seemed as if seconds were hours when he had me pinned to that wall.
“How did you know to come looking for me?” “It was time for Jeff to announce my match and when he didn’t, I walked on stage. I didn’t see you standing there and he was gone. I got worried. I knew something was wrong.”
“I’m so glad you came.” A tear falls. “Jeff has some major issues. Has he always been like that?”
“No, he was a decent guy when we first met. He was sort of my mentor and helped me with my anger. I thought he was a good friend for a long time, until he started bringing in more money. Once that happened he changed. It was all about the money and like our friendship never existed. That’s why I warned you about him. I knew by the way he looked at your body he wanted you. He is damn lucky I didn’t kill him. I shouldn’t have brought you here. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am okay. I just want to go home and shower. I can still feel his hands on me.” A shiver goes through me and Nathan pulls me closer.
“Where is home?” he asks softly, helping me into the truck.
“What do you mean?” I ask confused, as he gets in the other side.
“I want you to come home with me. I want to take care of you. I want you in my arms while you sleep.”
“Okay. That sounds nice. I guess I don’t really want to be alone, anyway. I’m not thinking.”
“It’s okay, Brittany. I understand. I’m here for you. Always. I need to tell you something. When I realized you were gone, I was so scared. I didn’t know what was happening. I thought he might have kidnapped you. It crossed my mind that maybe it could have been worse. I ran as fast as I could and thinking about how I didn’t get to tell you something that I’d been thinking about for a few days now.” He looks at his hands, nervous about what he needs to say.
“What is it Nathan? Just tell me. You’re scaring me.”
“Brittany.” He reaches for my hands not looking at me. “I’m in love with you. I’ve felt it for a few days, maybe even longer and was just too scared to tell you.” I stop his rambling, grab his face and kiss him as if there’s no tomorrow. I can feel new, happy tears running down my face, replacing the sad ones. I’ve heard those words a few times before in past relationships. I never believed them like I do right now. I have this weird feeling in my chest I’ve never felt before. I think I am falling in love with him too, only I’ve never said the words. Ever. There’s no going back once you’ve said them.
“Nathan,” I say, breaking the kiss. “You know since I’d known you, you drove me fucking crazy. All the time. I’m glad we finally talked that night at Alex and Jessa’s engagement party. I saw a different side of you even though I don’t remember anything we talked about. I’m sure I made a fool of myself. Anyway, I want you to know I don’t take those three words lightly and I don’t just say them, but I love you, too.” Nathan smiles and pulls me into him.
“I’m so glad you feel the same way, Brittany and I can fill you in on our conversation at the party. I remember it all. It was quite interesting,” he laughs. “Now let’s go home.”
I’ve known Nathan a long time. I know he drove me nuts at times, but I still knew the real him through his annoyance. I just didn’t want to see it. I feel like things are moving fast with us. It does scare me, but it also feels right. I feel like we get each other. He can deal with my sass. I mean, that’s gotta count for something.
Nathan fills Derek in on everything that happened tonight while I go to the bedroom and undress for a shower. I can still smell Jeff’s cheap cologne on me and I want it washed away. What he did was so wrong and it could’ve escalated and become so much worse, but it didn’t because of Nathan. Jeff’s hand touching me was so degrading and made me feel so disgusted. I will not let him win. There are so many girls, so many women, who weren’t as lucky as me in stopping what was about to happen. I am not going to get upset anymore. I am going to be strong. I will not let this haunt me.
As I look at my naked body in the mirror I see the bruising starting to rise on my arm. A tear falls and I wipe it away with anger. “Baby, are you okay?”
I see him in the mirror and smile. “I will be. Will you take a shower with me?”
“Yes. Derek just left and Kayson is sound asleep. I’m all yours,” he says, wrapping me in his strong arms.
I lean my head against his shoulder and sigh. “Make me forget. Make me forget any of this night ever happened, except for the part with us in your truck.”
“I love you, Brittany,” he whispers in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “Move in with me.”
I turn, now facing him in his arms. “What?”
“I want you to move in with me, with me and Kayson. If you want to.”
“I don’t want you to feel like you need to do this out of guilt about what happened tonight.”
“That’s not it at all. I miss you when you’re not here. I know Kayson misses you, too.”
“He does?”
“Yes. He’s asked for you several times when you aren’t with us. I just didn’t want to freak you out.”
“I love him, Nathan. It may have even been before I knew that I loved you. That night I rocked him back to sleep, I felt it.”
“So? Will you?”
This is going so fast. We’d just stated our love for one another. I miss them, too. Both of them, when I’m not with them. “Yes. I will. What about my house, though?”
“We can figure that out later. You make me so happy, Brittany.” He kisses me softly. “Now let’s get showered and cuddle.”
I’m happy that he knows I need some time after what happened. I’d love nothing more than to make love to him tonight, but I just can’t.
The next morning, I wake to Nathan’s heavy arm around my waist. It feels like déjà vu. This feels like the dream I had about him before, only this time I’m not going to punch him in the face. Now that I think of it, I didn’t even have a dream last night that I can remember. I’m grateful. Nathan must be my dream catcher.
I’m in love and I’m moving in with Nathan. I need to call Jessa. Shit. She’s going to see all the drama from last night on the news this morning. Fuck. I reach for the remote on the bed side table and turn on the TV, muting it quickly so I don’t wake anyone. I see a headline across the screen: “Fight club busted. Owner in jail and Breaking news: Building now in flames.”
“Nathan. Nathan, wake up.” I nudge him and he groans. “There warehouse is on fire.”
“What!” He sits up quickly and head-butts me. “Ow. Fuck. Sorry. Are you okay?” he chuckles. “Turn it up.”
We listen to the news reporter telling the story of what happened, leaving out the victim’s name. Thank God. I won’t need to hurry and call Jessa just yet. The reporter says that shortly after everyone left the crime scene, after it was engulfed in flames. There are no suspects at the moment. It was an old building, but it seems a bit coincidental considering what had happened. A new investigation is underway for the fire.
“What the fuck, Nathan? Did you do this?”
“Of course not. I’m sure Jeff had someone get rid of any evidence left behind that would incriminate him further.”
“Fuck. I hope so. I don’t want the detectives coming after us with accusations.”
“I have one other thought. You can’t say anything, though.” I nod. “When Derek left last night he was pissed. I hope he didn’t have anything to do with this.”
“I hope not, to
o. Do you really think he would’ve done that?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.”
“What about all the evidence?”
“I’m sure they collected everything last night before they left. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. They have plenty of evidence to put his sorry ass away.”
Suddenly, we hear footsteps coming down the hall. We look at each other in a panic as the door opens slowly.
“Daddy! Daddy!” Kayson says, climbing on the bed. Nathan and I both sigh in relief.
“How did you get out of your crib, buddy?” Nathan asks, tickling his little belly. Kayson’s giggling is like a form of medicine. It hits ya in the feels. All warm and fuzzy.
“What do you do about that?” I swear I’m clueless. I may need to get a book about toddlers soon. Now that I’m moving in here I need to know things. I want to help Nathan with Kayson as much as I can. I’m not trying to replace his mother, I never could and never would try to, but I’d like to have a good relationship with him. How Tonya could kill herself and leave this precious child behind I’ll never understand. What could have been going through her mind?
“I’m guessing I need to go shopping for a toddler bed. I don’t want him crawling out of that crib and getting hurt.”
“That sounds like fun. Let’s go shopping. I love retail therapy. It can help take our minds off everything. I also guess I need to start packing some things. I can get a few things I need for now and worry about the rest later.”
“Sounds like we have a full day planned. We can take the truck and get your stuff on the way back home.”
While Nathan gets Kayson fed and dressed I sneak away to the back porch and call Jessa. I’m sure she’s up, but if not good, I owe her.
“Hey girl. Are you okay? You’re up early.”
“Ha ha. I’m fine. I have a lot to tell you.”
“Oh yeah. Anything juicy?” She giggles.
“Yep. I’m in love.”
“Oh my God. I think I’m going deaf. I think I heard you wrong.”
“Nope, you heard right, ya bitch. I’m also moving in with him.”
“Really! Wow! I’m so happy for you. Next will be a proposal.”
“Slow your roll. There’s more. You see the news?”
“I did. Same shit, different day.”
“Well you saw that fight club they busted, Nathan was a part of it. I mean as a fighter. That was his other job. That’s where he got the black eye he didn’t want to talk about.”
“Wow. That seems to make him even hotter.”
“Right? I saw him in action and he was good.”
“Was?”
“Yeah. He’s done. The guy Jeff, that ran the ring, was a total asshole. Nathan was trying to get out. The piece of shit even tried to force himself on me last night. Nathan came just in time. Long story short, the cops arrested him for the fight club and sexually assaulting me. I’m not sure about the fire part, though.”
“Fuck, Brittany. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. I just want Jeff to rot in jail.”
“If your dad has anything to say about it he will.”
“I’m hoping I won’t have to involve him. I don’t want my dad to hate Nathan before he even gets a chance to know him.”
“Ha. Sounds like someone else I know,” Jessa laughs.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I just wanted to call and fill you in. What are y’all doing today?”
“Well, just hot sex and are going to look for a photographer for the wedding. What about y’all?”
“Kayson has learned how to crawl out of his crib so we’re going bed shopping and picking up some of my stuff from my house.”
“How do you feel about being with a man that has a son?”
“I never saw myself being able to be with a man with a child, but I really like Kayson a lot.”
“That’s great, Brittany. I’m so happy for you. Just don’t run him off.”
“You’re never gonna let this down are you?” I ask, shaking my head.
“I will, but you know I gotta give you hell for a little bit. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?”
“Okay. I need to go so I can get ready. I’m sure Nathan’s about ready to go by now. Love you, bitch.”
“Love you, too, whore,” she says. I giggle and hang up.
I walk inside and Nathan smiles. “So what did Jessa have to say?”
“How’d you know I was talking to her?”
“Alex called and said Jessa was talking to you.”
“Oh. She’s happy for us and hopes Jeff burns in hell. She also said knowing you were a fighter made you even hotter.” I squeeze his ass and pull him in for a kiss. “Really? Maybe I need to find a new place to fight.”
I punch him in the chest. “Not even funny. I’m here any time you wanna tumble.” I slap his ass and run to the bedroom to dress before he can stop me.
Kayson has stuck to me like glue the entire day. He hasn’t asked for Tonya once, but I know he’s missing his mommy. We find him a car bed and he absolutely loves it. He didn’t want to get out of it when we needed to load it in the truck. I think he will be happy to go to bed for a while, until the newness wears off.
Nathan takes us to lunch and afterwards we stop by my house for a few necessities. I grab a suitcase and pack some clothes, another for shoes and the last for my toiletries. This should last me for a few days for sure.
On the way home, we stop at the grocery store and pick up a few things like milk and bread. I want to cook something for Nathan. He’s cooked for me a few times now and I want to do something nice for him. I get all the ingredients to make him a homemade stir-fry. Kayson loves noodles, so I’m sure he will like it. It feels weird grocery shopping with them. It feels so real. We’re gonna be living together. It still hasn’t sunk in I guess.
Now that we’re home, Nathan helps carry everything in and goes to set up Kayson’s bed while I prepare supper. I hear Kayson laughing and banging around in his room. My guess is he’s playing with his trucks.
“Need any help?” Nathan asks, coming up behind me and kissing my neck.
“No. You’ve done enough for one day. You can make me a glass of wine if you’d like, though.”
“Coming right up.”
“How’s Kayson liking his bed?”
“He’s in it right now with all of his trucks.” Nathan smiles.
“Maybe after supper and his bath we can play in bed for a while?”
“Are you sure?” he asks, setting my wine on the counter beside me.
“Yes. I’m completely sure. I need you.” He is simply amazing. He’s so caring and compassionate. I do love this gorgeous man. I can’t believe he’s mine.
After a wonderful supper, Nathan gets Kayson in the bathtub and in his new bed. He’s eager to go to sleep tonight. Someone knocks on the door and since Nathan’s busy, I answer it.
“Hello. Is Nathan Beckam here? I’m detective Olson and I have a few questions regarding the fire last night.”
“Yes. Come in. He’s just getting his son to bed. One second and I’ll get him.
I hurry to Kayson’s bedroom to tell Nathan who’s here. He sighs, gives Kayson a kiss goodnight and closes the door behind him.
We walk back into the kitchen together. “I’m Nathan. How can I help you?”
“Sorry to bother you so late, but I have a few questions about the fire last night. Where were you between ten and twelve?”
“I was here with my girlfriend, Brittany, and my son. Am I seriously a suspect?”
“Not exactly. Your name came up during the integration with Mr. Somers and we just wanted to check all the facts.”
“I understand. I was here consoling my girlfriend after that piece of shit sexually assaulted her. Have you all considered that he had someone do it to protect his own ass? He was running an illegal fight club and all.”
“Yes sir, we are taking everything into consideration. I just wanted to come here to be
sure and see if there’s any other information you may have for me. You were one of the fighters, correct?”
“Yes, I was. I was trying to get out and he was making it difficult. My ex-wife just recently passed away, and knowing I was all my son has left I wanted out. Jeff has not been the easiest person to get along with since it became all about the money. I was afraid he’d blackmail me in some way. He also seemed to want my girlfriend for himself. So, if you do your detective work and realize he was jealous of his best fighter, you’ll see he’s now trying to make me pay for his world crumbling. He’s grasping at straws. I had nothing to do with what happened. I admit I was one of many fighters, but I’m not a criminal. I have a son to take care of.”
“Okay. Thank you for your help. I’m sorry I bothered you. Here’s my card, if you can think of anything at all, please give me a call.”
Nathan walks the detective to the door. After the door closes he sighs.
“Nathan, tell me the truth. Do you know who causes the fire? I won’t be mad.”
Nathan kisses me. “I told you I had nothing to do with it. You don’t believe me?”
“I believe you when you say you didn’t do it, but you know who did. Don’t you?”
“I’m not bringing you into this, Brittany.”
“So you do know. It was Derek, wasn’t it? Just fucking tell me. I can’t deal with secrets, Nathan. I won’t.”
“Fine. Yes. He called me earlier and told me. I told him to just be careful. I’m sure Jeff doesn’t think Derek would do it. He’s only worried about burying me for some reason.”
“Why did he do it? What was the point? Jeff’s going to prison anyway. I don’t get the reasoning.”
“I don’t know. Sometimes Derek’s anger gets the best of him. Let’s just hope he was careful enough. He wouldn’t go into detail, but said the breaker box was not up to code.”
“Wow, okay. I don’t wanna know anything else. Now take me to bed.”
“Ours. It’s our bed,” he says, emphasizing ours.
This is our first time having sex since we’d declared our love for each other. I want it to be special. Considering how gentle and attentive he’s been since laying me down, I think he does, too.