My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance

by Weston Parker

  “Come on, Sadie, it’s not like you can’t afford it, and you’re going to need your legs when the baby comes, trust me. And besides, I think we should do a little shopping this week.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you have something up your sleeve?”

  “Because I do?” I gave her a sly smile.

  The waitress took that moment to walk over with her pen poised at her pad. “What can I get for you?”

  “I’ll take a BLT on wheat.”

  Sadie leaned forward, her belly hitting the table. “I want the biggest, juiciest, bacon double cheeseburger with grilled onions. Oh, and add a fried egg, well done with mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup on the side.” She glanced at me from the corner of her eye. “What? I’m starving, and I’ve gone two months without one of these delicious burgers. I wanted one last night, but Stones said I could wait until today. He didn’t want me up all night.” She turned back to the waitress. “Oh, and could you put some extra pickles on the side. And fries. The waffle cut, not the shoestring.”

  “I got it,” said the waitress. “Want another soda?”

  “Yes, with cherries this time, please.” Sadie looked across the table, and even though I didn’t drink much soda, I decided what the hell.

  “I’ll take a cherry cola too.” Sadie gave me a pointed look. “Okay, fine, scratch the sandwich and bring me the same, but no extras, just a bacon cheeseburger all the way.”

  The waitress took a deep breath and scratched out the first order, changing it to the second. Without another word, she walked away.

  When she was good and gone, Sadie shrugged. “What?”

  “No wonder your pants are cutting off your circulation. If you keep eating like that, you’re going to have no choice but to go shopping.”

  “Do you think that just because I ordered food, I would forget you have something you need to tell me.”

  “Oh, I do. I’m just not sure you’re going to be as excited as you might normally be.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Sadie asked as the waitress quickly brought our drinks. She hurried away as if to avoid us before Sadie could add to her order, or I could change mine.

  “Because I know you. And when I tell you that Leo and I are getting married this weekend, and I want you to stand up with me, you’re going to—

  “This weekend!” She grabbed my hand across the table. “You want me to go to your wedding swelled up like a beached whale?”

  “No, I want you to stand up with me.”

  She made a sound that had heads turning. “You know I want that more than anything. I just can’t believe you didn’t give me any warning.”

  “You’re beautiful and glowing, and you’re not that big. And this is just the reaction I expected.” I gave her hand a squeeze. “Leo sprung it on me when we got back. He reserved The Regency for me and everything.”

  “The Regency. Oh wow, that’s been your dream forever.”

  “Right, and they had an open spot because of a cancellation. He grabbed it, and so since I have my dress, and we have our rings, we wanted to do a quick service there.”

  “I think it’s a perfect idea. And I’ll stop my fussing about it. I don’t mean to spoil anything.”

  “Don’t be silly. My day will be perfect, and you’re going to look beautiful in your dress, and Leo, and I want to buy it, anything you choose.”

  “Any color?”

  I looked up and saw the waitress coming through the swinging doors. “Well, that’s something we maybe could talk about over these monster cheeseburgers coming our way.”

  “I can’t eat that thing! I’ll gain a ton before Saturday.”

  “No way. I changed my order so you wouldn’t have to eat so much alone, you’re not backing out on me now.” The dishes were placed in front of us; two of the biggest burgers I’d ever seen sat on each plate.

  She gave a sigh. “It does look yummy.” She wasted no time digging in; then she wiped her mouth. “I can’t believe we’ve only been home for a couple of days and you’re getting married. You’re going to be exhausted by next week. I hope he’s taking you someplace nice.”

  “We’ve talked about going on a trip to an island, but we’ll bring Addie along. More of a relaxing family getaway than a honeymoon, but we have our whole lives for romantic getaways.”

  “I could always watch Addie another time, and a beach sounds nice. I hope I get my bikini body back.” She rubbed her tummy again.

  “I’m sure you will.” I gave her a reassuring look as she picked at the burger’s bun.

  “Let’s talk colors.” Sadie bounced in her seat. “How about red? Plum? Royal blue?”

  “I like those. I was thinking a deep red and blush. Not pink. But maybe we should go and see what the shops have to offer. I’m wide open, really.” I had no idea was more like it. I liked so many colors and had never really pictured anything too colorful. Since I was the only one who was supposed to wear white, I had thought a pale blush or green would be nice in the garden.

  Sadie nodded. “I know it’s a touchy subject, but are you going to invite your parents?”

  My heart stung every time I thought of my parents not being at my wedding, but I wasn’t the one being difficult. My mother had always been hell-bent against my lifestyle, and my father, with his addictions, was the reason. I’d known about their rocky marriage, my father’s many affairs, and the way he’d abused drugs and alcohol to the point of near overdose when I was a junior in high school. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “It’s your big day, though. And I don’t understand why they don’t want to see their granddaughter or at least be happy you’re no longer going to be a single mother living in sin.”

  “It’s more about their issues than mine. Always has been. I’m not going to let them push their issues off on me. I’ve been in this business for a long time, managed to keep my nose clean, stayed away from all of the temptations, and worked hard for a good reputation, but they won’t ever see that, no matter how bad I want them to.”

  “Well, not if you don’t ever ask to see them,” she said softly.

  “I keep in touch just enough to find out if they’re both alive, and I figure the papers will tell them if something happens to me. It’s not like they ever try to reach out.” That had been the way of it since I’d left home, and the only time I tried to reach out was when I was pregnant with Addison. They hadn’t bothered to come down to see me or her in the hospital. I didn’t think they’d come to my wedding.

  “I guess it would be kind of strange.”

  I laughed. “You have no idea.” She gave me a pressing look and knew I had to explain. “I didn’t tell Leo about my dad. In fact, you’re the only person I’ve told.”

  “Wow, Kya. Don’t you think he should know before you two get hitched? I mean, that’s kind of something I’d think he should know about.”

  “It’s not that big of a deal, is it?.Besides, he’s never really asked for details, and I just kept it simple. They don’t like my lifestyle. It’s the truth, so why complicate things? Besides, he’ll want to know why I waited so long. But he wasn’t around in high school, our friendship had taken a hiatus, and it all just sort of came to a head. I was good at hiding it. Didn’t want my friends to know my parents were so screwed up.”

  “I can understand that. I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite you in the ass. How would you feel if there was something Leo was keeping from you?”

  “If it was about his parents, it wouldn’t matter. That’s not the kind of thing that he can hold against me.”

  “I’d want to know if it were Stones.”

  “You know everything about Blitz, probably too much. We’ve seen his naked ass, for fuck’s sake.” To be fair, he liked to moon the audience, and it was one of his usual stage stunts. All of America had seen it.

  “You don’t have to remind me. But look, take my word for it. Let Leo know. You’ll feel better not having any secrets.”


  I shrugged it off, not really thinking it was a big deal. The fine details of the situation weren’t that important. “I have a meeting with the venue coordinator. I have to choose my menu, and I’ll be able to see what kind of flowers they have. I’d like to coordinate if I can, and I thought maybe you’d like to come along.”

  “That sounds like fun. I’m not doing anything. Some of us kept a clean schedule so we could rest.”

  “I could tell Stones to plan you an impromptu wedding for next weekend if you want.”

  “No way! I think we’ll do the baby thing first. It’s all I can handle. And besides, my dream dress doesn’t allow for a baby bump.”

  We shared a laugh and finished our burgers over small talk, but I couldn’t get my parents out of my mind. I wanted to dismiss the thought of them attending my wedding, but deep inside, I’d always wanted them at the ceremony. Knowing they wouldn’t come, I couldn’t handle asking them if they were just going to say no.

  Leo

  The week had flown by fast, with lots of planning and spending, but by Friday, we’d come to a few conclusions. For one, we weren’t having bachelor and bachelorette parties. Neither of us really wanted to do that, and with Sadie pregnant and needing her rest and Jon undecided about what we should do, Kya and I agreed we wanted to throw tradition out the window and spend the night together. Since my father had already planned to get Addie, it would be the perfect night at home alone. Just the two of us.

  As we loaded into the car to take Addison to my father’s, Kya looked at her phone, going down our to-do list to make sure we hadn’t forgotten anything. “Food is done, dresses and shoes are bought, suits are rented, flowers, cake, and the judge.”

  I reached over and patted her knee. “I took care of the rings, and we called everyone we know and loved to spread the word.”

  “Is there anything we’ve forgotten?” She put her hand on her temples and closed her eyes.

  “Yes, there is,” I said, starting the car.

  “What?” She looked down at the phone.

  “You forget to breathe. Just relax, okay. Everything is going to be fine. We practiced, and everyone knows their places. We’re all set. Now, all we have to do is let the clock run out.”

  “I don’t know how you can be so calm.”

  Deep inside, I was nervous, but I wasn’t going to make it worse for her by letting her know that. I had also taken it upon myself to invite her parents, a big surprise I hoped wouldn’t backfire.

  “I have been practicing throwing my petals too,” said Addie from the back seat.

  “And you’re going to do a great job.”

  “My dress makes me look like a real princess too. Even though Mama wouldn’t let me buy real high heels.”

  “They don’t make tall heels in your size for a reason. Little girls don’t wear heels.”

  Addie sighed loudly. “It’s not fair.”

  “You’ll have your whole life to wear tall heels, sweet pea, and your mother is right. I want you to be my little girl forever.” She was so ready to grow up, already wanting to wear makeup and heels. I wanted to lock her in a closet until she was eighteen. No, thirty.

  I looked in the mirror at her wide eyes and realized that if Kya’s parents did show up, the only one of our parents missing would be my mother. I liked to think that part of her spirit was always with me and maybe she would see the thing through my daughter’s eyes that were exactly like hers.

  After fighting a little traffic, we made it to my father’s house, and as soon as I stopped the car, Addie undid her booster and jumped out of her seat. By the time I made it around to get her out, she had already done so and was halfway to the door where my father waited with open arms.

  She ran to hug him, and I grabbed her suitcase and walked around to join Kya.

  “There’s my sweet pea!” He tucked a piece of chocolate into her small hand and lifted her up in his arms.

  “Dad, it’s a bit soon for chocolate. She hasn’t even had dinner.” I knew Kya had gotten onto me for the crappy diet we’d had in her absence, and she wanted us all to do better.

  Dad squared his jaw. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. When she’s at my house, it’s Grandpa’s rules. Besides, it’s one piece of chocolate. It’s hardly going to spoil the pizza I ordered for dinner.”

  Kya and I exchanged a look, and Addie cheered as she unwrapped her chocolate. “Is it the same kind as before?” She popped the candy in her mouth.

  “Yes, ma’am, I know how much you love pineapple and ham.”

  I remembered as a child begging my father to order pizza, only to have him tell me no, but Addie didn’t even have to ask. Suddenly, the tin man had a heart. He carried her into the house, and we followed.

  When we were inside, I saw a blanket fort set up in front of the TV next to his recliner. “I’ve got us all set up to watch movies, and we’ll have popcorn too.”

  Kya spoke up, “Grandpa, remember there’s a wedding tomorrow. I don’t want her to be sick with a tummy ache.” It was her polite way of telling my father he better slow down on the junk food, and I had to agree.

  “Yeah, no eating past seven-thirty, and no more candy.” I kissed Addie on the cheek, and Kya did the same.

  We left the two to their fun, and then Kya and I made our way out to the car.

  As we drove away, she eased back in her seat. “We’re really doing this. Tomorrow.”

  I reached over and took her hand. “Yes, we are. And I can’t wait to see you walk down that aisle, for the moment you take my hand and we say those I dos.” I brought her hand to my lips.

  “Me too.” She eased over in her seat. “I just hope everything goes off without a hitch and people show up. You never know with last-minute planning.”

  “The people at the office are coming, Tabby’s bringing the new man, and Edith is excited she’s going to make it before her big move. Then the rest of my father’s people will be there, and I’m sure they’ll come, or he’ll have their asses. All of my cousins, and mom’s sister.” I turned onto the freeway and hit the fast lane.

  “And my family. Everyone should be there except my parents, of course. The best thing I did was not invite them.”

  My back stiffened, and when I didn’t make a sound, she turned and looked at me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I glanced her way but couldn’t hold her stare.

  “Oh, no.” Kya turned in her seat to face me. “What did you do, Leo?”

  “They may not come. I mean, when have they ever, right?”

  “You invited my parents without telling me?” She folded her arms and turned away from me. “I can’t believe you did that without discussing it with me first. You don’t even know the situation.”

  “I just thought they’d be glad to know you’re getting married and that things are good in your life. I don’t see what the big deal is, Kya. I didn’t think it would hurt to make an effort, and I hoped that if they did show, it would be a nice surprise.”

  She feigned laughter. “A nice surprise? Sorry, but the last thing I need tomorrow is my addict father showing up with my bitch of a mother so they can either cause a scene or blame me for their troubles.”

  “What?” I hadn’t ever heard of her refer to her father as an addict before.

  “Yeah, as I said, Leonard, you don’t even know what the issues are.”

  “Why don’t you tell me?”

  “I really didn’t want to go into it right now or anything before this wedding. Shit. What did they say?”

  I let loose a long breath, wishing I’d listened to my father and not tried to fix things. I should have talked to her first and respected her to handle it herself.

  “I called them Tuesday. I talked to your mother who sounded good, and she remembered me. I told her we were getting married, that her granddaughter and you would love to see her for the big day. She said okay, seemed like it was not the worst thing she could think of doing on a Saturday, and then asked where
it was. She asked about my father and, you know, made a little small talk.”

  “My mother made small talk with you?”

  “Yeah.” I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, but Kya shook her head.

  “You’re kidding me. Do you know that when I get her on the phone, she never makes small talk? Hell, it’s hard enough to get her on the phone, much less get any kind of human response from her. When she does talk, all she does is ask me if I’m still hanging out in bars and wasting my life.”

  “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” I felt like I was shrinking with each and every word. “I wish you’d told me. When did your dad become an addict?”

  “Well, he’s always messed around on my mother, but it got worse when I was a junior. I pretended things were okay and didn’t ask for a whole lot of support, you know. I just hid in my music, put all my focus and energy into it. I guess that’s part of the reason my mother hates it so much. I disappeared into my music and left her to deal with it alone. It wasn’t like she could be supportive and come to my shows. That would put her and Dad in the bars. That would put Dad in the path of a relapse.”

  “And then, when I had my friends come over to do practices, we had to do them one a month. My mom was sweet to my friends, hid it well, you know. But when there was no one around, she was a mess over my father. She finally gave him an ultimatum and told him he needed to reform his life, to start attending church and being a member of society. So, my hanging out in bars was only a temptation. I didn’t want to stick around and watch my family fall apart, so I bailed just as soon as I could.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I’d been right next door and not known, and even my father didn’t know the whole truth. “You could have told me. You could have talked to me, Kya. I’d have taken care of you.”

  “Don’t you see, Leonard? I knew that. I didn’t turn you down because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship with a relationship. I just didn’t want you to find out the truth.”

  I took the next exit and then turned down our street. “I’ll call them and ask them not to come if you want, but, and while I know this is out of line, I think you should really consider letting them see what a great person you are. You don’t have to let them into your life every day, but once in a while, it’s good for the soul, and I think it’s time you healed.” I held my breath and waited for her to yell at me. Not twenty-four hours from the ceremony and here we were in disagreement.