“Will, can you come zip me?”
I place the tie around my neck and stand, moving over to her. I part her hair and push it over her shoulders. Instead of simply zipping her up, I splay one hand across her belly and stick the other into the dress and run my palm up her side. She shivers and looks into my eyes in the mirror.
We look right together. Me towering over her, my hand over her stomach. I can’t help wondering what she would look like carrying my child. Who would the baby look like more?
Would she choose them over me? I think about Tak. No, she wouldn’t. As the others come to mind, I know the real answer. She would choose us both. Mayven would call me on my bullshit, console my child, and then make us do something as a family.
The way it should be.
“What?” she says softly as she keeps her eyes on our reflection.
I rub my thumb back and forth across her smooth skin. “Nothing.”
“Ugh, you’re going to change your mind. Will, please don’t bail on me.”
I know she’s talking about tonight, but when I answer, I mean so much more. “I’m not, trust me.”
Chapter 26
Fathers know Best
Skittles
* * *
“It’s so good to see you, Mayven. Always so lovely talking to such a bright young lady.”
“It’s a pleasure talking to you as well, Mrs. Anderson,” I say with a trained pageant smile.
“And Will, you are such a handsome and polite young man,” she says.
“Thank you. It was nice to meet you,” he replies.
I have to turn away to keep anyone from seeing me on the verge of laughter. I have cringed every time someone has called him by his birth name. Although that’s who he told me to introduce him as.
I turn back in time to see Mrs. Anderson turn to her husband and take his arm to walk away. I guess her nosiness has been satisfied. Pit splays a hand against my belly and pulls me into his side.
“You’re having a ball with this,” he mutters and narrows his eyes.
“Why, whatever do you mean?”
He shakes his head. “For someone who hates all of this you’re really good at it,” he says instead of entertaining me.
I shrug. “This has been my life for as long as I can remember. I get to be the real me when I’m with you guys.”
He looks at me thoughtfully. “You know, I thought you were crazy when I first met you. I’m starting to understand you more.”
“Care to elaborate?”
I don’t think he’s going to answer at first. Then he stuns me with his words. “You were trapped in this world. I don’t think it was ever you. You wear the part well, but you’re someone else entirely.”
“Is that a good or a bad thing?” I bite my lip and wait for his reply.
“We needed you as much as you needed us. We’re all…”
“Crazy?” I grin as I finish his sentence.
“Maybe. You’re the glue no matter how you look at it. We wouldn’t have been friends without you and I’m not sure we would have figured out the rest either. You’ve played a major part in all of our lives without us realizing it.”
“You are not as clean and clear-cut as people would think, Will. You’re more complicated. I like that about you.”
“I’m on my best behavior, so you’ll have to wait until later for me to tell you all the things I like about you,” he says with a naughty smile.
I turn to face him and run my hands up his lapels. Pit looks scrumptious in his gray tux. He cleans up nice. For a man who hates formal events, he has a superior wardrobe of suits and tuxes.
My gray strapless dress with it’s sheer flower overlay is the perfect complement to his tux. We look made for each other. Mrs. Anderson hasn’t been the only nosy person to approach since we arrived.
People haven’t been able to take their eyes off of us, but I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of him. It’s a large crowd here tonight and I haven’t been able to do photo opts with my dad and aunt, so we can’t bail yet, but I can’t wait to get out of here. Or we could find a coat closet or something.
“Whatever you are thinking, I know it’s dirty,” he leans into my ear to whisper.
I shiver from the rumble in his deep voice. When I look up at him through my lashes, he has a sexy smile on his lips. How did I think I could start something with this man and not fall completely in love?
“Dance with me,” he says and holds out his hand.
I nod and place my palm in his. There’s an orchestra playing modern music that the guests are currently waltzing to. I recognize the tone as Johnnyswim’s “Lost in Translation.”
As always Pit shows me something about him I don’t expect. He begins to waltz me around the dance floor. There’s a grin on his lips as I stare up at him in astonishment. We’ve danced at a party before, but he kept it basic. He’s showing off this time.
“You’re not the only one who was forced into charm school,” he says and winks.
“I see. You’re really good,” I breathe.
He leans into my ear and rumbles. “When are you going to stop doubting my skills?”
I close my eyes and allow his cologne to surround me. He is the total package. If I could build a man, this would be my prototype. All of him. I wouldn’t change a thing.
The orchestra has us entranced as we get lost in the moment. The words of the song start to play in my head. As I remember them, I feel like this song could tell our story.
I take a deep breath. He’ll never know how I feel about him if I don’t tell him. It feels like he should know how much I’ve fallen for him. When I look up at his smiling face, I know I have to.
Here goes nothing.
“Well, I guess I was right.” Is said smugly from behind me.
Pit stiffens and his smile drops. I close my eyes and groan. Not now. Why now?
Pit
* * *
Just when I was about to say fuck it and tell Skittles I’m in love with her, this son of a bitch shows up. When I say I can’t stand this man, I would shit in his mouth while standing over his grave. I would sell his organs on the black market and watch them cut each one out with him still alive and then spend the money on something frivolous.
“Get lost,” I say through my teeth.
“You are the mayor’s daughter. It was the colorful hair that threw me off. I’ve never seen you at one of those things with such an ethnic style,” he says.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Skittles and I seethe at the exact same time.
“Whoa. I didn’t mean anything by it. I have nothing but respect for your father and all he’s done for Bridge Lake and Vander. I’m all for affirmative action and pro Black rights,” he says like the smug prick he is.
“You condescending jerk, you can kiss my pro Black—”
I have to grab Skittles’ little ass and pull her into my chest before someone hears her or she hands this jerk his balls for dinner. If my head weren’t ready to explode, I’d be amused. I lean in and whisper into her ear.
“We both need to remember where we are. Don’t let him get to you.”
“Pity, he’s rubbing off on you. See that’s exactly what I meant. How would your father feel about this?”
“How would I feel about what?”
Fuck.
I can’t catch a break. This is not how I wanted Mayor Jennings to officially meet me. I asked Skittles to call me Will tonight because I knew I’d be meeting her father.
I wanted my girl to be proud to introduce me to her dad. I look at my father with loathing. Why have children if you’re going to ruin every chance they get at happiness?
But then again, this is the bastard who tried to have me killed.
“Hey, Daddy,” Skittles says.
Mayor Jennings doesn’t take his eyes off my father at first. Her father glares at mine, probably seeing him for the piece of shit he is. Clearly, Mayor Jennings can sniff out a rat.
When he
does turn to Skittles, a smile comes to his face. “You look stunning, Mayven,” he says. He searches her face. “You’re glowing. You remind me of…”
He trails off and his smile falls a little. He clears his throat and looks over her head at me. He narrows his eyes for a second. I swear I start sweating bullets.
“Is this your date?” he says and lifts a brow.
“Yes, Dad. I want you to meet Will. Will, this is my father,” she introduces.
“You wouldn’t happen to be the same William Pitman I’m thinking of, would you?”
“Mayor, that would actually be my son. I don’t know if you remember me. I used to be the DA—”
Mr. Jennings holds up his hand. “I know who you are,” he says. “I don’t know why I never put the two together.”
He stares at my father for a few beats. “Probably because I was the one to get your son out of his situation. I would think as a father you would’ve figured something out, especially with the abuse of power you already had your hands in.”
I want to fist pump and laugh at the same time. I guess I know where Skittles gets it from. Mr. Jennings turns his attention back to Skittles and me.
“You’re the bar owner. I’ve seen the work you do in the community through your establishment. Impressive,” Mr. Jennings says to me.
“Thank you. I do what I can.”
He nods. “Mayven, they’re waiting to get a few photos,” he says and holds out his arm for her.
I get the clear message that I’m not invited. As they walk off, I crack my neck to relieve some of the tension. Skittles looks back over her shoulder at me as if she’s pleading for me to follow.
“She’s too good for you. You’ll find a way to fuck it up, I’m sure,” my father says at my side.
I whirl on him ready to knock him on his ass. My fists are clenched tightly at my sides. I move in menacingly.
“Stay away from me. Stay away from my girl. Just stay the fuck out of my life,” I snarl.
“Your girl is with her family while you’re standing here with me. On the outside. They look at you like shit just like everyone does me. At least I was once one of them. You’re trying to be something you’re not. Go back to your bar and the lowlives that spend their time there,” he hisses back.
“I bet your father wished you were a cum stain or a shot down some whore’s throat. Instead, you took his name and turned it into filth. At least I can say I built everything I have.
“You’re just a piece of shit who tried to lie, steal, cheat, and manipulate his way to the top. And you managed to fuck that up. I see it for what it is now. You’re green with envy.”
I tilt my head to the side and grin. “It was changing my diapers, wasn’t it? Knowing my balls were bigger than yours even then and one day your own boy would have a bigger dick than you. Get over it, Dad, I’m hung like a motherfucker and ain’t never left a woman unsatisfied. We can’t all be great, you dickless bastard.”
I shove past him and head for the lobby to cool the fuck off.
Skittles
* * *
“That’s who you bring as a date?” my father seethes. “And Thaddeus, his father. I’ve never liked that man. Yet you bring them here.”
“Excuse me? First of all, Dad. Pit is the only person I brought with me. His father popped up while we were dancing.”
“I thought you were going to bring someone you were serious about,” he says in between smiling for the camera as if we’re having a normal conversation.
I smile as well, although I’m dying inside. I want to go find Pit. I need to make sure he didn’t strangle his father and that Pit’s actually okay. His father would get under anyone’s skin.
When the photographer waves and thanks us, I turn to my father and scowl. He places a hand on my elbow and leads me to the side. I know I said we needed to work on our relationship, but he’s pissing me off with his assumptions.
“What makes you think I’m not serious about him?”
“He’s one of your little friends. I’m sure you called to find out which one would be willing to pose for tonight,” he says indignantly.
“Actually, Dad, I care about him a lot. The fact that he’s here tonight shows me he cares a lot about me as well. I’ve never dated anyone like him. You’re wrong,” I say.
He studies me. His face softens and he nods. He goes to run his hand over my cheek the way he used to when I was a little girl.
“Then I want to have lunch with him. Get to know him as a man,” he says.
I shake my head. “Things are… complicated. I don’t think we’re there yet. When… if the time is right, I’ll make that happen. Just not yet.”
He squints his eyes at me, but before he can say a word, he’s called away to handle something. I release a sigh of relief and take off to find Pit.
Chapter 27
Drinks & Pool
Pit
* * *
Music plays in the background and we have a few beers courtesy of the refrigerator I keep up here in my second apartment over the bar. We both needed to clear our heads and unwind after the ball. I pushed through with a smile for Skittles. I’m not sure where my father slinked off to and I seriously don’t care.
“Okay, why am I just learning this place is up here?” Skittles says as she looks around the game room.
“It’s my getaway. Deacon, Kelex, Ox, Leo, and Rome are probably the only other people that know about it.”
She turns and gives me her back and looks over her shoulder. “Oh, so am I moving up in the ranks?”
I hold my pool stick out to the side and look her over from head to toe. Her father was right. She looks stunning tonight.
The floor length, strapless gown shows all her curves off. There’s something angelic and naughty about the way she looks. Something that makes me want to dirty her up, just to clean her off and do it again.
“You might be. Go ahead and take your shot.” I nod toward the table.
“Are we talking about pool or something else?”
I toss the pool stick up in the air and catch it. With the new hold, I reach out and tap her ass with it. She has the nerve to make an O shape with her lips, looking like a sexy porn star.
“You’re trouble.” I chuckle.
“The right kind though.”
“Play the damn game,” I snap with no real heat.
I grab my beer and take a pull. We fall into a natural banter. The tension from earlier is blown away by our ability to chill with each other.
“Would you say you have a photographic memory?” she says sometime later.
I take my next shot and watch it go in. Leaning on the pool stick, I look at her. I’ve never thought about it to be honest.
“I guess you could say that, but it’s more than that because I can listen to information and retain it as well. I never forget how to get to a place I’ve been before. Once you say your name, if I’m in front of you to take in your face, I’ll remember it forever.
“I process information pretty fast too. I guess you would say it goes a bit beyond having a photographic memory.”
“Yeah, I don’t have anything like that. I studied my tail off to get my grades.” She laughs.
I purse my lips. “I’ve seen you work on designing a car and engine. You’re your own genius. Even if I memorized all the textbooks on that shit, I don’t think I could apply the knowledge the way you do.”
“Thanks, that’s big, now that I know the words are coming from a super genius,” she says with a grin. “Leo is extremely smart too. Are you sure that man is your daddy?”
I bark out a laugh. “I’ve always wondered the same thing. Are you still thinking about adding on the motocross track?”
She pauses and her mouth hangs open. Her brows draw into the center of her forehead. I lift a brow.
“Wow, you really do retain information. I haven’t talked about that in years. I couldn’t talk my cousin into moving here to Vander to help me, so I dropped the idea.�
�
“What does he have against Vander? There are worse places to be.”
“She… Lex is a she.” She scrunches up her face and frowns. “I don’t know. I stopped pushing. Ven’s Whips and Toys is my thing. I respect her wishes.”
“I could look into some people to come down and help you if you ever decide to rethink it. Hell, that would be fun just for the crew when we get together. I’ll toss in an investment,” I offer.
“Look at you. Always a businessman. I’ll keep the offer in mind. I haven’t had time to think about anything lately,” she says the last part and looks down at the floor.
Damn, I didn’t mean to make her sad. I scramble for a new subject. I’ve been enjoying the conversation. I don’t want it to stop.
Skittles
* * *
I get lost in my head for a second. Before this stuff with Shawna started, I had been thinking about going into a contract for sponsorship for a car I’ve been designing. Now, I can’t think about a design or contracts or anything else most days.
I don’t know when I’ll be able to focus again. Will Shawna need my help once I get her back. Will she need therapy?
I’m here for whatever she needs. Shawna isn’t like Lex, but if Lex were here, she’d want to help. Ugh! My thoughts are so exhausting. All Pit did was ask me about a motocross track and now my mind is spiraling.
“Was the Maserati the last car you bought?” Pit says, getting my attention.
“Huh? Oh, no. I have a truck on preorder.”
He barks out a laugh. “I’ve never understood why you buy so many cars when you can build them yourself.”
I smile. “It’s about the art. I like taking them apart to put them back together again and some of them are just so beautifully made, I need to have them just because,” I explain.
Pit: The A**hole Club Series Page 15
