HeartBreaker: A Single Dad Romantic Comedy (Heart Duet Book 2)

by Magan Vernon

  But even as I mentally said those words, I cringed, downing another full glass of whiskey, letting the haze take me over. By the fourth glass, my mind was now just a constant tossing and turning of waves. Perfect time to video message the girlfriend/hot mom I was banging/whatever Rachel was.

  God, I was a fucking tool.

  She was probably better off without me. Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about her. How she challenged me and just how fucking beautiful she was. How I probably fucked up everything.

  Since the whiskey was gone, I switched to rum, pouring a glass as steady as my hands would let me, though a ton of it got on my hand, leaving a shiny, sticky residue.

  I wiped it off with some paper towels, then pulled my phone out of my pocket as I slumped down at the desk chair.

  The words were fuzzy on the screen, but Rachel’s photo was crystal clear as I fumbled, sending a video call.

  The phone rang for what felt like forever until her bright eyes filled the screen, her hair a mess as the background changed from a darkened room to being flooded with a low lamplight. “Lennox, hey, I wasn’t expecting your call. It’s late, and, are you okay?”

  She blinked hard, genuine concern on my face.

  My stomach soured.

  Fuck.

  She really cared about me.

  Yet my drunken haze wasn’t going to let me think on that and the asshole I was.

  “Hey, Rachey poo! Are you in bed? Is that why it’s so dark?” I slurred.

  She tilted her head slightly. “Um, yeah. It’s two in the morning here.”

  “Oh. Fuck. Time difference. I guess I got distracted,” I said, downing the rest of my drink and dropping the empty glass, letting it roll across the carpet.

  “Are you drunk?” she whispered, no sense of judgment in her voice, but genuine concern.

  “Maybe.”

  “Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had a drunk call. And I expected this earlier, maybe even an explanation to why you left….”

  I laughed. “You missed me, didn’t you? Aw shucks. Surprised you aren’t pissed at your drunk ex-celebrity friend and yelling at me right now. I probably deserve it though. I’m what do they call it, hot mess express? Or is that just for ladies?”

  She raised an eyebrow then shook her head slightly. “You’re really not making any sense, so you should probably go to bed.”

  I put a hand up, my vision blurring. “No, I’m making perfect sense. For the first time, I see it all very clearly.”

  “Or very drunkly.” She smirked.

  “That might be true, but now that I’ve had these drinks, I think I know what I need to do.”

  “And that is?” she asked, her voice rising slightly with each word.

  “My lawyer thinks I should take some roles in L.A. Trish wants me to stay longer on the show, but Cheyenne, you know, my illegitimate daughter, for wanting to find me thinks it’s a mistake. Can you believe that? She wanted me; now she doesn’t want me here. Thinks I’d be better in Texas.”

  She shook her head. “Wait a second. Back up. You’re getting acting roles again in L.A? Not just the one you told me you weren’t going to take then left without saying goodbye?”

  “Uh, yeah, that’s what I said.” I stood up, my legs like Jell-O as I padded back to the mini bar. More drinks would dull the pain of telling her this. The searing burn of leaving her behind.

  Fuck where were the glasses?

  Oh well, the bottle would do.

  Grabbing the clear bottle, I brought it back to the bed as I plopped back down, bottle in one hand, phone in the other.

  “So…what does Juniper think of that?”

  “I haven’t talked to her about it, but I thought you might be happy. Your man friend is not going to be an ex-teen heartthrob anymore but a real one. And don’t worry, Zaddy will make time for you.” I wiggled my eyebrows before unscrewing the bottle cap and taking a big swig.

  She wrinkled her nose. “I never said anything about you and I. Pretty sure that was over when you left. But I do worry about you. Do you really want to go back to acting? To being in L.A. and having your name and photos flashed around? Isn’t that what started our argument that almost tore us apart?”

  I blew out a raspberry before taking another drink. “You don’t know what I want, Rach. You don’t know what this life is like.”

  She nodded slowly; her eyes cast downward. “True, but I do know you, Len. I know that you’ve always feared of sliding back into a darkness that L.A. brought with it. The one I’m seeing a hint of now as you blabber on drunkenly.”

  A flash of heat and anger seared through me as I sat up. “What the fuck do you know? You just wanted to bang me because I was a teen heartthrob and now that you’ve gotten some publicity from all of this, you want me to stop? You know things can’t go back to how they were and fuck, maybe I’m better off here. We’re better off apart. Just me coming in to see Juniper and hey, we could still fuck maybe, right? That was good.”

  Each word pulled something dark and deep buried inside of me.

  I thought more of Rachel than just a good screw.

  I was falling for her.

  But the more I pushed her away, the more she wouldn’t get hurt even more by me leaving. I needed to stay away not just for me, but for everyone.

  She blinked hard, shaking her head. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. You’re drunk, and you have a lot to think about.”

  “Well, I did. Okay? If you don’t want me anymore, then run the fucking bake sale yourself.”

  “Lennox, can we talk about this when you’re sober?”

  “Yeah. What the fuck ever. My opinion won’t change though.”

  She sighed. “If that’s really how you feel, then stay there. You’re an adult, and you can make your own decisions, but know that I’m not the only one affected by all of this. You do have another daughter. One who loves you no matter what you do.”

  “Do you love me too?” I asked, sitting straighter, even though the room spun around me.

  “I’m not answering that right now.”

  “Tell me, do you fucking love me? The former teen heartthrob? The dad? The fuckup? This is all of me, Rach. If you want to really be with me, this is what you’ll have to get used to. So, if you don’t like it, maybe it is better if I stay here. Take on roles and save you from all of this.”

  “Lennox, I think you need to go to bed,” she whispered.

  “Yeah. Whatever.”

  I didn’t even say goodbye as I hung up, tossing the phone somewhere on the floor as I finished the last of the bottle then leaned back, ready to fade into oblivion.

  Chapter 15

  I usually never dreamed.

  Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the fight with Cheyenne and Rachel.

  But now a swirling cloud of images filled my brain.

  A future in L.A. of me taking on minor roles as I padded my arms, looking for a new vein, and a new tattoo to cover it.

  Papers served by Ally and Chad, saying they didn’t want Juniper around me.

  Visions of the same thing happening sixteen years before as a hungover me signed the papers from a very pregnant Trish.

  But above all of the images was Rachel’s concerned face. The one who I fucked over in my drunken stupor. Who I fucked over just by coming here and not telling her.

  When I woke up, my mouth dry and my bones stiff as if I’d just run a marathon, the future became very clear to me. Even though I knew it was going to hurt like hell to go through with it.

  After showering and making a big pot of coffee, I dressed and headed downstairs.

  My call time wasn’t for another hour, but I knew I had to head to the studio, knew exactly what I had to do.

  Of course, nothing in my life was exactly going to plan lately.

  As soon as I exited the front door, a flurry of reporters were at my back, flashing cameras and microphones in my face.

  Lennox, heard you’re up for some new roles?
<
br />   Will your position be permanent on the show?

  What about you and de la Peña’s daughter?

  The last one was the one that had me stopping and turning slowly toward the wide-eyed reporters.

  I let out a deep breath, raking my fingers through my hair as I tried to temper the rage flaring in me. “Cheyenne is not just Trish’s daughter. She’s mine.”

  As soon as the words left my mouth, a collective gasp came from the herd and then a flurry of more questions started.

  A wave of nausea and guilt came quivering over me. But there was also something else. A feeling of lightening. Finally, it was all out.

  No more secrets.

  No more lies.

  Your daughter?

  Did you and de la Peña have an affair years ago?

  Does your family know?

  I turned, keeping my head down as I got into the awaiting car, the reporters still on my heels.

  I knew I was in for a hell of a lot of trouble with Trish and my lawyers, but I was finally done with hiding.

  Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I stared at the screen as I called over the seat to the driver. “Head to LAX instead of the studio, will ya?”

  “Are you sure, sir?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I’m sure.”

  The car rumbled to life underneath me as he turned back toward the highway. Then I dialed my phone, sliding it to my ear as I waited for the answer.

  “Lennox Reign, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Trish growled.

  There was no more hiding, and instead of rage coursing through me, I was absolutely calm. Able to breathe again. Even a small smile crossing my face. Pretty sure I was going crazy, but at least I was being real.

  “I’m tired of lying to everyone. Including myself.”

  “Are you fucking high? That would be the only explanation for your epic fuckup,” she spat.

  I shook my head, even though she couldn’t see it. Hell, I almost wanted to laugh because I knew this was crazy and both our lawyers were going to have a field day.

  But if I learned anything from all this, I knew it was time to stop acting. To just be Lennox Reign, not the former teen heartthrob. But just…me.

  “For the first time, I think I’m seeing things clearly. I should have never taken this role, Trish. And it’s about time I go back home. I know you’re going to be pissed and send my lawyers a whole bunch of shit, but know that I did this not just for me, but for us. It was time to be honest.”

  She groaned. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but we had a deal. You do this show, you see Cheyenne. That didn’t include telling a bunch of gossipmongers that she was your daughter. Do you know what kind of day our lawyers and agents are going to have trying to figure out this shit show?”

  Swallowing hard, I took in a deep breath before I spoke again, carefully thinking on my next words. “I know, and I’m sorry for that. But I had to be honest, Trish. I hope we can work this out, eventually.”

  “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer very soon. But first I have to deal with this.”

  With that she hung up the call, leaving me in chilling silence.

  I knew exactly what I said would start something. Yet instead of my shoulders tensing, a new sense of calm had washed over me.

  Until I looked out the window as we sat a stop sign. A vegan bakery turned on its neon light, and a flash of something else crossed my mind.

  Rachel.

  After all I’d said last night, would she forgive me? Because Trish might come around some day.

  Or she might not.

  “Hey, can you stop here for a moment, I need to get one thing.”

  The driver nodded, pulling over before I got out and walked into the dimly lit bakery.

  Maybe I couldn’t take back what I said, but I could try and make this right. I couldn’t lose the most real thing I’d ever had.

  And cake always seemed to help.

  ***

  After getting off the plane at DFW, I had dozens of missed calls from my lawyer, Trish’s lawyer, and others. But the one number and voicemail staring back at me was the only one I cared to listen to.

  I pressed the code then put my phone to my ear, juggling my bag and the cake box with my other arm as I headed out toward an awaiting Lyft.

  “Hey, Lennox, um, it’s me, Cheyenne. I heard about what happened. Some reporters are even hanging out by my school. And, I guess I should say thank you. Mom probably is pissed as all hell, but she’ll get over it eventually, hopefully.” She swallowed hard. “And, well, I guess Mom might not let us talk for a while, but I’m glad you mad the right decision. And maybe I’ll make my way out to you in Texas again sometime. Hopefully.”

  Her words hit straight to my steadily beating heart.

  I smiled as I listened to the rest of her short message, knowing I was doing the right thing for at least one woman in my life.

  Now I just had to make it up to the other and hoped I didn’t royally fuck it all up.

  As I got out of the car in front of Texas Prep, and I let out the deep breath I’d been holding as I saw Rachel’s van parked next to a few of the other PTA moms. Then I looked to the left of the front doors where a small table was set up.

  Rachel stood wide-eyed between a pair of hipster baristas in newsboy caps. Her hair in the usual messy bun and not a trace of makeup on. A bright pink apron over her stained T-shirt and yoga pants.

  So. Fucking. Beautiful.

  So. Real.

  I didn’t realize how much I was missing her until adrenaline coursed through me, my heart beating so wildly, I swore it was about to come out of my chest.

  Slowly, I approached the front doors and waited until Rachel’s wide eyes met mine.

  “Lennox, what are you doing here?”

  She rounded the table as the world moved in slow motion around me. The bakery box I was still carrying teetered on its side and I bent to catch it. Instead of hitting my awaiting hands, it hit hard on the sidewalk. A resounding splat ringing through the courtyard.

  There weren’t many people around us, but the heat of everyone stares bore into me.

  Normally, rage would have bubbled to the surface, but all I could focus on was the beautiful girl in front of me.

  Rachel bent over the box, stray strands of hair falling out of her bun and framing her face. She muttered some things under her breath, but I wasn’t focused on her words.

  Just her.

  I didn’t realize how much I missed her until that moment I saw her trying to pick up the box along with my other fallen items.

  “Rach,” I said softly.

  “We don’t need to talk about this right now.” She quickly picked up the cake box and as she turned it over the lid flew open.

  Inside was once a chocolate cake in the shape of a heart. Now it was a broken shell with the whipped frosting cracked in the center, making a perfect break.

  “Look at that, a broken heart from the heartbreaker.” I laughed.

  She slowly looked up at me as I put my hand on hers. Her eyebrows quirked in question.

  “Are you still drunk?”

  I shook my head, running my fingers along hers as a warm chill spread through me. One I didn’t realize how much I’d missed until I was touching her again.

  “No, for the first time in a long time, I’m finally seeing clearly. You were right about everything. Even when I didn’t know there was anything to be honest about.”

  I pulled her up to her feet as we stood together, our hands still interlocked. “Rach, I wasn’t being honest for a long time, and I closed everyone off. By you coming in my life, I could finally be me. And I almost fucked that up by going from heartthrob to heartbreaker with just a few weeks in L.A.”

  I sighed, taking a step forward and closing the distance between us. The heat of her body pressing against mine, and all finally felt right in the world.

  “But I’m here now. And I’m not leaving again. I may not be perfect, and I’m going to have
my moments where I screw up. Like, you know, trying to surprise you with a heart cake.”

  I laughed, shaking my head and seeing a small smile finally crossing her lips.

  Leaning forward, my words were soft, but I wanted her to hear every single one of them. “But know that I’m going to try. No more secrets. Just you and me. If you’ll still have me that is.”

  She looked down at the cake, her cheeks flushed red before she slowly looked up to me. “I don’t know, Len. I mean…how good is that cake?”

  I grinned, my heart beating rapidly as I stared at her beautiful smile.

  “Probably not that great since it’s allergy friendly, but I can make you a dozen more cakes. Whatever it takes so we don’t have to fight again. That I can make up everything to you over and over again.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t need to do that. Because you know how relationships work. We’re going to fight. We’re going to make up. They’ll be secrets unearthed and then we’ll either have to deal with them or break apart.”

  I let go of her hands, threading my fingers through her hair as I pulled her closer to me. “Then no cakes. We’ll just make up the old-fashioned way. I just hope we don’t have to. That I won’t be stupid enough to leave you again,” I whispered into her lips.

  “Such a heartbreaker,” she murmured as her mouth met mine.

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  I didn’t lie when I said I’d never been to a wedding.

  So, when Rachel finally agreed to let me marry her after many, many proposal attempts, I knew I wanted something special.

  Luckily, I had more help with planning than any man needed, especially for a backyard wedding.

  “Neveah, baby, what did I tell you about putting your action figures in the flowers? Come on, now,” Amy barked as Neveah, Juniper, and Ariana quickly put their hands behind their backs, a few superheroes still hanging out in the baskets of flowers.

  My backyard had been transformed from a basic, Texas man’s yard with pool and outdoor kitchen to a whimsical place, straight out of one of Amy’s Pinterest boards.

  Glittering string lights ran the length of the yard, canopying the floral archway with a few rows of white chairs leading up to it.