Stud

by Jamie K. Schmidt

  Terri was blow-drying her hair when Lionel came up. Yanking an Egyptian robe over my head, I opened the elevator doors. I’m glad I remembered to lock them before I fell asleep last night. I thanked him and offered him some coffee. He grabbed a cup and then went back to the car to wait for us.

  “My turn,” I said, barging in on Terri.

  Terri turned the blow-dryer on me.

  I chucked off the robe and turned on the shower.

  “I was thinking,” she said.

  “It’s overrated,” I told her before getting in.

  “I can handle this. Someone from the Wentworth Agency needs to be here.”

  “Curtis and Jim will understand. It’s not like this is launch week.”

  “They’re expecting us. I have an excuse not to be here. You don’t.”

  As I lathered up, I hated that she had a point. “They’ll deal.”

  “They don’t have to. It’s just for another two days. I can keep it together without you for that long.”

  My conscience warred with my business side. The professional thing would be for me to stay here.

  Pulling back the curtain, she gave me a thorough once-over.

  “Keep looking at me like that and we’ll join the mile-high club,” I told her.

  “I’m sure the other passengers will like that much more than the movie.”

  “What other passengers? We’re taking a private jet back.”

  “You have a private jet?” Her mouth dropped open. I was almost tempted to lie to impress her. “No, but my friend does and he owes me a favor.”

  She took a deep, shuddering breath. “In that case, let me go back alone. If I need you, I’ll send the jet back to you.”

  I smiled and didn’t tell her that the jet was probably going to stay at JFK. “I’ll tell you what. The jet will take you home. You’ll get to the hospital before visiting hours are over. I’ll put in a full day here and then take a red-eye out tonight. That should satisfy Lemmingware, and I can sleep on the plane and be there for you tomorrow morning.”

  Terri sniffed. “Sounds like a plan.”

  I managed to get her to take a few bites of toast and a cup of coffee. I escorted her to the car and off she went. After changing into a polo shirt and khakis, I headed over to GameCon and made myself useful.

  Around lunchtime I was dragging ass. Terri would be just landing now. I didn’t want to bother her until after she had a chance to see her brother. I was exhausted. That was my only excuse, because I allowed my mother to sneak up on me.

  “Hello, Mick,” she said.

  “Hasn’t someone dropped a house on you yet?” I asked.

  “Where’s your girlfriend?”

  “Why?” I folded my arms and glared at her.

  “I was just wondering how she was going to react when she finds out that Janet had a boy yesterday.”

  I checked my phone. No messages from Simon. “That’s great. She and the kid doing all right?”

  “Fine. She named the boy after his father, Michael.”

  I flinched and went rigid. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  My father’s words came back to me. Bette went for the weak areas. Janet was weak. My new relationship was weak. I clenched my jaw. A paternity test would differentiate between brothers, though. I would just have to get a step ahead of this.

  “Your brother was so thrilled for you both. He marveled that the two of you kept this a secret for so long. I think you should do right by the girl and marry her. After all, your son needs a father.”

  “I know what it’s like to grow up without one,” I said, feeling for my nephew, who they were trying to foist off as my son. I had to call Simon. “Was this what you were trying to get Terri to tell me yesterday?”

  I wasn’t sure if I was glad that it hadn’t ruined our night or if I was pissed that we could have gotten past all of this before her brother went into the coma. I didn’t want her dealing with this shit on top of everything else.

  “So how does it feel to be a grandmother again?” It was a weak stab, but I saw it hit home anyway.

  “How does it feel to be a father?”

  “Ask Simon, because the kid’s not mine. I’ll schedule the paternity test.”

  She held up a finger. “You might want to talk to your brother first.” Then she leaned in and I instinctively moved back. “I told you that you were going to get knocked off that pedestal. And I would be there to see it.”

  “What made you hate your own sons so much?” I asked mildly.

  She blinked at me, confused. It must have been the last question in the world that she expected me to ask. “I don’t. I didn’t. What a stupid question.”

  “Did we ruin your girlish figure? Did we get in the way of partying?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “We were just children. Why did you even have us?”

  “Your father wanted you both.” She looked away.

  That was news to me.

  “It was the only way I could bind him to me. That and the old man gave us everything because of the two of you. But then you had to grow up and form opinions of your own. At least Simon had the decency to marry well. You’re serious about a barista who doesn’t have a pot to piss in. You’re throwing your money away.”

  “I love her.”

  Bette scoffed. “Love. Wait until her tits sag and her ass isn’t so perky. You’ll be horndogging around just like your brother. Speaking of which, he’s waiting for your call. Tell him Mommy says hello.” She finger waved and sauntered back toward the high-roller section.

  Finding a private place to have a conversation was nearly impossible, but I managed to use my credentials to get into an office. Simon answered on the first ring.

  “Did you speak to Mom?”

  “She says hi,” I said.

  “So you’ve heard?”

  “Congratulations, Simon. It’s a boy. You want to tell me what’s going on?”

  “Mom paid Janet two hundred thousand dollars cash to say that you’re the father.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s trying to protect me.”

  I considered that. It was possible. Simon was her favorite and this would be a twofer. She could get back at me and save her little boy. “Except, I’m going to demand a paternity test because I never fucked the bitch. You on the other hand…”

  “Are desperate. Please, Mick. Don’t do this. Laila finally believes that I’m not screwing around with Terri. If she finds out that Janet’s baby is mine, she’ll divorce me.”

  “So what? If you wanted to be married, you’d keep your dick in your pants. Is it the money? We’ll make more money. I’m not letting you fuck up my life because you can’t take responsibility for your mistakes.”

  “Janet wasn’t a mistake,” he shouted.

  “Then own up to it.”

  “Laila will take my kids away.”

  “A good lawyer will work out a settlement.” I was getting bored with this shit. The next phone call was to my attorney and then to any reputable company who would do the paternity test.

  “Mick, I don’t want to see my kids on weekends and every other holiday. I remember what that was like growing up.”

  I winced. So did I. And as much as Simon fucked around, he was always there for his kids.

  “You don’t have to marry her. Hell, you don’t even have to acknowledge her or the kid. I’ll take care of them. Just don’t out me. Please, Mick. Do this for me.”

  I didn’t know what this was going to do to me and Terri. I’d tell her the truth, but would she believe me? Or would she always wonder? And what about Janet? Did Simon just throw more money at her and keep her like a dirty secret? Didn’t the baby deserve to see his father just as often as Simon’s legitimate kids? But that was impossible. Yet, if it were me, and I had been the kid’s father…I shook my head. I couldn’t be anyone’s father.

  “Mick, if you do this, I’ll give you my shares of Wentworth. You’d own it completely. I j
ust ask that you keep me on. If not as CEO, then as an advertising executive.”

  I looked down, realizing I was rubbing my tattoo so hard it was bright red. I felt like I was back in the water in Key West, just coming up from snorkeling. Only this time instead of Key West, I’d be leaving Terri behind.

  No.

  But my mouth wouldn’t say that one syllable. Because Simon was giving me a reason to be free of my family, yet still have the Wentworth Agency. Terri would understand. I’d make her understand and believe me.

  “I’ll be back tomorrow. Have your lawyer get the paperwork ready for Monday. If it’s not ready by Monday, I’m going to get a paternity test to prove I’m not the father of that baby.”

  “I’ll have it done. Thank you, Mick. Thank you.”

  I rested my head on my forearm against the wall and stood there until someone else barged in, needing the office.

  Chapter 22

  Terri

  I hated hospitals. I hated the beeping machines, even though they told me that Billy was breathing on his own and that his heart was still beating. I hated seeing him hooked up to all the machines and IVs and the catheter. I hated that he didn’t respond when I held his hand. Elaine had stayed for a little while, but then she had to go back to the Beanery. I thanked her. At least, I think I did. And told her that I would call her when something changed.

  The nurses tried to get me to go home, but I wouldn’t budge. What if he woke up and I wasn’t here? Worse, what if I left to go get a sweater and he…and he…I couldn’t even think it.

  Mick texted me when he landed and said he was going to grab a few hours of sleep and then meet me here. He had something to tell me. I asked if he could bring me a blanket and a thermos of coffee. An hour later, a courier arrived with a Pottery Barn cashmere throw and a tray of sandwiches and coffee from the Beanery. I forced myself to eat a triangle of chicken salad. It had always been my favorite. I let the nurses graze on the rest of it. There was coffee enough for everyone. With the warm blanket and the drone of the monitors, I drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep. When I woke up, Mick was there. He looked like I felt. He had pulled up a chair and had his arm around me. We were both going to be stiff from being in this position.

  “Hi,” I croaked. “What time is it?”

  “It’s about four in the afternoon. I brought you some soup if you want.”

  “That sounds good. Thanks.”

  He handed me a cardboard container and a spoon. I sniffed. “Minestrone. My favorite.”

  “It’s from Luigi’s.”

  I perked up. “Did you bring any garlic bread?”

  Mick unwrapped a loaf and tore off a piece for both of us. We ate and I felt content for the first time since I got the phone call.

  “No change?” he asked, when we had finished our meal.

  Shaking my head, I gathered up all the garbage and put it in the trash can. “They think he had a delayed reaction to the medicine. They’re hoping that once it’s out of his system, he’ll wake up.”

  “When will that be?”

  I shrugged. “Later today. Tomorrow. They’re not really sure. They’ve done a whole battery of tests. The doctors are talking with each other and no one knows a fucking thing.”

  Mick took me in his arms and I sagged against him. He held me until I stopped crying. “Thanks.”

  “I’ve got something to tell you,” he said. “Normally, I wouldn’t burden you with this until your brother was better, but I wanted you to find this out from me.”

  “Uh-oh.” I sat down.

  He took a seat next to me and held my hands. “Nothing has changed my feelings toward you. I love you.”

  I closed my eyes. I hadn’t realized that I needed to hear him say that.

  “Janet had her baby on Friday.”

  My eyes popped open. This was good news, right?

  “Mom and baby are fine. There’s just one problem.”

  I felt cold all of a sudden.

  “She’s claiming I’m the father.”

  All the muscles in my body locked. “Are you?” I forced out of tight lips.

  “No.”

  I sagged in relief.

  “Simon is the father.”

  I wasn’t surprised.

  “My mother paid her two hundred grand to tell the world I’m the father so Simon doesn’t lose his wife and family. And probably to stick it to me as well. Simon has always been her favorite.”

  “She’s a pleasant woman,” I muttered. “I’ve enjoyed the encounters I’ve had with her. What are you going to do?”

  “I was going to force a paternity test to prove I’m not the father, but Simon said he’d give me his shares in the company if I don’t.”

  I whistled low. “That’s quite a bribe. Are you going to take it?”

  Mick was silent so long I wasn’t sure he was going to answer me. Then he said, “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”

  Wrapping the Pottery Barn throw tighter around me, I asked, “So is Janet demanding you pay child support or does she want to get married?”

  Pain flared inside my heart when I said the last word.

  “I don’t want to marry her.”

  Hope fluttered in my chest.

  “But my nephew, who’s going to think he’s my son, deserves a father and a mother.”

  And hope died.

  I closed my eyes. Maybe if I went to sleep this would all be a terrible dream. I’d wake up in ancient Egypt and run away with my gladiator slave.

  “I know this is a lot to ask,” he said. “And this is sure as shit not how I would have gone about it. But will you marry me and help me raise my nephew as our son?”

  My eyes flew open and I almost gave myself whiplash turning to him. He held out a ring box.

  “What the serious fuck?” I asked.

  He opened it. It was one big honker of a diamond. My gaze shot to his ear. He wasn’t wearing the diamond stud anymore. My mouth gaped open. I didn’t know what to say. I glared at my brother. Now would be a good time for some brotherly advice.

  “I memorized the reasons why this is a good idea.”

  “Let me hear them,” I said.

  “Great sex.”

  I had to give him that.

  “I’m rich.”

  “Stop right there. I don’t give a fuck about your money.”

  “It would piss off my mother to see me happy.”

  “I don’t give a fuck about your mother either, but tell me more about the happy part.”

  “You make me happy.”

  I nodded.

  “I like who I am when I’m with you.”

  I nodded.

  “We have fun together.”

  Was I actually considering this? He was proposing marriage to me on what could be my brother’s deathbed.

  “I would take care of you.”

  Tears filled up in my eyes. “I can take care of myself,” I managed to get out without crying.

  “You’d take care of me.”

  A tear rolled down my cheek. He wiped it away.

  “I had a shitty childhood with shitty parents. I see how you and your brother are with each other and I want that for this little boy. I want him to grow up with game night and with parents who love him. I can’t think of anyone who would be a better wife and mother than you. Please Terri, Yrsa, Sanura. Will you marry me?”

  “Yeah.”

  Except that hadn’t been me. Billy said it, but then went right back under. “I have to get the nurse.” I tore out of the room. I had dragged the whole medical team back to take a look at my brother when I realized that Mick had gone.

  Chapter 23

  Mick

  8:57 A.M.

  It felt weird to stop at the Beanery and not get a large iced decaf, soy milk and sugar with extra whip. Janet was on maternity leave and today Simon was signing over the company to me. I should be thrilled, but I hated having to leave it hanging with Terri. We had both been exhausted from Vegas and worn out emotionally from finding out
her brother was in a coma. It hadn’t been fair to pressure Terri while her brother was fighting for his life. I just needed to tell her what was going on. If my mother had gotten to her first, Bette might have caused irreconcilable damage.

  “Just a large black coffee today, Elaine,” I said, noting her surprise.

  I drank it in the car on the way to work. Part of me wanted to drive in myself, but I didn’t trust myself not to get on the highway and drive until I hit Key West. I dragged myself through the lobby to the tenth floor and then went straight to Simon’s office. Better to get it over with. Opening his door, I stopped dead in my tracks. Janet was there, crying. And Simon was holding the newborn baby.

  “Shouldn’t you be in the hospital or resting at home?” I asked.

  “They kick you out after forty-eight hours,” Simon said, because Janet was incoherent.

  “Are we going to sign these papers or what?” I peeked over at my newest nephew. “Cute kid.”

  “Deal’s off,” Simon said.

  My whole body froze. “What?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t give him up. He’s my son. I love him. And I’m in love with Janet.”

  Janet wailed some more.

  “Laila and I are a good team. She’s my friend, but I’m not in love with her.” Simon took a deep breath. “I asked her for a divorce this morning.”

  “What happened?”

  “She wanted to go to counseling until I told her about the baby and then she threw a frying pan filled with eggs at me.”

  “You deserved it.”

  “I did. I’m sorry I hurt her. And Janet, I’m sorry I hurt you too.”

  I was starting to get a headache from her high-pitched sobbing. “All right, then. Business as usual on a Monday morning. I’ll be in my office. Janet, take as long as you need on leave. I wish you both the best.”

  I closed the door behind me and made a mental note to price out what soundproofing the office would cost. I stared at Janet’s desk as I let myself into my office. I should call the temp agency for a new secretary for both me and Simon. I know I shouldn’t discriminate, but I was going to hire either men or ugly women. I didn’t want to tempt fate with Simon and Janet.

  “Fuck me,” I groaned as I made my way to my desk. I had dodged a bullet. At least things were back to normal. I heard a noise in my bathroom. “Or for fuck’s sake, now what?”