By Chance, No Choice (Stetson Series Book 1)

by Xyla Turner

  At that moment, Jeff and the lady at the front burst through the doors behind us.

  “Sir, we tried to stop them.” Jeff must have read the tension in the room and offered, “He’s Tess’s man.”

  Michael, who was once alarmed, showed no signs of being distressed. His shoulders relaxed and he said, “Oh good. You’re here for Tess. She’s been a trooper, but she’s killing herself and I think she’s getting sick. Yet, she won’t go home. I tried, but she won’t even listen to her boss.”

  “Where is she?” I asked.

  “Over there.” He pointed to the sofa across from him.

  I walked around and saw her lying down on the sofa, looking disheveled with puffy eyes and her breathing was labored. Bending down, I scooped her limp body up in my arms. They briefly opened and she murmured something.

  “I need her belongings, address and where her car is parked.” I started giving out orders.

  “Yes, I’ll get on that now.” Jeff nodded.

  “Where are you from?” Michael asked as he eyed Knox and me from head to toe.

  “Iowa,” I answered.

  He nodded. “Well, glad you’re here. She wouldn’t go to the doctor but she doesn’t sound well.”

  “I’ve got her.” I moved towards the door as Jeff was coming back with her purse, raincoat, and another bag.

  As we are leaving, we saw the lady at the front desk leading Nina towards us.

  "Them," she pointed towards us.

  "Oh. Hey, JD." Her eyes landed on my brother and she smiled first, then nodded at him. "Knox."

  "Nina," he replied.

  "You know them?" The woman asked, but Nina saw that I was carrying Tess.

  "Is she alright?" Her voice was elevated.

  "She might be sick. I'm taking her home." I looked at her.

  "I'll go with you. Her doorman knows me." She said and turned to get her belongings.

  When we arrived, Tess still hadn't woken up and her body temperature was hot. I laid her down, put cool rags on her and made some soup just in case she woke. I woke her up a few times, so she could take her medicine and she still wasn't really all the way there. She called my name, gave me a half smile, but my lady was definitely sick.

  "If she's not feeling better by tomorrow, I'm taking her to the hospital," I told Knox and Nina.

  We had all gathered around in the living room to eat pizza. It was around three in the afternoon and after a few awkward hours, Nina and Knox relaxed around each other.

  Knox had nodded off next to Nina on the couch and his hand was on her thigh. She didn't seem to mind it because she was bold or crazy enough to say something or break the hand if she didn't want it there.

  "Yeah, so there are some things you need to know about Tess." She started after the Steve Harvey show went off.

  "Yeah?" I asked. "She going to mind you telling me?"

  "Probably, but the fact that you're here, says you're willing and ready to take her on."

  I chuckled.

  "Love her,” I stated simply.

  “I know.” She smiled at me. “Believe me, I know.”

  Around six, Tess emerged from her bedroom. She lived in a nice, but small luxury apartment, which had a killer view of the city skyline and a direct train to work. Nina said that was why Tess bought the condo because of the traveling proximity to work. Her apartment had the standard stainless steel appliances but instead of the higher quality furniture, she had older relics that seemed to be momentum a than useful to the decorum. They were comfy and welcoming, not allowing the place to be sterile.

  "JD?" Tess called.

  "Hey, sweetheart." I turned around to see her.

  Her complexion looked back to normal although the bags under her eyes were still there.

  "What are you doing here?" She asked as confusion started to seep away and anger replaced the emotion.

  I stood up to meet her, then said, "we needed to talk, so I am here."

  "But I didn't invite you here?"

  Yup, confusion was gone.

  "Well, Knox and I are going to head on out. But let me know if you need anything, Tess."

  Nina interjected in what was about to be a heated discussion. I flew here for the fight, so I wasn't worried. Tess should have been.

  Nina tapped Knox's thigh a couple of times and he jerked awake to see the situation.

  "We're leaving," Nina told him.

  "Where are we going? Your place?" He asked.

  "Hell no." She retorted.

  He stood up and shook his head, "I don't know why you are so afraid of the Knox. A little country won't hurt you."

  Her head whirled around to look at him. Then she laughed out loud, "It's me that's afraid? Huh? Last we talked it was you that pulled away."

  Knox coughed and Nina laughed again. "Oh, cat got your tongue?" She teased as they opened the door.

  Knox brought his hand back and slapped her ass. "Don't inquire about my tongue unless you ready to sample it."

  For the second time that evening, I would have sworn badass, mouthy Nina would have slapped the hell out of him, but she didn't. If I wasn't mistaken, she tossed her hair over her shoulder with fuck me eyes and tried to roll them as a cover up.

  The door closed as Tess and I watched the entire scene play out.

  "Are they an item?" I asked.

  "She likes him more than she's letting on," Tess admitted.

  "Yeah, my brother doesn't volunteer to travel with me ever. So, I'm sure the feeling is mutual."

  "JD, what are you doing here?" She got right back on target.

  "Have a seat, you're not feeling well." I didn't answer.

  "I'm fine," she coughed.

  My hand reached out to touch her forehead and it was warm.

  "Have a seat," I repeated with no room for argument.

  She looked at me and thought better about it because she sat down and I followed.

  "The last time we talked you mentioned some things that I didn't like. I'm here because we need to discuss those things."

  "You hung up on me." Her eyes were no longer searching but glacier.

  "I was done talking," I defended. "Anything else that would have been said would have been out of anger and I don't want to deal with you like that Tess."

  "That's mighty noble of you, JD," her voiced dripped with sarcasm.

  "Mama..."

  She raised her hand and cut me off.

  "Don't!" She glared. "I am in the middle of a project at work and as I explained over the phone. I need to focus."

  "Funny," I started, "that you say that. You're sick as a fucking doff. You look like you've lost more than a few pounds. Your boss was happy that I carried your ass out of the office. You've submerged yourself in work and I don't know but I have a sneaky feeling it's because you’re scared, sweetheart. One visit and you're running. Hiding behind work and running."

  "What?!?" She exclaimed. "There is a crisis at work."

  "I'm well aware of the crisis at work. Everybody in the business knows about your crisis at work, however, whatever plan you and Michael can cook up should not involve you going into deep cover, catch your death of pneumonia or cutting me off.”

  Tess folded her arms over her chest and said, “That’s a bit pretentious, don’t you think? A little selfish, if you ask me to think this is about you. Since everybody knows what happened, then you know that is what this is really about.”

  “BULLSHIT!” I exclaimed. “You got scared, Tess. Admit that shit like the woman you are and tell me to my fucking face. You got scared.”

  Tess stared at me for a few seconds and then said, “Fine. JD. Meeting your family and folks were a bit much. I enjoyed myself, but upon further review, I’m not ready for that.”

  I was no doctor, but my heart rate increased when she said that.

  “Upon further review, huh?” I nodded. “So, let me get this right? I asked you to come down to see me since we are in a long distance relationship. You do! You have fun! My pops loves you, w
ell everybody except Rebecca, but fuck her. You get back here and instead of talking to me about your feelings and thoughts, you make an independent decision, don’t include me in it and then tell me to deal?”

  She continued to stare at me but I could tell she was thinking.

  “Well, I see you’re contemplating this, so let me go on record to say what I just said. It’s bullshit and you’re crazier than a June bug if you think I’ll just go away.”

  Fire was in her eyes as she jumped up and snapped, “If I say I can’t do this right now, then that’s it.”

  I jumped up right behind her, sending my chair sailing across the floor, “So, if I say your own boss just told me that he’s been trying to get you out of the office because you’re running yourself ragged and he’s happy I’m here to bring you balance. What would you say to that?” Her neck jerked back at my comments. “If I say that the thought of losing you put me on a plane to fight for you. Now you tell me, Tess. You stand there and tell me that you can’t do this right now. You don’t want to do this. That I mean nothing to you. You fucking tell me that. To my face.”

  My arms crossed over my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was to defend myself against her words or to dare her to lie to me. It was not clear, but contrary to my posture, I was anxious.

  She pointed her neatly manicured finger at me and said, “Don’t. Don’t do that.” Her head kept shaking as she continued to mumble. “Don’t.”

  Closing the space between us, I invaded her space as she started to back up. “Tell me.”

  “Don’t.” Her eyes were trained on the floor.

  Once her back hit the wall, I lifted her chin and coaxed, “Tell me.”

  There were tears in her eyes but they hadn’t spilled over yet. “What are you so afraid of?” I asked her.

  “YOU!” She screamed, then attempted to push me back, but my hands landed on the wall, caging her in. “I’m scared of you invading my space, my mind and taking over. I’m scared you’re going to leave me waiting around for you and I’ll be so attached, it’ll be too late. You’re going to disappoint me. You’re going to set up the stage like you’ll be there and you won’t. Don’t you see?”

  She was hysterical.

  “You’re going to leave and then what. I’m left picking up the fucking pieces. Again. I’m not going through that. If I disowned my own father, I have no problems leaving you.” Her tears spilled over. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want this! I didn’t want to meet your family. Your fucking family!” She yelled.

  “Mama.” I tried to calm her down, but she had already started to spiral.

  “I give zero fucks about what you say. You’re going to do what they all do. You want me to admit something. Won’t you admit it? Let’s not play this fucking game. You admit you’re not cut out for this. You don’t want to commit? You’re going to bury yourself in work and forget about me again and again. You admit it.” She was poking her finger in my chest.

  “Mama,” I repeated. “I’ve done none of those things but you have, though.”

  Tess’s red eyes focused on me and I noticed her breathing was labored. She looked ready to pass out exhausting all of her energy in one heated conversation.

  “Let’s sit, sweetheart.”

  “No,” Tess breathed.

  “Okay.” I propped my knee on the side of her just in case she went down. “You want my admissions? Fine. I’m in love, mama. This quiet yet crazy woman caught my eye and by chance, she captured my heart. Then I had no choice. So, we can sit here and yell at each other until we’re passed out and blue in the face but I don’t think either of us have much of a choice.” I moved her hair out of face to the back of her ear. “I will move all heaven and earth for you if I could. My business doesn’t come before you. Look, I’m here. I call you faithfully every day. If I can’t or won’t make it, you’re the first person that knows. You are my priority. So forgive me, when you say I need to prioritize and pick work instead of me; that I get on a plane to come see about what I consider mine.”

  Her eyes lowered and I let them as she seemed to be out of energy.

  “Sweetheart, come on. We can finish this conversation when you’re more with it. You need to get better.”

  “I’m fine.” She kept her eyes low.

  “No, you’re not and if you won’t take care of yourself, then I will.”

  Dipping down, I scooped her up and surprisingly she wrapped her arms around me and planted her head on my shoulder.

  “Hungry?” I asked as I headed towards her bedroom.

  “Yeah,” she answered.

  After tucking Tess under the covers, I nuked the soup and fed it to her. When she finished, I laid down next to her, pulling her body into mine. As sleep took over, Tess began to mumble.

  “What?” I murmured in her neck.

  Her head lifted and she asked, “You’re in love with me?”

  “Yes.” I kissed her neck and rubbed her arm. “Gone for you, mama.”

  Tess didn’t say anything else, but her finger interlaced over mine as they rested on her stomach.

  Chapter 14

  Tess

  It was definitely morning, as the sun rays shined bright through the open window. The view was the real reason I bought my condominium. It was close to work, but the view was phenomenal. The other thing that was more exciting at that moment was the hard rod that was resting on my ass. I had to go to the restroom but I did not want to get up. In part due to the fatigue that took over my body the past few days, but also because JD had me in his arms and I felt that all would be fine. For the first time since the last time I saw him, I felt settled.

  He was here and he came to me. He was on time, he had made me a priority, but I was the one who was repeating my father’s behavior. I was the one that chose my job over him.

  What a fool, I had been.

  Rolling over, I grabbed my phone and went to the bathroom. My fingers scrolled over the touch-screen quickly as I texted Nina and then my mom.

  Me: Nin, what happened yesterday?

  Nina: JD barged in and took you. Michael was happy because you were sick and wouldn’t listen to him.

  Me: Why was Knox with him?

  Nina: To make sure there was a witness. You were trying to break up with him and he booked a ticket to come change your mind.

  Me: OMG…I’ve become my father.

  Nina: NO! No! Tess. You got scared. That’s all. You’re not your father.

  Me: It’s not fair. He deserves better.

  Nina: Well, you are better. Girl, he loves you. You love him. He’s here, Tess. He’s not your father and neither are you.

  Me: Thanks. OH – where’s Knox?

  Nina: He crashed here.

  Me: Ohhhhhh

  Nina: No. Nothing like that.

  Me: He slapped you on the ass and you didn’t snatch his balls off

  Nina: That’s the cowboy way, lol

  Me: Yeah, okay.

  Nina: Got to go. He’s cooking breakfast as gratitude for letting him crash. Hmm.

  Me: Hmm. Enjoy!

  There was a knock on the door, then it was opened. JD walked in the bathroom in a t-shirt and boxers. I was leaning on the sink with my phone in hand as he walked to me, kissed me on the lips, and proceeded to the toilet.

  The man just took a piss right in front of me, then he moved me so I was tucked next to him so he could wash his hands.

  “How you feeling?” He inspected me.

  “Fine,” I managed to say, despite my shock.

  “You hungry?”

  I nodded my head as he leaned down and chastely kissed my neck. My arms automatically wrapped around him, causing JD to pull my body into his.

  “I’ll fix us some breakfast.” He leaned up and looked at me. “You look better, but you need to keep resting, eating and drinking liquids.”

  My faces almost cracked a smile at the concern on his face. He was not something I was used to and frankly that was frightening.

  “You scar
e me, JD. I feel like you are a dream and it’s going to end at any moment. Almost like I don’t deserve it, so I don’t want to get attached.” I exhaled. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to get heavy so early in the morning.”

  “This is us, mama.” He cupped my face. “It’s not a dream and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’m starting to understand that.” I smiled at him.

  “Good,” he laughed. “It’s about damn time.”

  JD stayed with me all week until I was back to my normal self and apparently Knox stayed with Nina all week as well. She tried to tell me it was because he was an excellent cook. I kept joking with her and tried to act as though she said, he had an excellent cock. There was no reason for her to be secretive about her love life since she had told me about all the other guys. She was being weird, so the next girls’ night, I decided to bring it up.

  JD wouldn’t touch me the entire time until I was, at least, ninety percent better. His words, not mine. One morning, his friend was lying on my ass again, so I tried to take matters into my own hands. JD was having none of that, but let me watch him jack off.

  That was hot!

  On Friday, JD and Knox were supposed to go back to Iowa. Knox owned a construction company that landed a huge deal and work started on Saturday. However, when JD was getting ready to leave, I definitely was at ninety percent.

  “I feel almost at one-hundred percent.” My arms were around JD’s neck as he brushed his teeth.

  Our sharing bathroom space while the other was performing private functions had grown on me by mid-week.

  “So…” I let the pause linger but he didn’t take the bait. “So, that means we can…you know.”

  “Sweetheart, I need to be at the airport in thirty minutes,” He said after he spit out the toothpaste.

  “I know, but real quick.” I moved my hand down his stomach and over his raging dick.

  JD’s body moved into me with a groaned, “Mama.”

  “Real quick.” I pleaded.

  JD’s hazel eyes hit mine and then he picked up his phone and hit a number.

  “Knox.” He put the phone to his ear. “Yeah, go without me. I’ll catch a flight on Sunday…Yeah…Naw man, thanks. We’re good. Okay.”