Faking it with #41

by Piper Rayne

  “You wanted me to chase you,” I say more to myself than her. How could I be so stupid? This didn’t have anything to do with her being overwhelmed about being a new mother—or at least not entirely.

  “Well, I am the mother of your child.” She sits up on the couch, straightening her shirt.

  “What the hell were you thinking?”

  She stands, her face contorted in anger now. “I thought it would be too much for you to take care of her on your own. That you’d beg me to come back, change your mind and give us a shot. But now.” She points upstairs. “She stepped into the role that’s mine.”

  I shake my head, trying to make sense of this whole thing. “Role? We had a one-night stand.” Annabelle puts her head on my shoulder, and I run my hand down her back.

  “Exactly! Do you have any idea how much work I put into you that night? How long it took me to get you to notice me?”

  I barely remember the night we had sex. I always used a condom, but… “Please tell me you didn’t…”

  She smiles and looks away.

  “What the hell!”

  Annabelle startles in my arms. She doesn’t need to be here for this conversation.

  “Morgan!” I yell, hoping she hears me.

  She peeks down the round staircase because she’s probably been eavesdropping this whole time.

  “Can you take Annabelle upstairs?”

  She rushes down, still in her pajamas, and takes Annabelle out of my arms.

  “Wait! She’s my daughter too,” Britney says.

  “You left her. You want to see her, get a lawyer.”

  Morgan smiles and leaves, her footsteps faster when she gets to the stairs.

  Once I know she’s out of earshot, I step closer to Britney. “Are you suggesting you got pregnant on purpose?”

  “You can’t blame me, Ford. It takes two.” She raises her hands, but her cocky demeanor tells me her goal that night was to get pregnant and I was the fool who fell for it. Because I like to party and have fun, I was an easy mark.

  My head falls forward and I shake it. Britney’s right, she’s not entirely to blame. I was right there with her even if I was drunk. I lift my gaze to hers. “We will never be anything more than co-parents to Annabelle because I love the woman upstairs. Do you understand that? If you want to be a part of Annabelle’s life, the door is open, but the role of my wife is taken.”

  “Until you get bored, and from the looks of her, that’s gonna be pretty fast.”

  “Out!” I yell, pointing at the elevator, my anger bursting out of me. “Get the fuck out of here.”

  “Come on, Ford.” Britney saunters up to me. This girl won’t quit. “Give me a chance. I like to play and have fun. We could bring other women in if you want.” Her hands raise to my chest, and I grip her wrists.

  “I only want one woman and it’s not you.” I stare coldly at her and I see the point when she finally gets it—there is not and never will be an us.

  She steps away from me and collects her things. “I’m going to sue you for custody. I’m her mother and everyone knows the moms win.”

  “Go ahead and try. I’m sure your track record will speak well for you.”

  I follow her to the elevator and press the down button for her.

  “I’m serious, Ford, I’ll keep her in Pittsburgh. Away from you.”

  “Again, try it.” A calmness falls over me. “But before you do that, think of what’s best for your daughter and whether that’s you. I want you to be a part of Annabelle’s life, but from this point forward, we’ll talk through lawyers. You want to see her again, get a lawyer, Britney.”

  The elevator arrives and she steps in. “You just made the worst mistake of your life. You think you’ve changed?” She guffaws. “Men like you never do.”

  The doors slide closed and my head drops forward. I’m thankful that’s finally over. A part of me wants to disappear with Annabelle so Britney can never get her hands on her.

  I jog up the stairs and knock on the guest room door.

  “Come in,” Lena says.

  When I open the door, I find her packing. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to go back to Florida.”

  “What about the party on New Year’s Eve?”

  “I’ll come back that day. If anyone asks, you can just say I’m not feeling well. Have the week to do as you wish.”

  I stand idly by the door. “You don’t believe what you saw, do you?”

  She glances over with a soft smile. I can tell she doesn’t know what to believe. “I think you need to get some things straight in your life.”

  I break the distance between us and place my hands over hers, stopping her from packing. “I only want you. You and Annabelle.”

  “But whether you like it or not, Britney’s in the mix too. And I just can’t…”

  “Can’t what?” I ask, sitting on the couch, taking out every item she puts in the suitcase.

  Eventually she huffs and glares at me. “I can’t be here, stuck in the middle, swaying how you feel one way or another. Finding you in compromising positions.”

  “That wasn’t me. She wouldn’t let me go. She just admitted she coerced me into getting her pregnant.” I raise my hands. “And yeah, I know I played my part.”

  She situates herself between my legs. My eyes close as Lena runs her fingers through my hair. Impulsively, my hands land on her hips to keep her steady.

  “I know you’ve changed, Ford. And I have no doubt you’d make a wonderful husband and father. Don’t ever think you wouldn’t.” She places a kiss on my forehead.

  I tug her into me. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I’m not doing anything. You just need to figure out things with Britney. I’m giving you the space you need to do that.”

  “I don’t want space,” I tell her, speaking into her stomach.

  She lays her head on mine. “I’m sorry for screwing this entire thing up before. It’s all on me.” She steps back. “But while I’m gone really think about what you want for you and Annabelle. We’ll figure out the stuff between us after you know that.”

  I can’t even make sense of what is happening in this moment.

  She repacks her suitcase, zips it, and heads toward the door. “The arrangement remains. I’ll be at the party and any other engagement we need to attend. In the meantime, figure out this thing with Britney for Annabelle’s sake.”

  My heart cracks as she opens the door and walks out on me.

  Flying commercial sucks after flying private, but I’m at Ford’s place now, alone. He hasn’t tried to call me or text me, which I’m thankful for. I barely had it in me to walk away from him in New York. Seeing him on top of Britney broke me. I know it shouldn’t have. I know it wasn’t how it appeared. I believe all of that, but he does need to figure out how she fits into his life and I think that’s best done without me around.

  The week has gone by slowly. I’ve spent most of it recollecting my childhood. I never realized how messed up I am from it. I met Paisley for coffee, and she’s referred me to a colleague I’ll start seeing next week after the party.

  The Jacobs are sending their private plane to take us back to New York City. Aiden, Saige, Maksim, Paisley, Tweetie, and Tedi are all invited to the huge New Year’s Eve party that the Jacobs are having.

  I’ve just finished packing my bag and am ready to head to the airport when my phone rings. I see Gavin’s name on it, and I roll my eyes. “Hey, Gavin, can I call you back? I was just about to leave the house for the airport.”

  “Lena, I just want to warn you that a story is running that your engagement is fake. It’s also talking about how you inserted yourself between Ford and his baby mama and stole him away. I got word of it when a colleague of mine who works for some low-rent online gossip mag called to see if I had a comment. He knew I’d done a couple interviews with you guys.”

  “How?” I shake my head, knowing those who dig hard enough can find anything. And sometim
es they run with a story even if they don’t have all the proof they need. And if I’m honest, Britney’s name flashes through my head too.

  “I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

  “It’s not fake,” I say.

  He chuckles. “It was though, wasn’t it?”

  I say nothing.

  “It was all so sudden, then Eli Jacobs was looking around for companies to buy him out. It’s a journalistic dream to uncover all this. You hid it well, but I know it was fake until I came for the holiday pictures.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “When Ford approached me in the foyer of the penthouse… I saw it in him. The jealousy in his eyes. It shouldn’t be a surprise that once he was around you more, he’d fall for you. You’re an amazing woman, Lena. Any man would be lucky to have you.”

  I sit on the couch to collect my thoughts. “Thank you.”

  “That’s my one stand-up male moment, because I would’ve fought him for you if I thought I stood half a chance.”

  “Gavin—”

  “No, I’m just telling you this so you can do damage control. I want this to work for you.”

  “Thanks.” And I mean that. Although I never felt that way for Gavin, I’m thankful he’s giving me a heads-up so I can spin this story.

  “Go do what you do best.” He hangs up.

  I hold my phone for a second before I search all the internet sites that usually report hockey news. None of the stories are there yet, which means the rumors aren’t being fueled by hockey fans. They’re being spread by people interested in the other side—Jacobs Enterprises.

  So I head over to the gossip sites that usually report when businesses are failing, stock tips, and who’s sleeping with who. Sure enough, there it is. Eli Jacobs forces son to marry to pretend he’s an upstanding family man. The article tears apart the entire family, but primarily Ford, referring to him as a playboy and spoiled silver-spooned jackass. It says he’ll never grow up and it’s hard to swallow that he’s a father.

  The more I read, the madder I get. I dial Mr. Jacobs on my way out the door and talk to him from the back seat of the car taking me to the airport.

  “We have a problem.” I send him the link to the story, not wanting to involve Ford unless I have to. I hate myself for treating him the same way that article spoke about him because he has changed. I was just too scared to admit it.

  I wait for Mr. Jacobs to read the article and hear him groan a few times. “Who is this and how do they know so much?”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s speculation honestly. There’s no one who knows for certain who would talk.”

  “We have the party tonight. You’ll have to sell it to Otis Sandersville.”

  I glance out the window at the palm trees whipping past. “I’ll be in the city by early afternoon. We can figure out a game plan.”

  He’s silent for a while. “Okay, we’ll talk then. Are you filling in Ford?”

  “You can since I’ll be on the plane.”

  “Right,” he says, then he’s quiet again. “Lena, he’s been miserable…”

  “With all due respect, Mr. Jacobs, let’s just put out this fire.”

  “I’m just saying that I’ve never seen him so upset.” He huffs. “That’s all.”

  “I’ll get on this article and see if I can figure out who their source was. There’s a good chance we might never know. Talk to you soon.” I ignore his comments about Ford. I cannot deal with that right now. I need to focus on my job.

  I end up at the airport around the same time as everyone else, and this time it feels natural for me to navigate flying in a private jet. Oh, how things have changed.

  “You sure have become accustomed to flying private,” Tweetie says. “Ouch.”

  I turn to see him buckled over and staring at Tedi, who must’ve just smacked him.

  “I didn’t say anything offensive. I just meant she knows the ins and outs. Hell, she should be happy because she’s special.”

  “Special?” I ask.

  Tedi waves him off. “Don’t pay any attention to Tweetie. He’s just overzealous because he got asked to come with you all.”

  Tweetie scoffs. “Ford lost the bet. That’s huge considering how competitive he is.”

  I stop what I’m doing and catch Maksim glaring at Tweetie.

  “This is why you don’t get invited,” Aiden says.

  “What are you talking about, Tweetie?” I hold up my hand to the other two guys so they don’t speak.

  “I made a bet with Ford that he’d be celibate for two months. But he told me that he lost because he slept with you.”

  I glance at Aiden and Maksim, who are pretending they’re not paying attention.

  “And what did he lose for this bet?”

  “Bragging rights. Which we realized a long time ago is enough for Ford. He doesn’t need to gain anything material. Hell, he can buy anything he wants. But he just gave in when it came to you. That’s huge in Ford’s book.” Tweetie smiles. I have to say, it does make my stomach flutter that Ford was willing to lose because he couldn’t stop himself from sleeping with me. “The man has it bad.”

  “We should go. We’re going to miss our plane.” I turn and they all follow.

  I hear Tweetie sticking up for himself as to why he said anything and how it’s a good thing, not a bad thing. I can’t say I disagree.

  We land, and while the others go to the hotel, I take a cab to the Jacobs’ residence. The stories have spread from the original website to more mainstream outlets and we have no choice but to send out a press release at this point.

  The elevator doors ding and Ford’s standing in the foyer waiting for me. His back is leaned against the wall, one hand stuffed in the pocket of his jeans and the other holding his phone, his thumb scrolling.

  His eyes take me in and it sucks the last breath out of me. A smile forms on his lips. “Hey.”

  “Hi. Where’s Annabelle?” God, I’ve missed her so much.

  “She’s sleeping. Should be up soon though.”

  I nod. “Your dad?”

  “Expecting you.” He pushes off the wall and holds out his arm for me to go first.

  I lead the way to Mr. Jacobs’ office. He’s at his desk, teetering a pen back and forth on his desk and staring at his view of Central Park.

  “Mr. Jacobs,” I say, stepping in and sitting across from him.

  “I have my plan ready.” He leans back in his chair. “At the party tonight, Ford will give a speech. One that you’ll write.” He looks at me from under his eyebrows.

  “I can write my own speech,” Ford says.

  “I know you can, but we have to do damage control. It has to be perfect. It needs to detail the rush of events, the fact that he fell hard and fast, and he’s heard the rumors but…” He waves to me. “You understand, right?”

  I raise my hand as though to ask a question, and he nods. “I think we need to put out a press release and go with no comment at this point. Ford and I will play up our engagement. Maybe get caught in a kiss on the balcony on purpose. We can be convincing without a speech. A speech looks like a cover-up and there’s too much room for error.”

  I hate disagreeing with Mr. Jacobs, but there’s only one way to turn this around and spin it back our way and that’s with our actions. We can’t give any credence to the rumors by defending ourselves against them.

  “People are enamored by grand gestures. If Ford stops the party and gives a speech about how much he loves you, that will endear them to you both. As long as you cry and meet him halfway in the room, sealing it with a kiss. Convince them you two are the real deal.”

  I nod because this is my job. The one part I’ve never really cared for while working for the Jacobses is that Mr. Jacobs didn’t always trust my decisions. That’s what you get with a powerful man who isn’t used to his ideas being questioned though.

  “Okay, I’ll get to work on it.” I stand.

  “Lena?” Mr. Jacobs catches
me right before I leave, and I turn back around. “It’s nice to have you back.”

  “Thank you,” I say and nod, not meeting Ford’s gaze as I sneak out of the room to go write the speech.

  Before I get too far, I hear Mr. Jacobs say, “Ford, you stay here and shut the door.”

  I blow out a breath. I had hoped to catch him for a moment. To do what, I don’t know. I just miss being around him. I feel as though we’ve fallen so far down, I don’t know how to claw my way back up to him. So much has happened in such a short time, it feels daunting to think we could ever put this all behind us. That I could ever put my past where it belongs—in the rearview mirror.

  I sit at the desk across from my father, leaning back and resting my ankle on my knee. I really wanted to talk to Lena, but at the same time, I don’t know what to say. When she stepped off the elevator, I wanted to rush to her, take her head in my hands, and kiss the living crap out of her.

  “You’ve been moping this entire week.” He leans back in his chair.

  “I’ve been handling Annabelle. And I’ve done plenty.”

  “You love Lena,” he says, no question in his tone.

  I say nothing.

  “It’s okay, she loves you too.”

  A rush of air leaves me. “I think maybe there’s just too much shit between us.”

  Britney called me two days ago to say she’s not ready to be a mother. I think once she realized there really would be no us, she must’ve thought about what that would mean for her life and raising our daughter without me by her side. My heart broke for Annabelle, but I’ll be the best mom and dad she needs.

  “That’s ridiculous. I’m giving up my entire company for your mother.” Dad stares at the park again. “Life is too short.” He turns to me. “Do you know why I allowed you to continue playing hockey through college?”

  I shake my head. “Why?”

  “I wanted you to have that because you had to come on board, learn the ropes so you could take the reins at Jacobs Enterprises. I never thought you’d fight me on taking your rightful place, nor did I ever think you’d go pro.” I open my mouth to speak, but he holds up his hand. “Let’s face it, Ford, it takes dedication to play any sport in a professional capacity. People don’t give a shit what family you come from, and it wasn’t as though you came out of the womb with a puck and stick. You weren’t a natural.”