Pieces of Me

by E. L. Todd

  She nodded.

  “Then how about you give me some good lovin’?”

  She rubbed her nose against mine. “I can do that.”

  ***

  “Hey, Uncle Sean.” I walked into his office without knocking.

  “Hey, Slade.” Sean left the desk and hugged me, like he always did. “What brings you here?”

  “I need your help.”

  Sean turned serious, jumping to the worst possible conclusion. “What is it? Are you in legal trouble? I have the best attorney in the country—”

  “No, nothing like that.”

  “Oh…then what’s up?”

  “I want Trinity to have the best possible doctor for her pregnancy. Can you get me in with Skye’s doctor?”

  He smiled. “Dr. Teisman is the best at what he does. He actually delivered Skye and Roland.”

  “So, can you get me in?”

  “I’m sure I can. Let me give him a call.”

  “Okay.” I stood there and waited.

  “You want me to do it right now…?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I’ve got to get the ball rolling on this. She’s already a week pregnant. I have to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

  Sean chuckled. “You remind me of myself sometimes.”

  “Ouch, you don’t need to insult me.”

  Sean laughed then patted me on the shoulder. “I’ll call him now, okay? What kind of insurance does she have?”

  “I think Blue Shield…or something like that.”

  “Okay.” Sean grabbed the phone and made the call. After speaking for a few minutes he hung up. “She has an appointment on Thursday.”

  “Yes!” I fist-pumped the air. “Thanks, Uncle Sean.”

  “No problem.”

  “So, you have any advice?”

  “About…?”

  “Kids and stuff.”

  “Well…it’s something you have to learn on your own. No matter how prepared you are for your first child you’ll never be ready. I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a father, and Mike would tell you the same thing.”

  “You aren’t making me feel better…”

  “You know who you should ask?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Your father. He raised you and Silke flawlessly. I still don’t know how he did it. He was really apprehensive about being father before you two were born. But when you got here…he just knew.”

  “I didn’t think of that…” My dad was pretty awesome. Of course, we butted heads sometimes but he was still amazing. Then he took in Arsen and Abby when he didn’t have to. Why didn’t I think of that sooner? “Thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  “Well, I’ll see you later then.”

  “Actually, hold on.” He raised his hand. “I did a favor for you and I would really love a favor in return.”

  “Anything, Sean. And you don’t need to do something for me first.”

  “We’ll see…” He rubbed the scruff on his chin. “It’s about Cayson.”

  “Oh…” Talk about kicking a dead horse.

  “You’re the only person he listens to. Can you help me out?”

  “Uh…” I didn’t want to give him false hope. “I couldn’t get him to listen to me about Skye so the odds aren’t good.”

  “Well, they got back together and I think you had something to do with that.” He gave me a look full accusation.

  I couldn’t tell anyone what I did. I couldn’t risk the truth getting out. “I may have had a hand in it but I’m not at liberty to discuss it.”

  “Then help me. Please.” He pleaded with his eyes, something he never did. “I know I messed up with Cayson, but I truly regret what I did and I care about him very much. I need him to know that.”

  I would never forget the vicious way Cayson yelled at him then slammed the door. Cayson never acted like that, not even to Skye. “In a complicated way, I think you hurt him more than Skye did…”

  He bowed his head in shame. “I know…”

  “He trusted you to really love him like a son and…you failed him.”

  He closed his eyes.

  “I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. It’s just…it’s the truth.”

  “I know,” he whispered.

  “You can’t just come back from that, Sean. You literally threw him out in the cold and let him freeze to death—”

  “Slade, I know.” He opened his eyes and watched me. “I won’t justify what I did. It was stupid and I hate myself for it. I’ve never been able to see straight when it comes to my kids. When you have your own kids, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. When it comes to Skye, it doesn’t matter who’s against her, even Cayson. I will always take her side…because she’s my daughter. I know you can’t understand that right now…but one day you will.”

  My sympathy for him increased.

  “Can you just…talk to him for me?”

  I knew it wouldn’t do any good. “Cayson is still too mad. I think your best plan of attack is to let Cayson and Skye get close again until they’re strong the way they used to be. Then have Skye talk to him.”

  “Slade, who knows how long that will be. They’re working on their relationship but they aren’t going to be fixed overnight.”

  “I know…”

  “Please help me.” He was barely above begging at this point. “I’ve lost a son.” His eyes watered slightly.

  I couldn’t deny him anymore. “I’ll talk to him.”

  He released a sigh. “Thank you, Slade.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “You have my endless gratitude.” He hugged me and patted my back. “Thank you.”

  Chapter Five

  Cayson

  I stared at the beer sitting in front of me but didn’t take a drink. I kept shifting in my place in the booth because I couldn’t stay still. My head was pounding from thinking so hard. The day started off completely normal before it went to shit.

  Slade finally walked inside and grabbed a beer from the bar. Then he sat across from me, his hair a little messy like he’d been running his fingers through it nonstop. “Yo, what’s up?”

  I wasn’t in the mood to act like I was even remotely okay.

  Slade spotted the distress. “Now what? Dude, just take Skye back and stop with this back and forth crap. Get your shit and move back in. It’s not that difficult—”

  “No, that’s not what the problem is.”

  “Oh…” He relaxed in the booth. “Then what is it, man?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I rested my elbows on the table and completely disregarded my usual manners.

  “No matter how crazy it is I’ll believe it. Because it’s coming from you.”

  I was too irritated to feel any warmth toward him. “Laura is the new NIH ambassador for the CDC.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “She’s a what for the what?”’

  I didn’t have the patience to hold his hand today. “She’s working for my company. Now she’s in the same building as me every single damn day. This is such a nightmare.”

  “She works with you? That psychopath?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why did you hire her? What were you thinking?”

  “I didn’t hire her.” Why the hell would I?

  “Don’t you run that joint?”

  “But I don’t do everything. There are other people who take care of that stuff. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. She works with me and I’m not sure what to do about it.”

  “Man, that’s rough… What did she say when she saw you?”

  “I haven’t seen her yet. But it’s only a matter of time. She’s an important member of the team. It’s not like I can just avoid her like a secretary.”

  Slade rubbed his chin. “This doesn’t sound like a coincidence…”

  “No, it doesn’t.” I clenched my jaw.

  “She probably thinks she has a chance since you and Skye are so rocky.”

  “I hate that bitch.”
I never talked like that but that’s how pissed off I was. “Skye and I are finally working on our relationship and headed in the right direction and now Laura has to appear. What the hell? Is she trying to ruin my life?”

  “Yes.” Slade said it without hesitation. “But just fire her. Problem solved.”

  “I can’t fire her.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “My company is directly regulated and funded by the government. They have strict protocols for stuff like that. I’d have to have overwhelming evidence to fire her, and I know I won’t get any because she’s too smart. She’ll be a great ambassador.”

  “Shit…”

  “So, I have to quit.”

  “Whoa, what?” Slade’s jaw was hanging. “Are you serious?”

  “I can’t work there anymore, not when I’m going to stay with Skye. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable that would make her feel? If the situation were reversed, I would want her to do the same thing.”

  “But you love your job.”

  “I know…”

  “And you worked so hard to get there,” Slade argued. “You can’t just give it up.”

  “What else am I supposed to do?”

  “Ask her to quit.”

  I released a sarcastic laugh. “Like she would. She knew what she was doing when she got a job there. She’s not going to bow out. She’s not gonna stop until she gets what she wants.”

  “Well, she can’t get what she wants unless you let her,” Slade said. “So, I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “I’m not worried about being around her, but it’s not good for my relationship. Well, I am worried I might strangle her…”

  Slade propped his chin on his palm. “It’s like the universe hates you…”

  “The universe does hate me. I’m trying to help people but its stopping me at every turn. Fucking annoying.” I rubbed my temple and willed the migraine to go away.

  Slade pressed his lips tightly together like he was thinking. “How often will you really see her?”

  “Probably once a week.”

  “That’s not that bad.”

  “It’s pretty bad when she’s the one person you loathe more than anyone.”

  “I admit it’s not ideal but you can’t give up this job.” Slade moved both of his hands to the table. “You worked your ass off to get here. That position is yours and you shouldn’t have to give it up for some check that wants to lick your balls. No, that’s not an option. Just keep working with her and deal with it. It’s not like she can make another move anyway.”

  “I’d like to see her try.” I was looking for any excuse to get rid of her.

  “Just grit your teeth and deal with her when you need to. And the rest of the time forget she exists.”

  I really wanted to keep my job. I loved it because it was meaningful and fulfilling. It had a great salary and good benefits. I could take care of my family if Skye decided she wanted to stop working and be a full-time mom. I was the youngest person to hold the position in its history. It wasn’t just a job. It meant a lot to me.

  “Don’t tell Skye.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “I wouldn’t tell her. Frankly, there’s nothing to tell.”

  “Are you serious?” I asked. “I should never mention it again?”

  “As far as she’s concerned, Laura lives on the other side of the world. You never see her or speak to her. Let her continue thinking that. What other option do you have?”

  I was an advocate for honesty but I remembered how everything blew up in my face when the truth came out. Skye didn’t believe a word I said and ostracized me for nearly three months.

  “Seriously, how would she find out?” Slade asked. “You hardly see Laura as it is anyway.”

  I pondered it quietly.

  “And if you don’t do that what other option do you have? Quit your job? That’s not an option. Then Skye is going to be paranoid over nothing every second of the day.”

  “If this was you and Trinity, is that what you would do?”

  “No,” he said without hesitation. “I would tell her. But Trinity are different because she would have believed me from the beginning…” A guilty look overcame his face when he realized what he said. “I mean…it’s just—”

  “It’s okay, Slade.”

  He still looked ashamed. “In this situation, since there’s no other option I say you just go with that. Even if Skye visits you at work she won’t run into her. And if she did, she has no idea what she looks like so how would she even know?”

  “I guess…”

  “You’ve had enough drama in your life,” Slade said. “Just let it go.”

  I finally took a drink of my beer. “You won’t tell her?”

  Slade zipped his lips.

  “Or Trinity?”

  He shook his head. “I’ll take your secrets to the grave, man.”

  That was good enough for me.

  “How are things going with you guys anyway?”

  “Good. We’re still going to marriage counseling.”

  “Is that working?”

  “I think so,” I said. “It’s nice having a mediator to explain things I’m unable to get across to Skye.”

  “Makes sense,” he said. “So…are you moving back in?”

  “Don’t push it.”

  He sighed and took a drink of his beer.

  “I’ve been driving her to work every morning. I’m worried about her belly and the steering wheel.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You drive all the way there, pick her up, and then drive back to the city?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Dude, just move back in. That would save so much time.”

  “I’m not there yet,” I argued. “She put me through months of pain. It’s going to take me the same amount of time to move on and let it go.”

  “But it seems like you’re holding a grudge out of principle. If you just dropped it you’d be happy again.”

  I gave him a threatening look.

  “Hey.” He raised both hands in surrender. “My job as your best friend is to tell you the truth even if you don’t want to hear it.”

  “I gave her another chance and we’re working on it. We’re going to take this as slow as I want because I’m the victim in all of this. That’s the truth of the matter and nothing you say is going to change it. At least Skye understands and doesn’t push me in any way.”

  Slade took another drink of his beer. “Just trying to help…”

  I let it go because I knew Slade meant well. We hardly butted heads so when we did I didn’t read too much into it.

  “So…have you talked to Sean?” He didn’t make eye contact when he asked the question.

  “No.” He was a piece of shit as far as I was concerned.

  “Oh…” He nodded his head slowly. He was there when I slammed the door in Sean’s face. It was a pretty violent moment he witnessed but I refused to feel remorseful for it. “He seems pretty upset over everything…”

  “Who knows what he really is.”

  “It seems like he’s really sorry…”

  I immediately became suspicious. Slade was talking differently and trying to be as vague as possible. “Did he ask you to talk to me or something?”

  “No…not at all. Of course he didn’t. Like I talk to him…”

  “You’re a terrible liar.”

  His cheeks immediately reddened.

  “I don’t want to hear about him so don’t bring it up again.”

  Slade squirmed like my request was impossible to fulfill.

  I knew I was going to hear about it anyway. “Fine. What?”

  “Dude, he seems really, really sorry about what happened. Like, really.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes.

  “The guy almost cried in front of me.”

  “Poor him…”

  “I’m not saying what he did wasn’t bad but…he seems sincere.”

  “Well, I asked him to believe m
e and he refused to. I have no reason or obligation to believe him.”

  “Cayson, we all make mistakes.”

  “Of course we do. But some of those mistakes define who we are.” I took a long drink. “And when he walked out on me with those divorce papers that moment defined him—forever.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair again. “Think about it, Cayson. He’s your father-in-law. You can’t hate him forever.”

  “I don’t hate him. I’m indifferent to him.”

  “Which is worse…”

  I shrugged.

  “How is that going to work with Skye?”

  “I’m not keeping her away from him. She can spend as much time with him as she wants, and I wouldn’t keep our son away from his grandfather. But that doesn’t mean I’ll have a relationship with him.”

  “And she’s fine with that?” he asked incredulously. “Given how close she is to him?”

  “She hasn’t said anything.”

  “I can guarantee she will.”

  “She can say whatever she wants but it won’t change anything.” I finished my beer then wiped the foam from my lips.

  “But this is—”

  “Slade, let it go. Tell him you tried but I didn’t budge. End of story.”

  Slade shut his mouth because he knew the discussion was officially over.

  ***

  I walked into Skye’s office after five. She was sitting at her desk typing on her computer. She didn’t wear pencil skirts and blouses anymore because of her stomach. Now she wore loose dresses so she was comfortable. I knocked on the open door before I stepped inside. “Hey, am I interrupting anything?”

  She immediately turned my way, that look of love mixed with excitement in her eyes. “No, not at all.”

  “Are you ready to go?” I asked. “It’s five thirty.”

  “I’m never ready. There’s always so much to do. But I want to get the hell out of here and eat some ice cream.”

  I chuckled. “Those cravings are coming along, huh?”

  “You could say that.” She grabbed her stuff then came around the desk.

  “Want to go to that parlor down the street?”

  “You want to take me to ice cream?” she asked with surprise in her voice.

  “Yeah. Why not?”

  “You never eat ice cream.”

  “I can have a few bites.” Since she was pregnant I would give her anything she wanted. She was carrying my baby so she called the shots. “Ready?”