by Jaye Diane
Without responding, Robyn rushed back to her room. She was aware that Devin was right behind her. That fact simultaneously thrilled and aggravated her.
“You can go to your own room now.” She didn't want him to get comfortable. She had to set boundaries starting right now.
“I'm not leaving,” Devin said firmly, making her mouth drop open in surprise. She hadn't expected him to refuse.
“This is my room and I say that you need to leave.” She set her lips in a firm line, almost daring him to defy her.
He did more than that. He closed the door, locked it, and climbed into the bed. He grinned and patted the bed beside him.
She forced herself not to think about how sexy and adorable he looked laying in the bed. It had been two months since they'd made love and her hungry body seemed to be pushing her towards him. She felt her nipples harden through her nightshirt and she turned her back towards Devin.
“Get out,” She said through clenched teeth.
“You know you don't want me to leave,” Devin said, probably sensing her dilemma. “Come here... Let me take care of you.” He tried to coax her and she was so tempted.
“No, no, no,” Robyn insisted, shaking her head. “Please get out.”
Devin got up off the bed and walked over to her, wrapping one arm around her waist and using his other hand to lift her chin. His gaze met hers and he bent to brush his mouth against hers.
She squeezed her eyes shut, her heart beating wildly, and leaned into him. She felt his hand go up into her hair, lightly gripping, angling her head so that their mouths aligned better. She groaned when his tongue slipped into her mouth and she gripped his shoulders. But just when she braced herself for the onslaught of her senses, he pulled away, a gentle smile on his face.
“I'm not going to leave,” Devin said, holding her face in both his hands. He stroked his thumb over her face. “But I'll sleep on the floor if you want.”
She needed him to be away from her. If he hadn't ended their brief kiss she would have completely given in and been rolling around on the bed with him. She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, exasperated and upset with the whole situation. She wanted nothing more than to roll around on the bed with him. Her aching breasts demanded it.
“Fine,” She muttered, getting into the bed and pulling the covers up over her head.
Devin laughed a little, clearly knowing exactly what he was doing to her. From the very first time they'd kissed, it had been obvious that he had the same affect on her as a drug. But it was even worse now. He'd barely touched her and she was soaking wet. She guessed it was her hormones running wild due to the pregnancy. She squeezed her thighs together, annoyed by the sexual tension inside of her.
She heard him walk out of the room and thought briefly of getting up and locking him out. But that would just be mean and immature, although she felt he just might deserve it. A few moments later, he reentered the room and she peeped over the top of the blankets to see him making a bed on the floor, piling several blankets on top of each other. He threw a pillow down then winked at her.
“Goodnight, babe,” He said, walking to turn the light off.
She heard the rustle of the blankets as he settled in for the rest of the night. And then it was very quiet in the room. Her nipples still peaked, she tossed uncomfortably on the bed. She'd always liked sex, from when she first lost her virginity at age 19 to Bobby Adams. Well, their first time had been pretty bad but the subsequent times had been great. And when she'd first made love with Devin, she'd been on top of the world. He clearly knew exactly what he was doing in bed. The memories, combined with her raging hormones, made it nearly impossible to sleep.
After a short while, she heard Devin's even breathing again, letting her know that he'd gone back to sleep. She childishly wished that he was awake, suffering, too. She tried counting sheep, but gave up when she got to a hundred. Finally, she thought about her favorite recipes, and the specific amounts of ingredients that each item required. She felt herself beginning to drift and snuggled down into the bed to go to sleep at last.
Emerald was waiting for her when she got into her apartment the next day. They rushed towards each other and hugged, a few tears stinging Robyn's eyes before she blinked them away. She'd called her best friend right before she got on the road to let her know that she'd be home soon. Thankfully, the snow had been cleared from the highway, although there was plenty of snow all around it in huge mini-mountains.
“How are you feeling?” Emerald asked, concerned.
“I really have to use the bathroom,” Robyn said honestly, shrugging out of her coat and letting it fall to the floor. She ran to the bathroom. It felt so good to be back in the privacy of her own home.
Waking up with morning sickness had been an embarrassing nightmare that morning now that everyone knew she was pregnant. Devin had followed her into the bathroom and refused to leave, and when she'd finished puking her guts up, several people, including her parents, had been waiting outside the bathroom door to make sure she was alright. She'd been weak, upset and mortified. And also annoyed.
She'd been only too happy to leave immediately after lunch. Devin had driven behind her in his black BMW but had gone to his own home once they'd entered the city. She'd felt both relieved and disappointed, a familiar set of feelings these days when it came to him. She was so desperate to be in his presence and yet dreaded how she'd react when she was around him.
“I made you some of that pregnancy tea,” Emerald said when Robyn went back to the living room.
“Thanks,” Robyn replied gratefully, taking the steaming mug that her friend held out to her.
“So everyone knows, huh?” Emerald asked.
She'd only been able to text her friend the basics that morning, realizing that she'd never called her back the day before.
“I didn't stand a chance of keeping it a secret,” Robyn said, taking a sip. “Devin's grandma knew I was pregnant from the minute she got there.”
Robyn went on to tell her friend about every detail that came to mind, from Peyton finding her and Devin kissing, to Ines catching her vomiting to the entire secret being revealed to everyone.
“I know Marjorie's going to be here all the time now,” Emerald said, laughing a little.
“I think so too,” Robyn said, leaning back to get comfortable on the couch. “But for now, she said she'd see me on New Year's. So that gives me a few days without her nagging.”
“Good luck,” Emerald said, crossing her arms. “So what did you want to tell me about Devin?”
“We finally talked about our breakup,” Robyn murmured, knowing that Emerald would probably threaten Devin more than she'd already had.
“That bastard,” Emerald said, sneering. “Now he wants to clear the air? What a punk-ass jerk.”
Robyn nodded her head slowly. “That's what I was thinking too...but I'm glad we finally talked.”
“Are you back together?” Emerald asked suspiciously. “He doesn't deserve you.”
“No,” Robyn quickly corrected her friend. “But I found out why he broke up with me. Casey played us both.”
She explained Casey's role in the breakup and Emerald got more and more upset and angry.
“Just wait until I see that bitch!” Emerald shouted, getting up and pacing the room. “I knew she was attracted to him but I didn't think she was that evil. That desperate!”
“When you see her, you're going to behave yourself,” Robyn said calmly, although she'd like to beat the crap out of Casey, herself. Because of Casey, her heart had suffered greatly.
Emerald balled her hands into fists and wordlessly shook her head.
“She's not worth you getting yourself locked up,” Robyn said flatly as she sat her mug on the coffee table and toed off her boots.
“I just can't believe she would do something like that.” Emerald said, her voice lower. “And he should have known better.”
“That's what's bothering me too,” Robyn said, her h
eart seeming to contract within her chest. “We were friends since childhood. He should have known I wouldn't have treated him that way. And when he broke up with me, he wouldn't even speak to me and wouldn't let me explain myself. I can't be with him again after all this.”
“Now wait a minute,” Emerald said in a rush. “Maybe he deserves another chance.”
Robyn's mouth dropped open in disbelief. Emerald had done the quickest about-face she'd ever seen.
“He was hurt,” Emerald said, “Same as you. And you know how dumb men can be when they cling to their pride and egos.”
“So?”
“If it wasn't for that bitch, Casey, you and Dev would probably be engaged by now. He loves you.”
The pain that went through Robyn's whole body made her tremble. What life was paled in comparison to what it could have been. Casey's interference had ruined everything.
“Give your man a chance,” Emerald said. “I think it will work out now.”
“But you just said he doesn't deserve me.”
“That's before I found out that you both got blindsided by that desperate bimbo.”
“But-”
“He loves you, Robyn. And you love him. Yeah, he made a mistake in breaking up with you without talking everything out with you first. But put yourself in his shoes.”
“No,” Robyn said, standing up to approach Emerald. “What about everything that I went through? You were the one who was here helping me pick up the pieces. You saw what a mess I was.”
Emerald nodded her agreement. “And you're still a mess now. Because your heart needs him as much as his heart needs you.”
“That's enough, Emmy,” Robyn whispered, on the verge of tears. She wanted nothing more than to be with Devin. He'd been her dream man for as long as she could remember. Of course she wanted to be with him. But she no longer trusted him the way she had before.
“Okay,” Emerald said, taking Robyn's hand. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.”
They stood quietly for several seconds until Robyn had gotten control of herself again. She sat down to finish her tea while Emerald got cozy with a bag of cheese popcorn, which she shared with Robyn.
“So I got fired today,” Emerald casually announced once she'd turned on the TV and began flipping through channels.
“What!” Robyn exclaimed. “What happened?”
“That bastard, Marley,” Emerald said, her expression darkening once more. “He tried his stupid antics again. I kneed him in the nuts.”
“What an asshole!” Robyn shouted. “He should be the one who gets fired!”
“I tried explaining that to his father but he doesn't believe me.”
“He knows his son is a perv,” Robyn said, feeling certain about it.
“I think so, too,” Emerald agreed. “But of course he's going to take his son's side.”
“You should sue both of those assholes!”
“I've thought about it. But I really have no proof of what's been going on.”
Robyn felt so bad for her friend. Fired the day after Christmas!
“I'll be okay,” Emerald said, standing up and putting on her coat. “I'm going to head home right now to update my resume. And I'll start my job search ASAP.”
Robyn quietly nodded. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I'm going to get unemployment,” Emerald said confidently, smiling. “And I could actually use a vacation so we're all good.”
“But I know how much you liked that job,” Robyn pointed out.
“True. But they're not the only gym. And it's better I got out of there before he tried to rape me or something. He's desperate.”
Robyn didn't know what to say but she felt good knowing that her friend was looking on the bright side.
“I just feel bad for whoever they get to replace me. Because he's going to try it again.”
“God, I hope not,” Robyn whispered.
After Emerald had gone, Robyn took a hot shower and dressed in a long-sleeved blue shirt and thick black sweatpants. She tried to decide what to take out for dinner but nothing in her kitchen appealed to her so she planned to make peanut butter and jelly. For some reason, she was liking peanut butter and jelly a lot lately.
Her bell rang and she went to the intercom.
“Who is it?”
“It's me, babe,” Devin's smooth, sexy voice came across the intercom.
She buzzed him in, a thrill of excitement rushing through her. She was so eager to be around him even though she knew she shouldn't be. All of Emerald's words came back to her. Yes, she loved Devin. And she knew he'd cared about her at one point. He said he loved her and she was eager to believe that but she didn't want to make another big mistake.
She unlocked the apartment door to let him in. A few seconds later, he strolled in, looking gorgeous in his black down jacket and black jeans.
“Hi,” He said, taking off the jacket, revealing a tight black T-shirt. She could see his rock hard abs beneath his shirt, along with his pecs, and it made her yearn.
“Hi,” She said hoarsely and cleared her throat.
“How are you feeling?” He asked, walking towards her, his hazel eyes running over her appreciatively.
“I'm fine,” She mumbled, walking away from him. “What do you want?”
“I just want to see you,” Devin said, going to sit on the couch.
She was happy to see him too, though they'd just seen each other earlier that afternoon. But she'd never admit it.
“So when are you planning to move in to my place?” He asked, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest.
“I'm not sure,” Robyn said. She hadn't thought about it at all. Not really. “My lease on this place isn't up until June.”
“Well, you can't wait until June to move,” Devin said, “You'll already be nine months pregnant by then.”
She shrugged. “What's wrong with that? You only live about ten minutes away. It's not like I have to go far to bring my things.”
“You should already be settled by then.”
“Says who?”
“It's just common sense.” Devin shrugged.
Robyn frowned. “I'll be stuck paying rent here until then. I might as well stay.”
“I'll pay the rent for you,” Devin said, “It's no problem.”
“I don't need your charity,” Robyn said, offended. She could very well pay her own way.
“It's not charity. You're one of my best friends and the mother of my child. This just makes sense.”
She couldn't ignore the panic that welled up inside of her. She wasn't ready to be in such close proximity to Devin. Under the same roof. All the time. It was too soon.
“Just think about it,” He said, an edge to his voice. “Just take some time to think about it.”
She nodded her head without speaking. She'd have to give it a lot of thought. Because she knew that moving in with him so soon almost guaranteed that she'd be falling back into bed with him. And that would be a huge mistake that she'd end up regretting.
“I'm seeing Casey tonight,” Devin said, making her tense up.
She shrugged without saying anything and went into the kitchen. She didn't want to talk about Casey. If she could help it, she wouldn't even think about the manipulative woman. And now Devin was going to see her?
Robyn mindlessly opened cabinets, slamming them shut without taking anything.
“I'm going to confront her about all the stuff she pulled.” He was standing right behind her.
“What's the point?” Robyn demanded, instantly angry at him and Casey all over again.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean the damage is done. What's the point of you having a conversation with her about what she did two months ago? It's not like there's any consequences she can face for what she's done.”
“I just want to see why she did it.”
“She's attracted to you, Devin,” Robyn said with exasperation. “There's no secret reason for he
r being such a bitch. She just is a bitch and she wanted you and she did anything she could to get you.”
Thinking of it all again made Robyn's chin quiver. She'd lost so much so quickly because of that evil woman.
“I guess you're right,” Devin said, surprising her. She turned to face him, trying to cover her distress and anger.
“I'll call her back and tell her I don't want to see her.” He sat at the small kitchen table.
“Good.” She knew he'd have to see Casey on Monday and just about every day thereafter but that was work. Casey usually stayed in the lobby while Devin had an upstairs office. She hoped he wasn't naive enough to try to resume his friendship with Casey. But she was mentally preparing herself for anything. He didn't owe her, Robyn, anything. So she had no right to any expectations. Her head understood it all. But her heart still refused to follow along.
“Are you hungry?” Devin asked, sounding amused.
She realized that she stood at the fridge, holding the door open. She took a bottled water from the shelf and closed the door, then joined Devin at the table.
“When's the next time you go back to the doctor?” He asked.
“Not for a few weeks,” Robyn said, on alert. She knew what was coming before he said it.
“I want to go with you when you go back. I want to go back every time.”
“You don't have to do that,” Robyn said, speaking so fast that her words ran into each other.
“I know I don't have to, Robyn,” Devin said gently, reaching over and running his forefinger over the back of her hand. “I want to. I want to be as involved as I can.”
She nodded slowly. She had a few weeks to get used to the idea of him coming to the doctor with her. She didn't know why she felt quite so awkward about it. But she did.
“Well, I’m going to get going.” Devin stood up.
“Okay,” Robyn murmured, doing her best to ignore the disappointment that she felt.
“I'll see you tomorrow,” Devin said. “I thought we could spend the day together.”
“I don't think we should,” Robyn said, her eyes wide, although her heart warmed because he wanted to see her again.
“Stop being like that, Robyn,” Devin said, approaching her.
