Played

by Tasha Fawkes

  Kelli turned to me, wrapped her arm around mine, and grinned. "I'm going to plan the biggest and best party you've ever seen, Joel. All our friends and families are going to celebrate not only our getting back together, but our baby. Sound good to you?"

  I wasn't sure about a huge party announcing our reconciliation. Then again, perhaps it was better that we controlled the dissemination of information rather than allowing gossip to muddy the waters. I glanced at Sarah, but she was already moving quickly down the hall, offering soothing sounds to Ethan as she went.

  I turned back to Kelli. "Sure," I said, her closeness once again stirring my desire. "Sounds good."

  Seven

  Sarah

  I collapsed into the rocking chair close to Ethan's crib, where he slept peacefully. At this very second, I wanted to crawl into the crib, cuddle with him, and sleep just as deeply.

  The past week had just about done me in. Kelli had recruited me to be her official party planner for the gathering. Which was tonight. Everything had to be just so.

  Over the past few days, I'd either brought Ethan with me or left him with Joel as Kelli had me running errands, making phone calls to catering services, liquor stores, even florists.

  You'd’ve thought she was managing an engagement or something. Maybe she was.

  In private, the day after she moved in as we ran some errands, Ethan held securely in my arms, she told me that she would pay me extra for all my time and effort.

  I gave it my best, trying to please her, keep up with her, and not spend one moment wondering what had attracted someone as shallow and vapid as Kelli Spencer to a computer geek like Joel Farrell. He was a good-looking guy, no doubt about it. Filthy rich too. Still, if he was a player, which I was finding incredibly more challenging to believe, why was Kelli so determined to get back with him? More importantly, what was going to happen when the truth came out? Or would it?

  I wasn't about to leave without Ethan, but I couldn't leave with my baby without exposing Kelli's ploy and perhaps even face charges of kidnapping before the dust settled. I tried to talk to Kelli about it, but she waved me off, telling me that we would talk about it later. For now, the party was the only thing on her mind.

  I stared at Ethan, sleeping so contentedly, and allowed myself a tired smile. Just then, there was a movement in the doorway, and I turned to find Joel leaning against the doorjamb, gazing at Ethan with a tender expression. My heart literally skipped a beat. He was taking in Ethan, perhaps even falling in love with my baby. Guilt and shame roiled in my stomach at the thought that I had allowed myself to become a pawn in this game Kelli played.

  Joel might be a lot of things, but when it came to Ethan, he was everything I had ever hoped to find in a man. Even out of his element, he was game, willing to learn, willing to sacrifice, willing to go that extra mile to ensure that Ethan was well cared for, not only in material supplies, but emotionally. I was going to have to talk to Kelli, and soon. I had to tell her that Joel was growing increasingly attached to my son. I had not expected this to happen. I needed an exit strategy.

  Exit strategy.

  What a cold, callous way to think about it… but it was true. I’d saved just over ten thousand dollars in my bank account already. How long was this game going to go on? I had plenty of questions for Kelli, but they would have to wait until after the party. Tomorrow, maybe the next day at the latest. This couldn't go on forever.

  Tonight, Joel would announce to friends and family that not only were he and Kelli reconciling, but they had a baby. I’d had plenty of opportunity in the past week to see how Joel and Kelli acted together as a couple. In my opinion, Kelli was trying a lot harder than Joel, who seemed a bit reticent about fully committing. He was maybe at seventy-five percent. I couldn't understand the hesitation. Wasn't he glad that Kelli had given him another chance? Wasn't he feeling grateful that she had apparently forgiven him for his indiscretion? Or was he already finagling ways to get Kelli back in his bed and continue his philandering at the same time?

  None of my business. All I needed to focus on was—

  "I want to thank you for all the help you've given Kelli with planning the party tonight," Joel said, speaking quietly so he didn't interrupt Ethan's slumber.

  "My pleasure," I murmured softly, a lie. This past week, I'd witnessed a deeper glimpse into Kelli's character, and I didn't particularly care for what I saw—impatient, demanding, and arrogant. He cleared his throat, and I glanced at him, a look of discomfort in his expression. "What is it? Is something wrong?" I sat up straighter.

  "No, it's just a little awkward…" He cleared his throat again and then continued. "Sarah, Kelli has requested that… well, she would feel better if while the party’s going on…"

  My mind raced. What was he trying to say? Suddenly, I understood. I nodded and released him of the duty of informing me. "She wants me to keep in the background."

  He sighed with relief and nodded.

  "Fine with me," I said, meaning it. I didn't want to mingle with these people. Besides, we had to keep up appearances, didn't we? Kelli was supposed to be Ethan's mother, not me. It wouldn't do to have me holding him when the couple made their announcement.

  "I'll stay in the kitchen area," I said as Joel's face colored. It was sweet of him to be embarrassed by the request, something I had not expected. "I can keep an eye on most of the gathering from the kitchen area, with the windows overlooking the lanai and the pool… I can keep an eye on Ethan and take him if he gets fussy or needs a changing."

  "You're a peach, you know that, Sarah?"

  A peach? Who said that anymore? It was such an old-fashioned endearment, one that I’d often heard my dad saying to my mom.

  I offered a tired smile. "Thanks. I guess this peach better change her clothes. You tell Kelli that if at any time she needs me, I'll be in the kitchen or in the nursery, all right?"

  He nodded, gave a wink, and then turned and left.

  That wink of his had me smiling with a tired sigh as I pushed myself up out of the rocking chair. This past week, I'd hardly had time to think, what with Kelli dragging me all over town to arrange the mother of all parties. Still, I knew that after the introductions and the probable noise of the party, Ethan would likely grow fussy–sooner rather than later. I couldn't imagine Kelli dealing with that. Soon enough, I would have my boy back in my arms, but until that moment, I would be hovering at the edge of the party, waiting.

  Two hours later, I eyed the mixture of young and older faces gathered through the foyer, the living room, and spilling outside. A man with dark hair and a weatherworn face slowly approached Joel and Kelli. He gave Kelli a brief hug and then turned toward Joel, offering his hand. Joel seemed surprised, but clasped the man's hand in return and shook firmly. At that moment, Kelli turned and spotted me standing in the kitchen doorway, a tray of hors d'oeuvres in my hand. She nodded me into the room, and as I passed, she whispered in my ear.

  "That's Joel's father. Hand off the tray to a caterer and bring out the baby."

  I did as she requested, handing the tray to one of the uniformed caterers that we had arranged, and made my way back to the nursery.

  I made sure Ethan was dry and smelling fresh before picking him up, hugging him to me, then taking a deep breath and stepping into the hall. I’d barely left the nursery with him in my arms when Kelli approached and took him. Ethan uttered a startled cry but settled down. The moment was here. The moment that felt so surreal as Kelli swept into the living room through the guests gathered around, causing a sudden murmuring to sweep through the crowd.

  I watched as Joel tapped his champagne glass gently with a spoon, garnering the attention of the partygoers.

  "Welcome, everyone," Joel said loudly as the murmurs settled down. "Thank you for coming. This is a special occasion. Not only am I announcing that Kelli and I have been fortunate enough to rekindle our relationship, but I would also like to introduce to you our son, Ethan."

  Once again there was a murmur, fol
lowed by exclamations, and then congratulations pulsed through the crowd as they gathered closer to the couple now holding Ethan together—Joel smiling down at Ethan, Kelli looking up at Joel. It wasn't the tender look that Joel gave Ethan that cut me to the quick, but the smug expression on Kelli's face. My heart clenched, and the ugly green monster reared up in my brain.

  Surrounded by strangers, Ethan fussed slightly with the noise and the different way Kelli and Joel held him. A jolt of pain raced through me. What had I done? Not only to my son, but to myself, and to Joel? Standing here, watching the scene, I’d never felt more alone in my life. My motherly instincts wanted me to race forward, shout the baby was mine and snatch him back into my arms, tell everyone this was nothing more than a ploy.

  Had I just made the biggest mistake of my life?

  Eight

  Joel

  I hung back, watching Kelli pushing Ethan in the stroller, my dad walking along the sidewalk next to her, shaking my head in amazement. Everything seemed to have changed.

  I wanted to enjoy this moment in Griffith Park together, forget everything else, but the ever-present work worries niggled at my brain. This attempted takeover. I wish I could put it in the back of my mind and not even think about it, not for today at least, but I couldn't get away from it.

  No matter what was going on in my personal life, I couldn't—nor did I dare—let go of what was going on with my business. I didn't know who was behind Graphica's intention to acquire my company. I should have known better, not listened to Eric's advice to list my company on the stock exchange. But I’d caved because we did need the boost, and for a while it had played out in a positive way. Unfortunately, I had also opened the door to a takeover. I’d made my company a target. If they managed to purchase a majority stake, I'd be dead in the water.

  A merger was one thing. An acquisition was one thing. The aggressive effort to take over my company – holdings, operations, and debts – was quite another. I'd had Eric and my financial department carefully watching the stock trades, making sure that we maintained the majority of stock buys. I was worried about what was called a dawn raid, where someone from the “enemy” side tried to buy a large number of shares as soon as the market opened.

  It was stressful. More than stressful. The other company was playing dirty.

  Well, if my management team and board of directors stayed alert, we could block the enemy. What we had to watch for now was another sneaky move – but I had one up my sleeve as well. If they wanted to play dirty, I could play dirty. I’d told Eric to let our shareholders know that for a brief time they could purchase additional shares at a discounted rate. The move was called a “poison pill.” I didn't like to stoop to such measures, but my company was at stake. This way, it would cost Graphica more money to attempt the takeover. Hopefully enough to discourage them.

  They were pissed because when they broached an acquisition about ten months ago, having Eric bring the offer to me, I'd flat refused. We were doing well on our own. This was my brainchild and I wasn't about to just sell it off to the highest bidder. Eric had disagreed at first, but I brought him around to my way of thinking.

  A gurgle from the stroller distracted me as I caught up to Kelli. Like a breath of fresh air after a smoggy day in SoCal, I felt an instant sense of pleasure as I glanced down at Ethan cooing softly, his arms waving to explore the air around him. His tiny fingers captivated me. What would he grow up to do? Who would he become? I glanced at Kelli to share my wonder, but she looked in the other direction, toward the hills, a slight frown marring her otherwise beautiful features.

  In the blink of an eye, my life had changed course. I was still trying to get my feet under me. Not just with my company, but with the idea that I was a father. It was all so different that my first instinct was to be cautious. I almost couldn’t fathom the turn of events, the presence of Ethan, Kelli, and my dad with me. My dad, the guy who always had something negative to say about me or what I was doing with my life. Whose often harsh and critical comments I blamed on his PTSD, even though I knew that more often than not, he was just a mean bastard.

  Formerly impossible to please, I watched my dad's face break into a smile every time he gazed down at Ethan, snuggled contentedly in the stroller. And Kelli. What a change! Since she'd moved in, I'd not witnessed any of her former impatience, arrogance, and, let's be honest, bitchiness. Could having been pregnant done something with her hormones? Tweaked her brain? I didn't know and I didn't much care to delve too deep into that, but the two of them seem to have changed. A lot.

  And Ethan had everything to do with it.

  For the first time in I didn't know how long, my dad and I spent most of an afternoon together without a harsh word exchanged between us. It was Kelli's idea for this family get-together, a way to reconnect in a comfortable atmosphere. She'd called my dad and invited him here to get to know his grandson a bit better, and he'd accepted. Surprise, surprise. He'd always liked her and she knew it.

  Once again, my emotions were all over the map. Of course, I was pleased that everyone seemed to be getting along, but I also couldn't shake the feeling that sooner or later, the fun would be torn to pieces by some unforeseen event. Wasn't it always? Would I wake up from this dream and find that it had all been nothing but a cruel joke?

  We walked along the sidewalk that meandered through this part of Griffith Park, keeping to the shade for Ethan's sake. To my surprise, Sarah had seemed reluctant to let me take Ethan for this family "reunion" of sorts. The nervous bite of her lower lip, the glances at Ethan, the way she literally overpacked the baby bag and gave me numerous reminders of his cues and signals for hunger, that he was wet, that he had to poop, told me that she was reluctant to part from him for even the afternoon.

  I certainly appreciated her dedication and devotion to Ethan, but couldn't help but notice the difference between the way she acted around the baby and how Kelli did. Kelli was Ethan's mother, and yet she still seemed uncertain of herself around him. I supposed that wasn’t unusual. A three-month-old was challenging to anyone, especially for someone of Kelli's temperament. She tried, and I respected her for that, but at the same time, the differences in mothering style and comfort level between Kelli and Sarah were totally opposite.

  Of course, as a nanny, Sarah likely had experience with a wide range of babies’ ages, temperaments, and needs. She was a pro, one who showed supreme confidence every time she picked up Ethan, or with any aspect of his care. She continually focused on his needs, not hers. Not once had she complained about the multiple times she got up during the night to soothe him, feed him, or change him. While not overloud, I heard him when he woke up crying, even from my master bedroom with the door closed. My ears had grown more attuned to his presence, I picked up on his cries when a few weeks ago I would have slept through an earthquake.

  His waking me didn't inconvenience me, and once I got up to help, but Sarah shooed me away and told me that this was her job, her responsibility, what she was getting paid for. She promised that she would do her best to calm him down as quickly as possible so as not to bother me.

  Smiling, I gazed down now at the little guy. No way in hell could that little bundle of cuteness ever bother me. At that moment, Ethan woke again and began to fuss.

  Kelli stopped pushing the stroller, eyes wide, as if uncertain what to do. She glanced at me. "You want to take him?" she asked in the process of reaching down for the baby. "Catch up on lost time?"

  The moment Kelli picked up Ethan, he began to squall. Before I could reach for him, my dad extended his arms. "Here, Kelli, let me have him."

  I watched in bewilderment as my dad gently cradled Ethan in his arms, supporting him with his forearms, the baby staring up into his face while my father smiled down at him. Amazing. Simply amazing. I didn't ever remember seeing an expression like that on my dad's face — peace, joy. He gently bounced Ethan and made funny cooing sounds, another first for me to witness. Ethan kept fussing and Dad gave the baby his little finger.
Ethan's tiny fingers wrapped around it and began suckling on its tip.

  Dad looked at me with a chuckle. "I do believe your little man's hungry."

  "Here," I said, shrugging the baby bag strap off my shoulder and handing it to Kelli. "Sarah already prepared a couple of bottles. They're not heated, but she said when he's hungry, he'll take it lukewarm."

  Kelli glanced at me, then the bag. She nodded and rummaged around until she found a capped bottle. She plucked the protective cover off the nipple and then handed it to my dad.

  "Don't you want to feed him?" I asked, mostly to try to figure out her hesitation.

  She looked at me and smiled. "He looks pretty content in your dad's arms, doesn't he?"

  Before I could respond, Dad looked at her. "No, not me. It's been a long time since I've fed a baby."

  He glanced at me and then extended the baby toward her. "Here, you can feed him."

  Kelli reached for the baby, her eyes flicking nervously between the now fussing infant and my dad. She took Ethan awkwardly in her arms, holding him a little more upright than I had ever seen Sarah do, and then touched the nipple to his lips. He fussed, his face puckering and turning red, his tiny fists waving in the air as he squalled.

  "The nipple's upside down, Kelli," I commented. I’d made the same mistake the first time I fed him.

  Perhaps Kelli was just flustered, having both me and my dad watching. She offered a soft laugh, mumbled something unintelligible and turned the bottle around, then once again touched the tip of the nipple to Ethan's mouth.

  He latched onto it and took a couple of sucks on the nipple, then made a face. After a brief hesitation, he began to drink, making his usual, funny sucking noises and loud swallows. All three of us watched, but then I glanced at Dad. Was he thinking about when I was that small? Had he ever fed me? I wanted to ask but didn't dare disturb the tenuous peace that existed between us. I wondered—