Dirty Truth
Fighting Dirty Series
Glenna Maynard
Dirty Truth © 2016 Glenna Maynard
This is a work of fiction. Names characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual people, alive or dead, business, establishments, locals or events is entirely coincidental. Any reference to real events, business, organizations or locals is intended only to give the fiction a sense of realism and authenticity. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.
The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Available Now
About The Author
Bonus Chapter Beauty & The Biker
Dedication
For anyone who has ever told a dirty lie with good intentions. We all have our dirty truths.
We all have secrets...dirty secrets.
Five years ago, Aria left everything and everyone she loved behind to start a new life. She did it for love, but when she left she had a secret. One so dirty if it ever came out, it could ruin everything. Aria has been harboring the dirty truth, keeping it from those she claims to love the most.
Tyler has never been one for relationships, that is until he meets Aria and decides some things are worth fighting for. He knows Aria has a secret, but secrets always have a way of coming to light.
Can their love survive, or will the dirty truth cost them everything?
Prologue
“This cannot be happening,” I tell myself as I stare at the one word that changes everything, positive. “No.” I shake my head as I scream at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. “God, please no.” I look down at the test again. The word positive is practically jumping off the plastic applicator, doing a dance, and tossing confetti in my face while life laughs at me. Nope, this isn’t a dream. This is really happening. My dad will kill me. Why didn’t I listen when Faye told me to go on the pill…Brian leaves for college in two weeks.
“Two weeks!” I stomp my foot in protest like it can change the fact. The fact that I have ruined my life. What am I going to do? I can’t tell Brian something like this, not when he is about to live his dream.
Playing college baseball has been the only thing he has talked about since we were seven. I can’t, I won’t ruin this for him. I just graduated high school; I can’t be a mom. I’ll call Faye, she will know what to do. Faye is my mother; she resides in Miami Florida.
She has been living there since I was nine, I usually spend one week every summer with her, and the rest of the year I live with my dad in West Virginia. My parents divorced because my mom had a drinking problem and my daddy refused to live that way any longer.
“Faye, I screwed up. I screwed up bad.”
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” she gets straight to the point.
“Yes,” I whisper afraid of what my future holds.
“Aria, if you love this boy, let him go. You will come live with me and we will do this together. I know I haven’t always been the mom you have deserved. Don’t you worry about Jim either; I will set your daddy straight. If you don’t want this baby, there are other options,” she says, attempting to sound sincere.
Two weeks later, I have made my decision. I know what I must do. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to face. I have loved Brian as long as I can remember. He deserves to have his dreams come true. If I don’t end this now, I know how he will react. He will be like every other ass backwards person in this town.
He will give up his college scholarship for a job in the coalmines to support me and our baby. I can’t doom him to my daddy’s fate. Besides, the way Brian acts when he drinks scares me. I don’t want to raise a baby in an environment like that. One where the father resents the child and the mother turns into a raging alcoholic, I grew up that way. I will not bring a child into that kind of existence.
Brian is coming over later tonight to say goodbye before he leaves for the training camp he is required to participate in. I was disappointed, but now I know it’s better that he won’t be here. He can never know that I am pregnant. His family would just think I am trying to use him as my meal ticket out of this town. The scouts say he has a real shot at going pro.
I’m not ready to be a mom and can’t bring myself to have an abortion. I just can’t do that, especially when there are people in this world who would give anything to have a baby. Adoption is my best choice, and Brian will never have to be aware of any of it.
I can feel the vibration from his stereo as he pulls his pickup truck into the driveway. That boy is going to need hearing aids by the time he reaches thirty.
I observe him from my living room window as he exits the truck. His brown wavy hair hangs right above his ears. He appears anxious, wearing a Louisville Cardinals t-shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and flip flops. Then it hits me, this is the last time I will see him walking up to my door. This is one of my last nights living in this house. How am I going to live my life not seeing the faces of the two men who mean more to me than anything in this world?
Faye set Jim, my dad straight all right. After a very heated phone discussion and a good ear chewing for me, daddy finally agreed that it was best I live with my mom, if this was going to be my choice. I have always been a daddy’s girl as long as I can remember. The disappointment in his voice when we had our talk was bone chilling. I shudder at the thought and continue to gaze out at Brian as he makes his way up the long, winding walkway. Brian is tall and lean, but very muscular. He takes a lot of pride in his appearance.
I am going to miss the way he smiles at me, like I am his forever. The way he massages the tip of his earlobe when he is uneasy. Or when he is playing baseball, how he sticks his tongue out to the side in anticipation when he is getting ready to connect his bat with the ball. The goofy lopsided grin he gives to the crowd watching from the stands when he hits a home run. You see, not only is he my boyfriend, but he has always been my best friend as well. So, keeping something so life altering from him is tough. My whole life has revolved around this one boy. I can’t believe I am about to give him up, and my one dream—to be with him always.
He doesn’t even bother with the doorbell and lets himself inside. That boy has been doing it ever since he was allowed to ride his bicycle over to my house after school, not like my dad is ever home to notice. Poor man has worked his whole life to take care of me. Before I came into the picture he had thoughts of becoming a doctor.
But he put his life aside for mine, and I know that he has regrets. Don’t get me wrong, I know my father loves me. Albeit I think he would have been just fine
waiting a few more years before I came into the picture.
Brian wraps his arms around my waist and snuggles his chin into the crook of my neck, giving me little kisses. Standing not much shorter than him, my hair is long, dark brown, and naturally wavy. I am slim, with not much of a bust. I have always been athletic—I was captain of the dance team.
I turn to face him, and his green eyes are mirroring my own. They are gloomy too just like my mood.
“This is my last night home for a while, and I want to have a few drinks with the guys before I leave.” He sees my pout. “Come on, I suppose I promised you a ride on the Ferris wheel.” They always hold a senior fair for the graduating class, in a way it is a final send-off; it always reminds me of the movie Grease. But my life isn’t a movie, and we aren’t Danny and Sandy. Our happily ever after won’t exist after tonight.
As promised he takes me on the Ferris wheel first. It is an older one with deep bucket seats and the sun has started to set. We are stopped at the very top. The bucket seats rock gently, making my nerves spike. I don’t think we will fall, but I can’t help the thought from crossing my mind. A nervous giggle escapes my pursed lips. Brian pulls my face close to his for a kiss.
Caressing my tongue with his own, he sighs. “I am going to miss tasting your lips every day.” He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip, tracing the outline of my mouth, with his eyes closed.
“Ditto.” I kiss him again as we descend to the bottom. My heart is beating so fast, I know I need to breakup with him soon, but I’m selfish and want to enjoy being his girl just a little while longer.
We play a few carnival games and Brian wins me three stuffed bears. Taking my prizes to his truck, gives him the opportunity to have a beer or four with a few of his friends, leaving me to my own thoughts for a few minutes. I don’t know how to do this. Should I cause a scene and humiliate him? Or should I make him jealous with another guy? I shrug that thought away. I can’t do that to him or myself. I love him too much for that, and he would never believe that I am cheating on him. I’ve never even thought of being with anyone else, ever. Not once has the thought of dating anyone but Brian crossed my mind.
When he comes back, I can tell he’s been drinking a lot in the parking lot with his buddies. His eyes have that glossy look to them. I don’t like when he gets this way, he acts ignorant.
He’s already getting grabby, slurring some of his words.
“Lo-love love my girl.” He fumbles with the strap of my shirt and attempts to grab my butt.
On the rollercoaster, he tries to put his hand down my shirt despite my telling him to cut it out.
After we ride a few more rides, he takes me out to the woods for a walk. I am biting my nails; I feel like I may throw up the corn dog I just devoured moments ago. He backs me up against a tall pine tree. Brian places his hands on both sides of my face, keeping me in place. He slides his fingers under the spaghetti straps of my white tank top. His hands bite into my skin as he tries to push my straps down my arms.
“Stop, Brian.” I nudge him gently in the crotch with my knee.
“Aria, you know this isn’t goodbye, it is only for a little while.” He peppers small kisses down my throat. I suck in a deep breath as he caresses my face, being softer than before. The tenderness of his mouth, envelopes me so much I almost forget he is talking between kisses. “Next year after.” Smooch. “You graduate.” Nibble. “Beauty school.” Kiss. “Well, that’s what I want to talk to you about.”
He stops kissing me and lifts my chin to meet the seriousness of his expression. My heart is in my throat. Please don’t let him do what I believe he is about to do. Then my worst fear is brought to life as he goes down on one knee.
“Aria, I’ve loved you my whole life, and and I I am going to continue lo-loving you the r-rest of my days. Do me the honor and say you’ll marry me.”
I take a sidestep away from him and brace myself for what I need to do. It’s now or never. Time to end our relationship before I chicken out.
“Brian, I love you more than I probably will ever love anyone in my life. But there is something I have to tell you.” The tears start to leak from my eyes. He knows I am about to stab him in the heart, but I have no choice. He will hate me either way, but at least this way he will go without me holding him back.
“I’m not going to school. You know how I used to say I wanted to travel and be a model. Well, I am going to stay with Faye. You know she lives in Miami and it is a great city to get my foot in the door. Plus, she asked me to come. For the first time in my life, she wants me there. And she said she would help me with modeling. She knows an agent and everything,” I lie through my teeth.
“Aria....You don't mean that.” He starts pacing in front of me, looking at the ground. He stops right in front of me, a sad look in his eyes. “You can't mean that, “YOU. LOVE. ME!” He beats his hand on his chest over his heart, his face sobering with the action. “What about our plans? You were going to go to beauty school and move to Louisville with me once you graduated. It is all we have talked about for months!” Brian has tears of anger rolling down his face. It is killing me to hurt him like this, but I want a better life for him. I owe him so much better than this, but it is all I can offer him.
“Brian, those were your dreams. Not mine. That life you had planned isn’t the one that I want. I don’t want to be trapped in a small town life.” I turn away from him, the pain from the damage I have inflicted flashing behind his eyes is about to tear me down. I’m destroying him. Who does this to someone they love? I guess I do. I have nothing left to lose and need to drive my point home. I need him to hate me.
“You’re lying, Aria. I know you wouldn’t do that to me—to us. What’s really going on here?” He seizes my arm with force.
“I’m not. I am moving in with Faye. This is the last time you will see me. I’m sorry,” I apologize. My kneeing him in the groin forces him to let me go. Running off through the woods as fast as I can, I stumble a few times, but manage not to trip, even though I’m blinded by my tears. A low sob hiccups in my throat, as I try to pull myself together.
Getting to the opposite side of the fair, I spot a girl who lives on my road, and hitch a ride with her. She doesn’t ask questions. She keeps the stereo on low and lets me die a little more on the inside with every mile we drive.
I thank her for the ride and go inside. My dad is at work, as usual. I flop down on my bed, taking in all that I am giving up. My room is papered in photos of Brian and me. Since kindergarten, it’s been the two of us. I never had much need for other friends. I always had Brian.
He shows up at the house an hour later beating on the front door. He pounds his fist so hard, I’m afraid he’s going to spilt his knuckles. He’s screaming my name and begging me to let him in. I can’t, I’ll break if I do. I watch him through the blinds with a broken heart.
I have to call his older brother to come make him stop before he breaks his hand or someone calls the police. I can’t deal with him when he gets drunk and angry. He has never hurt me, but it only takes one time for someone to go over the edge.
His brother shows up and Brian takes a swing at him. Chase manages somehow to tackle him and sits on his chest until he calms, somewhat.
Finally, he manages to wrestle him into his truck, and I go back to my room to fall apart on my own.
One week later, I move to Miami, Florida, with Faye, my mother. Brian is hundreds of miles away living his dream. My heart is crushed. My mother had to have her number changed and made private to stop his calls. But that doesn’t stop the emails, and no matter how much I have tried, I can’t bring myself to delete my account. It’s my last link to him and the life that should have been ours.
In time, he will move on and forget all about me, and yet, I will think about him for the rest of my life.
A piece of me died the night we ended. I spent all of my life building him up only to tear him down in the end.
Chapter One
Almost five
years have passed since I have seen Brian, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. My son, our son, haunts me with his memory daily. He is so much like him in every way, from the color of his hair down to his toes, he looks like his personal mini-me. I had every intention of giving my baby up for adoption, but once he was placed in my arms, I knew I just couldn’t give him up, ever.
This day is always bittersweet. Today is Jace’s birthday, and with each passing year…I feel guilty, that I have robbed my precious boy of his daddy.
He turns four today, and I intend to make it his most excellent birthday yet. Now that Jace is older and getting to be of school age, I’m going to be working part time at Indigo, a strip club owned by Rightful Bastards MC. My mom is the old lady to the club’s sergeant at arms, Bender. I live in her house with her and he stays mostly at the club. I don’t know how she puts up with him. He usually only turns up when he wants a warm meal and a night in her bed.
It does no good to speak my mind about it though. She’s a grown woman and can make her own choices. Besides, Bender did give me a job at his tanning salon. The club owns a lot of businesses. They take care of their own and they have helped take care of me when I’ve needed it. At first glance the Rightful Bastards are intimidating, giving off the appearance they wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire.
If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have had help watching Jace and a decent car to drive when I started working. When I showed up penniless and pregnant, mom and Bender made sure I had everything I needed. I didn’t want for anything.
I know a few guys from the club, but not many. They rarely come by mom’s house, and I never go to the clubhouse. A few members stop in the tanning salon to talk to Bender on occasion and their wives and girlfriends tan here, even though we live in Miami. A spray tan is much healthier than the beds or the real thing.
Tyler Mathews stops in the most. I’m not sure what his role in the club is, it isn’t my place to know either.
Dirty Truth (Fighting Dirty Series Book 2) Page 1