“Brad.”
“Brad? Taylor, what have I missed?”
My head falls between my shoulders, abandoning my wrapping for the time being.
“We’re together again.”
“Oh.”
“I mean, thank you so much, Vivian. I appreciate you finding it for me and getting me the interview, but—”
“Can I interrupt you for a second?” When I don’t say anything she continues. “Are you really prepared to give up a fresh start in a new city for someone who changes their mind as fast as the wind? I mean, seriously, Tay, do you really think he’ll stick around?”
Vivian isn’t mean, but she saw me at my worst that night, being stuck as my only confidant. She’s kept my secret from all of the sorority girls she’s still in contact with. So I know when she vocalizes her objection, she does so because she’s a friend.
“Can I have a day to think about it?”
“They’re going to call you to set up the interview. I’m not sure when, so I guess you have until you get that call. But, Tay, this is a great opportunity for you and Em. You need to really think about it.”
“Thanks, Viv, I’ll call you back in a bit.” I hang up the phone, disturbed by her doubts of Brad. At the same time, can I blame her? I’d be the same if her ex came back in the picture with her.
She doesn’t know the Brad now, the evolved one—the father, boyfriend, and worker he is. She’s right when she brings up a new start. I’d love to live in a city so far away from Roosevelt. Maybe Brad would come with me, but then I remember, Creadle’s and his new dream of making it the top Aquatic Center in the nation. He’s kept me up most nights talking about expansion plans and how one day they’ll be training Olympians. His ongoing mind dreams big and fierce.
The key clicks in the lock and I push my thoughts aside and scramble to finish wrapping his gift. I’m putting the last piece of tape on before he’s able to reach me.
“What’s that?” he whispers, already used to Em falling asleep wherever she lands.
“A gift . . . for you.”
He grabs it before I can set it under our tree. Shaking the box, he’ll never figure it out.
“Hmm . . . I have no idea.” He chuckles, placing it where it should be under the tree. “But I have something else I want to open more.”
He slowly lowers me to the ground, pressing my back down to the carpet.
“What would that be?”
He flicks open a button on my sweater, revealing a glimpse of my pink bra. “This hot nurse. Shh . . . don’t tell my girlfriend.” His hand slides under my sweater and he pulls the cup of my bra down.
Noticing something moving behind him, I watch her carefully, allowing Brad a quick feel before our fun time comes to a halt.
“I think she has some sort of radar on when you get home.”
He lifts his head from devouring my neck and peeks behind him.
“Jesus,” he whispers, abandoning my breast and sitting up.
“Dada,” she says sweetly and crawls into his lap. “Miss you.”
His eyes overflow with love. It never gets old looking at the two of them together. “Miss you.”
If Vivian called right now, I’d say no to the offer, but her words won’t stop repeating. Do I want out of Roosevelt? The question needs an answer.
“I showered at the gym, so I could take you guys out to dinner.” He stands up and Em moves back to her toys. He tosses the messy disarray of her toys in a bin and snags the scissors and tape from the floor before Em can get to them.
The small act brings an elation over me about the fact that we’re making a home here. He looks back at me sitting on the floor and tilts his head.
“Am I missing something?”
“Why?”
“Because you look like you’re about to cry. Are you okay?”
He steps over to me, holding out his hand.
“We need to talk,” I say, and his lips turn down.
“I don’t much care for those four words strung together in a row.”
“Sit down.” He moves to the couch, making sure my hand stays in his. Once we’re both situated, I begin. “So, three months ago, I felt like I had to get out of here. I called my friend, Vivian, in Arizona.”
“The quiet one, right?”
“Yeah. Well, she’s a nurse at a big hospital down there, and she got me an interview.” I bite my lip. “It would be four ten hour shifts with three days off with Em.”
“Oh. More time with her. I get it.” His eyes move past my shoulder, and I know I’ve probably lost him.
“She thinks it’s a good opportunity for me.”
“Are you taking it, Taylor?” He cuts to the chase, and I can’t blame him.
“No.”
His eyes shift to mine. “You’re going to stay here for me?” He acts like he’s not worthy of that decision.
“Yes.”
“Is it what you want to do?”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure?”
I giggle. “Yes, but I wanted you to know.”
His hand covers his heart and he falls back in the cushions. “You scared me half to death. I thought for sure I was going to piss my dad off by moving to Arizona and leaving Creadle’s behind.”
“You would have come with me?” I ask him, surprised.
He sits back up. His hand lands on my cheek, and I lean into his hold. “I told you, you’re my family.”
“That we are.”
“We’re in this together, and if you want to move, we will. We make decisions together now.”
When did he become so rational?
“Now, let’s go have dinner and watch the commercial.”
Four hours later, we watched the commercial with Tanner endorsing Creadle’s, confident that things are perfect and our futures will be just as perfect as our present. But the one thing Brad and I should both know is nothing stays that way, and unfortunately, when we wake the next morning, it’s anything but perfect.
Brad
IF TAYLOR WASN’T IN THE room, I guarantee I’d be throwing some shit. My past is behind me. My future is with Taylor and Emerson. Hell, I have the damn ring for Taylor at my parents’, but fuck if I can ask her to marry a loser.
Loser. That’s exactly what I am. Taylor clicks off the television that I’ve been fixed on since she took Emerson to Mrs. Allan’s. No need for her to see her dad as the failure he’ll always be.
“Talk to me.” She sits and the fact she called off work to babysit me makes me hate myself more.
“There’s nothing to say, except you’re never free of your past, are you?”
“I don’t think it’s as bad as we think. Maybe people won’t care.”
Hijacking the remote away from her hand, I click on Sports Center. There’s the same anchor, Jeff Billings, who tore Tanner apart months ago.
“Brad Ashby, does anyone remember him? His five minutes of fame happened when he had to save his best friend from being torn to shreds by the media as an upcoming Olympian. He admitted Tanner McCain’s innocence and his own guilt for the failed drug test two years prior at Michigan University. Now months later, Tanner McCain is on a commercial endorsing the gym he owns. Oh, excuse me, partially owns. The other owner happens to be Wes Jenkins, who was another Olympian hopeful who had a car accident his senior year, which ruined his shoulder. Cheaters and fakes are what Tanner McCain and Brad Ashby are to me.”
I throw the remote across the room and it lands in the Christmas tree we bought a week ago.
“Sometimes negative press is just as good as positive press.” Taylor’s trying, I’ll give her that, but there’s no use.
“I’m going out.” I grab my keys and jacket, slamming the door behind me. “Guess not,” I mumble to myself. I’m not even at my truck yet, when my parents pull in the driveway, blocking my way.
“You aren’t running.” My dad climbs out, pointing his finger at me. “We’re not going to take this lying down.”
; My mom joins him, wrapping her arms around my neck. “It’s okay, sweetie. We’ll get past this.”
Taylor steps on the stoop, wrapping her sweater around her a little tighter. “Come in.” She ushers my parents inside.
I give her a tight smile to acknowledge she hadn’t run after me, but I see her purse and keys thrown on the table by the door. I should have known she’s not about to let me hide from my problems now.
“Sit down and let’s discuss it.” Chris’s eyes veer to the television. “Let’s turn that shit off. Fucking asshole.”
My phone rings and I click ignore, not in the mood for anyone. When my mom’s phone rings a second later, I can guess it was Piper.
Mom retrieves it out of her purse and stands up. “Yeah, we’re here,” she whispers into the phone. “No, it’s not good.”
“First of all, why this guy gives a shit or how he even knew about the commercial is ludicrous. I talked to Rick on the way over, and we can file a slander suit against him.”
“It’s useless, Dad. It’s over. I went too public and should have kept quiet. How can I expect people to trust a cheater?”
“People overcome mistakes.” I’m surprised my dad of all people is willing to admit it.
I clench my fist to keep my hands from shaking, quickly shutting down to everything around me. They think I’m listening, my nodding head tells them I am, but I’m not. I’m sinking faster than they can reach me. Then without warning, I’m back two years ago when Tanner got the call and I didn’t.
Taylor
He sits there numb to everything around him. It’s been eight hours, and the local stations have now picked up on the Sports Center’s story. Things are getting worse, not better. Not that Brad knows because he just sits there in front of an off television.
At least he didn’t disappear on me when I drove his parents to Mrs. Allan’s to pick up Em. They’ve taken her to their house for the night because it’s time for Brad and me to either rise up from the ashes, or well, I’d rather not think of the flip side.
I sit on my coffee table, so he has no choice but to look at me. Clicking on my photos on my phone, I display pictures of him and Em together outside in the snow, picking out the Christmas tree, and swimming together. “See this little girl? She’s the reason you are going to stand up and face that asshole who’s slandering her daddy. You are going to prove him wrong and that you’ve changed.”
No answer, not that I expected one. Brad’s stubbornness knows no end.
“If you want to run away, I’ll take that job in Arizona and we’ll make a life out there. The three of us. You can hide from it. The choice is yours, Brad. You have to decide if you are going to fight this or slither away like a weasel.”
I stand and walk upstairs, crossing my fingers he chooses the right decision.
Brad
“What do you want me to do? Fight a war I can’t win? They only speak the truth, not lies. I can’t defend that.”
“Yes, you can.” Taylor stops moving up the stairs and sits next to me. “People change, Brad, and all you have to do is show them.”
I shake my head, unsure how I’m supposed to do that.
Dylan’s name shows up on my vibrating phone next to me.
“Answer it,” she urges. “Everyone’s been calling for you all day, wanting to talk to you.”
Before I can stop her, she swipes her finger across the screen and answers.
“Yes, he’s right here.” She holds the phone out to me, and I roll my eyes, but take it.
“No salt in the wounds, please.”
“Never. I have an opportunity that I think might be good for you. First, I want to tell you, this is killer business for you guys, so don’t be upset. You can’t pay for something this big, so as much as that guy is the biggest prick of all-time, you’re going to turn it around on him.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Damn, I wish I wasn’t in Chicago, but I have this guy, a local news guy in Detroit who wants to interview you. I did some business with him while with Deacon, and he knows Tanner is my brother, so he reached out, which is a damn miracle for you.”
“Why would I do an interview just for people to slam me?” He clicks it on speaker and suddenly Bea’s voice comes on.
“It’s perfect, Brad. You are going to have him come to the house with Taylor and have Emerson nearby. You are going to publically apologize for your actions again, but show everyone how well second chances turn out by pouring your heart open on television. Quickly, news will spread and Creadle’s will be famous,” Bea says.
“You two are a team to be reckoned with,” I say, pondering the idea. Taylor sits nearby me, waiting impatiently to know what they are saying.
“Who is the guy?”
“It’s Hank Reed, down at ABC. He wants the exclusive, which I told him I’m not sure you’d agree to. So, just make sure he’s the first and you’re good. Seriously, Brad, this is the way to go. You have to put an end to it now,” Dylan adds.
“You’ve made too much progress to let this ruin you and the center,” Bea adds.
“Did that really just come from your mouth?”
“What can I say? I’m feeling nice today. Dylan is shooting over Hank’s number to you now. Do it, Brad. Don’t lay down. At least fight for them.”
The phone clicks off, and I look over at Taylor. Bea’s fucking right, I need to do this for them.
“They want me to do an interview with that Hank guy from ABC.”
“Okay, let’s do it.” She’s eager and willing to do whatever to pull me out of this funk.
My phone chimes with his number. “They think he should come to the house. That you and Emerson need to be a part of it.”
“Okay.”
“You’re really willing to sit next to me and not be ashamed I’m your child’s father and the man you love?”
She sighs, tears gathering in her eyes. “Do you really think that, Brad?” She closes the distance and takes my head in her hands. “I’d scream it from the rooftops that you’re the man in my life. You’re a wonderful father, lover, and partner. I’d never be ashamed of you. Never. I’m the exact opposite from ashamed.”
I nod, still unsure about the interview, but if I want to live the happy life I want with Taylor and Emerson, my hands are tied.
With Taylor straddling me, I dial Hank’s number. He picks up on the first ring.
“This is Brad Ashby, what do you need from me?”
24 hours later . . .
“Is there anything else you’d care to express, Brad?” Hank asks.
My mind runs through my rehearsed speech before I speak. “Jeff Billings doesn’t know me, nor does he know my best friend, Tanner McCain. Two and a half years ago, we were seniors in college. My life had crumpled in front of me. The dream I had strived and pushed toward, the light that led my way, ended without a warning. Maybe there were warnings, but I didn’t see them. Suddenly, I was left confused and disoriented about what I should do with my life. I was desperate for one last straw. When that failed and I was about to cause myself more problems, Tanner sacrificed himself. I don’t expect people like Mr. Billings to understand, because I’m guessing he wouldn’t do the same for a friend. That’s a shame, because although it was stupid of us to do what we did, it wasn’t out of bad motivation, but good. We’d swam together our whole lives, and we were desperate for it to continue down that path. I made a lot of mistakes at that time in my life. Ones I’ve made amends for.”
I look over to Taylor with Emerson on her lap. We smile. “I don’t believe in cheating to get where you want to be in life. I regret the decisions I made back then, but I have no choice but to move forward for my family.” Taylor scoots closer, Emerson crawling onto my lap. “I’m sorry for what I did, and I hope others won’t discount Creadle’s Aquatics because of me. It has a lot to offer, and so do I. I swam for almost all my life, and my coaching can help even the most talented of swimmers. If Jeff Billings would like t
o actually have a conversation with me, rather than bully me through a television, I’m certain he knows how to find me.”
“Okay, we’re off.” Hank claps my shoulder. “Good work.”
“Thanks.” I wrap my arm around Taylor, Emerson snuggling between us. Her nap was nonexistent today.
“What do you think?” I ask her.
“I think you’ll win the world over just like you did me.”
Em’s hands land on each of our faces. “Mama and Dada.” She sighs. “Love you,” she says, patting our cheeks.
“Love you,” we say at the same time before wrapping our arms around our daughter.
Taylor
CHRISTMAS AT THE ASHBY’S IS like nothing I’ve ever experienced. A giant tree decorated in an array of homemade ornaments sits in front of their living room window. Garlands run up their staircase banister. An assortment of lights and moving figures are spread across their lawn with beautiful icicle lights falling from the roof. It’s a magical image, and one I’m happy Emerson is blessed to enjoy.
“Oh, you made it.” Maggie meets me at the door as I trudge in the snow and slush on my shoes from the storm that’s coming down outside.
“I was late getting out of work, and then the roads are a disaster,” I comment, being careful not to dump the snow from my coat on her expensive rug.
“Let me take your coat. She’s putting out cookies and milk for Santa with Grandpa.”
It is so hard to miss the moments with her, but I’m grateful I have tomorrow off to spend with her.
“I promise this is your last Christmas Eve without us,” Brad follows me in, dropping the bags of presents on the floor to remove his layers of clothes.
“It’s okay.” I enjoy being a nurse, and I have applications out to a few private practices. I might not make as much, but the time I’ll have with Em is worth the sacrifice. Brad insists I’ll be able to stay at home, but I’m not even sure I’d want to. I have to say, after the interview, Creadle’s Aquatic Center has been busier. They’ve had some reservations for therapy sessions and a few teammates of Cayden’s who want to work with Brad and Wes starting in January. Most of the parents of the children Brad and Wes teach wrote reviews online saying how great both instructors are. Things are improving, and although Jeff Billings hasn’t had much to say about him and Tanner, we’re sure the subject will come up with the Olympics approaching. All in all, there hasn’t been much negativity from it, and it definitely didn’t hurt the business.
Love Rekindled (Love Surfaced) Page 24
