Dad's Best Friend

by Meghan Zane

  He turned to me and said, “what would your father say if he found out that you and I are…“

  I cut him off and said, “fucking.”

  He swallowed and said, “that wasn’t what I wanted to say. No. I wanted to say if you and I are in love.“

  Stunned by his words, I looked at him and said, “in love?”

  He said, “yes, I love you, Charlotte. Still doesn’t change the fact that I am not ready to be a father right now. we must not do this.”

  “Why not let’s keep the baby we love this child. If you say you love me as much as you do, then you would see it’s best we have a child together.“ She was so persuasive, and honestly, I love that about her. She stood her ground and said, “love can work; what I feel for you is real. It’s either you or nothing.“ That’s the moment I couldn’t help it, I cut her chin and kissed her lips. Still, I was on the fence about having a child. That would change everything I thought, but one thing with certain we loved each other, and maybe she has a point. I told her we would have to wait to tell her parents until we make a final decision on what to do. She agreed and said, “I have made up my mind, I want to keep the baby, but I’ll give you time to get used to the idea I guess.” I smiled and held her close. The truth is I loved her just as much as she loved me. But then my abandonment issues kept me from staying in the moment.

  Chapter 9

  Charlotte

  The next couple of days was just pure Nirvana. I was in love, and he was in love too. Knight was great. We went shopping for kids' clothes. I mean, of course, he kept it over at his place. My mom began to notice a change in my behavior.

  She said, "something’s up. You are glowing. "

  I feigned ignorance and said to her, "Oh mom, I'm just happy that's all things are looking good. She looked at me and said, "does that mean you are back with Ethan? "I shook my head and said, "no, but there is someone special."

  Of course, I wasn't going to tell her about the baby at least not yet until Knight, and I decide to. Besides, it's best to keep things a secret until the baby is viable, I guess. Knight was great he followed me to every appointment and then once we almost got caught. My mother's best friend brought her daughter in for a check-up she saw me standing there and asked, "Charlotte? What are you doing here? "I lied to her that I was here for my annual check-up, but then Knight walks right in he apologized for taking a little while to find parking. And then he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I pulled back, and that's when he realized, The lady right next to me was someone known to the family. Of course, mom's friend raised an eyebrow, but she didn't say a word. She shot me a look. I force a smile on my face, and then I said, "dad's best friend was kind enough to offer to drive me here for my Pap smear. "

  It came out on my lips without thinking, and of course, she chuckled. She looked at Knight and said, "you know you're a nice looking man if you're single. I'm available. "

  Her daughter knows the hand and said, "mom? "Knight amused by the situation said, "you are a beautiful woman. "I raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

  Then Knight said to her, "I could introduce you to a friend of mine." Relieved, I guess I got a little jealous there. He wasn't interested in her; he was trying to be nice. And of course the lady ate it up. She gave him her number and said, "tell your friend I am available on Sunday. "Knight smiled and said, "will do so. "And with that, she walked away with her daughter. I quickly collected my check-up results for the week I was three months long, and I guess everything was fine.

  Chapter 10

  Knight

  As the weeks went by, I realized I didn't want to be away from Charlotte for a second.

  I mean, we kept on seeing each other secretly. But then I wondered how long we could keep the secret about the baby. We had two weeks to go, and I was still on the fence about whether or not we should be doing this. I love her, don't get me wrong, but a baby? I'm much older than she is. Well, Charlotte would look at me and say, "whatever you're thinking, I love you. don't care how old you are."

  And then we would make love. The truth is, I loved it when she talked dirty in bed. She would often say fuck me hard. I guess I love that about her. She told me exactly how she wanted it. Even though sometimes I worried about the baby. She assured me the baby was fine. Still, I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the consequences of her father finding out. But the great thing happened, my small town business flourished. Yes, I still flew back and forth between San Francisco and Alta vista, but I made my money just being next to her. Charlotte would often stop by my place, and that's where we would have the most pleasurable sex ever known to man. I have to be honest sex with her was the best. No one came close. I mean, bar none. She was fantastic for someone who just learned how to make love; I must say she picked things up rather quickly.

  And of course, I made her feel like the queen that she is. Her ex-boyfriend was out of the picture entirely, she told me she finally told her mother about what he did. And then she told me she had handed the ring back to him. To be fair, she never said she was going to marry him. Speaking of marriage, I ordered the perfect diamond ring for her. I still don't know how I'm going to tell Jack about our relationship, but when I finally do, which won't be long, I want the whole world to know how much I love her. The ring will signify that it's big and it's perfect just for her.

  Charlotte

  I'd be honest; I found it hard to hide my feelings for Knight from my parents. My My belly was getting a lot bigger. My mother grew suspicious. I had to find a way to convince Knight to finally tell my dad about us. The last thing I wanted was to have a baby in secret. So I urged him to please understand my love is so strong. I love him, and I tried to tell him that there's no way dad would be upset.

  Of course, he cocked an eyebrow. I slid a hand on my bulging belly.

  My mother has become suspicious; she's a woman who suspects something is going on with her daughter. I have to find a way to convince Knight to finally tell my dad about this. Last thing I wanted was to have a baby in secret.

  Of course, he cocked an eyebrow and said, "your father would be livid. He would kill me if you found out you are pregnant with my baby. And we both know this was an unplanned pregnancy." Hurt by his words, I couldn't understand why sometimes he was excited about the baby, and then other times, he was concerned about telling my parents. Yes we have an age gap. But we love each other, and we're both adults. I'm almost 21.

  So I folded my hands and said in a firm voice, "Either you tell him or I will."

  Chapter 11

  Knight

  Let's say Charlotte raised the stakes by saying she will tell her parents about us. She obviously wanted me to take action, but it all seemed like pressure. I knew Jack had gotten a little suspicious lately because he kept asking about some guy Charlotte seen. I didn't want to jeopardize my relationship with Jack. I'm scared I'm only human. I value my friendship with Jack he welcomed me with open arms back into the small town. He was instrumental in getting the permits for my club. Even though he said, "I don't believe in what you are doing. This town does not need a Gentlemen's club."

  I convinced him by telling him, "people want fun if they don't get it, then they'd leave this town. plus, I'm providing employment here."

  That, of course, settled it back then, I got Jack on my side.

  One day while we were out having drinks, Jack turned to me and said, "I am worried about Charlotte. She's been acting strange lately. I think she's seeing someone. Some old guy or something."

  Then he turned and looked directly at me.

  I swallowed, nervous as can be.

  I wondered, did he know?

  He added, "I'm glad you have been hanging with her lately, keeping an eye out for us. Charlotte is a little naïve about men. She doesn't understand things. Charlotte thinks everyone who comes towards her loves her. But she has no idea she could be a little vulnerable sometimes. That's why I want you to keep an eye out for me please if you notice anything let me know because I'm wor
ried she could get pregnant."

  I shook my head and said to him, "Charlotte is a good girl. I think she would know how to handle myself. "Jack's coughed and said, "You have no idea. That's exactly what I thought at first, but then I realized that she is just like anyone else, she can be a little naïve here and there. Just lookout for the dude, will you? If he's someone older, I swear I'm going to kill him."

  The more Jack spoke, the more worried I became.

  I wanted to tell him, I'm the one with Charlotte, and she's carrying my child.

  But I didn't want to hurt his feelings, and I didn't want anything to come between us. But the harder I tried, the more obvious it became that I had to tell him the truth and nothing but the truth. But not today. I will tell him the truth soon.

  God help me when I tell him the truth; he's not going to take it lightly.

  Chapter 12

  Charlotte

  Knight's been acting a little strange lately. I figured it had something to do with the pregnancy. So I said to him, "Are you all right? "I could tell something was bothering him, but he seemed ignorance. He acted as though everything was OK and then nothing was wrong. But I knew better. I knew Knight was hiding something from me. So I kept asking, "whatever it is, you can share it with me. Why Are you all them back?" Irritated by my behavior, he turned towards me and said, "why won't you leave things alone? I told you I am fine. You're too young to be a nag."

  Upset by his words, I got up and walked away from his presence.

  He got up and hurried towards me.

  He said, "Listen, I'm dealing with a lot right now! I am swamped with work, and your father's been asking… "

  He paused.

  I wouldn't let it go.

  I said to him, "what Did my father say to you? Knight, you owe me this. You have to tell me." He scoffed and said, "I don't have to tell you anything."

  I folded my arms and pulled away from him. It was the first time he had ever spoken to me that way.

  I looked at him and said, "well, fine, then if there's nothing else to say, I guess I should just leave." He shook his head and said, "why must everything be about you Charlotte there's more to life than Charlotte honestly Jesus I want to have peace I need peace. You're just too young to understand." The tears welled up in my eyes as I said to him, "I'm not too young to understand that the man I love is afraid to tell my parents how he feels about me. What's the worst that can happen?

  I could lose my friendship with your father and lose my club. Your father is friends with the mayor. He could put in a bad word, and I could lose my license. I shook my head and said to him, "why would you lose your license? It's not like I'm underage or anything? I'm 20 years old."

  And you were just a baby." He said. I guessed and pulled away from him. Then he apologized and said, "listen, Charlotte I didn't mean it." I told him, "well, you said it, and now I know how you truly feel about me. I have to go. "

  * * *

  Knight.

  This whole thing was impacting my business. Yes, I love Charlotte, but she's complicated. She believes in the white picket fence and all that comes with it. I wasn't raised that way. I was abandoned in my childhood. I know I've said it over and over again, but I wish you would understand my emotional wounds are still deep within me.

  I guess I have cold feet I don't want to ruin my friendship with my best friend and yet I'm torn between my love for Charlotte and my loyalty to her father. Right now, he's thinking I am protecting her. If Jack finds out that I've been sleeping with her, no scratch that, when he finds out that I have been fucking her, he will go insane. Hell, he wants me to tell him who she's seeing. So I did the worst thing I could ever do, I told her it's not going to work out.

  Then I told her I'd be there for my baby, but whatever is going on between us has to stop. Because I don't care.

  Hurt by my words, she looked at me one last time and said, "I don't know why I have met you. "

  And then I said the worst thing ever, "well, you wanted a sugar daddy and that's how you met me at first, right? "

  She turned to me and said, "Go to hell."

  And with that, she walked away and out of my life.

  Chapter 13

  Charlotte

  I got distraught.

  I headed home and walked past my mom.

  She said to me, "lady don't walk in here like that and not say hello? What has gotten into you? I raised you better than that!"

  I turned to my mom and apologized.

  I told her I just had a headache, that's all."

  She said, "That's not an excuse; we all have our bad days. What's really going on, Charlotte? You have been acting really strange lately. Come on you can tell me. I am your mom. You shouldn't be keeping secrets from me, Charlotte? Whatever it is, just know I have probably been through more than you can even imagine."

  Mom then ushered me to sit at the kitchen table. I sat down, and that's the moment her eyes darted down to my bulging belly. She took in a deep breath and exhaled. Then she said, "Hey, it's none of my business, but as you mom and knowing you are living under my roof, I must ask you this Charlotte, are you pregnant?"

  I turned and looked away.

  She didn't leave it alone.

  She kept asking.

  "Charlotte, for god's sake, I can see it. You are glowing, and you have a baby bump. Plus you quit going back to school for the semester. Tell me the truth."

  And that is the moment I couldn't stop it. I broke down and started crying.

  Mom pulled me close, hugged me, and asked about the father of my baby.

  I lied and said to her, "He's not in the picture."

  Mom looked at me in disbelief, and she still wanted answers. She said, "If he's not in the picture, tell me who he is? It's not a professor from college. Or are you pregnant for Ethan? If you are, then he must take responsibility and marry you right away."

  I stayed silent. Upset, my mom then said, "Okay, if you are not going to tell me how is responsible for your pregnancy, then I have no choice but to call your father. He's been working hard at the factory. I still don't understand why he wouldn't ask Knight for a job at the club. It pays well from what I heard. I wish your father would keep his ego in check and accept the job. Well that is not what should concern us now. We need answers, Charlotte." She grabbed her phone and called dad, even though I tried to stop her. Then within minutes dad arrive home. He barged into the living room and growled, "Charlotte! What son of a bitch did this to you? You have to tell me/ I am your father and he will not get away with this! Knight and I will hunt him down. He would be fucking sorry he even tried to get with you!"

  Dad kept going on and on about what he would do to the man responsible for my pregnancy, I tried to hold back from telling him the truth, but he pushed until I couldn't stop myself. So I blurted out.

  "The baby's dad is Knight!"

  Silence ensued.

  You could hear a pin drop! Dad was livid. He thought he heard wrong! He asked, "Knight! Are you telling me Knight, my best friend, is responsible for your baby?"

  I nodded and looked away.

  "I am going to fucking kill him! I am going to kill him." Dad screamed at the top of his voice while mom cried. She tried asking dad to calm down, but he ignored her and said, "Don't tell me to calm down. He messed with my baby girl. I have to do what I have to do."

  And with that father hurried out of the house.

  Knight

  I was in the middle of a meeting at the club when suddenly I look to see Jack barging into my property. He pushed aside anyone who dared try stopping him. He looked me squarely in the eye and said in a firm voice, "You and me outside, Knight."

  And that's when I knew she told him about us. But did she tell him about the baby?

  I turned to him and said, "Jack, we can handle this another way why don't you step into my office and let's talk about this.

  Talk about what Knight? Talk about how you have been fucking my daughter behind my back? Jesus--

&
nbsp; Have you no shame? Why would you even think for a second, I 'd allow this. That's it. If you don't want to take this outside, then we can do it right here."

  He put his fists up and swung at me. The memories of the past flooded back in my brain. I recalled how Jack always wanted to be a boxer, but his parents refused and told him his destiny was to work in the factory, the same way they did back in the day. They wanted me to work there too, but I had bigger plans for my destiny, and I told them so. Jack swung at me and missed. He swung again and stumbled. Then he turned, and I let him hit me because I felt I deserved it for what I did to his daughter. He flicked his hand in pain as my nose bled. My employees rushed forward to hold him back, but I stopped them. That's the moment he said, "Stay away from my daughter, Knight stay away from my life. Oh and just so you know, you might as well consider you permit rescinded. I will have a word with the Mayor about that. We are a small town here, and we don't take kindly to strangers who defile our daughters."

  And with that, he walked out of the building. Embarrassed by what occurred, I tried calling Megahan, but she didn't pick up the phone. So I decided perhaps this was fate telling me I needed to return to San Francisco, and that's precisely what I did.

  Chapter 14

  Charlotte

  I couldn't believe it.

  Dad confronted Knight.

  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

  I felt awful. I caused the end of my dad's friendship with Knight.

  I sighed and pleaded with daddy to forgive Knight, but they wouldn't listen. He told me I had to go back to school once the baby is born. I turned to my mother and asked her to talk to him. She sighed and told me in no uncertain terms, she was disappointed by my behavior. She told me she understood though, then I asked her if she had something physical with Knight, I didn't really want to know the answer to the question but i asked anyway. She shook her head and said, "No. I didn't, we had a great friendship that could have gone somewhere else, but I fell in love with your dad, and I have been with him ever since. I thanked her for telling me the truth and leaned on her shoulder. She said, "I know you love him. I can see it in your face. But you must know, convincing your father would not be an easy task." I nodded and said, "I understand."