by Brynn Paulin
I didn’t want to deal with it, whoever he was. As I turned away, the knock came again.
“Whitney,” the man called. “I’m Heller Lewis. I need to talk with you. Open up or I’ll use the key Kyler gave me and call it a welfare check.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. Today just kept getting better. He had to be pissed over the situation with his son. I wondered if I should engage a lawyer before dealing with him.
Cracking the door open, I peered at Kyler’s father. “I don’t really think I should talk to you without an attorney.”
He smiled, looking so much like an older version of his son that I ached even more for what I’d lost. “Well, I hope that I can be your attorney,” he said.
My brow furrowed. “You’re not here because you want to sue me?”
“I think my son and wife would both kill me if I did. May I come in?”
Wondering if I was crazy, I nodded and let him inside.
“I’ve met with the school,” Heller told me. “If they’ve been honest with me, they let you go without incident and you’ve signed paperwork promising not to discuss the matter.”
“And not to speak with your son,” I added.
“Right. No contact. Kyler had to agree to the same. I’ve just come from his meeting.”
“Is he okay?”
“Well enough. He’s angry. Sad. Ready to take on the world to make this right for you.” He held up a hand to stop me. “Don’t worry. I talked him down. He’s in good shape and back on the team because they need him to bring home the win these next two weeks. Also, when they review his work for you, it was spotless. If anything, you were harder on him than your other students. Smart, actually. And he’s not to have any form of contact with you until after he graduates. He’s devastated about that part. Isn’t that concerned about the rest.”
I knew the feeling. “We broke up.”
“Did you?” he asked, sounding amused.
“Yes.” I wasn’t up for games. I certainly wasn’t asking why he found this funny. Nothing was.
“If you say so,” he replied, sounding unconvinced. I reminded myself to be nice, since this was my baby’s only grandfather. “I’m just here to assure you there will be no legal repercussions coming your way. It’s all been squared.” He handed me a card. “This is my contact information. If they renege on anything, I want you to contact me immediately.”
I looked at the innocuous slice of thick paper. I’d need the string of numbers listed for an entirely different reason.
“I…” he said, drawing out the word, “also have this.” He handed me a thin envelope with my name scrawled on the front. “There’s to be no meetings, phone calls, texting, email…but I hope you won’t tell that we broke the rules this one time. Kyler insisted I give it to you. And quite frankly, my wife and I would give him anything he wants. He’s the only child we could have. I’m afraid we’ve spoiled him. I’m sure that led to his pushiness where you’re concerned.”
“It was consensual,” I murmured. My fingers ran over the cream-colored stationery envelope in my hand.
“So he told me. I’m glad to hear the same from you. I’ll leave you with that and my card. If you have trouble… I’m sorry to say, but the board doesn’t hold themselves to the same standards they’ve lain out for you. We can request a gag order if they start spreading gossip, but people will already know. I can’t make that part easy for you or Kyler.”
“I understand.” I comprehended the underlying warning. The community would know. I may not experience legal repercussions, but there would be social.”
“You had to have expected that.”
“I never expected it to be easy. I knew we were treading dangerous waters, that there was no real win.”
“I think you two will win.”
I wanted to believe it. Studying him, I tilted my head. “Why are you being so cool about this? I expected you and your wife to be the angriest.”
Heller chuckled. “If anything Becca and I understand this better than most. I’m guessing Kyler didn’t tell you about us.”
“Some. He adores you. I wondered when I found out you left him alone or about how much autonomy you gave him, but as he told me more about you, I found you’re both loving caring parents, who are just letting him grow up and trust him to be a man.”
“How we doing?” he laughed. “Don’t answer that. We held him back a year early on because we didn’t think he was ready to go forward. In retrospect, I think we weren’t ready for him to grow up. We’ve been making up for it since. But what I’m guessing he didn’t say is that Becca and I are a lot like you and him. She wasn’t my teacher, but she’s nine years older than me—almost ten. We got a lot of flack and pushback from everyone in early days. I wasn’t mature enough. What was she thinking robbing the cradle? How could she? I was in high school, too. But I saw her and…” He shook his head. “That was it. She wasn’t all for it, to tell the truth. I had to convince her the way that Ky had to convince you. But it was worth it. I feel the same way about her today. How could I deny my son the same kind of future, the same kind of love?”
I didn’t know what to say. Kyler and I could have had that. But I’d ended it.
“Read the letter,” he told me, nodding to where it was clutched to my chest. “I’m sure I’ll see you again. And I mean it. Call if you need me.”
After he left, I sat on the couch, hugging the envelope as if I was hugging Kyler. After long minutes, I ran my finger under the flap then pulled out the thick sheet of paper inside. The words were few and simple, but pierced straight to my heart. Tears filled my eyes as I read them over and over.
Whitney,
I love you. If nothing else, remember that.
I’m not letting you go. Ever.
I’ll think of you every day while we’re apart. You’re my everything.
I will come for you—you’re mine. Don’t forget that.
And don’t give up on us.
Kyler
Chapter Ten
~ Whitney ~
Two and a Half Months Later
Everyone in town had known by the end of the week. I couldn’t go out without nastiness spewed at me or stares from strangers. No one knew me. They didn’t know the situation, yet they all had a judgement.
My house was vandalized and my car was keyed. Twice. The second time WHORE had been scratched into the door, deep through the paint. By December first, I’d decided to move. Well, that wasn’t quite true. My landlord told me I had to move. He asked me to go on my own so he didn’t need to start eviction paperwork.
I thought about calling Kyler’s father, but I’d brought this on. I’d fight my own battles. And by fight, I meant retreating and leaving town. I’d emailed him my address. If there was an off chance Kyler would want it, I’d make it available. I knew he loved me, I also knew things changed. There was a long time between November and graduation.
I’d moved south wanting to get away from snow and cold-hearted people. I knew not all in the north were, but now I equated them all with my deadbeat parents, nasty foster care and the society that had socially crucified me without details. No one knew me here. No one knew me there, either. But I was trying. I’d joined a book club and gone to a few local events. Right then, I was enjoying the cool but temperate weather. It was dry but still green in mid-January. I didn’t miss the snow at all.
It surprised me when a knock sounded on my front door, Friday afternoon. I opened my door to a dark-haired man with piercing, dark-blue eyes full of desire.
“Kyler!” I breathed, my knees buckling. Then without thinking, I threw myself at him. “Oh my God, you’re here.”
“You didn’t think I’d find you?” he chuckled, catching me and pulling me to his firm, hard body. I couldn’t help it. I clung to him, holding on so tight he might have a hard time getting himself loose. He kissed me everywhere his mouth could reach. “These past two months have been hell. I don’t ever want to be away from you again.”
&
nbsp; “What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to—”
“Officially graduated, as of today. I flew right here. Thank you for giving my dad your address, by the way.”
“You graduated? In January?”
“They wanted to be rid of their problem,” he answered, grinning. “Who knows what I might say or who I might corrupt. And besides, I had enough credits to graduate.”
Lifting me into his arms, he carried me into the house.
“Bedroom?” he growled.
I pointed. “On the right,” I told him when we got to the hallway.
“I’ve missed you so bad, baby.”
“I missed you. Wait… Wait! Kyler, let me down,” I begged. I needed to clear the air before we were intimate.
He froze. I think it was his surprise at my demand that had him complying.
“I need to…” I rushed out then stopped to take a deep breath. I was so excited to see him, I could barely get words out without them stumbling over each other. “I’m sorry I lied. I do love you.”
His hand cupped my face, and I leaned into the affectionate touch. “I know. I love you, too. Nothing’s stopping us now.”
He lifted me again and carried me to the bed. Laying me on the mattress, he crawled over me. “I’m going to make love to you for days.”
“Good.”
“I’m gonna get you pregnant. I’m going to fill you up with my baby and tie you to me completely. You’re going to be the best mom.”
“I’m glad you think so.” I pulled his hand down to my belly that was starting to curve outward. His eyes widened, and he pulled up my T-shirt to stare.
“We’re having a baby?”
“No,” I laughed. “We’re having two babies. I just found out two days ago.” I bit my lip and stared at him. I didn’t have to ask if it was okay. If he was glad. The wonder in his eyes and the reverent way he cupped his hand over my belly said everything.
“Were you going to keep this from me?” he asked, hurt in his eyes.
“Of course not, but I didn’t think you graduated until May. I wasn’t allowed to contact you. And if you’d found out, I know you would have come immediately and the rules be damned.”
“Damn straight I would have. You shouldn’t have been alone.”
“I couldn’t have ever kept our child from you. I didn’t know how this would affect your future, but I figured we’d work it out. If you didn’t want it—us—I would have given this baby all the love.”
“I would never! You are my future. Don’t you get it? Without you there’s nothing.”
“That’s not true. You have everything ahead of you,” I protested.
“Like what? Friday night lights? Acclaim on the gridiron? Loneliness because the one person I want, abandoned me and doesn’t want me back? Long nights of emptiness.”
“I didn’t abandon you.” Despite his eagerness when he’d first arrived, I was getting a glimpse into the pain he’d endured during our separation. The unknowing. “You have so many opportunities.”
“Don’t you get it? None of them mean anything without you. I don’t want that life. I want what we can have together. I want what we had when we went on vacation to the resort.”
“Life isn’t vacations.”
“Nope. But we can make every day special. Look, I know you moved here to get away from our town. I know you don’t want the spotlight, and I can’t guarantee that people won’t wonder about us here, but I promise to do everything in my power to protect you.”
“Kyler… that’s not what I’m worried about. I do want you. And I want you to have everything you desire. Everything you’ve worked so hard for.”
“Don’t you see? I don’t have anything without you. I hate that you’ve been alone in this.”
I smiled, covering his hand with mine. “This part’s been pretty easy. Well, other than the puking and being tired all the time. My doctor said that part is about to change. If I’m typical, I shouldn’t be as exhausted anymore.”
He nodded, meeting my eyes then leaning down to press two kisses on my belly. He crawled up to cuddle beside me.
“What about college?” I asked, pushing his hair back at his temple. It was longer now than it had been when I’d last seen him.
“Well, interestingly, when you’re a championship quarterback with good grades, you can go anywhere you want. And my future wife was wise enough to move just over a half hour away from a big ten school. So, I’m going there to get my degree. And I’ll play ball for them. Then I’ll go to law school. I’m not interested in continuing on to the NFL, but law is still on my radar.”
“You’ll be close enough to see your kids, then.”
Kyler’s brow furrowed, and he gave me a look I couldn’t decipher. Without a word, he got up and walked out of the bedroom. Pushing up on my elbows, I stared after him. His footsteps echoed on the house’s wood floors, then I heard the front door open. What just happened?
Hurrying to follow him, I rolled out of bed and rushed toward the door. Whatever I’d said, I wanted to make it right. I’d just entered the living room when Kyler came back in, wheeling a large suitcase behind him.
He hung his jacket on the hook by the door then turned to me. “I’ll be very close. I’ll be right here every step of the way. You’re not getting rid of me, Whit.”
“I don’t want to get rid of you,” I rushed to tell him. “Don’t you have to live on campus, though?”
He shrugged. “I’m marrying you. We have permission to live here.”
I stared at him in shock. “Marrying…me?” I squeaked.
“I’m not marrying anyone else, baby. You’re my one and only and the mother of my children. And I love you. You just have to take the leap and say yes. I’ll always be here to catch you.”
I bit my lip, unable to hold back my smile. Somehow, I knew, nothing would stop us now. It was Kyler and Whitney take on the world. Everything had burned to ashes, but we’d risen through it, stronger. “I can’t say yes unless you ask.”
“Whitney James, you’re mine. Accept it.”
“That’s the proposal I’m going to tell our kids about one day?” I laughed.
Kyler dropped to his knee and held up a box. Flipping open the lid, he revealed a stunning—huge—solitaire. “How about this? Whitney James, you are the love of my life and always will be. You’re my one. I promise we can talk about Shakespeare and you can correct my grammar—”
“I’ve never corrected your grammar,” I cut in.
“But you can. You’ll never have another holiday where you won’t be surrounded by people who love you. No more lonely nights. Even if I have to travel for games, you’ll know I’m right here with you.” He pressed his hand to my heart then moved it to his own. “And you’ll always be right here. Our lives will overflow with love. Will you give me unspeakable pleasure and fathomless happiness and be my wife?”
I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered. I might have been against a relationship with him at one time, but now, I couldn’t see myself with anyone else. There was no one but Kyler for me. “Yes, I want to take the leap with you into our happy forever. I love you, Kyler Lewis.”
“And I love you, Whitney soon to be Lewis.” Rising, he pushed the ring onto my finger. His lips brushed over mine in a promise of what was to come, then he bent and kissed my belly. “And you little Lewises, too. Now,” he said, lifting me into those powerful arms I loved so much, arms I wanted to hold me until my last breath, “It’s time for lots of Mommy and Daddy time. I’m free until football camp this summer. You?”
“I think I can free some time for you, Mr. Lewis.”
“Good. My parents will be here next week for the wedding.”
“Kyler!” I gasped, but he was already settling me onto the mattress and crawling over me. Then I was gasping for a whole other reason. As I wrapped my arms around him, I decided our happily ever after would be perfect indeed.
About the Author
When it comes to books and movies, I
have one rule: there must be a happy ending. After that one requirement, anything else goes. And it just might in any of my books. Expect the unexpected.
I love hearing from readers! Please visit me on my website at www.brynnpaulin.com or contact me at [email protected].
You can also stalk me on Twitter and Facebook.
Books by Brynn Paulin
Cherish Cove (Home For the Holidays)
Jingle Belle’s Rock
Ex Scrooge Me
Loving St Nix
Cherish Cove (Beach Please)
Light My Fire
Reclaiming Love
Beach Please
Just Beachy (Coming Soon)
The Bad Boys
Bad Boy Biker Boots
Bad Boy Bossy Pants
Bad Boy Babymaker (Coming Soon)
Bad Boy Biology Professor (coming soon)
Daly Way
Belonging to Them
Plays Well With Others
Fill Her Up
One for the Team
Briar’s Cowboys
Roped by the Team
His Old Kentucky Home
Eye of Her Storm
Santa Secret
Mad About Her Cowboys
Tradition Bound
On Your Knees
In His Chains
Chain Me Up
Cruentus Dragons
Dragons Blood
Blood Bought
Blood Mates
Taboo Wishes
Punished
Kidnap and Kink
Yuletide Greetings
Mr. Smith’s Whip
Dick Does Jane
Sybil Disobedience
Billionaire Club
Blind Date With the Billionaire
Billionaire Auction (co-author Tia Fanning)
Stranded With the Billionaire
The Billionaire and the Beast
The Problem With Billionaires
The Secret Billionaire (Coming Soon)
Malloy Brothers (with Dakota Rebel)
Billionaire’s Christmas Cruise
Billionaire’s Beautiful Runaway (Coming Soon)
