Break Point: A Winning Ace Novella

by Delaney, Tracie

  Cash dragged over a chair. He picked up Rupe’s drink and took a swig. Urgh, gin. He hated gin.

  “Sorry,” he muttered to Jayne. “But your comments about surrogacy have translated into my fucking wife offering her uterus to Emmalee. You know. Like you do.”

  “Oh…” Jayne said.

  “Shit,” Rupe added.

  Cash dragged a hand through his hair. “She’s lost her fucking mind, clearly. I’ve told her there’s no way I’m letting her do it.”

  Rupe barked a laugh. “Jesus, you’re brave. How did that go down?”

  “Like a shit sandwich.”

  “I can see why she offered, though,” Jayne said, not remotely fazed by Cash’s responding glower. “Emmalee has been her friend for so long, and it must be agonizing for Tally to see Em so upset and hurt, especially given you have children of your own.”

  “Really?” Cash said. “And the fact I’m her husband doesn’t matter in the slightest I suppose?”

  Jayne blew out a frustrated breath. “Of course it matters, but if this is how you responded when she tried to speak to you about it, I’m surprised you’ve still got your own teeth.”

  Rupe laughed. Cash… did not.

  “And what would you do, huh?” he said to Rupe. “If Jayne came to you with a crazy idea of carrying someone else’s child, one that you had nothing to do with?”

  “Firstly,” Rupe said, putting on his patient voice, “I’d say ‘let’s get the one we’re about to have out of the way first and then we’ll talk about it’, and secondly...” He put his finger in the air when Cash started to interrupt, “Secondly. Aha!”

  Cash frowned. “What the fuck does ‘aha’ mean?”

  “It means ‘and therein lies the problem’. It’s not the fact that your wonderful, kind, generous, and all-round-amazing wife has offered to give the greatest gift of all to someone who’s been closer than a sister to her for over thirty years that’s the issue here. It’s because it won’t have anything to do with you. It’ll be Em and David’s baby, with your wife as the incubator, and you, my dear, lifelong friend, will be relegated to sitting on the side-lines and doing nothing apart from sticking your finger up your arse.”

  “Utter bollocks,” Cash scoffed.

  Rupe tilted his head. “Is it?”

  “Of course it is,” Cash said. “Have you forgotten that Natalia has a history of difficult pregnancies?”

  Rupe raised his eyes heavenward. “Pregnancy. Singular. Cian popped out with no trouble at all. Look, my suggestion, for what it’s worth, is to go for a walk, have an honest conversation with yourself about why you’re so against this, and then go and talk to Tally.”

  Cash scowled at his oldest friend. What the fuck did he know? If it was Jayne, Rupe would be the first to put his foot down, although no doubt he’d manage it in a much more diplomatic way than Cash had. Huffing, he got to his feet.

  “Fine.”

  He marched down to the beach, but when he spotted Mum, Meredith, and the kids paddling in the sea, he spun on his heel and headed out onto the street. After walking for a mile or so, he happened upon a bar – the kind of place frequented by locals rather than the tourists who would fork out for overpriced cocktails just because the place had a view of the sea. Well, the only view Cash needed was the bottom of a beer bottle.

  He pulled up a seat on one of the colourful stools camped around the distressed wooden bar. The bartender acknowledged his raised finger and thirty seconds later, he had a cold beer in which to drown his sorrows.

  As he stared into space, Cash took a long drink. He had every right to his anger at Natalia’s stupid suggestion—every goddamn right. She seemed to have forgotten a minute detail in her haste to give Emmalee what she craved. On Cian’s fourth birthday, over three years ago, he’d tentatively raised the idea of them having a third child. Natalia had dismissed the idea out of hand, and said her family was complete. He’d let it go because he hadn’t been sure whether it was really what he wanted. Time had passed and the right moment to properly discuss it hadn’t come up again. He’d been so busy with the children they did have that he’d pushed the idea to the back of his mind and forgotten all about it—until now—until Natalia had offered to have a kid for her best friend instead of them having another one together.

  What was the saying? People always want what they can’t have. Never a truer phrase.

  After three beers, and no answers, he returned to the house. Before he even set foot through the front door, though, his mother appeared wearing a knowing look.

  “Who blabbed?” Cash asked.

  She linked her arm through his. “Let’s go into the sitting room.”

  “Where’s Natalia?”

  She jerked her head towards the back of the house. “She’s playing with the kids in the pool.”

  “And sent you to head me off, right?”

  “Wrong.”

  They sat on the couch, Cash staring out the window, his mother staring at him. Silence roared in his head until he couldn’t stand it any longer.

  “What do you want me to say?”

  Mum tilted her head. “I don’t want you to say anything.”

  “Great.” He clambered to his feet.

  “Sit down, Cash.” Her tone held a steely note that only an idiot would ignore. She could be fearsome when she set her mind to it. He obeyed her command as if he was a child rather than a grown man.

  “I don’t want you to say anything because I’m going to talk and you’re going to listen.”

  Cash pinched the bridge of his nose and braced himself for a lecture.

  “How you managed to snag such a warm, loving, kind and giving woman, and keep her for over a decade is a mystery to me.”

  Cash’s eyes widened. “Gee, thanks,” he said, sarcasm highly prevalent.

  “You’re welcome,” she replied in an equally sarcastic tone. She smoothed her skirt over her knees. “Cash, you’re my son and I love you, but dear God, sometimes I wish you would think before you speak.”

  “She made this ‘offer’ to Emmalee before even discussing it with me.”

  Mum blew a heavy breath through her nose. “Yes, and she realises that was a mistake. If you give her five minutes, she’ll tell you that herself.”

  Cash threw his hands out to the side. “What would you have me do, Mum?” he snapped. “Stand by while my wife carries someone else’s baby when she refused to carry mine?”

  Cash was hit with a loud, “What?” in stereo—one from his mother, and the other from Natalia, who had appeared in the entrance to the sitting room.

  “What baby? What are you talking about?” Natalia demanded, moving into the room.

  Mum got to her feet. “Okay, I think this is my cue to leave.” She patted Natalia on the arm and squeezed Cash’s shoulder, then quietly left them to it.

  “Cash, what on earth are you talking about?”

  He got up, closed the door, then indicated for her to sit. He flopped down beside her, exhausted. “On Cian’s fourth birthday, I asked you whether we should have another baby, and you completely dismissed the idea. Said your family was complete.”

  Her lips parted in shock. “Cash, my family is complete. You, Darcey, Cian, you’re all I need, and all I want. But dear God, if I’d known it meant this much to you…” She shook her head. “Why didn’t you talk to me about this?”

  He shrugged. “At the time, I wasn’t too bothered. It had only been an idea, and when you clearly weren’t keen, I forgot all about it. Let’s face it, Darcey and Cian keep us busy, especially now Cian is showing a real interest in tennis and allowing me to coach him. But… oh I don’t know, sweetness. All this with Emmalee brought it to the fore again for me.”

  She took his hands in hers. “Do you want another baby? I mean really want another baby? Have you got the time, the energy, to start all over again, just as our two are becoming more independent?”

  “No, I don’t think I have.” He dropped his chin to his chest. “I didn’t
mean to storm out.”

  “Sure you did, it’s who you are. It’s who you’ve always been and it’s the man I love, the man I married. But please, please, at least take some time to think about the possibility of me carrying this baby for Em and David. After you’ve done that, if you are still adamant you don’t want me to do it, then I won’t. I would never go against your wishes on something as important as this, as long as your rationale is considered and not the result of some flash of anger – that’s all I’m asking, Cash.”

  He nodded. “Give me a little time, okay?”

  She leaned forward and kissed him. “Take as long as you need.”

  Chapter 10

  When Cash appeared with Tally, Em wasn’t sure what he’d do or say, but when he sat beside her and threw an arm casually around her shoulder, she relaxed. She considered asking him if they were cool, but when he didn’t bring up his earlier fury, she decided to let it lie. It was better for Tally to handle him. She’d been doing it successfully for years and, if he wouldn’t budge, well, there wasn’t any point dwelling on what was never meant to be.

  “Who’s up for a game of pool volleyball?” Cash asked.

  Em stretched. “Does that involve having to move?”

  Cash laughed. “Duh.”

  “Count me out. I’m feeling lazy.”

  “I’m in,” David said.

  “Yeah, I’ll give it a go,” Rupe said. “Although my coordination is terrible.”

  “That’s why you’re not on my team,” Cash said. “Two against one, David?”

  “I’ll be on your team, Uncle Rupe,” Darcey said, hugging him from behind.

  Rupe patted her hand. “Thank you, angel. At least you love me.”

  “Someone has to,” Cash drawled.

  Rupe made sure Darcey couldn’t see him, and then showed Cash his middle finger. Cash laughed.

  “I’d better referee this,” Tally said, getting to her feet. “Want to help me keep everyone in check, Cian?”

  He nodded eagerly, and the six of them went over to the pool. Cash and Rupe set up the net and, after the obligatory coin toss, Tally threw the ball to Rupe.

  “I’ll bet you a fiver this is over within ten minutes,” Em said.

  Jayne held out her hand. “I’ll take that bet.”

  “I guess you’ve got to, seeing as you’re married to him.” Em teased, shaking Jayne’s hand.

  “Oh, I’m not betting on Rupe. My money’s on Darcey.”

  Em burst out laughing. “That makes sense.” Then her face grew serious. “I’m so sorry about before. I really am pleased for you both. It’s such wonderful news, and you and Rupe are going to make amazing parents. I can’t imagine a more deserving couple.”

  “I can imagine an equally deserving couple,” Jayne said. “It’s awful what you’re going through, Em. I’m not even going to pretend to try and understand how you’re feeling. Cash will come around, just give him time.”

  Em pulled a face. “You reckon?”

  She nodded. “I’m sure of it.”

  As the game progressed, the noise level increased. Cash and David’s lead grew, so Tally joined Rupe and Darcey on their side of the net, leaving Cian to referee.

  “Cheat,” Cash shouted.

  “Just evening the score,” Tally hit back.

  The three against two eventually triumphed, winning by a narrow margin. Rupe lifted Darcey onto his shoulders, and did a victory parade around the pool with her giggling away and whooping at the top of her voice.

  “That was fun, but I’m exhausted now,” Tally said, flopping onto a sun lounger.

  “Hey, Tal,” Em said, pointing her chin at Rupe who was just getting out of the pool. “Remember what I said earlier?”

  Tally grinned. “Let’s do it.”

  The two of them jumped to their feet, sprinted across to Rupe and, before he had chance to figure out what was happening, pushed him back into the pool – he came up spluttering, and grinning, while Em and Tally doubled over laughing.

  “You pair of bitches,” Rupe said, scrambling to get out of the pool. Tally ran and hid behind Cash, but Em didn’t make it to David in time. Rupe snagged her around the waist and tossed her into the pool, jumping in after her.

  “Payback time,” Rupe sang, throwing Em in the air before dropping her once more.

  “I surrender,” Em said, gasping for breath and holding her hands in the air.

  “I knew you would,” he said smugly and then, realising they were alone, he cocked his head at her to follow him to the far side of the pool. They sat on the edge, and he took hold of her hand. “I’m sorry about before. If I’d known, then I would never have blurted out about the baby like that.”

  Em shook her head. “No, it’s me who should be apologising. I’m so happy for you both. I said to Jayne before what wonderful parents you’ll make. You weren’t to know about the problems me and David were having.”

  “I wish I had. You’re one of my closest friends, Em. I gotta say I’m a little disappointed you didn’t confide in me.”

  “It’s not exactly the sort of conversation you have with a male friend, though, is it? ‘Sorry I’m miserable today, but despite screwing my husband at every available opportunity because we’re trying to get pregnant, my goddamn period turned up again this month’.”

  Rupe made a face. “Okay, point taken.” He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his side. “Is it really hopeless?”

  She nodded. “So the experts say.”

  He rested his head on top of hers. “Life sucks sometimes.”

  “Yeah, it does.”

  “Love you, Fallon.”

  “Love you too, dick face.”

  Chapter 11

  “I can’t believe we’re going home tomorrow,” Em said to David as she packed the last of her things, leaving out a dress for tonight’s dinner in town, and a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt for the flight home.

  “It’s been an eventful holiday, that’s for sure,” David said, grinning.

  “You got that right.” She straightened up and stretched. “I’m not looking forward to the freezing temperatures back home.”

  David slipped his arms around her waist and propped his chin on her shoulder. “Let’s book another trip away as soon as we get home—just the two of us—maybe the Canary Islands? We could go in early spring. The weather is lovely that time of year.”

  Em nodded, although part of her still hoped Cash would come around and she’d be spending the springtime having her eggs “harvested”. She suppressed a chuckle. It sounded ridiculous but, apparently, that was the medical term.

  Cash, though, hadn’t raised the issue of surrogacy again, either with them, or Tally. Tal had briefed them on her last conversation with him, and explained she’d promised him as much time as he needed. That still didn’t stop Em from holding her breath every time Cash spoke to her, in case it was to tell her no.

  She twisted in David’s arms and reached up for a kiss, but a rap on the door stopped their lips from touching. She crossed the room and then opened the door.

  “Cash,” she said, her stomach heading north and lodging itself in her throat.

  “Can I come in?”

  She stepped back, gesturing. “Sure.”

  This is it. Cash’s expression was far too serious to be a “fancy a quick drink before dinner?” conversation.

  Em perched on the end of the bed while Cash and David sat on the small sofa. “It’s a no, isn’t it, Cash? I mean, you can say it. I don’t blame you at all. I understand how difficult this must be for you, and I really appreciate you taking the time to think about it properly. This won’t affect our friendship, will it? I know it took us years to finally admit we liked each other, and now we’re there, I don’t want to lose that over this...” She sucked in a breath. “Sorry, I’m rambling.”

  Cash threw back his head and laughed. So not the response Em had expected.

  “That might be the least confident I’ve ever heard you,” h
e said. “And definitely the humblest.”

  She leaned forward and slapped his knee. “Stop teasing me.”

  He held up his hands. “Okay, okay.” He glanced at David then back at her. “I’ve thought long and hard about this, and I’m not going to lie. I’ve been back and forth. But knowing what it’s like to hold your child in your arms—a human being you created out of your intense love for one another—well, I can’t rip that dream from someone else. Natalia is the one taking all the risks here and, if she wants to do this for you, then who am I to stand in her way?”

  Stunned, Em could only stare at him. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but nothing came out – thankfully, David stepped in.

  “Jesus, man, are you sure?” Cash nodded.

  “I won’t change my mind. That’s why I took the time to really think about it. Natalia and I have privately talked about little else but, in true Natalia style, she let me come to my own conclusions.”

  A sob broke from Emmalee’s throat, the strangled sound the culmination of the rollercoaster she’d been on ever since the doctor had told her that her chances of conceiving were very small – followed by the last few days of hope, despair, then hope again. Feeling dizzy with relief, she stumbled to her feet and threw her arms around Cash.

  “Thank you so much. Oh, Cash, you have no idea what this means to me. To us.”

  After Em released him, David shook his hand. “We’ll never forget this.”

  They chatted for a little while longer, then Cash left them alone to absorb the change this was going to bring to their lives, not to mention Tally’s.

  A moment of doubt crept into Em’s mind. This was huge. She’d been so busy thinking about herself, she’d only paid lip service to the impact it would have on Tally.

  “I need to talk to Tal,” Em said, adding, “Alone” when David rose to his feet.

  He nodded and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right here.”

  Em found Tally in the kitchen with Meredith. The two of them were trying to get a meal down the kids before the babysitter arrived. Tally had insisted Meredith and Rachael come to the restaurant that evening – the grandmothers had been content to lounge around by the pool drinking gin while the six of them had gone out but, as it was their last night, Tally had arranged for a highly recommended sitting service to look after the kids.