Rescue Me

by Nikki Ryan

  Kat interlocked her fingers with Alyssa’s. “I love you. Call me if you need me.”

  “I love you too. Who else would hurl a hay maker at another girl’s boyfriend? That was freakin’ awesome.”

  “The stupid fucker deserved it! Did you see his buddy’s face? It was priceless.” They both laughed. Alyssa grabbed her purse and stepped out of the car.

  “Call me.”

  “Will do. Bye.”

  Alyssa dropped her keys in the ceramic bowl by the door. She made her way into the bedroom and casually picked up a tee shirt off the floor. It was the one Sam had worn the day before. She sat on the edge of the bed and brought it to her nose. It smelled of him. Alyssa curled into the fetal position. She clutched it to her chest and let the sob session begin. She loved him. How could he do this to her, knowing what Jack did to her. After an hour, she finally drifted into a restless sleep, shirt still in her grasp.

  When she woke, she noticed the light blinking on her phone. She reached for it and saw that Sam had texted her while she was sleeping. It had been sent two hours ago.

  I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.

  Right now I can’t, Sam. I’m packing your things. They will be by the door. Please pick them up when you get out of work.

  Lys, don’t do this. Please! I made a mistake. I should have never put my arm around her.

  No, you shouldn’t have. But you did. Now this conversation is over. I will be raising this baby on my own like originally planned.

  This isn’t over! You can’t kick me out of your life, our baby’s life.

  I just did, Sam.

  When Sam didn’t respond, she got up and began throwing his belongings into garbage bags. By the time she was done, three large bags sat by the door.

  Alyssa’s stomach rumbled so she headed into the kitchen to make something to eat. This surprised her. If she hadn’t been pregnant, she would never have been able to eat while this depressed. But today, she had leftovers in front of her and her mouth watered.

  Much of the night was spent watching romantic movies which only made Alyssa cry more, but she couldn’t help it. She was a romantic. Just because her love life sucked at the moment, didn’t mean other couples couldn’t find happiness. Right?

  The next morning, Alyssa stood in front of the mirror putting on her war paint. No amount of concealer was going to erase the fact that she had been crying all day yesterday and into the night. She heard a movement by the door and turned to see what it was.

  “I asked you to come by after I left for work,” she said.

  “Why are you doing this, Alyssa? It’s not like you caught me fucking her yesterday.”

  Alyssa eyed him from the mirror as she continued the upward stroke with the mascara wand. He looked as bad as she did. Good! I hope he didn’t get any sleep either!

  “Are you serious? How would you feel if the roles had been reversed? You looked quite comfortable with her in your arms.”

  “She’s just a friend, Lys. I don’t have any feelings for her.”

  “You really are a piece of work. First, you sleep with some psycho who cries rape and is now pregnant with your child. . .”

  “Allegedly -”

  “Whatever. Then because you wanted in my pants and couldn’t, you took advantage of my vulnerability and offered your kind services. You know what you are? You’re a player. Shame on me for thinking you might be anything else. Now please take your shit and leave!”

  Alyssa walked past him into the bedroom. She grabbed the shirt she had laid out earlier and hastily threw it over her head.

  “You’re right as always, Alyssa. This was never going to work.”

  He stalked out of the room. She jumped when she heard the front door slam. She sat down on the edge of the bed. Tears began to pool in her eyes again.

  “God damn it! I’m done with crying.”

  She got up, wiped the tears from her face and hurried out the door. Work was going to be a welcomed relief; she hoped so anyway.

  Chapter Ten

  Sam threw the bags down in the entryway and crashed down on the couch. He sat in the darkness, staring out his living room window. What the hell just happened? Is she right? Am I not husband and father material?

  Sam’s father had called him the previous day because he’d received word that Sam could finally take the DNA test. He also agreed to take Alyssa’s statement regarding that night and was quick to tell his son how unimpressed he was on the topic.

  After the debacle at the pizzeria, Sam had to agree with his father. He’d told the guys that he needed to swing by the hospital. Luckily, his physician had already faxed the order to the lab. The nurse had taken the necessary amount of vials before releasing him.

  He had been surprised to see Jessica yesterday. She had always wanted more from him. Despite this, they split amicably. She was a nice person just not for him. But he’ll never forget the look on Alyssa’s face. His girl. It had haunted his dreams last night at the firehouse. She doesn’t deserve this shit.

  He needed to talk to somebody. The only one at who’d be home on a week day morning would be his mother. He needed advice and she had always been the best person to dish it out or deliver a good ass kicking, whichever she deemed necessary at the time. Sam had no doubt which of the two he was going to get. He learned from an early age, it’s like a band-aid, it’s better to just rip it off quickly.

  Sam grabbed his keys from the coffee table and closed the front door behind him. It was time to “face the music”.

  * * * * *

  “Mom? Are you here?”

  Sylvia came around the corner wearing yoga pants and a stretchy tank top. She wiped her face with a towel. The woman looked damn good for sixty-two.

  “Well hello, dear. I’m on the elliptical. What do I owe such wonderful company this morning?”

  “Mom. I’ve screwed up and I don’t know what to do.” Sam swiped a hand through his hair.

  “I see,” Sylvia said. “Well, come into the kitchen. Let’s figure it out over coffee. She reached for the plate containing cinnamon buns and placed them in front of Sam. “I made these for your father this morning. Help yourself.”

  Sam smiled. He used to beg his mother to make these on weekends when he was a kid. She made them from scratch and there wasn’t a bakery on the east coast that came close to hers.

  “Dad begs for these now?”

  “Of course, you’re not here to do it for him anymore.”

  Sylvia handed Sam a mug and poured herself a glass of ice water.

  “So, what has you looking like you’ve been hit by a dump truck?”

  Sam spent the next hour explaining everything to his mother. She cringed when he told her how he learned that Alyssa had overheard him and his previous female houseguests. As always, his mom sat quietly until he was finished.

  “So. I’m going to be a grandmother again?”

  “Seriously, Mom? That’s the first thing you have to say? I just told you I purposely impregnated my neighbor because it was the only way I’d get to . . . you know.”

  “Samuel David. Do you actually think for one minute that I believe that nonsense? I mean really. Your father and I have never seen you so happy. The only other girlfriend that has been through our doors is Tiffany. And that doesn’t count. Her parents are our best friends. You two practically grew up together.”

  “She hates me.”

  “Who does, dear?”

  “Alyssa,” Sam said. “I didn’t do anything wrong. So my arm was around Jessica. Big deal! Is that not allowed anymore now that Alyssa is in my life? She made it clear in the beginning that I had no responsibilities . . .”

  “Okay. I’m going to stop you right there. Just because you two had an agreement in the beginning that you would just be the donor, does not mean that things haven’t evolved into something deeper. Samuel, she had three garbage bags full of your belongings by the door. That clearly tells me a different story.”

  “But . . .”

&n
bsp; “No buts, mister, if I had ever caught your father in a similar situation . . . well . . . it’s safe to say that he’d be as good as dead.”

  Sam choked on his cinnamon bun.

  “I’m serious.” Sylvia patted him on the back. “Do you love her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you in love with her?”

  “I’m scared to death.”

  “Of what?”

  “That I’m in love with her. Maybe she’s right? Maybe I’m not ready to be with just one woman for the rest of my life – or be a father. I’ll just end up hurting her in the end.”

  Sylvia reached for his hand.

  “Sweetheart, that’s something only you can decide. For what it’s worth, your father and I love her. And we know you have it in you to be both to her and the baby.”

  “She’s hard not to love. Thanks for not going off the deep end about us conceiving a child out of wedlock.”

  “I’m still in shock over everything, dear. Wait until this all sinks in. I’ll kick your ass later.”

  She stood and kissed him on the forehead.

  “I love you, Samuel. You have grown into a wonderful man. I know you feel like you are in unchartered waters right now. I suspect this is how every man feels once they have fallen in love and don’t know what to do with it. I know you’ll make the right decision. Now I must get back on the elliptical. Your father loves my tight buns.”

  “Mother!”

  Sam didn’t want to go home after talking with his mother. He wanted to see Alyssa. He knew she was working but he didn’t want to upset her at work. He thought about buying her flowers and having them sent over to the office. The image of her tossing the beautiful bouquet into the garbage had him changing his mind.

  He stopped at home briefly to pick up clothes for the gym. He decided that tiring himself out lifting weights was much more productive than pacing the floors in his house.

  After his work out, he hung out with the guys at the firehouse. He had hoped the guys would keep his mind off of Alyssa but that theory failed miserably. The news of his epic failure had run rampant through the firehouse. They were everything but consoling. They harassed him the whole time. Whose fucking side are they on anyway? Of course, it hadn’t helped that Alyssa had stopped by a few times when he was on duty and quickly became the firehouse sweetheart.

  He’d finally had enough of their shit and stopped at the market before heading home for the night. Alyssa had just parked her car when he pulled in next to her.

  She looked over at him and quickly looked away. She looked terrible . . . and sad. Not wanting to miss an encounter with her, Sam grabbed the bags from the back seat and stepped out of his vehicle the same time she did. He made his way over to her.

  “Hey.”

  Alyssa began walking towards her apartment.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “Lys, are we going to talk about this?”

  Alyssa turned around. She had definitely been crying.

  “Sam. I’ve had a really long day and I don’t feel good. Please leave me alone tonight.”

  He dropped his bags and rushed to her, gently stroking her arms. His mouth inches from hers.

  “Alyssa, is the baby okay?”

  “Yes. I’m just exhausted and want to go to bed.”

  “Can I rub your feet? Run a bath for you? Please don’t shut me out, Alyssa. I’ve been going crazy all day.”

  “Sam. I just need to be alone. I’m sorry. It’s better this way.”

  Alyssa swung around and headed to her front door. He watched as she closed the door.

  Slowly, he turned and gathered the bags that he’d previously thrown to the ground, hoping he hadn’t broken the bottle of whiskey. It looked like he wasn’t going to get any sleep again tonight unless he was piss drunk and passed out.

  Five glasses later, he found himself happily numb lying in bed. He heard his front door open and close. He sluggishly rolled out of bed and grabbed the bat he kept behind the door. With it in his hand, he set off down the hallway like a lion stalking its prey.

  Then he heard her voice.

  “Sam?”

  He flicked on a light switch.

  “How did you get in here?” Sam placed a hand over his manhood.

  “I found your spare under the rock outside.”

  “Right.” Sam nodded and made a mental note to change his hiding place tomorrow.

  “Tiffany . . . I. . .”

  “Sam, I’ve missed you.”

  Tiffany removed her trench coat, revealing a long, fit body wearing only a bra and panties. She sauntered towards him. Sam knew her body very well and remembered how it used to respond to his touch. He brought the bat up to his forehead and closed his eyes. What am I thinking? This girl is fifty shades of crazy!

  “Tiff, I’m flattered but nothing is going to happen between us tonight. We’ve been over for a long time and you’ve been drinking. You’re welcome to sleep in my guest room. I’d drive you home but I’m drunk myself.”

  “It’s because of her, isn’t it? Please give me five minutes and you’ll forget all about her, Sam. I swear. Remember how it used to be with us?”

  Tiffany stood mere inches from him. She gently reached down and grabbed the hand that was covering him and grabbed his throbbing shaft, moving her hand up and down. She leaned up and kissed the sensitive part of his neck that she knew aroused him.

  “You won’t regret it, I promise.”

  Sam stepped back, his breathing quickened. He needed to gain control of this situation and fast. His brain and heart didn’t want Tiffany but Mr. Happy sure did! Damn it! He quickly released her hand from his awakened appendage and headed to his room.

  “Goodnight, Tiffany. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

  “How dare you ignore me? You’ll be sorry!”

  Tiffany stalked to the guest bedroom and slammed the door. Whatever!

  He locked his bedroom door. He didn’t trust that she would respect his wishes and stay away. He returned the bat to its original place and flopped face down on his bed.

  Son of a bitch!

  Sam was in the kitchen pouring coffee into a mug when Tiffany waltzed in, wearing the same bra and panties.

  “Want a cup?” he asked, reaching for another mug.

  “I’d love one.”

  Sam went to his room after he’d handed her the hot beverage. He returned with a tee shirt and boxer shorts.

  “These will be too big for you but . . .”

  “No. Thanks. I appreciate it.” She hastily put on the borrowed items. “Sam, I’m sorry about last night.”

  “No need to apologize.”

  “Do you think that we can be friends?”

  “Sure. As long as you don’t show up drunk and naked in the middle of the night again, we’re cool.”

  “So what is really going on with you and your neighbor? Mom told me yesterday that you got her pregnant because she wanted a baby. Is that true? Why would you do that? We’re supposed to end up together and I don’t want her half breed hanging round my family.”

  Sam threw his head back and closed his eyes. Mother! He should have known his mother would tell her best friend about his dilemma.

  “Tiffany. That’s enough! I will not have you bad mouthing Alyssa. You don’t even know her.”

  “I don’t need to know her, Sam. You are meant to be with me.”

  “Why is it so difficult for you to understand that I don’t want to be with you- ever.”

  Tiffany stood and put her arm through one sleeve of the coat, then the other. “I should be going anyway.”

  Sam got up and walked her to the door. She stepped out onto the landing and looked towards Alyssa’s apartment. She grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed a surprised Sam on the mouth. He didn’t reciprocate but no one else would know that but Tiffany. He felt nothing for her.

  He stood in the doorway, watching her get into her car and drive off. He scanned the parking lot before closing the do
or. Fuck! Alyssa sat in her parked car gaping at him with protruding, disbelieving eyes.

  His heart and feet moved quicker than his brain and he found himself running towards Alyssa’s car.

  “It’s not what it looks like,” he said. He was sure she had heard him, but she’d started the car and raced out of her parking space, almost running him over.

  “Damn it!” He kicked the ice-packed snow near his walkway. Now not only did his heart hurt, his foot was probably broken. Obviously, somebody or something, was making him pay for his playboy days. Sam knew two things: Karma was a woman and she was a real bitch!

  Chapter Eleven

  Alyssa wasn’t sure how she made it to work that morning three weeks ago. It had been through tears, she knew that much. And to think that she had almost caved that night. She had woken up in the middle of the night from a dream. One of her and Sam, of course. Her panties had been wet and her body ached to be touched. Alyssa had had her hand on the door knob, ready to enter his apartment when she’d decided to turn back around.

  Looking back on it, the decision had been a painful one. She had gone back to bed after quietly finding her own release. It killed her that she missed him so much. But her heart ached even more when she thought of Sam standing on his front porch, kissing his ex-girlfriend. How could he do this to me?

  Sam had been relentless in the days following the incident, with flowers and apology letters. When she refused to speak to him, he gave up and finally left her alone. She had decided that living next to him wasn’t such a great idea. Plus, with the baby coming in a little over five months, it was time to buy a house. One with a yard for her child to run around in.

  With the suggestions from her coworkers, she hired a real estate agent. She was a lovely woman in her sixties who had been an agent for the past thirty five years.

  “It’s a buyer’s market right now,” Helena said to Alyssa. “We should have no problem finding the house you love within your price range. I have a few houses for us to look at today.”