Where There's Smoke

by B L Morticia

  “No… uh, naw man. We can talk can’t we? I got your little niece here and um, well geez man, she’s the prettiest thing we ever saw. Me and Santiago took her to the fire station the other day. Everyone there loved her.”

  “That’s great, but…” I shook my head. Why I felt so tongue tied around this man I didn’t know. He’d assaulted me, and no I hadn’t reported it to the police because I hadn’t had time. Garrett had said I deserved it—he also wished he could give Jonas a high five.

  “But? I mean, she’s having the greatest time. We’re going with Pamela to this kiddie park in town. They have baby rides and she can pet the animals. She’ll love it.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she will, but well, need I remind you we had a fight the last time we saw each other. So, I don’t think I could really enjoy sitting here talking with you, even about Macy when you punched me. Repeatedly.”

  And although I didn’t enjoy getting beaten, your ass was on my cock. I wish I could’ve turned you over and ripped that uniform off that delicious body and…

  “I get it, dude. I’m sorry. I really am. Santiago hasn’t let me forget what I did that night either. I had no idea you had absolutely no one to watch her. I truly thought you did it to spite me.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “I have other ways to spite you instead of using my mom to do it, Jonas. I am grateful you’ve apologized, but for now, I’ll just…”

  “Wait. Santiago is walking over with Macy. By the way, how’s your momma?”

  Hearing Jonas ask about mom, my heart sank into the lower depths of my chest. Just for a moment I wanted to revel in what Macy was doing. Only so I could put the pain of losing my mother to this vicious disease behind me.

  “She’s stable. Not too good though. I am preparing for the worst at this point. I will probably ask to remove the tubes so she can rest comfortably.”

  “Oh fuck, man, I’m so sorry.”

  Jonas sounded concerned, but again, I really didn’t care how he felt. He’d decked me. He’d caused me five nights of pain and fucked up my chance to find out if Garrett’s limo driver liked dick. I couldn’t do now with Garrett and his wife back here in town. They would call me everything in the book messing around with the hired help.

  “Yeah, um, you said Santiago wanted to speak with me?”

  “Yes. You take care of yourself, man, and your momma. Hey, I know what it’s like to lose a mom to cancer. I lost mine, along with my grandma and two of my uncles. Cancer is a fucking bitch.”

  I stood there in front of the window nodding at what Jonas had said. Believe me, I appreciated the kind words from him. Still, I couldn’t forget what he’d done.

  “It is. Uh. I suppose we’ll talk when I return to Cobalt.”

  “Yeah. Uh, I’ll see you around.”

  “All right.”

  Apparently, the phone changed hands. Then Macy squealed with delight in the background. From what I’d heard Macy seemed more than content with Santiago and Jonas.

  “Hi, Myles.”

  “Hello, Santiago. How are you and Macy getting along?”

  “Just fabulous. She loves, I mean, loves Jonas. He’s been taking her to the station, she’s met his sister-in-law and brother. I’m taking her to a flea market here in town at the end of the week. Maybe people will notice Macy and give me some deals,” Santiago snorted.

  I smiled at that. “Maybe so. Um, I’m really grateful you did this for me. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

  “You don’t have to, all right? I told you I’d help anyway I could.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

  “How is she?”

  “I don’t know right now. She’s stable but still hasn’t woken up.”

  “Oh God, Myles. I’m so sorry. I should make the trip up to Chicago.”

  “No, that won’t be necessary. You’ve got the baby. I’m sure it’s been hard traveling with her.”

  “Actually, it hasn’t. She’s been a darling. She had a couple of iffy days, but Jonas took off a day and played with her. She’s been good ever since.”

  Hearing that, I cringed, gripping the phone a little tighter. Admittedly, I was jealous of the big lug getting along so well with my daughter/niece. “That’s great. Listen, I’m going to try coming out there to see her for a bit. The doctors are urging me to get away from this hospital for a few hours and perhaps it would be good to make a trip out there. How’s that?”

  “That would be great. We’d love to see you. I’m sure Macy would as well.”

  “I’d love to see her. And by the way, can you tell your boyfriend not to tackle me this time? I’m still aching from the last tumble with him.” And I was, but not in the way Santiago would’ve expected it.

  Mmph.

  Santiago’s loud sigh disturbed my wayward thoughts. “He said he was sorry. Don’t drag this out more than it needs to be, okay? I urged him to be nice to you and he promised he’d try.”

  “All right. Well, I’ll let you go for now, love. Thank you again for taking care of Macy.”

  “It’s no problem. Kiss momma for me and we’ll see you soon.”

  “Yes you will. Goodbye.” I pressed the disconnect button and stared at the phone. Everything I’d heard from Santiago sounded so genuine, and I could tell how happy he was to be with Macy. Even more so that Jonas had easily taken to her. Amazing, considering she didn’t really know any of them that well.

  However, I supposed it was her age. She was being fed, played with, probably spoiled rotten, so she didn’t care who it was taking care of her. In all truth it was a blow to my oversized ego, but in a way, I kind of liked that the man I loved and the other I was infatuated with were sharing that big responsibility of taking care of Macy and making her happy.

  If only I had someone doing the same for me.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Santiago

  After Jonas and I played with Macy, I put both of them down for a nap. Unfortunately, Jonas had to go into work late, so not only would he not be around to help with Macy, but I’d be alone again tonight. So instead, I decided to call Pamela over just to keep me company. If anything, both of us could work on tiring Macy out when she woke up.

  Somewhat tired, I trudged to the sofa and fell backwards. The minute I did, I cursed because I heard another snap. With Macy around I’d forgotten that the thing was on it’s last legs.

  Literally.

  Good thing I remembered when I had Macy in my arms.

  “Santiago?”

  “Yeah, Pamela, it’s open.”

  Pamela came in, wearing a smile. “Hey. Is she asleep?”

  “Yeah. Thanks for coming over. Jonas is working late tonight so he won’t be around to help with getting Macy settled.”

  “Is that the only reason you called me over here?” Pamela petulantly folded her arms.

  “No. I missed you, knucklehead.”

  Pamela grinned and sat down on the sofa hard. That very second, the sofa crashed to the floor, making both of us laugh.

  We both sat silently to listen for Macy.

  “Oh damn. I’m sorry,” Pamela snickered. “I’m glad it didn’t wake the baby.”

  “Yeah, me too.” I hugged Pamela close to me and patted her back. “How’s things at the library?”

  “Good. It’s been kinda busy without you, Santiago. Mrs. Langley took my shift tonight because I told them I needed a break.”

  “Dang. I feel bad but it can’t be helped,” I shrugged. “Myles is coming down, but he won’t be ready to take Macy back. Or at least I don’t think he will. He says his mother isn’t doing too good.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. So the cancer was confirmed, huh?”

  “Yeah. Oh God, I really want to go see him, but it’s hard going to Chicago.”

  “Well, don’t.”

  “But he needs someone there.”

  “Doesn’t he have friends who can help?”

  “His partner, Garrett, and his wife, but it would be good for him to
have someone to hug.”

  “Well, I know this sounds cruel, but you’re doing plenty by taking care of his niece.”

  “I know, but I’m worried about him.”

  “Because you still love him.”

  “Yes, I do. Other than Myrna and Macy, he has no family. Both his parent’s families don’t get along with him.”

  Pamela harrumphed. “Oh I wonder why.”

  “C’mon, Pamela, have some more sympathy.”

  “I do, but the stunt he pulled a couple of weeks ago was wrong.”

  “I know it was, but he was trying to get me back, in his own little screwed up way. I think he hates being alone.”

  “Yeah, well, he could start dating again.”

  “Yes, but it would be better for him to have someone familiar in his corner.”

  “Sure, but, who?”

  “Me.”

  Pamela turned around to meet my gaze. “What?”

  I sighed inwardly. “I’ve been doing some thinking. I already told Jonas and now I want to tell Myles too.”

  “What?”

  “I want the three of us to raise Macy together.”

  “What? Santiago, no. We joked about that, remember? It cannot happen.”

  “It could if we worked at it.”

  “Oh God, Santiago. Why are you doing this? And think about this little one.”

  “It’s no harm in her having three daddies.”

  “Having two that hate each other wouldn’t be good either.”

  “Jonas doesn’t hate Myles. He said it. That gives me the optimism he might accept it. Myles probably doesn’t hate Jonas either…”

  “Even though he decked him?”

  “Even with that.”

  “Oh God, you are crazy. I don’t understand you. You have a perfect relationship and you’re throwing it all away because of your dick.” Pamela’s eyes widened when she said that.

  I chuckled. “No, I’m not. I’m not going to push them, but I do want to let them know.”

  “I cannot believe you’re saying this. You are batshit crazy for ruining your relationship with this crap!” Pamela pouted and flopped backwards.

  “And I love you too,” I chuckled and slapped her knee.

  “Santiago, please reconsider all this.”

  I crossed my legs and eyed her seriously. “Nothing is set in stone. I love both of them and I would never do anything to hurt them. Like I said, I’m not forcing anything. I’m merely stating what I would be interested in.”

  “And what did Jonas say?”

  “He didn’t like the idea and that’s fine. I just wanted to put the bug in his ear. Bottom line, Macy needs a family who cares for her and so does Myles. We could be that for both of them.”

  Pamela shook her head. “You’re living in a dream world, Romeo.”

  “If I am, it’s okay.”

  As if on cue, Macy’s cries sounded from the next room. “You sit tight and I’ll go get her. Would you like me to order some dinner?”

  “Sure. Too bad we can’t have drinks because I’ll need some after hearing what you just said.”

  Snickering, I got up and walked towards the room. I wasn’t overly confident that things would happen, but I had hope. We could do this, if everyone was on the same page. Both men loved me, but what if they could see one another as I did? Maybe then they’d understand why I’d hang on to the slightest chance of not having to let either of them go.

  * * * *

  Myles

  With circumstances as uncertain as they were, I didn’t want to leave Mother’s side, but I needed to see my niece and Santiago. No matter what, he could bring my spirits up and since Garrett, along with his wife, sat with momma, I could leave without feeling too guilty.

  In no shape to drive, I borrowed Garrett’s chauffeur once again to take me back to Cobalt. I’d always abhorred this little town, probably for nothing other than it kept my man here. And then, he’d met Jonas here as well, which wasn’t so bad I’d supposed. The man had treated him like gold and above all, Santiago deserved to be happy.

  Once I arrived, Santiago met me at the door with my beautiful niece in hand. Thankfully she hadn’ t forgotten me, immediately reaching her tiny hands in my direction. As Jonas had said, she had grown a lot in the almost two weeks she’d been here. Right then, I wondered if she had enough of everything since I dropped her off in such a hurry.

  “Santiago, do you have everything you need for her?”

  “Yeah. Pamela went out and got her some formula this morning before she went to work. We have plenty of diapers, wipes.”

  “What about toys?”

  “Oh Myles, she has plenty. We’ve been taking her out a lot, so she really hasn’t needed those.”

  Still holding her, I bounced her in my arms, walking into his mismatched living room. As I was about to sit on the sofa, Santiago stopped me.

  “No, sit in the chair. The couch is broken. As you can see, it’s sitting on books.”

  “Then why not get rid of it?” I asked in confusion.

  “Because I’m trying to find one like it. It’s a classic couch from the 1950’s.”

  As I sat in the recliner, I drew up my lips. “It looks like that. Why do you love old things? Don’t you want something new?”

  “I want something else antique. Just like you, I want to stick with what’s familiar,” he said smiling.

  “What does that mean?”

  Santiago dropped his head a minute. “You want me back.”

  When I heard that, I eyed him curiously. “Yes I do.”

  Santiago shrugged. “What would you think if we raised Macy, together?”

  I gasped in shock, not believing what I’d heard. If Macy weren’t in my arms, I’d do a cartwheel. “Santiago, I’d love that. It’s what I’ve wanted all along.”

  “Yes, but I don’t just mean you and me. I’m saying, you, me, and Jonas.”

  Was he crazy?

  The minute the words left his lips I sighed inwardly. Macy was cooing in my arms and I pulled her close to me, kissing her head. “No.”

  Whose stupid idea was this? And why? Why in the world would I subject myself to sharing the one man I love with someone I was infatuated with?

  “Myles?”

  “Santiago?”

  Santiago shook his head and flashed me a wry smile. “Look, I get that it’s a crazy thought. Actually, Jonas said the same thing when I told him.”

  “Santiago…”

  “Myles, it could be wonderful. You, Jonas, and I raising this beautiful little girl.”

  As if she liked the idea, Macy squealed and hopped in my arms. Suddenly, my mind played the scenario as if it were a movie. Jonas making funny baby noises and playing blocks with her. In truth, it was a beautiful moving picture. That hot man probably in his fireman uniform playing with my daughter, being her daddy. Or one of them...

  I must be mad!

  “Myles, I’m not pushing it. I’m just throwing it out there as an option for us. It doesn’t have to be now. We could take days, weeks, months, even a couple of years to get used to it. We should want the best for Macy and each other.”

  I shook my head, wondering if Santiago had been drinking too much or doing drugs. That was the only way I could see him concocting this crazy scheme. Now who was being manipulative and using Macy as a pawn?

  “Santiago, I… I don’t think.”

  “I know. Just say you’ll give it all some thought. Please. That’s all I ask.”

  Thoroughly shocked by his offer, I continued to hold Macy in my arms, still staring at him. Clearly Santiago had gone off the deep end and thank goodness, both Jonas and I were the sane ones in this thing.

  No way in hell would I be raising my niece, soon to be daughter with two other men. One was good enough. Two, was downright crazy. I believed that children shouldn’t be exposed to such behavior so early in life. And I wouldn’t be lying to her because I wanted to get my rocks off.

  “Myles?”

&nbs
p; “Yes, Santiago. You’ve made your point. I heard it and the answer is still no.”

  “Fair enough, but at least tell me this. Do you hate Jonas?”

  Hearing that question, I exhaled. Should I tell him about my infatuation with Jonas or leave it be? I figured the latter because I didn’t want him to think I’d go along with this crazy idea. I still loved him no matter what, and I’d spare him the heartache of being given a small ray of light on his ridiculous inquiry.

  “I don’t hate him, but it wouldn’t work. So please, just drop it.” I pressed my lips to the side of Macy’s head.

  “Okay. Do you want me to put her down so we can chat?”

  “No, I want to hold her because I haven’t seen her in almost two weeks,” I said, eyeing him warily. I couldn’t understand why Santiago felt now was a good time to tell me about this. Didn’t he care that my mother was on her death bed? Or did he just feel since I was here, he’d say it. Or was it because Jonas wasn’t? That was a better theory. Perhaps Santiago only wanted to voice his thoughts with me because I wouldn’t get overly angry.

  Well, I was. And although I’d wanted a distraction from my mother being in a coma, I would have been okay without this.

  Despite my befuddlement and anger, I was happy that Macy was enjoying herself with Santiago and Jonas, but this indecent proposal, this preposterous offer to be in a ménage à trois, while raising a kid, was ludicrous.

  * * * *

  Jonas

  When I entered the apartment, Myles was sitting in the recliner opposite Santiago. Myles had Macy in his arms and honestly, I couldn’t help but stare at that pretty picture.

  Macy wore pink shorts and a top my sister-in-law bought her, along with matching sandals. She had pretty pigtails with ribbons in her curly fro and the sight of her smile warmed my heart.

  Though a little part of me was envious, I enjoyed watching the interaction of the two of them with Macy. It was crazy that I was thinking of the idea that Santiago had in mind, but the more I played with Macy, the more I wanted her in my life full-time.

  Sure, having a baby around would mean less sex in the evenings. Seemed like a worthy sacrifice to me when it came to the beautiful smile that brightened my day.