Beautiful Liar (11 page)

I am in a tailspin trying to get ready for work at the club, and Aiden didn’t get a nap today at daycare so he is being unruly. “Aiden, baby go get mommy your shoes, Caroline wants to take you to feed the ducks.”

“No go,” He cries holding onto my leg.

“Please Aiden we have to go.” I am walking out the door at this point with Aiden on my leg, my keys in my mouth and his shoes under my arm pit. I am going to be late and I am so tired.

“Let go of mommy’s leg, we need to get your shoes on,” I mange to lock the door and set Aiden on the steps. As I am getting his shoes strapped, I sense someone approaching, their shadow washes over me.

“Ma’am, I am looking for a Darby Stuart. You can you tell me if this is her address?”

I turn around to a middle aged lady now hovering over Aiden and me.

“I’m Darby, you are?”

“Hi Darby, I am
Selma Hackworth. I am from CPS. I would like to come in and have a well child visit with your son and yourself.” Gulp. I don’t have time for this right now!

“Now really isn’t a great time, I am actually headed to work right now. I am running behind already.”

“Just a few minutes of your time is all that I need.” I give up she clearly doesn’t care about my time.

“Sure let me unlock the door.” She follows Aiden and me inside.

“Mind if I walk through the house.”

“No, but is it really necessary?” Not answering me she does a quick look in every room.

“Is it just you and Aiden living here?”

“Yes, my mother was living with us but she recently passed away.”

“I see, sorry for your loss.” She takes a seat by Aiden on the couch.

“I’m sorry but what’s this all about?” I say with a hint of sarcasm. I know exactly why she is here. Brody’s mother is making good with her threats.

“Where is it that you work?”

“I uh, work at a nearby gym. I teach zumba classes.”

“I see. Is that your only source of income? I think it was mentioned that you are a stripper?” She raises an eyebrow.

“No I was dancing at a burlesque club, but I recently quit.” I lie.

“Do you leave Aiden in the care of others often?”

“No, he goes to daycare when I have class. And my neighbor keeps him until I get home at night.”

“Do you have a boyfriend Miss Stuart?”

“Yes, sort of. It’s complicated.”

“Does he spend a lot of time with your son?”

“I don’t understand what my personal life has to do with this visit?”

“Just crossing my T’s and dotting my I’s.” She stands to leave. “Okay, everything seems to be in order here. Thank you for your time. If I need anything else I’ll be in touch.”

By the time she gets in her car to leave I am sweating bullets. My word that was intense. My phone is chiming with a text from Turner asking why I am so late.

Me: Not coming in. I am finished working there. CPS was just here! I lied and told them I am no longer working for you.

Turner: You don’t have to quit your job. They had to do a check if there was enough of a squeeze put onto them, but you are a good mom. I am sure they recognized that.

Me: Yea I think I do.

Turner: If you’re sure I will take you off the schedule. Can I come over tonight? You still owe me a private dance. ;)

Me: I don’t know, there is so much going on right now. I need to get my life in order. I am so scared, what if they take Aiden from me?

Turner: You have nothing to worry about. I told you let me handle it. Let me call my lawyer.

Me: This isn’t your problem to solve, it’s mine. I made this mess. I have to fix it. I hope you can respect that.

Turner: Does this mean no sexy time?

Me: Sexy time, is that what it’s called now?

Turner: Anytime I spend with you is sexy time pumpkin. So I will see you tonight?

Me: Maybe ;)

Turner: Darby I’m dying here.

The word dying immediately makes me think of Brody. I lose track of time getting lost in my thoughts of Brody. My phone chiming snaps me out of my daze.

Turner: Shit! I didn’t mean to bring up death.

Me: I know! Don’t die I prefer my men breathing. But not tonight, I think we need to cool it for a few days, until I know what is going to come of this investigation. I can’t let my wanting to be selfish cost me Aiden.

Turner: you are allowed to have a life Darby.

Me: Please try to understand Turner. I’m not saying no to us. Just give me time to get this mess lined out.

Turner: You know how to find me if you need me. I love you Darby.

Truth is Turner’s words do affect me. I feel guilty that I am here living and breathing, and raising our son, mine and Brody’s. It isn’t fair. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. What did I ever do to deserve a man like Turner? And now this shit with Mrs. Case being out to get me, I don’t know what I will do if she succeeds in taking Aiden away from me. He is my whole world, the air that I breathe, and the beating of my heart. Everything has been for him. I can’t lose my one reason to hold on to hope. I love Turner too, but I will give him up if I have to. How will the courts see me dating a part owner of The Masquerade Club?

I try to get some sleep, looks like tomorrow I will have to get serious about finding a new job. Ugh! There aren’t any jobs that meet my needs. I fling the newspaper in frustration.

“That not nice mommy, pick it up.”

“I know little man, mommy is just frustrated.”

I receive a certified letter requesting I bring Aiden in for a paternity test on behalf of the state of Florida and Mrs. Beverly Case. My word, she is relentless! Will she stop at nothing? I want to call her and try to work something out to make her see that I am a good mom, but my attorney has advised me against it. He has said that I need to just follow standard procedure and go to all the court dates. There is no sign for concern from CPS’s investigation. But that doesn’t mean it will be over anytime soon.

Beverly Case has been known not to stop until she gets what she wants, but this time I hope she is prepared to lose.

A few days have passed and I am no closer to finding a job. The DNA results are in and it’s no surprise Aiden shares DNA with that woman.

We have a court hearing tomorrow,
Beverly must have bought her way into the docket so quickly. Turner has backed off and stopped trying to play hero. I know he means well and just wants to help but I have to make sure I protect Aiden’s best interest. Not that Turner would ever hurt Aiden or anything like that. I just want to make it through this upcoming hearing. I did however promise Turner that Aiden and I would go with him to visit his parents this weekend. Let’s hope I get to keep the promise.

It is the morning of the hearing, I am so nervous. My stomach is twisted into knots. My heart is about jump out of my chest and runaway. I meet my attorney in front of the courthouse and he gives me a little pep talk to insure me that I have nothing to worry about. His reassurance does calm my nerves some.

He escorts me inside and we have a seat while we wait for our case to be called. Glancing around the room I don’t see any sign of Mrs. Case. Could I be so lucky for her to be a no show? Highly doubt it. After a long hour has passed our case is finally called.

We make our way to the front an
d a few minutes pass without a word from Mrs. Case. My gloating thoughts are extinguished when the clicking of heels quickly approaching the other side of the room alerts me to her presence. The judge does not appear to be happy with her tardiness. “Apologies your honor,” her attorney speaks to the judge.

“Mrs. Case is not from the area and had difficulties finding the correct room.”

“Counselor that is not my problem. Please advise your client that in the future she will respect the state of Miami’s time.”

“Yes your honor.”

“We are here today in regards to a juvenile the age of two, the defendant’s son. Now give me a moment to look over the file.” He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose and begins flipping the pages.

“Alright,
CPS has made a home visit and did not see that the said child is under any threat or risk. The report states the child seems to be properly cared for by the defendant Ms. Stuart. I see no reason to drag this on further. The child has been proven to be the child of the deceased a Mr. Brody Case. The child shall remain in custody of his mother. However visitation rights are granted to the grandmother Mrs. Beverly Case, but at the discretion of the mother. And once the child is of age for school the visits will have to work around the child’s schedule.”

“Your honor if I may approach.”

“Counselor you may approach the bench.”

“Your honor my client feels strongly that the defendant will not stop at any length to keep her grandson away from her. She denied the deceased of any rights or acknowledgement that he was the father. She should be facing wrongful death charges.”

“Counselor we are not here to pass false judgments or accuse the defendant of any crime. There aren’t any charges being pursued and you will refrain from making these comments. The matter of custody has been entered, Mrs. Stuart will contact you through her lawyer to establish visitation. Court is adjourned.”

I shake hands with my attorney and agree to contact his office soon so that we can establish visitation through a mediator next week. I can feel the piercing daggered look I am getting from Mrs. Case through my back. I don’t turn around and give her the satisfaction of knowing it bothers me to know that at some point I have to allow her to spend time with Aiden, time that she can spend trying to turn him against me. The thought scares me, but I will have to worry about it when the time comes. I can not wait to go get my boy and spend the day with him.

After picking up Aiden I try to call Turner to give him my good news but I can’t reach him. I was hoping he would want to have a celebratory dinner with us. I take Aiden out to one of those kiddy pizza play lands. He loves when I hold him up and let him play basketball. I think this kid loves any sport with a ball. I finally hear back from Turner.

Turner: Sorry, I have been in a meeting all day. Ritchie has flown in from Nashville. The next week is going to be crazy busy. I need a rain check on dinner. Probably best if we wait before heading to my folks until next weekend too. I will talk to you soon.

That’s it, no hey pumpkin tits, and he didn’t even bother asking how the hearing went. Jerk. Okay he isn’t really a jerk, but I want to share my good news with him. I guess him being busy could be a good thing. It gives me more time to focus on finding a job.

The weekend passes without any contact with Turner, I have kinda grown accustomed to his pumpkin tits texts and find that two days without him seems like a week has passed. My mediation meeting with Beverly is in a few days. I am not looking forward to it. I was really hoping she could see past her hurt and dislike of me for Aiden’s sake. I want her to be able to share things with him about his father. It may not appear to some that I loved Brody the way that I have claimed to, but I really did. I wish I could have been better, stronger even to help him with his drinking. If I hadn’t been a coward and told Brody the truth, he may still be here sharing in Aiden’s life with me. We may even be married right now.

I walk into my mother’s room and sit on her bed. I can just hear her now. She’d be telling me to stop pondering on things I can’t change. She would say to me Darby, stop hanging on to wishes on stars about what ifs. Maybe I question and doubt things with Turner too much. Maybe Marla was right when she said life has a way of choosing for you. What if all of my choices up until now have all been pointing me to Turner?

Hugging her pillows to my chest, I know what I want and what I need. I want Turner and I need to stop being so scared and tell him how I feel. He really will be a great dad to Aiden, and never mind the fact that Aiden thinks Turner hung the moon. I take a deep breath and text Turner.

Me: Can we talk?

Turner: I can stop by when I get off work but it might be pretty late.

Me: That’s good actually. See you tonight.

Turner: I can’t wait to smack that ass!

Me: What?

Turner: Be ready, I have been thinking about you in nothing but heels and a mask all day!

Taking extra care to make sure I am neat and trim for him, I get out the hot wax. I hope I am ready before he arrives. How embarrassing would it be to be walked in on while waxing your vagina when your boyfriend comes over expecting you sexy and ready! The thought makes me giggle. I turn down all of the lights and light all of the candles I have set out through the house.

I wait and I wait and yet Turner doesn’t show he should have been here an hour ago. I’m not a possessive or clingy girlfriend. I would just like to know he is running behind. A complimentary text is all I am after, but I haven’t heard a peep since I messaged him over half an hour ago. Changing out of my sexy negligee, I am on the verge of tears when he finally decides to show his face.

“I am so sorry a fight broke out between a few of the girls, it was hectic.” I raise a brow at him like this matters, to me, because. “I have great news that I can’t wait to share with you.”

“Oh, what’s that?”

“You are now looking at the new co-owner of The Masquerade Club Miami.”

“Seriously so happy for you right now.”

“Figured we could celebrate,” he flashes me a sexy, all knowing, devilish grin. A grin that says you know I am about to fuck you until you’re right on the edge, and bring you back from it over and over again. I am so ready to finally claim his heart and give him all of me. I am so ready for him to own me, all of me, body, mind, and soul.

He draws me into him, grazing my lip with his teeth, licking the outline of my pout. He growls into my parted mouth, “I have been craving the taste of you.” Pulling my bottom lip into his mouth he nibbles my lip and sucks on it.

“I want you to do something for me.”

“Name it.”

“Take off your clothes and lie on your stomach across the table.” I do as he asks and giggle with anticipation. The top of the cherry wood table is cold, making my nipples firm. I fold my hands under my head and wait. I hear a crunching sound and try to locate the source of the sound. “Uh, uh, lie back down,” he mumbles. He sweeps my hair from my back, causing it to blanket my face. I am surprised when the sweet caress of winter’s tongue slowly trails down my spine.

I have never been a fan of the cold but right now I want to feel winters kiss between my thighs. The ice in his mouth has his tongue so cold it burns my skin. And if this is what it feels like to burn a slow and agonizing death, I am ready to flame alive. I peep through my hair and the candlelight illuminates the shadow of us on the wall. I have to say it is so damned romantic.

I turn over and Turner pulls me to the edge of the table. My cheeks are hanging over the table’s edge. He goes down on his knees and orders me to place my legs over his shoulders. Taking a small single cube of ice between his fingers he sucks on it until it starts to melt and places it inside my aching sex. I wrap my legs around the back of his head as he bends down to lick the cube. Words can’t even begin to describe the sensations my body is feeling right now. Not a coherent thought comes to mind. I feel like I have brain freeze. The rest of my body is hot and trembling as he continues to assault my sex with the flicking of his tongue.

He rises up to my chest and takes a nipple into his mouth. His cool mouth extinguishes the fire raging across my skin. I reach down and find the button on his pants and wrestle one handed with his zipper.

“Do you know how much you mean to me Darby? I love you so much. It’s all I can do not to pack your bags and throw you over my shoulder and take you home with me.”

“You can throw me over your shoulder if you want to, but I will go willingly. “

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes, I will move in with you, but right now I want you to fuck me Turner.”

He drops his pants and pushes inside of me. I lie back on the table and relinquish all control.

I can’t believe I am going to really move in with Turner, but it feels right. I know he is strong enough to be my man. He has proven himself to me over and over again. I don’t know how I ever doubted it before. I sit down with Aiden to talk to him about us living with Turner.

“Aiden, come sit with mommy.” He climbs into my lap and I brush his curls from his face. “How would you feel if you and I went to live with Turner? Would you like that?”

“O’tay Ma.”

I guess that is as good of a response that I am going to get from him.