by M. Merin
I don’t even pretend I’m at the restaurant for dinner. I wear my uniform, knowing that will put him on edge. The bastard shows up with his new wife.
“Michael, great to see you,” he plasters on a grin for me and I stay silent.
“Well, as you’ve undoubtedly noticed, April is rapidly declining so it won’t be long now.” He pauses. “I expect this might be your last weekend here and I want to make sure we’re on the same page for the funeral.”
“Have that all planned out, do you?” I snarl.
“Michael, please…” pleads his Stepford wife before she shifts her eyes back to my bi-ceps and sighs.
“Yes, so, the insurance policy I have for her will pay for the service. Then that plus what’s left of the money that Michelle left to her child…”
“Steven, what’s left will go to the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation, period. You divert one dollar and I will buy whichever billboard is closest to your office to let people know who you are. Just forget about any money you hope to gain.” The volume of my voice has caused Steve’s head to twist back and forth, trying to make sure no one is listening.
“When the time comes, I’ll bring April home to be buried next to Michelle. You didn’t want her during her lifetime, you sure as hell don’t get to bury her here and play the grief stricken father.” With that I down the beer I had ordered, throw some cash on the table and walk out.
Chapter 18
Tabitha
Work interspersed with texts from Mike make up my weekend. Sunday, after an exhausting shift at the hospital, I come home to find Charlie and Riley in my living room.
“What is it with everyone just walking in here?” I exclaim, throwing my bag down.
“Oh, sorry, Jake told me where the key is,” Charlie smiles at me. “Riley brought wine. She deserves it after the news she got this weekend.”
“Riley, you’re not even old enou…you know what? I don’t care. Pour me a glass then I need to shower. What are you two up to anyway?”
“The guys have Church so Charlie thought we could talk about her baby shower,” Riley says as she pours me a healthy sized glass.
“Charlie, order us some pizza,” I say, tossing her my wallet as I head back to my room. “Give me twenty minutes.”
*
Emerging a short time later, I join the girls and get down to discussing the baby shower with Riley. It doesn’t take me long to completely rethink my opinion of her as some small town girl who married a father figure. She’s sharp as a tack and just enjoyable to be around. By the time the pizza shows up, I realize that her wariness about me has also faded.
“Wait? So you got married after Charlie?” I question. “For some reason, I figured you were married earlier.”
“Both of our relationships could cause a person whiplash, but speaking for myself I just knew that Gunner is it for me.” She shrugs. “I understand the world you’re from, Tabby, an eighteen year old getting married causes major eye rolls. He’s been such a rock for me with everything that’s come out, I’m still ticked off at my Gram but I know she was trying to protect me.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Ashley Taylor thing, Tabby,” Charlie looks at me like I’m dense and I feel like I’ve missed a couple chapters of a book.
“Has there been a development?” I press.
“What the hell’s wrong with Michaels?” Charlie looks as perplexed as I feel, I look at Riley but she’s gone silent. “Tabby, Riley’s father had an affair with Ashley. The baby was his, was Riley’s half-brother. There’s major shit going down about how he’s misused his position.”
I knew there were ripples of excitement flowing through the hospital, but I tried to stay away from it after a few of the nurses stopped talking anytime I was near. I assumed some of the gossip was about Mike and me.
“Holy fuck,” I let out softly.
“You’re telling me,” Riley contributes. “I never liked my parents enough to consider him running around on my mother but this morning another woman came forward, said he pressured her to have an abortion. Threatening her family’s business. That she’s been in counseling ever since. I mean it’s just heartbreaking. Not to mention my almost-little brother.”
“I get that you work crazy shifts, Tabby,” Charlie looks at me. “But why the hell hasn’t Mr. Very-Very Compatible filled you in? He’s the one who busted it wide open. They don’t have any evidence of Maddock hiring the man who caused the accident, but the writing’s on the wall at this point.”
“Unless mother did it.” Riley nonchalantly adds before taking another big sip of wine. “I mean she could barely stand the shame of me changing majors, let alone hooking up with Gunner. Living proof that her husband cheated on her? Ha.”
My mind is whirling around all the news, I can’t even think of what to say – luckily the pizza guy shows up and gives me some time to digest everything.
“I’d vote for your mom, also,” Charlie giggles before explaining her stance to me. “She’s scary. Like an evil version of Gram.”
“Oh, my God! It was your hair she gave me,” I nearly drop my glass. “I went to her house and she gave me a small bag with hair in it, that’s what Mike used to get a comparison DNA sample.”
“I wondered about that part of it,” Riley responds. “Still, a bit creepy that Gram had my hair sample on hand.”
“Fuck,” Charlie says around a mouthful of pizza.
“Fuck,” I reply, in regards to everything I’ve just learned.
“Fuckity, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck.” We both turn to look at Riley after she chimes in. She may be a little tipsy but she deserves it after this weekend.
We’re suddenly startled by a boom against the front door and I hurriedly go to look out the window. It’s Gunner with Jake and Connal right behind him, so I throw open the door.
Gunner barely nods before stepping past me to gather Riley in his arms. “How’s my Sweetheart?” He whispers before her lips find his.
“Tabby, you okay?” Jake asks as he and Connal shoulder their way in to get to Charlie.
“I just found out about everything. I can’t believe I missed all the news.”
“Where’s the Sheriff?” Connal asks, caressing Charlie’s belly while waiting for she and Jake to end their kiss.
“He’s in Boise until tomorrow,” I murmur.
“Motherfucker!” Jake bellows rearing his head back from Charlie.
“Wait! What do you know about his trips to Boise and why the hell didn’t you tell me?” I turn on him.
“No one actually knows what he gets up to in Boise.” Gunner weighs in. “It’s like all the shit that was spread about Riley when she was growing up, isolated at that house.”
And with the giant’s words, a little of the fear that has held my heart within a fist all week loosens its grip.
Jake enfolds me his arms, “He’s right, Tabs. We don’t actually know but he’s never discouraged the talk either. What has he said?”
“I was so busy all weekend, we texted a bit and there were missed calls on both sides.”
“Okay, so we won’t skin him alive until after you talk to him,” Connal helpfully adds while grabbing a slice of pizza.
“Not helping, Connal,” Charlie elbows him.
Chapter 19
Michaels
I’m mentally and physically exhausted from this past week, not to mention heartbroken over April. As much as I hate it, April has outlived all estimates and it kills me to see that the sparkle has left her eyes. When she was able to keep them open.
I said my goodbyes, the best way I could. I’ll work on my schedule to get back to see her the following weekend, God-willing this shit storm surrounding the Maddocks allows for it.
Driving straight to my place I mentally prepare myself for the day.
“Mike?” Tabby answers on the third ring.
“God, I missed the sound of your voice.”
“Riley and Charlie were here last night. I hadn’t heard what had hap
pened until then. How are you doing?”
“Exhausted.” I sigh. “I can barely think right now. I’ve got a full load today and then need to crash. Can I swing by tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” She repeats. “Sure.”
“How have you been, Princess?”
“I’m…” she starts.
“Shit. Got a speeder, I’ll call later.” I hit the sirens and toss my phone into the passenger seat.
*
Waking up the next morning, I head out to my porch to enjoy my first mug of coffee. Enjoying the fresh air and the rush of caffeine, I check the time hoping that Tabby won’t mind an early visitor. I just can’t fucking wait another moment to see her.
Getting to my childhood home, the thought of losing the last connection to my baby sister hits me again and I pause, taking in the property I know so well. Shaking off the sorrow I feel, I reach down for the spare key but only feel the grove of where it’s been my whole life. Frowning, I walk around to the porch but the spare key is missing from that spot, also.
Looking at the front door, it really hits me that this isn’t ‘home’ anymore. So for the first time in my life, I knock.
Repeatedly.
Finally, a sleepy looking Tabby opens the door and I swoop in for a kiss. I’m so excited to see her it takes me a moment to realize that her hands are braced against my chest, rather than wrapped around me. Pulling back from her, I take in her face but she merely looks down and tries to back away from me.
“You’re here early,” she says, looking up to study my chin.
“I missed you, Princess,” I kiss her forehead. “I hope you don’t have plans today…”
“I do. I have errands, a lunch, then there’s a patient who was due on Saturday so I need to stay close.” She finally peeks up at me and the guarded look in her eyes feels like a knife going through me. “Do you want to go grab breakfast at the diner?”
“I like what I’m grabbing here,” I lean down to squeeze her ass. “Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you?”
“You left without saying goodbye, not even a note.” She crosses her arms in front of her, I know she trying to put space between our bodies but I don’t think she has any idea what that does to her boobs.
“I called you, you were in with patients.”
“You waited until I feel asleep and you just left. After we…”
“And?” I prod her, shaking my head. I’m starting to get an idea of where this is going.
“And? It was days before I heard anything from you, then when we did text you didn’t even tell me what was happening.”
“And?”
“What the fuck is it you do in do in Boise anyway?” her voice is straining with the desire to scream at me and her fingers have curled into fists at her sides.
“Temper, Tabitha,” I grin at her. Angry at myself for not seeing this coming. The fucking gossip mill in this town in unparalleled and after what we shared, I left her here to think the worst.
“When I need to get laid, yes – I have done it during my trips to Boise. No repeats. I have no interest in the women around here and don’t want the aggravation of dealing with exes while trying to get re-elected.” I step towards her and she steps back. “It isn’t public knowledge, but April is why I go there.”
Tabby narrows her eyes again while I dig my phone out and open a picture of my niece. “She’s all I have left of my sister.”
She takes the phone from me and enlarging a selfie I took of the two of us this weekend, blurts out: “April’s dying?!”
“Tay-Sachs,” I confirm before giving her a nod in response to her silent request to look at the other pictures. “She’s six so she’s lived longer than expected, but now her organs are shutting down.”
“I’m so sorry, Mike. I’m so fucking sorry.” Tabby finally steps into my arms. “There’s so much we don’t know about each other.”
“You’re the first woman I’ve been with in months, Princess,” I sigh and nuzzle my face into her hair. Relieved she faced this without lashing out. “I meant what I said the other night.”
“Tell me about your sister? About April?” she quietly leads me to her couch and I feel like the dick that’s throbbing against my zipper. We need this. We need to get to know each other but I just want to be buried inside her.
Pushing that need aside, I reach out and pull the cushions from the back of the sofa, making room for the two of us to lie down next to each other. Halfway through the recital of my life history, I reach over and pull her nightshirt down to release a nipple; stroking and pulling that diamond point as I get to the difficult parts.
When I finish, I press my forehead to hers and exhale. “I get why you call me ‘princess’,” she says after long moments. “I’ve never taken any blows like you have. I’ve never truly lost anyone or lived through a child’s illness.”
“Hush, Tabitha,” I lean down to kiss her lips. “I called you that at first because you were obviously rich, and ever so slightly arrogant. But there’s so much more to you. No matter that my dick stands up when I think about your body. You, Tabby, how hard you work, caring for others? Your sarcasm and strength? How much you love the outdoors? OUCH!” I yell as she jams her finger into my ribcage.
“We were having a moment here, asshole!” she giggles.
“Okay, we’ll work on that last part,” I gently tug on her nipple. “Come to Boise with me on Friday? I don’t know what your schedule is like but I can work in a day trip. Like I said, April doesn’t have much time and I can’t space out my trips anymore. Her father, well, like I told you he barely looks in on her.”
“I’d love to go with you, Mike,” she smiles up at me and I know we’re back on track. “I’ll make it work.”
“So, about these errands of yours?” I smirk at her.
Tabitha
“I need to get some things, hair, et cetera done. I can probably move my lunch, but I’m trying to make friends.” He rolls his eyes at me. “Okay, I’ll back out of the lunch but I’m still on call.”
“Do we have TIME before your appointments?”
“That depends.” His eyebrows shoot up at my statement.
“No screwing around, Mike. I get that we rushed in, but…”
“This? What we’ve started? You’re mine, Princess. I’m not going to stray, if we have issues we’ll talk but I want you so goddamn bad. I have since I laid eyes on you.” He cups my cheek.
“You had just been in a car accident, you weren’t thinking clearly.” I try to hold my smile back although his words are music to my soul.
Right up until his hand slaps down on my ass.
“Take this off!” he pulls at my nightshirt, ignoring the glare I give him.
Instead of answering, I roll off the couch and smart back to him, “Says the man with all the clothes on!”
When he growls, I turn and run to the bedroom, striping on the way. Diving onto my bed and under the covers without a moment to spare as he pounces on top of me.
“Tell me who you belong to,” he whispers as he slowly kisses his way down my body. “Who’s the only man around who’ll know you have this?” Mike licks a birthmark on the underside of my right breast. “Or this?” he kisses the small dragonfly outline I have above my belly button.
“That’s hardly fair,” I slide my fingers through his silky, black hair. “I don’t have a primary care physician in town, yet.”
“We’re going to work on your bedroom talk, Doctor,” Mike chuckles before laying a kiss at the top of my bikini line. My next words are cut off as his tongue swipes down my slit.
“How do you do that?” I ask nearly an hour later, returning from the bathroom.
“It’s all you,” he kisses my lips lightly when I lay down facing him. “I told you, your body does it for me. Cancel your appointments?”
I shake my head but remain beside him, kissing and answering his questions about my family.
“So, your mom runs the show, your dad smiles, nods,
and enjoys his cocktails,” he starts summing everything up. “Your siblings are heavily starched tools, and your Gramps adored you and Jake for charting your own path. Right up until the moment it went against him?”
“Don’t get me wrong. Jake will always be Gramps’ favorite, but can you really blame a man in his eighties for freaking out over a polyamorous relationship? I’m sure ‘containment’ was his first instinct – so much of our lives have been guided by what others would think.
“I realized after the fact, that’s why Gramps ‘forbid it’ when I made my announcement. He was worried word would get back to the family.” Grinning lightly to myself. “I mean, I, maybe, overreacted a little. Just because of the way I found out, of course.”
“’Maybe’? ‘A little’?” Mike kisses me quickly after repeating each word. I grab his semi-hard cock in both a threat and a promise, dependent on his next words. “Charlie seems happy though? She wasn’t pressured into it?”
“She and I talked about it at dinner. It wasn’t anything she ever imagined, but they all seem really happy. Between you and me, the baby is my biggest worry right now. That could be a game changer.”
“The baby?” his jaw drops and I realize I never told him.
“Sorry! Yes, she and Jessa are due about…oh, shit!?” I slap my hand over my mouth.
“I know about Jessa, Tabby,” he kisses me again. “Her aunt let me know. That, plus, the endless puking and saltine crackers were a dead giveaway.”
“Charlie’s been so lucky in that regard,” I agree.
“So, baby-daddy lottery between Jake and Connal, huh?”
“Yes. Jake apparently has the tightest will possible that all of her children are his heirs. Which, now that I say that out loud, is why Gramps is so pissed off. Oh, shit! I have to go, you can stay here. If you want to?” I scramble to the bathroom to get moving.
“I’ll get lunch together for us. Any repairs you need around here?” his question nearly causes me to have a mini-orgasm and I squeeze the toothpaste tube too hard, shooting it across the sink.
Is he for real? Leaning back, I raise an eyebrow at him.
