Family Ties (Hidden Secrets)

by Belden, P. J.

  I don’t answer. Taking her straight into my room, I close the door. I strip out of my clothes down to my boxers. When she just stood there, I walked over to her and pulled her shirt over her head and then worked on her jeans.

  “Tobey, we need to talk, please.”

  “We will. I promise, but right now please just let me sleep holding you one last time. Please. Can I just have this one moment?”

  Climbing on the bed, I pulled back the blankets for her to lay down with me. After some hesitation, she climbed into bed with me. Curling up into me, I wrapped her in my arms. This was a feeling I would never forget.

  I fought for as long as I could before sleep claimed me. I didn’t want to sleep. I didn’t want to lose a second of the woman I loved being in my arms, but I was so exhausted and she was all I needed to be able to relax.

  “I love you,” I whispered just before falling asleep.

  In the distance in my mind, almost like a dream, I could hear crying. She was leaving me…

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Mary

  Hearing him say he loved me caused me to cry. The pain in his voice killed me. When I felt him fall asleep, my mind raced with everything I needed to say to him. But eventually the warmth of his body and the heat in his touch lulled me to sleep. The hour of sleep I got didn’t help either. Who knew you could become addicted to sleeping with someone. I sure as shit didn’t.

  Waking up, I noticed the sun wasn’t shining as brightly as it had been when I came to see Tobey. Slowly, I turned my head and found Tobey still holding me, sleeping. I love how peaceful he looks when he sleeps. We’ve got so much to talk about. The thought of that conversation causes my stomach to cramp. Sliding carefully out of the bed, I watch him as I get dressed.

  He has been so wonderful to me. Not a moment since our meeting – even when I was revenge – did he ever not protect me. Kyle has made sure that my life is hell that I can’t even enjoy life, well that was stopping now. It had only been a few years that I’ve dealt with Kyle and it was done now. I was done letting him control me. Nick was right, I did learn a lot from Kayla. I was done playing the victim. It was time my life became my own again.

  Leaving the room, I walked out to the kitchen to make something to eat for supper, but he hadn’t gone shopping. I thought about leaving a note for Tobey, but I’m sure I’ll be back before he wakes up.

  On my way to the store, I make the one call that will start getting my life back in order.

  “Simone.” Came the chipper voice at the other end of the phone.

  “Hey Simone, it’s Mary.”

  “Oh Mary, it’s so good to hear from you. How are you doing?”

  “I’ve been better, but I’m starting to take control again. Which is why I’m calling you.”

  The conversation goes into details about what I’m wanting done and what can be done at what time.

  “I want you to make sure you put in the documents about his embezzlement and abuse. This way I may have the peace of mind to know he won’t be able to do this to anyone else.”

  “I understand Mary. I’ll fax the paperwork to your family’s office as well to Kyle and I’ll keep it on record here as well.” She pauses for a moment. “I’ve been your attorney for ten years and I didn’t see it. How did I not see it?”

  “I’m an artist Simone, I’m really good at hiding things.”

  “Honey, you shouldn’t have to hide anything. Well, I’m glad you are putting your foot down. I have an appointment, but please keep in touch. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will.”

  Hanging up, I breathe a heavy sigh of relief. Now for the worst call. I pull into a parking spot in front of the store and shut my truck off. Staring at my phone for a moment before finally hitting his contact then send.

  “It’s about time you call me, you stupid bitch!” He hisses down the phone.

  “Kyle I’m calling to inform you that you are relieved of your duty effective immediately. The cops should be waiting outside your door. You are to take nothing. Your accounts are being frozen upon investigation. Leave peacefully and I won’t press charges for the abuse.”

  “You can’t get rid of me! I own you, you whore!”

  “You own nothing. Everything you have is mine.”

  “You BITCH!”

  “You’re fired Kyle!”

  I hung up the phone. My hands were shaking so bad that I almost didn’t get my phone back in my purse. Pulling myself together, I exit my truck and head into the store. I walk up and down the aisle not really paying much attention to what I was seeing. A shriek brings me out of my thoughts causing me to whip around.

  “Oh. My. Gosh! You’re Mary Williams!” She shrieks jumping up and down.

  I smile and will my heart to slow down. “Hi.” I smile.

  I’ve always loved meeting my fans. However, what I didn’t expect was for her to have notified all of her friends about me being there. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by screaming fans. Chuckling, I try to kick my nerves about being surrounded without my body guards.

  “Hello everyone. I will sign an autograph or take a picture with each of you, but I need you to calm down and form a line.”

  After what seemed like forever, I took the last picture with the last fan. I focused on getting my shopping done and headed out the door. It was dark outside and I was a little afraid of Kyle’s retaliation from being fired. Quickly loading everything into the back seat, I jump in and lock the doors. The trip back was long. I just wanted to be back where it was safe.

  Pulling up near the steps, so I can unload things easier. I grab a couple bags and carry them inside when I hear raised voices.

  “I told you to get out of my sight!” Tobey yelled.

  “Please just listen to me,” Scott pleaded.

  “Listen to you! I don’t fucking think so!” Tobey roars.

  I hurry into the kitchen. “HEY!” I yell. They both turn and gape at me. “What the hell is going on?”

  Setting the bags on the counter, I put my hands on my hips and wait for an answer. Tobey quickly gathers me in his arms and squeezes me tightly.

  “Whatever I have to do or say, I’ll do it. Please don’t leave.”

  “Tobey…I…can’t…breathe.” I force out and he releases me. “What has gotten into you?”

  “I don’t want to you to leave. Please, we can work through it baby. I’ll tell you everything. Please just give us a chance.” He pleads and I can see tears dancing in his eyes.

  My mouth drops open. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  It was his turn for his mouth to hang open. “You’re not? But you weren’t here when I woke up. You said we needed to talk and cried when I said ‘I love you’.”

  My eyes flick to Scott standing there nervous. “Tobey we do need to talk, in private, but right now I have a truck full of groceries that needs to be brought in. Can you guys help and I’ll whip something up for supper?”

  Tobey pulls me back into his arms and leans down to kiss me, but I stop him. He almost looks hurt when I do so I quickly explain. “Groceries, supper, talk, then if you’re still willing to be with me you can kiss me.”

  Tobey and Scott walk outside and I turn to the bags I brought in and pop the pizzas into the oven. While the pizzas are cooking, I start unloading the bags that they are bringing in. About a half hour later, I was getting close to the end of the groceries. Just as I was bending over to grab the last bag off the floor, Tobey came up behind me and wrapped is arms around my waist pulling me into him.

  I sigh and put the last of the groceries into the pantry. Turning around in his arms, I place my hands on either side of his face.

  “Go sit down at the table.”

  Moving out of his arms, his shoulders slump and he sits down at the table. I point to Scott then the table and he moves without me saying a word. I check the pizzas in the oven, pulling them out, then slicing and serving them to the boys. I sit at the end of the table and I cross my arms across my
chest.

  “Spill it you two.” Scott looks at me nervously then to Tobey. “Why do you have a black eye Scott?” Scott again looks from me to Tobey while Tobey just glares at Scott. “Well, until someone starts talking we aren’t leaving this table.”

  I almost start laughing. It was totally something my mom said to us a million and one times to us kids when we were arguing about something. A smile crept across my face.

  “Why are you smiling?” Tobey asked with a smirk of his own.

  “I sound like my mother,” a laugh escapes. “She said that all the time when we were arguing only she’d add, if you don’t start talking then I’ll make you hug until you do.” I’m laughing hard now with the image that just popped in my head. “So start talking or I’ll make you hug until you do.”

  Scott speaks first. “He’s mad at me because he blames me for you leaving.”

  “Well, he’s not completely wrong there.” Looking at Scott, “Why would you do something like that? Whatever happened that night was something Tobey should tell me not you tell me in front of everyone. Tobey did nothing that deserved that kind of attack. Had you not said that, the fight never would have started and I wouldn’t have had flashbacks from the chair hitting the wall.” I turn my head to Tobey who’s looking at me astonished. “I left because when that chair hit the wall, I immediately went back to the attack that had brought me back home to begin with. I left because of fear. Not because you scared me, but because he scares me. Scott may have instigated the fight, but he’s not the reason I left. Don’t throw away your friendship over that.”

  The conversation continued back and forth. Playing devil’s advocate between them, Scott left with having his place back and Tobey got a lot off his chest. All in all I think it was a good night.

  Chapter Thirty

  Tobey

  I watched as Mary threw away the paper plates from supper and wrapped up the leftovers. She did a lot for me tonight and I’m not sure she even realizes it. Then again every day I notice that she does so much for others and rarely herself. Just watching her move around the kitchen has my heart tightening in my chest.

  “Please talk. I want to hold you, but you won’t let me until we talk. Please.”

  With her back to me doing yesterday’s dishes, she began to talk.

  “What I said earlier was the truth. I left because I was pulled back into a nightmare. It wasn’t me here anymore. It was me there. So I ran. When I got there…”

  “Where did you go?” I interject.

  “My brother’s house,” Right, because that narrows it down, I think to myself rolling my eyes. Her small laugh brought my eyes to her again. “I went to Nick’s.” Looking down at her hands, “I told him everything. He wasn’t happy and he started yelling then I called Kylee, told her everything to. Kylee gave me some great advice.” She walks over taking the chair opposite me with her head down she continues. “I’m going to start counseling. Maybe they can try and help me work through some of my issues. It’s going to be a long process and Lord only knows what they’ll uncover or even the mess I’ll be. If you don’t want to stick around while I go through this I understand.”

  Pushing back in my chair, I move to kneel in front of Mary. “Baby, I’d walk through fire for you.” Pausing for a moment before I spoke again. “Can I go to these with you? Maybe do this as a couple?”

  She blinks several times with tears falling down her face. “I’d love that.” Just as I’m about to lean up and kiss her like I’ve been dying to. She moves away and finishes up the dishes. “I fired Kyle today. So we need to be on guard. I had my lawyer draw up everything. Also on Friday we’re hosting my family here for supper.”

  Just as she set the last dish down, I spun her around and held her tightly against me. “Is that all you need to talk about?” She looks up at me and nods her head slightly. “Finally,” I breathe just before claiming her lips with mine.

  The kiss quickly intensified, both of us moaning into each other’s mouth. Wrapping her arms around my neck, I lift her up wrapping her legs around my hips then carry her to our bedroom. We make quick work of our clothes, then I’m lowering her to our bed. Our lips never breaking apart, I push into her.

  We haven’t done anything since before Kyle laid his hands on her. It felt like so damn long ago too. Slowly pulling out before I slowly push back in. My thrusts are slow and deep increasing with speed after a bit. I love the feel of this woman wrapped around me, the little sounds she makes, her smell, her taste. She drives me damn crazy.

  Breaking the kiss, “I love you, Mary.”

  Gripping my shoulder tightly causing her nails to dig into my back, she cries out. “I love you too.”

  Feeling her clench around me sent me over the edge right after her. Collapsing on top of her, I laid there for a moment trying to catch my breath before I realized I was laying on her. Quickly rolling off her, I pulled her into my arms and held her.

  “Mary,” I said after a moment.

  “Yeah?”

  “I would do anything in the world for you if it made you happy. There’s no other place in this world, I’d rather be than with you like this right now.”

  “Anything?” She asks.

  “Anything at all,” I answer, kissing the top of her head.

  She lifts her head, looking at me. “I want to try for a baby.”

  “Mare,” I breathe shocked.

  She lowers her head back to my chest. “I know I’m supposed to wait and blah blah blah, but when all that’s done, I want to, if you still want kids.”

  Rolling us over so I’m on top of her, “Baby, I want the sun, stars and moon with you. I do think, though we should wait until we know that Kyle is backing off. I couldn’t bare to lose another child.”

  She smiles sadly. “Okay. I think you’re right. I wouldn’t be able to handle it either.”

  Running my nose along hers, I whisper how much I love her. Finally, my world was back to normal.

  ** *** ** *** **

  It was now Friday – three months later – and in a few short hours her family was going to be here. Today was the first day that everyone could make it. Much to Mary’s disappointment, but she was happy that everyone would be here today. Honestly, I was kind of nervous about it all. The last time I saw all of them was when Mary was in the hospital. I’m sure many of them still blame me for what happened to her. Hell, I still blamed myself.

  “What are you doing?” I say rushing into the kitchen to brace Mary, who stood awkwardly on the counter.

  “I was trying to change out the light bulbs. Some of them burnt out and I need more light in here.”

  Lifting her off the counter, “You come and get me. Are you trying to break your arm again? It’s finally out of the cast, I’d prefer not to see you back in one.”

  She’s glaring at me so I lean in and peck her on the lips. “I’m not helpless. I know what I’m doing. Besides the doctor just said today that I’m okay.”

  Getting serious, “How did the appointment go?”

  “It went well,” she smiles. “Wish you would have gone with me today.”

  “Why?” I ask getting nervous.

  “Because you would have heard that we’re going to be parents.” She beams at me.

  “You’re shitting me!” I spun her around, laughing happily as tears build in my eyes.

  We had decided since we hadn’t heard from Kyle in a month, we would start trying to get pregnant. Yeah maybe we should be married first, but Mary and I have never really done things the normal way. She’s laughing in my ear as she clings to me.

  “Tobey, you have to stop spinning me,” She half laughs, half groans.

  “How far along are you? When is our due date? Is the baby okay? Are you okay?” I ramble.

  She laughs. “I’m eight weeks and two days. I’m fine and so is the baby.”

  I kiss her. “I’m so unbelievably happy. You are doing nothing from here on out.”

  Smacking my shoulder, she laughs harde
r. “I already told the doctor you’d say that and he said I’m fine to continue doing what I normally do just watch over exerting myself and heavy lifting.” She sticks her tongue out at me.

  “We’ll see,” I smirk at her. “Thank you.” I whispered as I placed my hand on her belly.

  Mary leans up and kisses me. The kiss deepens as I lift her up and set her on the counter. She shoves her hands under my shirt and runs them all over my back. I’m just about to lift her shirt off when we are rudely interrupted.

  “Damn! You need to hang a sign on the door.” Scott fakes offense.

  “You need to stop walking into my house,” I growl.

  Scott and I have worked through a lot since our fight and we’re back to our normal selves with each other. I have my brother back. Mary and I have also been going to therapy. It has really helped her. Over the past few months I have noticed the changes in her. She’s so damn strong and damn if I don’t love her more and more each day.

  “Mary asked me to come in here.”

  I look down at Mary, she nods her head with a smirk. “Why?”

  “He had me pick something up for him in town.” She turns to Scott. “It’s in the back of my truck. I couldn’t get it out on my own.”

  He nods. “ Thanks Mare. I’m leaving now so you can resume.” His laughter is the last thing we hear before the door shuts.

  Looking back at Mary, I’m just about to ask what’s going on but she reaches up and begins to kiss me again. Her kiss does what they always do, it makes me forget everything. She’s wrapping her legs around my waist pulling me closer. I groan into her mouth as she runs her hand up and down my erection. Running my hands up her legs, pushing her skirt up as I go. Moving her panties aside, I run my fingers through her slick folds.

  As I push my finger inside, Mary starts undoing my pants. “Make love to me Tobey. Right now. I need you.”

  Shoving my jeans down, holding her panties to the side, I push into her. “Fuck!” I groan.

  “Yes!” She breathes as she throws her head back.