by T. L Smith
Getting dressed, I follow the sound of running water. I find myself in a small bedroom with an even smaller bathroom attached.
She steps out of the shower and her eyes find mine. “Why are you still here?” No woman has ever asked me that. Not ever. Usually, I’m the one asking that question. “My son is on his way home, so it’s time for you to leave now.” She drops the towel and puts on a bra before she pulls on clean panties. “I’ll see you at work on Monday, Beckham,” she snaps when I haven’t moved.
I’m lost in my own head trying to work out why I’m still standing here when she’s clearly ready for me to leave. My head snaps in her direction and I smirk once I come back to reality. “Thanks for the fuck. Call me when you want to go again.” I’m already walking out when I hear her voice carry through the door, “Don’t count on it.”
I chuckle as I leave and get straight into my car. While I’m reversing out, I see Glenn standing outside of his house.
Fuck.
He waves, and I stop.
“It’s good to see you,” he says. I simply nod in response. “You know I would love if you come inside.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I tell him, my eyes finding the window I used to sneak through all the time. I lost my virginity in that house. That house holds way too many memories—mostly good—but I’ve grown, and the last thing I want to do is go back down memory lane.
Glenn taps his hands on my door to gain my attention. “Jacinta is a nice girl,” he says, smiling and stepping back. “Have a good day, Beckham.”
I pull away, wondering what I’m going to do about the employee whom I like to fuck.
Chapter 19
Jacinta
"So …” Rylee starts. Oliver runs into the house and straight to his room to play on his PlayStation.
“Yeah?”
“When did my brother leave?” Her eyebrows shoot up. “Is this a thing, or not really a thing? Because I saw the way he was with you and know it’s not a first-time thing,” she finishes.
“He left, and it’s nothing more than what it is.”
“Well, I just want you to know I approve. I’ve seen the type he’s usually with, and believe me, I approve.” She pulls her bag higher on her shoulder as she turns to walk out. “Not that you need my approval … I’m just saying. He isn’t as bad as you would think, I mean. He’s pretty amazing and highly supportive. If you need someone to cheer you on, he isn’t it, but if you need someone to tell you exactly how it is, he’s your man.”
“Must be nice having people,” I say, and her smile drops. It’s then I realize how depressing that sounds.
Rylee lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You have people, whether you want them or not.” She winks. “I know you said your parents died, but you don’t have any other family?”
“No, none. I am an only child, the same as my parents. And their parents died when I was eleven. So … no, no one else.”
“Well, that just proves how resilient and strong you are that you’ve gotten so far by yourself. But you know we’re family, right? You need something … you come to me.” I nod, and she gives me a cuddle before she leaves.
I shut the door and lean against it.
I never had what she has.
I’m not used to sharing burdens.
When my parents died, I had just turned eighteen and found out I was pregnant with Oliver. I tried coming back to be with Anderson because surely, he would want his son in his life. I had no one, and my hopes were high.
But they were demolished.
And I soon realized I am the only one I can depend on.
I loved my parents, and they meant the world to me. They gave me as much as they could without spoiling me, and they showed me endless love and support.
It’s the way I plan to raise Oliver.
They would have loved him.
I wipe a tear from my eye and go to his room to see him playing. He may look like Anderson, but I’m thankful he isn’t anything like him.
“It seems I may have overstepped my boundaries.” I stop at that voice on Monday morning as I walk into the office building. Archie rushes into the elevator with me, hits the button for Beckham’s floor, and looks straight ahead. “I wanted to apologize if I came off …” he turns his head away from me as he tries to think of the correct words to say, “… harsh. Scary.” He smirks, and that action by itself is scary, and I try hard not to recoil.
“You weren’t. It’s fine. You’re simply looking out for him when in reality, everyone should look out for their own feelings around Beckham. He doesn’t care what he says or who he hurts.”
“This is true.” Archie softly chuckles as the door to the elevator opens, and he exits with me.
Beckham’s office door opens, and Beckham stands there, eyeing both of us before his gaze locks on Archie. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he barks.
“See, he’s a wonder with words.”
I smile and head off to sit at my desk.
“I need your help with a deal,” Archie says. Beckham motions to his office and Archie walks straight in. When it’s just the two of us remaining, Beckham turns to me. “You’re late,” he snips.
I check my watch. “No, I’m on time, as usual.”
“You are meant to be here when I am, so … you’re late.” He pivots and walks back to his office, shutting the door behind him.
An hour passes before Archie exits and gives me a small smile on his way out.
“Jacinta,” Beckham yells.
With a sigh, I slide on my heels before I walk into his office. When I get there, he’s focusing on his computer.
“I need the files for Archie’s account. I want you to sort them and bring me everything from the last two years.” I nod and walk out, going straight to the filing room. I find the files straight away. There is a massive note on the front warning that they’re for Beckham’s eyes only. I take a seat on the filing room floor, sorting through them until I get the ones I want.
Someone coughs above me.
“Why the fuck are you on the floor?” I look down at the piles of paperwork scattered all around me. Most of our files are on the computer, but Beckham prefers to have physical ones too, in case the computers crash. I was told his father taught him that.
I don’t even bother with an answer, just push my hand up in the air toward him and hand him the files he wants. When he takes them, I go back to sorting the ones that are left.
Beckham is good. All of Archie’s money looks legit. But from what I’ve heard, it is anything but.
“Do you plan to get off the floor anytime soon?” he asks, reminding me he hasn’t left yet. He’s still standing there waiting for me.
“Yes, I do. But not until I have this all back in order.” I don’t even raise my head when I speak to him.
“What are you doing in here?”
We both turn to Shandy, who’s standing in the doorway. Beckham pushes past her and out, leaving me sitting on the floor with Shandy watching him go before she looks back at me.
“What is going on with you two?” she asks.
“Nothing,” I say, smiling.
“Yeah, well … I know that’s a lie. Look, you got something delivered and it’s on your desk.” Confused, I put the last of the files away neatly and stand.
“What is it?”
“Flowers. Big ones, too. So, tell me, who are they from? Because we both know Beckham doesn’t do flowers.”
Brushing my hands down my skirt, I make my way back to my desk. When I approach, I see Beckham standing there staring at the flowers. When he notices me, he strides straight into his office and shuts the door, with not a care in the world.
“They sure are beautiful,” I murmur.
“And expensive,” Shandy comments.
There is a card amongst the blooms, so I pick it out and open it.
This is to start a new slate.
I would like to meet my son.
With a quick shake of my head
, I drop the card to the floor.
That’s a no.
No way.
Never ever!
Who does he think he is? He can’t send me flowers and expect to see his son.
Anderson is not a good man. He hurt Rylee—almost killed her. And threatened to take Oliver away before I had even given birth to him.
Flowers don’t make up for things like that. Not at all.
Prison couldn’t have changed him that much in such a short time.
“If you plan to throw them away, can I have them?” Shandy asks, staring at me.
I pick them up and hand them to her. “They’re all yours.”
She smiles. “Thanks. I had a date Sunday and have another tonight. She’s going to love these.”
“Glad I could assist,” I say as I sit back down.
“Jacinta.”
“Hmm?” I look up at Shandy, and her eyes fall to his office behind me. “You’re doing okay, right?”
“I’m fine, really.”
She nods, happy with my words, and walks off.
I don’t see Beckham the rest of the day, which is actually surprisingly hard since he is my boss. When I leave, I don’t even bother saying goodbye. I pick up Oliver and go straight to my house. As soon as I close the car door and Oliver runs inside, I see Anderson again. No car this time, just walking down the street.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I tell him.
He looks me over, and I feel dirty. Filthy.
“My mother is asking about him now.”
“Your mother agreed to no contact,” I say, which makes him grind his teeth.
“She doesn’t agree anymore.”
“It doesn’t matter. She isn’t his mother,” I bite back.
“No, but she is his grandmother. Did you get my flowers?”
I look back over my shoulder to see Oliver is standing at the door. Anderson notices the direction of my stare and then looks as well.
“Go back inside,” I yell.
Anderson watches Oliver, but he listens to me and retreats inside.
“I could give you a nicer place to live than this.” He examines my house and turns his nose up at it.
“I’m fine with how I live, thank you,” I say back to him.
“Did you get the flowers?” he asks again.
“I did.”
“And you like them?”
“No. Don’t do that again. Especially not to my work,” I snap.
“I assumed it would be better than me coming there.” He focuses again on my house.
“You should leave.” I step back, car keys in my hand.
“Why do you look afraid of me?” His head drops to the side as he assesses me. “I would never hurt you,” he says.
“Is that what you said to Rylee?” I ask.
And I shouldn’t have. It’s taunting him. But I know what a liar he is.
He licks his lips, and his hands go to his sides.
“You are nothing like her. I never loved you like I loved her, Jacinta. You were a piece of ass who just happened to get pregnant and have my baby. Now, to say I would have hoped it was her would be an understatement, but my mother is telling me time and time again that I should be in this kid’s life. And I’m starting to believe her. We don’t want him to turn out like you now, do we?”
“Leave before I call the police,” I say, stepping farther back.
“Just so you know … you can’t keep a child from his father or his family. Because that’s what I am … what my mother is. Family.” He smirks and turns. A shiver goes through my entire body, and now I remember why I ran after I had Oliver—the threats that came from that family.
I immediately call his father. “Your son was just here.”
“Are you okay?” he asks. It’s something my own father would have asked me. Somehow, I hold back the tears.
“Yes, he just said your wife wants to see Oliver. That they have rights.”
“I’m going to talk to my lawyer. Don’t interact with them again.”
“Leo, he’s your son, though.”
“Yes, and I also am not blind to what kind of man he is. You have my grandson, who I know is an awesome kid. Who is being raised by a damn good mother. You see where I would rather put my support?”
“Yes,” I say almost in a whisper, glad to have someone, anyone, in my corner as powerful as he is.
“If you see him again at your house, call the police, Jacinta.”
“I will.” I hang up after saying goodbye and go inside, wiping my face clean before I do.
Chapter 20
Beckham
“You’ve been an ass for the last two weeks,” Shandy says as she sits on my desk. “And it’s been two weeks since my night out when I saw you leaving with an incredibly sexy assistant. What’s happened since then?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Do you have to be sitting on my desk?”
She scoffs as if I have offended her. “Is the sky blue?” she asks. “Of course I do.”
“Well, get the fuck off. I’m sure I pay you for more than sitting around annoying me.”
“This is true, but it is the highlight of my week to walk in here and do this. And some weeks when I miss out, it just ruins everything, you know what I mean?”
“No, I don’t, but I will once you leave.”
She huffs and kicks off her heels before she brings her feet up on my desk and crosses them before she turns and faces me. My desk is big, but that doesn’t mean I want to throw her out any less.
“She got flowers a couple of weeks ago, did you see that? I took them,” she says smugly. “My new girlfriend loved them.”
“I’m sure she loved stolen flowers,” I mumble back, paying her hardly any attention.
“She did. She thanked me real good, too. Ate my pussy like it was her last meal.” I give her a bored look, and she winks. “Have you had any pussy lately, Beckham?”
“What the fuck do you want?” I almost yell at her.
“To see what your plans are for dinner?”
“Nothing. Now go.”
“Good. I need a date. My date canceled, and I made a reservation, and I’m starving. Come. Please?”
“If I say yes, will it get you off my desk?”
“Yes, and what’s more, I won’t annoy you for a whole month,” she adds.
“Yes. Okay, I’ll come. Now, get off so I can fucking finish.”
She stands, slips her heels back on, and waltzes to the door. “I’ll be back at six. Be ready.”
“Get out, Shandy.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She shuts the door as she leaves, letting me finish my work in peace.
“Why isn’t your new toy here with you?” I ask Shandy.
“I told you, she canceled.” She orders a bottle of wine and looks back down at the menu. “Plus, you pay for dinner, so it’s a win-win for me, really.”
“Yeah, you get something out of this, and I get nothing.”
“Well, not exactly! You get my company. That’s a bonus if I do say so myself.” She puckers her lips and places the menu down.
“Yeah, you would say so, wouldn’t you?”
“I would. Now, what’s the most expensive thing on this menu since you’re buying?”
“Beckham.” Noah’s standing there. He turns to Shandy, says hello, then faces back to me. “Didn’t expect to see you here.” Noah is engaged to my other sister, Rhianna. Rylee’s twin.
“I dragged him out,” answers Shandy.
Noah nods at her response.
“Rhi here with you?” I ask, looking past Noah and not seeing her.
“No, actually.” He motions to a corner table. “I’m here for business. But I’ll see you over the weekend, right?” I nod my agreement and follow him with my eyes as he takes a seat at a table with an older man. I recognize the guy straight away—Anderson’s father.
“What’re your plans for the weekend?” Shandy asks as the waiter comes back.
We place our
orders, and she gets her bottle of wine.
“Archie has a thing going on,” I reply.
“Oh yes, I’ve heard about his parties. You should take me one time.”
“No,” I answer straight away. Archie’s parties, well, they are not for her. Archie’s parties are not for many people, actually.
Shandy leans in. “I’ve heard how dirty they are. Archie has a reputation, you know.” She winks.
“Pity you like the pussy. You two could be a perfect match,” I say, picking up her glass of wine and finishing it. A familiar figure walks past us. She doesn’t stop or even notice us. But I recognize her. I would recognize her anywhere.
“Umm … was that Jacinta? And is she really going over to sit with Noah?” Shandy says loud enough that the people next to us can hear.
I don’t answer her as I watch Jacinta sit down with them, her hands in her lap as they start talking. Anderson’s father places his hand on her shoulder, and she taps it before she pulls her hands away.
What the fuck is going on?
“Who were those flowers from?” I ask Shandy.
“Anderson.”
“Is she—” The words stop when I see her scan the restaurant. Her eyes skim past me, then come straight back when it registers it’s me.
“Well, seems she sees us now. Wave hello.”
I do no such thing, but Shandy does. Jacinta waves back then glances at me before she turns back around, giving them her full attention.
“You got it so bad,” Shandy comments.
“I have nothing.”
She rolls her eyes, throwing her head back. “How often do you lie to yourself?”
“As often as I want,” I say back to her.
“Well, I’m excited to see how you lie yourself out of this one.” She picks up her glass, smiling over the rim.
“Hey, sorry I didn’t come over sooner,” Jacinta says, leaning down to kiss Shandy’s cheek. Jacinta offers me a small smile and remains standing.
