Better (The Change Series Book 2)

by Melanie Jayne

  Forde gave her a cold stare. “After all this time, I would guess that you never wanted me or others to find out.”

  Before this got ugly, I moved away from my spot. “While you share the story, Tessa, why don’t I give Ryan a tour of the office?” I gave Forde a meaningful look. His son didn’t need to hear this part.

  The look he returned was filled with gratitude and affection. “Thanks.”

  “Come on, Ryan, let me show you how the badasses do it.” I moved to the door.

  “I’ll see you later?” Ryan asked Forde tentatively.

  Forde flashed a grin. “Absolutely.”

  I gave Ryan the tour and got him a Coke. Luckily, Osi and Rick weren’t expected in until much later, and Jenn had her door closed, so I didn’t need to introduce her. We were back in reception. I was making small talk. The kid was jumpy, and I was babbling.

  He gave me a glance and blushed. “So were your parents big Clapton fans?”

  “No. My real name is Marlena, but when your dad met me, he said it was a shit name, so he started calling me Layla.” I shrugged and gave a goofy grin at the memory.

  “He’s right. That is a shitty name.”

  My heart skipped a beat, because Ryan gave me a grin that was identical to his dad’s. “So, besides learning how to be charming, what else do you study in school?”

  “I’m a senior,” he said with pride.

  “I’d guess that you’re good with computers, and that you like to read.”

  He sat back a little in the chair. “I want to study accounting. Grandpa says I should know about business so that I can run the ranch.”

  “What do you raise on your ranch?” I asked.

  “Oh, I don’t live there anymore. Now mom and I live in a condo in Dallas. Mom says she gets bored with the cows and horses.”

  “I’ve never seen a ranch or a cowboy for that matter.”

  “I’m kind of a cowboy,” he said, sitting up a little taller in the chair. “I mean, I can ride, and I help with round ups.”

  “Cool, so I can mark that off my list. I know a cowboy. Do you have a hat and boots? And what are those things you wear over your jeans?” I tried to remember anything I could about the subject.

  “Chaps. I keep all of that stuff at my grandpa’s.”

  I heard voices as the interior door opened. Tessa came through first, her gaze searching for Ryan.

  Forde followed and gave me a tight smile. After Tessa dropped gracefully into the chair next to Ryan and gave him a hug, Forde asked. “So Ryan are you hungry? I thought we could grab some lunch.”

  “Yeah, I’m starving,” Ryan rubbed his stomach.

  “I swear he’s always hungry,” Tessa added with a small frown.

  “Layla send out a text to everybody. Tell them that the office is closing early,” Forde told me.

  I pulled open the drawer and grabbed my phone. “I think we’re clear this afternoon.”

  When I’d finished, he took my hand and pulled me to my feet. “Shall we?”

  I tried to read his emotions. He seemed jovial, but I knew by the tightness around his eyes that he was upset.

  We walked two blocks to a local brew pub that served great salads and sandwiches. Forde held my hand as we walked, and I noted that Tessa gave our joined hands a hard look.

  We took our time over lunch. Ryan asked Forde questions. Nothing too intrusive, but I had to admit that I, too, learned things about the man.

  Forde sat on the outside of me in the booth with a clear view of the door and the room. He had his arm draped around my shoulders, and he was watching Ryan demolish a piece of apple pie with two scoops of ice cream.

  “What are your plans for tomorrow?” Forde directed the question to Ryan.

  “I don’t have any.” He stopped shoveling in the food. “My coach says that I’m supposed to swim, but if I don’t, it’s no big deal.”

  “So you like to swim. Are you on a team?” I loved learning about the teen.

  “Yeah, I do the backstroke.” He smiled at me, and then went back to eating.

  I turned my head and did some silent communication with Forde. One side of his mouth lifted.

  “Forde might be able to get you some time in the pool where the U.S. Team does their Olympic Trials. I mean, if that might interest you?”

  Ryan’s eyes got big, “You could do that? That would be so cool.” He tried to cover his mouth full of food as he spoke.

  “I’ll make a call to see what the schedule is like for tomorrow.” Forde’s phone was sitting by his left hand, and he started texting.

  “Do you have to work tomorrow, Layla?” Ryan asked.

  “Yup, my boss is a real bear.” I giggled. “But maybe, if you want, I could take my lunch hour while you get some pool time.”

  “That would be awesome,” he smiled.

  “I could take some pictures and video, if you want,” I said.

  “I can do that for my son.” Tessa’s tone was snippy.

  “I apologize.” I gave her my full attention, “I was offering so that you could watch without any responsibility.” I was only trying to help.

  Ryan glanced up from his plate. “But, Mom, you don’t like to go near the pool. You say it makes your hair frizz.”

  I smothered a smile. Ryan’s honesty wasn’t helping his mom.

  “Ryan,” Tessa said, her voice rising in warning.

  “Lay and I will try to set something up.” Forde then turned his focus onto Tessa. “And you can come or not,” he said in an ice cold tone.

  “So, Layla, how long have you known Luke?” Tessa gave me a sweet smile.

  I read the smile as saying, fuck you, but I answered because Ryan looked interested. “Not too long.”

  “So you’re the receptionist. Is that how you met? Hooked up with the boss?” She looked down her nose in a superior way.

  Forde answered for me. “She was a client when I first met her. I liked what I saw, so she became more. She’s working for me because I needed the help.” His delivery was to the point, and his tone was biting as he stared down his ex.

  “How interesting. I didn’t think that it was in a gym or out on a run.” She looked at her manicure.

  Forde’s hand covered my shoulder joint and gave it a squeeze. He knew Tessa was being a bitch. “History has taught me to get to know a woman before I let her into my life. Lay was fully investigated, and I’d read the complete file before I kissed her the first time.”

  “Cool,” Ryan concluded.

  Nobody touched that.

  “Tonight, I have to do some work so I can’t invite you to dinner, but maybe tomorrow night we could go out.” Forde pointed at his son, leaving Tessa out.

  “Yeah, I can do that,” Ryan told Forde not even bothering to ask his mom.

  “What kind of food do you like?” Forde asked.

  “Steak and I can eat a lot of it.” Ryan smiled proudly.

  “I know just the place,” Forde answered with an easy smile.

  Ryan turned his eager glance toward me. “Layla, are going to come too?”

  “Well, uh, I thought it was a man-only party,” I tried to excuse myself gracefully.

  “But I want to get to know you. I mean you’re with my dad, so that makes you family.” Ryan was now giving me a pleading look.

  I bumped Forde’s knee with mine. This was his place to speak up.

  His eyes were filled with mischief. “She’s nice to have around. She always picks the best food on the menu.”

  “Plus, I think she’s pretty,” Ryan blurted then ducked his head.

  I warmed to his compliment. “Then, I would love to go out and eat steak with you, Ryan. I might even buy a new dress for the occasion.”

  “Well, I guess while you all are making plans, I can just sit in the hotel and order room service.”

  Uncomfortable, because Tessa obviously wanted sympathy, I picked up my glass and drank.

&nb
sp; “Mom, you can go to the spa or watch a movie. You always tell me that that you need quiet time.”

  Tessa sighed loudly. “If you want to go out with Forde and his secretary, then I’ll find something else to do.”

  “Woman,” Forde growled, “Lay’s, my woman. She’s going to be my wife and have my babies.”

  I gave him a look I hoped told him how much it meant to me to hear him say those words.

  “I’m going to get a brother or sister?” Ryan jumped on that part. “That would be awesome.” He looked at my stomach area. “Is it going to happen soon?”

  “We’re working on it.” Forde smiled and winked at his son, then pulled me closer and kissed my cheek.

  I watched Tessa from under my lashes, wondering how she would handle this.

  She rolled her eyes.

  “So when are you getting married? Can I come?” Ryan asked.

  “Well, she has to say yes first, and then we can plan the wedding,” Forde said.

  I thought about interjecting that he needed to ask, but that was a discussion for a time when it was just the two of us. No way was I going to show any weakness in front of Tessa.

  “Maybe you should buy her some presents. Mom says that getting a present from a man makes her more agreeable.” Ryan sat back in the booth and crossed his arms over his chest, very proud of his advice.

  I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I loved this kid. He told the truth. Tessa looked furious, and Forde was checking his phone, trying not to laugh.

  “Maybe you can think of some ideas and share them with him.” I winked at Ryan and bumped shoulders with my man.

  When we got home from our lunch that ran well into the afternoon, Forde asked Rick to come over so that he could go for a run. Rick arrived with Nahla and stayed for dinner.

  Later, I was going through the closet, trying to figure out what I would wear to dinner the following night. It was going to be a special time. Forde was already in bed, texting, with the covers pulled to his waist.

  I glanced over my shoulder. “So, are you reeling?”

  He put his phone on the nightstand. “Yeah.”

  I moved a navy maxi skirt to the front of my hanging clothes. I could pair it with a pale pink cardigan and my new black boots. I moved to the side of the bed. “Totally understandable.”

  I untied my new robe. It was a deep ocean blue and silky. Zoe surprised me with it the night we planned the party. “Can you tell me how all of this happened? Why nobody told you?”

  “Yeah, I waited because I didn’t want to do it in front of Rick. It’s too fresh. I’m too angry. Plus, Jesus, I have a son.”

  I crawled next to him, leaned in, and kissed his cheek.

  He took my hand. “Tessa’s story is that this is all her father’s doing. I can’t help but think she’s putting the blame on him because he isn’t here.” He leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling for a moment. “The gist of the story is that when I was in Germany, Tessa moved back to the ranch because she didn’t like being alone and got lonely. She ran into Gary McReynolds, and they rekindled their relationship. She found out she was pregnant, and her dad started the divorce proceedings so that there could be a quick wedding to McReynolds.”

  “Hmm, their rekindling was quick.” I know I sounded shitty, but it was a crappy thing to do to a man who’d been half a world away.

  “As Ryan got older, it was apparent to anyone who had seen our wedding photo that Ryan was my son. Her dad told her to destroy all of those photos.”

  “So her father wanted her marriage to Mr. McReynolds to continue and to be cemented with a son?”

  Forde started to run his index finger over the back of my hand. “Their family ranches are adjoining. It made good business sense for the two to stay together. The shit hit the fan about two years ago when McReynolds needed a new kidney, and when they tested Ryan, well the results showed there was no way he could be his son. Soon after, he and Tessa divorced.”

  “I wonder how much of that Ryan knows about?” My heart hurt for him. It was frightening enough when a parent was seriously ill, but then to learn that there were secrets…

  “Tessa skated over those facts, and I was so surprised by it all, that I didn’t push her.” Forde frowned. “Plus, I can’t count on her to tell the truth. I imagine Ryan will fill us in.”

  “So, how did Ryan find out about you?”

  “He was helping his grandfather clean out the attic and found a box of old pictures that his grandmother had stored. Ryan went through them and found our wedding photo. The kid immediately noticed we look alike.” Forde shook his head.

  “Tessa said Ryan went ballistic, and she finally had to tell him about me.” His mouth went hard. “The kid did an internet search and found me. Tessa and her father tried to keep him from contacting me. When Ryan learned I had no idea that he was mine, he booked a flight to come meet me. He said I deserved the truth.” Forde shifted his gaze to mine. His eyes were shining.

  I swallowed around a huge lump in my throat. “He’s a great kid—brave with a real sense of right and wrong.”

  “Yeah, Tessa and McReynolds raised him right.” Forde ran a hand over his mouth.

  “They did, but I think your DNA was a good foundation. Today, I saw some of the same traits in Ryan that I see in you.” I raised our hands and kissed the back of his.

  “I can forgive her for maybe the first five years, not knowing or purposely not seeing, but after that, what she did…” He closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “I don’t know the woman, but from what I saw, she’s spoiled, and I imagine she likes her lifestyle. If she thought telling McReynolds the truth might upset him or her dad, well I can see her holding her tongue and living the lie.” I’d wanted to slap her during lunch, but now, I wanted to punch her for all of the lies.

  “She was spoiled even back when I met her. A part of me thought it was cute, entertaining, you know? I think what you said has merit.” Forde loosened his hold on my hand, and then put his arm over my shoulder, pulling me in close.

  “So what do you do from here?” I asked softly.

  “I don’t know. I’m going to meet with Tye tomorrow morning. I hope that you’ll come.” He sounded like he was unsure that I would want to be with him at the meeting.

  “I’ll be there,” I promised.

  “Good, I don’t want this to be my issue. I want it to be ours.” His arm tightened around me.

  “I think I fell in love with the kid the moment he walked into the office and charmed me with his drawl. Of course it’s ours.” I turned my head and kissed his collar bone.

  “I’m also hoping that if you’re at the meeting, Tye won’t go ballistic.” Forde let out a sigh.

  “He thinks of you as a brother, so he’s protective. Plus, he missed out on Ryan’s life too.” I wouldn’t mind seeing Tye tear into Tessa, but I kept that to myself.

  “I have a son,” he said, his voice was filled with wonder.

  “Yup, and he’s smart, kind, and funny. He’s going to be good for us.”

  He moved his head in for a kiss. “I think we should try to make a brother or sister for him.”

  “Like a dog with a bone.” I giggled as his lips ran down the sensitive tendon in my neck.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Forde and I were in Tye’s office at seven. Needless to say, the attorney had been beyond furious, but after he’d thrown a book across the office, he’d focused on our questions.

  Then we met Ryan and Tessa at the Natatorium where Forde and Ryan swam in the famous pool. Ryan was so excited. He and Forde raced, and Ryan managed to beat his dad twice. Upon arrival, Tessa had taken a seat on the sideline bench and immediately got out her phone. Earlier, she’d set the tone by asking why I hadn’t put on my suit to join the guys.

  Earlier, I’d decided I wasn’t going to put up with the shitty remarks, so I called her out.

  I sat down next to her. I kept my voice
low and even. “So, let’s get something straight between us. You were married to Forde for about a minute many years ago. You two haven’t spoken in eighteen years. You appeared yesterday, out of the blue, and we find out that he has a son.” The evenness left when I continued with some heat. “One that you’ve known about for years, if not from the beginning.”

  “I can’t believe that he told you. That’s private,” she said, starting to work up to a rant.

  “Save it,” I told her coldly.

  She rolled her eyes again, and then looked at the ceiling then to the far wall, ignoring me.

  I wasn’t done. “Tessa, look at me.” I barked, and she did. “Forde and I are together. Of course he told me. The only reason I wasn’t in his office when you came clean is that I thought it would be better for Ryan not to have to hear about your questionable decisions.” I paused, waiting to see if she was going to try to argue about that with me.

  Tessa bit down on her glossy lip but said nothing.

  Maybe I was getting through to her? “Now, here’s the thing. I don’t like your bitchy comments. I don’t care that you think I’m fat. I know what I look like.” I waited to see if she had a comeback, but she kept quiet. “I’ve ignored them because there are many more important things going on. But, if you continue, then we are going to have problems.” I let two beats pass while I stared into her eyes. “Tessa, I can’t take your son’s love away from you, and I don’t want to. He’s a great kid, but I’m never going to try to be his mom.”

  “Like you could be?” she snarled. Her lip even curled and her eyes turned hard.

  “Tessa…” I rolled my eyes. “You are going to have to up your level of self-control.”

  “I don’t know who you think you are in all of this. Look at you, and then look at me.” She ran her manicured hand down her body. “If I wanted, I could get Forde back. I mean, now that he knows we have a son. He seems really focused on family.” Her smile was cruel, and it made her ugly.

  “Oh, honey, I’d like to see you try.” I shrugged my shoulders. Not in a million years would Forde want her back. “I was attempting to find even ground here.” I pointed between the two of us. “But you really are a bitch, so let me set you straight. You have a great kid, and luckily, Forde welcomed him into our lives. Stop the negativity, or Ryan might decide he likes being around us more.” I ended with my version of the bitch smile.