Love Disregarded

by Rachel Blaufeld

  I didn’t know which dad she meant, and honestly, I didn’t want to ask for clarification.

  “Can you give me his number?” Piper said, answering my unasked question, and I pulled out my phone.

  “Sure.”

  “I want to tell him about soccer. Maybe some good news will cheer him up.”

  I pulled my thoughtful daughter in for a hug, smushing her to my chest, unable to look into her blue eyes, so reminiscent of his. She shouldn’t have to be such a grown-up.

  “Here you go.” I handed her my phone and watched her press the call button.

  “It’s me,” Piper said into the phone.

  Of course Aston knew who it was. Even worse, he knew it wouldn’t be me.

  “Yeah, Mom said when I get to high school, I can have my own phone.”

  I shook my head. He was angling for her to get a phone. The man had been in jail twice in the last month, was wanted for drug trafficking, was in the middle of a divorce and trying to reconcile with me, getting to know his daughter, and now he was worried about buying phones?

  “Tyler will be so mad.”

  Oh, he will.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said. “I understand. You were mad.” She sat down on the floor, her back to the door, and continued to listen. “Yes, I know we shouldn’t do that.”

  Aston talked for a moment, and then Piper spoke.

  “I’m sorry that I called my other dad, Seth, you know? Today in school, I thought about it. I don’t think you would want him to know what happened. I’m really sorry.”

  The air whooshed out of my lungs.

  “You don’t have to do that,” I whispered to Piper.

  She shook her head at me, her palm in the air, silencing my words with her version of talk to the hand. “It was wrong of me. But you know, I just met you, and I wasn’t sure what to do. And I’ve known my other dad all my life . . . Uh-huh . . . Uh-huh. Right. It was wrong, though.”

  Whatever Aston said put her mind at ease, and she gave up on the apology.

  “Well, I wanted to tell you I made the soccer team!”

  A smile brightened Piper’s face, and I couldn’t help but think even ice cream wouldn’t have that effect.

  “I thought you’d be happy to hear . . . Yeah, I worked really hard . . . Sure, when we get the schedule.”

  There was a little more chitchat, and then Piper said, “Yep, she’s right here.”

  Before I could protest, she shoved the phone at me and ran off, saying she was going to practice outside.

  “Hey,” I said into the phone.

  “Thanks for having her call,” Aston said.

  “I didn’t. She’s Piper. She wanted to call.” I slid into the same place Piper had occupied only moments before.

  “Listen, Bex, I fucked up. I can’t apologize any more—”

  “Your dad visited me again today. Told me to call off my boyfriend.”

  “What the fuck? Aidan, get in here,” Aston yelled.

  “I don’t think it’s necessary to involve your lawyer.”

  “It damn fucking is.”

  Cradling my forehead in my palm, I tried to stroke away the stress headache coming on.

  “Bexley, listen to me. Nan is going to testify against my father.”

  “What? He’s her husband . . . how? Why?”

  “Because my dad set me up, and he wants me out.”

  Leaning my head back against the door, I asked, “Why?”

  “I’m not sure we’ll ever know the why, babe. He’s mad I divorced Cass. Her family’s wealth and power are more important than the well-being of my kids and me.”

  “That’s crazy. All you’ve ever done is please him. Ever.”

  “I know. Didn’t do me much good, did it? I’m a miserable son of a bitch.”

  “Aston, don’t do that. What will Nan do? What does she know?”

  “Well, my dad wants me to call this all off, making it easier on him. He won’t go to Nan, because then it’s as good as admitting it’s true. Basically, he wants to make it look like I’m lying. I had to make sure Nan was safe.”

  “Is she?”

  When I first met Aston, he wasn’t sure about Nan. He didn’t really like her, but that was baseless.

  “Of course. That’s why I kept this quiet. Look, my mom never liked Nan, and neither did I when I first met her. But she’s been an ally to me. Yeah, she set me up with Cass, but she thought it would make everyone happy. She never knew how it would rip everyone apart. I guess this is her way of making it up.”

  “But how?”

  “I don’t want to say over the phone. I’ll tell you everything. She’s a good person, though. Nan, I mean. Look how she connected the kids with Denise.”

  “Okay. I get it.” I wanted to know, but I understood his reasoning. I also wasn’t in the mood to see Aston.

  “I can’t see you right now. We’re working overnight on this.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Are we okay? I need to know, Bex. I need you in my corner.”

  “I told you I needed some space. This is too much. I’m in your corner, no matter what, but I still need my space.”

  “You have one day. Then I’m coming for you.” Aston hung up before I could protest.

  Aston

  “We did it.” I slapped Aidan on the back, and he blew out a long breath.

  “I’m raising my rates for you.”

  “Nah. You love me,” I said, walking into his office with him.

  “Okay, your charges have been dismissed,” Aidan said as he sat behind his desk. “Your dad was arrested immediately on a whole host of charges from the district attorney. He’ll need to pay a hefty bail, and will probably be required to turn in his passport. Naturally, he’s been asked to step down as CEO by the board. I’m sure you can force his resignation there.”

  Too restless to sit, I paced his office. “My only priority right now is protecting Nan. Let’s make sure she gets what she needs, financially and house wise, and all that. Oh, she and her kids, my stepsisters, need to get a buyout package for their shares in the company, and a letter to sign to give up any and all rights to be a part of Federal. They’re both happy in their fashion internships in Paris—no doubt Federal’s connection with the fanciest hotel in Paris helped land them a spot with designers. Maybe Nan should go there and enjoy herself for a while.”

  “I don’t think it’s a bad idea.” Aidan leaned forward on his desk, making notes.

  “My dad is temporarily down, but that won’t stop him. He has a long reach. We need to act fast on behalf of Nan. She put herself on the line for me. Can you take care of all of this? I have to get back to Bexley and let her know what happened.”

  “Oh, I forgot to mention. Seth agreed to all your terms.”

  “Of course he did. Sucker. Listen, don’t ever mention the money to Bexley.”

  “I hear you,” Aidan said. “Now, get out of here and see your girl, so I can finish working and go home to my family.”

  “Bexley, open the door. Please,” I begged, standing at her back door. I’d texted on my way over, saying that the charges were dropped and that I wanted to tell her everything.

  She’d left my message on read but didn’t reply, and I’d gone straight to her house.

  “Please.” I knocked again. As the door swung open, I muttered, “Bexley,” only to realize my daughter had answered the door.

  “Oh, Piper.” I gathered her close, belatedly remembering to ask, “Is this okay?”

  She nodded into my chest.

  “I have so much to tell you, sweet girl, but I’m so glad to hold you right now.”

  Pulling back, Piper asked, “Are you going to marry my mom?”

  I wasn’t sure where this was coming from. Of course I’d like to marry her mom, but I didn’t think Piper and I should be discussing it.

  “Can I come in?” I asked, figuring it was best to start with something innocuous.

  Piper shook her head. “Mom said she’s
not up for company.”

  “Listen, Piper. You know I loved your mom very much a long time ago. That’s how we got you. Here’s the thing . . . I never stopped loving her, and I really need to see her now.”

  Piper crossed her arms over her chest. “She told me you chose not to be with her. She told me today, when I asked why she didn’t tell you about me.”

  “It’s complicated,” I said, leaning against the door frame.

  “Well, she said she needs time. She also said you need to go home and see Mar and Little A. I think so too.”

  “Why do you think so?”

  “When I don’t see my mom or dad, Seth, for a while, I worry. I’m sure Mar would like to see you. I don’t know about Little A, really. I don’t get Tyler most of the time.”

  “Oh,” I said, taking in my daughter. “Were you always this wise?”

  “Yep. Mom says I’m an old soul.”

  “I’d really like to see her, just for a quick second. Maybe we could sneak-attack her? I could see her, and then go do what you recommended?” Look, I wasn’t against a little subterfuge.

  “She’ll probably get mad.”

  Smoothing my hand down Piper’s hair and looking into her eyes, which were so much like mine, I said, “I’ll take the blame.”

  Reluctantly, she relented, moving aside to let me in. “Okay.”

  “Where is she?” I whispered when I was inside the house. I knew I was pushing it, but I had to see Bexley.

  “Her room,” Piper whispered back. “Hey, you didn’t say if you were going to marry her.”

  Stopping, I turned back to Piper. “What do you think?”

  “Well, I think you guys are getting along for me, but Mom would like to get back together.”

  “What about me? What do you think I want?”

  “I don’t know.” Her words came out hushed. “You have kids and a life. Maybe I can be a part of it?”

  For an old soul, she didn’t know everything.

  For the second time today, I pulled my teenage daughter close, this time kissing the top of her head. “Piper, you are a part of my life, and you will always be. I’m sorry I missed those years. But don’t think for a minute that I don’t want it all with your mom, ’kay?”

  “Okay . . .”

  But our moment was interrupted.

  Bexley stepped into the hall and let out a huff. “Ugh, Aston. You had to weasel your way in, didn’t you?”

  Piper threw her hands up in the air. “Mom, I tried.”

  “I know, baby. He’s like that.” Bexley turned her glare on me.

  “I needed to see you for one quick second.”

  “Piper, go hang with Tyler. We’ll eat when I’m done.”

  “Tacos?” Piper asked. “Only because I know Tyler’ll ask me.”

  “Tacos,” Bexley said.

  “But it’s not even Tuesday,” I said when Piper left the room.

  “Aston, I told you I need time.”

  “I know,” I said, walking close. “I had to see you, tell you it’s over. My dad set the whole thing up. He was mad about my divorce. Son of a bitch expected I’d try to get with you. Nan knew about it, and quite frankly, she was sick of his bullshit. She wanted out.”

  I took Bexley’s hand in mine. “I know I should go see the other kids, but I wanted to see you first, and then I’ll do what you and Piper want.”

  “So, it’s all over, just like that?”

  “Yep. Nan went to the judge, and when he heard what she had to say and looked over the evidence she had, he dismissed the charges against me and had my dad arrested. Now I need to decide if I want to press additional defamation charges against him. Personally, all I care about is his surrendering his shares of the business and calling it a day. What I’d really like to do is break more than his nose . . .”

  Tugging her hair loose from a messy bun, Bexley tilted her head, providing herself shelter with a fan of hair, distracted me from my wayward thoughts.

  “Don’t hide,” I told her. “This is good. Really good.”

  Bexley shrugged one shoulder, not looking at me. “Your mom would be happy.”

  “I don’t care. For the first time in my life, I’m worried about my happiness. And yours, and all the kids’, and even Seth’s. I’m ready to move forward.”

  “I still need time.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m happy for you, but I need some time to get my head straight. I’ve been swept into all this, and it’s been a lot.”

  “I still want to see Piper, but I’ll give you a week or two. Then I’m coming in hard.”

  “Go,” she said with a smile while shoving my chest. “Start by listening and go.”

  A few days later, once Nan was safe in Paris, and my dad had been released from jail after paying a huge bail, I drove by his house.

  The sight of the for sale sign outside made me smile. I told myself not to park, but I couldn’t help it. After parking my Porsche into the driveway, I stepped out and walked up the pebbled path to the house for the last time. We were done, my dad and me, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have a few choice words for him.

  Using my key, I let myself in and found my dad wearing one of our company’s luxury robes as he sat at the kitchen counter. Rather than drinking coffee, which you’d expect at eight in the morning, he was working on a cut-crystal glass of what I suspected was Macallan.

  “What do you want? My kidney too?” he had the nerve to ask me.

  “No, I just want to make sure you’re going to stay away from my family. The law will make sure you never step into Federal again. Who the fuck sabotages their own business? Takes a lifetime to build something, and then sets it on fire with the careless flick of a match?”

  “Oh, there was nothing careless about what I was doing, son. If it weren’t for that scheming woman I married, I’d be in the clear. She and her brat daughters didn’t have it good enough?”

  Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fists. I wanted to break his whole face, not only his nose. “Listen, I don’t care what you did, how you did it, or why. My life is too full to worry about it. What I do care about is how you intentionally tried to ruin my life, to make sure I had nothing, and I’m your son. So, fuck you, Dad.” I spat out the last part. “Stay away from me, and stay even further away from Bexley and all the kids. Hear me?”

  He looked up at me and sneered, his normally coifed hair a mess, the lines in his face deeper than I remembered them. “It was always about that little poor bitch. I knew she’d eventually trap you and your money. Or I should say, your money and you.”

  “Good-bye, Peter. Good-fucking-bye,” I said, more furious than I’d ever been in my life. “You have enough legal trouble, so keep your distance.”

  If I stayed much longer, we’d come to blows, and a third trip to the slammer wouldn’t serve me well with Bexley. So I walked out of his house on the golf course for the last time, feeling like a huge load had been lifted from my shoulders.

  Bexley

  Saturday morning, I took an extra-deep inhale. Enjoying the quiet, I sat in my kitchen, a steaming-hot cup of coffee in front of me.

  Then my phone rang.

  “Bex, you okay?” Milly yelled into the Bluetooth in her car. I envisioned her driving on the freeway with her windows down, her professionally dyed hair blowing all around her.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Are you okay? You sound like you’re in a wind tunnel.”

  “Well, first you call me for help, so I send Mike over, and then I hear nothing. He says you made him leave, and Aston stayed. What the heck?”

  “Me, what the heck? What’s going on with you? You’ve been MIA—”

  “We’ll talk about that later.”

  “Mill, what’s going on? Tell me.”

  “Bexley, did you hear me? You first. Mike says Aston stayed, and then I never heard from you.”

  A horn blew in the background, and I figured I’d better answer, or Milly was going to cause a five-car pileup.

 
“He stayed for a bit, saw Piper sleeping, and left. Honest.”

  “That’s it?”

  “I told him I needed time. I’m still telling him that. By the way, the charges have been dismissed.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t you talk with Mike? I can’t believe that he doesn’t know. Aston told me last night.”

  “I thought you were keeping space . . . Jesus,” she yelled, laying on the horn.

  “Where are you, Milly? It’s Saturday morning. Why aren’t you home with your family?”

  “Look, I’m trying to do something. End something. I told Mike if he tried, I would do this.”

  “What?” All of a sudden, I remembered Aston’s comments. Milly had secrets, and I had no clue what was going on with her.

  “Our marriage has been shit. Mike with all his money and bullshit things, and me too. I need and I want, but there are no feelings, no sex. So I found that somewhere else, and Christ, it was good.”

  “Milly!”

  “Don’t judge me, Bexley. Don’t you freaking dare. You found a good guy, made a life, and then you didn’t want it, so you got out. That was your choice. You have a freaking job, that’s why you can make it. You have freedom.”

  “I’m not judging you, Mill. I just don’t understand why you never said anything to me. That you weren’t doing well. That your relationship was in trouble.” I stood up and paced my kitchen, feeling my brow furrow, wrinkles forming.

  “Can’t you see? You always lived with this fantasy that it really could have worked between you and Aston. Happily-ever-after between the have and the have-not. I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t work that way. The haves and have-nots shouldn’t mix. Ever. Look at me—I’m nothing but arm candy. But I forced the issue back then, really believed I could make this happen, and I transformed myself into a richie. You could never do it. Why? Because you have morals.”

  I wasn’t sure when I lost touch with my good friend in this way. A way that I had absolutely no clue what the hell she was talking about.

  “Mike got in a snit. Liked me the way I was when we met. Liked me for me. Whatever. I told Mike that if he wants me to himself, he needs to make me the center of his world.”

  “Mill, you’ve always been the center of his world. Why did you think you’re not?”