Betrayed (Whiskey Nights #4)

by Suzannah Daniels

  “Yeah.”

  I lifted my palms in the air. “How long does it usually take for a woman to get pregnant?”

  “From what I’ve read, you don’t have to worry about seeing a fertility specialist unless you’ve been trying for over a year,” Cade replied. “Although most couples will be expecting within the first six months.”

  “Y’all still have time. I wouldn’t worry about it yet,” I said. “What’s your advice to him, Evan?”

  Evan looked shell-shocked. “Uh, no. I’m still trying to make sure that I don’t get women pregnant. I’m out of this one.”

  I guffawed. “I’m kind of with Evan on this one. I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “Actually, I’m not worried about her getting pregnant. Not yet, anyway. I’m worried because she seems to get a little depressed every time she finds out she’s not expecting. I thought it might help if she talked to another woman. Especially someone who’s already been through it. You think you could have Jess talk to her? I’ve been meaning to call her, but I usually think about it when I’m with Seren. I didn’t want to ask in front of her.”

  “I get it.” I took a swig of beer. “I’ll talk to Jess about it tonight. I know she’d be more than happy to talk to Seren, and I’m sure she can bring it up discreetly.”

  “Okay,” Evan said, “now that you guys have worked out your problems with women. Let’s talk football.”

  “And bodybuilding,” I added, turning to Cade. “Did you see his trophy?”

  “I did. Almost makes you want to claim him as your little brother, doesn’t it?”

  “Almost,” I agreed.

  ***

  Since I didn’t have to work in the morning, I stayed up waiting for Jess. It was almost midnight when her headlights flashed across the living room windows. I met her at the car. “Is he asleep?”

  “Yeah. Oh, Paxton, you should have seen him. I hated waking him up. He was so tired, but he did finally go back to sleep about halfway here.”

  I wanted her to quit her job, but I knew she had responsibilities, not to mention that it wasn’t my place to make such a suggestion.

  “You get him,” I told her. “I’ll get your things and the diaper bag.”

  Once she was on her way into the house with the baby, I scooped up everything else, locked her car, and followed her into the apartment.

  She settled Joseph in his crib and came in the living room. She plopped on the couch beside me and turned sideways, so that she was facing me.

  “Rough night?” I asked, noticing that she seemed devoid of life.

  “It was fine.” She sat quietly a moment. “Did you ever hear from Rachel?”

  “No, I’ve left her a couple of messages, but she hasn’t responded. You haven’t seen her at work, have you?”

  She shook her head. “Maybe she’s finally given up.”

  I groaned. “Let’s hope so.”

  She studied her fingernails, running a thumb over each one.

  “Cade wants you to do him a favor,” I said, my words causing her to pause and look back at me. I wanted to smooth the disheveled hair away from her face, but I didn’t.

  “Anything. What does he need?”

  “He thinks Seren’s feeling a little down about not getting pregnant yet. He was hoping you could somehow broach the subject with her. He thought it might help if she talked to someone who’s been through a pregnancy.”

  “Of course, I will. I knew she was disappointed, but I didn’t realize it was at the point of upsetting her.”

  “I know it’s enough that he’s worried.”

  “I’ll try to talk to her tomorrow then.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem. They’ve always helped me. It actually makes me feel a little better if I can do something to help them in return. Even if it’s something small.”

  “I know he’ll appreciate it.” I watched her as she returned to smoothing her thumb over her nails. “Wasn’t it today that you were meeting with your attorney?”

  Yawning, she nodded and covered her mouth with her fist. “It was, and I did. Didn’t you get my message? I was so excited that I called you as soon as I left.”

  “No, I must have missed it. I was pretty busy at the gym, and then we had the Thursday night Mayfield meeting.”

  “It’s been such a long day, it’s hard to believe I met with him this morning. I can’t believe I didn’t even think to mention it.”

  “What did he say?”

  “I’m participating in a pretrial conversion program. He’s getting everything set up. I’ll have to pay a fee, and I’ll probably have to complete so many hours of community service.”

  “So no jail time?” I asked.

  “No jail time. And it won’t show on my record as a conviction. I can even have it expunged.”

  “Good news.”

  She splayed her hand across her chest. “I’m so relieved. I am never going to do anything like that ever again. I don’t care how desperate I am.”

  “I’m happy for you, Jess. I know it’s been weighing heavily on your mind.” I noticed dark marks across her wrist, and I sat up straighter. “What’s on your wrist?” I picked her hand up, and she straightened her arm in front of me, allowing me to take a closer look. “What the hell happened to you? Who grabbed your wrist?”

  “You…you can see that?” she stuttered, pulling her wrist out of my grasp and studying it herself.

  “Hell, yeah, I can see that. I can see where every finger was wrapped around your arm. What I want to know is who the hell did that?”

  “It’s nothing.” She waved her hand in the air.

  “Like hell it is.”

  “It was just a drunk customer, okay?” She exhaled. “I was walking away, and he grabbed my wrist. He was loaded, and I don’t think he realized how tight he was holding my arm.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “It was nothing, Paxton. Seriously. He just wanted another drink, and I didn’t hear him. He thought I was ignoring him, and he….”

  “Assaulted you?”

  She stood up and huffed. “He didn’t assault me. It’s fine, really.”

  I stood, too. “It’s not fine. Is he a regular? What nights does he come?”

  “No!” Her voice was firm. “You don’t get to act like a pissed-off boyfriend. I’m fine.”

  “I can be just as pissed off as your friend as I can your boyfriend. Now tell me when you expect him to show up.”

  “I don’t need you to fight this battle for me, Paxton. Good night.”

  I watched her as she walked to the bedroom, and damn, if I didn’t want to follow her in there and demand that she never go back to that hellhole.

  My fists clenched at my sides, and I tried to work through the rage that consumed me. I wanted to pummel the guy’s face until he begged her forgiveness or lost consciousness, whichever came first. Hell, better yet, I wanted to pummel him until he begged for forgiveness and lost consciousness.

  I exhaled and ran my fingers through my hair. She’d changed out of her uniform before she left work, but I could imagine her in next-to-nothing, some drunken bastard pawing at her.

  Walking outside into the cool night air, I drew in a deep breath. My heart thundered, and my blood pumped frantically through my body as I tried to fight the fury that overwhelmed me.

  For as long as I’d known Jess, she’d always affected my cardiovascular system a hell of a lot more than the most arduous exercise routine. It didn’t matter whether I was loving her, hating her, or feeling protective of her, being near that woman was like being hooked to an IV of adrenaline.

  Why the hell did she have the power to drive me to insanity?

  I clenched my jaw, the need to do something thrumming deep in every cell of my body. I wished I could rewind the night and show up at the club the precise moment some asshole decided it was okay to lay his hands on her. Damn, I wanted to hear his nose crunch beneath my pounding fist.

  Gazing at the moon, I watched a
s heavy storm clouds blew in and obscured the glowing orb. I stepped onto the sidewalk, no longer under the cover of the porch, and the wind whipped my hair as the first few raindrops pelted the earth.

  I welcomed the cold, wet rain, hoping it could diminish the tempest raging in my soul.

  When she was near me, I wanted to love her and protect her. The idea of us just being friends was a mockery of everything we had shared. I either needed to claim her as my own, or I needed to let her go.

  Joseph added a whole new aspect to the relationship. As I watched the cloud formations alter their shape in response to the wind, I knew that I, too, would need to be malleable to have a successful relationship with her.

  I hadn’t wanted children, but having Jessica meant having children. And while I’d actually learned to enjoy time spent with Joseph, I’d only been around him for a few weeks.

  Raising children, whether they were my own or not, meant a lifetime of commitment.

  Could I do it, and did I want to?

  She had invaded my life like a tornado, spinning and twisting, leaving my entire life in a state of upheaval. And when the gales subsided and all the debris in her wake floated back to the earth, could I ever be satisfied returning to my old life?

  Chapter 15

  Pumped

  Paxton

  Over the next couple of weeks, Jessica and I were the perfect actors in our new roles as friends. On my part, it was flawless acting, an excellent ruse. I disciplined myself to keep my distance, which was damn near impossible. Every time I saw her, I wanted to pull her into my arms, feel her soft skin beneath my fingertips, tease her lips with my tongue until she opened to me. It was getting more and more difficult to resist her, so most nights I worked late at the gym until she left for work.

  I lay awake on the couch at night, waiting and worrying until I finally heard the familiar hum of her engine as she pulled into a parking spot in front of the apartment. I would help her unload the car, discreetly examine her arms for any signs of abuse, and then return to my spot on the couch listening to her movements through the apartment until she finally went to bed and we both fell asleep.

  I was torn.

  And I didn’t know how much longer I could endure the daily torture of knowing she was living under the same roof that I was but also knowing that unless I was willing to commit to her and Joseph, then it was better for everyone if we kept an invisible wall between us.

  It was Sunday, and I knew she didn’t have to work, which is why I spent most of the day hanging at the gym and working on new freelance articles. I’d spent the last hour pumping iron with Mason, and he and I had discussed Hawk’s upcoming wedding.

  I waited until it was almost kickoff time for the Patriots and Colts before I finally returned home with my supper, cheap beer and greasy pizza. She wasn’t home, and I settled in my recliner and waited for the game to start.

  Scrolling through my phone, I checked my email and was a little surprised to find that I had one from the editor of Muscles & Mayhem. A combination of excitement and dread spread through my body. My finger hovered over the message, and I hesitated briefly before I tapped it.

  Congratulations, Paxton! Your article, Ripped and Ready, has been chosen for publication in an upcoming issue of Muscles & Mayhem. Details to follow.

  A sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had done it. This one article would give me the boost I needed to open other freelance writing gigs, and hopefully, it would lead to a long-term relationship with Muscles & Mayhem.

  I leaned back in my recliner and exhaled, allowing it to soak in for a moment. Unable to leash my new energy, I shot out of the chair and peeked through the blinds, searching for Jessica’s car. Damn, I wanted to tell her the good news.

  Three phone calls later, after I’d told my parents and my brothers, I finally heard Jessica opening the front door.

  “Hey!” she said when she entered the room and realized I was watching her.

  “Hey, there’s pizza in the kitchen if you want some.”

  “I ate with Seren.”

  She wasn’t carrying anything but her purse. “Where’s Baby J?”

  “Oh, I don’t guess I told you yet. My community service starts tomorrow. I’m scheduled to go back to Kentucky all week. I wanted to go ahead and get it all out of the way, so I can put this whole fiasco behind me.” She held out five hundred dollars. “Here’s the money I owe you.”

  I took it and slipped it in my pocket. “You’re going to spend the whole week in Kentucky?”

  She set her purse on the couch and took off her jacket. The first thing I noticed was that the blue turtleneck she wore really brought out the color of her eyes. “Yeah. It doesn’t make sense to drive back and forth.”

  “What about Joseph?”

  She tucked her hands in the back pocket of her jeans and sighed. “That’s the hard part. Seren’s going to keep him, and Mrs. Hawkins is going to keep him while Seren’s at work, except for Friday. Apparently, everybody’s leaving either Thursday or Friday for Hawk’s wedding. So on Friday, Mason’s sister is going to watch him since she’s staying here to watch the bar. I’ve never been away from him this long, and I have to admit, I’m really nervous about it.”

  “It sounds like he’ll be in good hands.”

  “I know, but I’m still going to worry.” She grinned. “It’s the mother in me. I guess you can kind of relate. Mothers never stop worrying about their sons. You know that firsthand.”

  I grunted. “Let’s not bring my psycho-mother into this.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “I hope my son never feels the need to call me a psycho.”

  “Most likely, he will. And I guess it’s acceptable for a mother to act psycho up until the time he graduates from high school. Anything after that, and she’s overstepping her boundaries. The secret is to know when to let go.”

  Her eyes studied my face intently. “Sometimes it’s hard to let go.” I had the feeling that she wasn’t referring to my mother. “But yeah, I guess you’re right. The secret is to know when to do it. And sometimes late is better than never.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m moving out.”

  I was stunned. I knew it was coming, and there was a time that I would have probably been relieved. But right now, all I could feel was disappointment. “Shouldn’t you wait until you can save up some money?”

  “My lease doesn’t start until November. By then, I’ll have enough money for rent, and the landlord said I could pay the security deposit in installments.”

  I knew I should say something, but none of the things I wanted to say were appropriate. Friends. We were just friends. “Great. It sounds like you have everything worked out.”

  “I know you’ll be glad to have your apartment back. I’m sorry we’ve hijacked your bedroom for so long.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’ve enjoyed having y’all here.”

  Laughter erupted from her. “Just a few short months ago, I never would have thought I’d hear those words coming out of your mouth. Ever. Either you’ve changed, Paxton Mayfield, or you’re a damn good liar.”

  “I really do want us to be friends, even after you move out. I meant what I said about helping you and Joseph if you ever need it.”

  “Thanks, Pax.” She rubbed her lips together. “Seriously. It’s nice…us not being at war.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “It is. In fact, why don’t you and Baby J come to Gulf Shores with me for Hawk’s wedding. My treat. We can celebrate together, your new start in Creekview and the sale of my first article to Muscles & Mayhem.” I had no idea why I invited her. It went against everything I was trying to accomplish, but shit, I wasn’t ready to cut her loose. Gulf Shores would buy me a little time with her, a transition period of accepting that we would never be more than friends from this moment on.

  Her mouth gaped. “You sold an article?”

  “I did. Just found out about it through an email a little while ago.”

  She flung her arms around me, and I stood sto
ck still, my arms poised around her for only a moment before I gave in to the urge to hug her.

  She squeezed me tight. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered against my chest. “I knew you could do it.”

  I swallowed hard. It felt so damn good to hear her whispering words of encouragement, to know that she had believed in me all along. “Thanks, Jess.”

  She pulled back and graced me with a dazzling smile as she laid her hand on my cheek. She was cold, and it crossed my mind to lift her up, carry her into the bedroom, and warm her.

  “I can’t wait to see your name in print. You’ll let me know when it comes out?”

  I nodded. “You’ll be the first person I call.”

  Her smile widened as she took a step back. “Good.”

  “So, what about Gulf Shores? You good to go?”

  “It’s really nice of you to invite me, but I’m already taking off next week from work. I really need to stay here and make some money.”

  “Come on, Jess,” I cajoled. “It’ll only be a few more days. You and Baby J can ride to Gulf Shores with me after you get home Friday, and we can leave late Monday and drive all night. You could be back at work by Tuesday.”

  I could see the indecision reflected in her features. I knew I could talk her into it. She had always had a difficult time resisting me, the same way I was with her. I reached out and touched her face. I saw the way her lips parted, the way her eyes found mine. “One last outing together before the big move.”

  “Okay. I’ll call my boss and see if I can get off for three more days.”

  I smiled at her, pleased to know that I hadn’t lost my influence. “Good girl.”

  ***

  The ref pissed me off when he missed a call, and I jumped out of my recliner, yelling at the TV. “Damn, dude, where are your glasses? Why aren’t you calling pass interference? Shit! People have gotten pregnant from less contact than that.”

  “What do you know about getting people pregnant?”

  I turned my head to find Jess giving me an adorable grin. “Well, I’ve never been pregnant myself, but I do know it involves holding hands.” I pointed at the screen. “And that defensive player was doing a hell of a lot more than that.”