Trouble in Disguise

by Sonia Stanizzo

Jade’s heart gave a little stutter. She’d done what she promised herself she wouldn’t do—fall in love. But Nate didn’t have the same feelings—he was just being honorable.

  Jade averted her gaze and looked at a photo on a side table like it was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen. “No, it’s nothing like that. He just feels bad that I’m dealing with everything, and he wants to try to fix things.”

  “Jade…” Ava’s tone told her she didn’t believe her lie. “You like this guy, don’t you? It’s more than a fling.”

  She shook her head.

  Ava pointed a finger at her and looked at her intensely. “Yes, you do. It’s written all over your face. So what stage are you at? You like him? You more than like him? Or you love him?”

  Jade bit her lip to stop from spilling the truth.

  “Oh, Jade. You love him.”

  “But I didn’t say—”

  Ava’s finger made a circling motion, and again, she said, “Written all over your face. You are always so bad at hiding your emotions.”

  Jade slumped in her chair. There was no point in continuing to deny it. Ava knew her too well. “I don’t know what to do,” Jade said.

  “What do you mean? You tell him how you feel, and after what you told me, he probably feels the same way or he’d never offer to give up his identity.”

  “You’re reading too much into it. I know he cares about me, nothing more than that. Besides, he’ll be leaving soon. I can’t let it turn into more, the curse would just ruin everything.”

  “For God’s sake, enough about that stupid curse. I’m sick of hearing about it. Grow up and get over—” Ava sucked in a breath and clutched her belly.

  Jade bounded off the chair and knelt by Ava’s side. “Are you okay?” The comment stung, but she needed to push it aside for now and concentrate on her friend.

  Ava breathed slow and deep before answering. “Yes, I’m good. I think it’s one of those Braxton Hicks contractions.” Jade must have had a confused expression on her face, because Ava explained, “They prepare the body for labor. I’m due in a week, so I think they’ve started.”

  “It looked strong. Are they supposed to be like that?”

  “Hell if I know. I should have read more about them.” She laughed, but then her face screwed up again and she cried out in pain.

  “Nick!” Jade called, but he was already running down the hallway. He must have heard Ava.

  He knelt next to Jade and grabbed Ava’s hand. “Is it time?” His voice was panicked.

  “I’ve either wet myself or my water broke.” Ava cringed.

  Both Nick and Jade looked toward Ava’s crotch. A pool of liquid stained the couch.

  Nick kissed Ava on the lips and smiled. “The baby’s coming.” Then he blew out a long breath and said again, but this time with an air of wonder, “The baby’s coming.”

  Ava groaned, held her belly, and gritted her teeth. “Get the bag. We need to go to the hospital.”

  Nick sprang to his feet and raced back from where he came. In record time he was dressed and rolling a bag behind him, with car keys in hand.

  After helping Ava off the couch, they carefully and slowly guided her outside. They had to stop twice so Ava could breathe through more contractions.

  Finally, she was bundled into the car.

  “I’ll follow you to the hospital,” Jade said.

  “Can you call Lauren? My hands are shaking so much I’m not sure I can dial the number.” He lifted his hand to prove it.

  “Of course. Now go!” Jade pushed Nick toward the car as Ava clutched her belly in the seat.

  Nick didn’t waste any more time. He was off like a rocket.

  Jade watched the car drive away, locked up the house, called Lauren, and followed them to the hospital.

  Chapter 23

  Dawn broke through the waiting room’s dirty windows, and pale golden light reflected off the sterile white walls as Jade blinked her eyes open. She must’ve dozed off. Stretching, she glanced over at Lauren who was curled up on an old, brown sofa.

  It had been hours since they’d last seen Nick. He’d come out for a minute to give them an update on Ava’s condition and dashed away before they could ask any questions. Now, with no more information, Jade worried there might be complications.

  Before Jade could find a nurse to hopefully get an update, Nick came bounding into the room.

  “It’s a girl!” he announced with excitement as dark smudges lined the bottoms of his eyes.

  Jade jumped from the chair. Lauren sprang awake and got up too.

  “A girl. How wonderful.” Lauren congratulated and hugged Nick.

  “Did everything go okay? How’s Ava?” Jade asked as she too hugged him.

  Nick scrubbed his hands over his face and shook his head with an expression of wonder, like what happened had just sunk in. “They’re both great. Healthy. Perfect. Oh my God. The baby is beautiful. And Ava…” His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. “She was a warrior. I’m never gonna complain about the man flu again.”

  “There’s another baby in the group. Congratulations, man,” Lauren’s husband Jack said as he walked into the waiting room, holding their son Ryan on his hip. He slapped Nick on the back with his free hand.

  “What are you doing here?” Lauren rushed to their side.

  “Mama, Mama,” Ryan squealed as he reached his chubby, little arms for his mother. She didn’t hesitate to take him.

  “He woke up super freaking early and wouldn’t go back to sleep. I thought I’d come here and see how things were going.”

  Lauren kissed Ryan on the neck, making him giggle, then placed a soft kiss on Jack’s lips.

  “Can we see them?” Jade asked Nick.

  “Yes, she’s been moved from the delivery suite into her room. But it can only be a quick visit. She’s exhausted.”

  They followed him down a couple of corridors and entered Ava’s room. She was tucked up in bed, cradling her baby in her arms, beaming with love and pride as she gazed at her bundle.

  They all rushed to her side, taking turns to get a closer look. A little, chubby face with thick, black hair slept in her mother’s arms with no idea how much she would be loved. Not only by her parents but by all the people in the room.

  Jack carefully held Ryan so he could have a look at the newborn, then said, “Buddy, meet your new girlfriend. Her daddy’s rich, so you’re set for life.”

  “You can forget about it. My little girl is not allowed out until she’s thirty-five.” Nick threw Jack a disgusted glare. “Point your kid somewhere else.”

  They all chuckled.

  “Do we have a name yet?” Jade asked.

  “We’ve decided on Adriana,” Ava answered as she gently caressed the baby’s cheek.

  After they all had a good look and a quick cuddle, Lauren wandered around the room. She opened the door that led to the bathroom and peeked inside, she looked in a cupboard, she even glanced under the bed.

  “What are you looking for?” Ava asked.

  “I’m searching for your glam-squad, because there is no way in hell you can look that good after hours of labor and giving birth,” Lauren grumbled. “After I had Ryan, I looked like crap. And you…” She waved a hand in her direction. “…don’t.”

  Ava laughed.

  Jack put his arm around Lauren’s shoulders. “You looked beautiful too. You always do.”

  She smiled and pressed herself against him, tilting her face up for a kiss.

  The room was so full of love, it smothered Jade until her lungs squeezed and she could barely breathe. This was what she wanted. What she’d never have. And even though she was happy for her friends and their new families, she needed to get out of there before she screamed it’s not fair!

  “I’m going so you can rest.” It surprised Jade how calm her voice sounded while she shook on the inside.

  “Yes, we better get going too and get Ryan back to bed,” Lauren said as she lovingly looked at her son
who’d fallen asleep on Jack’s shoulder.

  They said their goodbyes and left the room.

  When they were outside Lauren asked, “Want to come over and have a coffee?”

  “Thanks, but I’m going home.”

  Lauren looked intently at Jade. “Are you okay?”

  Jade’s smile felt stiff on her face, but she hoped she didn’t alert her friend to how she was really feeling. “I’m tired, that’s all. I need to sleep.”

  “It has been a long night. I might join Ryan for a nap too.” Lauren gave Jade a quick hug. “I’ll call you later.”

  * * * *

  Over the weekend, Nate Facetimed his band and they made plans for the next leg of the tour and went over the new songs they wanted to include on the album. He didn’t know how much longer he could stay in Brimland Point. Mike was eager to get the new tracks recorded and ready to go. And more than once told him he should be back already.

  The band had played a few smaller shows again with Jimmy singing lead vocals. And word was getting around that Nathan Harvey had left the band. He’d done three phone interviews explaining he hadn’t left and was working on new material for the tour. Questions regarding Jade was the number one topic, but Nate shut them down before they could go any further. If they wanted an interview with him, they had to leave her out of it.

  He’d gone two days without seeing her, and it had been the longest days of his life. Who knew he’d look forward to seeing her bubbly personality, her vibrant smile, and her bright, curly hair every day?

  She’d gotten under his skin, worked her way into his—no, he wouldn’t say heart. But she’d made an impact in his life. Well, his life in Brimland Point. When he left, it would be the end. Maybe it was for the best they spent some time apart. Better to not get too attached. It would only make leaving harder. His gut clenched. It might already be too late.

  * * * *

  Monday afternoon Nate tuned some instruments in the hall, getting them ready for class. After Toby had asked Jade to take time off, Nate had assumed the lessons would be over too. But Toby wanted them to continue; the kids were enjoying them.

  Nate actually looked forward to the classes too. He loved seeing their smiling faces when they learned a new chord or verse of a song. They concentrated so hard, pushed through the frustration of when it didn’t work out, until they played awesome music. Who knew teaching kids could be so fun and rewarding? The only thing missing was Jade. It wouldn’t be the same without her.

  As he finished getting the equipment ready, the kids walked into the hall in single file. They didn’t run in like wild animals to grab the instrument of their choice as they normally did. No one made a sound. Nate frowned. Something wasn’t right.

  A stern-looking woman in her sixties followed them. Her hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and she wore a black blouse buttoned to her neck with a frilly, white collar. A heavy burgundy skirt passed her knees, revealing thick, gray pantyhose. This woman looked like a scary nanny. Something straight out of the movies.

  When the kids made a slight noise, she clapped her hands loudly. “Children, the next person to make a sound will sit out of the class.” She peered at every child with pursed lips. When no one moved, just stared wide-eyed at the teacher, she said, “Now sit down quietly and wait for instructions from Mr. Miller.”

  Holy crap, not only were the kids scared, he was shaking a little in his boots too.

  “Mr. Miller, I’m Mrs. Rich. I’ll be supervising the lessons while Ms. Brennan is away.” Without waiting for any kind of reply, she pulled a chair in front of the kids and gave them another warning glare.

  Why the hell did Toby ask this horrible woman to supervise a class that was meant to be fun? Nate hoped she didn’t suck the joy out of it. With no other choice, he started the lesson.

  After only ten minutes, Nate knew this would be a disaster. Mrs. Rich already had Lachlan sitting in a corner because he played a few notes more than the rest of the class after the song ended, which she considered noise. And Suzie’s lips trembled when Mrs. Rich told her that her guitar skills needed big improvement.

  This would be the longest hour of his life.

  * * * *

  Jade stood at the entrance of the hall and stared at the somber-looking class. She’d stopped by the school to drop off work for the substitute teacher when she heard the music coming from the hall. When she entered, instead of the happy, noisy music that normally filled the room, a depressing atmosphere was in its place. A lot like Jade’s mood.

  She’d been asked to stop teaching, but the music lessons, which she fought for, were still running. Sure, she was happy the kids still had them, but while her life was falling apart, everyone else’s kept moving on. Even Nate’s.

  She turned to leave but Lachlan, who sat on the floor not taking part in the lesson, spotted her.

  “Ms Brennan!” he squealed, got up, bolted for her, and wrapped skinny, little arms around her waist.

  When the other kids saw what was happening, they too called out her name, dropped their instruments, and surrounded her.

  “Children. Enough!” Mrs. Rich—aka Mrs. Witch, what Jade and some of the other staff liked to call her—clapped her hands and yelled, “Come here at once.” She pointed at the floor near her feet like she was calling a dog to come and sit.

  The children dropped their heads and dragged their feet to her.

  “That kind of behavior is unacceptable. Your lesson is over. Line up in single file and leave the hall. You can wait for your parents outside. If I hear a peep out of anyone, you’ll have lunch time detention tomorrow. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Rich,” they mumbled as they trudged out of the room with Mrs. Witch following them.

  Nate shuddered. “She’s enough to give any kid nightmares. In fact, I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight. How does Toby let her teach these poor kids?”

  “She works in the library. She doesn’t take classes.”

  “Thank God for that.” Then he reached out to her. “I’ve missed you.”

  Stepping away, she said, “Don’t. Anyone could walk in.”

  “What more can they do to you? They’ve already taken your job.”

  And Nate had taken her heart, and there was nothing she could do about that either. “I’m on temporary leave. I don’t want to do anything to make it permanent.”

  Nate blew out a breath. “I still can’t believe Toby did this to you. You should teach at this school and supervise music lessons. Not that dragon woman.”

  “And yet you’re still teaching like nothing has changed,” Jade said in a sharp tone.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” His eyes narrowed.

  She shook her head. “Nothing. I should go.”

  Nate grasped her arm before she could turn to leave. “I know this is hard on you, so if you want me to cancel the lessons, I will.”

  The kids loved music. She couldn’t take that away from them because she was feeling sorry for herself. “No, I don’t want you to cancel the class.”

  “Then what is it? Talk to me.” Concern lined his face.

  She wanted to tell him her friends married the men of their dreams and were having beautiful babies. But she’d never have the one man she’d let herself fall in love with and have a life like that.

  Instead, she said, “Really, it’s nothing. It surprised me to see the music lessons still going, that’s all. I feel a little sad that I’m not involved anymore. When I get back, we can make them exciting again. Hopefully, Mrs. Rich won’t scare the kids away by then.”

  Nick dropped his gaze for a beat then scrubbed the back of his neck.

  “But you’ll be gone.” God, how stupid she was. She knew he wouldn’t be here that long. “I’ll find another music teacher.”

  “I have a few contacts. I’ll call around and see who I can get to help,” he said.

  Not once had he suggested he might want to stay. He was leaving. He told her so from the start. Why would she thin
k he’d ever change his mind? He never gave her the impression he would stay, especially for her.

  She wasn’t able to stand in front of him a minute longer, because the chances of her saying something she might regret, like begging him not to go, was strong. So she put on the best smile she could spread on her face. “That would be great. Thank you.” She flicked out her wrist and pretended to look at the time. “I have to go.”

  He stopped her again by holding onto her arm. The warmth of his hand turned her skin on fire. “Have dinner with me,” he said. “Come to my house and I’ll cook.”

  “Sorry, I can’t. Ava had her baby. I want to visit them.” Which was a lie; she was going home, putting on her oldest and most comfortable pajamas, and watching old episodes of Buffy. A tub of hazelnut chocolate ice cream was on the menu.

  “Mother and baby doing okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, they’re perfect.” Her heart squeezed again over the fact she would never experience that kind of love with her own husband and baby. She pulled her arm free and immediately felt the loss. “Bye, Nate.”

  “I’ll be home if you change your mind,” he said.

  With a quick nod, she spun on her heels and rushed from the room.

  Chapter 24

  Jade sat curled up on the couch with an empty tub of hazelnut chocolate ice cream. She’d dropped a spoonful on her pajama top, and then made a big, brown mess while trying to clean it up.

  Like she’d planned, she was watching Buffy, but even the vampire slayer couldn’t have the man she wanted. If she had sex with Angel, he’d turn evil. And Angel, being a vampire, would never give her a normal life, so he dumped her and left!

  Story of my life. Jade couldn’t watch Buffy’s heartache a moment longer—she had enough of her own pain to deal with—and she flicked it off.

  As she rose from the couch to go in search of more ice cream a knock sounded at the door. She paused. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Now that the media finally got sick of watching her uneventful house and a famous actor checked themselves into rehab, they’d packed up and moved on. It would piss her off if some journalist was still hanging around and had the audacity to come to the door. Maybe if she ignored it, whoever it was would go away.