by Jen Talty
And it had been with a man.
His phone buzzed in his back pocket. He held up his hand. “Let me check in case it’s Alister.”
“I totally understand.” She tossed her purse in the passenger side of his truck.
“It’s my mom.” He glanced at Dixie, tucking his hair behind his ears. “Hey, Mom. What’s going on?”
“Oh. Zane. It’s not good.”
“Mama. What happened?”
“We don’t exactly know. Gayle was having a difficult delivery, and they decided to do a C-section. Something happened. They took the baby to the NICU, and Gayle is in surgery. Your brother is beside himself. They won’t let him see his child, and we have no idea how Gayle is doing.”
“I’m ten minutes from the hospital, Mom. I’ll be right there.” He shook out his trembling hands. “I have to go. My brother needs me.”
Dixie circled her arms around his waist and kissed his neck. “Of course. And you need me.”
“No. You go and be with your friends.”
“I’m not leaving your side.” She took his hand. “You’re trembling.” Reaching into his pocket, she snagged his keys. “I know what your family means to you, especially your brother. Now get in the pickup. I’m driving.”
“What would I do without you?” He pulled her in for a warm hug, pressing his lips to her forehead. “But no one but me drives Bessy.”
She tipped her head back and blinked. “Bessy? You couldn’t come up with a better name?”
“My last truck was Stella.”
“Now that’s sexy.” Dixie jogged around the hood of his truck.
He stood there with his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Um. Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“I did. But I’m not just anybody. I’m the woman you love. Besides, I let you drive Jack.”
“Who the fuck is Jack?”
“My car.” She slipped behind the steering wheel and patted the cushion on the passenger seat. “Get your ass up here. Your family is waiting for you.”
“I love it when you boss me around.”
“Don’t I know it?”
He buckled himself in and stretched out his arm, taking her hand. “My mother has been dying to meet you.”
She groaned. “I didn’t think this through.”
Zane laughed. “Too late now.” He tightened his grip. “I hope everyone is okay by the time we get there. Alister might be a Dom at the club, but his wife wears the pants at home. They’ve been wanting a family for a while now.”
“Try not to let your mind start going down the worst-case road,” Dixie said as she maneuvered his truck into traffic with ease.
Impressive.
But, of course, she was his girl so he shouldn’t be surprised. Dixie could do anything she put her mind to.
“Easier said than done. My mom doesn’t panic easily, and she sounded scared.”
“Hospitals can be scary places in general,” Dixie said. “My mom works there. Let me give her a call and see if she can get us some information. Okay?”
“That would be great, but I know you don’t talk much, and I don’t—”
“This is different. I’ll call her as soon as we get there.”
“I love you, Dixie. I really do.”
Chapter 8
“There’s my little pumpkin,” Dixie’s mother said as she stretched out her arms.
“Hello, Mother.” Dixie’s skin prickled. She glanced over her shoulder, thankful that Zane was nowhere to be found.
“I hate it when you call me that.” Her mother leaned in and gave her a quick air peck, completely missing her cheek.
Well, Dixie couldn’t stand being reminded that her mother looked at her as if she were the actual size of a rounded Jack-o-lantern, but she wouldn’t call her out on that.
For now.
“Sorry. I’m just worried about Zane’s family.”
“Where is this Zane fella?”
“I think he went with his father to go find some real coffee,” Dixie said. “Have you been able to find out anything about Gayle?”
“Not much, except that she’s still in the operating room,” her mother said. “I just got out of surgery myself. But what I do know is that she’s in the best hands possible.”
“Can you give me something for her husband? All he knows is that she started hemorrhaging, and then her blood pressure bottomed out. Next thing he knew, he was being kicked out of the room, and his baby was being whisked—”
“The baby is fine. You know that.” Her mother took her by the shoulders. “I’m going to see if I can scrub in. But it’s only been a little over an hour. I’m sure Gayle will be fine.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.”
“Excuse me,” Zane’s aunt said, holding out a tray of fresh, home-baked treats and sandwiches. “Dixie. You must be starving. I know we pulled you and Zane from a dinner party.”
“Thanks.” Dixie’s stomach growled. Loudly. She sucked in a deep breath and reached for one of the egg salad rolls.
“Dixie. You don’t want that.” Her mother actually slapped her hand. “I’ve got a salad in my office. I’ll bring that down for you a bit later.” Her mother smiled. “Let me go see what I can find out.” And with that, her skinny-assed mother disappeared.
Dixie took two sandwiches and a cookie. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.
“There’s more where that came from.” Zane’s aunt squeezed her shoulder. “We’re very grateful you’re here.”
Dixie needed a few minutes to clear her head.
And stuff her face.
She took a stroll through the halls of the pediatric wing, nibbling on one of the sandwiches, eating slowly until she was full. No point in going back to her old habits. She wrapped the other one and placed it in her purse. She’d be hungry later. For now, she enjoyed the cookie and made her way back to the waiting area. She scratched and rubbed the side of her neck. She always felt like she was breaking out in the worst case of the hives every time she came within a hundred feet of her mother.
“Are you okay, dear?” Zane’s mother, Anita, asked as she looped her loving arm around Dixie’s waist. “You seem upset.”
“Hospitals have that effect on me.”
“I consider myself a good judge of character, and I’d say it’s not the surroundings. It’s more one particular person who seems to get under your skin.” Anita arched her brow just like her son would. “Come, sit with me.” She nudged Dixie toward a table in the waiting area outside of the nursery where they’d transferred baby girl Pierce, and Alister currently spent his time.
“Your granddaughter is beautiful.” Dixie stole a glance into the nursery before sitting down with Anita.
“Yes. She is. I’m just a little surprised she’s so bald. My boys were born with about as much hair as they have now.”
Dixie laughed. “It’s sad when you’re jealous of your boyfriend’s hair.”
“I wish the circumstances under which we met for the first time were a little less stressful.” Anita patted her hand. “I haven’t seen Zane so happy in a long time, and I have a feeling it’s because of you.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“A mother knows these things. A mother can tell when her son is head over heels in love. And Zane loves you. Do you love my son?”
Nothing like being put on the spot. But there was no point in lying. “Yes. I do.”
“Good. That’s good.” Anita’s smile faded. “I’m sorry you have some struggles with your mother. I never had a daughter, and I understand those relationships can be difficult. Whatever the issues are, don’t ever forget that you’re making an effort. You’re the one putting yourself out there. But the only person you ever have to please is yourself.” She pointed toward Zane and his father, strolling down the corridor in their direction. “Even the men we love don’t get to tell us how to feel or who and what we should be. A good man will stand by and support you and help you through anything. And so would a go
od mother. I know. I shouldn’t judge. And this isn’t my place. But I heard what she said to you when my sister brought over all those snacks.”
“Oh. I see.” A twinge of shame tickled Dixie’s heart. But she wasn’t sure if it was because she was embarrassed by her mother’s behavior.
Or because she was still struggling to accept that some people honestly didn’t see her as a heavy person.
Only as a person.
“I don’t know your mother. And I’d like to believe that all parents do things because they think it’s what’s best for their children.” Anita shook her head. “I’ve certainly said some stupid things to my boys over the years.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “When Zane struggled with his sexuality and dated a man—”
“He dated a man?”
Anita gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh, no. Me and my big mouth. Is that going to be a problem for you?”
“No. I don’t judge. I work with a lot of bisexual couples. It’s all part of my job. He just didn’t tell me.”
“Zane is such a private man. Getting him to tell us anything about you was like pulling teeth at first. But in the last couple of weeks, you’re all he talks about. It’s Dixie this and Dixie that. So, I figured he might have told you about that time in his life.”
“We’re still getting to know each other. And he did mention before we got the call about Gayle that he needed to tell me something about his past.”
Anita closed her eyes. “He will never forgive me for telling you.”
“He’ll never know you brought it up.”
“Thank you.” Anita squeezed Dixie’s hands before she stood and made her way across the room to her husband.
Dixie pushed back her chair. Suddenly, strong arms surrounded her body and she felt a kiss on her neck. “You and my mom are hitting it off.”
“She’s a lovely person.”
“The best.”
Dixie turned, rested her head on his shoulder, and squeezed her eyes tight.
“Hey. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“I call bullshit.” He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her head. “Your eyes are wet with tears.”
“It’s been an emotional hour.”
“You let your mother get to you. She said something, didn’t she?”
“She means well.” Dixie rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips against his in a tender kiss. He’d become her entire world, and in only two short months. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too.”
His brother stepped into the waiting room, raking his hand through his hair. He plopped himself down on one of the chairs. “I can’t do this,” he said. “I can’t keep holding her and telling her that it’s going to be okay when I don’t even know what’s going on with my wife.” He ran his hands over his face. “Have we heard anything?”
“My mother was going to try and scrub in,” Dixie said. “That was about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Thanks.” Alister nodded. “I appreciate it.”
Anita sat down on one side of Alister while Candor, Zane’s father, made himself comfortable on the other side, looping his arm around his eldest son’s shoulders.
Dixie’s mother burst into the center of the waiting room with dramatic flair, pulling off her mask. “I have good news.”
Alister was on his feet in seconds. “Good news? My wife is okay?”
“Yes. They are moving her to recovery. You’ll be able to see her in half an hour or less.”
“Oh, thank God.” Alister broke down. Tears poured from the man’s eyes. He hugged his father as if he couldn’t hold his weight.
“Mom. What happened?” Dixie asked, knowing the family would need more answers.
“Her doctors will have better information, but basically, she was unable to clot, which caused her to hemorrhage. She lost a lot of blood, but she’s on the road to a full recovery.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Dixie squeezed Zane’s hand.
“Are you going to introduce me to your friend? Boyfriend?” Her mother inched closer.
“Zane, this is my mother, Dr. Lena Gaynor.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Zane stretched out his arm and shook her mom’s hand. “We really appreciate your help.”
“Anything for my little pumpkin.” She glanced down and frowned. Reaching into Dixie’s purse, she pulled out the sandwich. “Really, honey? This is not the way to lose those winter pounds you’ve been—”
“Excuse us,” Zane said. His body tensed, and he squeezed Dixie’s hip. “We’ve been permitted to go see my new niece, and I don’t want to miss that opportunity.”
“You mean you have. I’d liked to have a word with my daughter. Alone,” her mother said.
“Not if you’re going to talk to her like that.” Zane puffed out his chest.
Dixie sucked in a deep breath. “Stop it. Both of you.” No way in hell would she stand there and let the man she loved and her fucking mother talk about her as if she weren’t even in the room. As if that would help her with her issues. “Zane. I know you mean well, but it’s not helping.”
He smiled. “But you just stood up for yourself. I think it did help.” He kissed her nose.
“That was backhanded,” she whispered. “Mother.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Then don’t call me pumpkin. It’s rude. And while we’re at it, stop telling me what to eat. If you haven’t figured it out yet, you’re part of the problem.”
“I am not, and I take offense to that.” Her mother planted her hands on her hips. “I’ve done nothing but try to support you by—”
“Shaming me. That’s all you do is fat shame and food shame me. I’m a grown woman, and I know what putting too much food in my body does to it. And, trust me, I work on it every day. But I have triggers, and you’re one of them.” If Zane weren’t holding her up, she thought she might have fallen over.
Her mother opened her mouth but then snapped it shut. “I’m not going to stand here and be humiliated like this. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be healthy.” She turned her gaze toward Zane. “If you care about her, I’d think you’d want the same.” Her mother turned on her heel and stormed off.
Dixie tried to shake Zane’s hold on her hand, but he wouldn’t let go.
She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t let her leave his embrace.
“Don’t listen to her,” he whispered, stroking her hair as he cradled her against his strong chest. “She should be concerned about your happiness and your health. The fact she doesn’t see that shows how shallow she really is.”
Dixie tilted her head.
He wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“You never asked what kind of doctor she is.”
“Okay. I’ll bite.”
“She’s a plastic surgeon.”
Zane’s entire family tried not to laugh, but it proved impossible.
“I’m sorry I pushed your buttons like that, but I couldn’t stand seeing how quickly you changed around her,” Zane said. “I love you too much to sit back and watch that.”
“It’s okay. I needed to do that.”
“Come on. Let’s go meet my niece.” He took her by the hand and tugged, only to stop dead in his tracks.
“Hello, Zane,” a woman standing in the middle of the corridor said. “I’m surprised to see you with a woman since you prefer dick.”
Chapter 9
Zane swallowed. “Rebecca?”
“In the flesh.” She smiled, shrugging her shoulders.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“You really have to ask?” Rebecca said.
He should have known she’d show up, considering Gayle had introduced him to Rebecca, and they were still friendly—even though Gayle thought Rebecca had been totally wrong when she went to Page Six with the story.
Dixie took a step back.
He kept a tight hold of her hand. It was time his secrets came out.
“Dixie. This is Rebecca St. Claire.”
“The actress,” Dixie said softly. “I’ve seen a few of your movies.”
“A fan. How sweet.” Rebecca folded her arms and tapped her toe. “I guess you must also know that Zane and I used to be an item.”
“I did not…oh.” Dixie blinked a few times and looked at Zane. “She’s your ex.”
“Wait. You don’t really know about our breakup? You don’t read Page Six?”
“Don’t do this, Rebecca. You’re only being vindictive,” Zane said.
“That’s what happens when you humiliate someone.” Rebecca narrowed her eyes.
“You did that all on your own. I’m not the one who sold a bogus story.”
Dixie held up her hand. “I don’t need to be here for this argument.”
“I think you should hear what I have to say.” Rebecca aggressively stepped in front of Dixie.
“I’d prefer Zane’s side, and he’ll tell me when he’s ready.” She smiled at him and nodded.
How he’d so lucked out, he’d never know.
“Brace yourself, girlfriend. Because your lover will never be able to truly give himself to you because he’s in love with someone else.”
Dixie laughed. “If you think he’s still hung up on you, then you are sorely mistaken.”
“Not me, sweetheart. He never loved me. As a matter of fact, I don’t think he can truly love a woman. We’re just a distraction while he sits around and waits for his true love.”
“Shut up, Rebecca. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Zane had no idea how to stop Rebecca and the spin she always managed to put on his past love life—or what she thought she knew about it.
“If that were true, then why do you want me to keep quiet?” Rebecca tilted her head. “You see, Zane will always be hung up on—”
“This isn’t your story to tell,” Zane said, the words ground out with a clenched jaw.
“Perhaps not, but since you didn’t think to tell me when I was your girlfriend, didn’t mention that you were in love with Erik and let me find you in bed with the bouncer of Club Temptation, she deserves to know. I mean, it was bad enough I knew the place was evil, but I imagined you fucking some bimbo, not a guy.”