Mr. All Wrong

by R. C. Stephens

  “Carter will be fine with whatever decision I make. It’s not like I’m marrying the guy. We only just met and I feel like you’re jumping your guns a little quick here. Besides, it would be nice for Carter to have someone around that’s hearing too.” The motions escape my hands before I can lock them down. Shit. Now I’ve insulted him. That was never my intention. My ten-year-old hearing son is being raised by two deaf parents. Jake is a fantastic father he truly is but…I always have the thought that my boy is missing out because he moves back and forth between two deaf parents. I don’t even know where that comment came from just now, other than it’s passed through my thoughts when I’ve felt lost. Carter is also the reason I can speak so well because I’ve spent hours in therapy learning to read lips and talk for the sake of my son even though he signs quite well. Jake doesn’t like to use his voice, so he and Carter mostly sign. The hurt on Jake’s face seeps through his chocolate eyes, the same eyes that usually look at me adoringly. Now he stares at me as if he doesn’t know me. Truth is I feel like I don’t know myself. I don’t fall this hard for a man and sure not this fast. I hate what’s happening, but I feel powerless to control it.

  “Jake, I’m sorry.” I stand from my desk and come around to hug him. He accepts my embrace which is a relief. I would hate for my best friend to be mad at me. I wish he could understand me. I pull away. “I didn’t mean to insult you. I just meant…” I pause.

  He waves his hands signing to me. “I know what you meant. Don’t you think I want Carter to have a normal life? I do. I love him just like you.”

  A tear slips out of my left eye. “I know you love him. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you think dating a hearing person will lead to disaster but I want to try…” I sign, and I can’t help the dreamy look on my face although for Jake’s sake I wish I could. “I like him, Jake. I want to see where this can lead and I’m not naïve. Maybe nothing will come of Colton and me, but I won’t know if I don’t at least try.”

  “Colton,” Jake moves his hands motioning that name. His brows furrow together. “Just watch yourself, Evie, I’ve heard the governor is a real lady’s man, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  I nod my head and lean in to kiss him on the cheek. Then I pull away to sign, “And that’s why I love you. That’s why you’re my best friend.”

  Jake’s lip turns down on one corner like he’s displeased. I know he’ll come around though. He’s just protective of me, and I appreciate him so much.

  “I have to go set up the gym for volleyball next period,” he motions. “You’re picking Carter up from school today, right?”

  “Yes,” I respond.

  He nods and waves and then Jake is gone. I return to my desk only I can’t seem to refocus on my marking. My mind is filled with a mix of what-ifs and fluttery oh-so-happy butterflies. I know the Governor is a real ladies man. Jake isn’t wrong about that but wouldn’t it be dreamy if I was the one to tame him? Better to not get ahead of myself. Colton Mathis isn’t a man to be tamed.

  Chapter Eight

  Colton

  It’s been a few days since I saw Evie. I sent her a few text messages, but I figured some space was good to see where my head was at. I’ve never felt this way before after spending such little time with a woman or after a few kisses. Scratch that, I’m in no man’s land, unfamiliar territory. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to see her again. I needed to get my head on straight. Only I can’t do that because I can’t stop thinking of her; the way she smiles, the conversations we have, or her scent. Everything about her gets me fired up. I realize I don’t even know her last name. She’s just so different and refreshing from the women I see. I’m still seething with my father though. I can’t believe he dared to get one of his investigator friends to check her out. Beneath the picture of Evie, he left on my desk was a file on her filled with details about her life.

  The door to my office is open, and a light knock disturbs my thoughts. Susan stands there waiting. “May I come in, Sir?”

  I nod and wave her in.

  She looks down at the file on my desk, and she takes a breath. “Sir, may I speak candidly?” she asks, and this time she takes a seat without asking permission first. It tells me she is here for a personal reason.

  “Yes,” I smile and look down at the picture of Evie. I can’t help the natural response. When I look back up at Susan, she gazes at the image in a loving way.

  “She’s beautiful…” she pauses. “I couldn’t help but overhear your father yesterday…” she pauses again. I can see that she feels like she’s treading in deep waters with possibly dangerous fish in the sea.

  “Please, Susan. This is between you and me,” I urge her hoping to ease her nerves. I can tell she’s here out of concern. She may be the only voice of reason in my life.

  She nods her head repeatedly. “If you were my son, I would tell you that you shouldn’t be afraid to fall in love. If you were my son, I would tell you not to listen to your father just this once…” she takes a breath. “I’ve known you a long while now, and I’ve never seen you look so carefree and happy as you do now. Embrace it. Enjoy it. See where it will lead you and for goodness sake, Sir, do not open that folder.” She tilts her chin down to the folder with Evie’s picture on it. I realize that the palm of my hand lays flat on top of the folder. I pull it away like the folder’s on fire. “That’s all, Sir.” She gives me one of her motherly smiles and blinks once before leaving.

  I can’t say that I wasn’t tempted to open the folder. My curiosity was skyrocketing. I stopped myself for the sole reason that the information the file contained were things I’d want to learn on my own. Susan is right. I can’t give my father any satisfaction, not after he spoke about Evie being deaf like it was treason. I mean I knew he wasn’t the most accepting man in the world, but he thoroughly disgusted me the way he responded to her deafness, almost like comparing her to an enemy of the state. I swear I think the old guy is finally losing it. I slip the file into a drawer in my desk, making a mental note to have it shredded the first chance I get.

  A light knock pulls my thoughts from Susan’s words of wisdom. Don’t be afraid to fall in love. Easier said than done. Al stands at my door observing me.

  “What are you up to?” he asks. “My sister is flying in tonight. I have to entertain her… if you want to join us for drinks at the Continental?” Isabella is his only other family member who still talks to him besides his mother. She’s young and gorgeous. She attempted to seduce me a few times even though she’s ten years younger than me but I couldn’t, no wouldn’t do that to Al.

  “I love Issy. You know I do, but I have a redhead on my mind,” I wink.

  “You’re going that route, huh?” He chortles. “Trying to give your father a coronary as opposed to manning up and just telling him you don’t want to run.” He guffaws. He has the situation all wrong.

  I’m genuinely intrigued by Evie. I just want to see where the wind blows us. Besides, I’m old enough to make my own decisions about who I date. “It’s not like that. I don’t fucking know what I want regarding my life, that’s true. What I do know is that I felt something for her that I never felt before.” I lean forward and look to Al with sincerity. We’ve had serious talks before. Al grew up with parents that were married but didn’t love each other. Things were done for appearance’s sake. I grew up with an abandoned father. There have been many a time that we dissected our past. Especially when our good friends from college began to get married in their late twenties, and Al and I weren’t even close to the thought of settling down.

  “Ah, and that is how great men fall,” Al replies sarcastically. It isn’t the first time in the last couple of days that he’s said that. The first time I thought to myself. Nah. Now I think that maybe even a serial bachelor like me can settle down if the right woman was involved.

  “Don’t be a dick,” I snap.

  “Sorry, but it’s true,” he scoffs. “Don’t you think? I mean powerful man meets that spec
ial woman and gets swept off his feet. It’s the modern fairytale.” He shrugs his shoulders, yet the sarcasm drips from his tone. I give him a ‘be serious’ look, and his face turns somber. “Colt let’s be honest here. You have trust issues. Are you willing to take the plunge with this one and give it your all? Because honestly, and you know I dislike Cassy, but I don’t know how she puts up with your commitment-phobe issues. I don’t know if this chick will be so understanding,” he says and as much as I hate to hear every word that has fallen from his mouth I know they’re coming from a place of concern.

  “I never strung Cassandra along.” I give him a knowing look because he knows that I’ve had one of Cassandra’s friends in my bed at the same time I was with her. His lip quirks at the side showing me that his argument has leaks in it. “I’ve always been upfront with Cassy. What can I do if she chooses to stay despite my inadequacies…” my voice trails off as I think of Evie. She’d call me on everything. She wouldn’t shovel my shit, she would throw it back in my face, and for some reason, I want to step out of my safety zone and see what it’s like to really be with a woman, with her. Put my heart on the line and take that plunge Al seems to think I’m scared to take.

  “Earth to Colton.” Al’s voice rings in my ears.

  “Sorry, man. Just considering your words…”

  “And?”

  “And I need to see where this’ll lead. I need this for some reason. I feel like my whole life I’m trying to please my old man but it’s time I focus on me and what I want for a change. I look at you, and one of the things I admire most about you is that you live your life by your terms. You don’t let your parents dictate and you sure as hell don’t let women dictate to you either, but here’s the thing… I look at my dad, and he’s the ultimate ladies man,” I say with a knowing look because my father doesn’t hide his sexcapades and Al is very aware of his affinity for the younger ladies. “I mean even at his age, he has twentysomethings hanging off his arm but what does he truly have when his bed empties at night? Not one of those women gives a shit about him.”

  “Man, you’ve gone real deep now,” Al snickers with a mocking tone. “Colt, I don’t know what kind of voodoo this Evie practiced on you, but if you think she’s worth it then get on the love boat baby and see where the tide takes you. I sure as hell am not ready to settle down. I’m content, but you aren’t, my friend. You need to do what’s good for you, and if dating her is what you want then I say your father be damned.” Al hits the top of my desk for extra dramatic effect. Then stands from his chair. “Looks like I’m entertaining Issy for the night on my own.” He sighs as if it’s torture to spend time with his younger sister even though he adores her.

  I laugh then wave him off. “Get out of here.”

  He nods. “Have yourself a good night.” He winks, probably knowing who I’ll contact the minute he walks through the scaffold of my office.

  “You too, man,” I say to his back. The second my office is quiet I pick up my cell and text Evie. I know it’s going to be a challenge dating this woman and not only because we will have a hard time communicating but because she’s a real spitfire and yet I can’t wait to see what happens next.

  You free tonight? How about we do Mexican take-out?

  I know it’s presumptuous of me to insinuate she’s free by suggesting the food we eat, but I feel like she’s on the fence about me so I need to push as hard as I can. I only hope that my efforts work.

  Chapter Nine

  Evie

  Shit, darn, shit! My phone buzzes, and it’s a text message from him…the governor. I told him I was deaf, but I forgot, okay maybe I didn’t forget, I just neglected to mention that I’m also a single mother. I just figured one bomb set off was enough for a first date if that’s what the other night was. I don’t know. He’s texted me these last few days, but he never mentioned meeting up, so I assumed either I was friend-zoned or that he’s good at sending mixed signals. Now he wants to meet for dinner again, and excitement floats through me. Only one problem with this picture. If my deafness didn’t push him out the door then knowing I have a kid will. Gah!

  I reply back.

  Sorry, busy tonight.

  I hate typing those words, but I don’t have a choice. Carter, my ten-year-old son, is with me five nights a week and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Knowing the governor’s affinity for sexual encounters, I think a kid doesn’t fit into his equation. The little dots roll on my screen, and my chest expands with anticipation. Carter taps my shoulder and asks me to tell Daddy he loves him, only I’m not texting his daddy, I’m texting the freaking Governor of Illinois.

  “It’s not Daddy, just a friend,” I tell my son.

  Don’t brush me off, Evie. I thought we had a good time the other night. I’m only suggesting dinner. Say yes to dinner. If you don’t like Mexican, we can order something else.

  Oh boy! I once again feel like I’m in over my head. I try to think of how to respond.

  Okay but I have someone here with me, and he loves burritos. Can you please get him two and I’ll take chicken fajitas with vegetables, no cheese.

  I type back, and press send before I can overthink. When I reread my message my stomach sinks. I don’t know how my message will be received. Who will he think the ‘someone here’ is? What happens if he thinks it’s a girlfriend of mine? Oh jeez. I begin to sweat as I think that maybe he thought I just invited him over for some Mexican food and a threesome? I mean, I’ve seen the gossip columns. Just the search I did last night had numerous pictures of him with different women draped on his arm. He seems to be a serial dater, but it’s all speculation. Once again, I convince myself that he’s all wrong for me and yet I can’t stay away. Not when he’s pleading for me to say yes, which in itself is a crazy thought.

  “Mommy, will you play Xbox with me?” Carter signs to me.

  My son pulls me out of my frantic state. “Uh sure.” Before I put my phone down, I notice another text from Colton.

  Perfect! Be there as soon as I can.

  His words alone cause panic to bubble up inside me. For the next half hour, my son keeps me busy playing FIFA soccer. Of course, he kicks my butt every time because I have slow reflexes and my mind is trained on Colton making his way over here and what he will think when he meets Carter.

  The red light at the front door flashes and I flinch as my heart skips a beat. Carter asks me using sign language if we are expecting company. I answer that I have a friend at the door and he nods and smiles to me. I hope it isn’t a mistake to bring Colton around Carter since I just met the man. A part of me wants Colton to understand my life before I actually get to know him. Carter is my entire life so Colton will need to understand that if he wants to date me. I’ve had men in my past that were simply not interested in taking things further once they realized I had a child. I’ve convinced myself that this is me being honest and upfront, but maybe a part of me is scared of my reaction to the governor, and this is me ensuring he won’t want to come back after tonight. Carter is an amazing kid but not everyone likes kids, and not everyone is built to raise them. My own childhood taught me that.

  “Are you going to get that?” Carter reminds me we have a guest at the door. He usually uses a mix of words and sign. Especially when he sees I’ve missed something he’s said.

  I nod and dash toward the door leaving him playing Xbox. The door swings open and I’m met with clear blue eyes and a panty-dropping smile. He looks casual again tonight in a Cubs T-shirt and a worn-in pair of blue jeans. He sure as hell doesn’t look like the sophisticated Governor of Illinois.

  “Hi,” I say, grinning like a schoolgirl with a massive crush. It irks me that I can’t hide my feelings around him better.

  “Hi yourself,” he waves. He’s holding a bag of food and has a silly grin on his face as he points to the inside of my apartment. “May I come in?” he asks.

  I startle slightly when I realize how dazed I am around him. “Yes, of course, where are my manners?” He walks
in and slips his running shoes off at the door. He carries the large paper bag he’s holding deep into my home. He stops in my family room and notices Carter then he looks back to me a curious look in his eye.

  “Nephew?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “I’m an only child.”

  “I see.” His silence indicates he is waiting for an explanation. Carter notices he’s being watched and places the XBox remote down on the floor. He runs over to Colton with a wide smile.

  “You must be Mommy’s friend. I’m Carter.” My ten-year-old son is amiable and vocal; I think from having two deaf parents. Carter smiles looking up at Colton who towers over him. I watch Colton process the fact that Carter just called me mommy. Is he getting ready to run? My breath feels lodged in the back of my throat as I wait for Colton to show me what he’s thinking. “You’re a Cubs fan, huh?” my son continues, and I can only imagine that my son said that comment in a disdainful way since him and his daddy like watching the White Sox play.

  “I am,” Colton confirms only his face reveals nothing. “But I also like to root for the White Sox too,” he answers. I sense uneasiness in his mannerisms.

  “You like both teams?” my son asks, and I note the surprised look on his face.

  “I’m the Governor of Illinois, I feel it’s my civic duty to support all of Chicago’s sports teams,” Colton says in a way I’m sure sounds very professional. By the look on Carter’s face, I can tell he’s confused.

  “Your civic what?” my son asks, scrunching up his little nose.

  “Civic duty,” Colton repeats. “My apology, I’m not very good with kids.” Those words are directed at me and my stomach sinks. I feel like the worst mother for bringing Colton around my son too soon. What was I thinking? I bet this is goodbye.

  “That’s okay. I get it. I’m pretty mature for my age though so you don’t need to worry,” Carter answers and I swear I want to pinch his adorable cheeks in this exact moment because my son is right, he is mature and very used to speaking to adults since he plays middle man when we go places.