Waiting for Him (Waiting Series Book 3) (6 page)

Chapter Nine

Garrett

      Going to Shelby’s doctor’s appointment with her last week meant more to me than she probably realizes. I didn’t want to get all emotional in front of her and clue her in about what I was thinking. When I heard the baby’s heartbeat, it was as if the rest of reality fell away. It was the single most impactful moment I’ve ever experienced. Suddenly, everything was so crystal clear. Knowing that someone may be carrying my child is one thing, but when I actually heard his little heartbeat strongly thumping, everything else fell to the wayside and that tiny little being was all that mattered to me. At that moment, I knew that it doesn’t make a difference if things with Shelby and I are unresolved or up in the air. Somehow, some way, we’ll make parenting together work for our son and the rest is just details we don’t need to figure out right now.

      I’m sitting in my office at Bentley Academy trying to wrap up everything I need to before I leave for the weekend. I want to catch Shelby before she takes off and see if she wants to go out to dinner with me tonight. I’ve been so busy with work this week and I’ve had meetings after school almost every day. I haven’t checked in with her at all and that makes me feel like I’m neglecting my duties as her baby’s father. I can’t do anything for our little guy at this point, except make sure that his mother takes care of herself. After the doctor told her she needed to gain weight, I’d planned on taking her out to dinner earlier in the week, but I couldn’t seem to fit anything more in my already overly packed schedule.

      I shoot her a quick email asking her to see me before she leaves. I glance at my watch and notice that it’s already one forty-five and realize that she may not check her email again since it’s so close to the time school lets out. Oh well, I can call her if I have to or maybe I’ll just stop by.

      I’m taking care of some unanswered correspondence when there’s a knock on my door. I’m assuming it’s Shelby, and I can’t keep the smile from appearing at the thought.

      “Come in,” I call as I log out of my email account. My smile dims when I see who’s standing there.

      “Melina, what can I do for you?” I ask, disappointed that it’s her and not Shelby.

      She closes the door behind her and slinks over to my desk. Her hips sway from side to side and she has her back arched so her breasts are leading the way. She looks slightly ridiculous and not the least bit attractive to me. Unfortunately, I made a bad judgment call one night, due to some whiskey and now she thinks she has some claim on me. I never should have touched her, especially where she’s an employee of mine. She’s also delusional and I know that this isn’t going to end well.

      “I was thinking that I could do something for you.” She leans forward, resting her palms on my desk so I have an unobstructed view of her breasts. I feel nothing when I look at her except regret. The sex was mediocre and definitely not worth dealing with her clinginess.

      “I thought we settled all this Melina. We already had this discussion, and I told you that I made a bad decision by sleeping with you. You’re my employee and as such there can never be anything more between us.” She scrunches her nose up before answering.

      “Garrett, what’re you worried about? I can keep a secret. No one has to know what’s going on behind closed doors, but us.” She licks her lips and pouts them, trying to look seductive I’m sure, but I’m not a fan of collagen injected lips. I’m a fan of natural bee stung lips and the way I remember them looking wrapped around my cock.

      “Melina, I can’t be any clearer than I already have been. This is the last time I want to have this discussion with you. What happened between us was a one-time thing. It was just two friends hooking up and nothing more. It will never be anything more. I don’t want to have this conversation again. If you need to speak to me about a professional matter, then please feel free to do so. Other than that, I think you and I should avoid contact from this point on.” She looks like she wants to murder me and chop me into tiny little pieces. Or maybe she wants to chop me up while I’m still alive? Either way, she’s not happy with what I’ve said and I know that this isn’t the last I’ll hear from her.

      “This is not over.” She huffs before spinning around and walking to the door. As she takes hold of the handle, she looks back at me for one final hate filled stare, before ripping the door open. Shelby is standing on the other side of it with her fist raised to knock.

      “Oh,” she exclaims and jumps back to avoid being knocked over. She watches Melina walk away for a moment before she makes her way inside my office.

      “You wanted to see me?”

      “Yeah, I was wondering if you had plans tonight? I’d like to take you out for dinner. I meant to ask you earlier this week, but I’ve been buried under a mountain of work.” She stands there awkwardly fidgeting as if she doesn’t know what to say.

      “Come on, I promise not to bite. I just want to take you out for a nice home cooked meal and I want you to relax and eat as much as you can.” She nibbles on her bottom lip for a moment as she thinks it over. Finally, she nods her head.

      “Okay, what time are you thinking?”

      “I’ll pick you up at six o’clock.”

      “I’ll see you then.” She says and then she turns to walk away with her long blonde curls swaying behind her
. God, she’s beautiful.
Sometimes just being near her causes me physical pain. It always begins with tightness in my chest and then my breath hitches in my throat making breathing damn near impossible. I used to wonder what it was that caused me to react this way, but now I know…it’s love. I still love Shelby and I always will.

Chapter Ten

Shelby

     
He picks me up right on time which is no surprise. Garrett was always punctual when we were dating. He brings me to O’Neil’s which is where he took us on our first official date. I can’t help but feel sorry for the younger version of me as I think back. If only I had known the devastation being with him would cause, I would’ve canceled our date that fateful night.

      As we’re sitting at the table waiting for our waitress, the silence feels like it’s choking me…me, who likes silence, and thinks it’s underrated.

      “Where’s Megs tonight?” I ask to end this all-encompassing awkwardness that seems to be swallowing me alive. Garrett hesitates for a moment before answering.

      “Megs passed away last year. It was sudden and unexpected. She had a brain aneurysm and died in her sleep.” I place my hand over his on the table and squeeze my fingers around his clenched fist.

      “I’m so sorry for your loss. Her poor family must have been devastated.” He nods his head.

      “Yeah, it’s been a tough time for them. I still don’t think that they’ve recovered, they probably never will. Megs was the backbone of the bunch. She kept them all in line.”

      We eat our dinner with little conversing which works just fine for me. I’m busy shoveling the delicious steak and mashed potatoes in my mouth at warp speed. I swear I’ve never felt this hungry in my life. This time, there’s no visit to our table from Colin. I’m sure he doesn’t even know we’re here and Garrett obviously doesn’t want to inform him, or he would’ve gone back to the kitchen. The waitress stops by our table to collect our plates and eye fuck, Garrett. I roll my eyes and smirk because he’s so clueless when women are ogling him. He’s too busy looking at the dessert menu.

      “Can we get a slice of caramel cheesecake and also a piece of double chocolate cake to go, and the check?”

      “Sure thing, sweetie.” She says as she postures sultrily beside him. He finally notices her lingering.
      “That’s all.” She visibly bristles at his dismissal, before walking away.

      “Wow, I thought she was going to climb in your lap there for a minute.” Garrett flashes me a crooked grin and runs his hand through his thick hair. He’s wearing a much longer style than I’ve ever seen on him. It looks sexy, especially with the close trimmed beard he’s grown over the last week. I want to scrape my fingernails along his jawline and see if the hair is coarse or if it’s as soft as it looks like it might be. When we were a couple, he never had any facial hair. I used to ask him to let it grow, but he always preferred to be clean-shaven.

*** 

      We’re sitting on my couch listening to some music and eating the dessert he ordered. This caramel cheesecake might be the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. I’m moaning and groaning my way through it when I notice Garrett’s grimace.

      “What’s wrong?” I ask as I spoon another chunk of the smooth delight into my mouth.

      “You’re killing me with all the moaning you’re doing. It’s similar to what you used to sound like when I made love to you.” I inhale abruptly at his honesty and I choke on the bite I’m currently chewing, erupting in a loud coughing fit. Garrett whacks me on the back a couple of times and I finally cease hacking up a lung. My eyes are a watery mess as I wipe them with my napkin.

      “Sorry, you caught me off guard with what you said. I wasn’t expecting it and honestly, I’m surprised that you can still remember.” He shifts his position, leaning forward and placing his empty plate on the coffee table.

      “Of course, I remember Shelby. I doubt that I’ll ever forget. Don’t you remember?”
Wow, I wasn’t
expecting that question.

      “I remember what it was like between us, but it’s been a long time since then, and I’ve been with Jeff for the past few years. All of that has dulled my memories.”

      “Time hasn’t dulled mine. I remember it all, vividly.” Since we’re on the subject of sex, I decide to ask him about the rumor I heard from Max.

      “Hey, I heard a rumor about you, and I have a feeling it might be true, but if it’s not then, at least, you’ll know what’s being said about you. Did you sleep with Melina?” I carefully watch him for a reaction in case I think he’s lying to me. He gazes at me for a moment and then he nods his head in confirmation.

      “Yeah, it was just a one-time thing, but she’s going all stalker crazy on me now. I actually got shitty with her today and told her to stop.”

      “Wow, I’m so grossed out right now. Why would you ever stick your dick inside her? She’s such a bitch. She’s the one person that I cannot stand at Bentley. She’s a grown up mean girl.”

      “I was drunk at the time if that helps.” I roll my eyes at him.

      “You’re a little old to be using that excuse aren’t you?”

      “Isn’t that the one you used when we slept together in September?” He fires back.

      “Touché, but if we’re talking semantics then let me point out that I’m only twenty-four, not thirty-one like you. If you really need to know, when I told Jeff what happened, I didn’t blame it solely on being drunk. I took responsibility for it. I’m not sure why I slept with you that night…but I do know that stopping it from happening felt impossible at the time.” His expression turns to surprise with my confession.

      “Wow, I never thought you’d admit to wanting me.” His golden-green gaze is imploring me to continue telling him how I feel.

      “Garrett, what do you want me to say? Do I need to tell you that there’s a part of me that’ll always want you…always love you? I’m sure I’ll always feel something for you and regret the hand that we were dealt, but life goes on. I have a baby on the way,” I pause and correct my statement. “We have a baby on the way and we need to focus on that for now. Unfortunately, this little guy may never know what it’s like to have a mother and father that live together, well at least not unless one of us gets married at some point. I know that we can make the most of a difficult situation and work together. Aside from that, what you do and don’t do is your business and the same goes for me.

      “I found something out that I need to tell you, but you have to promise me right now, that you won’t do anything crazy when you hear.” He crosses his arms over his muscular chest and I can see the ripples of his tendons moving under his forearms.

      “I’m not going to promise anything until I hear what it is that you need to tell me. I think you know me well enough by now to realize that I very rarely fly off the handle or go off half-cocked. It’s not my way.”

      “I know, but this is bad and you’re going to be so pissed.” I chew on my lower lip and wonder if I should even bother telling him that what Jeff confessed.

      “Shelby,” he prompts, “tell me what’s on your mind.” His tone is firm and deep and I know he’s not going to drop this until I share what’s going on.

      “Jeff came over the other day to talk and he told me something that I never would’ve expected in a million years.” I pause for a moment and brace myself for his reaction. “He admitted that he was the one who sent you the letter and pictures. He’s the one that helped break us up.” Garrett’s eyes go wide before narrowing in anger. His jaw tightens and I can see the tic of a muscle clenching under his skin. 

      “That little fucker, he’s the one that sent me the letter? I’m going to kick his ass and then I’m going to kick it some more.” He jumps up from the couch and begins aimlessly pacing around the room. He shakes his head and laughs.

      “Boy, I played right into his hands when I left. What a dumb ass I am for not seeing this at the time. If I had only stuck around until you got back from your father’s we’d probably still be together now.” He drops his head forward to his chest and clenches both of his hands in his hair. When he finally raises his head, his eyes are filled with an emotion resembling sadness. He walks over to where I’m sitting on the couch and slowly lowers himself next to me. He takes my hand and caresses the top of it with his thumb.

      “I’m sorry that I left so quickly and I didn’t tell you what was going on. I’ve been sorry for that each and every day since it happened. I wish I’d confided in you and then we could’ve handled it together. Instead, I ran off with my tail between my legs and I hurt you more than you’ll ever admit to me.” My eyes well with tears at his apology. I needed this from him and I’m hopeful that this will allow me to feel a sense of closure from the way our relationship abruptly ended.

      He leans forward and caresses my cheek with the tips of his fingers. His touch is soft and slow, my breath hitches with desire as his hand slides down to cup my neck. My pulse is hammering crazily beneath my skin and I’m sure that he can feel the effect he has on me. His thumb slowly moves up and down the skin on the outside of my neck and that single digit is wreaking havoc on my body. He knows my neck is sensitive and I always loved it when he would kiss and caress that area. He leans forward, moving slowly toward me and it feels as if I’m in a vacuum of space where all sound and outside influence has disappeared. All of my focus is on him as his mouth comes closer and closer until it wraps around mine. I was expecting a delicate kiss and instead he delivered an out of control, ravenous one. He’s kissing me as if he’ll never get enough of my lips, licking, sucking and biting in no apparent order. I’m just a passenger in this, he’s the one taking control. His lips move down to my chin and continue on to my neck causing me to tremble with longing.
Horny
pregnant lady here…
Somehow in the midst of this erotic haze he’s cast on me I manage to find the strength to pull away from him. I put my hand on his chest and shake my head. My breaths are leaving me in quick, short gasps.

      “We can’t do this,” I tell him, keeping my palm pressed against his chest. “This will only complicate things.” I think of the fact that he was recently with Melina and it makes me question why I would ever want to have sex with him again. Knowing he’s been intimate with her should be a giant turn off.

      “You need to leave now, Garrett,” I tell him, my voice firm and unwavering. I have to be strong and stand my ground.

      There’s so much chemistry between us, I cannot let it cloud my judgment. I’m always going to be attracted to him. I’m always going to want to have sex with him. I know that moving forward, I need to avoid being in situations that place me alone with him. We have to keep things platonic between us for now. I’m not saying that I’m ruling out the possibility of a relationship with him at some point in the distant future, but I can’t let myself lose sight of the bigger picture. I don’t know who the father of my little guy is and I’m not going to jerk either one of them around while we’re waiting for him to be born. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. I have a great job and I live in a wonderful apartment which has enough space for the baby to have his own room. We’ll be fine.

      Garrett doesn’t put up much of a struggle and he leaves within a few minutes. He did make sure to kiss me on my lips and tell me that he’d be taking me out again, real soon. I’m confused about why he would want to. What’s his motive in all of this? Is he hoping for a reconciliation? Maybe he just wants to have sex with me? Whatever’s behind his sudden interest, doesn’t matter. I plan on keeping some distance between us. If he wants to take me to dinner, I’m fine with that. We won’t be coming back here or going to his place afterward, though. I’ll take my own car and meet him there. I can do this…I can keep things platonic between us.

***

      Greyson and Aiden came over to my apartment that next Saturday to help me paint the nursery. I picked out a nice shade of lemony yellow, thinking it would be a happy space for the little guy to sleep in. The linens and crib bumper are made out of a blue and yellow plaid patterned cotton. Once I saw the set at the baby superstore, I knew I needed to pick the wall color to match the sunny shade in the material.

      The guys are rolling the first coat of paint on and I’m slowly taking care of all the cutting in along the baseboards and around the windows and doorways. Cutting in is actually my favorite part of painting and it soothes my perfectionist’s soul.

      “So Seashell, you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of a pickle, haven’t you?”
Oh great, here we go. I
knew it was only a matter of time before Aiden started in on me.

      “I’m not sure what you mean,” I answer, playing dumb.

      “Well, I’m referring to the fact that you’re knocked up and you don’t know who the father is. It’s all rather Jerry Springer don’t you think?” Fucking Aiden. He’s such a judgmental prick sometimes. It’s no wonder I prefer Greyson over him.

      “Aiden, it’s not like there’s a whole slew of guys that I’ve been screwing and I don’t know which one could be the father. I know it’s either Jeff or Garrett that fathered my baby. I’d appreciate it if you kept your judgy attitude to yourself, though. We can’t all be perfect like the great Aiden Tyler. No one likes a judgmental prick,” I say pointing my paintbrush in his direction.         “You might want to keep that in mind, because you’re being a giant one, right now.”

      “Guys don’t like girls that are easy either, Seashell. Maybe you should think about that.” My mouth falls open with shock. I can’t believe the insult he just delivered. That one really hit its mark and stung. I want to cry, but I won’t give him the satisfaction. I grit my teeth before I open my mouth with the intent of telling him where to go, but Greyson beats me to it.