The Surprise

by Alice Ward

  “There’s no way we’ll be able to keep it quiet. Until you’re healed, I have no intention of leaving your side for anything other than work. You’re going to be sick of me by the time the doctor clears you for practice.”

  “You really want to take care of me?”

  “I really do,” I told him with a genuine grin. “But if this is going to work, there are a few things you’ll need to understand.”

  “I’m all ears,” he insisted.

  “I know you’re used to getting your way. But I don’t do well with ultimatums. You don’t get to decide how you want things and demand I fall in line.”

  “I’m sorry,” he offered with a regretful groan. “I never should have told you we had to be all or nothing. Especially since you were fresh out of a long relationship. Of course you needed time to get your head on straight. I should have understood that. The way I spoke to you that morning… that was all insecurity.”

  That surprised me. “What in the world do you have to be insecure about?”

  Ethan shrugged. “You were with Ben for a long time. You’d told me over and over again how much you loved him, how you planned to settle down with him. I thought you didn’t want to make things official with me because you were still hung up on him.”

  That never crossed my mind.

  I held his face in my hand and stared at him, my eyes firm and determined. “I don’t want you to ever entertain a thought like that again. I thought I loved Ben. But I can see now that what I really loved was the idea of the kind of life I could have with him.”

  “Is that still the kind of life you want, Emily? An uneventful, settled life?” he pressed. I heard the anxiety in his voice and felt bad for not being able to give him the answer he was hoping for.

  “Deep down? Yes. If I had my way, you’d have a boring nine-to-five job, you’d play golf every Saturday, and we’d have pancakes every Sunday morning. That type of existence seems exciting to me because I’ve never had it before. But I know that’s pretty much the exact opposite of what you want. And I’d never ask you to give up the life you love.”

  “So where does that leave us?”

  I shrugged. “We’ll both have to learn to compromise. I guess we’ll figure it out as we go.”

  I moved to kiss him again, but the door flew open and a petite, middle-aged redhead bustled into the room.

  “Good aft — oh I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t realize you had company. Hello dear, I’m Martha Montez. And you are?” Ethan’s mother extended her hand and looked me up and down with a critical eye.

  “Mom, this is Emily Kinkaid. I’ve told you about her. Emily, this is my mother.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Montez,” I offered, politely shaking her hand.

  “Kinkaid… you’re the kindergarten teacher? You teach at that underprivileged school.”

  “The Day School isn’t in the best of neighborhoods,” I patiently agreed. “But we have students from a variety of backgrounds.”

  “That’s wonderful, dear,” she replied with a dismissive wave. She wedged herself between us and started fussing with his pillow.

  “How are you feeling, darling? Are they taking good care of you here?”

  “I’m great, Mom. I’d be better if you hadn’t pulled strings with the trainers. I know you influenced them to bench me instead of putting me on the injured reserve list.”

  She fluffed a pillow with a vengeance. “I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about.”

  Martha’s tone told me she knew exactly what he was talking about. But I didn’t want Ethan back on the field any more than she did, so I kept my mouth shut.

  “Come on, Mom. Half of the team’s played with broken ribs at some point or another. And even with a busted collarbone, my aim is better than Bronski’s. If Coach had his way, I’d be on the field Thursday night.”

  “Honey, you can think what you want. But your broken ribs are in dangerous places. If you’re hit again before they’re healed, you could puncture a lung. Your life is more important than a few games.”

  “I think we all agree on that,” I piped in, a little too eager to get on Martha’s good side.

  She turned her nose up and looked from Ethan to me. “I trust you understand it’s important my son doesn’t exert himself in any way?”

  My face flushed hot at the implication in her words. Ethan, on the other hand, seemed amused by her warning. “Don’t worry, Mom. Emily isn’t going to screw me to death.”

  “Ethan David!” Martha gasped.

  My face burned hotter, but Ethan pressed on. “I’m sorry, Mother. But if you insist on being inappropriate, so will I.”

  She scowled at him but changed the subject. “I called for an update earlier and your nurse said they’re planning to release you this afternoon. Mercedes is setting your old room up and I’ve hired a nurse to take care of you during the day while Victor and I are at work. When you’re up to it, text Mercedes a list of the food you want her to stock.”

  “None of that will be necessary, Mother,” he insisted. “When I get out of here, all I want to do is go home.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, sweetheart. Who will take care of you?”

  I cleared my throat. “I will.”

  She shot me a look. “I don’t mean to be condescending, dear. But I’m not sure you’re capable of doing that.”

  “I can take care of myself,” Ethan interjected, his voice harsh. He took a deep breath and continued on with a softer tone.

  “Look, I appreciate that you want to take care of me. But I’m a grown man, Mom. I want to heal in my bed, with my things around me. And I already have everything I need for PT in my home gym.”

  Martha studied him silently for a moment then let out a resigned sigh. “Fine. I know better than to try to talk sense into you when you get like this.”

  She turned to me, her hands on her hips. “Do you plan on moving into Ethan’s place while he’s recovering?”

  “I plan to be there as often as he needs me,” I replied. Ethan and I hadn’t discussed me moving in. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that big of a commitment, and I certainly didn’t want to discuss it for the first time in front of his mother.

  She sniffed. “I assume you won’t be able to take time off work?”

  “I wouldn’t ask Emily to do that,” Ethan chimed in again.

  “Fine. I won’t force you to move home, on the condition that the nurse I hired takes care of you while Emily’s at school.”

  “Deal,” Ethan agreed. “But tell her to bring a book or something. I’m far from helpless. She’s not going to have much to do.”

  Martha looked at the gold Rolex on her wrist and planted a quick kiss on Ethan’s cheek.

  “I need to get back to Victor. We have a charity event tonight for the Children’s Hospital. You’ll call me if you need anything?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  She nodded at him and then stepped past me without making eye contact.

  “Emily, can I please speak with you in the hallway?” she asked just before disappearing through the door. Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but she was already out of sight.

  “You don’t have to go out there,” he told me.

  “It’s fine,” I assured him, crossing my fingers. “I’m sure she just wants to give me a few pointers on how to take care of you.”

  He scowled and his head fell back on his pillow. “Not likely.”

  I took a deep breath and joined Martha in the hall. She led me wordlessly to the waiting room and pointed at a bench.

  “Have a seat, Emily.”

  I sat down and folded my hands in my lap. “Is there something I can help you with, Mrs. Montez?”

  She stood in front of me, hands on hips. “Yes. You can tell me what your intentions are with my son.”

  “I’m not sure how to answer that,” I admitted, meeting her eyes. “I care about Ethan. For the moment, I intend to take care of him, make sure he follows the doct
or’s instructions, and keep him company while he gets well.”

  “And after he’s well?” she pressed. “Will you be moving back to your place, or do you intend to use this as your way of becoming a fixture in his life?”

  She thinks I’m a gold digger.

  “I won’t have to move back to my place because I don’t intend to move out of it. With all due respect, Mrs. Montez, I understand you’re protective of Ethan. But I have no intentions of taking advantage of him. I own my condo outright, and I have my own money. I don’t need Ethan to take care of me.”

  She studied me for a few long moments then spoke again. “My son is quite taken with you. And he was crushed when you turned him away. Ethan could have any woman he wants. I suggest you keep that in mind.”

  With that, she spun on her thousand dollar high heels and stormed toward the elevator.

  I resisted the urge to flip a middle finger to her back.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ethan was released from the hospital the next day around the time I was corralling my students into the cafeteria line. I checked in with him every time I had a free moment and stared at my clock, counting the seconds until we’d be together again. When the final bell rang for the day, I herded the kids out of the room, locking the classroom behind us. I’d almost made it to the parking lot when Ben’s voice echoed down the hall.

  “Emily? Can I talk to you for a second?”

  I took a deep breath before turning to face him. Students and teachers lingered in the hall, so I put a broad smile on my face and tried to sound casual.

  “What can I help you with?”

  Ben stepped up and took me by the elbow. “Privately,” he whispered.

  I shook free of his grip but followed him into the empty break room.

  “What is it, Ben?” I snapped, my voice much harsher once we were in private.

  He exhaled loudly and leaned against the door. “I owe you an apology. I owe you more than that.”

  Oh my God… is he crying?

  Ben looked up at me with bloodshot eyes. “I made a terrible mistake, Em. I never should have gotten involved with Becky. That was the most selfish, destructive thing I’ve ever done. I knew how you felt about me, and where we were headed. And I panicked. Is there any way you could find it in your heart to forgive me?”

  “I’ve already forgiven you, Ben. Is that it? I have somewhere to be.”

  I tried to move past him, but he wouldn’t budge from the door. He gripped me by the forearms and stared at me with desperation in his eyes.

  “You don’t understand. I miss you. I’ll do anything it takes to get you back. Just tell me what to do.”

  I shook free of him and took a few steps back, my heart racing with rage. I wanted to scream at him, to tell him he had a lot of nerve and suggest where he could stick his apology. But the last thing I wanted to do was start a long, drawn out argument. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him defiantly.

  “I said I forgive you. I also told you I have somewhere to be. Get out of my way, Ben. Or the moment I get out of this room, I’m going straight to Principal Matthews.”

  He glared back at me but took two steps to the side. I opened the door, but he grabbed my arm again as I stepped into the hallway.

  “You want what I can give you, Em. I know you do. We love each other. And we’ll be together again.”

  Keep dreaming, douchebag.

  I glanced to my right and saw Linda coming down the hallway. “Let go of me, Ben,” I said firmly.

  He let go and followed me into the hall, startled to see Linda.

  “Is everything okay, Emily?” she asked, making her disdain for him clear by her tone.

  “Everything’s fine. I’m on my way out, you?”

  She nodded but kept her eyes on Ben. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  She linked her arm through mine and we set off for the double glass doors.

  “What was that about?” she whispered.

  “Just Ben being his usual asshole self,” I replied with a low growl. “Apparently, he’s realized that leaving me was a terrible mistake. He actually asked what he had to do to win me back.”

  “I hope you told him to fuck off.”

  I shook my head as we stepped into the warm sunshine. “I told him I accepted his apology. I didn’t dignify the rest of it with a response.”

  “Good for you,” she said, turning toward my Prius. She walked me to the driver’s door and shaded her eyes with one hand.

  “I’m glad you told him off. But the look on his face when I walked up… it was like he was possessed.”

  “Ben’s an ass. But he’s harmless,” I insisted. “I’m sure he’ll have a new conquest lined up sooner rather than later and forget all about me.”

  “If you’re sure… but I definitely don’t think you should be alone with him again.”

  “I’m not afraid of Ben,” I assured her. “But I don’t plan on spending anymore one-on-one time with him.”

  “Okay. Well, tell Ethan he’s in our thoughts and call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Thanks, Linda.”

  I climbed behind the wheel of my car and left the parking lot without a second thought of Ben.

  ***

  I found Ethan stretched out on a lawn chair, sunning by the pool. He wore a pair of long, loose athletic shorts, a backwards Stallions hat, and his arm sling. Even with the bruises, his firm, muscular chest sent shivers of desire through me.

  “Hey, baby,” he greeted me with a grin. “How was work?”

  “Torturous.” I bent down and kissed him before settling down in the opposite chair. “All I could think about was getting here to you. How are you feeling?”

  “As the doctors warned, the pain is definitely worse on the third day.” His beautiful face twisted into a grimace. “It feels like someone ripped my arm off and then reattached it wrong. I still can’t really take a deep breath.”

  “When did you last have your pain meds? And aren’t you supposed to have a nurse?”

  “Mindy, the nurse, left about an hour ago. I promised to be good and not move until you got here. And I haven’t had a pain pill since I left the hospital. They make me sleepy.”

  “You’re healing. You’re supposed to sleep.”

  “And I will,” he agreed. “But I didn’t want to be zonked out when you got here. Looking forward to spending alone time with you is what got me through the last few days.”

  I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I’m flattered. But I hate that you’re hurting. What if I get you a pill and we cuddle up for a nap together?”

  “Is this an example of the compromises you were talking about?” he teased.

  “Yes,” I agreed. “And also, I’m exhausted. I haven’t slept very well since Sunday… since long before then, actually.”

  Ethan gave me an understanding nod. “I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep since the last time you stayed over,” he confessed. He slowly rose to his feet and took my hand, leading me back into the house.

  We made our way to Ethan’s bedroom, where his prescriptions were laid out on his nightstand. He took a single pain killer, then I helped him between the sheets and propped my pillows up beside him on the headboard. I nestled in beside him, longing to be in his arms but knowing he was too hurt to hold me. I settled for resting my head on Ethan’s shoulder and slipping my hand into his.

  “What are the chances your mom set up a spy cam to make sure I’m not overly exerting you?” I teased.

  Ethan let out an exaggerated groan. “God, I wouldn’t put that past her. Why? Do you feel like exerting me?” he teased back.

  I turned and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Like you wouldn’t believe. But we’re not taking that chance. I’ll control myself until the doctor says it’s safe. I’m just happy we’re in each other’s arms again, Ethan. I can be patient with the rest.”

  He moved a hand to my chin and pulled my lips to his. I kissed him softly, constantly a
ware of his breaths. I’d joked about his overprotective mother, but the last thing I wanted to do was cause him any more pain. His chest rose and fell a little too roughly, and I pulled away.

  “I’m okay,” he assured me.

  I shook my head. “You’ve already told me it’s painful to take a deep breath,” I reminded him.

  He groaned and kissed my forehead. “But the rest of it feels so good.”

  I rolled my eyes. “We have plenty of time for that, Ethan. And believe me, it’ll feel a lot better when I’m not worried about one of your lungs collapsing.”

  Ethan took my hand and guided it to his stiff, throbbing cock. “We could go really slow,” he whispered, stroking himself with my hand. “And if it gets to be too much for me, we can always stop.”

  I wanted Ethan as much as he wanted me. But I was terrified of hurting him. I shook my head but didn’t pull my hand away.

  “We can’t, Ethan. We just have to wait a few weeks.”

  “We’ve already waited weeks,” he reminded me, arching his hips into my hand. “I’ve spent weeks fantasizing about being with you again. I need to be with you, to feel that connection. Please, don’t make me wait. We don’t even have to move. This isn’t about an orgasm, Em. This is about me and you, connected the way we belong.”

  Well, how the hell am I supposed to argue with that?

  “When you put it that way…” I closed my hand around his cock and planted a soft, quick kiss on his lips. “The moment I feel like this is too much for you, we’re stopping,” I warned.

  “Deal… the condoms are in the top drawer.”

  I studied his face for a moment. “I’m on the pill,” I finally confessed. “I’ve been on the pill since I was sixteen. Unless there’s something I need to know, the condoms can stay in the drawer.”

  Ethan’s eyes burned hot with desire and he shook his head. “If there was something you needed to know, you would already know.”

  He grabbed the hem of my blouse and pulled it over my head, tossing it to the floor. I stripped out of the rest of my clothes and pulled Ethan’s shorts down his legs before crawling onto his lap. I stared into his eyes and issued a final warning.