One Night

by K. L. Humphreys

  For the first time in a very long time, I lose my temper and let loose everything on Ethan. I point my finger at him “Firstly, don’t you dare tell Livie to shut up! You don’t talk to her like that ever.” His cheeks start to heat.

  “Secondly, I’m almost seven months pregnant. Work it out Ethan; we hadn’t had sex in the last two months we were together. So, these babies aren’t yours.” Realization hits and he looks down at his feet.

  “You want to know how I know these are Jaxon’s? The night I walked in on you and Shyanne, I bumped into Jaxon on the beach, and I wanted to forget, I wanted to feel something than utter hate and humiliation. I wanted to feel as though I was good enough and you know what?” I hear my mom and Livie say my name and I know that they want me to know that they would have been there for me that night, which I know is true, but I’m lost in this verbal diarrhoea, and nothing is off limits. It’s as though I’ve unleashed my inner thoughts and I can’t stop talking.

  “Jaxon made me feel as though I was the only woman in the world, he made me feel sexy and wanted. He made me feel like I mattered and more than that, he showed me what love is.” Wow, that felt good to get off my chest, and I can tell that he finally understands that he isn’t the dad and that we’re never going to get back together.

  “Bri…” He sounds ashamed as he should be, he made me feel humiliated. “I’m so sorry.”

  I haven’t quite finished with him yet though; he needs to understand that his actions have consequences and what he’s been doing since I’ve been back have caused a lot of hurt. “It isn’t just me you should be saying sorry to. Since I’ve been back, you’ve hurt Shyanne a lot. You’ve been trying to get back with me, and that is never going to happen.” I hear a gasp, and I close my eyes in dread, how the hell did I forget that she was here?

  I carry on as though she’s not here and let him know how much of an ass he has been to her. “Jaxon taught me what it was to be loved and I know that you taught Shyanne. The way you both look at each other proves that. I don’t know if it’s because you’ve gotten scared that your relationship is the real thing or if you’re really just an ass, but you need to realize that you need to change tactics or you’re going to lose her.”0

  I don’t give him the chance to say anything as I walk away from him and toward mom and Livie. “Bri, wow. I don’t think I would be that civil to any of my asshole exes.” Livie tells me, and I can just imagine if she were to bump into any of her exes. She’s hell on wheels at the best of times. The doorbell goes off, and I don’t turn around to see them leave. I’m just grateful that they’ve left, I don’t want them in here any longer.

  “Bri, I’m so proud of you. You proved that you are a bigger person, most wouldn’t help the woman that they’re boyfriend cheated on them with. You’ve grown into such an amazing woman; your father is so proud of you too.” Mom tells me and tears spring to my eyes.

  “Is dad proud of me?” Carson’s voice has me spinning around and facing not only him but Jaxon too. “And what has saint Bri done?”

  “Bri baby, are you okay? You look as though you’re going to cry.” Jaxon’s over to me before he’s even finished his sentence.

  “I’m fine, what are you two doing here? I thought you had to work?” I’m so confused as to why they’re here right now.

  “Yeah, we were but the guy I had asked to clear the front of the salon called and said he couldn’t do it and no doubt that’s down to the gossips. You’re the most talked about person in town, and this salon is a no-go zone.” Carson tells us, his anger coming to the forefront. He turns toward Ethan who is still standing in my salon with his arm around Shyanne. “This is all your fault. You caused all this mess.”

  “Shit Bri, I’m sorry. I’ll pay to have the window cleaned, and both Shyanne and I will let everyone know that Sabrina is lying.” Ethan sounds sincere in his apology, and I’m not going to turn down his offer of paying for our window to be cleaned.

  “Shyanne, you’re friends with the she-devil. What the hell is her problem?” Livie asks, and I inwardly groan, she-devil?

  “Um, what do you mean?” Great, Shyanne’s not going to tell us anything.

  “Don’t play stupid with me. I know that Sabrina vandalized our salon, hell I wouldn’t be surprised if you were involved too.”

  “I didn’t; I wouldn’t do that!” She sounds shocked that she would even be accused of doing it.

  “Don’t act surprised! You’re so far up Sabrina’s ass that you can’t see clearly with all the shit in your eyes.” Livie tells her, and I try so hard to keep my laughter inside, unlike Carson who can’t quite contain his laughter.

  “No, I’m not. Hell, most of the time I can’t stand Sabrina.” That’s a shock, although not that unbelievable as Sabrina is a bitch.

  “If that’s the case then tell us what the hell she’s up to!” Carson shouts at her causing both Shyanne and me to jump.

  “Sabrina and Loretta have a grudge, and they won’t stop until they get what they want and that’s Jaxon out of your life,” Shyanne says as she glances toward Jaxon.

  “Why the hell is my ma doing this?” I reach out and take his hand hoping that I can offer him some sort of comfort. He takes and squeezes my hand as though I’m his lifeline. “What does she think she can accomplish by doing this?” That is something I don’t know. I don’t think I can ever understand how she can hurt her son like this.

  “I know why. Loretta thinks if you and Sabrina get together, then Sabrina’s father will leave her mother and Loretta and he can be together.” Shyanne fills us in on Loretta's stupid plan.

  “Have I stepped into some sort of alternate universe? Why the hell are you standing in my sister's salon acting as though she’s your best friend?” Carson looks so confused right now, and I don’t blame him. Usually, Livie would be threatening bodily harm by now.

  “No, I realized that Bri and Olivia hadn’t done anything to warrant my hatred,” Shyanne explains, not telling him that I made her realize that I’m no threat to her and Ethan’s relationship.

  “No, they haven’t. But you, they have every right to hate you. You slept with Bri’s boyfriend.” Of course, Carson has to bring that up.

  “I know, and I’m so sorry that you were hurt because of our actions,” Shyanne tells me, and if she hadn’t slept with Ethan, I think I would have liked her.

  “Is Sabrina really pregnant?” Livie asks Shyanne, and I’m filled with instant dread.

  “I think so, she showed me the pregnancy test, and it said pregnant.” At Shyanne’s answer, everyone’s mood instantly plummets. Emotion overcomes me, and I burst into tears, I turn and run toward the back room.

  What the hell are we going to do now? This is a nightmare! The one thing I do know is Loretta and Sabrina aren’t going to come between Jaxon and me.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jaxon

  The past couple of days have been hectic. Bri has been an emotional wreck, and our relationship has taken a huge knock with the news of Sabrina being pregnant with my child. How did life get so complicated so freaking fast?

  I don’t know how I came to be this lucky or what I did to deserve getting an amazing woman like Brianne in my life. I mean, after all this shit and heartbreak she’s had to go through because of me, she’s still by my side, promising that we will get through this together.

  My mind is still in a hazy fog from two days ago when I found out that Sabrina really is pregnant with my child, nine weeks pregnant to be exact. There is no way I can deny that because I clearly remember that night nine weeks ago when I needed the itch scratched. I was missing Brianne something crazy and the night she left was playing over and over in my head, and my hand just didn’t cut it, so I called up Sabrina who was more than willing to be at my service.

  How am I so sure that she isn’t lying? Well, two days ago I confronted her about everything, and she insisted I go to the doctor with her. Apparently, because I had told her to pr
ove to me that she is pregnant, she went to the doctor to check via testing her blood and the day I decided to confront her was the day the results that knocked my breath out came back.

  She’s really pregnant! I don’t understand how seeing that I’ve always used protection when with her, but I guess shit happens. So now my super sperm just fucked me up big time.

  A knock on my door brings me back to the fucked up here and now and I groan, willing whoever is on the other side to just fuck off and leave me the hell alone. I really don’t have the energy to deal with people today; I probably won’t have any energy for a long while.

  “Oh, for shit’s sake!” I groan again as I stand to make my way toward the door when the persistent little fucker keeps rapping at my door.

  “Jaxon, honey.” My mother says as a way of greeting as soon as I open the door.

  “What do you want Loretta?” I ask. Ever since a few days ago when I figured out my mother actually believes and knows that Brianne is carrying my kids but just refuses to be happy for me or accept my kids, I’ve written her off and started calling her by her name instead of the usual ma.

  “I’m still your mother Jaxon, don’t you use that tone with me.”

  “Unfortunately. Now, what the hell do you want?” I may sound bored, but inside I’m fuming. I get pissed off every time she’s in my presence these days. What kind of mother is she that she doesn’t want her one and only son to be happy?

  “Well honey, can I come in?”

  “If you must,” I answer before turning on my heel, leaving the door open for her to come in which I have a feeling is a bad idea by the way.

  “God Jaxon, this place is such a mess! You should really do something before this mess attracts bad company, meaning all kinds of creepy crawlies,” She says scrunching her nose at the many boxes of pizza, some with leftovers and some empty as well as the many empty beer bottles lying around.

  “Too late for that, you are already here.” I roll my eyes at the surprised intake of breath she takes. “Now, are you here to talk to me about something or inspect my house so that you can run your mouth?” I pause before continuing. “If it’s the latter you can just get the fuck out now, I’m not in the mood for your late mothering.”

  “I’m here to talk about my grandbaby,”

  “You mean grandbabies!”

  “I’m here to talk about my grandbaby,” she says again like I didn’t just correct her. “What have you decided to do about everything? Surely you realize that Brianne-”

  “Not that it’s any of your damn business, but I accept that Sabrina is having my kid and I will take care of my kid and try to give he or she all the love I missed out on since I was eleven.” She smiles, probably misunderstanding me and ignoring that punch about the love. “But that doesn't mean I will be getting together with Sabrina,”

  “But Jaxon-”

  “Get this in your head woman; I don’t love Sabrina. I love Brianne, and she is the woman I am going to be with, Sabrina being pregnant too doesn’t change that!”

  “But Jaxon-”

  “Now, get the fuck out of my house,” I cut off whatever evil was about to come from her mouth.

  “Jaxon, let’s talk about this, you are making a mistake. That family is bad for you!”

  If only she knew that she and Sabrina are the ones that have been bad for me. Brianne and her family are the only real family I have had and gave me all the love and affection I craved since I was fifteen.

  “I hope the door hits you on your way out,” I say, doing my best to ignore what she just said and lashed out because if I don’t, I might end up saying something I’ll regret for the rest of my life.

  She sighs heavily before turning to make her way out. “Just remember Jaxon, a mother always knows what’s best

  for her kids and I’m telling you now, Brianne is not what is best for you,” with that she closes the door behind her and I wish that the door really did hit her on her way out.

  “How have you been holding up man,” Carson asks, looking at me warily.

  We are having lunch at Patty’s our favorite fast food joint, so I’m not sure if I want to broach this subject here where anyone can overhear and run their mouth to the whole town. This whole situation between Brianne, Sabrina and I is already the talk of the town.

  Damn small towns!

  “I could be better,” I answer, grabbing another fry from my plate and putting it in my mouth.

  “You sure? You haven’t been yourself this past few days, and we are all worried, especially my sister.”

  I sigh before grabbing the massive double cheese, double patty burger from my plate and taking a huge bite. I have no idea what Carson wants me to say at this point. I’ve fucked up big time; I know that. Show me a twenty-seven-year old who’s knocked up two different women at the same time and is still the same man.

  “What can I say, Carson, I’m just stressed about this whole situation, and I’m afraid I’m going to lose your sister after working so hard to get her,” I whisper honestly.

  “I thought Bri said that she’s sticking with you through this whole thing,” he’s confused, and I don’t blame him.

  “She did,” is all I say.

  “Okay,” he says dragging the word out. “So why would you think otherwise?” he continues to ask.

  “I don’t deserve her man, and it’s only a matter of time before she realizes that, and I’m dreading the day that comes.” I sigh, putting my head in my hands. “I love her Carson, I have loved her since we were sixteen, and she barged in your room while we played video games, and she started shouting and throwing shit at you because you put baby powder in her hairdryer,” I chuckle at the memory. Bri’s face and hair were covered in the white substance with red skin showing here and there because she was fuming.

  Carson joins me in chuckling, “Yeah I got my ass kicked that day because of you,” he says, shaking his head. “Twas your idea to prank her in the first place,” I laugh at that because it’s true. Bri was going to the movies with a bunch of her friends that night and her crush at the time was going to be there, so I had to come up with something to stop her from going there.

  “Look, Jax, you and my sister will get through this,” he says seriously.

  “Yeah, I hope so,”

  “So are we going to work on that pro-”

  “Jaxon,” A deep male voice says from behind me, cutting Carson mid-sentence.

  I turn, then freeze when I see who it is standing behind me. Sabrina’s dad aka Mayor Ashwood is looking down at me with a scowl on his wrinkling face.

  “Mayor Ashwood,” Carson and I both say to the tall man with a beer belly.

  “May I have a word in private Jaxon,” The mayor says this while looking between me and Carson.

  “I’d rather be-”

  “It’s okay man,” I say lifting my hand to stop Carson who frowns. “Sure, thing sir, I’ve got a minute to spare.” I continue, this time looking at Sabrina’s father. I knew this day would come and I’m prepared for whatever is about to happen.

  “Fine, I need to go to the men’s anyway,” Carson stands and leaves as Mayor Ashwood takes his seat.

  “So, I hear you knocked up my baby girl, Jaxon.” Straight to the point, well I guess there isn’t any use in beating around the bush.

  “Yes sir,” I nod.

  “And you are going to do the right thing, right?” He’s staring me down.

  “If by ‘right thing’ you mean to take responsibility for the baby and help take care of it, then yes I’m going to do the right thing.”

  “That won’t be enough, and by the right thing, I mean are you going to be with my daughter and marry her?” My shocked expression at the word marry has him narrowing his eyes at me.

  What the fuck?! He wants me to marry his daughter? There is no way in hell that shit will ever happen.

  “No sir, I’m in love with someone else. The only thing that will conne
ct me with Sabrina will be that baby.”

  “What!” He whisper-shouts through clenched teeth. “Do you know what this will mean for my reputation?” Well, there it is, the real reason he’s talking to me right now.

  “Your reputation? I don’t see how that’s relevant sir.”

  “I am the Mayor of this town son; the press is already having a field day with the news of your triangle including my daughter!” He takes a breath before continuing. “You will do the right thing and marry my daughter and make this right!”

  “With all due respect, no I won’t marry someone I don’t love,”

  “I have already discussed this with your mother, and it's settled,” he hisses.

  “What am I sixteen?” I hiss back. “You and my mother can discuss all you want while fucking behind your wife’s back. I. Will. Not. Marry. Sabrina!” Now it’s my turn to whisper-shout as people are starting to notice the tension at our table. His eyes widened before narrowing again. I’m sure he didn't think I knew that he and my mother were doing the nasty.

  “How much?” he asks pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “How much what?” I’m genuinely confused about what the hell he’s talking about.

  “Everyone has a price Jaxon, what’s yours,” He looks up and looks me right in the eye.

  “Wait, you mean money?” The surprise and shock in my voice and on my face is evident. What the fucking hell? I have enough money of my own fuck you very much!

  “Yes boy, money how much do you want for you to marry my daughter?”

  “I don’t want your fucking money,” I’m pissed. “Like I told my mother, Sabrina and you. I love someone else and that someone is not your daughter.”

  “Two million,” he says calmly as he whips out his chequebook. What, do these people get deaf and stupid with age?

  “No,” I fold my arms on my chest.

  “Fine, ten million and that’s my final offer,”