Hotshot (29 page)

“He’s not going to apologize, Sasha. Not to you and not to me. He will love this child… but he’s never going to accept you.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Let’s move on.” I ignore her questioning glare, opening the folder and pretending to read. Bizzy and Gail’s words from a few weeks ago ring in my ears, and I shut the folder, locking eyes with Sasha. “A few weeks ago in my office, I asked you what you wanted from me, but I think emotions were too high and the conversation escalated out of control. So, I’m ready to listen. Really listen. Tell me how you see this going. What would you like to see happen over the next few months, and even after the baby is born? I assume we both agree this baby is the most important person in this relationship, and I’d like your input”

Boom! She wanted respect; that’s about as respectful as it gets.

She stares at me, her face spreading in a wide smile. She looks at her lawyer, and he nods. “First of all, I’d like to stop having most of our meetings with our lawyers present. I agree that this child is the most important, and we can make decisions as adults.”

“I think that can be arranged.”

She looks pleased and sits up confidently. “As I mentioned several times, it’s time our families met. My parents are very interested in getting to know your family.”

“I agree.”

Her confidence grows.

“As for the next few months, I’d like you to be a larger part of this pregnancy. There are a few specialty classes the hospital offers to first time parents, and if needed, they can do private sessions—for a price.”

“Of course, for a price.” It’s hard to hide my irritation.

“My office, my parents’ friends, and my family are all planning baby showers. I’d like you to attend, but before that can happen, we need to register. These will be big events. We should also start thinking of the birthing plan. I’m hoping for an easy birth, but there are always exceptions. We need to figure out our living arrangements. My condo is only two bedrooms, so if your place is bigger, we can move there. Also we need to think about nannies and names.”

She pauses, and I take the opportunity to break in. “Anything else?”

“I’m sure there’s more, but we can work that out as we go.”

“Okay, well, let me tell you what I see happening. I will support your decision about the birth plan, because this is your body and I respect your wishes. I trust the doctors to tell us how things are progressing, and you can make the choice of drugs or not, as long as the baby is okay. Let me know about the classes at the hospital, and what you’d like to attend. I’ll make arrangements to be there. If you feel more comfortable with private sessions, I’ll also agree to that.”

Satisfaction spreads across her face. I take a deep breath, and Caldwell taps me on the leg, giving me encouragement.

“But the showers, registry, and housing are things we should discuss. My mother is going to help me set up a nursery in my home. We will not be moving in together. If you are unhappy in your condo, I’ll support your decision to move. There will be no need for me to attend showers or help you register because that is all your choice. If you share with me what you’d like me to have at my place, I’ll have it. No questions asked.”

Her face starts to heat up. “You’ve got to be kidding? You still think we’re going to raise this child in two separate places? What’s wrong with you? How do you propose that will work?”

I slide a piece of paper across the table and see her eyes grow wide. “This is a list of licensed social workers who specialize in infant and newborn care. You choose and they can check on me anytime. My house will be more than suitable for shared custody.”

“So you are sticking with your stance? We will raise this child in a broken home?”

“It can’t be broken if it was never whole to start with.”

“This is unacceptable to me. A mother should not be away from her child. Ever.”

“I have to agree with you there.” I swallow my retort, knowing she’s trying to goad me. “So, I hope to work out a custody agreement amicably.”

“Ren! This is ridiculous! Why are you being this way? We are both single, professional adults. We should raise this child together.”

This is it…

Caldwell straightens in his chair, ready for anything.

“Sasha, you’re wrong.
We
are not both single. I’m planning to get married.”

The room goes still, the only sound her gasp. If heads could spin, hers would be twirling. Her face goes pale, her eyes bulge, and she stares at me in disbelief. Then she picks up the glass in front of her and hurls it across the room, shattering it.

“THE HELL YOU ARE!” She leaps up, her lawyer at her side. “That is bullshit!”

I sit back, moving my hand to my suit jacket pocket, and grip the ring box I’ve had for a week.

“You’re a commitmentphobe! The only reason we aren’t together right now is because you aren’t ready to settle down. I’ve accepted that, but I’ll be damned if you marry another woman while I’m having your baby!”

I stay quiet, itching to tell her I’m not a commitmentphobe. She’s proven time and time again why I wouldn’t commit to her, but she can’t understand that. But none of that matters. The moment Bizzy laid her lips on mine almost four months ago, everything changed.

“Who the hell is she?!?” Sasha screams.

I remain silent.

Her lawyer finally speaks up, “Mr. Bennett, Miss Crane has a right to know who will be around her child.”

Sasha growls.

Caldwell is ready.

“Lizbeth Hastings.”

Sasha lets out a blood-curdling scream, causing me to jump in my seat.

“The cancer girl! No fucking way! She’s a social-climbing whore! I’ll never let her anywhere near my child!”

This time, the room goes still for another reason. Everyone stays quiet, but the ice running through my veins starts to roar in my head. No one talks about Bizzy that way. Caldwell reaches over, grabbing my shoulder and forcing me to stay seated.

“Miss Crane, Lizbeth Hastings is a Pediatric Nurse who cares for sick children, not to mention her extensive medical background. She’s passed every social services check to date and is trained to go into private homes to care for children. Her background is stellar, not even a parking ticket in the last three years.”

“I don’t care about her fucking background. Where’s the dignity? She’s had cancer! She doesn’t fit with us!” Sasha waves her hand back and forth between us.

All control snaps. “What the hell are you saying? My brother is a cancer survivor! What does ‘us’ mean?”

“Your brother overcame it, became a star quarterback for an NFL team, and made a name for himself. What did she do?”

“She also beat cancer—against the odds—and became a nurse to help others going through the disease. That’s what it is, Sasha, a disease! A terrible, horrible, terrifying disease, and we should be thankful there are people like her in the world. And before you say anything else, my brother Mathis chose pediatric medicine because of Bizzy and Nick! Jesus, what the fuck?”

My heart races in my chest, and I’m fighting the impulse to walk out and tell her to fuck herself.

“You will not marry her and raise our child. I won’t allow it. I’ll tie this shit up in court for years.”

“You’d do that?” I question her, unbelieving she’d be that hateful.

“Hell yes!”

Holy shit. This is real. She’s serious. I knew she’d be pissed, but never did I think she was this malicious.

This went downhill fast, and my head is spinning because there’s no way out. Now that I know Sasha will make our life hell, I have to put the ball in her court and still remain amenable in the eyes of the courts. I want this child. I want to be a part of its life, but damn if she will cost me my relationship… and my child.

I stand, straightening my jacket and avoiding her glare. I’m too pissed to be diplomatic.

“Sasha, I’m sorry you feel that way. Obviously, our lawyers need to stay involved. I’ll do everything we spoke about. Email me your schedule and we’ll set up a family meeting. Also, I’ll stop by the hospital this week and request an updated schedule of classes. However, it’s probably best if we reserve a private session, since our situation is so delicate.”

“If you do this, I’ll ruin you. You’ll lose your money, reputation, and status. You can kiss any parental rights goodbye. Good luck getting any judge in this entire state to side with you. Can you honestly say she’s worth it? That you’d lose your child over her?”

“Your threats and intimidation tactics don’t work, Sasha. I happen to know you have an exceptional compensation package and are very well paid. I’ll always provide for the child, but you won’t get any of my money. As for my reputation, I’ve already thought of that. I’ve spent years warning my clients of leeches that will purposely get pregnant, going after their money. I’m one of the best when it comes to covering the story. Our situation has nothing to do with my business. My status? I’m still the same person. My commitments and obligations will remain.

“What exactly do you think a judge will think when they see us? Two people who had consensual sex, which resulted in a surprise pregnancy. Once we established paternity, I’ve been accommodating. It’s you who has flown off the handle on multiple occasions, using threats to me and to our unborn child. Must I remind you of your ultimatum of terminating the pregnancy? I have witnesses to your erratic behavior, including throwing a glass less than ten minutes ago. Maybe I should be worried about your temperament? Child custody cases can go many ways. I hope we don’t resort to the nastiness.”

She looks at her lawyer and back to me. Her face twists as my words sink in, and I see a range of emotions she’s never shown. Panic? Fear? Shame?

It’s time to go. I pat Caldwell on the back and give her lawyer a quick chin lift, walking to the door.

“You didn’t answer my question. Is she worth it?”

I drop my head and take a deep breath, then face her. “I was trying to avoid being cruel because you’re not going to like my answer. She’s worth everything to me. I am nothing without her. But even in a world without Bizzy, there’d never be a you and me. Our situation would be the same.”

I don’t wait for her response before walking out. Part one of my day is done. Now, onto part two— getting this ring on Bizzy’s finger.

ASAP.

Bizzy

I slink into my chair, feeling the weight of three grown men staring at me in disbelief. Their silence is deafening. My stomach knots, and I regret the decision to wait and tell them my plans after we ate.

“One of you, say something.”

“Charlotte?” Nicky asks.

“Charlotte,” I confirm.

“For eight weeks?”

“Yes, but it will fly by.” It comes out unconvincing, even to me.

“Don’t get me wrong, Bizzy; what you’re doing is noble, but why?” Mathis questions.

“I’m doing it because they need me. I have strengths they are missing with the current group traveling. Evie says she thinks I’ll be a real asset.”

“There’s no doubt you’ll be an asset. They’re lucky to have you, but when did you make this decision? I saw the last list of staff leaving, and your name wasn’t on it.”

I swallow hard, scared to look at Shaw. “I made the decision a week ago. The day Grady died.”

Shaw’s head shoots up, his lips set in hard line. His shock bleeds into anger.

“Say something, please,” I beg him.

“Did she do this? Seeing her, listening to her spout her shit… is that why you’re doing this?”

All the air is sucked out of the room as Nicky and Mathis both give a rough rumble.

Shaw jumps up, his chair scraping loudly and the table shaking as his thighs bang into it. I have to grab my glass to keep it from toppling over.

“Charlotte! Fucking Charlotte? You’re leaving for two damn months? You didn’t think to discuss this with me? You promised me you wouldn’t leave me. I won’t let her push you out of town. You belong here. You belong with me!”

“I’m coming back,” is all I can say.

Fury radiates from the heat of his glare, and my heart starts to splinter. I’ve never seen him this pissed. He storms out and, a few seconds later, the door leading to the balcony slams. The vibration reaches all the way to my seat.

“Is he right, Biz? Is she the reason you volunteered to go?” Nicky’s question is laced with his own resentment.

I shrug, trying to find a way to explain. He and Mathis may not agree with my decision, but they’ll understand. Now, I need to find a way to make Shaw see where I’m coming from.

“I think I need to go talk to him.” I get up, taking my plate to the kitchen.

“We’ll clear the table and straighten the kitchen. You deal with him.” Mathis pats the back of my hand encouragingly. “We’ll let ourselves out when we’re done.”

I give them both a grateful hug and head to the patio to try and calm my furious boyfriend.

He’s sitting in the dark, facing the ocean with his elbows propped on his knees. I stand back and watch him finish an entire glass of whiskey in one gulp. He reaches between his legs and lifts the bottle, refilling his glass. Then he swallows that down as well.

“I know you’re there.” His voice is rough and harsh, grating on my fragile nerves.

“We should talk.”

“Well, get your ass over here.”

I go to him slowly, trying to think of exactly how I can explain this to him. All my earlier reasoning and a week’s worth of preparation disappears.

When I’m close enough, he circles an arm around my waist and tugs me to him. My arms automatically go around his shoulders, and I smell the strong scent of the whiskey. Usually I’m not a fan, but when he kisses me after drinking it, I love the taste.

“You’re upset with me.” I point out the obvious.

“Fuck yes, I am. How could I miss this?”

“Because you gave me the space to work through it, which I love you for. You didn’t push me to tell you, even though it’s obvious I’ve had something on my mind.”

“You’re not going. Call me a bastard, call me a caveman, call me anything you want, but I’m not letting you out of Miami. She’s not doing this to me, to us.”

“You’re right. She’s not. I am.”