But Shantel shook her head. “No, go back in there. Seal the deal. Get Roman that contract. Maybe then your father might finally be happy.” She rushed over to the driver’s seat, buckled up and started the ignition while Julian opened the garage door.
Shantel was about to put the car in gear when Roman suddenly appeared in the driveway and nearly scared her to death.
*
Roman couldn’t let Shantel leave without talking to her. As he’d exited his father’s office, he’d seen Shantel running down the hall. How much had she overhead of their conversation? Was that why she was running away? He didn’t know, but Roman rushed after her, only to find her in Julian’s arms. That angered him. After everything they’d shared, Roman wanted Shantel to feel like she could come to him, tell him anything.
He turned to glare at Julian. “Get out!”
“Now wait just a second—” his brother began, but at the enraged look Roman was sure was on his face, he said, “Shantel, if you need anything, you know I’m a phone call away.”
Roman wanted to throttle his brother, but instead faced his woman. He had to find out what she knew. Schooling his features, he walked toward her. “Shantel, please turn off the car.”
“No.”
He raised an eyebrow. “No?” She had a defiant look in her eye he hadn’t seen in a long time. “We need to talk.”
“We have nothing to discuss,” she responded, looking straight ahead as if he weren’t there. “I heard enough from your father.”
So she had overhead their conversation. He prayed not all of it, because his father had been pretty brutal. How could he spin this? Change the trajectory? Salvage what they had?
“I’m sorry you heard those cruel things my father said, but you know, you know, I don’t share his opinion! Furthermore, why in the hell were you going to Julian when you should be coming to me?”
“Really?” She turned off the ignition and jumped out of the car, slamming the driver’s side door. “First of all, Julian and I have never crossed the line, so don’t you dare bring him into this. This has nothing to do with him and everything do with you, Roman. You were the man who didn’t stand up to your father. You were the one who didn’t tell him he was wrong about me. That I’m not some nobody, some backwoods country opportunist who got knocked up on purpose to ensnare the great Roman Lockett and steal his family business right from under his nose.”
Damn. Roman sucked in a breath. She’d heard it all. What could he say that would convince her of his true intentions, his heart? Should he tell her he loved her? That despite pulling the strings and convincing her to marry him, he’d fallen hopelessly in love with her? That he wanted to be married to her more than anything? He doubted she’d hear him. She was too angry to receive any words of love or comfort, so he had to go with honesty.
Unadulterated honesty.
“Okay, okay.” Roman held up his hands. “I admit when I first met you, I was intent on protecting my place in the company and had my attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement.”
“So you admit there is one?” Shantel asked, folding her arms across her chest. “Exactly when did you plan on sharing that with me? We’ve spent weeks together. You had plenty of opportunity. Instead, you let me overhear your father, your father of all people, talking about it?”
“I’m sorry, Shantel. What can I say? Every time I thought about discussing it with you, it didn’t seem to be the right time or the right place.”
“All those times we talked—” Shantel cocked her head to one side to glare at him “—all the times we made love and you held me afterwards in your arms, you couldn’t tell me then?”
“No!” he yelled. “I couldn’t shatter the fragile thread of a relationship we were building with talk of money and power and status, because that’s all the prenup was about. Holding on to my power and place above my siblings.”
“Did you ever intend to give it to me? Or were you waiting until the wedding day to ambush me with it?”
“I don’t know,” Roman answered as honestly as he could. “Because quite frankly, I hadn’t thought about the prenup in weeks. We’ve been growing so close. It never crossed my mind.”
Shantel shook her head. “So you left it to chance like a game of Russian roulette? This is my life, our child’s life, we’re talking about and you didn’t think it was worthy of discussion? Let’s be honest, Roman. You didn’t expect this marriage to last. You expected us to fail.”
“Shantel…”
“Admit it!” she screamed.
“Okay, at first, yes. I didn’t think we had what it took. I thought we might stay married until the baby was of a certain age and then go our separate ways, but you have to realize my feelings have changed. We are well-suited to one another and I didn’t want to let you go. It’s why I didn’t think about that prenup.”
“And now?”
“And now what?”
She pointed towards the garage door. “I heard what your father said, Roman. If you don’t get me to sign, he’s cutting you off. You’re done! Finished at the Atlanta Cougars.”
“I don’t care what he said.”
“Bull.” He watched as tears streamed down her cheeks. “You can’t tell me you’re prepared to give up everything to be with me.” Shantel flicked the tears away with her fingers. “You don’t even love me.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“I don’t need to. You said them yourself. You care for me, and you may have allowed me to romanticize how we could be more by saying you were falling for me. And that was great, by the way. It kept me firmly under your spell. Kudos.” She clapped her hands in applause. “Hook, line and sinker. I fell for it. But it was all a lie.”
“That’s not true.” Roman shook his head and he made a move toward her, but Shantel retreated behind the car, putting a great distance between them as if there wasn’t a big enough chasm already.
“It is. I was a fool to believe you would ever care for me, let alone love me. Hell, my own mother didn’t love me enough to stay alive.”
He frowned. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying she killed herself, Roman, rather than be with me, my brothers and my father because I’m unlovable and you’ve certainly showed me she was right. There’s something fundamentally wrong with me for believing you could love me someday. I’ve been living in a fairy tale.”
She moved from the rear of the car and Roman reached her as she put her hand on the driver’s side door handle. “Shantel, don’t leave like this, please. I know you’re hurt and angry with me because I didn’t do enough to stand up to my father.”
He hated the look of acceptance on her face. “It’s okay, Roman, you can stop the act. You were marrying me for the baby and I came along with the package. Well, guess what? I’m relieving you of your obligation. You don’t have to worry about including me in your life any longer. My baby and I are going to be okay.”
“Don’t say that, Shantel.” But she was already pushing past him and climbing into the driver’s seat. “We can get through this. Figure it out. If you’ll just give me a chance to explain. Please don’t leave. You shouldn’t even be driving in this condition.”
Shantel wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Oh, don’t you worry. I’ll be okay. I lost my mother and my first love left me, so I know how to cope with loss and I’ll do it again.” She started the engine and the car began moving.
Roman didn’t want to get out of the way, but if he didn’t she’d run over his feet. He stepped backward. “Shantel, please…” But his words were in the wind because the Porsche was already headed down the driveway, taking his baby and the woman he loved out of his life. Possibly forever.
Twenty
“It was all a lie,” Shantel cried into Vanessa’s arms as they lay in Vanessa’s queen-size bed at her condo. Shantel hadn’t even taken off her dress. Instead, Vanessa had helped her climb underneath the fluffy blanket and gotten in beside her, wrapping her arms aroun
d Shantel. “How could I have been so stupid?”
She’d called her best friend as she drove away from the Locketts’ mansion. Vanessa told her to come to her place instead of going home, which was the scene where Shantel had unequivocally fallen in love with Roman Lockett.
“You weren’t stupid,” Vanessa said. “You were trusting. You believed every word Roman told you. There’s nothing wrong with believing in people, Shantel. It’s one of your great qualities and what makes you you.”
Shantel glanced up and smiled at Vanessa through her tears. “If you could have heard the hateful things his father said about me.” She shook her head in amazement. She still couldn’t believe them. She’d stood there frozen in shock because the man she loved hadn’t defended her. Instead, he’d allowed Josiah Lockett to speak ill of her. “What did I do to deserve that? I’ve been supportive, helping him win over his prospective player. And yet he couldn’t come to my defense when the going got tough.”
“It’s unconscionable,” Vanessa said. “You shouldn’t have had to go through that. You deserve better, Shantel. So much better.”
Shantel nodded. “I didn’t deserve to be treated this way by someone who claims to care for me. That’s what hurts the most.”
“I know it may be too soon to ask, but what are you going to do? It’s not like you can just break up with him and avoid him. You’re having his baby.”
“I know,” Shantel cried. She’d thought about nothing else on the drive over. Her palm instantly came to rest on the light swell of her stomach. It wasn’t much but she was starting to see subtle changes in her body, which made this so difficult. She was carrying the baby of a man she was very much in love with, but who didn’t love her back or respect her enough to take a stand with his father.
Roman would forever live in Josiah’s shadow if he didn’t nip his father’s dictating ways in the bud. But he had been obeying his father so long, Shantel doubted he even knew how to break free, and she certainly wasn’t sticking around to find out. After losing her mother during those crucial teenage years, it was important to her that her baby grow up with two loving parents. Somehow, some way she had to figure out how to coparent with Roman without destroying herself in the process.
*
Several days later, Roman sat staring at the walls of his office. How was it possible that one thing in his life could go so perfectly while the other went off the rails in spectacular fashion?
He’d finally convinced Curtis and his father, Tim, that signing with the Atlanta Cougars would be a good move. Father and son were happy with the signing bonus and contract presented and were flying back home so Curtis could finish out his senior year. Curtis was determined his son would have a college degree.
And the person Roman had to thank most, Shantel, no longer wanted anything to do with him. She’d cut him off entirely from her life as if the last few weeks hadn’t existed. But they had. If anyone had told him a month ago he would fall in love with Shantel and the tiny life they’d created after a moment of unforgettable passion, he would have called them a liar.
Yet that’s exactly what happened. He’d fallen for her smile, natural beauty, down-to-earth charm and positive outlook on life. Because of her, he’d reevaluated his weekend with the Jacksons and she’d been right. Tim wanted to ensure his son wasn’t another number, but would be cared for by the Locketts like a member of the family. And he’d gotten that.
Upon hearing she was ill, Tim had been disappointed not to get to say goodbye to Shantel. Roman had had to think quick on his feet when she hadn’t returned with him to the salon the night of the dinner party. He’d revealed she was expecting and told Tim she was feeling unwell. Tim completely understood and Roman promised to give her his regards.
But now that the deal was signed, Roman felt numb. He should be celebrating. He’d pulled off signing one of the best wide receivers in college football to the Atlanta Cougars. He’d shown his father he was a man to be reckoned with. The win, however, felt hollow. He didn’t feel right because it had come at the expense of losing Shantel.
She believed Roman cared more about business, power and status than their budding relationship. That would have been true of the Roman of yesteryear, but he’d changed since learning he was going to be a father. He’d realized nothing was more important than the happiness and well-being of his child.
There was a knock at the door and Julian hesitantly poked his head in. Roman couldn’t believe he was actually respecting his privacy. “C’mon in.” Roman motioned for him to enter.
Julian walked toward him with purpose and sat down in the chair facing Roman. He was silent as he stared Roman down.
“What?” Roman asked.
“Tell me you’re not this daft,” Julian replied. “Tell me you know you messed up and you’re going to fight for my girl.”
Roman’s mouth turned to a grim line at Julian’s use of my girl.
Julian held up his hand. “Don’t even start. It’s a turn of phrase. I’ve been waiting for you to get off your butt and do something.”
“What would you have me do?” Roman asked. “She refuses to take my calls, doesn’t return my texts. She’s blocked me.”
“Then show up at her house. Convince her she’s made a mistake.”
“Been there. Done that,” Roman said, standing up. “I went over to her house two days ago. She wasn’t there. Not only was the place locked up tight, but she had the locks changed. My key wouldn’t work. I even showed up at her office and her partner said she was taking a couple of weeks off.”
Julian leaned back in his chair and regarded him. “Oh, she’s really mad at you.”
Roman shook his head. “It’s more than that. She’s disappointed in me.”
“Why?”
“You mean, your girl didn’t tell you?” Roman was surprised by that. He’d assumed Shantel had spilled the beans the night of the party when Julian had lent her the keys to the Porsche—which she’d sent back, shiny and as good as new the following day. Not a scratch on it. Any other woman might have thought to key it in revenge, but not Shantel. She wasn’t built that way.
“No, why would you think that?” Julian stared at him and shook his head. “When will you get it, Roman? Shantel and I aren’t down like that. Sure, we’re friends, but she would never confide in me about something personal in your relationship. If she did, it might jeopardize ours, and she would never want that. You have to get over this jealousy.”
“It’s not so much jealousy. It’s more of a proprietary feeling.” At Julian’s incredulous look, Roman continued. “I know it’s crazy, but I feel like since we were together, she was my woman. And I know I didn’t do right by her after our first night together, but since I found out about the baby, I’ve done my very best.”
Julian nodded. “I agree. Even I was impressed with how you’ve treated her and I see she cares for you a great deal.”
“She told me she loved me,” Roman blurted out.
His brother’s eyes widened in alarm. “She did? So what went wrong? It would have to be pretty big for her to walk out on you and cut off all communication with you and me.”
“With you too?”
“Yep, I’ve tried. Calls. Texts. And no response.”
She could be anywhere by now.
“So, I’m waiting,” Julian prompted him. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t stand up and defend her and her character when our father went off on one of his infamous rants. She heard everything. Every unsatisfactory thing our father said or called her.”
“Lord!” Julian rubbed his head. “This is a mess. You need to find her, Roman. Tell her you’re sorry. Beg and plead for her forgiveness, because I’ve got to tell you, you’re not going to find another woman like her. She’s one in a million.”
“How can I apologize? How can I make things right if I don’t know where she is?”
Julian released a long sigh. “Knowing Shantel, she would go someplace where she would feel love
d. Cared for. She would go…”
“Home to McDonough,” Roman finished. How have I not thought about that? He’d seen the love surrounding her there with his very own eyes. She would want the comfort, security and love her family provided.
“Thanks, Julian.” Roman came toward him, pulling him into a brotherly hug. “I appreciate you hearing me out and not jumping to conclusions.”
“You mean like when I sucker-punched you in the jaw?” Julian laughed as the two men separated.
“Something like that.” He began walking backwards to the door. “But I promise you. I will fix this and I will bring Shantel back.”
“You’d better or you’ll have me to contend with,” Julian warned.
“Oh, I know, I know.” He had his work cut out for him. Was there a chance Shantel would forgive him? Roman sure hoped so because he was banking his entire future on it.
*
“You sure you’re okay?” Shantel’s father asked her later that afternoon.
“Oh, yeah.” Shantel buried her face in her favorite horse’s mane and tried to hide her pain. As if she knew something was wrong, Lady whinnied.
She fisted away a tear, angry at herself for allowing the pointless indulgence when tears wouldn’t change things. Because there were no if onlys in life. There was only the certainty you had to deal with the hand you were dealt and face the consequences no matter how bleak they sometimes seemed.
She’d done that when her mother had died. Had learned to deal with the pain and push it all down inside and move on.
“Don’t try and fool me, young lady.” Her father pulled her away from the horse and into his arms. “I know when you’re upset.”
“Daddy…you don’t have to do this.” Shantel tried to move away, but he held on tighter until eventually she gave up and accepted the hug. And when she did, the floodgates opened.
“That’s right, Buttercup. Let it all out,” her father said soothingly.
And so Shantel bawled right there in the middle of the stables, where any of the stable hands could see her falling apart. When she was done, one side of her father’s shirt was soaked with her tears, but he didn’t care. He led her out of the stables and to the farmhouse. When they made it to the porch, he sat Shantel in one of the rocking chairs he and her mother had used frequently and walked inside.
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