by Rylee Morgan
“Wow. Really? Let me guess and Shayla is what you want?” she said with a laugh behind the venom. It was no secret, Lexi wasn’t a fan of Shayla. Making snide remarks whenever possible throughout their relationship, he’d brushed it off as it was just her personality. Shayla had never countered her behavior be stooping down to her level. Instead she just ignored Lexi’s comments and never showed that it bothered her. Another reason for Jackson to adore his best friend.
“Actually, yes. I’m just saddened by the fact it took me wasting all this time with you to realize it.”
“How dumb do you think I am Jack? You think I never saw how you looked at her?”
He wasn’t able to reply. A quick tap on the door, followed by an older white haired doctor with a questionable comb over entered behind it with a clipboard in hand, making a quick introduction of himself to Jackson. “So, Miss Ferguson, good news all around. Your bloodwork came back great as expected. And you are pregnant as you suspected.”
Jackson felt like he was in an insulated bubble of anxiety. Every word, spoken after the word pregnant was muffled. Logically he knew he was in that room…but he felt like an outsider looking in trying to make sense of what had just been said. Lexi was sitting there with a grin from ear to ear as if she’d just won the ultimate game of poker. The doctor was explaining something to them both about the importance of healthy living in the first trimester of pregnancy, and there had to be more that he just hadn’t been registering…shock that’s what it had to be. He was in shock.
“We’re going to set you up with an ultrasound, to determine just how far along you are. Do you have time to wait, shouldn’t be no more than fifteen minutes.”
“Yes that would be great, we’d love that. Wouldn’t we Jackson?” Lexi said with the look of ‘told you so’ written all across her smug face.
“Huh? Yeah…yeah, that’d be great.” Jackson still trying to come to grips with the news in such a short period of time. He knew there was a fifty percent chance of her telling the truth. He had been wagering on the other fifty percent chance of her lying. He wouldn’t let his child grow up without a father that much he knew, but giving up the woman that had his heart…he wasn’t sure he could do that. Going back to just friends…he wasn’t sure that was going to work either.
He didn’t want to lose Shayla, and he knew all too well that once she found out about his impending fatherhood. She would halt everything. And backup their entire relationship to what it was before. Straight back to the friend-zone.
“Well…hmm, I wonder how you’ll explain this to your precious little Shayla.” The first thing Lexi said, just had to be something catty.
“You’re so predictable.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You’re a predictable pathetic excuse for a human being. What made me think that I ever loved you, I’ll never know.”
“Because you’re just like me.”
“No. I could never be like you.” He spat back. His face felt like it had been licked with fire and he was seconds away from erupting. He was nothing like her. And god forbid their child would be anything like her as well.
Her face fell slack jawed, he’d hit a nerve finally. She had went silent for the rest of the waiting. Not saying a word until the ultrasound technician had come in.
“There’s baby.” The technician had said pointing to a small blip on the black and grey screen.
He had to admit, his heart had fluttered at the thought that it was his child he was seeing for the first time. Regardless of who the mother was, seeing the little flicker on the monitor had made him feel a sudden responsibility like he’d never had before. And a sense of protectiveness.
The technician was finishing up, when he said something that had caught Jackson off guard. The look on Lexi’s face almost mirrored his. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“I said it looks like your wife is about five weeks along.”
“Five weeks?”
That was it, that’s what bothered him. Not the fact that the tech had mistakenly called Lexi his wife, but the simple fact that five weeks just didn’t add up.
“Yes sir, looks like you’ve come in early enough to plan longer.” The technician said with a friendly smile that quickly faded just as quickly when he had seen Jackson’s scowling expression.
“HOW is that possible Lexi?” he demanded an answer from her, just short of screaming down the walls of the office.
“Well…” she said sheepishly.
“Well, what? We haven’t had sex in over two months.” He was now standing, taking both hands placing them behind his head out of frustration. Kneading the hair into fist, there was so much he wanted to say to Lexi at that moment, but none of it pleasant. She’d just caused a major disruption of a hiccup in his life, because of nothing he’d done.
“Is there a problem here?” the technician asked nervously coming around the table to stand between the exes.
“I’d say there’s a really big problem here. I can’t believe you just tried this…you know what it’s not worth it.” He motioned for the door.
“Wait! Jackson I can explain!” Lexi cried, tears streaking down her face.
“You don’t need to explain to me Lex, but you should explain to whoever the father is. I wish you the best of luck. Goodbye Lexi.” With that he walked out of the door and down the corridor ignoring her cries and the looks from the nurses. He was done.
Relief and sorrow hit him simultaneously. Such an odd sensation. Relief at not having to deal with her for any longer than need be. At the same time there was a sting to the knowledge of having been told it was to be his baby and then having it taken from him within a matter of minutes.
He drove his rental car back to the hotel, phoned his assistant telling her to arrange for a private flight out of Los Angeles’ LAX, he wanted to be home by the end of the week. Planning on tying up the rest of the business part of the trip, and then…he had to figure out a way to make up the past week to Shayla. There was so many times in the days leading up to now in the past week that he’d wanted to call her, text her, email her…hell he would have done a video call if he thought his dick could handle it.
Just the thought of her now, had him hard enough that he could punch a hole through a brick wall. The simple thought of fucking her until she was so drained and could no longer move…he had to get some air. He needed to get home to her.
“Mr. Hathaway,” his assistant said through the other end of the phone. “I was able to get you a 6AM flight out Saturday morning, private. There is a commercial that leaves the Friday evening if you’d like.”
“Thanks Holly, Saturday will do.”
“Is there anything else, you need to be done?”
“No, thanks. That’ll be all, I’ll be in touch.”
Saturday, was a day longer than he would have liked. However, it was a day longer that he’d have to plan for their reunion.
Chapter Thirteen
Silence really was the worst of all the sounds.
Waking again to the quiet confines of her home, had made the house seem bigger and lonelier than it seemed before Jackson had come to stay. Had it really been over a week, nearing on two since that night he had taken off without a word. She didn’t even know where he had went off to.
No, she knew where he was. And it wasn’t with her. He didn’t owe her an explanation, but she felt that she needed one. Hadn’t their friendship throughout the years been enough to warrant more than just a brief email that had really told her nothing, especially after she give herself up to him in more ways than one. Shayla had wanted to contact him. Only to choose not to, not knowing if he would even answer. She knew how Jackson was, if he didn’t want you nosing around in his business, he would cut your nose off before you even had the inkling of doing so.
She didn’t mind being his confident and the sole ear to listen when he was in need of using it. Just now, things had changed. Every memory felt corrupt.
One parti
cular memory had come to her, of a time when there wasn’t any contact for an entire year. Only for him to call her at three o’clock in the morning, drunk off his face. She wondered if that would be the case this time. Would he go a year…longer? And if so would she still feel like she did right now?
She prayed that she wouldn’t.
Maybe it was time to forget about Jackson, once and for all. Move on. End the friendship. People did it all the time, but why she felt guilty over even the slightest thought of cutting him out of her life for good…she knew her heart wouldn’t let itself cut him out completely.
As the day went by, she’d thought of calling Noah. Tell him tonight wasn’t a good time for her. Tell him she’d gotten a cold. No, that wouldn’t be believable…not in the month of June. She could always tell him it was personal female problems. Any man hearing that wouldn’t question or pressure anything with that being the excuse.
Her conscious wouldn’t let her lie to him either. He had told her it was no pressure, just a friendly evening. She hoped that’s all he was bargaining for because she just couldn’t. Noah seemed like a great guy, and probably more suitable for her than Jackson…but he just wasn’t Jackson.
The chime on her cellphone had went off pulling her from her imagination, thankfully.
Dawn: I just seen the hottest dreamiest guy on the planet!!!
Shayla: Um…you’re married?!?!
Dawn: But I’m not dead lol ;)
Dawn: Still going out tonight?
Shayla: That’s the plan…why, can you get me out of it?
Dawn: Nope, sorry :(
Shayla: …you suck.
Dawn: Yes I do. ;) but that’s not the point. Be over in a bit.
Shayla: lol gross. K see you soon.
Shit, she almost had forgotten that Dawn was coming over to help her figure out what to wear. It wasn’t an everyday occurrence…okay it wasn’t even a yearly occurrence that she went out for a night on the town. She could barely remember her last real date. Besides the fact that the date was a huge mismatch, thanks to her mother and her persistence. After that she’d refused to never be setup on a blind date ever again.
He arrived back in Michigan at approximately just after twelve noon. His intention was to go straight over to Shayla’s place and right the wrong of taking off and sending that pathetic excuse of an email with no further contact.
His plans would have worked to if he hadn’t gotten the emergency call that there was trouble with a client that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. Jackson wasn’t pleased to be going straight into the office after just landing, on a Saturday no less.
Sitting in his office that overlooked the river, the perfect spot to see the two sides of town connected by the bridge. Looking up from his desk, as his assistant walked in with the files he’d asked for. “Mr. Hathaway, Mr. Decker is here to see you. Would you like to meet with him here or in the conference room?”
Annoyed at the question, he understand she was still new, and had only been in his employ for a short period…but common sense would have told her not to ask that question. Since he’d just told her not even ten minutes after arriving that he would hold the meeting in his office. “Well, Holly…refresh your memory and let me know what you think. Don’t worry I’ll wait. And I’m sure our longtime client won’t mind either.”
The young woman had instant wells of tears that threatened to fall like the Niagara if she attempted to blink. “I’m sorry, Holly. I’m just tired. In here is fine. Go take a moment, gather yourself.”
“Yes, Mr. Hathaway.” Holly said fighting to sound professional as her voice cracked a little bit. “Would you like anything else?”
“No, that’ll be all.” He said to her as she remained standing in front of his desk, waiting for more instruction, which irritated him more. “Will you please send in Mr. Decker…now.”
“Dawn,” Shayla was looking at her friend like she’d absolutely lost her mind, “there is no way I’m wearing that.”
“Why not?”
“Because…it’s ugly.”
“No it’s not.” Dawn held up the purple and red plaid jumper.
“Yes, it is…would you wear it? Never mind.”
“Hey! Be nice.” Dawn feigning her distress, trying to conceal her smirk, knowing Shayla was right. “You think you know me don’t you. Why do you have it if you don’t even like it?”
“It was a gift. You want it?”
“If I had tits like yours I’d definitely wear the hell out of it.”
Shayla shook her head at her friend’s brassiness. “How about this one?” she said changing the subject of her chest size.
“Meh…no, unless you’re planning on a funeral or joining the mob.” Dawn wrinkled her nose in distaste at the black pantsuit. “Ooh! This one!” she said holding up a black dress consisting of a faux leather skirt and a lacy plunging neckline top, with a high waisted belt.
“Nuh-uh, don’t you think that’s a little too sexy for a friendly get together?”
“Fuck no, it’s not!” her friend said with the upmost serious look on her face. “Are you afraid to feel sexy? Oh my god you are! Shayla, it’s about time to really change things up, do something out of the norm for once. You might actually enjoy yourself. Have some damn fun!”
“You’re right. Okay…I’ll wear it.” Shayla said as she timidly took the dress, Dawn had been right…she’d made a promise to herself that she was going to try different things, start living.
And there was no time like the present.
9:22PM the clock on his computer screen had read. Mr. Decker had left a little more than two hours prior, and Holly an hour before that. It had only been him in the office building. The time had crept by quickly. He hadn’t meant to stay so long. His plans kept getting derailed. And at this point he was getting pissed. If one more thing threw a wrench in his path of getting Shayla in his arms, he wasn’t exactly sure to what the extent of the damage would be, but he could attest to the fact that he may end up behind bars.
He had finished the new contract that the client had agreed on. Now all he needed to do was shower and change out of the clothes he had worn. Glad to have had his assistant run down to his car and bring up his luggage, he showered in the small bathroom that connected to his office. And dressed in a casual outfit; black jeans paired with a dark blue-grey t-shirt, he didn’t bother tucking it in all the way around only in the front. Looking into the still dewy mirror, he thought of shaving the five o’clock shadow then thought of how much more time it was going to take and opted to do a quick combing back of his dark hair. Grabbing his cologne he spritzed it on in strategic spots. Double checking his appearance and with satisfaction was out the door.
10:00PM the clock on the dashboard of his car had read. He hoped she wasn’t in bed when he’d gotten to the house. But then again….he had hoped to find her exactly there.
Chapter Fourteen
Shayla had meet Noah at the bar, he seemed blown away by her mini transformation. Wearing the dress Dawn had made the case for with a good argument…and won.
Pairing the dress with a pair of stilettos that she’d purchased on a crazy whim that had never been worn outside the store. Surprised that she was able to walk in them…walk in them slowly that was. Makeup and hair done. Even she was shocked at her own appearance.
Shayla definitely had to give kudos to Dawn, she was a makeup genius. Although she thought the smoky eye effect was extremely heavy on the eyelid, she was happy with the outcome. She wasn’t used to wearing so much makeup. Her normal beauty routine was applying a little eyeliner and tinted lip-gloss…if even that at times.
She was getting eyeballed by quite a few guys, something else she wasn’t all that familiar with. “Wow, Shayla…you look…stunning.” Noah had said to her.
“Thank you.” She was blushing so badly, she’d never heard those words directed at her before. Sure she’d heard she was pretty, cute and the occasionally graceful beauty which she was never really cer
tain how to take, choosing to take it as a compliment anyways.
They made their way to the bar, surprisingly the place was packed. The band had started playing on the small stage, they weren’t too bad for a cover band, playing mostly 80s and early 90s hairband music. The current song being played she couldn’t place the name of the title but it made her nostalgic, with thoughts of Jackson. The one person she was trying not to think about. Trying to force every cell in her body to shut up. It had been a losing battle.
Making small talk with Noah, she thought she had seen a familiar face in the crowd.
Allen.
Oh boy…this should be interesting. She had promised her mother she’d go on a date with him. But it looked like he was on a date of his own…with a familiar face no less.
And that face belonged to that of the waiter that had been shamelessly been eye-fucking Jackson at the diner while taking their orders. O-M-G!
She was having one of her private moments of amusements once again. She must have had a grin plastered from ear to ear because Noah was trying to follow her line of sight before turning to her and saying, “Penny for your thoughts? I’d love to know what has got that smile on you.”
“Oh, I just seen something funny.” This was too good to not go and say hi. “I see someone that I know, do you mind if I went and said a quick hello?”
“Sure, I’ll keep your seat warm.”
“No, come with me. We’re on a…friend date, I can’t leave you hanging back.” She told him before grabbing his hand and dragging him with her over to where Allen and the waiter were cozied up.
“Oh my god Shayla! Oh honey look at you!” Allen had said with a little bit of a squeal of enthusiasm. “Gees, get you away from Hathaway and you let loose, good for you!”
