Trouble in Loveland (The Loveland Series Book 1)

by Jennifer Peel

  “I survived.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “Yes, you did, but it wasn’t right.”

  He walked me in. We sat on the living room couch, and he held me as I got out eight years’ worth of tears. I also talked about how much I disliked accounting and how what I really wanted to be was a psychologist. He was disappointed, but he understood. He even offered to help pay for grad school again. I declined. He did talk me into staying with him until I could qualify for in-state tuition.

  “You know, I wish you would have told me you hated being an accountant.”

  “I probably should have, but everyone around me was telling me what a terrible idea majoring in psychology was, and I just couldn’t deal with it,” I said through the never-ending tears.

  He rubbed my arms.

  When I finally stopped crying, I sat up.

  My dad softly touched my tear-stained cheeks.

  “I’m thirsty.”

  My dad chuckled. “I can fix that at least. Are you hungry, too?”

  It was well past nine, and neither of us had eaten dinner.

  I nodded my head.

  He stood up and helped pull me up. We made our way to the kitchen.

  “Have a seat and I’ll make us some grilled cheese sandwiches,” my dad offered.

  I kind of melted into the stool. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically, but I mustered up a little enthusiasm for dinner. My dad made grill cheese sandwiches with bacon. He was a genius.

  “You know you need to talk to Ryan.” Dad was pulling the ingredients out of our fridge.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “He feels terrible, you know.”

  “He should. He didn’t treat me very well today.”

  “I know. I’m not happy about it.”

  “So why do you want me to talk to him?”

  “Because everyone makes mistakes, kiddo, and he’s feeling pretty rotten right now.”

  “Will you think I’m terrible if I say, ‘good’?”

  “No, I’d think you’re human and more than justified.”

  “We’re done, Dad.” That came out brave, but inside I hurt. A lot.

  He set the griddle in front of me. “I think he got that message loud and clear. Are you okay?”

  I shrugged and tried not to cry.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “Do you think I could call in sick tomorrow?” I somewhat teased.

  “If you want to, but I don’t think that’s going to make you feel any better. And usually, running away from our problems only makes them worse.” His eyes were so full of concern when he spoke.

  “Yeah. Unfortunately, I know that from experience.”

  “CJ, I’m proud of you, and I’m sorry that I let anyone think any different.”

  “Daddy, you had cause for being concerned, and I was being selfish. I felt like you owed it to me, and I’m sorry for that.”

  “Don’t apologize to me, baby girl.”

  I lay in bed that night with dueling emotions. I was completely heartbroken, I’m not going to lie. For whatever dumb reason, I loved Ryan Carter and I loved Josh. I wondered if I could get in on the whole shared custody deal. I knew I couldn’t, because his mom hated me. Any respect I had for her went out the window today. How immature was it for her to sit there and text her friend? If she wanted Ryan, she should have just stayed married to him.

  As heartbroken as I was, I also felt lightened. My dad finally knew the truth, and I think I could finally move on from the past. I felt free. The best part was, my dad was going to help me realize my dream of becoming a psychologist. Now I just had to get into a program.

  He also gave me some more insight into my mom. It didn’t help me feel better about what she put me through, but it helped me to understand a little better. I guess she battled depression more frequently and severely than I knew growing up. She and my dad had done a great job hiding it from me. I think that, more than anything, made my dad feel worse about letting me leave with her. I guess he had been counting on me to say something. Too bad he forgot how stubborn I could be.

  I woke up later than normal. I sure as heck wasn’t running with my moronic neighbor who I was in love with. I really needed to get over that, like as soon as possible. I knew it wasn’t happening, though. I supposed if it was quick and easy, it wouldn’t have been real love. I dreaded going into work and seeing him, but I had goals and I needed that job. My dad was going to help me come up with a plan. He was willing to work around my school schedule once I started. It looked like I would be putting my CPA license to use, at least for a little while.

  I rode in with my dad. I figured if I ran into Ryan, at least my dad would be with me. On our way in, my phone went off. I nervously picked it up. I thought perhaps it was Ryan, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Jay.

  “Hello.”

  “How’s the most beautiful woman in the world?”

  Why wasn’t I in love with this man? “I don’t know, I’m not sure who that is.”

  “Well, you’re the only one that would know.” That was his usual response.

  I laughed as I always did. It was nowhere near true, but he honestly felt that way.

  “Tomorrow I’m passing through there on my way to Wyoming. Do you think we could have lunch together?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Great. Give me the address to your office and I’ll swing by and pick you up around noon.”

  “I’ll text it to you.”

  “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Me, too. Bye.”

  “Who was that?” my dad inquired.

  “Jay.”

  “Jay, as in the guy that wants to marry, you, Jay?”

  “Yes. He’s coming through town tomorrow and wants to take me to lunch. Do you mind if I take a long lunch tomorrow? I’ll stay later and work.”

  He reached over and patted my knee. “You’re a good kid. Just be careful tomorrow.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Your emotions are running high, and I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret.”

  I sighed. I knew what he was getting at. “Thanks, Daddy. I wouldn’t do anything to lead Jay on. I’ve already hurt him enough, but I do wonder if there’s something wrong with me. Why can’t I be in love with Jay? He would have never treated me the way Ryan did.”

  “I don’t know, baby girl. Love is a fickle creature. I’m not going to pretend I like how Ryan treated you, and I’m not going to tell you that you need to give him another chance, but Ryan’s a good man. He has some issues he needs to work out, but I don’t think he’s irredeemable. He, too, fought a long, hard battle. Maybe on a different front than you, but the last eight years were anything but a cake walk for him.”

  I didn’t say anything back. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window and pondered my life.

  As we walked in, my dad said, “I’ll tell Ryan to give you some space today.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  He kissed the side of my head and opened the office entrance for me. We parted ways, and I started my very long day. Mondays were the worst, but this Monday beat out all the other Mondays. Not only was I worried I would run into Ryan, which thankfully I didn’t, but there seemed to be never ending issues from my computer freezing up to the internet being down at the precise moment I needed to transmit a report to the IRS. It was normally stuff I let slide off my back, but I was tired.

  I was looking forward to a relaxing evening at home, but I had two calls that prevented that. First up, my mother. She called while I was changing out of my work clothes into some more casual attire. She was not happy at all. I guess my dad called her and gave her the what for. I wished he hadn’t, but there was nothing I could do about it now.

  “I can’t believe you told your father that I was a terrible mother.”

  “I never said that to him.”

  “Well, that’s what he thinks. He is such a hypocrite.
And you. After everything I went through, this is how you repay me. Mark is very upset with you, young lady.”

  “For what? Telling Dad the truth? And what does Mark have to do with it anyway? I don’t remember him being the one in the hospital with you praying that you would wake up. He also wasn’t there to clean up your puke after you came home falling down drunk all the time, either. And don’t even get me going on the parade of men.”

  “Enough. I don’t deserve this.” Here came the tears.

  “No. You know who didn’t deserve any of this? Me.”

  She hung up.

  I walked upstairs for dinner. Her calls didn’t even rattle me anymore.

  I started the meat for taco salad, and my dad soon joined me. We both liked to change when we got home.

  “When did you call mom?”

  “This morning.”

  “She’s not very happy with me now.”

  “I’m sorry for that, but what she did was wrong. I’m sorry my horrible mistake ended our marriage and broke up our family, but her taking you and not caring for you the way she should have is inexcusable. Had I known, I would have fought tooth and nail for you.”

  “I just want to forget about it and move on.” I chopped some lettuce.

  “Your old man is going to need some time. I’m still livid about the situation.”

  “I get that, but quit calling Mom. She and I already have enough issues.”

  “We don’t have anything left to say to each other.” My dad was angry, but there was some sadness mixed in.

  I had never seen my dad really angry before. He was a pretty even keel sort of guy. I had no idea this would shake him so much.

  During dinner, my second phone call came. It was Krissy, and I could barely understand her. “Please come over,” I made out during her hysterical crying.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Just come quick,” she begged.

  I jumped up. “I’m headed to Krissy’s. She’s crying, and I don’t know why.”

  My dad’s brow scrunched together. “You don’t think it’s anything domestic, do you?”

  “No,” I laughed. “She probably burned dinner and Chance said he didn’t like it.”

  My dad laughed in return. “Well, have fun then.”

  I stopped at the store and got her favorite ice cream, cookies and cream. I thought about getting some Midol, but she should have already had her period for the month, so I decided against it. Instead, I bought my favorite ice cream, fudge revel, because I was nursing a broken heart.

  With a grocery bag full of goodness, I knocked on the door of her new digs. She answered the door almost instantaneously and pulled me in. “What took you so long?” She was already dragging me back to her bedroom.

  “What are you doing?” I laughed. “I have ice cream in my hand.”

  “Just follow me.”

  I let her pull me into her master bath.

  “Okay, this is weird. I didn’t need to see your love den.”

  She stood there, looking pathetic. Her eyes were puffy, and she was wearing sweat pants and an ill-fitting t-shirt.

  “Are you okay, honey?”

  “No,” she cried and grabbed onto me for dear life.

  I dropped the ice cream bag and held onto her. “Did Chance do something to you? Because if he did, I’ll kill him.” After him, I’d kill Ryan for good measure. If you’re going to kill once, you might as well do it again, I figured.

  “Yes,” she howled. “He got me pregnant.”

  Whoa! I was not expecting that. “Krissy, that’s terrific.”

  She let go of me and handed me her peed-on pregnancy test stick.

  “Um . . . thank you. I always wanted to touch your pee.”

  She cracked a small smile.

  I looked at the two very distinct lines. “Well, you sure didn’t waste any time.”

  “We weren’t planning on having kids for at least two years.” She sat on her toilet and cried some more.

  I set down her pee stick and washed my hands. “So you’re having a surprise blessing. What does Chance think?”

  “He’s so happy about it.”

  “Well, that’s great.”

  “No, it’s not. I’m not ready to be a mom. I’ve barely been a wife. How can I be a mom? And what are people going to say when I have a baby before we’ve even been married a year?”

  I knelt in front of her and took her hands. “Krissy, you’re going to be a great mom, and who cares what people say. Most people today don’t even wait to get married to have kids.”

  “I’m not ready.”

  “Well, ready or not. And I’ll be here every step of the way.”

  “You’re such a good friend.”

  “I am, aren’t I?”

  She laughed a little.

  “Wash your face and let’s have some ice cream.”

  “Okay,” she said obediently.

  We sat on her couch, each with our own carton of ice cream.

  “So, if it’s a girl, you’re going to name her Charlee, right?”

  She grinned at me and shook her head no.

  “Fine. I don’t know why you don’t want your daughter to have a strong, masculine name.”

  “How about a middle name?”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “So how are you and Ryan? You never told me how your weekend of fun was.”

  I looked down at my half-eaten carton. I was going to regret that. “Oh . . . We’re not seeing each other anymore.”

  “Why?”

  I told her the whole ugly story. Like a true friend, she interrupted when she should, and was outraged on my behalf.

  “I guess it’s for the best,” I sighed when I finished.

  “Are you sure?”

  “No. Honestly, this hurts like hell.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I was going to, but it hurts to even think about it. Plus, my dad’s been hovering over me. He’s totally freaking out about everything that happened in Kansas. He even had it out with my mom this morning.”

  “Wow.”

  “Well, at least it’s all out there now. But enough about me. Let’s talk about your baby. I can’t believe you’re going to be a mom.”

  “I know.”

  “Have you told your mom?” I could see Ann now. She was going to be beyond excited.

  “No. I want to wait for a few weeks.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  She set down her ice cream and reached for my hands. “CJ, you’re the best person I know. You just make sure Ryan treats you that way.”

  “Ryan and I are over.”

  “We’ll see,” she countered.

  We spent the rest of the night watching one of those reality shows where they show live births. Maybe it wasn’t the best thing to do. My insides hurt just watching the process, and Krissy looked a little squeamish. I think she was hoping they could just knock her out and then wake her up when it was over and hand her a perfectly cleaned up baby. I left as soon as Chance got home from work. I’d never seen him look so happy and proud of himself. It was like he wanted to high-five over the fact he knocked up his wife. What the heck, I high-fived him.

  I knew there was a reason she didn’t make that squad, I just never guessed this would be it. Note to self, when it comes to birth control, don’t believe your husband when he says trust me.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I kept looking at the time on my computer, waiting for noon. I needed a drama-free friend at the moment. At a quarter ‘til noon, a man happened upon my doorway. I looked up, expecting to see Jay, but I was surprised.

  “Charlee.”

  “Ryan.”

  He bravely stepped into my office. He didn’t look well. I mean, he looked gorgeous as usual, but his demeanor was solemn, and he looked tired. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know I told your dad I would give you some space, but I’m finding that difficult. Will you please go to lunch with me?”

  “I can�
��t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  Looking at him, my heart ached. Part of me wanted to jump up and hug him, the other part wanted to punch him in the gut. “Both,” I answered, but I kind of regretted it. He looked miserable.

  “Charlee, please.”

  It was then that the man I expected earlier graced my doorway. I smiled at him, but I think Ryan mistook that for him and looked relieved. That was, he did for a split second.

  Jay wasted no time coming to me. I stood up, and he picked me up and swung me around. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, beautiful.”

  He set me down, and I straightened my dress. He was always a little too exuberant. I looked between the two men who were now in a full-on staring contest. “Jay, this is . . . my dad’s business partner and neighbor Ryan. Ryan, this is my . . . Jay. We went to grad school together.”

  Ryan looked at me. He seemed hurt and unsettled by my introduction. I didn’t know what else to call him. I was never his girlfriend, and we weren’t seeing each other anymore, but friend or coworker seemed weird to say. Jay, too, seemed disappointed. Why did Ryan have to come in here?

  Jay reached out his hand to Ryan, and Ryan reluctantly held out his own and shook Jay’s. “Nice to meet you.” He didn’t mean a word of it.

  “Same,” Jay said.

  “You ready to go?” I asked Jay.

  Jay put his arm around me. “Anywhere with you.”

  I looked at Ryan, who looked worse than ever. “See you later.”

  “Count on it.” He glared at Jay.

  I walked out with Jay, but my eyes and heart were on Ryan. Ryan didn’t move, he just watched us leave. Awkward didn’t even begin to cover that little scene.

  Jay led us to his loaded-down truck.

  “What’s all this?”

  “I’m meeting up with some buddies in Yellowstone for some hiking and camping.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “Do you want to come?” he half-teased.

  I rolled my eyes at him.

  He laughed and helped me into his truck.

  He ran around and jumped in the driver’s side. “So, where to, my lady?”

  I gave him directions to my favorite burger joint. I knew he would love it.