I consider lying, but finally sigh and tell her the truth. “No, no plans. What time do you want me to come over?”
“Come over around seven. See you then, darling.”
The phone clicks and I shake my head. I take a deep breath and start walking over towards the reception desk. When the phone rang in my pocket I thought I might have a date tonight. Instead I’m going to have to listen to my parents drone on and on and on. Maybe they’ll tell me I ruined their political aspirations, or maybe they’ll tell me they want grandkids. I can pretty much guarantee that whatever they want to tell me, I don’t want to hear it.
I can’t help it that Victoria turned out to be an awful excuse for a human. By the sounds of it, Sam has gone through something similar.
I still remember the look on Victoria’s face when I walked into the bedroom. It was a mix of shock and guilt and then complete denial. How can you deny what’s happening when you’re completely naked with another man?!
The sliding glass door open and I’m hit with a wall of fresh air to cool me down. I take a deep breath and shake my head. I can’t keep dwelling on the past. I’ll just have to find a way to move on from Victoria, and I’ll have to convince my parents to do the same.
Even as I think it now, the sting of her betrayal doesn’t feel so harsh. My thoughts drift to Sam as I walk towards my car. She’s so sharp, she always has a witty answer for me. I love the way she laughs and the way her whole body flows whenever she moves.
It’s not until I get to my car that I remember I don’t have two working arms. If anything, the cast has made it worse. I sigh and pull out my phone.
“Jacob, what’s up,” I say as my best friend picks up the phone.
“Dean, bro! How have you been? I haven’t seen you in weeks!”
“We went out together two weekends ago,” I remind him as I shake my head. I lean back against my car and watch the traffic go by. Jacob laughs.
“Yeah, whatever. It feels like weeks. What’s up? We going out tonight?”
“I have dinner at my parent’s. Maybe after, I think I’m going to need a drink.” Jacob laughs and I continue. “Listen, buddy, can you do me a favour? I’m at the hospital, I broke my arm on a job this morning. Can I send an Uber to you and you can drive me back to my place?”
“No problem, man. I’m just at home so send it here.”
“Thanks.” I hang up the phone and tap on the screen a few times before heading back towards the hospital. I might as well wait in the air conditioning. I slump in the nearest chair and pull out my phone. I flick through the same social media apps that I’ve been flicking through since Sam left the hospital. Finally, I pull up my messages. I find Sam’s number and start typing.
Did you make it home ok?
The minutes tick by and I check my phone a few times before sighing and putting it down. I have that excitement in the pit of my stomach that a fourteen year old boy gets when he’s going on his first date. Finally, my phone buzzes and I pick it up. Sam’s name is on the screen with the words ‘photo message’. My heart starts thumping as I wonder what she could have sent me. My fingers are almost trembling as I unlock my phone and click the notification.
I frown when I see a picture of a yellow legal envelope next to a USPS mailbox. That’s not exactly what I was expecting. The three little dots under the photo tell me she’s typing an answer.
I’m officially a divorcee, I’m sending off the papers now. Feels like I should celebrate somehow.
I grin and start typing.
Did meeting me push you over the edge? I didn’t know I’d had that effect on you.
I press send and immediately see the three little dots appear. I love that she isn’t playing games and waiting to message me back. I laugh when her message appears.
??
I shake my head. Even over text message she can make me laugh.
Celebrate with me tonight. I’m having dinner at my parent’s house but I can meet you for a bit of champers after??
Sounds good xx text me later
I slip my phone in my pocket just as I see Jacob walking through the front doors. He opens his arms out wide and shakes his head.
“Who’s the punk who did this to you! I’ll beat him up!”
I laugh. “A two year old.”
“Where does he live, I’ll head there now. No one beats up my friends,” he says, puffing up his chest. I laugh and get up off the chair and clap him on the back.
“I can’t believe you’re still doing the clown thing,” he says as he shakes his head. “I thought for sure you’d get bored of that.”
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted to give back. Working at my father’s investment firm isn’t exactly fulfilling.”
“Fulfilment is bullshit,” he says with a laugh. “Come on, let’s go. What time is dinner at your parent’s place? I was thinking we could check out that new club on 4th.”
“Actually, I don’t think I can go out with you. I may have a date tonight.”
“You’re blowing me off for a chick?!” He says as he stops walking and puts a hand to his heart. “I’m hurt, Dean. You’ve changed.”
I chuckle. “Sorry, man.”
“Who is she,” he grins. He glances back. “One of the nurses?”
I shake my head.
“One of the moms?!” He asks with his eyes wide.
I laugh. “No. One of the mom’s friends. She drove me to the hospital.”
“Dude!” Jacob says with an approving nod. “Well done!”
I laugh and shake my head. I want to tell him it’s not like that. I don’t want it to be a one night stand or a fling. I actually want to get to know this girl. I haven’t felt that way since before I got engaged to Victoria. I nod towards the exit.
“Come on,” I grin. “Let’s go.”
“Yeah you’ve got a busy night ahead,” he says as he elbows me right in the arm. Pain shoots through my side and I wince, grabbing the cast and doubling over.
“Shit, sorry Dean, I forgot,” he says as he puts a hand on my back. I just laugh and shake my head.
“Typical,” I say as I straighten up. I look at him with a grin as I shake my head. “Typical.”
Jacob shrugs and grins. “At least you’ll get some major sympathy points with this chick.”
“Let’s go,” I say. Jacob laughs and the two of us head out towards my car.
Chapter 10 – Samantha
I stare at the screen and my heart starts thumping. Is this a date? I haven’t been out on a date with a man in years. I turn away from the mailbox and walk back down the street towards the house. I find Jess in the living room with the twins. They’re playing together on the ground and she’s folding laundry with Owen.
“So, I think I might have a date,” I say as I pick up some clothes and start helping them. Jess drops her hands and stares at me.
“What?! How! Is it the clown?”
Owen looks up and frowns. “The clown?”
I grin. “Children’s entertainer, thank you very much.” They both laugh and I shrug. “He texted me to make sure I made it home ok and then invited me out for a drink. Is that a date? Or is it just, I don’t know, being polite?”
Owen laughs. “It’s a date. He texted to make sure you made it home ok? What did you guys do at the hospital??”
My thoughts flick back to the parking lot, when our bodies were inches away from each other and I could feel the heat of his skin under my fingers. I can feel myself blushing already and I shake my head, staring at the pile of laundry as I fold with them.
“We just talked,” I say. “So it’s a date?”
They both chuckle. “It’s a date,” Jess says. “What time are you meeting him?”
“I’m not sure yet. He said he was having dinner at his parent’s house.”
“Cute,” Owen says. “Family man. I like that.”
Jess rolls her eyes and chuckles. “Don’t listen to hi
m. Let’s finish this and I’ll help you choose an outfit.”
I smile and nod. Jess winks at me and in no time we have the laundry folded and are heading back to my room to check out my clothes.
“So I think you should go with something sexy but understated, you know? Like casual but still a bit saucy.” Jess looks over at me and smiles. “I’m so glad you’re doing this!”
I try to smile. “I’m nervous, Jess. I haven’t been on a date in so long.”
She puts her arm around me and squeezes me into her. She smells like fresh laundry and babies. “Don’t worry. It doesn’t have to mean anything, and he doesn’t have to be ‘the one’ or whatever. You’re just going out and having a drink and having fun.”
I nod and try to blink back the tears. She wraps both arms around me and hugs me tightly. My voice is muffled in her shoulder when I speak.
“I signed the papers and sent them,” I blurt out.
Jess pulls away. “Is that where you went when you said you were going for a walk?” Her eyes are soft and full of concern. I nod and she sighs. “Oh, Sam,” she say softly. “I’m sorry.”
I take a deep breath and shake my head. “It’s a good thing. It had to be done. It just feels so… final.”
“Well that asshole doesn’t deserve another second of your thoughts, you hear me?” She puts her hands on my shoulders and looks me straight in the eye. “Not another second. You go out and have a drink and flirt and maybe even kiss. And who knows? You might get lucky!”
My heart thumps in my chest and I shake my head. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I should be doing this. It feels like it’s too soon.”
Jess scoffs. “People love to judge others for moving on too soon. I say the quicker the better. Ronnie didn’t give you the respect to be faithful during your marriage, and now you’re a free woman. You don’t need to jump into bed with anyone! All I’m saying is if another man wants to give you attention and a bit of affection, then enjoy every single second of it.”
I nod and wipe my cheeks. A few tears have fallen out of my eyes and I quickly brush them away. Jess pulls me in for another hug and then takes a step back and claps her hands together.
“Ok. We only have a few hours. What are you wearing? I’m thinking tight jeans and a sexy tank top. Maybe with a cropped blazer and some good accessories? We can blow dry your hair and give you a nice smokey eye. I’m thinking soft pink lips, nothing too bold. You know, something… kissable.”
I can’t help but laugh. My throat still feels tight and my laugh comes out as a gurgle, but I nod my head and sniff my nose.
“Sounds good. How about this top?” I say as I pull out a black camisole with a lacy trim. Jess nods.
“Perfect.”
I smile and take a deep breath. She’s right. A date is just a date, and a drink is just a drink. I’m divorced now, and I’m allowed to go out and enjoy myself. I’m not doing myself any favours by wallowing by myself at home. If a sexy, funny man who happens to be very caring and loves kids wants to take me out for a drink, then who am I to refuse? I should go out and enjoy myself.
Jess and I go through my wardrobe and my accessories. Pretty soon the nervousness dissipates and all that’s left is excitement.
Chapter 11 – Dean
“Hello, mother,” I say as she opens the front door.
“Dean, darling. When are you going to stop calling me that! It sounds so formal.” Probably never. Her hands fly up to her mouth and she motions to my arm. “What happened!”
“Occupational hazard,” I say with a grin. “Just got the cast on today.”
“When did this happen. We can get Dr. Long to look at it this evening!”
“Mother, I’ve been to the hospital already. It’s broken in two places but they set it and put a cast on it. It’s fine, just a bit sore.”
She makes a noise and I smile as she ushers me inside. I can smell the roast already, and I take a deep breath in. My mother’s new cook came highly recommended, and I can already see why.
We walk through the grand foyer and into the living room. They’ve hired a new decorator. The overstuffed sofas and Persian rugs of my youth have been replaced with an ultra-sleek, modern-looking decor. I whistle.
“Big change!”
My mother waves her hand lazily. “Oh, you know. It was time for something fresh. Change is always good.”
My eyebrows shoot towards my hairline as I nod. “I’ll agree with you there, change is definitely good.” My thoughts drift to Sam. I can still see her as she drove, when the sun was shining on her face making it look like she had a halo. Change is definitely good.
My mother floats towards the bar and pours us both a drink. I take the glass of whiskey and sniff, already knowing it’ll be the best of the best. She sits down beside me as my father enters the room.
“Dean!” He exclaims in his big booming voice. He walks in with his arms outstretched, dominating the whole room. He is always the centre of attention. “How is my favourite son doing today. I’m glad you could make it. What’s this!”
He points to my cast and I’m already tired of explaining myself. I’m guessing it’ll be happening a lot these days.
I tell them both about the twins’s birthday party this morning, but I leave out the part where Sam drove me to the hospital. It feels wrong to tell them about it. I want to keep her locked away far away from them, far from where they can taint her.
“Will you be able to come in to work on Monday?” My father asks, eyeing my cast. I chuckle and shake my head. The only thing he’s ever been concerned with is work.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Might be a bit slower when I type but the rest of me is still fully functional.”
“Good. Well! We have a surprise for you and it sounds like it’s just arriving!” He says as the doorbell rings. It’s not a regular doorbell, it sounds like chimes ringing through the entire mansion. I raise my eyebrows and look towards the living room entrance. My mother jumps up out of her seat and smooths her hands over her pants. I hear the clack-clack-clack of heels walking down the hardwood floors. Alarm bells start ringing in my head.
I know that walk.
I stand up just as Victoria turns the corner. Her eyes float up to mine and my veins turn to ice. My stomach drops and all I can do is stare at her. My mother glides over to her, crooning and saying things I can’t quite understand. All I can do is stare at the woman who broke my heart.
She’s perfectly made up, as usual. Her jet black hair is pulled into a low bun, and her clothes look expensive and perfectly tailored. Her purse hangs lazily off her forearm. She greets my mother with a kiss on either cheek and turns her eyes to me. A chill runs down my spine and I’m still frozen in place.
“Well don’t just stand there, Dean, come and say hello!” My mother’s voice draws me out of my stupor. I swing my eyes to her and frown.
“What is she doing here?”
“Dean,” she titters nervously, “don’t be so rude.”
“I’ll be as rude as I fucking want,” I snap. “What is she doing here?”
“We invited her, son,” my father says as he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Victoria has been speaking to us and she says she’s ready to forgive you for leaving her like you did.”
“Wait, what? She’s ready to forgive me?” Am I Alice? Is this Wonderland? Is everything backwards? What is going on!
My mother walks over to me, guiding Victoria closer. With every clack of her heels on the ground it’s like a dagger pierces my heart. She gets close enough that I can smell that perfume she always wears – the one I grew to hate. I shake my head.
“Is this why you had me over for dinner? I should have known,” I say with a scoff. “It’s never just about having dinner with you two. There’s always an ulterior motive and it’s always self-serving. Unbe-fucking-lievable,” I say, side-stepping and heading for the exit.
“Dean!” my mother shouts. I stop in my tracks and spin ar
ound. She’s breathing heavily, her chest heaving up and down. “It would be a good idea for you to reconsider your attitude.” Is that a threat? “Victoria has been gracious enough to come over and hear you out, the least you can do is spend a bit of time with her.”
“She was gracious enough to come alone, I see. Or is your lover waiting for you in the car?” My words come out like venom and Victoria bristles. Finally, she speaks.
“Dean, baby, I just came over to try to fix things up. Your mother has been inconsolable, you know how much is riding on our wedding. I told you I was sorry.” Her voice is sickly sweet and she sways her hips as she walks towards me. Her heels bang on the ground and I resist the urge to shiver. I take a step back as she raises her hand to touch my arm.
“Enjoy your roast,” I say before spinning on my heels and walking out. I make my way to the black Bentley and slide inside. I remember when my parents bought this car for me, how happy I was. Now it’s nothing but a reminder of their power over me.
I sigh and bang my hand on the steering wheel with my good hand. “Fuck!” I yell. My heart is thumping and I can’t think straight. She’s been talking to my parents? They’re not going to let this go. It sounded like my mother was threatening me! I take a deep breath and start the car.
This is an automatic, at least, so I can drive myself around even with an injured arm. The car rumbles to life silently, and I put it into gear. It’s a gorgeous car, and it drives like a dream, but it’s too flashy for me. I don’t like taking it anywhere because it gets too many looks. When I drive out of my parent’s gate, I let out a sigh.
So much for dinner.
I pull over on the side of the road and shift my weight to get my phone out of my pocket.
Dinner ended a bit early. How about that drink? Where are you?
I lean back in my seat and take a deep breath. The best thing I can do to get Victoria and my parents out of my mind is to see Sam. Even if she wasn’t attractive and smart and sexy, at least she’s normal.
Chapter 12 – Samantha
Jess gives me a thumbs up as I get up to leave. I laugh and roll my eyes.
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” I say.
Knocked Up by the Billionaire's Son: A Secret Baby Romance Page 4