by Claire Angel
“Yeah, I'm fine Mona. I guess congratulations are in order twice tonight. Are you excited?”
“I don't know if I would say excited, but I am ready for the new beginning.”
There was one question that was on the tip of my tongue. It was something that I just had to know, but how was I supposed to ask such a thing?
“Well, I am happy for you. Children are such a blessing.”
“Thanks. I wasn't sure how you would take it, considering.”
“Considering what?”
“Well, considering that it is most likely Jesse’s of course. As far along as I am, he is the only person it could be. I don't think that it could be Phillip’s. We haven't been together that long.”
“Does he know that?”
I was dying inside with the idea that this woman was carrying Jesse’s baby. Of all the futures that I had imagined in my head, not one of them had Mona pregnant in them. What was I supposed to do with that?”
“Oh, he knows. He said that even though his friend was willing to leave me stranded, that he wouldn't. Phillip is a really good guy. You have a really nice brother.”
I was so confused, because she was looking at me and smiling at me like we were friends, but we both knew that we weren't. I would never be friends with someone like Mona. Knowing that she might be carrying Jesse’s baby, there was no way that I could have anything to do with her in a positive light. How could this have happened?
“Why are you here tonight, Mona?”
“I just thought that we should all clear the air, since we're going to be a part of each other’s lives.”
Her words made me feel cold inside. Mona was the last person that I wanted to be a part of my life. What had just happened, that could change everything so quickly?
“Right.”
“Surely you can see that it is better that we get along. At least for the baby’s sake.”
I left the bathroom before I could say anything else, because I just couldn't look at her right now. I could not look at her at the same time she was talking about Jesse's baby. I had imagined that I would be the one to have his child and the idea that his seed was growing inside of Mona was a little harder for me to take then I would have thought.
Who am I kidding? I had never thought of this.
When I got into the dining room, I heard a scuffle almost immediately and my heart sank because I already knew what was happening. The happy reunion that I had hoped for, was not going to come to pass. Instead it came to blows.
I yelled at the two of them to stop it, but once again, they didn't listen to me. Fists were flying and all I could do was watch. I didn't even notice Mona walking up behind me, until I heard her speak.
“I don't know why, but I love fresh testosterone in the air, don't you?”
Mona was smiling about it all and I had to think that this was her plan. From one point, I didn't want to let her win, but from the other, she already had. This was the chaos that she wanted and the doubt that was now in my mind about Jesse, was planted personally from her. She specifically did it for a reason, all of it was coming to pass because of her.
“You can smile about this all you want Mona, but you won't destroy what we have. I don't care if you are carrying his baby or not. He will help take care of it, but that's it. You two will never get back together. My brother will see what you are, just give him some time. While you stand there and smile like this is all your plan, just know that this was actually Phillip’s plan. Not yours.”
***
As much as I believed the speech that I told Mona, there were some parts of it that weren't true. I did care that she was carrying his baby. It killed me inside to think that she was always going to be part of our lives. The issue between Jesse and Phillip had only gotten worse. Now they didn't even speak at all. A month had gone by and I hadn’t heard from my only brother.
Yeah, she had won. She had won in so many ways and there was nothing I could do about that. I was unable to fix it. Truth was, I didn't know if I wanted too. Maybe this was how it was supposed to be if my brother was so obsessed with getting back at Jesse, that he didn't care about how it hurt me. I was feeling like I was in the crossfire with no cover.
So, when I got a call from Phillip, I wasn't too happy to hear from him. Every time he popped up lately, I’d gotten nothing but drama from him. He was either trying to break up one of my relationships or something else of that nature.
“What do you want Phillip?”
“Is that the way to talk to your older brother?”
“When my older brother is an asshole, yeah.”
“Such language. I wonder what Momma would think if she could hear you talking like that.”
“I bet she wouldn't have cared near as much, as what you have done with Mona. You paraded her around me, knowing that she was probably carrying Jesse’s baby. And all for what? So, you get back at him? Do you feel better now?”
I heard him sigh loudly on the other side of the phone and I hoped that it was because he was starting to grow a conscious about it all. Did he finally see what an asshole he had been lately?
“I didn't mean to hurt you Amber. You know, that right?”
“You can say that but I don't know how you could care about me and do what you did. You know how I feel about Jesse. Why did you do that?”
“I don't want you with him. We were best friends and I don't want him with my sister.”
“So, you took his ex-girlfriend and then dropped the whole, this might be your baby, bomb on him? That doesn't seem like something that a good friend would do. Or a good brother.”
“I admit that I was out of line for that one, but surely you can understand.”
“I understand that your need for revenge supersedes everything else. I don't know if I can be around you anymore. All you're going to do is pull me into your disasters and I can't do it anymore.”
It felt good to finally tell him exactly how I felt. My brother and I had been very close before, but now I wonder if that would ever be again. If not, I wanted him to know why. Exactly why.
“So, you are still with Jesse?”
“I hear that your girlfriend is still stalking Jesse and she shows up at the coffee shop every day. Why don't you ask her?”
“What?”
I smiled a little bit to myself only because I was able to catch him unaware. It was very unpleasant and I wanted him to feel it firsthand.
“Oh, you didn't know?”
“I guess she hasn't gotten over him yet. She is still trying to get into his head. Just like you are. When are you two going to learn that what is going on between me and Jesse is not going to stop? You can either get with the program or leave us alone. Either way, nothing you do is going to change that.”
I hang up and stare at the phone for a while. I had to wonder to myself if that was the last time I was ever going to talk to my brother.
Chapter 23
(Six months later)
Jesse
As much as I like to tell myself that I wasn't bothered, I was. My best friend with my ex, and she may be carrying my child. It was a lot. Add in the fact that I was dating his sister and it became a whole lot more confusing. Far too confusing for my liking.
What I didn't understand, was how it had all gone so wrong. While I would not change what had happened, because it had brought me and Amber back together, I do wish that it had happened in a different way. If I would have been honest with Phillip, I'm sure he wouldn’t have been quite so ridiculous about it. If I would've been honest with Mona, it would have turned out differently as well. I suppose she wouldn't be stalking me like she was now. So many things I could have done differently.
And now today, was the day of final judgment or so it felt. We had waited for a while for Mona to finally get far enough along that we could find out exactly who the baby’s father was, but then the doctor told us that it was impossible. He could make estimates, but no one would really know who the father was until the baby was
born and the proper tests were done.
The baby was born. It was a girl that she named Mariah. I had taken the swab test and now I was waiting for the results. They were supposed to come certified mail today and I kept looking out the window towards the mailbox. I felt like my whole world was about to be decided, by a tiny little envelope.
I was also afraid that this was going to be my child for more than the obvious reasons. How was I going to raise a child that I had with Mona, like Mona or a smarter version of her and when I hold the little girl, I didn't feel anything. I should have felt something.
“You can pace all you want to Jesse, but it's not going to change what's in that envelope.”
“I know, I guess I can't. But it makes me feel better.”
“Well you're driving me crazy so sit down. We have talked about this before we ever went to that dinner, remember? Whatever happens, we're here together and that's all that matters. We can get through this together.”
Amber had been unbelievably understanding through this all. She didn't bring it up all the time and when we did argue, it wasn't the first thing that she threw at me like a barb. She was the one that was always telling me that everything was going to be fine. It felt like the world was crashing down around us, but Amber was still the light through it all.
“I know we can Amber, but how far will that go? What if...?”
She wouldn't let me finish the sentence. I had to wonder if she was suspicious a little bit and her superstitions told her that if we said it out loud, it would actually happen. I don't think that superstition was going to help. If it was something that could help us, I would do what it too, but I didn't believe in that sort of thing.
I heard the engine of the mailman’s vehicle and our eyes met. How many times had I heard that sound before, but never really thought about it? Now it felt like the most important sound in the world and after a few minutes, I looked over at the door.
“Let me go get it Jesse.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm going to open it and see what the answer is, before I come in here. Then I will know how to react.”
Of course, she would do it that way. She was going to gauge her reaction alone, so that she could spare me. That is just how Amber was and it made me realize all over again why I loved her.
“Let's just go out together and then will open it when we come back in, okay? I don’t want to fall out on the street.”
There was a moment that she grinned and then it was gone. “Okay, let's go see what the future holds.”
The walk to the mailbox felt like it was going in slow motion. My feet were working, and I was propelling myself forward, but I didn't actually seem to be getting anywhere. Why wasn't I getting there?
The letter was sitting there on top of the rest of the mail innocuously. It looked so big.
I handed it to Amber and held her hand as we went back towards the house. I didn't want to be outside when I saw the news.
We sat down on the couch next to each other and I told her to open it up. My hands were shaking a little bit and that was the last thing I wanted her to see.
She was stalling and I finally had to tell her to hurry up.
“It’s just...”
I touched her hand with mine and agreed. “I know. But we have to do this.”
She finally ripped the envelope and I saw her eyes moving back and forth, I waited. Her lips move slightly as she formed the words out loud.
“It’s not yours, Jesse. Oh my God. It’s not yours.”
We kissed and she threw herself into my arms. I know that it wasn't something that should have been celebrated, but I had never felt such a relief in all of my life.
But then I got to thinking that if it wasn't mine, but how could it be Phillip’s? He had gotten with a Mona so much later, so I didn't understand how it could be his. What if it wasn't either one of ours? I wouldn't have put it past Mona to have been cheating on me. She liked to play mind games and if she knew that she could mess with me, she would.
“I think we need to call your brother Amber. Tell him the good news.”
“I think my brother is going to have to do the same thing.”
I agreed with her.
“Just let me be the one to call him. It's about time that we talked.”
Amber gave me a kiss and held me a little closer. “I am so happy Jesse. I have been waiting almost a month to tell you this, but I have some news.”
I rolled my eyes up to the heavens outside and sighed out loud dramatically.
“I don't know if I can take more news right now, Amber. I really don't.”
She smiled and kissed me lightly on my lips.
“This is a good news, I promise. You are going to be a daddy.”
It took a moment for her words to sink into my brain, but then I looked over at her and smiled. “Really?”
Amber nodded her head up and down, waiting for my reaction. I pulled her in for a kiss and squeezed her a little too tight, because she pushed back. I was just so damn happy. I'd always wanted kids and every time my thoughts had moved that way, Amber was always the mother.
“I think you have made me the happiest man alive Amber. I just want you to know that. I don't even know how I got on without you before.”
“You won't have to worry about it ever again. I'm here for the haul.”
THE END
Hey Dear Reader,
Thanks for buying this book. Are you left with so many questions? Like what happened to Philip and Mona? You have to wait for the next story, which will be released in the last week of May, 2019.
Love
Claire
SAMPLE: BILLIONAIRE DADDY: A SINGLE DAD ROMANCE
BLURB:
We never spoke to each other even we were living in the same house and he was my f*cking boss.
I could see that he was reserved but he walked with a quiet strength.
He was arrogant at times.
I didn't know what his story was and I was not there for that.
I was there for Carter and we had wonderful time together.
My thoughts of trying to figure Duncan out weren't going to ruin it.
I could feel he was staring at me at the dinner table.
Was there something dirty running through his mind?
That was wishful thinking, but a girl could dream.
He can get any girl he wanted.
I felt nervous and uncomfortable when he was around.
Looking into his eyes made my heart shrink.
Helping him while he was drunk that night was a mistake.
I fought it but that night I gave into the attraction.
His physique was hungry for me. I want to feel his hidden lust.
His body and tone of voice were addictive. I was hooked.
One touch was all that it took. One touch and I was his.
What will happen after? Will he forget everything about that night?
Will he be able to understand which unspoken? Could I walk away from this stunning man?
***
Chapter 1
Duncan
I felt a smile come to my face when I got out of the shower. I was taking off for the day on my boat. I didn't have to worry about anything or anyone. I could hear Wendy playing with Carter downstairs in the living room. It was the first thing she and Carter did in the morning. It was almost a typical routine for about a month.
Carter was my three-year-old son and I hadn't seen him this happy in a long time. She was good for him after his mother left with no forwarding address. I had to admit that I harbored some resentment toward his mother. Wendy was pretty good with him, but I didn't tell her that. I wouldn't tell her that.
I shaved quickly and thought about how my day was going to go. The yacht was waiting for me and I could go wherever I wanted to and do whatever I wanted to do. My shorts felt comfortable and the shirt I was slipping over my head was new. It was tight against my body. It was something that I enjoyed when it
came to new clothing. I ran a comb through my hair and looked at my tanned arms. I had worked hard to get those muscles. They didn't just pop out when I told them to.
I couldn't wait to get out in the hot weather. It felt like I'd been stuck in the house for too long. I was trapped and craving the freedom to put me in a better mood.
I heard the laughter downstairs, but this time it was Wendy and my grandmother. I couldn't imagine how anyone could be that chipper in the morning other than birds. Things sure had changed around here since Wendy started working for us looking after Carter. It felt good to know that he was cared for. It put a song in my heart and a skip in my step.
I took one more look in the mirror before I tore myself from it and headed out of the bathroom. I quickly went down the stairs. I gave Carter a hug and kissed him on his head. He was eating at the dining room table. Wendy was sitting there with him but she didn’t have any food in front of her.
I kissed my gram who was sitting next to Wendy. She was much older than she looked. Her white hair was cut short above her ears. Her blue eyes were tired but happy. I remembered the time when they were bright and her hair was blonde.
Wendy looked hot in her black skirt which clung above her knees. She was a breath of fresh air. She wasn’t like the other girls. She was different and corrupting her would be wrong. She kept her focus on Carter without looking at me. I didn't say anything to her and I headed out of the house. I had someone waiting for me, but it was no one of importance.
“Who are you taking out today?” My gram asked when I made it to the doorway.
“You don’t know her.” I didn't hesitate and I didn't look back. Gram knew that if someone was important to me, I would bring her to the house. I never brought any woman to the house. None of them had the spark that I was looking for.
“I'll be back,” I stated before heading out the front door.
I didn't want her thinking that I wasn't coming back. If I didn’t have Carter, I probably wouldn’t come home. That's how I felt about it. I made sure that I was home for dinner most nights and I had time to get Carter into bed after Wendy gave him his bath. He enjoyed playing in the tub more than the showers I used to give him. I was around enough to see things were changing, just not around enough to see what a big impact that Wendy was making on Carter and the rest of my family.
