28. Jeremiah
Chapter 28
Jeremiah
Two months later
T he past two months have been the best of my life. I’ve got everything I’ve ever dreamed of—a great career, a beautiful daughter, and I’m going to ask Amberlee to marry me. Even Ryan only flinches and gags occasionally when he sees me and Amberlee being affectionate.
Everything was going perfectly, and then I got a message from the last person I ever expected to hear from. It’s been two weeks of message after message from Sylvia.
They’ve even come in while I’m with Amberlee, and I lied to her, saying it was work. I’ve debated telling her that Sylvia is trying to contact me, but I’m afraid of what she might think.
I’ve been ignoring the calls and deleting the messages without even reading them. She was stripped of her parental rights, so there’s no chance in hell of her weaseling her way back into Angel’s life. While people told me not to tell Angel the truth about her mother until she was older, I saw the situation differently. I swore I would never keep anything from her, no matter how bad it was. She deserves to know. How can I expect my daughter to be truthful when I can’t be with her?
I take a quick look at my watch, noticing the time. Maddy picked Angel up from school because I was going to be running late at work. But luck was on my side, and we were released early. I headed home to shower and pick up a change of clothes for Angel and myself. I’m hoping she ends up spending the night with RJ and me with Amberlee. I sent Amberlee a message as soon as I got in the car to leave base, letting her know I couldn’t wait to see her tonight and sleep with her in my arms.
I’ve always known that my future involved Amberlee. The day after we officially began dating, I went out and bought an engagement ring. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to ask her to marry me, but I want to ask for Ryan’s blessing first. Normally, I’d talk to her father, but in this case, I know who I really need to get the approval from, and it’s Ryan.
I’m just stepping out of the shower, towel around my waist, when I hear the doorbell ring. Whoever it is keeps ringing it, and my heart races, thinking that it might be an emergency. I rush to the door before I get dressed, opening it without checking who’s there.
“Wow, I like how you answer the door. Is that an invitation for more?” a nasally voice I haven’t heard in years speaks, and my eyes focus on who it is.
What the fuck is she doing here?
Sylvia Harrison!
She reaches out, placing her hands on my chest, and kisses me. It happens so suddenly that I don’t even realize what she’s doing. Until the fog clears from my mind, bringing me out of my haze and I push her off of me.
“What the fuck, Sylvia? Don’t ever put your hands or any other part of your body on me again!” I bark at her.
“Well, what do you expect when you open your door half-naked? What was I to think other than you’ve missed me and all the ways I used to make you come?”
Sylvia winks, making sure to arch her back so her chest sticks out more, her cleavage barely contained by the tiny ass shirt she’s wearing. Her tongue snakes across her lip as her gaze trails down the length of my body.
“You were there, Sylvia. What happened between us was never anything more than sex. A distraction at best. And when you became pregnant, I did the honorable thing and married you. Now why the fuck are you at my house?”
I’m suddenly feeling more exposed being in just the towel.
“Believe that lie if you want to, Jer baby, but I was the best thing that’ll ever happen to you.” She reaches out, and I step back out of her reach. No way in hell am I letting that skank touch me again. I reach down, making sure my towel is still firmly in place with my sudden movement.
“No, the best thing to ever happen to me was my daughter. Now answer the fucking question, then get out of my yard.”
“How is our daughter?” she coos, twisting her hair around her finger as she sways her body, thinking it’s sexy. But all I see is red.
“ My daughter is none of your concern. You lost your rights to her years ago. If you think you can use her for some sick, twisted plan of yours, then you’re mistaken.” I go to shut the door, since she’s obviously here for some self-serving purpose that I want no part of.
She steps forward, sticking her foot in the door and placing her hand on it, pushing on it to keep me from closing it.
“Stop, please, Jer baby.” She licks her lips, batting her eyes as she runs her finger along her cleavage.
“Stop fucking calling me that. I hated it when we were married, and even more now.”
She starts crying, just like she used to when she wanted something and wasn’t getting her way.
“Please, I need your help. I was in a relationship with the producer of my films, and he accused me of cheating and fired me. He even blacklisted me from all the other production companies. No one will hire me.”
“What does that matter to me?” I roll my eyes. Sylvia is delusional if she thinks I’m helping her in any way. All this tells me is that I need to speak to Amberlee tonight and tell her about this. I'm just thankful she isn't here now, but Sylvia can be a persistent bitch, so I’m sure if she doesn’t get what she wants, she’ll be back. Looks like I’m getting a restraining order today.
“Because you’re my husband—”
“Ex-husband,” I cut her off, reminding her since she clearly has a lack of memory of our whole divorce.
“It’s semantics. I know you love me and I miss you. We can become a family again.” There she goes again, batting her eyes like I’m going to fall for it and eagerly welcome her back into my bed.
“There’s no us, and there’s no family. I’m sorry the life you chose isn’t working out for you, but that’s your problem. If you ever step foot on my property or come near me again, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing and harassment.”
I move her foot and go to shut the door again, but remember what a lying bitch she is.
“Also, if you try to spin this conversation in a direction that makes you the victim, you’re out of luck. The whole thing is recorded by my door camera. One that I should’ve checked before opening the door to you.” With my final word, I shut the door and lock it. I’m ready to get dressed and see my two girls.
It doesn’t take me long. Once I have my bags in hand, I make sure to check my camera, and I sigh with relief when I see she’s gone. I turn on the alarm and lock up the house.
I have to speak to Amberlee tonight and tell her about this.
When I get in my SUV, I try calling Amberlee, but it rings until I get her voicemail.
“Hey it’s Amberlee, leave your message after the beep.” She even sounds sexy as hell in her message.
I let her know I’m on the way and I can’t wait to see her, then hang up.
When I pull into Ryan's driveway, I expect to see her car there, but it’s not. She hasn’t returned my call either.
I park, turn off the engine, and then head inside. I’ve been here so many times that it’s like my second home. But I still have a need to let them know I’m here, not wanting to walk in on something I shouldn’t. Lifting my hand, I give a firm knock, then let myself in.
“Hi honey, I’m home!” I yell, shutting the door behind me.
The sound of feet slapping on the hardwood floor echoes before I hear my sweet girl scream, “Daddy!” and leaps into my arms.
I give her a tight hug, kissing her on the top of her head. “I missed you. RJ wants me to spend the night, and Aunt Maddy said I could. Can I please?”
“Hmm, let me think about it. Have you been good this week?” I play with her a little, knowing I’m going to say yes.
“I’ve been good. I’ve even done my homework already, so I don’t have to do it Sunday. Aunt Maddy helped me.”
“Okay, then I guess you can. Go play, and I’ll let Uncle Ryan and Aunt Maddy know it’s okay.”
When I step into the kitchen, Maddy and Ryan are dancing to one of those old, twangy country songs. They’re gazing at each other with such love that I hate to interrupt their moment.
“I hear my daughter is spending the night?” I clear my throat, letting them know I’m here. Watching them makes me feel like I'm perving on them or something.
My thoughts drift to the black box in my gym bag, sitting on my passenger seat. I’m asking for his permission tonight. Then I’m asking the love of my life to be my wife.
“Where’s Amberlee?”
“I’m not sure. She’s not in her apartment. I figured she’d be home by now. Maybe she stopped by the store or something.” Ryan’s eyebrow raises.
“I want to ask you something, Ryan.” Maddy gets a huge smile on her face and fists her hands nervously.
“What is it?” he asks skeptically.
“I know it’s fast, but I’ve loved her for a long time. I’d like your blessing to marry Amberlee.”
He just looks at me, no expression on his face, leaving me confused as to what he’s thinking.
His cell phone rings, and he looks at it before answering.
“This is him,” he responds to the caller.
His face goes white as he listens to whoever is on the other line, both mine and Maddy’s interest peaked.
“I’ll be right there,” he tells the person and ends the call, slipping the phone into his pocket.
“That was the hospital, Amberlee has been in an accident. I’ve got to go.”
“I’m coming with you. Can you watch Angel for me, Maddy?”
“Yes, go, please call me and let me know she’s okay…” But we’re already running out the door before she finishes her sentence.