“What if I don’t want the details?” I flopped back down on the couch.
“You two need to trust each other. You’re not going to work if you don’t. He needs to tell you how he feels, and you need to give him time. Shit, Mia, I bet he’s scared out of his mind. I know I would be. If one of my one-night stands showed up at my door and was like ‘hey, you’re going to be a dad’ I would shit my pants. You think he blindsided you, think about how he felt. Do you even know how he was given the news?”
“I didn’t really let him talk that much,” I mumbled.
“See?” Garrett’s lips pursed as his eyes widened. “Get your thoughts together, and then go talk to him. Let him explain, and then go from there. This can work for you two. There are lots of couples out there that have kids from previous relationships. If you love him, and he loves you as much as you two say you do, then you can make it work.”
“Ok, Dr. Phil,” I grumbled. Garrett stood and started shuffling toward the door. “As good as that sounded,” I paused as I followed him over to where he was standing, “I’m surprised you and Stephanie couldn’t work things out.”
“Steph didn’t understand you and me. I can’t make her get that. You’re like a sister to me. I don’t want to be with a woman that can’t see that. Steph needed to grow up. I’ll find somebody,” he shrugged as he opened the door. “Now clean yourself up and decide how you’re going to fix this. I’ll see you at rehearsal tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Garrett.” I smiled at him as I pushed up on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“You’re welcome,” he mumbled before gripping my shoulders and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Now fix this. I’ve had enough crying to last a lifetime,” he chuckled before pulling away and walking down the hall.
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered before disappearing inside. I needed to figure this out, and I needed to figure it out now. My head was such a jumbled mess, and as much as I loved Tyler, I wasn’t sure if I could handle a lifetime of these types of uncertainties. If we fought like this over the small things, what would the big ones be like? Could I do this? Could we?
DAYS WENT BY with no word from Tyler. I’d called and left messages on his voicemail more times than I could count. I’d tried leaving him a message at work, but the few times that I was able to call, I wasn’t able to get anyone to pick up. I’d thought about stopping by his place, but after last time I was slightly scared to. It almost seemed like he’d vanished. I knew that wasn’t possible, but we kept missing each other. The message that I’d saved from him was proof.
I lifted my cell to my ear and heard his words play over once again. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I love you, Mia. Please give me a chance.” His breath blew across this phone as he sighed. “I’ve got a lot going on in my life right now, and I don’t know exactly how things are going to go, but I know I want you there. Call me.” The line went dead, and that feeling that I’ve been pushing down starts rising to the surface. I loved him, and the longer I stayed silent, the more I realized that Tyler wasn’t trying to hurt me. It had taken me a week before I had finally worked up the courage to call him, and now it seemed we just couldn’t connect. I had to admit, I’ve called him at least a dozen times, but that was the only call he’s made to me.
“You ready?” Garrett poked his head in my dressing room. It was opening night, and I was a mess. I had hoped that I would see or even talk to Ty, but it wasn’t in the cards. It’s silly really, I haven’t had him back stage since high school, but him sitting in here telling me I was going to be fabulous was something I missed.
“I guess.” I took a deep breath as I slowly stood. I stretched my ankles as I removed the jacket that had been keeping my shoulders warm. I glanced at myself in the mirror one final time before grasping Garrett’s hand and letting him lead me down the hallway toward the curtain behind the stage.
“You’re going to be great,” he nudged my shoulder. “I have faith in you.” He grinned when I looked up. “We’re going out for coffee after, you want to join?”
“Sure,” I nibbled my lip.
“Come on,” Garrett’s head swung toward the side of the stage. “It’s game time.” His face went from smiling to serious as he led me to the center of the stage and we took our positions.
Opening night was one of those times you expected things to go wrong. It was a first run, and undoubtedly, people made mistakes. A light might not come on when it was supposed to. A hand or foot might be placed wrong, you never knew. It was a time when you learned to ‘roll with the punches’ and the longer you performed, the better you learned to do this.
By the time we finished, the audience was on their feet, and as I curtsied, the stage lights blinded me. Sweat beaded across my forehead, and my foot ached. It still hadn’t felt right even after the doctor had Okayed me to dance on it. It was as if that particular spot was just weaker and was always going to give me trouble. I knew I was getting past my peak as a dancer, but I refused to go out without a fight. Most dancers my age were looking to open a studio or teach for the company. Garrett had been talking about hanging it up for a couple of months now. I couldn’t understand why. I loved dancing. It was my life and really the only thing I knew how to do.
“You were perfect,” he smiled down at me as we took a bow together before we chasséd across the stage and off into the wings.
“Thank you,” I grinned as I fought to catch my breath. Garrett and I had been flawless, and the rush of euphoria from our performance was still pulsing through my veins. I never got tired of the feeling. It was almost like a high, and I craved it every time I set foot on a stage.
“We’re heading out as soon as we get changed. Let me know if you’re coming, and I’ll wait on you,” he smiled as he waved and made his way down the hall to the men’s dressing rooms.
“I will,” I waved before turning toward mine. My feet ached, and I needed to get inside and get my shoes off quickly so I could rub my feet down. I was tired, that much was true, but the rush I was feeling had me on cloud nine. The idea of blowing off steam with some of cast had me grinning from ear to ear.
When I stumbled through the door of my dressing room laughing, I stopped in tracks. There sitting on the vanity was a large bundle of pink roses. I turned, quickly surveying the room to make sure I was alone before rushing over to get a closer look.
You looked breathtaking tonight. You were born for this. I love you!
My hand flew to my chest as my eyes teared up. He was here; he saw me. I’d waited for this moment for years. I’d always imagined him out there watching me. I never thought it would actually happen though.
I lifted the flowers and sniffed them before frantically searching for my phone. When my fingers brushed across it in the bottom of my bag, I shook with anticipation. As I dialed Ty’s number, my hands trembled. I’d been waiting for him to answer one of my messages. “It’s Ty. You know what to do.” The beeping sounded, and my heart sunk. I was tired of leaving messages, and never getting to actually talk to him was driving me crazy. “It’s me…again. I got the flowers. I can’t believe you’re here. I don’t know how you got back here without me seeing you. Please call me. I want to see you. I need to tell you something, and I’d like to do it to your face.”
After hanging up, I began removing my shoes and costume. It took some time, but after changing and washing off my stage makeup, I met Garrett at the exit door. “Where’d those come from?” He tipped his head toward the flowers resting in my arm.
“Tyler left them for me,” I smiled softly.
“Then why are you here with me and not with him?” Garrett’s brow scrunched.
“I don’t know where he is,” I sighed. “I called him and got his voicemail again.”
“Maybe, he’s trying to give you space. You sent him away the last time he came after you,” he shrugged.
“That was weeks ago. I’ve been messaging him. I don’t want to fix this through voicemail. I want to talk t
o him. Don’t you think that’s right?” I peered up at him as I saw his expression change.
“Looks like you might get a chance.” His head nodded across the street as we pushed through the door and stopped on the sidewalk outside.
My head snapped up from where I’d been smelling the flowers to see Tyler leaning against a building across the street. He was wearing a pair of dark pants with a white button down. The top button was undone letting a small amount of skin peek out. The cuffs on the shirt were rolled up his forearms, and his ankles were crossed, giving him a relaxed look. I hadn’t seen him this casual since we were back in Cherryville. When he saw me staring at him, he pushed off the building and stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. His head dipped down as he shuffled his feet like he was waiting for me to come to him. “I’ll catch up with you later,” I murmured to Garrett before glancing in both directions and scurrying across the street. It wasn’t a crosswalk, but I wasn’t in the mood to walk half a block down the street.
SEEING HER UP there on stage under the lights made everything that had happened over the last few weeks’ worth it. My life has been anything but normal or easy ever since Chrissi served me with custody papers. I had thought that when Mia walked away that was the moment I’d hit the bottom, but it was only the beginning.
When I left her apartment all those days ago, I’d spent the night tossing and turning. I’d finally given up well after midnight on the chance to get any sleep. Instead I dragged myself to my office. I hadn’t even bothered to change from my rumpled suit, and I’m sure I reeked of liquor. I’d been downing the stuff for hours.
No one was there aside from the security guard when I used my keycard to get into the building, and when I finally made it into my office, I stumbled over to where I kept my decanters of bourbon to continue what I’d started at home. I’d paced in the darkness staring out the windows and at all the plaques and awards that graced the other three walls of the small space. Everything I’d worked so hard for and studied my ass off was sitting in this room. Everything that I was clinging to with an iron grip as Chrissi threatened to yank it away was proudly displayed in frames: snapshots of my life.
I don’t know what time it was when I passed out, but I awoke to bright sunlight shining in my face the next morning. My head pounded as I scrubbed at my eyes, only to find Chrissi standing in front of my desk tsking me as she slowly shook her head.
“You know this isn’t the best way to deal with this, right?” She tipped her head to the side. “What would Daddy think if he saw you acting like this?” She rubbed her stomach as she glanced over her shoulder. “You need to be responsible and help me. This baby’s gonna be here soon.” She glanced over her shoulder again, and this time my eyes followed hers. Standing right there in the doorway to my office was the one person that I didn’t want to see. My boss and her father, Henry. “Oops,” Chrissi grinned as she placed her hand over her mouth as if what she’d just done was a slip up.
“Mr. Cook,” Henry glared at me. He never called me Mr. Cook. I’d been Tyler to him for as long as I could remember. “Can I see you in my office now?” He stormed away, and as Christina’s heels clicked after him, my heart joined my stomach down at my knees.
It was as if time stopped when I stepped through his door. He was seated behind his large mahogany desk and Christina was perched beside him. His head slowly lifted as his eyes met mine, and if it weren’t for the small tick of his jaw, I wouldn’t even know he was upset. “Sir,” I swallowed as I straightened my shoulders. I’d been dreading this happening for months now, and of course, when my life started spinning farther out of my control, Chrissi would up her game.
“Have a seat,” Henry motioned to the seat in front of him.
“I think I’ll stand, thanks.” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and readied myself for the firing squad.
“I understand that my grandchild is yours.” He folded his arms on the desk as he leaned forward, cutting right to the heart of the matter.
“Yes, sir,” I clasped my hands in front of me before shooting a glare in Chrissi’s direction. She had set me up. That little slip of hers had been planned all along. Just like coming to my place with custody papers had been planned. For all I knew, she’d figured out that she could run into Mia that way. Everything about what had happened between us had been planned. Hell, she might have planned this pregnancy. She’d been wanting a relationship for months. I think in her mind she thought she had me stuck.
“What do you have to say for yourself?” Henry’s eyes bored into me. “You plan on marrying my daughter and taking care of your responsibility?”
“I’ll take care of my son, sir, but no… I’m not going to marry your daughter. I don’t love her, sir,” I stumbled over my words as I waited. The steam began to rush from his head, and he started to turn red as my words sunk in.
“What do you mean you don’t love her? You loved her enough to sleep with her?” Henry stood abruptly and slammed his palms down on the desk. I glanced over at Chrissi and shook my head in disgust when I saw the smirk on her face. She was eating this up. She thought she had me now.
“I’ll take care of the baby. I’ll help financially, but I’m not marrying her,” I repeated. I waited a few beats before the words flew out of my mouth. “I’ll be handing in my resignation by the end of the day, sir. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I truly enjoyed working here, but I think my services could be better used at a smaller firm.”
Silence filled the room as Chrissi’s mouth dropped open. I’m sure when the realization of what I’d done finally hit me, I’d have the same expression, but at the moment, I felt nothing but relief. Relief that I wouldn’t have to deal with the pressure she’d been inflicting since she told me she was pregnant. Relief that I was shedding this high pressure job for something more laid back and enjoyable. I’d thought about it since Trevor had called me with the news. Mr. Dewy, Cherryville’s only attorney, was retiring and looking to sell his practice. As much as I loved the city, I couldn’t help wanting to go back where it all started. All I needed now was Mia, and my life would be better.
AS I WEAVED across the street, my feet began to move faster and faster. The previous days all blurred together, and the reasons I was mad before didn’t seem so important as I watched him wait for me. I’d forgiven him when I’d cooled off and listened to Garrett. I couldn’t explain it, but I loved him and that was all that mattered.
I stumbled to a halt when I reached him, and my dance bag slipped from my shoulder catching on my elbow. Tyler reached for it to help me, but I gripped the strap and hoisted it back up myself. His eyes went from smiling to unsure as he watched me. “Hey,” I mumbled before letting my eyes connect with his.
“Hey,” he repeated back. “I’m glad you got my flowers.” He pointed to the roses clutched in my right hand before stuffing his hands back in his pockets.
“Yes, thank you,” I nodded before nibbling my lip. We stood there awkwardly both waiting for the other to say something before I finally gave in. “I love you too.” I blinked away the tears that were starting to gather in my eyes before tipping my chin up. I pressed my lips tightly together as I watched him. The uncertainty on his face melted away as he appraised me. “I always have.” His shoulders rose and dropped as he took a deep breath before his head bobbed. I couldn’t help the hurt that seeped in. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Had he changed his mind? “Say something,” I begged.
“Walk with me?” He held out his hand for me to take and began leading us down the street.
We walked three blocks before he stopped in front of a coffee shop. I wasn’t sure if it was the one that Garrett and the rest of cast were heading to, but I let Tyler lead me inside. He weaved through the small tables up front pulling me behind him as he strode with purpose to the back. There was a smaller, more intimate section of couches in a dark corner and Tyler stopped in front of them offering me a seat. “I’ll be right back.” He smiled a tight smile before turning on h
is heel and leaving me there.
I lowered myself onto the cushions, arranging my bag at my feet and the flowers on the table in front of me while I fidgeted with the nonexistent lint on my pants waiting for him to come back. It didn’t take long before he reappeared in front of me with two cups of coffee and a raspberry scone. “Thought you might be hungry after all the dancing,” he murmured as he sat down beside me.
“Thank you,” my voice was timid. The longer we sat there, the worse I felt about what was going on with him. I nibbled on the scone before releasing a deep breath and turning in Ty’s direction. After squaring my shoulders, I took another deep breath and prepared for whatever might come next. “Are you ok?” I waited as Ty sipped his coffee. I could see he was battling with something, and it looked as if he was trying to work up the courage to tell me.
“I quit my job last week,” he mumbled around the lip of the cup. That was not what I was expecting, and the news took me off kilter.
“Ok, can I ask why?” I placed the scone on the napkin and then on the table in front of us before clasping my hands in my lap. He was talking, and after I gave him such a hard time about hiding things from me, I didn’t want to give him a reason to stop.
“I’ll tell you everything.” He gave me a half smile before lifting his hand to cup my face. His thumb trailed over the apple of my cheek as his eyes begged me to listen. “You have to let me finish though before you say anything.” I pressed my lips together and nodded slowly demonstrating that I understood and agreed. “Some of this might not be easy to listen to. I’m not trying to upset you; I just want to warn you.”
“It’s ok,” I reached up to where he was still holding my cheek and placed my hand over his.
His hand fell away, but he didn’t let me remove my hand from his grasp. He turned his palm over and entwined our fingers as he took a deep breath. “Christina’s father was my boss at Hughes, Langstaff, and Roe. My biggest fear these last few months was that he would find out about the baby and fire me.” Tyler sucked in a deep breath as his grip on my hand tightened. “When Christina and I first started messing around, it was all for a good time. We both agreed that we didn’t want more than to just scratch the itch. It worked out for a while. I met her about a year after you left. I was hurt still and didn’t want a commitment.” He shrugged but refused to let go of my hand. “I thought being with her was the answer to what I’d been looking for.”
Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series Page 17