My stomach growled again, and I wondered how I had been able to put off eating so long.
As we ate in silence, I mentally reprimanded myself. I was a hussy. I'd never thought of myself as easy. I'd only ever slept with two men, but it was obvious the second man had turned me into a slut. I had to watch myself around him. I was sure he thought I was loose…hell, I thought I was loose, because around him, I was. I didn't know what had gotten into me, but I needed to be careful, before Trent ended up inside me.
I was relieved when the front door opened, and I heard Tyler call for me. I answered him happily, grateful for the buffer. Tyler wrapped his arms around me and then put a frog right in my face. We were literally nose to nose. "Look!"
I wasn't a squeamish person, so I was able to hold my smile. "Do you want me to kiss it to see if it's a prince?"
Tyler pulled his frog back against his chest, appalled. "No, yucky!"
I laughed as I watched my dad help Tyler settle down and put the frog away.
"No prince for me?" I said with a mock pout.
"I wouldn't say that," Trent said with a wink and then cleared our plates. I knew then I had to do something about our "relationship" and fast…otherwise, I'd be screwed, and not in a good way. Well, maybe that way, too, but I wanted to avoid getting hurt, and I wasn't sure how to go about it. I had a feeling whatever I decided; things were going to turn bad between us fast when I did it.
Chapter 12 – On Roommates, Good and Bad
The baby shower was set for the following weekend. Trent decided he'd come into town on Thursday night and drive me down on Friday. Apparently, my parents were going to be there early on Friday, so I wouldn't have anyone to follow me in my sad car. I didn't want to skip out early, because Friday was my last day before my maternity leave started. I knew they were having a surprise party for me at work, and I didn't want to miss it.
Trent dropped me off at work Friday morning, insisting it was on his way. He was taking Tyler out for breakfast. It was their first day alone together. I would have thought I'd be more anxious about it, but I wasn't. Somewhere along the way, I’d ended up trusting Trent with my son. I'd seen them interact, and Trent never seemed lost. When it came to being a daddy, he was a natural. It made my stomach turn and my head hurt just thinking about it. I wanted to trust him with more than just our children. I was thankful he lived out of town, so it was easy for me to distance myself from him after last weekend's events. God, I was so confused.
He called and chatted with me and Tyler frequently during the week. I didn't know what to make of it when he said he missed me. I think I answered back, "That's nice." I really was out of practice when it came to relationships and dating, but I wasn't sure if we were doing either of those.
I knew I'd have to talk to him about our relationship soon. With others present, he didn't do more than give me a light hug and a kiss on the cheek. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or disappointed. Of course, if he had blatantly kissed me in front of our family, our mothers would have called the clergy and had us married before we could come up for air.
I decided Trent putting in to be transferred to a Waco hospital wasn't a bad idea. We could pursue things a little more discreetly, if that was what I decide to do. I just couldn't see why he'd be interested in me. I considered myself pretty, but at the moment, I was big as a house, and what little he knew of me wouldn't logically make him want to trust me, especially when it came to his track record with women.
I spent most of my last day training my temp, who would be filling in for me for the next couple of months. Her name was Melissa, and she seemed nice enough. I was surprised to learn we both had attended the same college, and she had graduated two years before me.
I was called into the break room, and everyone was there. Melissa stayed out front, just in case there was a walk-in, but other than her, everyone was in the back. The cake was perfect, and the little outfits and boxes of diapers were much appreciated. I was a crying happy mess, hugging everyone.
I heard my son squeal, "Mommy work!" and looked out the window to see Trent setting him on the sidewalk. Tyler took off like a shot toward the front doors, so I waddled down the hallway to meet them. Tyler headed for my office, and I caught him in the hallway just outside my door. I took him back to get some cake and headed toward the front to show Trent back, so he could have a slice, too. I was just out of sight, when I heard Melissa greet Trent.
"Trent Carrington, look at you. I'm surprised you weren't beaten to a pulp and left for dead."
"Excuse me?" He sounded worried.
"Oh, I know you don't remember me. You don't remember anyone, do you? We went to school together. Apparently, you got me and my twin mixed up, at least that was your story at the time."
"I…ah…"
"Melissa and Miranda," she snapped. "You think us being twins would make us more memorable, but I heard we weren't the only twins you screwed, now were we?"
"I'm sorry, Miranda-" Trent started, only to be cut off.
"I'm Melissa," she laughed blackly. "I'm surprised you're still in the area. I know there was an old flame of yours trying to gather a group of us 'cast-aways' together to exact revenge. I wouldn't stick around if I were you. Of course, it might be fun to watch the great Trent Carrington go down in flames. I heard you were a gynecologist. Still can't get enough pussy, can you?"
"I went into that field for other reasons."
"I'm sure your other victims will come forward and get your ass thrown in jail soon. Bubba's gonna love your pretty face."
"Everyone I was with in college was a willing participant."
"That didn't make you any less of an ass. I've got a few phone calls to make," she said, pulling out her cell phone. She headed back toward the break room, passing me on the way. I heard the first part of her phone conversation. "Guess who's in town," she said to the person on the phone, and I was inclined to follow her, but then I heard our front bell ring on the desk and knew Trent was waiting for me.
"Hey, Trent," I greeted him with a smile and a hug. He kissed my cheek and gave me a weak smile.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Just about, let me say goodbye first, and then we can get out of here."
He nodded and took a seat in the waiting room.
Dr. Coust and the others helped me carry the gifts to Trent's car. I noticed Melissa's eyes linger on my son, as Trent carried him out. She looked confused, especially when he rubbed my shifting belly, after he buckled our son in the car.
"It was nice to meet you, Trent," Dr. Coust said. "Be sure to call us after the baby comes."
"We will," Trent answered with a smile. I glanced over at Melissa again and saw her pull out her phone and start texting someone. I could swear she took a picture of us, and it was very unnerving.
"We'll drop the stuff off at your apartment first and then head out to my mother's."
I nodded in agreement, still distracted by Melissa's behavior.
"Are you alright?" he asked after a span of silence.
"Yeah, I was just wondering how you know Melissa?"
He looked slightly panicked, and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I…ah…she was someone I went to college with."
"One of the girls you slept with?"
He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"No sleep!" Tyler shouted from the back seat, reminding me that this wasn't a conversation we should be having in front of him.
"We'll talk about this later," I said. Trent looked relieved.
It didn't take long for us to get the car unloaded of gifts and packed with our bags. We went through a drive-thru for dinner and hit the highway. Tyler dozed off not long after he finished off his kid’s meal.
Trent and I sat in relative silence, and I wondered how I could bring up the topic of Melissa and the supposed scorned ex looking for revenge.
"We should probably wake him at the next rest stop," Trent said, breaking the silence.
"He's going to b
e a bear to put down tonight," I said with a sigh.
"I'll take care of it, if you'd like. Bedtime was my favorite when I was a kid growing up."
"Sounds good. I'm thinking about soaking in that tub again." I moaned quietly with my eyes closed just thinking about it.
I felt Trent touch my thigh and squeeze it. I looked over at him and saw him clench his jaw. I was debating between telling him to not touch me and letting him leave his hand there.
"Be sure to call me when you want to get out. I'll gladly stay and help you again," he said in a husky voice.
I glanced at his pants, curious to see if he was hard, and noticed there was something stirring there in his loose-fitting jeans. I had a feeling he didn't wear the trendy skinny jeans for a reason.
"My mom will probably be around to help me out this time."
He frowned, taking his hand back. "Oh…yeah…" He looked sad, and I didn't know why it bothered me.
"Can you tell me about Melissa and this ex hell-bent on revenge?" I asked, changing the subject.
He scowled, and his fingers tightened on the steering wheel. "Don't worry about them. I'm not going to let them stop me from moving to Waco. My kids are worth whatever trouble they plan to cause."
"I don't want my children being put at risk because some nut is after you. Do you at least know who the ex is?"
"I have an idea, but I don't know for sure. Things have been quiet since the last time they came after me. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep my moving on the down-low, so hopefully they won't find me too quickly."
"Trent, that girl sounded ready to feed you to the wolves. What on earth did you do to her?"
"I've been trying to remember. I think I know who she is, but it was a long time ago. I'm pretty sure I wasn't sober. If she's who I think she is, I can understand why she was upset, but I really didn't know there were two of them."
I laughed despite the serious nature of the conversation. "So did you date them both or…"
"Not quite. They were both at the same party. I didn't realize there were two of them, until I told one of them to meet me upstairs, and I'd bring her a drink. On my way up, I ran into the twin, thinking it was her, and escorted her up to the room the other was waiting in."
"What's the big deal? I'm sure they get mixed up all the time. So you invited them both to your room, it would've been their choice to follow you and stay or go."
"Ah…yeah…I’d kind of already started some major foreplay with them both. One in the laundry room and the other in the bathroom, before I suggested we move to the bedroom."
"Major foreplay?" I asked curious.
"They may have given me head?" he said cringing. "I swear, I thought it was the same girl, though!"
For some insane reason, I giggled. "What did you do when you got them both into your room?"
He blushed. "I was a little drunk and an asshole."
"What did you say to them?" I pushed.
"'Sweet, there's two of you. I can handle that.' They weren't interested in a threesome. They both stormed out together, but one of them came back about twenty minutes later, so she couldn't have been that pissed. I don't know which one it was, though."
"Oh my gosh, that's nuts," I guffawed.
"I think you're a nut, if you think that's funny," he said, smirking at me.
"I just can't believe one of them came back."
He shrugged, and the car fell silent again.
I needed to ask him about the ex-girlfriend looking for revenge, though. "Do you know who it is that's out to get you?"
He frowned.
"Trent, I need to know."
"I'm not sure. I tried to find connections between the women who accused me last time. I thought the one who I didn't know at all would lead me to the ringleader, but I wasn't able to pin them down. I do know it's someone from college…unfortunately, that's a very long list."
"You need to narrow it down before you move to Waco. Melissa said you had an ex who was trying to recruit others to go against you. That person would have to know you well enough to know who your conquests were."
"Do you think you could get Melissa to talk to you? How well do you know her?" he asked hopefully.
"I just met her today. I don't know her well at all. She seemed pretty nice, until I heard what she said to you. She sounded crazy. I think she may have taken a picture of us and Tyler. It's freaking me out a little to have a crazy person looking at a picture of my kid."
"I'm sorry, Clara. I'll try and get it taken care of as soon as possible. Maybe my lawyer can get Melissa to talk. You're always welcome to hide out in Livingston until it's settled." He gave me a cheesy grin.
"Nice try. I already agreed to come down after the baby was born. Don't push your luck, Carrington."
After the long car ride, my body was sore. I took Trent up on his offer and left him to put Tyler to bed, while I went to go soak in the heavenly tub.
I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up in cold water and light knocking on the door. "Clara, are you alright?"
"Yeah," I answered, sitting up and yawning.
"Everyone has gone to bed. I stayed behind, because I wanted to say goodnight. Are you ready to get out? Do you need a hand?"
"My mom's asleep?" I pouted.
"Yes, it's nearly one o'clock in the morning," he answered back.
"Really?" I groaned.
"Would you like my help?" he asked again.
I let out a defeated sigh, so much for keeping distance and sanity between us. "Yes, please."
He came in holding a towel and the big pink robe. He looked happy but tired. He set the stuff down, and just like last time, he scooped me out of the tub like it was nothing. He quickly wrapped the robe around me and hugged me close. "Are you cold?" he asked.
I had been a little before, but when I snuggled deeper into his arms, I wasn't anymore. "I'm fine," I answered, muffled by his chest.
He chuckled and rubbed my back. I felt him kiss the top of my head, and his hand slipped down, cupping by butt, pulling me tighter against him. I knew I had to slow things down. "Trent." I wondered if he heard me say his name against his chest.
His other hand rubbed my neck and then moved to my chin, tipping it, so I'd look up at him. I knew he wanted to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me. The baby kicked, knocking me back into reality, and I pulled away before he could get any closer with those voodoo lips of his.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
"I think we should take things slow, if at all."
"If at all?" he asked confused.
"I'm not sure us being in a relationship, I mean a serious physical one, is a good idea. You don't have to seduce me to see your kids. I'm willing to be just friends and let you see them." I walked out of the bathroom, not wanting to hear his answer. I started digging in my bag for my pajamas and was surprised when Trent set a flannel pair on the bed next to my bag. They matched my robe.
"These should fit you," he said stiffly.
"I brought some. They're in here somewhere."
He let out a sigh and flopped back on the bed, closing his eyes for a second, while I continued to dig for my clothes. I couldn't find my pajamas, but I did find my underwear. I guessed Trent was going to get his wish of me wearing the matching flannels. I debated asking him to leave so I could get dressed, but then he snored softly, and I thought I was in the clear.
Once I was dressed and ready for bed, I tapped his leg, hoping to wake him. I was exhausted. I was sure his parents had someplace for him to sleep, because I didn't think he should be driving anymore, even if it was just across a small town.
"Trent," I said his name, but he didn't budge. "Dr. Carrington."
"How far is she dilated?" he said, sitting up abruptly. He looked around confused. "Oh, Clara, I'm sorry. I'd better head home."
"You should probably stay the night. I'm sure your parents have a room somewhere here for you." They had one for everyone else. There had to be a vacant bed.
He rubbe
d his face. "No, sorry, Hotel Carrington has no vacancies. Everyone from out of town is taking up the rooms." He stood up stretching and stumbled a little. There was no way he could safely drive home.
I looked at the bed and then back to him, as he slowly dragged his body toward the door. I let him go as far as the hallway before I cracked. "Trent, you can stay with me tonight, but I need you not to touch me."
He leaned on the hall wall and yawned. He wore a pout and looked down the hall again, like he was still considering leaving. "I'm sorry, I guess I assumed too much after we kissed last weekend."
"I'm just not ready for us to be something more, so I think it’d be best to take a step back from the physical aspect of our relationship and just focus on being friends."
He nodded sadly.
"Now come to bed. I can't let you try and drive home like that."
He took a few steps in my direction, and I knew he was following. I climbed into bed and flipped down the covers on his side. He kicked off his shoes and pants, not saying a word, and slipped into bed in his boxers and t-shirt. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was snoring again.
I lay awake, watching the man next to me sleep. I still wasn't sure what to make of him. I trusted him with my kids, but I didn't yet trust him with my heart, and I didn't know if I ever fully would. Right now, tentative friendship was all I was comfortable with, especially with a vengeful ex lurking around. I had to do whatever was necessary to protect my children, even if that meant us not being around their father.
Chapter 13 – On Feelings, Good and Bad
I woke the next morning to Trent touching me and humping my backside. I quickly pulled away, getting out of bed before I gave in, only to realize he was still asleep. After a moment alone in bed, he rolled over and went back to snoring. I looked at the clock, and it was a bit after eight. I put on my robe and went to check on Tyler. He wasn't in his room. I heard my mom talking downstairs and then him giggling. I debated going down for breakfast or to Tyler's room to try and sleep, but then thought better of it. Tyler would be going back in there to play soon, so I made my way to my room and used the bathroom. I stood at the bedside again, watching Trent once more. He was sprawled on his belly, so I figured it was safe to get back into the bed with him. I dozed off once more fairly quickly, grateful for the chance to sleep in.
A Life Unplanned Page 9