by Joanna Blake
I wasn't sure I could handle that.
Either way though, I was pissed.
Camille
I was smiling as I combed the damp hair away from my face. I was clean, well fed and well loved. Even though I had puked a little bit I felt good. Like a cat, ready to purr.
It was time to tell the man I loved that I was having his baby.
I don't think I'd been this happy before in my life. I knew he would be happy too. After all the back and forth, we were finally together.
"There's something I have to tell you, Cade."
I came out of the bathroom to find him staring at the window seat. At the books.
"Oh yeah, you forgot to mention something alright. Are you pregnant, Camille?"
He looked angry. No. Not just angry.
He looked furious.
I stopped in my tracks, staring at him in confusion.
"I thought this was what you wanted."
He just stared at me, his jaw clenched. I took a step forward, reaching my hand out. I felt like the ground was opening up beneath me. I didn't want to believe that this was his reaction. I felt so alone suddenly, like I wanted to curl up in a ball and hide.
"I thought you'd be happy…"
"Happy? Happy that you lied to me?"
"I didn't lie. I was going to tell you…"
"Really? When?"
"Last night happened so fast. I just needed time to process things. I wasn't going to keep it from you Cade, I swear."
"Damn straight you weren't!"
I watched as he started yanking his clothes back on.
"You should have told me, Camille. I could have hurt you and the baby last night. And then what? That was stupid as hell."
"No- I wouldn't! I read a lot in the past few days. It's fine to have sex with a normal pregnancy."
"How do you know yours is normal?"
"It's too early to tell. The zygote is stuck in there Cade, a little bumping isn't going to knock it out unless it's not viable!"
Now I was getting angry. He was being obtuse. The man was thick as a God damn brick!
"A little bumping? Is that what we did last night?"
He walked over to me, grabbing my chin.
"I'd like to give you a 'little bumping' right now Princess. But I'm too angry. I don't want to hurt you."
He smiled cruelly.
"A little hate fucking is just what I need."
I tried to speak, to ask what he meant but when I opened my mouth only a thin whisper came out.
"Hate?"
I choked back tears as he grabbed his jacket and put it on. He was leaving. He was leaving me.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going back to the city. You stay here."
I felt like I was being torn in two. I put my hand protectively over the engagement ring. I didn't want to believe this was happening, but I had to ask.
"Do you- do you want your ring back?"
He stalked over to me, standing so close I could feel the heat coming off his body.
"You take that ring off at your own risk. You're mine now. You and that baby."
I gasped as he took my face and stared into my eyes. Then he kissed me. Hard.
I rubbed my fingers over my lips. There was nothing tender about that kiss. It was a kiss of pure possession. He let go of my chin and walked away without a backward glance.
"I'll see you in a few days. Stay here. You need your rest."
I slid to the floor the moment he left the room. I tried to hide the sound of my sobs. I didn't want him to hear me cry. My pride couldn't bear it.
As soon as I heard his car leave the driveway I let loose, crying so hard it almost scared me. I knew my hormones weren't helping, but this was not just the baby.
This was heartbreak, pure and simple.
He wasn't happy about the baby… or rather, he was angry that I hadn't told him. I could understand that. I just couldn't understand how angry he'd been.
It was almost as if… he didn't want me anymore. Just like that, he'd flipped the switch. But he'd said I was his. He'd said he would marry me. He just didn't sound happy about it.
Well, to hell with that!
I pulled the ring off my finger and put it on my jewelry tray on my dresser.
I wasn't going to belong to a man who didn't want me!
I would just have this baby on my own. He could have visitation rights. The damn lawyers could sort it out!
That was it. I was not putting up with his high-handedness for another minute!
I decided to take the day and make appointments. Get organized. Then it was back to New York. I would come and go as I pleased, without telling Cade a damn thing about it!
I felt better as the day went on. Yes, I might love him but at least I hadn't told him so. He never had to know.
And now, he never would.
Cade
I hit the ball, shattering another bat. I was earning my nickname this game, and then some. I was pissed off and playing like it.
Pretty sure I was scaring the hell out of the competition too.
I had my head in the game but my heart was smashed up like the splintered wood of the bat.
And I was just getting started.
I hit two homers with men on base, giving us a landslide win. I was upset, yeah, but I was on top of my game. And then some.
I wasn't worried about Cami today. That helped me stay in the angry but focused mindset I was in. I'd hired a security company to look after her at the house. Keep an eye on her.
Spy on her actually.
That's why I was not amused by the text messages I got after the game. I stood in the locker room, staring at my phone with a dumbfounded look on my face. The security firm was scrambling to figure out what had gone wrong. How they'd fucked up. And they had. Royally.
Cami was gone.
Again.
I cursed, tossing my phone in my bag. Pregant and alone and traipsing all over the damn place. The damn woman needed a leash!
I swore when I found her I would put her ass on lockdown! No matter how sweetly she begged, I was keeping her heinie glued to my side! Thankfully, that wouldn't be too much of a hardship.
I loved that hot little ass of hers.
The 'L' word again. I'd been so close to saying it. I wanted to hear it back though. And now I wasn't sure if she ever would.
I took a shower, trying to clear my head while I figured out what to do. The security team had recommended a PI to look for her. I'd give them the go ahead. I would take their advice and hire the investigator. I would find her.
It would be fine.
How far could she go, really? I mean, the damn woman was expecting! She wasn't going skydiving or something!
I started to panic again while I got dressed. She was a world traveler with unlimited cash. Not just daddy's money either. Cami was a wealthy woman in her own right. She could be anywhere. I was ready to pull my hair out, I was so worried about my crazy woman. I couldn't stop wondering what the hell she was up to.
I had to find Mr. Rivers- I had to-
Chuck slapped my back, giving me a wide grin. K-Roll stepped up beside him and gave me a nod. I was distracted as fuck but even I was still a bit surprised to see the guy standing there with a friendly look on his face.
"Good game, Dupree."
"Nicely done, man."
"Thanks. You too, Chuck. K-Roll."
Chuck and I exchanged a glance. Apparently, hell had frozen over at last. In the past week K-Roll had grudgingly told me 'good game' a few times. He even asked me out to drinks with some of the guys. I would take him up on it, just not now.
I had shit to do.
Chuck laughed, rubbing his hands together.
"Next week it's back to Florida for some away game honeys!"
"Yeah, sounds great."
Except I would not be going. Not if my woman was still in the wind. And I didn't need any more honeys. I had my own damn honeybee!
I rubbed my face, wishing it was bur
ied between her thighs right now. I was hungry and tired and I wanted to curl up with my woman and screw! As it was, I was barely sleeping and Thor was definitely not happy about being deprived.
Mr. Rivers came to almost every home game so I knew I could find him in the locker room or the executive lounge after. He was in there, having a drink and talking to the Mayor and some other big wigs. I nodded, shaking hands all around. I was a practiced showman after all. I knew the drill.
But inside I was a seething mass of anger and fear.
As soon as I could I pulled him aside.
"Everything alright, son?"
"Well, yes and no."
His eyebrows lifted as he waited for me to answer.
"I asked your daughter for her hand in marriage. She said yes."
His face split into a wide grin and he slapped my back.
"That's wonderful news Cade! I was hoping… what's the bad news then, son?"
"She's gone again."
"Gone? She's back in New York."
I cursed and he laughed.
"I guess you didn't know that."
"I told her to stay put."
He just laughed and ordered me a drink.
"Good luck telling a woman to do anything. Especially my daughter. She's the most headstrong person I've known in my life, and I've met three dictators!"
He handed me a drink but I shook my head. I didn't want to drink. I wanted to chain my woman to the bed and screw her until she was too damn tired to run! Mr. Rivers held my drink up again.
"Come on Cade. I'll give you a ride uptown. Have a drink with me first. I want to toast to my future son-in-law."
I accepted congratulations, shaking even more hands. Everyone in the damn room wanted to congratulate me. They would have laughed if they knew that my woman had run out on me.
Twice in less than a month.
I'd been out of my mind worrying and meanwhile she was here, living the high life. I didn't know what to think. I didn't think she was running around on me exactly, but I definitely knew she wasn't being an obedient bride-to-be.
I stared out the window the entire ride to the city, making small talk with her father. He told me a few stories about Cami as a child.
Apparently, she'd always been a pain in the ass.
A brilliant, beautiful pain in the ass.
My pain in the ass, dammit.
And tonight, she was going to learn that once and for all.
Even if I had to beg. I was taking her home with me.
Camille
The soft tapping on my bedroom door woke me up. I'd been dozing again. I seemed to do a lot of that lately.
And puking. Lots and lots of puking.
Apparently I was one of the lucky women who got morning sickness early and often.
Yay for me.
I glanced at my phone. It was still early. And I had missed several calls from Cade.
I sat up, realizing it was only a matter of time until I had to face him.
"Miss? There is someone here to see you."
"Come in, Sadie."
Sadie had been with me for a few years. She was no nonsense and on the ball. A true New Yorker. I liked that about her.
The door opened and Sadie's pretty face appeared. Her hair was pulled back severely and her uniform was starched and prim. I wondered for a moment if she ever let her hair down.
I sort of doubted it.
"There's a man here to see you…"
"Cade."
I said the name with resignation. I was not going to let him bowl me over with his sex appeal this time. I was stronger than that.
I could resist him.
I had to resist him.
Even if I had to stretch the truth to do it.
"Thank you, Sadie. I'll be right down."
She nodded.
"Do you want me to do your hair?"
I shook my head.
"No time. But yes, I would love if you did it for me tomorrow."
She left and I stood up, walking over to the mirror. I looked like I'd just woken up, which was no surprise. I had just woken up.
I sighed and sprayed some toner on my face, and swabbed on some lip gloss. I was already wearing a casual dark green maxi dress with a grey cashmere cardigan. I had a tendency to fall asleep in my clothes these days. I had my little bundle of joy to thank for that.
I slipped into some flats and went downstairs to face Cade. I felt like I was facing a firing squad. But I had to do this. I had to be strong.
I walked into the study and froze.
Cade was standing at the window, his face drawn. He turned to me and I could see the pain in his eyes. The worry. The love.
From the moment I saw him, all my carefully laid plans flew out the window. He looked so indescribably handsome, it almost hurt. The fact that he lit up when he saw me didn't help matters either.
"Cami…"
He took a step towards me. I took a step towards him.
Then he noticed my hand.
My left hand.
Without his ring.
His jaw clenched and all the warmth fled from his face. His eyes locked into mine, icy cold blue. He was angrier than I'd ever seen him before.
And I'd seem him pretty darn angry.
I exhaled and almost jumped when my father stood up. I hadn't even noticed him there.
"I'll leave you two to talk."
I mumbled goodnight as he left, my feet stuck to the spot. I couldn't move. Could barely think straight.
I may have made a serious miscalculation by leaving the ring off.
In fact, it wasn't even here. It was out East at the beach house. I was spacy lately, another side effect of the baby. I swallowed, finally taking a step back.
I was tempted to run. But I didn't. I wasn't a coward. I would face Cade and deal with the fall out.
I didn't have much of a choice.
"Camille."
I lifted my chin, staring him in the face.
"Where the hell is your ring?"
"You didn't seem to want to be with me. So I didn't think I should wear it."
He took a step forward.
"You didn't think I wanted to be with you? After I chase you all over the God damn motherfucking Eastern Seaboard?"
Oh dear. He wasn't just angry. He was livid.
My voice was tiny as I tried to reason with him. To explain.
"You left me."
He ran his hand through his hair.
"My God, woman. I don't know what the hell to do with you!"
He lifted his eyes to mine. They were blazing.
"I ask you to marry me and you say yes. Then you take off the ring a half an hour later. What the hell, Cami?"
I chewed my lip, unsure how to answer.
"Tell me the truth, Cami. Do you want to be with me?"
"I-"
I fought back tears as I answered him. I knew it was a lie even as I said it.
"I don't know."
Cade
I felt like I'd been impaled with a sharp spear. Right in the gut. I felt hollow. Broken. Cami's words had literally torn a hole through me.
One I had no idea how to fix.
I rubbed my bat, wishing Cami was here with me. That we were a happily engaged couple that couldn't bear to be apart. I frowned. Maybe pregnant women shouldn't travel though. I had no idea.
But I was going to find out. I was going to learn everything I could about how to take care of a pregnant wife. And we were getting married.
I was going to fix this dammit.
I waited my turn, trying to calm my thoughts but I was a million miles away. Or however far away New York City was.
We were out of town, on the last game of a three game series.
It was going well so far. We were on a winning streak. It might only be the first week of the season, but the press was already attributing the streak to me.
K-Roll was not too happy about that. Though he had continued to be friendly, for the most part. I was th
e one who'd started a trash talking competition with him that was quickly escalating.
That was the only real bright side to my week so far.
Some of the other guys had spent the trip balls deep in some baseball groupies. I had spent it nursing bourbon alone in my hotel room. I was miserable.
Oh yeah, I was pretty much starring in my very own country music song. One about the woman that done me wrong. Except I was starting to wonder if I was just being a horse's ass.
She'd said yes. I thought that maybe, for some crazy reason, she loved me. Maybe not as much as I loved her, but that might come in time.
I could show her what a good man I could be.
So far though, I'd really screwed things up.
I shouldn't have left like that. I should've stayed. And I should have told her I loved her.
A long ass time ago.
That was it! She didn't know I loved her! We'd be back in New York early tomorrow morning. I would go to her, I would tell her.
Then I would find out once and for all how she felt about me.
And if she didn't love me, well than I'd make her love me! I wouldn't give up. The girl was mine dammit. We were perfect for each other. And she had my future progeny inside her. Cade Dupree Junior. Or Camille Dupree Junior.
Either way, it was mine.
Just like she was.
I stood up and held my bat in the air. It was time to take a swing. And damn if this wasn't the most important swing of my life.
Wouldn't you know it?
I hit another homer.
Camille
"Alright, everything looks good so far Ms. Rivers. If you are ready we can do the ultrasound now."
I nodded, barely looking at the doctor. It was my first check up with the baby. And I was feeling very emotional about it.
It seemed… incomplete without Cade here. He should be here to get the first look at our child. I sighed, wondering how I'd made such a tangled knot out of everything.
I should have just told him I loved him.
Maybe then the big galoot would have stopped stomping around and shouting about things.
"This will be a bit chilly."
I inhaled as the doctor squirted some gel onto my belly. It was chilly. He turned the machine on and lowered the paddle to my mostly flat stomach. I smiled every time I noticed my tiny little pooch had grown a bit, but at this point you still had to squint to see it.
