Chapter 13
Cat
“My son has had countless girls come through here, and for lack of a better word, I would say they were spirited. I’ve heard a lot of things come out of that room, some I didn’t want to hear.
When you have a son like mine, who is headstrong and has his looks, and an ex-husband like mine as his father, it’s hard to set boundaries and limits.
He was a teenage girl’s dream and their mother’s nightmare.
I’m not the judgmental type, Cat. You can look at me. ”
I’m sitting at the table next to her with a stiff smile.
His mother is very pretty. They look alike; she also closely resembles Ava, with her long black hair.
That shouldn’t surprise me, Ava’s mother is Ms. Alexander’s sister and she’s married to Nick’s father’s brother.
I’m not the only one who likes to keep it in the family.
I’m still completely embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” I say, trying to maintain eye contact with her.
“For what? The way he was all over you tonight with love and affection I’ve never seen?
I knew he was capable of it, and I’m happy as his mother to finally see it.
You make my son happy. You came by a few times when you were a little girl, and then I met you again when you were in high school.
I wondered what my son was doing with you.
I knew you weren’t dating him—you were too young.
You’re the only female friend he had. I watched him with you.
You made him laugh and act silly. I didn’t see that with him and any other girl.
You bring out the side of him he doesn’t show often—the best part of him. ”
“I don’t know about all of that, but he makes me happy. We are best friends, and I care about him deeply.” She puts her hand over mine on the table with a warm expression.
“Nick’s told me about what’s going on with your family. I believe you and my son will go far if you stick together through the hard times ahead. Don’t listen to anyone but yourself; you’ve known each other since you were children. If anyone knows what’s best for you and my grandchild, it’s you.”
“If only my mother could see things the way you see them, my life would be almost perfect.”
“As a mother, I know where she’s coming from. If I were her I would have fervent dislike for my son. As his mother, I’m telling you he’s not perfect. But I know he loves you a great deal. He’s going to love his child and he will take care of you the best he can. I can vouch for that.”
“I know he will. I’m worried my family will never accept us or the baby.”
“If you can look past his sharper edges and the things he’s done wrong, your family will see he’s a good man.
I don’t know if your family will ever accept Nick because of all the hurt and pain, but you’re their daughter, you’re family.
I haven’t spent much time with your mother but from what I know she’ll come around, she’s going to be there when you need her the most.”
“What if she doesn’t?”
“Then you have us; we’re your family. You’re an Alexander now. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with us.”
She smiles, and I can’t help but give her a genuine smile back.
Nick strolls in the room coming toward me, his hair still messy repeating what his mother said. “Yes, you are stuck with us.”
His mother and I stand up, and he puts his hand on my shoulders. “Mom, it’s been fun, but me and this lovely lady need some alone time.”
I lean my head back to glare at him. “No we don’t, Nick.”
“Like she doesn’t know what we do,” he whispers to me. “If you would let me make love to you upstairs, I wouldn’t have to drag you out of here. I can’t wait to get up inside you. I’m hard thinking about it.”
My face is on fire. He’s doing this to me on purpose to see my reaction.
I spin around so his mother can’t see my face and mouth to him, “I’m going to kill you.
” He silently laughs at me, his eyes sparkling from my embarrassment.
He better enjoy himself now. Wait till we get in the car.
I turn back around and give his mother a hug.
“It was a lovely dinner, Ms. Alexander. It was nice seeing you, thank you for having me and I’m sorry, again. ”
“Nonsense, you don’t need to apologize. I’m sure my son led you astray. Call me Allison, or better yet—call me Mom.” She waves a hand toward us. “I have a strong feeling where this relationship is headed. Go be young and in love.”
I watch Nick kiss and hug his mother and say something in her ear that makes her laugh. “Bye, Mom.”
“You are so much like your father.”
“God, I hope not. But I know I am.”
Imagine my shock the day of his trip when I see him waiting for me in front of the school, looking all kinds of good, casually leaning against the passenger side door of his car.
I pull my bag on my shoulder, walking over to him and standing in front of him with a giddy smile.
It’s reminiscent of the cheerleader in high school getting picked up by the star quarterback while the school watches.
And they are watching. “What are you doing here?”
Putting his arms around me, he pulls me in for a kiss. “I wanted to pick my girl up before I leave.”
“Ah, how sweet.” I tug on his tie, pulling him down for another quick kiss that lasts a little longer than I expect.
He rubs his tongue between my lips, and I open my mouth for him, slipping my tongue in his mouth.
“Hmm.” This feels good, but I’m in front of the school.
I don’t want one of my students or their parents looking at the steamy scene unfolding in front of their children’s innocent eyes with their unmarried pregnant teacher.
I put my hands on his face and pull back, licking my lips.
Watching my mouth with smoldering eyes he says, “Mmm, that was nice, let’s do it again.”
I smile, and he goes for my lips again with his hand at the small of my back. I place a finger on his lips. “No, look around.”
I watch his eyes scan around us at all the kids and people and listening to the loud sounds of kids screaming and yelling when he asks, “Why do I feel like I’m being watched?”
“We probably are. One of my kids outed me today.”
“What do you mean?”
“One of my kids gave me a hug in the middle of the lunch room, and she felt my stomach. As loud as can be she said, ‘Ms. Reed, my mommy’s stomach is like yours, and she has a baby in hers. Do you?’ The one day the principal is there in front of all the kindergarten and pre-k teachers, I’m outed.”
“So they’re wondering if I’m the daddy.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s make sure they know.” He leans down and I pull my head back.
“No, I have to come to work tomorrow, I don’t—” As usual, he does what he wants.
He lifts my chin up with his hand and gives me a kiss that turns into a full open-mouth make-out on the living-room floor kiss.
I sink against him, his hand on the back of my neck and the other on the middle of my back.
It’s so unprofessional making out in front of the school where I work.
He looks at me when he parts our lips and my eyes flutter open.
“You can’t be mad at me ; I’m leaving in a few hours. What if I get into a terrible accident and you never see me again?”
“Nick, don’t say that!” The warm feelings from his kiss disappear, and I feel an ache in my chest at the thought of not seeing him again.
“I’m only playing, babe.”
“Well, don’t play like that. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.” I suddenly feel like crying. How stupid is that? These hormones are really messing with me.
He leans his head to the side to take a good look at me. “Are you tearing up?”
“No! Pregnancy hormones,” I whine.
He kisses me on the head. “I’m sorry, babe.”
I try to smile at him because I feel like an idiot for being overly sensitive. I’m about to tell him it’s okay when I hear someone calling me in a voice sounding like a high-pitched cry.
“Hello, Catherine! Yoo-hoo!”
Oh no. I recognize the voice and groan when I see who’s headed our way, hands waving in the air like she’s flagging down a taxi.
“Who’s that?” Nick asks.
“That’s the busybody, Miriam.” Her name says it all.
“Steel door. I thought she would be rustier, from your description.” He sticks his bottom lip out and shakes his head. “Not premium grade, a generic brand of K-Y jelly will do. Slide those thighs wide open.”
I smack my head down on his chest, a smile splitting my face in two, and try to stifle a laugh before she gets to us. Hilarious, that’s all I have to say.
“I came over to congratulate you. I heard about the baby, you know how news travels,” she says out of breath from the mad dash over here, her attention focused on Nick. “And who do we have here? Is this the father? If you don’t mind me asking—I don’t mean to pry.”
Then why the hell are you over here in my business? I look at Nick and he smiles at me and takes Miriam’s hand when he sees I don’t want to introduce her to him.
“Hi, Miriam, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Nicholas Alexander, and yes, I am the father-to-be. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Oh no. I hope he doesn’t say anything to insult her. I have to work with her for another month.
“I hope it was all good things.” She smiles at Nick, looking into his eyes like a lovesick puppy.
He gives her a full-on charm-your-panties-off smile. “Mostly.”