Deceitful Choices

by C. A. Harms

  I was upset he didn’t confide in me, but then again, I understood why he chose to wait.

  Chapter 26

  Zack

  I was immediately transferred out of Iraq to a surgical facility in Afghanistan, where they stabilized and dressed my wound. They assessed the muscle and nerve damage before moving me again to a base in Germany.

  I had been asked on many occasions if I wanted to contact family, yet I refused. There was no need to worry or upset any of them. They would all continue to believe I was still defending my country.

  I had been told on a repeated basis just how lucky I was. Had the bullet hit me an inch or two to the left, it could have severed my femoral artery, possibly killing me within minutes. I would be placed on medical leave, and was having difficulty with the fact my brothers were still in danger without me by their side, but I had to accept my fate.

  I would have hours, weeks, and months of therapy. It would be frustrating and disappointing, but I would get through it. I would come back from this and one day I would be cleared to go back to active duty.

  So two weeks and five days after I was shot, I was back in California, standing in the airport. I bounced around, attempting to position the crutches that were already driving me fucking insane. I checked my flight number for the tenth time in the last ten minutes, growing agitated with the delay.

  The only person who knew I was back was my mother, who insisted on coming to Coronado Beach to care for me. I had finally given in and spent the last week being pampered.

  But now, I could no longer wait, and I wanted nothing more than to get on this damn flight to St. Louis and get to Lindsay and Camden.

  ***

  Here I was, a grown ass man, hobbling up the pathway to the front door of Lindsay’s Grams. I ignored the strange look from her neighbor as he stood on his front porch, watching me like I was some drugged out thug attempting to rob the neighborhood.

  Damn nosy bastard.

  Before I could knock on the door it came flying open and I half expected Lindsay to come flying out in a rush, but there stood her Grams instead.

  “Boy,” she said in her grandmotherly tone. Placing her hand on her hip, she just shook her head. “What on earth have you gotten yourself into?”

  “Got shot,” I replied with a grin, and her face fell, now laced with concern. “I’m good, Grams, just need to see my girl and son.”

  “They’re gone,” she said as she stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.

  “What do you mean they’re gone?” My stomach flipped around nervously.

  “Lindsay took off for Roanoke a couple days ago to visit with Taylor and her family.”

  Again my stomach rolled.

  “She’s in her home town?” I asked, trying to remain calm. The idea of her running into her parents made me sick. And then there was Haven.

  “She’ll be back tomorrow,” she assured me. “You are welcome to stay.”

  I shook my head as I began to back away. “I can’t wait another day, Grams. The last couple of months have been torture.”

  When she flashed her smile and gave her head one knowing nod, I spun around and moved as fast as I could back to the rental car.

  Zack: Lindsay with you?

  I sent off one quick text before starting the car and putting the car in drive.

  Taylor: Yes.

  I took in a deep breath and tried to control the nervous feeling in my gut. But that quickly died when Taylor’s next message came through.

  Taylor: Bad news. She knows. Haven cornered her the first day she got into town. And how in the hell are you texting me from your phone when you are supposed to be fighting bad guys in some desert?

  Before I could respond my phone rang. It was Taylor.

  “Hey,” I said in greeting.

  “Tell me that by me calling I did not just tip off the enemy with your location,” she said in a hushed tone and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “No,” I told her. “I’m actually on my way to Roanoke.”

  “What?” This time she shrieked, and I immediately pulled the phone from my ear. “How is that possible?”

  “I got wounded,” I replied. But before she could keep asking me questions, I wanted to be the one talking. “You said Lindsay knows. How did she take it?”

  “Well, at first I was sure she was in a state of shock. She just stood there while that bitch went on and on about carrying your baby. Then she snapped and told Haven you didn’t want the baby, and had sent the money for an abortion.” She laughed as if remembering the scene. “Haven stormed off angrily; since then Lindsay has been quiet, and I’m not really sure what exactly she is feeling. But it’s obviously heavy on her mind.”

  “Okay, well text me your address.” It would be the first place I went.

  “Actually, we are getting ready to meet up with a few friends for dinner. Our reservations are at six in Bloomington.” We were both silent for a moment as my mind worked overtime.

  “Wait, I have an idea.” I could hear the potential excitement in her voice. “Do you trust me?”

  “Should I?” I asked.

  “That depends. Do you want this entire thing to be over with so you and Lindsay can move forward?” she asked.

  I wanted that more than anything. “Yes.”

  Within seconds she was telling me her plan and I had to give her credit—it might just work. Then again, it could fucking backfire.

  ***

  I impatiently waited outside of the restaurant where the girls were eating. I knew any moment Haven would show up, per my text. She thought she was meeting me for dinner to discuss her so-called pregnancy, but Taylor had set it up.

  She wanted her to be blindsided by seeing Lindsay and I together. Plus, she also wanted Lindsay to see when I shared the story Taylor had come up with. In the end, we hoped it would backfire on Haven.

  I was supposed to wait in the car until I saw Haven arrive, but the moment I looked up to see Lindsay, Taylor, and two other girls exit the restaurant, that entire plan went out the window. I was climbing from the car and hobbling toward them faster than I could register my own movements.

  It was as if it all played out in slow motion. I could see Lindsay throw her head back in laughter at something one of the girls said. I saw the moment Taylor noticed me and the way she looked toward Lindsay and smiled, nudging her arm. And then that beautiful moment when the girl I loved noticed me standing there.

  She stood frozen for a moment as she assessed me from head to toe. She noticed the crutches and the loose pants I wore over my bandaged leg. The way I held my leg up just enough to take the pressure off.

  When her eyes met mine once more, I smiled, and that was all it took. She was moving toward me as her lower lip trembled.

  “Hey there, pretty girl,” I said as she stopped only inches from me. “Don’t tease me, now,” I said with a chuckle. “Get over here and kiss me.”

  It was the only invite she needed. The way she reached up and gripped the back of my neck as she pulled my head down to meet hers was demanding, giving me just a glimpse of my naughty girl.

  “You’re here,” she whispered against my lips. Kissing me once more, she didn’t give me a moment to respond.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” she said as she pulled back and I rested my forehead to hers. “I can’t believe you’re here. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine; looks worse than it is,” I assured her.

  I saw movement to my left, and looked over to see Haven standing open-mouthed and angry, next to the flashy red sports car daddy bought.

  I turned back to Lindsay and found her looking at Haven with a look of hate. It was a look I had never seen from her before. Linds was always so sweet and kind, yet I understood why she directed such anger toward Haven.

  “Hey,” I whispered, and she looked back at me. “Whatever I’m about to say, I just need you to go along with it and not act surprised. Okay?”

  She nodded hesitantly.

&nbs
p; “So what, you two are together now?” Haven spit out in disgust.

  “We’ve been together, but you knew that.” And so it began. “It is exactly why you put forth this little plan of yours to come between us. But there is just one problem with your plan.”

  “You need to get over this denial, Zack.” Haven said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Taylor has a little snitch that works at your OB-GYN office. Seems the two of you have the same doctor. It’s amazing what a little money thrown in the right direction will get you.” The cocky smile she wore faltered just enough for me to notice. “It would seem that you were just in the clinic last week for your Depo shot, at which time they performed a pregnancy test. Guess what that test showed?”

  I waited for her to speak but she remained silent. Normally she had so much to say.

  “Negative,” I answered for her.

  “There are such things as a false negative,” she sneered.

  “That’s what I thought, too,” I said, and she smiled again. “Which is why I went to your father and told him you’re pregnant.”

  “You what?” Her eyes grew wide in surprise and she looked like she swallowed a golf ball.

  “Yeah…he wasn’t happy. He actually mentioned something about cutting off your financial support, and leaving you and your bastard baby for me to take care of.” I adjusted my crutches and until that moment, I don’t think she even took the time to notice I was hurt. “See, that is where the problem lies. I’ve been given a discharge from the Navy, and as of now, I have no income. So there’s not much I can offer, but I will do my best to take care of this baby. We may have to get some help from the state for a while to take care of him or her.”

  The more I talked, the paler her face grew. It was almost comical as she opened her mouth to talk, and then clamped it shut once more, wrinkling her nose when I mentioned public aid.

  She was too prissy and high class. Taylor came up with this plan to lay out this imaginary life, and knew without a doubt Haven would be less than pleased.

  “I can’t believe you went to my father.” She appeared horrified. “And public assistance—are you insane?”

  I heard Taylor giggle, but refused to look away from Haven. She looked at any moment like her head would spin.

  “Well, how else do you expect us to raise the baby?” I shrugged like it was the only option. And just like that it all unfolded. We had laid the ground work and stepped back to let Haven do the rest.

  “Oh my god, you have ruined my life.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. “Now I have to clean up this goddamn mess you created, and convince my father you are some deranged idiot who planned this scene to terrorize me.”

  “I just figured we may need his help for a while, and I wanted to talk to him and explain my situation,” I assured her, still playing the game. “We may not be able to be together as a couple, but we will have to work together for our child.”

  “Will you just stop already?” She threw her hands up in the air and literally stomped her foot like some fucking two-year-old. “There is no baby, you dumb ass.”

  She let out a deep breath and attempted to dial her phone, when she suddenly stopped and looked up to see both Taylor and I laughing at her irritation. “You two planned this entire thing, didn’t you?”

  “And you fell for it, just like I knew your worthless, sorry ass would. There was no way you would go without daddy’s money, and Zack’s injury helped us convince you he no longer had an income.” Taylor smiled proudly, and I suddenly had a new found love for my girl’s best friend.

  “You’re still a SEAL aren’t you?” she asked with narrowed eyes.

  I felt a nudge at my side as Lindsay stepped in front of me and squared off her shoulders. Without warning, she lifted her hand and swung, slapping Haven with an open hand. The sound of flesh against flesh echoed through the parking lot.

  Haven gasped, Taylor laughed even harder, and I stood shocked as I stared at Lindsay’s back. Never in my life had I expected her to step up and belt Haven, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t damn proud.

  “You’ve screwed with my life long enough, bitch. The games are fucking over. Try me again, come near my family one more time, and I’ll run your ass over without looking back to make sure you’re still moving.” Haven wanted to say something back, I could tell, but instead huffed and smoothed her shirt before turning around and walking off toward her car.

  Lindsay’s shoulders shook with anger, and I wondered for a moment if I should touch her. She seemed so damn sweet all the time; I had never expected this side of her.

  When I placed my hand on her shoulder, she looked back at me with wide eyes. “I can’t believe I just said that. I couldn’t run someone over.”

  My chest shook with laughter as I pulled her back against me and buried my face in her hair.

  “I know, sweetheart,” I assured her. “But Haven doesn’t.”

  Chapter 27

  Lindsay

  “Where are you staying?” Zack asked as he led me toward his rental.

  “At Taylor’s parents,” I said in response, just as we reached the car.

  I turned around to face him and he stepped closer, pinning me against the car. “I rented a room in Peoria. Will you and Camden stay with me?” He licked his lower lip and my focus fell to his mouth. “I don’t think I can go another night without the two of you.”

  “Yes.” I wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in Zack’s arms. I had missed his touch every single day since he left. I just wanted to feel safe and secure again.

  Haven and her recent drama had really drained me. For days I had worried about it. What would it do to Zack and me if it were true? What would it mean for our future and theirs?

  I felt the weight of the world lift the moment she shouted she wasn’t pregnant.

  And though I am not an aggressive person by any means, slapping Haven across the face was a front runner for one of my best moments. Damn, it felt good, and the look on her face when she registered she had just been smacked was the cherry on top. Standing up to her was liberating, and if I had the chance I would do it again and again.

  She had once again threatened what I had, and I would not allow myself to feel guilty for the way I behaved. I had told myself I would never allow myself to become the hateful people my parents had become. But this was warranted. Haven deserved it—and more.

  After a trip to the Shumaker’s to get our son and the things we had brought, we headed to the hotel. Camden was so excited to see Zack that when we had to place him in his car seat, he got so pissed he screamed the entire way, reaching for Zack.

  You could see how much he wanted to take him from his seat and hold him close. Halfway to the hotel, we pulled over and Zack made me drive so he could get into the back seat and snuggle our son as he leaned against the car seat and rubbed his face soothingly.

  Within moments, Camden was relaxed and lay his head against the side of his seat, staring at Zack in awe. Just like that, my heart hammered in my chest as I fell even harder for the guy who came back for us.

  Zack was such an amazing man, and each day I realized more and more just how very lucky I was to have his forgiveness.

  I had pulled the unthinkable, and he found it in his heart to forgive my mistake. Never again would I ever hold the truth from him. I was grateful for everything he had given me and nothing was worth losing that.

  ***

  I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel securely around my body. Stepping up to the mirror, I used a hand towel to wipe away the steam that fogged the bathroom.

  Hearing the click of the door behind me, I looked up to see Zack entering the bathroom. He wore a pair of basketball shorts and nothing more. Turning around to face him, I leaned back against the sink as his gaze raked over my body.

  Chills covered my skin as I registered the smoldering look in his eyes.

  The bandage on his thigh peeked out from beneath the hem of hi
s shorts, and it made me realize I had yet to ask about the events that led to him being here with me now.

  “You gonna tell me about it?” I asked as I pointed toward his leg. He only shook his head as he stepped closer.

  “Not now,” he whispered as he placed his hands on my hips and leaned in to kiss the side of my neck. “I don’t want to talk about it now.” Another kiss, this time nipping at my ear. “All I want to do now is get lost inside you.”

  Maintaining my focus was not possible when this hot-as-sin SEAL was kissing me the way he was, spouting off promises like that. As if that in itself was not enough, there was a very impressive erection pressing against me, just waiting for attention.

  I rose up on my tip toes and began torturing him myself, licking along his jaw and kissing his neck. “Is he sleeping?” I asked and he nodded his head.

  Before I could speak another word, he placed his hands on the backs of my thighs and lifted to place me on the vanity behind me. I guessed that meant we were doing this right here and right now.

  Zack pushed my thighs apart and the towel gave way, exposing me completely. I watched in amazement as he ran his finger along my inner thigh before grazing my clit. I whimpered, and it only seemed to drive him further as he lowered his finger and toyed with my slickness. “So wet,” he whispered.

  I wanted to ask him how I could not be, but my head fell back as he pressed a finger inside me and began to pump it in and out slowly.

  “So beautiful,” he stated. “I love to watch you get turned on. It’s one of the most mesmerizing things I’ve ever witnessed.”

  I couldn’t think. The way he was fingering me, crooking his finger just right, made my body hum.

  “You are perfect, Linds,” he whispered as he placed his lips to my collarbone. “So perfect.”