by Blue Saffire
He stopped moving and opened a door that I wasn’t ready for. “I got into it with my stepfather again. He beat my mom and then gave her more blow. I wasn’t there to protect her.”
My heart twisted at the thought of what he revealed. “Where were Soren and Jalyn?”
“Hiding in the damn closet.”
I gulped. “Why weren’t you there?”
He shifted under my gaze and balled his fists. Snatching up his backpack and turning, he walked away from me, putting a large distance between us. “Because I was here with you,” he says as he turns to face me again.
Oh my god, it was all my fault. I didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry.”
I walked up to him to offer a hug. He dropped the backpack and returned my embrace, his head dipped into my neck. He inhaled.
“You smell nice,” he spoke into my neck, his beard tickling me as he spoke.
“It’s a new perfume.”
I moved back to examine his face and our eyes met. I don’t know who moved in first, but the kiss was clumsy and desperate at first. But when we got the hang of it, it was beautiful.
He walked me backward, he leaned me against the wall and fed desperately on my lips. My heart was beating so fast, my brain short-circuited. I passed my fingers through his soft silky locks.
He pulled my hair back and started to kiss my neck. He released my hair to reach down with both his hands, cupped my butt and raised me up against the wall. Our gazes meet.
Automatically my legs wrapped tightly arounds his waist. He pressed into me and I moaned because I felt it. I wasn’t sure what it was but I rubbed against it.
“Ms. Huntsman, line one.” Mrs. Beal’s voice interrupts my memories.
I take a deep breath. I need to get a grip on myself. I shake my head and pick up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Miss me?” Ethan’s voice makes my heart skip a beat.
“No, but I’m glad you called. I need you to meet me.” I open my calendar to see my schedule.
“No,” he says.
“Shut it and listen, Wulf. In an hour, I’m going to the Penndel Fight Against Hunger event. It’s at the hospital. I volunteered us.” I’m greeted by silence. “Just think of the benefit it will provide you for your run as mayor.”
“I’ll be out front in fifteen minutes. Be there.” He hangs up.
At least he’s coming. I lean forward rubbing circles into my forehead. “Why the hell am I doing this? It’s not like I need to help him.” I speak softly to myself.
No, but a part of you still loves him.
“Well, fuck me,” I mutter as I pull my hair at its roots in frustration.
Chapter 6
Cuddle Confusion
Ethan
What did she get me into? Two hours and I’m folding packing boxes. Women like Sophia Downend-Woodman are bending over, just enough to show their bras that barely fit. She’s stuck in a time warp. She still wears those low rider jeans that show her thong. The teased blonde hair… for god’s sake.
“Hi, Wulfie,” I close my eyes and inhale. That name coupled with her dry southern accent irritates the shit out of me.
“Sophia,” I reply curtly.
She touches my shoulder then my arm. “Who knew you would have a physique like this? It’s like muscles everywhere.” I find her touch repulsive. I can’t believe she and Red were friends. “We should go out for a lunch date while you’re here. You’ve always liked me.”
My skin crawls. I don’t know what fucking planet she’s on. I need to end this swiftly.
“If I wanted to commit suicide, I would climb your ego and jump to your IQ.”
I stopped caring after lifting that first box of food supplies and losing sight of Amelia. Sophia gets pissed but I completely ignore her. I take off, putting as much space as I can between us. Finding Olivia in the crowd, I pull her to the side.
“Where’s your sister?”
“Oh, you got tired of talking to the walking dead over there?”
I want to smirk, but I’m not in the mood. Between the heat in this room and all these people, I’m ready to leave. That and I have on a fuchsia pink T-shirt that says feed me.
“Most likely she’s in pediatrics.”
“Pediatrics for what?”
Olivia smiles. “Go and see.”
Amelia
I love the scent of a new baby. It’s gentle, clean, and just so sweet. I sit with a baby named Jesse rocking her slowly in a rocking chair.
It makes me wonder, what would’ve happened if Ethan and my child lived. Would it have been a boy or a girl? I wanted a girl so badly when I found out I was pregnant.
Would she have loved music like her father? Would she have looked like me? Would she have had her father’s nonexistent sense of humor?
I have many regrets. Not knowing my child will always be one of them.
Austin Woodman, my friend from Penndel High, is now a Pediatric surgeon at the hospital. He’s the pioneer of the Baby Cuddlers Program. Being the president of a Pro Life Organization, I was the first to sign up. I will never regret the decision to be in this program. It’s like I’m giving love to those who need it most.
I rock back and forth as I softly sing my mother’s lullaby to the baby. It’s moments like these I get to cherish. Moments I long for.
Ethan
I find her behind a glass window, in scrubs, rocking a baby in a chair. My stomach sinks. Everything rushes back to me.
“I have something to tell you,” Amelia said.
I was trying to unbutton her shirt and get it off her body. It had been nearly a year and we had been going steady with only a few of our friends knowing. In public we looked and acted like we never knew each other. In private, we were all over one and another.
Six months ago was the first time we had sex. I saved my money and I rode us down to the state line to get a fancy hotel. I worked at Mr. Dudely’s store for $5.00 an hour.
He had me doing everything, including picking up his Bull Terrier’s shit. I did what I had to do. I also sold blow for my stepdad and it was just enough money.
I couldn’t tell Red about the blow. She would leave me, but I needed the money. It was a night to remember.
However, in the moment, as I tried to take her clothes off, she stopped me, pushing my hands away. She stood from my makeshift bed and walked away. She had been acting weird all week.
I knew something was seriously wrong when she started to sniffle. I figured it out. She was going to break up with me. I leaned my back against the wall, and I braced myself.
“Tell me.”
She paced, making me nervous and agitated. “I don’t know how to tell you this.”
“You want to break up with me? You just realized that your boyfriend is poor?”
She shook her head. “What? No, Eth.”
“What, Woodman is finally going to take you out?”
I started to get angry. I needed to get her home and get out of here. I hated that fucking guy. He and Sophia were a thing. Why can’t he leave Red alone?
“No, please. Stop packing and listen.” She tugged at my waist. “Seriously though, listen to me,” she screamed.
“What is it?” I pulled my hair in frustration because I knew my heart wasn’t ready for a breakup.
She tugged on her hoodie. “I’m pregnant.”
I sank to my knees in front of her. Wordless. A rush of panic hit me. Was I ready for this? I was eighteen, she was seventeen. We couldn’t be parents. I looked up into her eyes and they shined with concern. She bit her lower lip awaiting my reaction.
She was pregnant and I was about to be a dad. Holy hell, I was about to be a dad. For the first time ever, I felt an extra surge of energy. I pulled her forward and kissed her belly. She ran hands through my hair as she cried.
“We’re pregnant,” I said softly.
“Are you okay?” she asked her voice full of concern.
I was more than okay. I was going to be a father
.
Someone touches my shoulder pulling me out of my thoughts, causing me to turn. Austin stinking Woodman.
“Heard you were in town, running for mayor of all things.”
I ignore his existence and focus on Red as she coos at the baby. My chest tightens at the sight before me. I tilt my head to the side. Red’s display of maternal instincts throws me.
“She’s so good with them.” That’s what makes my brain tick. Maybe Soren and Jay were right. There could be more to this or is it just wishful thinking on my behalf? “It’s a good thing she didn’t get pregnant with your baby.”
All the air is sucked out of the room. I jerk my head in his direction. I want to punch him right in his eye. However, with the camera’s and staff around, I coach myself not to.
I stuff my fist in my pocket. “What irks you more, Woody? That she never wanted you or that your wife still wants me?”
He goes to rush me, but I don’t bother to flinch. “Think for a second, your position as head surgeon is more fragile than my delegation.”
“Fuck you, Wulf,” he grates out.
I smile. “No, that’s what your wife wants to do.”
His face becomes as red as a lobster. I can’t stand his golden boy look. His tall lanky frame, blonde hair slicked neatly to the side, his face clean-shaven, and round glasses perched on his nose. He looks prepubescent, young and innocent. Everything about his presence makes me want to shoot him in the knee.
We stand glaring at each other, both of our fists clenched. I wait for him to make the first move so I can kick his ass. I still remember the way he used to look at Red. I owe him an ass whipping.
Before I can finally settle this score, Red turns the corner. She stops at my side. I give Austin a smug grin as I place my hand on her waist.
“Ready to go?”
“Yes,” I bite out as I glare at this piece of shit in front of me.
“Oh, Austin are you taking part in the fire rescue auction this year?”
“Yes, I am. Are you, Wulf?” he asks slyly.
Red did tell me about the auction in passing, but I didn’t confirm with her. Now, I have an answer without question. “Yes, I am.”
I shift my gaze to Red and she raises her brow to challenge me. I give a simple shrug. She shakes her head and smiles.
“Bye, Austin,” she waves.
I pull her closer to my side as we turn for the elevators. When I turn to look over my shoulder, I give Austin a shit-eating grin. He needs to know she has always been mine.
Chapter 7
Means to an End
Amelia
“Would you stop pulling at this silly tie, Ethan.” I fix it one more time. I know he hates it, but he has to wear it tonight.
“I can’t believe you talked me into being auctioned off,” he grumbles.
The auction is for a great cause. The Penndel Fire Rescue Service. The event, a male auction, will raise money for new fire supplies. Ethan is going to be fantastic.
“This will be amazing on your resume. A friendly mayor. Besides, you asked for this.”
He tugs at the tie again. His gaze appraises me. “You look nice, Red. Gold looks great on your skin.”
I don’t blush, but god knows I want to. Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken part in all the charity events in Penndel. My father has done the same, but he’s never in the same room with us if he can help it.
He hasn’t answered any of my calls or emails. He told Olivia that I’m dead to him. Did that hurt? Yes. Do I care? Not at the moment. I’m growing tired of the way he treats me. So, no, I don’t care.
“Make sure you bid on me. I will pay. I don’t care about the amount, just win.”
I smile. “I will see what I can do.”
“Red,” he bites out in warning.
Suppressing a laugh, I smooth a hand down his suit jacket. I place a kiss on his cheek and turn to leave him backstage to make my way out to my seat in front.
The ladies have their paddles ready to bid. I look around as I sit, amused. The chair beside me is pulled out and to my surprise Jalyn sits down. We were such good friends before the breakup. We never got to talk after.
She grins mischievously. “Are we going to pretend not be friends or are we hugging it out?”
I’m the first one to rise. It feels so good to hug Jay. She squeezes me tight; her long hair is like a shield for my reaction. I want to cry, but I don’t want to make a scene. Nor do I want to have to explain anything.
She pulls back, holding my elbows. “We have to talk.” I nod and we both take our seats.
The emcee catches our attention as her voice fills the room. “Normally we save the best for last, but today’s different.”
The room erupts into screams as the women frantically wave their paddles in the air. The excitement is tangible. Poor Ethan.
“Today we have our very own leader of the pack, Ethan Wulf.” The screams become louder as Ethan appears on the stage. “If you win this auction, you will be having dinner with the Wulf and maybe he’ll feel generous and offer more.”
Shouts echo out. Someone even howls like a wolf in the background. I shake my head, but I can’t blame them. Ethan looks like a thick snack in his tux.
“Bid starts at one hundred dollars.”
“One-fifty.” The host points to a paddle on the left.
“Two hundred.”
The bids rise quickly. Paddles lift rapidly. Jalyn and I sit as if totally oblivious to the environment around us.
“Should we help him?” Jay asks cunningly.
“Let’s make him sweat a bit.” I bite my lip, holding in my grin.
“Two thousand.” Sophia Woodman stands up with a wild smile.
Ethan glares down at us. Jalyn and I smile up at him.
“Do something,” he grates.
“Going once.”
“We should do something.” Jalyn sighs as she smiles at me.
“Going twice.”
“Five thousand.” Jalyn lifts her paddle and stands.
“Six thousand,” Sophia counters. Her body language becomes tense.
“Eight thousand.” Jalyn’s competitive streak is starting to show.
“Ten thousand,” Sophia yells and the crowd goes wild.
Ethan’s ears turn red. He starts to sweat. If he could choke me, I think he would.
“Going once.”
“I’m not spending anymore on my brother,” Jalyn says with mirth and sits down as Sophia beings to move toward the stage.
“Going Twice.”
“Seventy-five thousand.”
The crowd gasps. I look over at Sophia, daring her to spend more of her husband’s money on another man.
“Going once, going twice, sold! Amelia Huntsman wins.”
The gavel smacks down and all I want to do is go to the back and collect my prize. My brain halts as soon as I have the thought. I have to remember that this is all a ruse. We’re not in a relationship, at least not a real one.
“Hey, you okay?” Jalyn asks.
“Yeah, I am,” I force a smile. “Let me go collect my prize.”
“Melia, maybe you both can relax and enjoy this night.” She shrugs.
I think on her words. It hasn’t been easy to enjoy a night with Ethan. I have to constantly remind myself that none of this is real. It has been so easy to forget that we’re only pretending, and there can never be more.
“I’ll see,” I reply softly, already knowing it’s a lost cause. “How about we meet for lunch this week?”
Jay stands up. “I would like that. Let me go write that check for my bro.”
We hug and both go our separate ways. I’m left feeling bereft. I mourned more than the loss of Ethan and my child in the past. The sting of it all is still there.
Ethan
I tug the bow tie off and lean up against my car as I stand outside waiting for Red. I can’t believe she waited so long to bid for me. I wanted to strangle her. I would have too if Sophia would have won.
“It doesn’t matter how much that tux cost, you will always be trash.” I close my eyes and sigh. Joel Huntsman, and his great fucking timing.
“What the fuck do you want?”
Stopping before me, he smiles and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “I want you to stay away from my daughter and leave Penndel.” He’s becoming a broken record.
“She’s a big girl, Huntsman. She can make her own decisions.”
“You will not treat her like a slut. How is your girlfriend back in New York? She’s a model, right?’” he lowers his voice.
He doesn’t know Larissa is now pregnant and happily engaged. I’m not going to tell him either. He should do better research on his enemies.
“I can’t wait to make her my wife.” I look at the time. 9:55 p.m. Where is Red?
“So, you’re playing with my daughter. Making her like her mother?” he growls.
I shrug. His dark brows look like they’re about to fuse together.
“Amelia isn’t that special to me anymore. I’m here for a purpose. She’s a means to an end.” Right after the words leave my mouth, the sound of shoes clicking against pavement fills the air.
“Are you ready to leave?” she looks at me ignoring her father totally.
“Amelia?” her father says sternly.
I open the door and she gets inside the car. To my own satisfaction, she disregards her father. I almost feel sorry for him. The way he looks at her as if his soul is crushed.
Then he sets his gaze on me. It’s full of disgust. Feeling sorry for him goes right down the drain.
Bastard.
Amelia
A means to an end. That’s what he called me. I’m of little value to him, apparently. I’m just good for achieving his goal.
That hurt, because with all the shit that has happened between us thus far, I still love him. I have no doubt that he doesn’t feel the same. I know of Larissa the supermodel—blonde, slim and gorgeous. I have seen him and her together on TV.