by C. A. Harms
“Have you heard from her?” As if Quinton could read my mind, I looked up and simply shook my head in answer. “Maybe she just needs a little time.”
“You didn’t see her face.”
“No, I may not have but yours is fucked up.” When I glared at him he chuckled. “Seriously though, Hayley’s been staying at her place.” He almost looked sad about that. “Which means I haven’t seen my girl much.” He was like a pouting baby.
“I really fucked up, but at the time my head was screwed up. Hell, I thought she was getting back with him, meeting him for coffee. I left, pissed off, and then that shit all backfired. Had I known things would turn out like this I would have just confessed in the first place.”
“Why didn’t you?”
I looked from my plate to him as the reasons mulled over in my mind. “I thought I was doing what was best. I didn’t want her to be there when I confessed that I had fallen for his ex. I figured she didn’t need that shit. In the end it didn’t matter and it all still blew up.”
Quinton’s phone chimed and he reached into his pocket to grab for his phone. As he read the message a smile spread out over his lips and he quickly typed something in return. “Looks like my luck is changing.”
“Meaning?”
“Hayley’s coming over tonight.” He set his phone onto the table top and picked up his burger again. “Apparently Ashlynn has some type of flu bug and she doesn’t want Hayley to catch it. So my girl is all mine.”
“How’s Ash?”
He shrugged. “She just said she’s been feeling like hell and missed work today. Apparently her dad was sick, then a few others around the office got it. Now Ash thinks maybe she caught the same thing.”
I nodded, though in my mind I was thinking up all kinds of ways I could get to her. Deliver soup, hand deliver flowers, something, anything really. I didn’t like the idea of her being ill and being alone. I also didn’t like the idea of Beau getting wind of her not feeling well and using it as an excuse to attempt to get closer. At least with Hayley there I knew for a fact that Beau would get nowhere near her. That girl hated him with a passion.
I think she always knew Ashlynn was too good for him.
Chapter Sixteen
Ashlynn
“Who are the flowers from?” I didn’t look up as I lifted the toast from the toaster, because I honestly didn’t want to see her disappointment.
“Beau.”
She let out a sound I was sure was meant to represent the disgust she felt. “He is ridiculous. Does he not get that the two of you are over?”
“I think he feels like if he stops trying then Kyler wins. But no one is winning because it is not a contest.”
“What do you feel?”
I didn’t feel like talking about them, that was for sure. So I did the easiest thing I could think of. I eliminated the two of them from the conversation by taking a completely different route. “I feel cranky, irritable, and nauseated.”
I looked up at the very moment she smiled, knowing it was my attempt to ignore the situation. I walked toward my bedroom, toast in one hand and a bottle of ginger ale in the other, hoping that I took away her opportunity to dig for more than my lame explanation. Crawling into my bed, I lay both items on the nightstand and curled onto my side beneath the covers, seeking the shelter of the blankets. Somehow hiding in bed made it easier to ignore the outside world. That was until the best friend who continued to hover stepped into the room and interrupted my solace.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay if I leave?” I looked over toward the door to find Hayley leaning against the frame. “Because I can stay, it’s not a problem.”
“I’m fine, really.” I was so far from fine, but I needed to be alone. What I had to do couldn’t be done if I had her watching over me ready to lecture me for my idiotic mistakes. I didn’t need anyone telling me what I already knew.
I was reckless.
I made a careless choice that may have led to some very serious consequences.
“Do you promise to call or text if you need something?” I nodded in agreement. “And I do mean anything.”
“I got it, Hayley.” I forced a smile. “I promise I’ll call if I need you, now get going. Quinton’s probably bouncing off the walls by now.”
“He’s texted me four times.”
I thought Hayley was secretly enjoying the poor guy’s torture.
“Enjoy your night.” She watched me closely, and I forced a smile I hoped reassured her that I’d be okay. “I just need to sleep this off, that’s all.”
“I’d hug you but—”
“I know.”
She blew me a kiss and I waited in silence to hear the front door close. The moment I heard the click I slowly slipped from bed and looked out the side window just in time to see the taillights of Hayley’s red convertible as she drove away from the house.
My earlier eagerness was now replaced with fear as I sat down on the side of my bed and took a few minutes to just breathe. My stomach twisted as my nerves threatened to take over, only I didn’t allow it. I couldn’t.
One more deep breath in and I slowly released it before I stood up and moved toward my dresser. Again I paused, but only for a few seconds, then opened up the top drawer. There, just beneath my panties, was the plastic bag containing the item I bought earlier today.
I knew this test would be the one thing that decided my future, and that terrified me. I felt light-headed and nauseated as I held the bag in my hand and moved toward the bathroom. One near panic attack and a defeated slide from leaning against the wall and landing on the floor later, I found myself in the doorway of my bathroom in tears.
“Ashlynn?” I jumped at the sound of Hayley’s voice and quickly tried to hide the test in my hand. Only I was too late. She stepped into view and from the look of realization on her face, I knew she’d already seen. “What’s going on?”
My shoulders sagged, and I hung my head as I looked toward the floor. I couldn’t look directly at her, I was too ashamed.
“Ash, talk to me.” She sat down on the floor before me, and when she reached out, she placed her hand on mine then slowly turned it over. The pregnancy test I held was on full display as well as the results, staring up at the both of us.
“You’re pregnant.”
Hearing her say it aloud only triggered more tears to fall and I nodded my head. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do. How could I have been so stupid?”
“You’re not in this alone, he was there too, Ash.”
“No.”
“Yes.” She doesn’t give me a chance to back myself into a corner. “I know you’re mad at Kyler, believe me, I understand. You have every right to be, but maybe you should talk to him. Because whether you like it or not, the two of you are tied together now.”
“I just need some time,” I told her. “Please don’t say anything to anyone.”
Turning her body around, she placed her back to the wall next to the door and leaned in closer. “I’m on your side, Ashlynn, always. And now I’m on your baby’s side too.”
I hung my head again, fighting off the tears as my heart raced in my chest.
I’m pregnant.
I said the words again in my head, still unsure of how it all made me feel. It wasn’t the right time, but I couldn’t change it.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I finally asked, needing a change of subject. “I thought you were going to Quinton’s for the night?”
“I was.” She allowed her head to rest back against the wall behind her and looked over at me. “But I forgot my bag.”
“He’s waiting on you, you should go.”
“Not a chance.” Reaching out again, she took my hand in hers. “I’m right where I’m staying for tonight. My girl needs me, even if she tries to convince herself she doesn’t. I know the truth.”
“She does.” I didn’t even attempt to deny it.
“She’s got me. It’s a binge movie night.”
“Tha
t sounds almost perfect.” Leaning in further, she lay her head on my shoulder. It’ll be okay. It has to be.
***
My hands shook and I fisted them at my sides just as I stepped through the doors of Harrington Motors. As if I was fresh meat thrown in a shark tank, all the salesmen zoned in and began moving in my direction.
Maybe showing up at Kyler’s work wasn’t the best option, but I wanted neutral territory. I wasn’t here to discuss us, I was here to tell him about the baby.
“How can I help you?” I looked to my left to see a short, balding man, smiling as if I was his next paycheck. I hated to break the news to him—I wasn’t there to buy a car or a bike.
“I was hoping to speak with Kyler Harrington, please.”
The eagerness that was on his face only moments ago faded just a little. “Are you a friend of Kyler’s?”
“Yeah. Is he around?”
“He’s actually out of town.” Suddenly I was the one feeling disappointed. “He’ll be gone until Friday, possibly longer. Depends on if he takes the deal.”
“The deal?”
“Being his friend, I would’ve assumed he’d share the news of his opportunity with you.”
Smiling at the man, because quite frankly he was being a jerk, I nodded. “Of course. I just didn’t realize he would be leaving so soon.” I wasn’t sure if he could sense my hesitation. “I thought it would nice to surprise him with a visit, but I’ll just call him. Thanks.”
The guy smirked as if he knew I was lying and I did my best to give him no indication that he was right.
Walking toward my car in a hurry, I climbed inside and began searching for my phone in my bag.
After the second ring, Hayley picked up. “Hey little mama, how you feeling?”
“Seriously?”
“Don’t get your panties all tied in a knot, for Pete’s sake. I’m in my car driving, alone.” She was still the only person who knew, and I wanted to keep it that way for now. At least until I figured things out. “So did you talk to him?”
“He’s gone.”
“As in,” she paused for a moment, “out to lunch?”
“No.” I put my car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot, driving back toward the office. “The guy just said something about some big opportunity and that he’d gone out of town. He’ll be gone through Friday, maybe even longer. Has Quinton said anything?”
“We don’t usually talk about Kyler.” Yeah, they didn’t talk about anything, normally. It was more physical than anything else. I swear the two of them were like rabbits.
“Can you ask him?”
“I’m on my way to meet him now.” Her phone beeped with an incoming call. “Actually that’s him. I’m running late so he’s most likely calling to bitch about that.”
“Call me back.”
We ended the call and I impatiently waited for her return call. An hour earlier I left the office fully intending to tell Kyler about the baby. I wasn’t sure how he’d react, but I wanted him to know. As I pulled into the parking deck near my father’s office I couldn’t keep my mind from racing.
What opportunity?
And would the news of a child hinder that chance?
Chapter Seventeen
Kyler
“We want to know what you think, how it handles, if there’s anything you’d change.” I slid my palm along the sleek body.
Titanium silver, black accents, fucking beautiful.
“This bike is part of the deal.” I looked over at the man I now knew as Gunther Monroe, CEO of the Ducati Manufacturer in Bologna, Italy, where they flew me to and had since treated me like some kind of king. It all still completely blew my mind. I was a California kid who had always had a love for bikes. I wasn’t some big name who would bring them the hype they wanted for this campaign.
“But this is only one item from the contract we wish to present.”
“This alone is mind-blowing,” I confessed as I continued to admire the machine before me. I’d ridden a hundred different bikes, all of which my father sold in his dealerships, but never one as gorgeous as the one in front of me.
“Why don’t we take this upstairs?” Gunther placed his hand on my shoulder and offered it a tight squeeze. “We can go over the contract, you can ask questions, and then you can take this bike for a spin.”
“Can’t we just skip to the last item on that list?” I said the words aloud without meaning to and the men around me chuckled.
I knew I wouldn’t be signing any contract at this point, not without my father’s attorney overlooking the expectations first. I was younger, but not young enough to believe that there weren’t things that would be expected of me. Things I may not agree to. There would be negotiations; I knew that.
But for that day I would sit through however long a meeting I needed to. I would play the game if it meant at the end of the day I was riding through Bologna on that beautiful bike.
One last slide of my hand over the tank of the beautiful machine and I turned around to face the men and nodded. “Let’s talk.”
***
“Did you get Miles a copy of the contract?”
I leaned forward, placing my elbows on the table as I looked out the large window before me. I’d been put up in a suite at the Aemilia Hotel and the view was amazing. I found myself wishing things were different with Ashlynn, and that she was there with me.
I was giving her space because honestly, I hated to know she was stressing over anything, much less the shit Beau and I had caused. I just hoped that he was doing the same.
“I did.” My father regained my attention. “He said that it’s one hell of a deal. I know he had some concerns about a few small points but nothing major.”
Again I got lost in my surroundings as I observed the young couple only a few tables away. They were enjoying the hotel dining and sharing their dessert with one another. The entire thing made me regret even more how things had turned out with Ashlynn.
“He’ll be there on Sunday.” I looked away from the couple and focused on my father’s words once again. “Monday morning you’ll all sit down and negotiate.”
“Sounds good.”
“Son, are you okay?” His voice was much lower now and etched with concern. “You sound…off.”
“Just tired.” And lonely. I left that part off.
“You get some sleep tonight, and I’ll tell your mother that you’re having the time of your life and you may never return.” He chuckled to himself.
“You tell her that and she’ll be on the first flight out to drag my ass back home.” I wasn’t too proud to admit I was a mama’s boy. Not the kind that still has her doing my laundry and making my meals, but she was my go to person when shit got rough. She was the one who kept me level headed and honest. Granted, I hadn’t mentioned what had taken place between Ashlynn and me, and then later between me and Beau. I guess I was ashamed, in a way, that I hadn’t done things differently.
“Why don’t I just tell her that you miss home, and can’t wait to get back here?”
“Yeah.” I leaned back and reached into my pocket to grab my keycard. “Let’s take that route.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
I signaled to the waitress by lifting my hand slightly in the air. “I’m good, Dad, just need a nap is all.”
I needed a hell of a lot more than that.
We said our goodbyes and after the waitress took my signed bill, I left the restaurant. Only instead of turning toward the elevators I walked toward the front doors.
I wasn’t tired, hell, I was wide awake. If I had chosen to go back to my room the only thing I would have ended up doing was torturing myself for hours and rehashing every moment of the last weeks.
Walking through the streets of Bologna, admiring the history of the city, the beauty it held was what I chose instead. Piazza Maggiore, the Fountain of Neptune, even the Towers of Bologna, they were all so beautiful. I’d always said that one day I’d travel the world, see all
the wonders, but I never imagined I’d be doing it alone. I guess I just pictured the woman I loved by my side to share the experience with me.
“First time in Bologna?”
I looked to my left to see a woman standing there, staring ahead at the medieval structures. Tall, not quite as tall as my six four frame, but damn near six for sure. Long dark hair, so long it blew in the light breeze and landed over her shoulder as she lifted her hand to tuck it behind her ear. When she looked over at me and her eyes locked on my own, I was lost almost instantly.
Her eyes were such an amazing shade of green.
“I’m Aurora, and you?”
I realized I was staring and looked away, only to hear her laugh.
“Kyler.” I was finally able to find my words as I looked back at her. “To answer your question, yes, this is my first time in Bologna.”
“It’s a beautiful city.”
“Yes, it is.” And again I was staring. I’ll admit Aurora was beautiful, exotic even, but still, the comparison between her and Ashlynn was like night and day. I knew then that I’d only set myself up for a lifetime of disappointment when I gave in to temptation and felt Ashlynn against me. Tasting her lips, feeling her touch, it was something that I knew I would never be able to wipe from my memory no matter how hard I tried.
“Are you here in the city for business or pleasure?” I was completely aware of the way she allowed her eyes to roam over me when she said the word “pleasure.” I’m a man, and yes, it did cause my pulse to spike just a bit.
“Business.”
She made a tsk sound. “One should never focus solely on business. It tends to make life entirely too boring.” She then looked around us as if in search of something. “So you are here alone?”
I wasn’t sure if she was flirting or what, but it only gave me the feeling I was somehow cheating on the woman I didn’t even truly have.
I nodded, waiting to see where this conversation would take us.
