Before CE O : Includes the Complete CE O Trilogy

by MT Stone

  “We’ll both go with you,” Brix says after a long pause, reaching for her hand. “As long as you’re sure they’re not going to arrest me or anything.”

  “She said they wouldn’t,” I tell him once again, realizing that her word could probably be overridden by a higher power. It seems that Brix wants to be there to show support for Daphne, and I think that might be a boost to her self-esteem. I catch myself judging her for what she has done when Felicia and I did the same thing. Looking at how she and Brix interact with each other, I can tell they have true feelings for each other. Good for them.

  Felicia

  After a short nap, I check on my little guy. He’s sound asleep and still breathing, so that’s good. After reading so much about sudden death and those types of things, I find myself a bit paranoid. I don’t smell anything foul, so I decide to let him rest until he wakes up on his own. Pulling the door closed, both the doorbell and my phone are ringing. Since the two are in opposite directions, I choose to answer the door. It’s Joyce, and she appears to have another load of baby items in tow.

  “What’s all this?” I ask as she begins unloading a shopping bag.

  “You’re going to need this stuff for when you leave Michael with me for the day,” she says, opening up a box that looks like nursing bottles. “These work with your breast pump. You just hook it up to these sterile bags, and you can store up to a dozen of them in the fridge. When it’s time to feed him, I can put one in this contraption and it heats it to the perfect temperature.” After apparently reading my facial expressions, she adds, “You do want to be able to leave the house, right?”

  “Oh, yeah. I guess I just haven’t thought about all of this stuff.” I pick up one of the bottle liners. “So these are disposable?”

  “Yes, they’re sterile so once you’ve used them, you throw them away,” she says, as if washing a bottle in the dishwasher isn’t sterile. “I bought you three dozen extra.”

  “Okay,” I reply, not wanting to offend her. “I’ll give those a try sometime when you babysit.”

  “When do you think that will be?” she asks with an inquisitive look. “I mean if you have anything coming up, just let me know and I can rearrange my schedule.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” I can’t help smiling at her enthusiasm. “If it doesn’t work with your schedule, Mom is usually available.”

  “Yes. Marlys made it clear the other night that she has never had to work,” she says with a hint of bitterness in her voice. “I wish I would’ve married a tech billionaire like your father.”

  “First, he’s not a billionaire, and secondly, he abandoned us,” I reply, wondering how much she actually knows about him.

  “I know, dear, but if Philip disappeared and left millions behind… hmm.” She shrugs as if she would be willing to take the trade-off.

  “It might have been easier if it had happened when we were grown up,” I reply dryly. “But my brother had just started college and I was just a kid. That first year was pretty tough until Mom won her settlement. We ate a lot of Tuna Helper that year.”

  “Tuna helper?” She laughs at my admission.

  “Yeah, I still don’t like tuna.” I think back to Mom crushing up potato chips and sprinkling them on top to get me to eat it. “I’ll never eat another Michelina’s frozen dinner or ramen noodles either. They were all regular staples for us.”

  “You poor dear,” she says, looking me directly in the eyes. “So, have you ever dealt with your daddy issues?”

  “I’ve never really had daddy issues,” I reply, finding it a bit offensive. “I missed my dad, but it’s not like I’ve made bad relationship decisions as a result of it.” I instantly feel my cheeks flush, thinking of the string of disasters that were my past relationships. I had, in fact, made a series of bad choices, but that was in the past. “I did choose your son, after all.”

  “Well, I’m just saying that sometimes, things pop up later in life, and it’s hard to figure out the source of those feelings,” she says reassuringly. “I’m here if you ever need to discuss it.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” My phone rings again, so I use that as an excuse to abandon the current conversation. I pick it up to see that it’s Rex. “Hi, Honey, what’s up?”

  “I just want to ask you out for Friday evening,” he says, sounding a bit more energetic than when he left home. “Will it be possible to get a sitter for the evening?”

  “That’s funny, your mom just brought over everything we need for her to babysit,” I reply suspiciously. “Are you two in cahoots or something?” I giggle to myself as I think that’s the first time I’ve ever used the word cahoots.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says convincingly. “If she’s there, why don’t you two talk about it? I want to take you somewhere special for dinner Friday evening.”

  “Okay, I will. How are things going there?”

  “I approved the letter that my attorney is sending to Jessica. I talked to the police about what’s going on with Richard, so now we’re just waiting for him to upload Daphne’s under-aged movie again, and then the police will try to nab him,” he explains, sounding a bit breathless.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m just running a quick errand,” he replies, not giving any further details. “What do you want for dinner?”

  “I haven’t figured it out, but I want to make something. I should watch what I eat while I’m breastfeeding.”

  “Okay, I’m going to let you go. I should be home around six,” he says, still huffing quite a bit. It almost sounded like he was jogging, but that doesn’t make any sense. Hopefully, he’s not in any danger.

  “I love you, and you be careful,” I tell him, having an uneasy feeling. “Let the police do their job.”

  “I know. I’ll see you in a couple of hours. Love you too,” he says before hanging up the call.

  “What’s going on?” Joyce asks, reading my facial expressions. “He’s not in any trouble, is he?”

  “No. He says everything is fine, but he sounded winded and wasn’t being very descriptive.” I walk over to the counter and pull out some of the nursing accessories. “I guess we’ll get to try these out on Friday. Rex wants to take me out for dinner if you’re available to babysit.”

  “Sure!” Her face lights up as she checks her phone. “I don’t think I have anything important that night, so if anything is on my calendar, it can be changed.” After checking, she immediately begins unpacking the nursing station and setting it up on my counter next to the fridge. “I’ll just come over here Friday night. That will be easier,” she tells me, stating the obvious. It will be nice to have a little break, and she seems more than willing to spend time with Michael. The only issue now will be Mom finding out that she’s been beaten to the punch, but I’m sure there will be plenty of babysitting for both of them.

  Before setting down my phone, I look to see what I missed while answering the door, since I’ve had lots of nice messages from old friends. I feel my cheeks burn the second I read it. Is this really you? The message says, along with a link to a porn site. I immediately shut off my phone without responding or clicking on the link. How the hell am I supposed to answer that one? Of course it’s me. I wish both Jessica and Richard would just go away. I’ve had enough of this too.

  Chapter 16

  Rex

  After picking up an amazing engagement ring with a gorgeous princess-cut diamond, I head toward home. I’m disappointed that we haven’t been able to do anything with Richard yet, but at least he’s on the radar of local law enforcement. My phone chirps several times in succession, grabbing my attention. I glance at the screen and they are all text messages from Jessica.

  Jessica: Since you’re too good to talk to me, I guess I’ll just text you. I finally got your new number.

  Jessica: I’m giving your latest video lots of FREE publicity!! ; )

  Jessica: Hope it helps you sell lots of dildos. : 0

&n
bsp; Jessica: I tagged both you and that slut of yours on Instagram. You’re welcome!

  I resist the temptation to reply, knowing it’s best to let my attorney deal with her. For someone who literally just had a baby, she’s certainly raising lots of hell. Mom warned me that things could be a little rocky for awhile. Between the hormone fluctuations and mixed feelings about giving the baby away, she’s bound to be volatile. I’ve tried not to think about it since Jessica is volatile enough normally. My phone chirps in my hand.

  Jessica: I think the judge is going to like that video

  I toss my phone face down on the passenger seat and pick up the little box that I just purchased. It’s the same threat she sent me this morning. I’m not sure if doing something like this affects our ability to be good parents. I do think it would help our cause if Felicia and I were married. At least that would show a greater level of stability for the child, so I want to get married as soon as we can get everything organized.

  My phone rings just as I get onto the interstate, and it’s Felicia. “Hi, Hun,” I answer, already knowing what it’s going to be about. She wouldn’t call me back this quickly unless there was something wrong.

  “That fucking bitch!” Her voice squeaks, letting me know that she’s really pissed. “Tagging me like that. God, she plays dirty.”

  “I know. I’m driving, otherwise I would go in and figure out how to untag us.” I can just picture the smirk on Jessica’s face right now. If she thinks she can beat me, she’s dead wrong.

  “She used our usernames in the comments so I don’t think there’s any way to untag ourselves,” she seethes. “I’ve never been this angry at someone. Stacy already sent me a message, so who knows how many other people have already seen it.”

  “I don’t know how she got ahold of it in the first place,” I wonder out loud. “Of course she’s probably scouring the internet on a daily basis for anything she can find to make me look bad. Hopefully, she’ll take the letter from my attorney seriously.”

  “It would kill me if this somehow jeopardized our ability to raise Michael.” Her voice squeaks again as her emotions get the best of her. After not getting much sleep the past two nights, neither of us is in an emotional state to handle this shit. “I’d better go back in the other room. Your mom is probably wondering what I’m doing in here.”

  “Where are you?”

  “The bathroom. I needed a minute after reading the message from Stacy, and then I had to call you,” she explains, flushing the toilet. “That’s just for effect.”

  “I’ll see you in twenty minutes since traffic is actually moving. Don’t let this worry you too much. I think we’ll be fine,” I add, not wanting her to be so emotionally raw.

  “I know. I still can’t believe this is the second time we’ve been outed by her.” She sighs into the phone. “Can we please not do anything stupid like this again?”

  I laugh, thinking about the fact that this was incredibly stupid. “At least we didn’t get caught at the waterfall the other day.”

  “Yeah, that was pretty damn close too! If one of those kids would’ve recorded us, that would be all over the web too.” The phone goes silent for a few seconds. “No more of this risky sex, even though it’s been a rush. We need to focus on providing a stable home for Michael.”

  “I know, and we will,” I assure her. “Here’s the call I’ve been waiting for. Love you, babe.”

  “Be careful!” she replies, still thinking that I’m somehow going to be the one who gets in trouble. I’m the only one who has nothing to get in trouble over. “Hello, this is Rex,” I say, answering the other line.

  “He uploaded the video again from another coffee shop downtown,” the tech guy tells me without hesitation. “This one’s right on the corner of Pine and eighth. About four blocks from the last one.”

  “Okay, I’m on it. Thanks!” I quickly hang up and click on officer McGuire’s number. She answers on the first ring, so I immediately share the address of the coffee shop. Within seconds, I’m off the phone and debating whether to call Brix and Daphne, whom I dropped off downtown earlier. Part of me wants to turn back and check it out myself, but Felicia is waiting so I click on Brix’s number instead.

  “You got ‘em?” he asks bluntly.

  “I think so. I just got off the phone with the officer, so she’s on it,” I inform him, not really wanting to give him the location until I see where his head is.

  “Are you going to share?” he asks, seeming a bit perturbed by my stalling.

  “Only if you guys promise to stay back and let the police handle it,” I reply, not wanting them to get in any trouble.

  “Of course. It’s not like I’m going to go in there and try to take him down myself,” he replies with a chuckle.

  “That’s exactly what I think you would do.” I pause again, still hesitant.

  “Give me the fucking address. I just want to see this fucker get arrested,” he says with venom in his voice. “Daphne deserves to see it too.”

  “It’s a coffee shop on the corner of eighth and Pine,” I tell him reluctantly. “Where are you guys?”

  “We’re on seventh and Pike,” he says with a spark in his voice. “Daphne, this way! He’s only a couple of blocks away.” I hear the sound of running footsteps before his phone goes silent. I call him back but it goes directly to voicemail. Son of a bitch! I hope they don’t mess this up.

  When I reach an off-ramp, I debate for a second whether to turn back. I sail past it, knowing it’s best for me to go home and talk to Felicia. She seemed really upset, and if Brix and Daphne get into trouble, I really don’t want to be part of it. Brix is a grown man, so he’ll have to live with the consequences if he gets involved. I cringe at the thought of it. He’s always so jacked up on testosterone.

  Felicia

  I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Rex’s car pull into the driveway. I’ve been trying to be nice to Joyce, but this whole thing with Jessica is really getting on my nerves. If I were alone, I would probably just sit on the couch and cry. I wonder what Stacy is thinking right now. We were on the cheer team together in high school, and we were the only ones who weren’t out partying with the boys after every game. I’m sure she’s even more shocked by all of this than I am.

  “Shouldn’t Michael be up by now?” Joyce asks with a concerned look.

  “I was just going to let him sleep until he woke on his own, but you can go in and get him if you want,” I reply, hoping that she might want to change a diaper for old time’s sake. Without another word, she scurries back to his room to check on him.

  “Honey?” Rex yells, coming through seeming energized.

  “What call were you talking about earlier?” I ask, meeting him halfway across the room.

  “Richard uploaded another copy of the video from another coffee shop downtown,” he says with fire in his eyes. “I passed it along to the police officer I talked to earlier, so hopefully, they can catch him red-handed.” He falls silent and puts his arms around me, giving me a much-needed hug. “I also told Brix,” he admits, sounding as if he already regrets it.

  “Well, I’m sure he wants him stopped worse than anyone,” I reason, knowing that Brix wants this all to go away as quietly as possible. Brix is a really good-looking guy. I don’t think he would fare so well in prison.

  “But after I told him… I found out they were only a couple of blocks from the coffee shop.” The look of concern deepens on his face. “I hope he didn’t do anything stupid.”

  “It’s not up to you to protect him from himself,” I remind him. Ever since they started doing business together, Rex has been acting like a protective big brother. “He’s a grown-up, so you need to start treating him like one.”

  “But… you’re right. I need to step back and focus on what’s important here,” he says, glancing down the hallway at his mother carrying Michael at arm’s length.

  “You’re just in time,” she says with a giggle. “Felicia tells me you’re a couple
of changings behind.” She continues toward Rex, extending her arms to pass him off.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to brush up on your diaper changing skills?” Rex asks, trying his best to dodge the bullet that’s coming right at him.

  “I’ll change diapers if I have to, but not when both of you are standing right here,” she replies with another giggle. “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. I’ll come watch you and provide a little moral support.”

  “Moral support,” Rex grumbles, taking the little guy into his arms. “Oh, yeah, it’s another good one. What have you been eating?” He narrows his eyes at me.

  “Hey, I’ve been good… except for one spicy pickle.” I join Joyce in giggling. “I don’t know why I’m craving them. I think it’s because you told me I couldn’t have anything spicy. Now that’s all I crave. I normally don’t eat much spicy stuff.”

  “We always want what we can’t have,” Joyce says with a wink. “I think I’ll let you assist on this one. I’ll go see if I can get some dinner started for the two of you.” She walks into the kitchen and clicks on the TV before checking out our fridge.

  “There’s a rotisserie chicken in there,” I tell her, wanting to hang back and give Rex a head start on the diaper changing. “I was thinking about making some jasmine rice and broccoli to go along with it.”

  “Broccoli always gives me gas, so I’d avoid that one,” Joyce says, looking for other options. “Do you have any green beans or peas instead?”

  “You can look around. The rice is on the second shelf in the cupboard just to your right,” I tell her, grabbing my phone. I type in foods to avoid when you’re breastfeeding. The first link is a video titled, don’t change a thing while breastfeeding. The doctor in the video suggests you don’t have to change a thing unless one of the parents has a severe food allergy to something such as peanuts. She also claims that very little of the spice from spicy foods ever reaches the child, so it’s safe to eat spicy foods. I press the Replay button upon joining Rex in the changing room. As the video comes to its conclusion, I tell him, “You’re on your own, buddy. I’m going back for another spicy pickle. Come and eat when you’re done here.”