17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Mia
M ia
The day had been overwhelming. Every time I opened a cupboard or reached for something familiar, I stumbled across a token from Tyler. The gifts started this morning when I opened my bedroom door and found a gorgeous dress hanging in the basement from the ceiling. It was the prettiest shade of blue-green I’d ever seen. So rich, it made my teeth ache. Of course I tried it on, and no surprise, it fit like someone had made it just for me. I was pretty sure Tyler had sewn it in the back room at his shop. Last week when I stopped by to visit, he’d thrown a drop cloth over something this color on his sewing table.
In ten minutes, he was picking me up for dinner.
What would it be like to have him for more than just this birthday? Would he do something like this every year?
The amount of thought and work he put into these little surprises caused tears to pool. I didn’t even know when his birthday was, and he did all of this for me.
Beside me, my phone pinged with a new email. They’d been arriving all day from people all over the world with birthday wishes. When I opened my device, I was only a little surprised to see Laura Malone’s name. The frosty silence was broken for my birthday .
Happy Birthday, my darling daughter. I hope you’re enjoying your time off. Two things—the VISION Gala is coming up, and last we spoke, you didn’t have a designer pegged. Use some common sense and make some calls. We don’t want this opportunity to slide, or you won’t get an invite next year.
There’s an up-and-comer from the label sniffing around trying to get some face-to-face time with you. Avoid her at all costs. She’s a fame seeker. You know the type.
When you remember I’m your mother and I love you, call me. I really do hope you’re having a good birthday. I’ll spend the next few hours reliving my labor pains and wondering what I’ve done to deserve being cut out of your life (however temporary).
At the bottom was a photo of a beaming Laura in the hospital holding me, with my father cropped from the scene.
I rolled my eyes at the last few lines and threw my phone toward the couch. Leave it to my mother to burst my lovely Tyler bubble. That photo only made an appearance when we were having a particularly vicious fight. Still, that was probably the first family photo ever taken. Crossing the room, I picked up my phone and clicked on the photo again, enlarging it. This time, I studied it.
Had my mother really been as happy as she looked in the photo? I never trusted pictures anymore since I was forced to smile in all kinds of situations, sometimes when I really wanted to be screaming or crying at some injustice. Laura probably understood the value of a false narrative even back then. She’d been the one to teach it to me.
Most people believed what you showed them. Very few bothered to lift the veil, to ask the tough questions, to really know the person behind the mask .
When I took in all of the trinkets Tyler had left strewn around the house, I had to admit, he really knew me.
And the dress.
I gazed at it on the hanger. The lace overlay was something called a lavender pattern. I’d looked it up. Wearing it felt like letting him claim me, and I loved the notion while also feeling terrified of it. The halter top hugged my body and slid away. Sometimes, that’s the way I felt about Tyler, too. He was so close, and yet, oddly far away.
Pasha opened the front door and nodded toward the dress. “Get dressed.”
“I’m admiring it,” I said, straightening while my fingers trailed along the fabric.
“He think you no like. Get dressed.” He threw his chin in the direction of the small two-piece bathroom.
A valid point. I should get it on before he arrived. My mother’s email had distracted me, and then my scattered feelings were also hard to pin down. All of these baby hormones were playing with my head.
And my heart.
But it was just the baby. Once I had the baby, all these feelings would disappear in a puff of placenta. Wouldn’t that be nice? No more clouds of emotional confusion. Absolute clarity awaited me on the other side of intense physical pain.
I swallowed. Best not to think about the giving birth portion of this whole thing. One meeting with the midwife and a couple YouTube videos had been more than enough.
When the front door opened again, I said, “I’m getting dressed.” Annoyance tinged my voice. Pasha was such a mother hen sometimes .
“If you don’t like the dress, it’s okay. You can wear whatever you want.”
I closed my eyes for a beat, silently cursing. When I turned toward Tyler, my smile was genuine. “I love it. I’ve loved all the things I’ve discovered today.” With a few quick strides, I was at the island, and I threw out a hand like one of those pretty girls showing off items from a game show. “I had no idea you knew me so well.”
A slow smile spread across Tyler’s face, and he leaned against the doorframe. Pasha’s disapproving head shake was at the edge of my vision. Yeah, yeah, Pasha, you told me.
That smile stretching across Tyler’s face catapulted my heart rate and made the whole lower half of my body long to drag him downstairs instead of out to dinner. I’d never wanted someone this consistently, constantly. He was an addiction.
Hormones. So many hormones.
“Maybe we can just order in?” I wandered over and slid my arms around his neck. “Wanna sing me happy birthday in the basement? I’m sure we can find a nice, tight spot for you to slide into.”
“I have plans for you.” He gave my butt a light slap. “That’s one plan, but it comes after the other plan. Give me a few hours out of the house, and I’ll sing happy birthday to you as many times as you want.”
“As many times as I want?” I closed my teeth gently around his earlobe. “I like the sound of that.”
His fingers dug into my waist, and he tugged me flush against him. “Need me to help you get dressed?”
“Just undressed,” I breathed into his ear.
“Careful, I could get used to this kind of greeting. Might insist on it every day. ”
“I’ve had a good day. When you’re a good boy, it makes me want to be a very bad girl.” Under my lashes I took in the desire smoldering in his gaze. Sex had always been about power, or at least in my experience. When I could, I’d chosen men with less power than me—dancers, singers from opening acts, a waiter, an up-and-coming actor. Technically, Tyler fit the mold, too. It was why I’d asked him to my hotel in the first place. But the dynamic had changed. I didn’t know who held the power, and I wasn’t sure I cared.
“You gonna get out the whips and chains later, Mini?” His hands slid into my hair.
“You into that, Pretty Boy?” I laughed and rose onto my toes to press my lips to his. “Can’t say I saw that coming.”
“I’ll try anything once.”
“Somewhat comforting to hear this would be a first. I was worried I didn’t really know you.” I gave him a flirty glance, and I stepped back to snatch the dress off the hanger. “Back in a sec.”
“If you need any help in there,” Tyler called, “let me know.”
When we pulled up outside his mother’s house, I frowned. “We’re eating here ?”
“You’ll see,” he said, climbing out of the car and coming around to open my door. He linked our fingers and led me toward the front entrance .
“It’s pretty dark, Tyler. Does your mom know we’re coming?” I frowned, uneasiness stirring in my gut. Pasha trailed behind us, but something about the house felt off.
Without punching in the code, he turned the handle and pushed the door wide. When the door swung open, he turned, and our gazes connected. The sincerity in his depths stopped my breath for a beat.
“Happy Birthday, Mini.”
All of the lights in the living room came on, flooding the front entrance, and a chorus of “Surprise!” burst out along the crowd of familiar faces. An enthusiastic and off-key round of “Happy Birthday” followed.
I squeezed Tyler’s hand, and I scanned all the people he’d gathered. My heart dipped into my stomach, because my mother wasn’t among them. Of course, she wasn’t. Why would she be? We were fighting.
But it was my birthday.
Grady appeared in front of them and swept me into a warm hug. He’d taken on the Sullivan habit of hugging, and I had to admit, he gave good ones. They were almost as good as Tyler’s.
“Happy Birthday, Mia.” He kissed my brow.
Behind him, Maggie stepped forward, embraced me, and wished me a happy birthday. A blur of familiar faces from around town or on my tour followed until I got to Taryn and Rebecca. Up to them, I’d held my emotions together, but seeing them and realizing my mother really wasn’t coming caused tears to spring to my eyes.
“I thought maybe she might come,” I said in Taryn’s ear while we hugged.
“She’s a stubborn one,” Taryn said. “When Tyler said you still weren’t showing, we did tell her. I don’t know if he wanted us to, but I knew no matter what was going on, you’d want her here. ”
“How’s the writing going?” Rebecca sipped her drink and smoothly changed the topic.
“Is that sparkling mint-lime iced tea?” I peered into Rebecca’s cup.
“Yeah, I think that’s what the sign said. It’s good.” She held the cup away from her face and examined it.
“Oh, my God. He’s like…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence while I looked for him in the sea of familiar faces. He was over by the punch bowl talking to Emily and ruffling Amir’s hair.
“The best thing that’s ever happened to you?” Taryn finished softly.
“Let’s not get carried away.” A smile tugged at the edge of my lips. “But that’s my new favorite drink.” I pointed to Rebecca’s cup. “I love it. It’s just—I’ve never known anyone else who noticed these things about me.” I shook my head. “My mother doesn’t even notice these little things.”
Taryn and Rebecca exchanged a loaded gaze before they sipped their drinks. “It is delicious,” Rebecca agreed.
“So,” I rubbed my hands together, “tell me what I’ve been missing. Give me all the gossip. I’ve been so busy writing. I’ve been trying to stay off the internet unless I’m looking something up for a lyric.”
“It’s going well then?” Taryn asked.
“Sure, yeah. I mean, it took me a minute to remember how I like to work. But I’m in the zone now. I should be able to get enough songs for an album before…you know.”
“You give birth?” Rebecca eyed my rounded stomach that hadn’t popped so much as expanded. Bloated, not pregnant.
“I try not to think about that part. It freaks me out. I’m not good with pain.”
“So, you don’t want me to tell you all the birthing horror stories I know?” Taryn chuckled .
“God, no. I’ll probably get enough of those when I start to show.” I frowned. “Not that I’ll be allowed out of the house once that happens. Not really looking forward to that part either. It’s been nice to feel average or normal or whatever this is the last couple of weeks.”
“Your dress is gorgeous.” Rebecca ran her fingers down the edge of the material. “Nothing normal about this.”
“Thank you. Tyler made it. He’s so freaking talented.” I sought him out in the crowd again.
“Strange he’s never done more with it.” Taryn followed my gaze across the room.
“Maybe he didn’t want to do more,” Rebecca said. “Not everyone has a desire to conquer the world.”
“Did you hear from your mother?” Taryn’s voice was gentle.
“She emailed me. Reminded me that I needed a designer for the gala. I can’t go, though. I mean, I’ll be showing for sure in another month. I’ll have to cancel. And then she gave me a heads-up about some label stuff.”
“Oh,” Rebecca said. “About Kenny Connors? Jesus. What a mess.”
“What about him?” My heart dipped.
“Rumor has it there’s a huge lawsuit coming down the pipe. One of the girls he worked with a couple years ago is claiming he’s a notorious and serial statutory rapist.” Taryn shook her head and sipped her drink. “A witch hunt, maybe. Hard to say. Can you imagine no one saying anything? He works with young girls all the time. All. The. Time.”
“Oh, really?” A cold sweat broke out under my armpits. I wished I could drink. Something really strong right about now would ease the tightness in my chest. Or Tyler. Tyler would make this awful feeling fade. “You don’ t believe her?”
“Well, you worked with him, didn’t you? I can’t imagine you or Laura putting up with shit like that.” Taryn laughed. “Laura would rip him a new asshole.”
Except she hadn’t. Not back then. At fifteen, I hadn’t understood what had happened, not really. When he pushed me up against the desk, I giggled. Giggled. But then when he started pawing at me, I tried to slow him down, stop him, but no words had left my mouth. Not one. Afterward, he told me I was so sexy, he just couldn’t control himself, like his abuse was a compliment, like I should’ve been flattered.
Even now, when I understood what really happened, we let him off, allowed him to stay loose to prowl after others, to hunt more girls. Bile rose into my throat.
“Right,” I said, feeling lightheaded. “I should go mingle.”
Across the room, the front door swung open, and Sarah Telling, tall, willowy, and blond, entered flanked by two burly bodyguards. I let out a squeal, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach disappearing, and I raced across the room, practically attacking my best friend.
Sarah laughed and yelled, “Happy Birthday!”
“I can’t believe you came.” I squeezed her tighter, reluctant to let her go. At least she came. I didn’t know how Tyler managed it, since Sarah’s schedule was worse than mine.
“I can only stay for an hour. Sorry. I know that’s shit, but it was the best I could do.” She passed me a tiny box. “Where did you get that dress? I want one.”
“Tyler made it.” A flash of pride struck my chest.
“Boyfriend made the dress. Impressive.” Sarah’s fingers trailed down it while I lifted the top off the tiny box. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet .
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I lifted the bracelet to catch the light. “This is gorgeous.”
“It spoke to me. Seemed like something you’d like.” Her gaze traveled around the room. “So, where is your boyfriend? I’ve seen him blasted across social media as you paraded around this town with him. You look happy.”
“Social media?” I frowned and dropped the bracelet back into the box.
“Yeah, you know that thing you’ve been neglecting for the last couple weeks. News flash—the town has been filling in the gaps for you. You’re lucky it’s all been super boring stuff, or the paparazzi would have been on Tyler’s doorstep.” Sarah smoothed my hair. “It’s cute how he holds your hand everywhere.”
I’d never noticed, but the thought brought the shape and feel of his hand back to me in a rush. Perhaps we did hold hands a lot. I scanned the room for him and found him watching me. A grin emerged, and an answering one lit his face when our gazes connected.
“This must be pissing your mother off something fierce. Quit the tour, shack up with an older man, get pregnant.”
“She doesn’t know about the baby.” My smile faded, and I turned to face Sarah.
“What?” Sarah’s blue eyes went big and round. “You haven’t told her?”
“She’d have drugged me and driven me to the clinic.”
“You don’t still think—”
“Maybe. Probably. I don’t know. It was a long time ago.” I never let those thoughts settle.
“Have you been following the Kenny Connors drama? ”
I shook my head and grabbed Sarah’s hand. “You should come meet Tyler before you have to leave.”
“That girl’s legal team will come for you, Mia. Everyone knows what he’s like, even if no one ever confronted him.”
“No comment, right? Wear them down with bullshit.” I glanced at Sarah over my shoulder while I weaved through the crowd.
“They’re talking subpoenas. Just watch yourself. The timing is awful for you.”
Tyler’s arm slid around my waist as soon as I got close enough, and he passed me a glass of tea. “You’re looking pale,” he whispered in my ear. “Need a lollipop?”
“I’ve got what I need.” I looked up into his cognac eyes and drank him in.
He tugged me into his side, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.
“Sarah, this is Tyler. Tyler, Sarah.” They shook hands and enthusiastic comments about how good it was to meet flew between them.
As they struck up a conversation, I listened in silence, my mind ticking through Taryn’s and Sarah’s comments. How many girls had Kenny manipulated? Raped? It was terrifying and comforting to think they might not even need my testimony. How many accusers were enough to bring him down? Had this been what my mother had been alluding to in her email? A fame seeker? More like a truth seeker.
When Sarah had to leave, we hugged, and we squeezed each other extra tight. She was one of the few people who knew everything that had happened with Kenny. Some of that should never see the light of day.
“You okay?” Tyler whispered in my ear. “You’ve been really quiet.”
“I’m okay.” I glanced up at him. “Thanks for my party. And you got me my favorite drink.” For the first time, I became conscious of the music playing in the background, and my stomach swooped low. “And all my favorite songs.”
“Twenty-one surprises for your twenty-first.” He kissed the top of my head.
A familiar welling up of love coursed through me. When the feeling came now, it wasn’t shocking; it was soothing. Hormones. The baby. “You’re going to be a fantastic dad.”
“I’m going to try my hardest.” He squeezed my hip.
I didn’t doubt his intention for a second. He’d done all this for me, someone he didn’t love, so I could only imagine what he’d do for a child, someone he would love more than anyone else.
When I looked around the room again, my smile faded a little at who wasn’t there, who hadn’t bothered to show up.
Our baby had won the daddy lottery. I wished I’d been a winner, too.