Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series (26 page)

“Sure,” I nibbled my lip.

“Come on,” Garrett’s head swung toward the side of the stage. “It’s game time.” His face went from smiling to serious as he led me to the center of the stage and we took our positions.

Opening night was one of those times you expected things to go wrong. It was a first run, and undoubtedly, people made mistakes. A light might not come on when it was supposed to. A hand or foot might be placed wrong, you never knew. It was a time when you learned to ‘roll with the punches’ and the longer you performed, the better you learned to do this.

By the time we finished, the audience was on their feet, and as I curtsied, the stage lights blinded me. Sweat beaded across my forehead, and my foot ached. It still hadn’t felt right even after the doctor had Okayed me to dance on it. It was as if that particular spot was just weaker and was always going to give me trouble. I knew I was getting past my peak as a dancer, but I refused to go out without a fight. Most dancers my age were looking to open a studio or teach for the company. Garrett had been talking about hanging it up for a couple of months now. I couldn’t understand why. I loved dancing. It was my life and really the only thing I knew how to do.

“You were perfect,” he smiled down at me as we took a bow together before we chasséd across the stage and off into the wings.

“Thank you,” I grinned as I fought to catch my breath. Garrett and I had been flawless, and the rush of euphoria from our performance was still pulsing through my veins. I never got tired of the feeling. It was almost like a high, and I craved it every time I set foot on a stage.

“We’re heading out as soon as we get changed. Let me know if you’re coming, and I’ll wait on you,” he smiled as he waved and made his way down the hall to the men’s dressing rooms.

“I will,” I waved before turning toward mine. My feet ached, and I needed to get inside and get my shoes off quickly so I could rub my feet down. I was tired, that much was true, but the rush I was feeling had me on cloud nine. The idea of blowing off steam with some of cast had me grinning from ear to ear.

When I stumbled through the door of my dressing room laughing, I stopped in tracks. There sitting on the vanity was a large bundle of pink roses. I turned, quickly surveying the room to make sure I was alone before rushing over to get a closer look.

You looked breathtaking tonight. You were born for this. I love you!

My hand flew to my chest as my eyes teared up. He was here; he saw me. I’d waited for this moment for years. I’d always imagined him out there watching me. I never thought it would actually happen though.

I lifted the flowers and sniffed them before frantically searching for my phone. When my fingers brushed across it in the bottom of my bag, I shook with anticipation. As I dialed Ty’s number, my hands trembled. I’d been waiting for him to answer one of my messages. “It’s Ty. You know what to do.” The beeping sounded, and my heart sunk. I was tired of leaving messages, and never getting to actually talk to him was driving me crazy. “It’s me…again. I got the flowers. I can’t believe you’re here. I don’t know how you got back here without me seeing you. Please call me. I want to see you. I need to tell you something, and I’d like to do it to your face.”

After hanging up, I began removing my shoes and costume. It took some time, but after changing and washing off my stage makeup, I met Garrett at the exit door. “Where’d those come from?” He tipped his head toward the flowers resting in my arm.

“Tyler left them for me,” I smiled softly.

“Then why are you here with me and not with him?” Garrett’s brow scrunched.

“I don’t know where he is,” I sighed. “I called him and got his voicemail again.”

“Maybe, he’s trying to give you space. You sent him away the last time he came after you,” he shrugged.

“That was weeks ago. I’ve been messaging him. I don’t want to fix this through voicemail. I want to talk to him. Don’t you think that’s right?” I peered up at him as I saw his expression change.

“Looks like you might get a chance.” His head nodded across the street as we pushed through the door and stopped on the sidewalk outside.

My head snapped up from where I’d been smelling the flowers to see Tyler leaning against a building across the street. He was wearing a pair of dark pants with a white button down. The top button was undone letting a small amount of skin peek out. The cuffs on the shirt were rolled up his forearms, and his ankles were crossed, giving him a relaxed look. I hadn’t seen him this casual since we were back in Cherryville. When he saw me staring at him, he pushed off the building and stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. His head dipped down as he shuffled his feet like he was waiting for me to come to him. “I’ll catch up with you later,” I murmured to Garrett before glancing in both directions and scurrying across the street. It wasn’t a crosswalk, but I wasn’t in the mood to walk half a block down the street.

SEEING HER UP
there on stage under the lights made everything that had happened over the last few weeks’ worth it. My life has been anything but normal or easy ever since Chrissi served me with custody papers. I had thought that when Mia walked away that was the moment I’d hit the bottom, but it was only the beginning.

When I left her apartment all those days ago, I’d spent the night tossing and turning. I’d finally given up well after midnight on the chance to get any sleep. Instead I dragged myself to my office. I hadn’t even bothered to change from my rumpled suit, and I’m sure I reeked of liquor. I’d been downing the stuff for hours.

No one was there aside from the security guard when I used my keycard to get into the building, and when I finally made it into my office, I stumbled over to where I kept my decanters of bourbon to continue what I’d started at home. I’d paced in the darkness staring out the windows and at all the plaques and awards that graced the other three walls of the small space. Everything I’d worked so hard for and studied my ass off was sitting in this room. Everything that I was clinging to with an iron grip as Chrissi threatened to yank it away was proudly displayed in frames: snapshots of my life.

I don’t know what time it was when I passed out, but I awoke to bright sunlight shining in my face the next morning. My head pounded as I scrubbed at my eyes, only to find Chrissi standing in front of my desk tsking me as she slowly shook her head.

“You know this isn’t the best way to deal with this, right?” She tipped her head to the side. “What would Daddy think if he saw you acting like this?” She rubbed her stomach as she glanced over her shoulder. “You need to be responsible and help me. This baby’s gonna be here soon.” She glanced over her shoulder again, and this time my eyes followed hers. Standing right there in the doorway to my office was the one person that I didn’t want to see. My boss and her father, Henry. “Oops,” Chrissi grinned as she placed her hand over her mouth as if what she’d just done was a slip up.

“Mr. Cook,” Henry glared at me. He never called me Mr. Cook. I’d been Tyler to him for as long as I could remember. “Can I see you in my office now?” He stormed away, and as Christina’s heels clicked after him, my heart joined my stomach down at my knees.

It was as if time stopped when I stepped through his door. He was seated behind his large mahogany desk and Christina was perched beside him. His head slowly lifted as his eyes met mine, and if it weren’t for the small tick of his jaw, I wouldn’t even know he was upset. “Sir,” I swallowed as I straightened my shoulders. I’d been dreading this happening for months now, and of course, when my life started spinning farther out of my control, Chrissi would up her game.

“Have a seat,” Henry motioned to the seat in front of him.

“I think I’ll stand, thanks.” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and readied myself for the firing squad.

“I understand that my grandchild is yours.” He folded his arms on the desk as he leaned forward, cutting right to the heart of the matter.

“Yes, sir,” I clasped my hands in front of me before shooting a glare in Chrissi’s direction. She had set me up. That little slip of hers had been planned all along. Just like coming to my place with custody papers had been planned. For all I knew, she’d figured out that she could run into Mia that way. Everything about what had happened between us had been planned. Hell, she might have planned this pregnancy. She’d been wanting a relationship for months. I think in her mind she thought she had me stuck.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Henry’s eyes bored into me. “You plan on marrying my daughter and taking care of your responsibility?”

“I’ll take care of my son, sir, but no… I’m not going to marry your daughter. I don’t love her, sir,” I stumbled over my words as I waited. The steam began to rush from his head, and he started to turn red as my words sunk in.

“What do you mean you don’t love her? You loved her enough to sleep with her?” Henry stood abruptly and slammed his palms down on the desk. I glanced over at Chrissi and shook my head in disgust when I saw the smirk on her face. She was eating this up. She thought she had me now.

“I’ll take care of the baby. I’ll help financially, but I’m not marrying her,” I repeated. I waited a few beats before the words flew out of my mouth. “I’ll be handing in my resignation by the end of the day, sir. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I truly enjoyed working here, but I think my services could be better used at a smaller firm.”

Silence filled the room as Chrissi’s mouth dropped open. I’m sure when the realization of what I’d done finally hit me, I’d have the same expression, but at the moment, I felt nothing but relief. Relief that I wouldn’t have to deal with the pressure she’d been inflicting since she told me she was pregnant. Relief that I was shedding this high pressure job for something more laid back and enjoyable. I’d thought about it since Trevor had called me with the news. Mr. Dewy, Cherryville’s only attorney, was retiring and looking to sell his practice. As much as I loved the city, I couldn’t help wanting to go back where it all started. All I needed now was Mia, and my life would be better.

AS I WEAVED
across the street, my feet began to move faster and faster. The previous days all blurred together, and the reasons I was mad before didn’t seem so important as I watched him wait for me. I’d forgiven him when I’d cooled off and listened to Garrett. I couldn’t explain it, but I loved him and that was all that mattered.

I stumbled to a halt when I reached him, and my dance bag slipped from my shoulder catching on my elbow. Tyler reached for it to help me, but I gripped the strap and hoisted it back up myself. His eyes went from smiling to unsure as he watched me. “Hey,” I mumbled before letting my eyes connect with his.

“Hey,” he repeated back. “I’m glad you got my flowers.” He pointed to the roses clutched in my right hand before stuffing his hands back in his pockets.

“Yes, thank you,” I nodded before nibbling my lip. We stood there awkwardly both waiting for the other to say something before I finally gave in. “I love you too.” I blinked away the tears that were starting to gather in my eyes before tipping my chin up. I pressed my lips tightly together as I watched him. The uncertainty on his face melted away as he appraised me. “I always have.” His shoulders rose and dropped as he took a deep breath before his head bobbed. I couldn’t help the hurt that seeped in. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Had he changed his mind? “Say something,” I begged.