by Jenna Jacob
Chapter Six
Darren
Tori’s words sliced my soul like razor blades and unleashed a torrent of rage so brutal I threw my head back and bellowed to vent my fury.
“Dino roar,” Dustin cried.
While Tori’s worried gaze stayed locked on me, I watched our son raise his face to the sky and let out a tiny but fierce growl. He was so fucking precious and pure, he knocked the anger right out of me.
Heaving out a heavy sigh, I scrubbed a hand over my jaw and turned to Tori.
“First of all, I’ll never be too famous or busy to ignore my son. Secondly, I’ve spent every day for the past two years reliving each fucking second we spent together. I even hired a private investigator to track you down. Lastly, I know we used condoms, and clearly one failed, but there’s no way I could ever deny that boy is mine.”
Tori gaped at me in utter shock. “Y-you hired a PI?”
“Damn right I did. When I found out you’d given me a bogus cell number, fake name, and lied about winning your ticket, I was shocked. But the fact that you walked out the door without saying goodbye after all the things we shared, then six weeks later, after seeing and hearing my misery about Mac being plastered over every TV station and tabloid, finding you became a moral imperative.”
“You know why I did all those things now.”
“I do, but I still have questions, Tori. A shitload of questions.”
She drew in a sharp breath and lifted her chin. “Ask them, Darren. I owe you the answers.”
“Yes, you do, and we’re going to start with how in the hell you hooked up with those bloodsucking vampires at Celebrity Access.”
The color drained from Tori’s face the way it had last night. Fuck. She was going to pass out on me. Launching out of the swing, I cupped her nape and pushed her head between her legs. Dropping to my haunches, I stroked my palm over her back while murmuring for her to relax and breathe. I kept an eye on Dustin as Tori worked to calm down. Long minutes later, she slowly sat back up and sent me a pleading stare.
“Can we…I don’t know, just skip over that one?”
I bit back a scoff and shook my head. “No. You don’t get to pick and choose. I do.”
A doleful groan slid off her lips as she glanced Dustin’s way. “A girl I used to work with knew I needed money fast and told me about this website.”
“A girl you worked with at the law firm?” I jabbed.
“No. At the nursing home…I used to work at a nursing home.’
“So you purposely sprinkled a trail of phony bread crumbs to keep me from ever finding you, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Kudos to you. You managed to keep your ass covered for a long time.”
“How did you find me?”
Unwilling to give up control of the conversation, I almost dismissed her question, but as I sat down on the swing beside her again, I figured a little quid pro quo might ease this annoying tension between us.
“The PI has a friend with certain computer skills, and he was able to match up the photo I have of you against the DMV database.”
“Is that legal?”
“Probably not.” I smirked. “But it led me to you and Dustin. That’s all that matters.”
“There was a man at Celebrity Access. His name was Jason Collins. He wanted me to get dirt on the band. He told me if I didn’t come up with anything that I should just make something up about you guys having orgies and doing drugs and stuff,” she softly confessed. “When I turned yours in, Collins threatened not to pay me. I told them I wouldn’t sensationalize the story, and if they didn’t give me the money he’d promised, I’d release all the emails we exchanged and expose him for trying to set you and the others up.”
“So he paid you, didn’t he?” Her unhappy nod told me she wasn’t proud of her actions. But then I knew that after my conversation with Ed last night. “Of course they did, ’cause you’re a badass.”
A ghost of a smile tugged the corners of her lips. Christ, I wanted to hear her laugh again…see her really smile.
“Mommy,” Dustin whined as he approached us, wearing a frown.
“What’s wrong, little man?”
“He’s poopy,” Tori apprised as she ruffled his dark hair. “Aren’t you?”
Dustin nodded.
“I didn’t bring the diaper bag, sweetie. We’re going to have to walk back home to change your diaper.”
“Wanna play,” he pouted.
“We’ll come back…tomorrow,” I promised, as I scooped him into my arms. God, was that a mistake. The stench coming off him nearly singed my nose hair. “Whoa. Dang, dude, you are ripe.”
“I should have warned you. He’s kind of…potent,” Tori said with a laugh.
I took a mental picture of her carefree smile as the block of ice around my heart melted just a little.
The wind was, thankfully, blowing the ripe scent from his diaper away as Tori and I double-timed it back to her house.
“You want to change him?” she asked, fighting a grin when we stepped inside.
“I-I’ve never changed a—”
“I’m just messing with you,” she quipped with a subdued smile, lifting Dustin out of my arms.
“Cute. Real cute,” I tossed back.
“Mommy boodaful,” Dustin corrected.
“No, I’m boodaful,” Tori mimicked as she turned and strolled down the hall.
Eyes glued to the lush sway of her ass, I murmured under my breath, “Yes, you are.”
“You two kids kiss and makeup yet?” Ed asked from behind me.
I whipped around with a jolt. The knowing gleam in his eyes made me feel like a kid caught raiding the cookie jar.
“Still too soon for that.” Especially since my emotions had been spiking and falling like a bad EKG since laying eyes on Tori again.
With a nod, he sobered. “I could give you a million reasons why you should forgive her, most wrapped up in regret for my damn kidney being at the crux of it all, but I’d be hard-pressed to find it in my heart to accept if Nancy, her momma, waltzed in that door again.” Ed clapped me on the back. “But then she never attempted to make any kind of amends.”
The old man was right. I could either keep holding on to my anger and wounded pride and end up bitter about Tori’s deceit or I could find a way to forgive her and co-parent without a shitload of animosity between us. It was the mature thing to do, but the sour taste still left on my tongue didn’t want to hear that message just yet.
“I’m sorry she left you two.”
“I’m not.” Ed’s jaw clenched briefly before he waved his hand in the air. “Water under the bridge.”
Down the hall, Dustin started crying. The sound was like a punch to the gut and sent panic swirling within.
“Oh, shit. He’s hurt.”
I started toward the bedrooms when Ed’s chuckle stopped me cold.
“He’s not hurt. He’s just tired and cranky. It’s time for his morning nap,” he informed, clapping me on the shoulder. “Tori will calm him down and tuck him into bed. Don’t worry.”
Before he’d even finished his sentence, I heard her shushing and cooing our son. Then the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard drifted through the air; Tori was singing to him. Cocking my head, I listened and was utterly blindsided when I recognized the tune made popular in the eighties by Linda Ronstadt. It was the same song my mom had sung to me when I was little. Of the millions of ballads in the world, what made Tori choose that one to sing to our son? Coincidence? My gut said no. And I couldn’t help but wonder if it was just another part of this inexplicable connection we shared.
Long minutes later, she emerged from Dustin’s room. “He’ll be out for a couple of hours, so if there’s something you need to—”
“I have an idea,” Ed interrupted. “Why don’t you two kids go out and get some lunch? I’ll be here when Dustin wakes up and fix him something while you’re out.”
Tori blanched and quickly looked down at
her clothing. “I’m not dressed to—”
“Then go change,” Ed prompted.
I nearly laughed. The man couldn’t be more obvious if he tried. Yet Tori didn’t seem to be catching on at all.
“Yeah, go change,” I seconded.
She peered up at me hesitantly, as if gauging my sincerity, then shrugged. “Okay. Give me a second.”
“Take your time.” I nodded.
Feigning innocence, Ed strolled to the recliner, picked up the newspaper, and sent me a wink. “You’re welcome.”
I chuckled and shook my head as I sat down and pulled out my cell to check my emails. I was still scrolling when Tori stepped into the room. She’d let her hair down, and I wanted to thread a fist through the glossy mass cascading down over her shoulders and drag her mouth to mine and kiss off all that pretty pink gloss. Her leg-hugging jeans and the subdued floral-print top cupping her breasts had my cock starting to stand up at attention.
“Do you like pork tenderloin sandwiches?” Tori asked as I pulled the rental from the curb.
“Like ’em? No, I love them. I haven’t had one in years. Why?”
“There’s a place down the street that serves the best ones on the planet.” She nodded.
“Show me the way.”
Short minutes later, I adjusted my hat and sunglasses as we climbed from the car.
“You’re going to draw more attention to yourself wearing those than not,” she warned as we strode toward the entrance of a mom-and-pop diner.
Weighing my options, I tucked the sunglasses in the pocket of my shirt and reached to open the door. Suddenly, a young woman bounded out of the building, carrying a white paper sack.
“Tanya. Hey, are you feeling better?” Tori asked, darting a nervous glance my way.
“Oh, hey, Tori. Not really. I came to get some of Glenda’s chicken noodle soup. Hoping it might help.” She sniffed and raised the bag before turning my way.
“Where are my manners?” Tori said with a forced chuckle. “Tonya, this is—”
“Walt Baxter. Tori’s dad and mine go way back.” I smiled, touching the bill of my hat.
“Tanya Friedman,” the woman smiled warmly. “I work with Tori.”
“Ah, so you’re a physical therapist, too?” I asked, noting how Tori’s eyes grew suddenly wide.
“No. I’m Dr. Bennett’s secretary. How long are you going to be visiting Tori’s dad?”
The jab was subtle, but not the ill-feeling woman’s interest in me.
“Not long,” Tori briskly answered, flashing a predatory smile.
So, she had a jealous streak.
“That’s too bad.” Tanya narrowed her eyes. “Have we met before? You look awfully familiar.”
Acting as if I were trying to place her, I scowled. “Nope. Don’t think so.”
“Hrmm. I could swear I know you from somewhere.”
“You ready, Walt? I’m starving.” Tori pressed a hand to her stomach and opened the door. “Get well. Hope to see you on Monday.”
“I’ll be fine in a day or two,” Tanya assured, still pinning me with a dissecting stare.
As the bell over the door tingled, everyone in the place turned our way. Tori flashed a wide smile while a middle-aged waitress called hello and promised to be with us shortly.
“Table in the back,” I murmured, placing my hand on the bottom curve of her spine.
I felt Tori shiver as familiar tingles engulfed my fingers and crawled up my arm. I wanted to groan at the intense heat rising inside me. The damage between us hadn’t altered our potent animal attraction a damn bit.
Taking the chair with my back to the door—something my inner protector hated doing—I plucked a laminated menu from the napkin dispenser as Tori sat down across the table from me.
“Walt Baxter?” she asked with a comical arch of her brows.
“Don’t be hating, young lady. Walt happens to be my dad’s name and Baxter is the little town in Iowa where my mom, Susan, grew up. I use it as my alias when I travel.”
“Oh,” Tori drawled. “Makes sense.”
“You did not just walk in here without my boyfriend. How could you do this to me, girl?” the waitress chided with a grin, setting two glasses of ice water on the table.
Tori laughed. The sound went straight to my dick.
“He’s at home taking a nap with Dad.”
“When he wakes up, tell him Auntie Glenda is going to show Land Before Time Tuesday night, just for him.” She frowned. “He’s still on the dinosaur kick, right?”
“Oh, yes. Dustin’s all about dinos. I ordered him a T. rex Halloween costume off the Internet last week. Don’t tell him. I want it to be a surprise, but it is so cute.”
A sense of excitement slid through me. Whether I had to dress as a T. rex or don a wig and makeup, I was going to accompany my son trick-or-treating next month.
“Well, hello, handsome.” Glenda grinned, finally looking my way. “My, my. If you aren’t the hottest slab of ribs I’ve seen in…forever… Okay, girl. I forgive you for not bringing Dustin in today.”
Tori giggled. “Glenda, this is Walt Baxter. He’s a long-time family friend. Walt, this is—”
“Wishin’ I was twenty-five and single again.” She winked. “But you can call me Glenda.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Glenda.” I chuckled.
“You brought him here for the best pork tenderloins in the Midwest, right?” Glenda asked.
“Yes, I did. And I’m sure he’ll be just as addicted to them as I am when he takes his first bite.”
“Good girl. With fries?”
“Well, yeah. It’s not a real tenderloin without fries,” I teased.
“Where were you thirty years ago, sugar?” Glenda dramatically sighed then blinked. “Don’t answer that. I don’t wanna hear how you were still a gleam in your daddy’s eye. What do y’all want to drink?”
Before either of us could answer, Tori’s friend Tanya rushed in, grinning from ear-to-ear, and swung her butt down in the chair beside me, face flushed and eyes wide.
I knew that look all too well.
Shit!
“Tori Combs. You…you…bitch,” Tanya hissed before hooking a thumb my direction. “That is Darren Ash. Darren. Fucking. Ash.”
I pressed a finger to my lips and sent Tanya a glare.
“Make our order to go, Glenda…and make it fast,” Tori instructed grimly.
The window of freedom had just slammed shut.
Confusion wrinkling her brow, Glenda nodded and hurried away.
“Keep your voice down, Tanya,” Tori tersely whispered. “You’re causing a scene.”
“Okay. Okay. Sorry. Oh, my god. I can’t believe this.” The girl clapped her fists together excitedly. “Can I have your autograph?”
“Sure. As long as you don’t tell anyone else I’m here.”
“I won’t. I swear I won’t. But I’m going to have to tell—”
“No one.” I scowled.
“But I can’t keep a secret like this from Robin. She’d kill me.”
“You have to,” Tori pressed. “If you don’t, this town is going to be crawling with… Think of Dustin. He doesn’t need to—”
“He’s met your son? Of course he has. Darren Ash has probably met your dad, too,” Tanya rattled on, completely coming unglued.
Tori looked mortified.
Though I’d dealt with the same mindless enthusiasm more times than I could count, I wanted to shake the yammering girl and tell her to shut the fuck up.
“It’s funny, but your kid looks a whole lot like…” Tanya blanched. “Oh, my god. He’s the spitting image of—”
“Shut up,” Tori bit out between clenched teeth. Regret was rolling off her in wave after wave. She then locked sad eyes on me. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” I assured before I glanced over my shoulder. As I feared, everyone in the restaurant was staring.
“Please, Tanya…just go home,” Tori begged.
&nbs
p; “Are you kidding me right now?” her co-worker laughed. “You’re Darren Ash’s baby momma. I’m not budging till I get all the juicy details.”
Miraculously, Glenda appeared at the table with a white paper sack stuffed full.
“I asked Lou to put your order at the front of the line.”
“Thank you.” Tori exhaled a sigh of gratitude.
I reached for my wallet, but Glenda waved me away. “Pay me later.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice. Tori looked as if she was on the verge of bitch-slapping Tanya into the next century.
Before I’d even stood, Tori was out of her chair. Anger and panic were warring all over her face, and her hands were trembling as she grabbed her purse.
“Hey, wait. Where are you going? You owe me an autograph,” Tanya demanded.
“You going to forget you ever saw me?” I countered.
“Yes. Yes. I won’t say a word.” I narrowed my eyes. “I won’t. I swear.”
“You got a pen?”
“Here, use mine,” Glenda offered, removing the one from her notepad.
After scrawling my name on a napkin, I extended it to Tanya. “I’m counting on you to keep your promise.”
“I will. I cross my heart. Thank you, Darren. Thank you so much.”
Call me a fool, but I believed her. Still, I wasn’t going to hang out in the diner now that my cover was blown. Without wasting another moment, I ushered Tori out the door and into my car.
“This happens every time you go out in public, doesn’t it?” she finally asked, breaking the tense and awkward silence.
“Yep.”
“What if Tanya doesn’t keep her big fat mouth shut? What do we do then?”
“I’ll take care of it once we’re back at your place.”
“How? What can you possibly do, besides duct-taping her lips together? What if she starts shouting from the rooftops that you’re here and you’re Dustin’s father?”
“She put that together awfully fast, but then, it’s not surprising.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
I chuckled. “Pot, meet kettle.”
“That’s not fair,” she huffed. “I’ve answered every question you’ve asked, truthfully, since you showed up last night.”
