by Angel Steel
Nate,
Gone to Chantal’s place. Meeting up with Alex and Craig after. Then I’ll be home. We need to talk.
Skylar
He smiled to himself. It was the first time she had ever left a note for him. He knew they had to talk and he was going to talk first before she got a chance. Walking back into the room, he grabbed his shirt and went back to his place. He needed to do some work in his office to catch up on all he missed. He knew there was a lot of paperwork to do. The quicker he did that, the sooner he could go back over to Skylar’s place and talk with her.
After several hours of sorting out last month’s paperwork, he was half way through paying the invoices.
“I see your still in one piece,” Dom said.
Nate looked up and saw his best friend leaning against the door with a frown on his face. “Are you shocked I am?” he asked.
Dom walked over and sat down in front of his desk, folding his arms over his chest. “Yep, I honestly thought you would have come back here last night either limping or covered in bruises.”
“No limp or bruises, so I’m safe there,” Nate answered. Dom snorted at his reply. Nate knew he would get this shit from Dom, but seriously, he really needed to get over it already. It really had nothing to do with him; it was only between him and Skylar. He had only been back for one day and he read and listened to every message that Dom had left for him. The way he was acting then and now seemed to him that Dom wanted Skylar for himself.
Mimicking Dom, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s your problem, Dominic?” Nate watched as Dom’s face went even colder than it was before.
He knew when Nate used his full name that the conversation turned serious. “You are, Nate,” Dom snarled.
“And what have I done to you to upset you now?”
“You don’t deserve Skylar. Especially after the way you treated her over the last couple of months.”
“What does that have to do with you, Dom?”
“Sky’s my friend. I care about her. And she shouldn’t have to put up with your crap.”
Nate had enough of this shit. Who the hell did he think he was? He stood and leaned over the desk. “I know I fucked up with Skylar in the beginning, but I won’t now. I’m staying for good and from here on out Skylar and I will be going through everything together.”
“Like I haven’t heard that one before, Nate.”
“What is this all about, Dom? Do you want Skylar for yourself?”
“Fuck you, Nate. I’m going over to Skylar’s.” Dom stormed out of his office, heading for her place. Did Dom really have a thing for Skylar? Jesus, if he did, he couldn’t pick up on it before. He knew they spent time together. Now when he thought about it, was it possible that Dom and Skylar were more than friends? Possibly even slept together, since he was gone sorting out his shit? After everything he had done to her, had he gone too far and pushed Skylar away and into Dom’s arms? Fuck no, this was not happening. Skylar was his and only his; no one else’s. He needed to find out if anything had happened between them while he was gone. He really wouldn’t blame him if he did, but you don’t go after someone when they belonged to someone else, that was for sure. Locking up his office, he made his way out and towards Skylar’s house, ready to have it out with Dom.
Chapter 30
Skylar left her place early that morning. She couldn’t sleep. After everything that had happened in the last couple of months, especially the last month, it scared her that Nate was back and in her bed. She pulled up in Chantal’s driveway and made her way to the door. She texted Chantal really early this morning and didn’t expect a reply. She just told her she was coming over. Now she was standing at her door, waiting to go in.
“Chantal, open up,” she said, banging on the door.
Minutes later, she heard Chantal’s voice, “I’m coming, Jesus.”
The door opened, slamming against the wall. “Sorry,” Chantal whispered.
Skylar looked at her; she looked like she’d been to hell and back. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked. She needed coffee bad and a chat with her best friend.
Chantal closed the door and followed her there. “Sorry I didn’t come back, Joel rang last night when I got home and wanted to catch up.”
Turning the kettle on, she reached for two cups and leaned against the bench to wait. “Damn, I haven’t heard from him in five years; how is he?” Skylar asked.
“Well, he’s a web designer now. Owns a place forty-five minutes away, but he is only in town for a week, then he’s heading back over to Dallas.”
“Good for him. I knew he would get into the whole web design thing. So what does he look like now?” Skylar watched as Chantal nearly dropped the coffee mug.
“Well, um, he has definitely changed since we’ve last seen him. He doesn’t look like the geek he used to be. Anyway, why are you up so early this morning? Did someone die?” Chantal asked.
Skylar let it slide that she changed the subject. She would find out later. Breathing out she said, “Nate’s back.”
Chantal dropped her cup on the floor, “Shit, what did he want?”
“Not much. He came over after you left.”
“So, did he say why he was gone so long? Can’t wait to hear this excuse,” Chantal snorted, as she picked up the broken pieces.
“He said he needed to sort himself out. And…”
“What the hell did he have to sort out, Sky? You’re the one that went through all that, not him. Jesus Christ.”
“I know he’s not your favourite person right now, but…” She put her hand up to stop Chantal from answering and continued, “I wanted to know why he was gone so long, and he told me. I’m leaving it at that. My problem at the moment is how I am going to tell him the news, Chan. He told me he’s not going anywhere.” Skylar leaned her head on the bench and waited.
“Just come out and tell him straight; what’s the worst he can do, disappear again?” Chantal laughed.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just need to spit it out. Thanks.”
“What are friends for?”
“I need to go and see sis and Clint. Do you want to come? I’m going to ask if he wants to go shopping with me for baby furniture, since he shopped for Seth.”
“Let me take a shower and I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.”
“Take your time, I’m in no hurry.”
Chantal raced off towards her room. Skylar was glad that she didn’t ask if she slept with Nate; she knew what the answer would be. She could have lied, but knew better. Once she got home, she was going to tell Nate that he was a father, and hoped he would be happy about it like she was.
* * *
Chantal and Skylar left her place and drove over to her sister’s house. Pulling up in the driveway, Skylar saw Seth running out with a big smile on his face.
“Auntie Sky, Auntie Sky.”
Grinning, Skylar jumped out and walked towards him, opening her arms as Seth jumped straight into them. She laughed. “How’s my boy doing?”
Seth kissed her all over her face, giggling. “Me good. Can I come home with you, Sky?”
God, she loved him. “Maybe another day. Where are Mum and Dad?” she asked, walking towards the door.
“Mommy’s baking and Daddy’s in the garage.”
“Okay, let’s go see what Mummy is cooking first, and then see Daddy. What do you think, little man?”
“Okay.”
Chantal followed both her and Seth into the house towards the kitchen.
“Something smells burnt, sis.” She loved teasing her sister about her cooking, though she’s never burnt anything; it was just for fun.
“Skylar,” Lizzy came running out and wrapped her arms around her.
“Hey sis, how’s it going?”
Lizzy released her, “Things are good. What’s with the visit?”
“Can’t I just come over and see my little sis?”
“Sure you can, you know that.�
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Skylar placed Seth down and moved towards a stool to sit down; Chantal followed. She noticed Chantal was quiet and wondered why; it wasn’t like her. Looking over at her sister, she said, “Well, I did come to see you, and my little man, but I also need to talk to you.”
Lizzy pulled a tray out of the oven and faced her, “Oh, okay. What did you want to talk about, Sky?”
Skylar looked over at Chantal, and she nodded. “First thing is, I need to borrow Clint today.”
Lizzy handed a glass of water to Skylar. “Okay, and what for?”
“Well, the thing is, I need him to come shopping with me.”
She frowned at her. “Why would you want Clint to go shopping with you? I can do that.”
“Um, well, he’s the best person to take.”
Lizzy looked from Skylar to Chantal. “Am I missing something here? Why do you want to go shopping with Clint?” She walked over towards Skylar and stood in front of her. “What’s going on, Skylar?”
Chantal patted her on her leg, and Skylar faced her sister. “Well, I need him to come to certain shops with me,” she whispered to her. Jesus, why was this so hard to tell her? Skylar and Lizzy always spoke about everything, except the one thing that she had always kept to herself.
“What kind of shops?”
“Sky, just tell her. It will be fine,” Chantal told her.
Skylar looked up at her. “I’m pregnant, and I need him to come shopping with me. I know he did most of the shopping for Seth, so I thought he would be the perfect person to take.” Skylar looked at her hands in her lap. She couldn’t look at her sister’s reaction.
After several minutes, Skylar looked at her. Lizzy had the biggest smile on her face. She threw herself at Skylar, screaming. Well, that was better than what I expected, she thought. Skylar hugged her sister back.
“I’m going to be an auntie,” she said, smiling.
“Yes,” Skylar answered her.
“We need to celebrate; this is awesome news, Skylar.” She pulled both Skylar and Chantal in for a group hug. Before they released each other, Clint came running in.
“What the hell?” he said, breathing heavily.
Lizzy frowned at him, “Why are you breathing like that?”
“I heard you scream, woman. Thought something was wrong,” he answered her.
Lizzy walked over towards her husband. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you.” She leaned up and kissed him. Clint wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in more to deepen the kiss.
“Guys, people here. I don’t really need to bring my breakfast up,” Skylar laughed.
Clint growled at her. Looking down at his wife, he asked her, “So, why did you scream, baby?”
Lizzy looked over at Skylar, then back to him, smiling. “I’m going to be an auntie,” she said, jumping up and down.
Clint looked at Skylar, “Well, shit. Congrats Sky.” Clint walked over and hugged his sister-in-law.
“Thanks,” Skylar replied.
“So, who’s the lucky guy? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
Chantal snorted at his question. Skylar glared at her. “Chantal, leave it,” Skylar said.
“I didn’t say anything,” Chantal told her.
“You didn’t have to,” she growled at her.
“What’s going on?” Clint asked.
“It’s just complicated, that’s all.”
Clint released her and walked over to the fridge, pulling out a beer. “So, who’s the guy? Is he happy about the news?” Clint asked.
Skylar took a sip of her drink, “I met him when I first moved into my place, and he’s a good guy, Clint.” Sipping her drink again, she did not want to have this conversation with him; it was supposed to be a happy moment.
Chantal glared at her, and Clint picked it up. “What are you not saying, Sky?”
Couldn’t this be easier? “It’s just complicated, Clint. Plus, I haven’t exactly told Nate about the baby yet,” she whispered to him.
“Why haven’t you told him? Are you together or not?”
“I don’t know how to tell Nate. And I don’t know if we are together or not. Can we please just drop it?” Skylar told him.
Clint nodded, “I will drop it for now, but later you’ll tell us what’s going on.”
“I will.”
“I wanted to know if you could come over and do some measurements in the spare room, so that when I go shopping, everything I get will fit. And would you be able to come with me and the boys and Chantal to grab the stuff, please?”
“Sure, I have no plans. Let me grab some things and I’ll meet you out front.”
“Thanks.”
Skylar looked over at her sister, “I’ll tell you everything, once I figure it out myself, okay?”
“I know you will. I just hate seeing you like this, sis. I won’t say anything more until you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Lizzy.”
“Well, you better get going. Clint will be waiting out front for you guys.”
Skylar got up and hugged her.
“Keep your chin up, Sky. Everything will be all right.”
“I hope so, Lizzy.” She didn’t want to cry in front of her sister; if she did, she wouldn’t let her leave until she told her what was really going on.
“I love you, you know that,” Lizzy told her.
“Yeah I do, love you too, Liz.” Skylar let go of her and walked out the front door towards her car. Chantal followed right behind her.
“Ready?” Clint asked her.
“As I’ll ever be,” she said to him and threw her car keys towards him. Clint jumped in the driver’s seat and Chantal sat in the back. As she pulled on her seatbelt, she contemplated how she was going to tell Nate about the baby.
Chapter 31
Nate followed Dom over to Skylar’s house. Stomping up the back stairs, he found him on the veranda. “Do you have a thing for Skylar?” he asked while clenching his fists.
Dom stared at him, “Of course I have a thing for her, Nate. She’s like a little sister to me.”
Nate walked towards him. “Well, it seems to me that you have more of a thing for her than that, Dom,” he said.
“Even if I did, what’s it to you? She’s not yours, Nate. If she was, you would have been here by her side, not running away to sort out your shit. Or doing God knows what or with whoever,” he growled back.
“You saw what happened to her. How the hell could I have handled that by staying here?” Nate wiped his hand over his face. “And I didn’t do anything with anyone while I was gone. I only thought of her the whole damn time.” This was all just fucked up, he thought.
“I know what happened to her, Nate. I was there too, but I would have never left her here by herself to go through it alone. You should have been here with her.” Dom pushed him out of his way and walked down on to the lawn, away from him.
Nate followed right behind him, and swung Dom around. “Did anything happen between you and Skylar while I was gone?” Nate asked.
“Like what?” Dom asked.
“Did you sleep with her?”
Dom laughed at him and walked away from him. Nate stomped after him and slammed into his back. Dom swung around and got in his face, “What the fuck is your problem, Nate?”
“Skylar’s mine. Did you do anything with her?” he growled.
Dom pushed him back, “She’s not yours, Nate. If she were, you would have never left her side.” Dom looked around, “But look, she’s here and you left her.”
Nate had enough of this; Skylar was his. “Like fuck,” Nate yelled. He punched Dom straight in the face with a right hook, knocking him to the ground.
Dom growled, got up and slammed into him, knocking both of them down. Dom threw punches at Nate connecting with his jaw, nose, and slamming the last in his gut. He stood up, brushing dirt off his jeans. Nate jumped up, and they circled each other, ready for the next round.
