by Nikki Ash
I can barely see him through the tears. “What about money?”
Jake laughs. “Willa, I’ve always been one step ahead of them. I always knew something like this could happen. Play with the snakes, and one day you’ll get bitten. I’ve been putting money away since before I left for school. I have enough saved for us to live on a private island until we’re old and gray. I told you to trust me.”
“Oh, Jake, she said such horrible things. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do, and I panicked. The only thing I could do was think about your future and what I would be taking away from you if I stayed, then what I’d be taking away from you if I left. I would’ve never taken Bria from you. Not again. But I felt so trapped. She threatened me. She made me swear to stay away from you.”
“Nothing would keep me away from you.”
“What do we do now?”
“We do what we’ve always wanted to do. We break away. Cut the strings for good and leave. Give you that cute little cottage in the woods. A king-size pool. A swing. I’ll do anything. I’ll build you that fortress so no one can touch us ever again.”
My lips quiver as he presses his to mine. “No more doubting. This is the start of us. We leave tonight. Us three. I love you, Willa.”
“I love you too. I’m so sorry for doubting. I’ll never do it again.”
He kisses me deeply, filling my heart with promise. His love shines so brightly, pushing away the dark clouds that have overshadowed us for half a lifetime. The warmth of his embrace is the comfort I need to know we finally won. Just like our silly fantasies as kids, we’re finally getting our happily ever after. Together.
Jake pulls away quickly. “Grab what you need here. We can buy all new things once we get settled.”
Suddenly anxious, I bend down and grab my box, remembering the missing birth certificate. I turn around and make another attempt and sigh in relief when I find it. With the certificate securely in my hands, I breathe easier.
But my relief is short-lived when the memory of the contract Meredith made me sign comes to mind. The color drains from my face, and I slowly lift my frantic eyes to Jake. “Oh my God, Jake, I did something… your mother—she had this contact. These terms…she made me swear, and I started to panic and signed—”
“What do you mean signed? What did you sign?”
“I don’t know! It was just a bunch of details making me swear I would stay away. If not, she would take Bria. She would rig the paternity results and claim you weren’t her father and send me to jail for fraud.”
Jake grips my shoulders. “Willa, calm down.”
“I can’t! What if she finds out? She’s going to take Bria from me!” A storm of emotions erupts from my chest, and tears begin to soak my cheeks.
He brings me to his chest. “Willa, look at me.” He coerces me to fight through my anguish. “Breathe. I told you. I’ve prepared for this.”
“How? How can you have possibly prepared for this? Jake, they are going to take our daughter and strip you of everything.”
He offers me the sweetest, gentlest grin, and I’m confused at how he can find such courage to smile at a time like this. “I never trusted my parents as far as I could throw them. I knew one day I would have had enough. And when that day came, I would have to have a plan. Something that would allow me my freedom, no matter the claws they had in the world around us.”
I shake my head. “I don’t understand?”
“Right now, you don’t need to. Let’s hurry and get our daughter.” He grabs my hand, and we hurry out of my apartment and down the stairs, barreling through the exit door. The driver’s eyes widen in surprise at Jake’s presence. He reaches for his phone, contemplating his next move.
“Jeffries, I see you’re still doing my parents’ dirty work. Go on. Call my mother. I would love to have a word with her.”
The driver nods and presses the number on his speed dial. We hear Meredith on the other line, and before Jeffries can get a word out, Jake grabs the phone.
“Jeff—”
“Hello, Mother.”
“Jakey, this is a surprise. To what do I owe the—”
“Enough. Save all your games and bullshit.” I hear her inhaled gasp through the line. “And the pleasure is all mine. Because I will finally break free of your lies and deceit.”
“Jakey—”
“You’ve messed with my life for the last time. And now, it’s time to repay the favor.” My brows perk with interest. “After today, you will never attempt to make contact with me. You will never attempt to make contact with Willa. From this point forward, I’m dead to you—”
“Jake, this is nonsense—”
“Because you are dead to me. I don’t care what you tell your country club friends. Tell them I was shipped off at sea, never to return. Shit, tell them the truth—that you’re a conniving bitch who only cares about herself.”
“Watch your tone, son. You will not talk to your mother like—”
“I am not your son. You should get used to repeating that. Now, to the good stuff. If you think to ever go against my wishes and try to find me, send your dogs to harm Willa, or if I even feel anything is wrong, I will not hesitate to make my move. You think you’re high and mighty, but you’re not. That perfect marriage you and Father pretend to flaunt around—I will broadcast to the entire world the decades of exploits Father has enjoyed. The women. The hookers. The gambling.” His mother’s strangled gasp matches my own. “I will ruin you. Do you understand?”
“Jake, you wouldn’t.”
“Without a second thought or glance back. Are we clear?”
“Jake—”
“Are. We. Clear?” he growls.
There’s a moment of silence, and I wonder for a beat if his mother had a heart attack or is just in shock. But then her beady voice sounds over the line. “Yes.”
Jake doesn’t say another word and hangs up on her. He thrusts the phone at Jeffries, pulls the door open, and reaches for our daughter. Once she’s secure in his arms, he turns to me, a smile so carefree, it steals my breath. “Ready for that life I promised you?”
It’s almost strange to laugh at a time like this, but I nod, a laugh made from happiness and promise falling off my giddy lips.
“Good. About time I build you that house I promised you.”
And One by Rebecca Jenshak
Chapter One
Rylee
Of all the things I dreamed of over the past two years while putting off college, sitting in the stands at a basketball game wasn’t even on the long list. I fantasized about living in a small dorm room with a shared bathroom, pledging a sorority, studying in the library, finding a perfect spot somewhere on campus to people watch and write, staying up late to cram for tests, and even eating cafeteria food.
It’s amazing the things that sound glamorous to an eighteen-year-old on the brink of freedom. At twenty, I now have a less idealistic world view. Life more than the years have shown me what is really important.
Upbeat music pumps from speakers. The Valley student section is alive with cheers and chants led by cheerleaders in blue and yellow outfits that show off their tan legs and toned stomachs. All around Ray Fieldhouse, locals fill the seats dressed in Valley gear, ready to watch their beloved men’s basketball team in tonight’s exhibition game.
The Valley players haven’t made their entrance yet, but a team from a local elementary school has everyone’s attention as they run up and down the court. A little girl, only a few years older than my Indie, dribbles the ball. It’s bigger than her head, but that doesn’t stop her. She rushes past a boy a foot taller than her and takes a shot under the basket. She’s ecstatic when the ball goes in the net and I can’t help but think I’m probably enjoying this more than I will the team we came to watch.
Dragged to watch if I’m being completely accurate. My best friend Lindsey insisted and after two months of turning down invites, it seemed like a better first official college outing than a frat party. A tri
p to frat row my senior year of high school is the reason I had to put off college for two years.
“Wow, maybe I won’t need the book I brought in my purse after all. That little girl is amazing.” I have to raise my voice significantly to be heard over the pep band who starts up in front of us.
Lindsey eyes me to gauge my sincerity. “You didn’t?”
“No, I didn’t, but I do have my phone and there are lots of books on that. Don’t judge, you never know when you’re going to need to escape a social situation. You do it with texting and scrolling Instagram, I do it with books.”
“You won’t need to escape this. It’s the best game of the season. You know me, I don’t really get that excited about sports.”
I do know her. Or I did. Since high school, though, we’ve been separated. Her at Valley like we always planned and me back in our hometown raising a baby.
“Besides,” she says. “This is the perfect place to look around and see if you see him.”
“At a basketball game?” I shake my head, but even the ridiculous notion sparks a flame of hope that I can’t seem to snuff out. “No way. He was nerdy and goofy, and… no, he isn’t here.”
“Nerdy guys go to basketball games.” She nods her head to the ones in front of us. They’re playing video games on their phones, completely ignoring the court and everything else around them.
Point made. “Maybe, but he didn’t strike me as a big sports guy. He was so laid back and fun. He knew more trivia than anyone I’ve ever met. We talked about books and even politics a little.” I chuckle as I remember the random things we discussed. Hours and hours of conversation. I’ve never EVER had that type of connection with anyone. Everything that was important to us, but nothing personal enough to locate him as it turned out.
“Everyone comes to the exhibition game. It’s a giant pep rally followed by the most epic party of the year at The White House.” She does a little shimmy. I’ve already told her there’s no way I’m going to a party at the basketball house, but I have a feeling my friend will end up there when I go home. Even in my previous, much cooler, life, I wasn’t cool enough to hang out with the jocks. High school was spent with my nose in a book and a superpower of invisibility. Good girl Rylee blended right in with her surroundings, which was fine by me. I had Lindsey and she was all I needed. Seems my friend isn’t quite the wallflower she used to be though.
“I’ve looked everywhere, Linds. He must have graduated already.”
“Not everywhere. You’ve looked in the places you expected. It’s time to go unconventional. He’s here, somewhere. I know it. Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think you did. It was just one night.”
That hurts more than it should, but she’s right.
“We’re here anyway, you might as well use this opportunity. Maybe he’s a section over, scanning the crowd looking for the girl he met three years ago because he can’t stop thinking about her. And if he’s not here, he’ll definitely be at The White House. Come with me.”
Bless her heart, I think she actually believes that’s possible. I did too for the first six months of my pregnancy. I hoped, against all odds, that I’d find that great guy I met one stupid (but absolutely fabulous) night. He’d be so happy I found him and confess that he too had been searching.
A first name was all I had. If only my hookup had been named Atlas or Zeus, or anything less common than John. By the time Indie arrived, I’d given up on finding him, or being found, and accepted that it was going to be just the two of us.
“No, I’m not going to a party to have people shove me around and spill beer on me.” That’s not a part of college I feel like I missed out on.
“Think about it. If only for research. You can observe and write it all down, become the Hemingway of our time, penning books about the parties and socialites of Valley University.” She nods enthusiastically.
The buzzer sounds and the tiny players jog off the court to enthusiastic applause and a stadium on their feet. The overhead lights dim, and everyone continues to stand.
“Oh, it’s time.” Lindsey bounces beside me.
The music starts low. The jumbotron lights up and a video begins. Clips of the team, their games, and media shots set to a peppy playlist.
I lean over to Lindsey. “I’m going to call my mom and check in on Indie before she goes to bed.”
“Now? The team’s just about to come out. It’s the best part.”
“I’ll be quick. Promise.” I hold the phone to my ear and use my free hand to plug my other ear as I hustle up the stairs to find a quieter spot.
“Hello?” my mother answers on the second ring.
“Hi, Mom. I’m just calling to say goodnight to Indie. How is she?”
“She’s fine. Your dad is reading to her.”
“The entire bookshelf?”
“Of course.” My mom chuckles.
Some of the worry I’ve been feeling since I left my baby girl fades. I know my parents are taking good care of her, but it still feels weird leaving her. Ever since Indie was born, it’s been the two of us. My parents helped a lot in the beginning; they let us stay with them rent free and they watched her while I went to classes at a local community college twice a week. Since I came to Valley two months ago, though, this is the first time I’ve gone anywhere beyond school without her.
The stadium gets louder, and I look up at the giant screen to see they’re starting to announce the players.
“Can you give him the phone so I can say goodnight to her. The game is about to start.”
I press the video chat button and then my dad’s voice greets me and his face, as well as my daughter’s, fills the screen.
“Hey,” I say, smiling at the two of them.
Indie leans toward the phone reaching out as if she’s trying to touch me.
“Are you having fun with Grandma and Grandpa?” I ask.
She grins back, her beautiful indigo eyes that make my chest ache in remembrance.
“We’re reading about penguin and hippo,” Dad says, adjusting my daughter on his lap. “How’s the game?”
“It hasn’t started yet. They’re announcing the players.”
“They’re what?” my dad asks. The place gets louder still and there seems to be no escaping it.
“Announcing the players,” I practically scream. “I just called to say goodnight.”
He must catch at least part of my response because he instructs my daughter to say goodnight to Mommy. She doesn’t, her words are still few and far between, but she waves her little chubby hand and I wish I was there to breathe her in and kiss her cheeks.
“I’ll see you guys in just a little bit. I’m coming straight back as soon as the game is over.”
“No need to rush.” My mom steps into the frame beside my dad. “Enjoy a night out while you’ve got free daycare in town.”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you guys.”
I slip my phone into my pocket and start back to my seat. The players come out one at a time from behind the far side of the basketball court. The overhead lights are still dimmed, but there’s a lighted archway they step through when their name is announced, as well as a spotlight that follows them as they run out to half court with the rest of the team.
The guys are having a good time with it. Strutting out, dancing, high fiving people leaning over the railings. One cheerleader does backflips down the court. Two guys lift another up high as she holds a sign that says Let’s Go!
I’m nearly to my seat when another player is announced and runs out to booming screams. I have to check the screen for his name because the deafening shrieks make it impossible to hear.
John Datson
My pulse quickens at the face on the jumbotron. Dark hair, shorter than I remember, but the relaxed smile that tips up his lips in a friendly smirk and those indigo eyes framed by long, dark lashes, I could pick out anywhere. I glance back to the guy making his way to half court. He’s filled out more since I last saw him. His chest is
broader, biceps bigger, but the way he moves is so him. Easy, graceful, cocky. And a basketball player? Lindsey was right; I don’t know him.
My best friend’s arms are extended up toward the roof and she screams along with everyone else. When I get close, she throws those flailing arms around me. “You’re back!” She pulls away when I don’t share her enthusiasm. “What’s wrong?”
“He’s here.” The words sound far away. My ears are ringing, and my head is fuzzy and light-headed.
“Who?” Her eyes widen. “Wait. He’s here?! Where?”
I turn my gaze to half court where he dances around with his teammates. “Number thirty-one.”
“Datson is your John?”
I shoot her a glare. “You know him?”
The lights come back up and the players divide up into teams of blue and white. John wears a blue jersey. He tucks the top into his shorts as he walks out and then gets in position for the tip-off.
“Yeah, of course.” She shakes her head. “I mean, no. It’s just, he’s Datson, everyone knows him.”
“You’re just mentioning him now?” Two years I’ve combed through Johns on the Valley directory trying to find him and she knows him?
“I’ve only ever heard him called Datson. I’m not even sure I knew his first name until tonight. Are you sure it’s him?”
“Positive.” So positive my heart races with fond memories I thought I’d hidden away more carefully.
Everyone continues standing until the first basket is made. Staring out onto the basketball court, watching his athletic body move, I can’t believe he never mentioned he was a jock. A popular jock. I let my head hang as I remember complaining to him about how I didn’t think professional athletes should get paid so much or take all the great college scholarships just for being born with superior genetics. He told me he thought there was probably a lot more work involved than being born really tall or fast, and we’d laughed. I’d mostly been joking, but also maybe a little bitter that the scholarship I’d received for the following year was only going to cover half of my tuition. God, what an idiot I’d been.