Chapter 8 #2
He threw his hands up in exasperation. Then, to my horror, he started stomping through the rest of my apartment, undoubtedly looking for more damage to prove his point—not that he’d have to look too hard. Management really dropped the ball sometimes.
“For fuck’s sake,” I heard him grunt as he came back into the living room. “You gave Liddy the master?” he asked in an accusatory tone. “Not that it’s much better than the rest. But your room’s smaller than my fuckin’ closet.”
I propped my hands on my hips and tried to beat down the humiliation.
“Not all of us can afford to live in a mansion five times too big for one person,” I bit.
“Liddy has the master because it’s big enough for all her toys.
And this place has worked just fine for us for years.
You have no business coming in here and insulting our home. ”
“You’d have more than enough money if you’d just cash. Those. Fucking. Checks!”
Closing my eyes, I did my best to keep calm, pulling in several deep breaths before finally saying, “Once again, you’re getting off topic, and once again, you’re pissing me off.”
“Actually, this is good. The tour’s over, and me and the guys have agreed that we need a break from traveling and shit.
I’ve been wanting to talk to you about seeing Liddy more, but now that I know my kid and her mom are living in a goddamn hovel, this’ll work perfectly.
You two will move in with me. I’ll get to see Liddy more, and you won’t have to live in this cesspool you call an apartment anymore. ”
I couldn’t even begin to comprehend what he’d just said, not a single word of it. My jaw dropped and I had to give my head a violent shake. “I’m sorry… are you high?”
“It’s the perfect solution,” he exclaimed with a pleased grin. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Like hell! “Uh… no. It’s a recipe for bloodshed. Have you lost your mind?” I laughed a bit maniacally. “Garrett, we hate each other. How could you possibly think living together is a good idea? I’d end up murdering you in your sleep!”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m speaking the truth,” I shot back.
Garrett paused and examined me critically, causing my skin to tingle. “Thing is, sweetness, I don’t think you hate me as much as you claim to.”
“Oh!” I laughed. “But I do. I hate you exactly as much as I claim. And don’t call me sweetness!”
“And I don’t hate you at all,” he continued like he hadn’t heard me. “I don’t make a habit of banging chicks I hate.”
“You bang any woman with a pulse,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes to the ceiling. Before they had a chance to circle back around, Garrett moved, startling me with how quick he was.
“That’s where you’re wrong, baby. I’m very selective. And I knew the minute you walked out on that balcony that I wanted you underneath me.”
“You’re disgusting,” I said in a hushed voice, even though his words and his closeness made my blood sizzle.
“Just being honest,” he replied.
I took a step back to break the weird hold he had on me. “See? This is what I’m talking about. You saying that kind of shit is what makes me hate you. You’re a chauvinistic asshole.”
He laughed, undeterred. “Chauvinistic asshole or not, you know I’m right. You and Liddy would be better off at my place, and that just kills you.”
“I know no such thing,” I responded, defiance strong in my tone and body language. “And it’s not happening.”
“Fuck, you’re a pain in my ass,” he grunted, running a hand through his glossy hair.
“Look, if you’re worried about us stepping on each other’s toes, it’s a nonissue.
The place is huge, and I’m hardly ever there anyway.
I’d feel a lot better knowing you and Liddy were safe.
And face it, babe, this place is not safe. ”
I wanted to argue but I knew I couldn’t.
As much as I hated admitting it, the area of town we lived in wasn’t exactly known for being a big tourist attraction.
It was more like the place the tourists drove through with their doors locked and their windows up when they got lost on their way somewhere nicer.
“I know I’ve been a shitty excuse for a father,” he continued, the frankness in his voice and expression tugging at my heartstrings.
Damn it, but I was weak. “If you won’t do it for yourself, then do it for our girl.
I’ve missed so much of her life already, and I know that’s my fault, but I want to do better. I miss her like fuckin’ crazy, Gwen.”
I looked away, unable to meet the sincerity in his eyes as I let out a beleaguered sigh. “What about the parties?” I asked several seconds later. “I won’t let Liddy—”
“Consider them done,” he interrupted.
I felt myself wavering. I knew it was a mistake, but as he continued to plead his case, I felt that hard, protective shield around me being to falter. I opened my mouth—to say what, I hadn’t a damn clue—but before any words could slide out, a knock on the front door interrupted.
“Shit!” I hissed, looking back and forth between the door and Garrett with wide eyes.
“That’s Liddy back from her playdate.” I began to panic at the thought of someone finding out who my daughter’s father really was, and the media shit storm that would conjure up.
“You need to hide. Please. They can’t see you.
If they find out who you are, photographers will camp out in front of her daycare. ”
Garrett’s forehead wrinkled in consternation. “Are you serious?”
“Please!” I begged. “You don’t get it. The parents at that daycare are worse gossips than high school kids.” I began pushing his shoulders, trying to shove him out of sight. “Just… hide in my bedroom. Just for a minute. I promise.”
“This is fuckin’ ridiculous.”
“Please, Garrett.”
He spun on his heels and looked down at me with determination as another knock came at the door. “Say you’ll move in with me.”
“What?” I whisper-yelled.
“Say it and I’ll hide. That’s the deal, Gwen.”
Another knock, followed by Liddy shouting through the door. “Mommy! Open up! I wanna show you what I gots!”
“Move in with me or I’m staying right here.”
“Fine!” I whispered frantically. “Fine! Yes! We’ll move in with you. Just hide!”
With a triumphant grin, he headed down the short hall, his motorcycle boots clomping against the thin carpet with each step.