Unexpected Ride

by Rebecca Avery

  Before he could fully appreciate all the passion in her tirade at him, she raised her tiny hand and slapped him a good one. The strike didn’t hurt but it effectively knocked out the remaining control he held where she was concerned. Grabbing her by her upper arms, he did just what Dickie had suggested he not do.

  He kissed Carla… not the hesitant hopeful kisses from before but a declaration of his feelings for her… an insistent kiss that spoke of his hunger and intentions toward her. His mouth forced hers to submit to him and open for his invasion.

  The only thing that brought him back to his senses was the feeling of being watched. That and Carla clutching his head between her small hands holding him to her while his mouth made its way down the delicious skin of her neck toward her shoulder and the sound of her whispering, “How dare you, Detective… how dare you do this to me?”

  Chapter Nine

  Releasing her arms he pulled back from her and she felt the loss just as she’d felt it when Doug had left… died. This time was by choice… unlike Doug… Greg Sanders had chosen to do this to her.

  Greg’s gaze captured hers and he sighed before saying, “I only just signed my retirement paperwork this afternoon. Up until that point my job required me to report any and all crimes happening in this state. In Florida, I’m a guest… a visitor… with no obligation to get involved but here… I am obligated. I didn’t interfere to hurt you, Meredith or Chuck! I did it because I’m a cop and because I care about you… all of you… you and your kids.”

  “You’re mouth looks so good and kisses incredibly well but it is by far the best at lying,” she said hatefully, forcing her gaze up to meet his hazel eyes.

  Instead of arguing with her, Greg removed her hands from his shoulders and backed away from her. She could see signs of anger and hurt, much like she was feeling, reflected in his eyes. He had only himself to thank… she had nearly begged him to look the other way about this… but no.

  Now he wanted to be upset because it had worked out the way she somehow knew it would when she’d asked him to back off this case… not look into it too deeply. He turned away from her and walked over to the gorgeous young woman he’d come with tonight, who stood looking at the group like quite a few of the other guests. He could take the woman home… it didn’t really matter now… did it?

  He said a few words to the woman and then they just walked out of the gallery. A sensation deep in her heart told her that it might very well be the last image of him she would ever see. It couldn’t be helped… she had to look out for the kids first. There would be time enough for her to live again when they were grown and out of the house. Then she could find someone… hungry kisses that set her body on fire were not a necessity.

  Carla watched Chuck say something to Dickie who placed an arm around Meredith’s shoulders and led her across the gallery and down a hallway leading to Cameron’s office. Becca remained behind and quickly took Meredith’s place right next to Chuck who finally looked to be back in control of himself. A few guests who had stood around with their mouths open staring at the group and all the commotion continued to stare at Chuck.

  “What?” Chuck finally asked a couple of them defensively.

  That seemed to be the motivation the guests needed to move away and continue touring the gallery. What could she say to Chuck? As though he didn’t have enough issues of his own, her past had shown up tonight to ruin the evening for not only him but the whole group! How did a person apologize for that kind of drama?

  She was nearly directly in front of him before he actually noticed her there. The tears were right there begging to be released but she didn’t deserve to give her emotions free reign… she needed to do what she could to make this up to Chuck… somehow.

  Chuck had become like another one of her kids over the course of a few short months and she hated disappointing him as much as she hated disappointing Meredith or the boys. Unable to voice her feelings, she instead held her arms out to him.

  He stepped forward and hugged her tightly, nearly lifting her off her feet and said, “I’d have fucked him up real bad for you back then, Hot Stuff… so he best be glad he only had to deal with Nathan and Doug.”

  “I’m so sorry for all this, Chuck… this was supposed to be your day and I’ve ruined it,” she choked out.

  “No, babe… you didn’t ruin anything, but let me give you a tip. Sometimes when there are just too many skeletons to store in your own closet, kicking them back in and trying to hold the door shut doesn’t work. You have to take a few out and pass them off to one of your buddies to hold for a few days,” he said, finally releasing her. “Some hot ass chick I’m fixing to marry is hanging on to a bunch of mine so I got room to store a few of yours if you need it.”

  Carla patted Chuck’s cheek as the first tear made its way down her face. Turning away from him, she was approached by Dana who put a thin arm around her shoulders and led her across the gallery to the office that Meredith had disappeared into. Carla could hear the clicking of Lilly’s heels on the tiled floor right behind them as if she was coming along for moral support.

  It was time to face her demons… clean out her closet a little bit. However, Carla would never forgive Greg Sanders for forcing her to do so tonight of all nights.

  Just as she stepped through the doorway of Cameron’s office and Dana released her, Chuck’s words hit her like the slap she had delivered to Greg earlier. Thoughts of Greg’s lips moving against hers threatened to take over and she had to force them away. Never doing that again.

  What she needed to focus on was the fact that somehow Chuck knew about her father and Doug having dealt with Jarrod before. How in the hell did he know about that?

  The realization then hit that if Chuck knew then it was quite possible that Meredith did as well. Carla brought her gaze up to look at her beautiful daughter’s face. It was there in Meredith’s eyes that glistened with unshed tears… in the strength showing in her slender shoulders which she’d squared in preparation for this conversation… in the way that Dickie had his hand on Meredith’s upper back to show his support. Who had told them? Greg Sanders! That bastard!

  “What did he say to you?” Carla asked in an effort to buy herself some time.

  “Nothing I didn’t already know. He just confirmed it and that explains why you and Daddy never told me about him,” Meredith said as a couple of tears spilled down her cheeks.

  “What do you mean you already knew?” Carla asked in shock.

  “Come on, Mom! You and Daddy weren’t even dating, let alone married, when I was born and there are no pictures of him holding me as a baby… only you, Grandma and Grandpa. I figured it out in about ninth grade but I just thought you guys would tell me eventually,” Meredith explained. “Then when college hit and I saw how proud Daddy was of me for going to the same school he did… I just stopped caring about who, what or why… especially after the accident. Doug Johnson was my daddy… is my daddy… he always will be.”

  “I wasn’t as smart in my youth as you are. I let a smooth talking man… boy… talk his way into my heart, then into my bed and effectively change the course of my whole life,” Carla managed to blurt out. “The only thing he ever did for me was to get me arrested and teach me a valuable lesson about judging people on appearances. And he gave me you… so I couldn’t hate him. Even now… all these years later but he’s no good, Meredith. I should have told you… admitted how badly I screwed up back then and maybe none of this would have happened with Chuck and the website. I’m so sorry, honey.”

  “Chuck said that day at the mall that there was a story there between you and Jarrod but I didn’t know what he meant and even when Greg figured out it was Jarrod that made the website… I didn’t put two and two together. It’s time to stop covering for his sorry ass, Mom. He isn’t anybody to me so I hope they stuff him in a small cell at the back of the jail,” Meredith smiled. “You’ve always been the pillar of our family and I love you for it but I’m a grown up now… I can take i
t.”

  “I’m sorry… I should have told you years ago but when I wanted to say something your daddy didn’t want to and then when… he died… I just couldn’t. Is there anything you want to know about Jarrod?” she asked.

  “Not about him so much… I don’t know him and based on the website and what I just saw out there… I don’t really want to know him… but I am curious about one thing?” Meredith replied. “How are you even still alive if you got arrested? I mean I would have thought Grandpa would have grounded you for the rest of your life.”

  At hearing Meredith’s laughter and the look on her face, a relief flowed through Carla as though she’d been holding her breath for the past twenty five years. It was strange how the once cute little girl who had been so instrumental in bringing her and Doug together had suddenly grown into a woman who resembled him the most out of any of their kids. Meredith’s heart was good and her will strong. With Doug’s help they had raised a woman the world couldn’t help but stand up and take notice of.

  “Yea, I’d have thought ole’ Judge Patterson would have given you at least a thousand hours of community service… maybe even two thousand,” Chuck said as he walked into the office.

  Turning back to look at the young man whose art spoke of a wounded soul capable of healing other souls like his own, Carla could only smile at his antics. Always one to lighten the mood since emotions were so hard for him if not expressed on a canvas. Chuck was such a key part of their family it was as if Doug had hand picked him to look after Meredith after the accident.

  In life Doug probably wouldn’t have approved of Chuck but he had only ever wanted Meredith’s happiness and Chuck provided that for her. She felt Doug’s approval… as though he still had an influence on all their lives… but rather than the usual pain she felt when thinking of him, the idea just left a strange but beautiful sadness in the spot where only unbearable grief used to reside.

  “I really thought Daddy would string me up that night when he came to bail me out of jail. He simply said I could either learn from it or I would be destined to repeat it. Needless to say I learned from it… at least for the most part. So I guess you finally understand why he never just blew you off as a lost cause, huh, Chuck? He recognized in you a want… a need to change your life’s path. Just like that scared twenty year old girl I was all those years ago,” Carla replied.

  “Grandpa really paid Jarrod to leave?” Meredith asked incredulously.

  “Yea… it was wrong but… yes he did,” Carla replied honestly.

  “Good… because anyone who would take money in exchange for their child is the one who is wrong,” Meredith said and then hugged her. Carla knew she’d been forgiven.

  She watched Lilly and Dana share a look between them and then look back at her. Carla was grateful for their support, both of herself and Meredith.

  “So are all you ladies ready to head back out there? I guess I get two hot chicks for the evening since Sanders hit the road with Barbie,” Chuck said, eyeing Carla thoughtfully.

  Carla had been dreadfully hard on Greg for absolutely nothing… for doing what he thought was right. Why was it she could be so forgiving to almost anyone… except for him? A feeling of guilt over what she’d said to him settled in her stomach but what could be done about it now? He’d left with Barbie, all grace and curves made for a fashion show runway, after having received a scolding from Carla… middle aged mother of three.

  “I know my brother pretty well and as tough as he may seem most of the time… chances are good he’s at his apartment licking his wounds,” Becca supplied from the office doorway.

  Did she have the guts to go to Greg and apologize for being so overprotective of her kids that she’d unfairly lashed out at him? Would he forgive her for being downright vicious toward him? All she could do was try to make things right with him again.

  Greg had become a true friend to her… sure she’d helped nurse him back to health… but he’d been her staunchest supporter for going back to school and finally getting a degree. In the back of her mind Carla pictured showing up at his apartment door only to have the young blonde who had to be closer to Meredith’s age answer his door instead of him. How could a middle aged mother of three even hope to compete with that?

  “Go get him, Tiger!” Chuck laughed. “Give him another one of those porn star kisses and he’ll kick Barbie to the curb.”

  “Enough, Chuck, please. I came here to support you, not to...” she said, and then realizing they were all staring at her, instead just headed back out to the gallery.

  Halfway across the tiled floor of the main showroom she again noticed the beautiful painting of Meredith. Each color and shadow spoke of the painter’s love of the model. A return of affection was there in the flush showing in the small sliver of Meredith’s cheek that could be seen and the shy bow of her head.

  Carla felt that way when Greg Sanders looked at her and his kisses told her he felt the same way in return. The painting was about reaching out for love… admitting it and waiting on a response.

  She stopped dead in her tracks and glanced back at Chuck with a real understanding of just how incredible his paintings really were… they spoke to the soul. The beautiful canvas whispered words of encouragement and hope. The smile and wink Chuck gave her assured her that no matter the value of his paintings or how famous he became… he would always just be Chuck Reynolds… biker and friend.

  Just like Greg Sanders would always be a cop… retirement wouldn’t change that. She needed to let Greg know that she understood that concept now. Asking him not to get involved had been like asking him not to be who he was.

  Becca touched her arm and handed her a business card with Greg’s cell phone number and address on the back.

  “Do you have money for a cab?” Becca asked her.

  “No… I, uh,” she hadn’t thought to really worry about money since she assumed they would be at the gallery all evening.

  “Please… allow me,” Cameron insisted and guided Carla out the door as Daniel guided Meredith and Chuck over to meet an expensive looking couple.

  The ride to Greg’s apartment building had every nerve in her body on alert. She wasn’t young like Barbie so she wouldn’t pretend not to know where this night would end if he in fact had gone home alone. He’d begged her to touch him and this time she was ready… why should she deny herself any longer.

  Doug was gone now and had never asked her to remain alone and celibate should he die first. Not to mention, two of her four kids approved of Greg. Realistically all the kids liked him. Aside from that… she wanted him… with every fiber of her being she wanted his touch.

  The cab driver offered to wait for her so getting out of the vehicle she approached the callbox on the wall near the front entrance and hit the button for his apartment number and waited. After a minute or two had passed, she pressed the button again and after several more minutes she tried one last time. When she still received no response she got back into the cab.

  She couldn’t go back to the gallery… she could but she wouldn’t… didn’t want to. He was with Barbie and her heart both hurt and was angry all at the same time because she hadn’t grabbed the opportunity when she had his full attention.

  She gave the driver the name of the hotel and sat back in stunned silence fighting off disappointed tears as they made their way slowly through New York traffic. Greg had finally lost patience waiting for her. It hurt… like hell. Aside from his stunning good looks, he had stood up for her chance at school and unlike Doug who always encouraged her to play it safe… Greg had encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone… dared her to go for it. It had been unexpected but had felt… wonderful.

  That excitement in her stomach had felt like jumping off the high dive for the first time and Greg had caught her before she splashed down… had an answer for every excuse she could come up with.

  After exiting the elevator Carla started down the hallway towards her room at the hotel until, unable to stand th
e sickness in the pit of her stomach over having lost her chance with him, she decided to detour down another hallway just to see if he was by any chance in his room. At the very least she owed him an apology… then she would go and leave him and Barbie alone. She was setting herself up for serious disappointment, she knew that, but couldn’t stop her feet as they carried her to his door.

  She knocked on the door before her nerves could talk her out of it and waited breathlessly. The door opened a few seconds later and standing in the doorway was well over six feet of gorgeous. His amazing eyes scanned her from head to toe before backing up and holding the door open for her to enter. As she passed by him she noticed the bottle of liquor in his hand and an empty hotel room. The two of them were alone.

  “I’m in the safety of my hotel and don’t plan to leave so there was no need to come and check on me, Carla,” he said. “I’m a grown man…”

  “I know that… I just,” she tried.

  Unwilling or, perhaps with help from the liquor, unable to help ease her discomfort, he instead stood there. Greg stared at her for the longest two minutes of her life. He was waiting for an explanation and she owed him that much but the desperation that had brought her here was losing to the fear that was keeping her from the whole purpose in coming.

  Eying the liquid courage in his hand she instead said, “May I have a small bit of that?”

  Glancing down at his hand holding the bottle he held it out to her and said, “The housekeeping staff forgot to leave any glasses… plastic or otherwise.”

  Past the point of caring, she took the bottle from his hand and took a drink of it. This wasn’t exactly how she’d expected this night to go when she’d left the gallery. Doug had always been so good at reining her in and keeping her from running on nothing but her emotions.

  Greg on the other hand seemed content to stand and watch her drinking hard liquor from a bottle almost like he was again encouraging her or daring her. She wasn’t sure which. Did she have the guts to make the first move?