by Reana Malori
Looking behind him, he seemed to be searching for his next words. “Maybe we can do this more often. I love spending time with you alone—Lord knows I do—but being able to do this, relaxing at the park with you and Riley…well, that means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me, Regina.”
Shocked, but pleasantly surprised by his words, she opened her mouth to speak when they were interrupted.
“I thought that was you, Gavin,” she heard a woman’s voice call out. Looking up, she saw a beautiful thin redhead standing off to the side, glaring at the two of them.
Looking between the two of them, she saw Gavin’s entire visage change. This was a side of him she’d never seen before and she wasn’t all too certain she wanted to see it now. Then again, she was curious about the woman standing in front of them, looking like a scorned woman.
“Lou, get the hell out of here before Riley sees you,” he snarled out through clenched teeth.
The woman’s eyes got wide and she looked up in the direction of the playground. She seemed to question coming over here for a second, but quickly changed her mind. “No. I told you. I want to see Riley. My momma wants to see Riley. I know you hate us, Gavin, but she’s dying.”
Instead of answering her, he asked a question of his own. “How did you find me?”
“I wasn’t looking,” the woman huffed out. “I was across the street at the store and I saw your truck. Decided to come see if it was you. Didn’t know you’d be on a date,” she spat out, finally looking over at Regina.
Rolling her eyes, Regina decided she wasn’t going to let the woman get under her skin. Clearly, she had some sort of issue with Gavin. It sounded as if she were related to Riley. Interesting.
“My date is none of your business. Lou Ellen, don’t cause a scene. If you and Bertha Ann really want to see Riley, then you’ll need to wait until I’m ready.”
“But what if she’s gone by the time you decide to let us see him?” she asked with venom in her voice. “I never knew you’d be this mean and bitter. So what if Tina fucked another man? Who cares that Riley isn’t really yours? You’re the one raising him now. It’s not our fault you got played for a fool. Let us see Riley. He’s our family, not yours.” Her eyes widened as she finished speaking. Realizing the words that had come out of her mouth, the woman Gavin called Lou took a step back. “Gavin. I’m so—”
“Shut up,” Gavin hissed. His voice was low and filled with anger unlike anything she’d heard before.
Regina sat there in shock as the woman spewed her vile words.
Riley wasn’t Gavin’s son? What the fuck was this? Why was he raising a child that wasn’t his?
There were so many questions, but none of them would be answered right now. Looking over at Gavin to gauge his response, she watched him unfurl his body and stand up.
Gavin looked around to make sure that Riley was still over at the playground and not paying attention to the adults. His eyes had gone dark, almost black, and his jaw was clenched so tight she could see the muscle pulsing through his skin. Regina was thrown off-kilter for a moment, but then got her bearings.
“How dare you approach me. How dare you even speak to me about my son. MY son,” he said through gritted teeth. “You lost that right when your sister…”
Oh no. She scrambled up to stand in front of him, essentially holding him back. Although she wasn’t concerned for herself, based on the vileness coming out of this woman’s mouth, she needed to get Gavin away from her.
“Miss, I don’t know who you are or why you chose this moment to share that bit of private information in a public setting, but I’m gonna need to ask you to leave.” Regina hoped the woman got the message and didn’t cause any more issues.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do. This is none of your business,” the woman snapped, even as she began taking steps away from them.
“Lou Ellen.” Gavin’s voice broke through. Both women turned to look at him. Regina remained between the two of them, because she knew if this woman had come at her like this, she’d be going for her throat right now. Thank God Gavin wasn’t that kind of man.
“I’ve made my decision. You and your mother will never see Riley. Ever. Not for as long as you both live.”
Lou Ellen’s gasp of shock was no surprise, but the tears that welled in her eyes were. “Gavin, wait…” she began.
“No. I’ve put up with the two of you for much too long. I know what Riley is to me, and what he isn’t.”
At those words, Regina’s heart broke for the man standing in front of her. She’d never seen him so hurt, but the emotions were there in his eyes for anyone to see. Taking a step closer to him, she reached her hand out and touched his arm. He looked down at her for a second, his eyes filled with regret and apologies. None of which were needed.
Turning back to Lou Ellen, he continued. “That you and your mother would continue to throw that in my face for your own twisted purposes, sickens me. Even after all these years, when none of you wanted him. I claimed him as my own, gave him my last name, and have raised him on my own for eight years. He is my son. MY SON. You don’t get to ever come to me again and demand anything of me. Don’t ever come back here again. To my bar. To my home. To anywhere that I am. I’m officially done with you and your entire family.”
Regina could do nothing but stand there in shock as Gavin turned his back and walked away. She could see him trying to hold it in, but the anger radiated from his body. It was almost visible.
“I didn’t mean…” Lou Ellen sighed deeply. “I’m scared for my mother. Riley is all she has left of Tina.”
Shaking her head, Regina turned to look at the woman. “And this was your way to make Gavin come to heel? Humiliate him and denigrate his commitment and love of his son by throwing it in his face that he’s raising another man’s child?” Shaking her head, she looked at the other woman in disgust.
“You don’t understand what it’s been like. Ever since he found out what Tina did, he turned on us. We were his family, too.”
Glancing in the direction Gavin had walked, she knew what she had to do. Eyeing the woman again, she shook her head, “You were his family. Gavin doesn’t need that kind of family in his life. Whether he changes his mind about allowing your mother to see Riley, is his call. Not yours. Now it’s time for you to go. I doubt Gavin would want Riley to see you and I really don’t feel like being the referee again. After what I’ve seen, I might just slap you myself.”
*****
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Gavin said quietly as they sat on his couch.
Instead of going home, she’d followed the two of them to his house. Luckily, Riley had been oblivious to the entire incident and hadn’t known anything was going on. The innocence of children won again.
“Don’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault.” Sipping her drink, she leaned back and took in the man in front of her. She’d seen a change come over him after the woman had said what she did. His entire demeanor had deflated. They’d left the park shortly afterward. Good thing they’d had enough time at the park to make the excuse that they’d been there long enough. Riley hadn’t fussed too much and had fallen asleep in the car as they drove back.
“I feel responsible.” He sighed deeply and leaned his head back against the couch. After a few moments, he spoke again. “Are you going to ask?”
She knew exactly what he was referring to. “Should I?”
Tilting his head to look at her, he smiled softly. Lifting his hand to her face, he cradled her jaw as she rested her soft skin along his calloused palm. “You know most of the whole sordid tale from what Lou Ellen said. But, if I want this to work between the two of us, then I need to tell you the truth.” Gavin took a deep breath and began from the beginning.
Regina sat there, listening to him tell his story. At times, she was happy, angry, sad, but beneath everything, she saw the kind of man Gavin was through it all. What kind of woman allowed someone to think he was the father of another man’s child? They’d been e
ngaged to be married and she’d betrayed him every day by not telling him the truth. No wonder he was so angry at her and her family. If it were up to her, Tina’s family would never see that beautiful boy sleeping in the next room again. The hateful words they’d said were unforgiveable. Tears welled in her eyes as her heart broke for the little boy and his father.
“Why are you crying, baby?”
Wiping her tears, she felt embarrassed that she’d shown this much emotion. “I don’t know. I didn’t mean to. I just…feel bad for what you went through. No one deserves that. And for them to show up here, demanding to see Riley. How unfair that is to you. To Riley.”
“I wouldn’t have hurt her, you know,” he whispered, shifting positions as he continued wiping her face.
Confused, she looked at him with a furrowed brow. “What?”
“Earlier today, with Lou Ellen. You stood between us. I would never have done anything. I was angry, yes, but that’s it. I’d never hurt a woman, no matter how angry she made me. I just wanted you to know that.” He looked into her eyes, as if imploring her to believe him.
Thinking back on earlier today, she could admit that she believed him. She’d seen how angry he was, but she’d also seen him hold himself back and walk away so that he could calm down. “I know. I guess I was trying to calm the situation. It had gotten pretty intense.” She managed a watery smile.
Laughing low under his breath, he agreed. “Yes, that’s one word for it.”
“I’m sorry, Gavin,” she whispered.
His gaze caught hers and he nodded. “Are you regretting being with me?”
The truth couldn’t be denied. “Not at all. But I had no idea that being with you would be so interesting. What happened to the simple guy who was a single father raising his son?” she teased.
“He’s still there. Just a little extra excitement to go along with it. Like having vanilla fudge ice cream and suddenly, someone gives you caramel drizzle and a cherry on top.” Lifting one of her hands in his, he turned it over and kissed the palm. “I want more with you. I want to learn more about your antics as a child and the reasons you got into so many fights. I want you to tell me about your senior prom and why you went stag with one of your girlfriends instead of the guy you had a crush on.”
Laughing, she rolled her eyes. “I told you, I was unique and awesome and I didn’t need a guy to complete me. Hey…I got to wear a tuxedo with tails. How many women get to say that?”
“Baby, you know my deepest, darkest secret and you’re still here.”
“Because it’s not something to be ashamed of, Gavin. You’re an amazing man and an amazing father. That Riley is your son just makes you that much more wonderful to me. I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m right here.
Leaning in, Gavin captured her lips with his, kissing her softly as they came together. This kiss was different and she reveled in the feel of his mouth on hers. Their previous encounters had been full of lust and passion and intense need. Tonight was softer, but no less needy. It was more sensual and while her desire for him ratcheted up and the butterflies took flight in her stomach, she was willing to wait for him to lead her where they needed to go.
They pressed into each other, their bodies straining to get closer. Her hands were all over him, grabbing and pulling him closer. Her nipples hardened and her channel slickened with desire for the man holding her in his arms.
“Will you stay tonight? Spring break starts tomorrow.”
Running her hands down his lean cheeks, she knew what she wanted to say, “How would it look for me to wake up here tomorrow with you and Riley. I don’t even have clothes with me.”
“You don’t need any clothes. All you need is me.”
Laughing at his silly talk, she protested. “Gavin…”
“Please, say yes. You can even leave before Riley wakes up if that makes you feel more comfortable. I really want you to stay with me. Let me wake up with you in my arms.”
“Is it selfish of me that I want to say yes?” she asked, with some hesitation in her voice. He was breaking her down and he knew it. What would Riley think? She was his teacher.
He smiled as he stood up from the couch, holding on to both of her hands. “Sweetheart. Let me worry about Riley. If I know my son, he’ll be happy I have a girlfriend. Remind me to tell you what his friend Misty’s mother said about sharing their goodies with me.”
“What?”
“Tomorrow. Trust me, you’ll get a kick out of it.” Pulling her up to a standing position, he pulled her body close to his. “I want you with me, Regina. This thing between us, it’s the real deal. I don’t want to hide you or what we have, especially from my son.”
“Okay,” she acquiesced. She’d promised herself she would do more things for herself. Being with Gavin had been the start of her journey and he was going to be the end. They walked to his bedroom and closed the door behind them.
“I’ve never had you here in my bedroom. In my bed. I think I’m going to enjoy this,” he whispered to her.
Pulling away from him, she began to undo the straps of her summer dress, pulling it off her shoulders. Baring her skin to his gaze, she saw a small smile come over his face. If eyes were truly the window to the soul, Gavin’s were telling her all she needed to know. She’d made the right decision staying with him tonight. To hell with what the old school biddies thought. As long as this felt right to her and Gavin, that’s the only thing that mattered.
Shedding all her clothes, she stood in front of him fully naked. The room was dark, but slivers of light came through the window beside her. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t nervous or shy about her body. She knew that when Gavin looked at her—he saw a sexy woman. That was all that mattered.
“C’mere, sweetheart,” he called out to her, one hand stretched out toward her in the darkened room.
Stepping over to his space, she stood on her toes and kissed his chin. “I never thought we’d had a chance. I’m so glad you asked me out.”
“I doubted you’d give me the time of day. You seemed out of my league,” he admitted to her as he began leading them over to his king-sized bed.
“Me? I thought you’d never give me a second look.” Lying down on the bed, she snuggled down into his soft pillows. She watched Gavin as he undressed, his chiseled body coming into view as each piece of clothing was removed.
“If I have my way, you’ll be the only woman I ever look at again. Now, get ready for me baby, Daddy’s home.”
EPILOGUE
“Riley, get down from there,” Regina called out to the rambunctious little boy as he climbed on the book rack in her classroom.
“Yes, Mom. Are you ready to go yet? Dad said we’d be getting the baby’s room together this weekend and I’m ready to get started.”
“Just let me get my bag. How was class today?” she asked her ten-year-old son.
Mumbling as he helped pick up some of the toys around the room, he replied, “It was fine.”
“Riley Carpenter, you know I can ask Mr. Rankel how you’re doing in class, right?”
Hanging his head down, he nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Setting her bag down on the table, she folded her frame into her desk chair. It was getting more and more difficult to do this, as her belly swelled with her first birthchild. Riley was her first heart child and she would make sure he always knew that. She and Gavin had been married for more than a year now and when she’d first found out about the baby, she’d been excited and scared at the same time. Excited to bring another child into the world for Gavin, but scared that Riley would be somehow hurt that he would no longer be the only child.
She and Gavin had made a commitment to each other, and to Riley, that nothing would change for him. Well, other than that he would have a little miniature version running around after him. He didn’t know yet that she was having a girl, which would probably ruin his entire summer. That was the big reveal with the baby’s room this weekend. She was leaving that all to G
avin for him to handle.
Looking at the child of her heart, she folded her arms over her big belly. Looking up, she saw her husband arrive outside the door, but shook her head at him. She didn’t want him to come inside and have Riley clam up.
“So, what’s going on in class, Riley?”
“I’m not ready to move to the sixth grade,” he blurted out. “That means I won’t be with you anymore and I like being here with you. Mr. Rankel said I needed to get ready to grow up and go to middle school, and I told him he could go take a flying leap.”
Regina almost burst out laughing. She couldn’t believe her son had said something so mean. Mr. Rankel was a very good teacher and he didn’t deserve her son’s ire. When they returned next week, she’d make sure Riley apologized. Looking over at Riley, she shook her head. Stubborn, just like his father.
“Riley, sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.” She had an inkling she knew where this was coming from. His mother had passed away when he’d been born and his grandmother had succumbed to her illness a year ago. Luckily, Gavin had relaxed his stance on ever allowing Bertha Ann to see Riley. Toward the end, he’d allowed his son to visit her several times, giving the old woman the chance to pass in peace.
“I’ll still be at home every day when you get from school. Even though you’ll be at middle school, that’s not too far away from here. I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.
“But…but when my mom had me…” His little face fell and tears welled in his eyes.
Regina moved as fast as her oversized body could handle. Grabbing Riley in her arms, she hugged him close, pouring all the love she could into her hug. She loved this little boy and now that she’d been blessed enough to have the honor of being his mother, she wasn’t going to waste it. “I will fight the angels in heaven if they ever try to take me away from you. I aim to be here until you’re old and gray and have ten thousand grandchildren.”
At his whispered, “Ewwww,” she knew the dreadful moment had passed.
