Dressed in White, page 10
I walked and stood next to his desk, listening to his side of the conversation.
“Thanks, Terry, I appreciate it. I’ll see you at 10:00 tomorrow.” He hung up and looked at me. “Getting everything done, tomorrow.”
He pulled me into his lap, his arms winding tightly around me; his lips on mine, hungry and searching. I could feel how much he wanted things to be ok. He wanted to prove his love and, at the moment, I was going to let him.
THE NEXT MONTH flew by without anything crazy happening. Dillon and I fell back into our normal routine of work and play. It was nice. I let myself get comfortable, again. I could almost forget about all of the deception.
We hadn’t heard from Estella since the party, and I was more than happy about that. I hoped that the restraining order would put an end to all of this nonsense.
Much to my dismay, Kayla and Dane had begun to date, causally. She seemed really happy, so I kept my mouth shut, even though she hadn’t told him about the baby, yet.
Work was busy. I was starting on the big hotel job later in the week. Shelby and I were currently camped out on the floor of my office with take-out boxes and swatch books spread out around us.
“Am I really going to be able to pull this off?” I asked her.
“Yes, you can do this. You have a game plan and everything will be ordered by tomorrow. Just relax a little. No more stressing.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I’m trying not to stress. Just seems like I’ve been wading through crap for so long.”
“That’s it. Get up, we’re going out.” Shelby pulled me to my feet and out the door.
“Wait, I need my stuff. I don’t even have my purse.” I wrenched myself free of her iron grip and ran back for my purse and cell phone.
Shelby was waiting by the back door, tapping her foot. “Come on, let’s go before you start talking about furniture placement, again.”
“Oh shut up.” I laughed and let her tug me out the door and toward our cars.
“Go home and change into something borderline slutty, I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“You’re lucky it’s Friday or I would tell you no.”
“Like I would let you.” She laughed, her brown eyes shining.
I knew she was right; she would have dragged me out with her even if it was a Monday. It was already past 9:00, I hoped Dillon was home, already.
On the drive home, I mentally went over all the dresses I had in my closet to figure out if I had anything borderline slutty. Hopefully I did.
Dillon’s car was in the driveway and Dane’s was directly behind it. I walked into a house full of noise and laughter.
They turned when I walked in.
“Hey, baby, you worked late.”
“I know; this job is going to be the death of me.” I set my stuff on the counter and kissed him.
“Have you eaten? I was going to order a pizza.”
“Starving, but I don't have time. Shelby is taking me out, tonight. I've been advised to wear something slutty.”
“Did someone say slutty? I want to go!” Kayla chimed in, pulling away from Dane’s arms.
“I did. Want to come out and play?” I grinned at her.
“When do we leave?”
“Hey, I thought we were hanging out tonight!” Dane scowled.
“You can keep Dillon company.”
Dane made a face. “I was really looking forward to hanging out, tonight.”
“Stop pouting, it’s not attractive on you. You’re a big boy; you’ll be just fine with some pizza and beer and whatever sports game is on tonight.”
Kayla and I went upstairs to get ready, leaving the men to their own devices for the evening.
I settled on a short green dress with one shoulder and a pair of sky high black heels that I knew would ruin me for tomorrow. After a quick glance in the mirror and some minimal makeup touch ups, I decided I was presentable.
Kayla was in the hall already, wearing a hot pink dress that barely covered her and silver heels. She looked hot. Dane was going to flip out when he saw her.
“Baby girl, you look amazing!” I cheered and made her twirl around.
We descended the stairs just as Dillon was letting Shelby in the front door.
“Wow, you ladies look hot!” She squealed.
Dillon swiveled around to stare at us, his jaw dropped. “Um, not sure I want to let you out of the house looking like that.”
He zipped to my side and kissed me neck.
“Stop it.” I giggled. “We’ll be back late. Don’t wait up.” I winked.
Dane was staring, open mouthed, at Kayla, totally at a loss for words.
“I’ll call you tomorrow, Dane. Have a good night.” She blew him a kiss and we were gone.
“Did you see the look on their faces?” Kayla laughed.
“I thought Dane was going to have an aneurysm.” Shelby chuckled.
“So, where are we going?” I asked once we were on the freeway headed south, toward San Diego.
“We’re going to Fluxx! Time for some dancing and bad decisions!” Shelby shouted.
We stopped off at some dive bar before heading to the club, the rationale being that it was cheaper to buy drinks there than downtown.
Kayla was our DD since she was knocked up. I was planning on taking advantage of that as much as possible in the next few months.
“Drink up, bitches, this round is on me.” Kayla sang to us as she brought us some lemon drop shots.
Shelby and I shot them back quickly and moved on to the next. By the time we left and made out way to our destination, my head was feeling pleasantly fuzzy. We didn’t have to wait in line because Shelby knew the owner, they had gone to college together.
“Let’s go dance some of those calories off!” Shelby shouted and dragged us both out onto the floor.
Neon lights were all around us and people were packed in tight. We barely found enough room for the three of us to dance without bumping into other people.
The rest of the night was somewhat of a blur. I remember dancing, and taking my shoes off at one point. And, of course, lots of alcohol. How Kayla wrangled the both of us back into the car and home, I will never know.
I vaguely remember coming home to find Dillon and Dane passed out on the couches watching TV. Kayla had to shush me a zillion times.
Dillon woke up when I kicked my shoes off loudly by the stairs.
“Hi.” I slurred at him, smiling.
He laughed. “Looks like someone had a few too many, tonight.”
“Tell me about it. The DD business is not so fun. It’s like trying to take a cat for a walk or something. Neither of them wanted to do what I said.” She rolled her eyes.
Shelby was asleep in the spot that Dillon had vacated on the couch.
“Do you want me to drive her home?” Dane asked, rubbing his eyes.
“No, she can sleep here.” Dillon responded. “Can you guys just help me get her to the other guest room? I think I have enough to deal with as it is.” He rolled his eyes in my direction.
“Hey, I can walk up the stairs all by myself.” I tried to stand up, but the room suddenly tilted violently and I fell back on my butt.
“Sure you can, honey.” Dillon hauled me to my feet and hefted me into his arms so he could carry me up the stairs.
I screamed for him to let me go, but all that did was earn me a swat to the butt.
“Hey, wait.” I said as he got to the top of the stairs.
“What?” He asked.
“Your butt looks really cute from this angle.” I giggled.
“Oh yeah? Yours doesn’t look half bad, either.” He lifted up the back of my dress to peer in at my lace panty covered behind.
THE NEXT MORNING, I woke up with a splitting headache. It seriously felt like there were tiny people with hammers inside my skull.
“Here, take these.” Dillon handed me two small brown pills and a glass of water.
“Never let me drink again.” I put the pillow over my face to block the light.
“You say that every time you have a hangover.” Dillon chuckled.
“This time I mean it.” I groaned and rolled onto my stomach, willing away the pain.
“Go get a shower and I’ll make you some toast or something.” He patted my back and left.
I reluctantly rolled off the bed and walked into the bathroom to try and shower away this hangover.
I could smell bacon frying when I padded down the stairs, fifteen minutes later. Dane and Kayla were seated at the table eating and Dillon was manning the stove.
“Morning, sunshine.” Kayla smiled at me. “How’s the head?”
“Don’t even ask.” I grabbed some coffee and toast and joined the others at the table.
A few minutes later, Shelby came in wearing some of my pajamas and looking just as horrible as I felt. “Coffee?” Her eyes were half open.
Dillon directed her to the table and gave her something for the headache along with a mug of coffee and some toast.
“Whose idea was it to go out and drink all the liquor in the club last night?”
“That would have been yours.” Kayla suppressed a laugh.
“Next time, tell me I’m an idiot.” She put her head on the table.
“I’ll remind you of this when the time comes.” Kayla replied.
“Eat your toast.” Dillon chided us both.
Eating anything sounded horrible to me. My stomach wanted to revolt against all of the alcohol I’d forced it to contain. Taking a tentative bite, I quickly chased it down with some water.
Someone knocked on the door a few minutes later and Dane went to go see who it was.
“Hey Dillon, Lor, can you come out here please?” His tone was odd, something about it was wrong.
Instead of just us, everyone got up and went to see who was there. We found Estella and a little boy, about four years old with blue eyes and light brown hair, staring up at Dillon.
“Who is this?” I whispered.
“This is Dillon’s son, Ben.” Estella smiled at me, a calculating look in her eyes.
I knelt down in front of the little boy. “Hi, Ben, I’m Lorelei.” As freaked out as I was, it was not this small boy’s fault.
“Hi.” He said shyly, a small smile on his face.
Dillon’s face had gone ghostly pale as he stared down at the small boy who could be his son.
“We have a lot to discuss, Dillon.” Estella was saying.
“Please, feel free to use the living room.” I gestured toward the large room off to the right. As much as I hated her, this changed everything.
“Ben, would you like some chocolate milk?” Kayla asked.
He nodded, enthusiastically.
“Is it ok if we take him into the kitchen while you three talk?” Kayla asked Estella.
“Yes, fine.” She nodded. “Although Lorelei does not need to be here, this concerns Dillon and me, not her.”
Kayla took Ben’s hand and led him back towards the kitchen with Dane and Shelby.
“This concerns Lorelei as much as it does me. We’ll be married soon and Ben will be a part of her life, as well. Please, let’s sit and talk about this.”
Dillon and I sat on one couch and Estella sat on the chair facing us.
“Why didn’t you tell me about him before this?” Dillon demanded, I could feel the suppressed rage in his grip on my hand.
Estella shrugged. “I was already in Spain when I found out I was pregnant, and I was going to raise him, myself.”
“You had no right to make that choice. If he is my son, I deserve to be a part of his life.”
“What do you mean ‘if’?” Estella glared at him.
“Estella, you show up here with a kid who looks sort of like me. A kid you never mentioned any of the other times I’ve seen you, since you’ve been back. How am I supposed to take it? You aren’t exactly an honest person.”
“How dare you! Benicio is your son as much as he is mine.”
“Fine, we’ll get a paternity test done and settle this. If he is mine, I want visitation.”
“He’s yours, Dillon; anyone can see that you have the same eyes.” Estella said softly.
“Lots of people have blue eyes; that doesn’t prove anything. We’ll go Monday and get the tests done and then we’ll know.”
“I’ll want child support, of course.”
And there it was. I could see exactly what this was about, now. Money.
“If Ben is Dillon’s son, of course we will support him.” I squeezed Dillon’s hand. I knew this was throwing him for a loop and I didn’t want him to think I was going to bolt, again.
“Fine.” Estella stood up. “I think we’re done here, then.”
“Kayla, can you bring Ben out?” I called.
Ben had a huge smile on his face and was holding Kayla’s hand when they walked out.
“See you later, Ben.”
“Bye.” He waved and ran to his mom.
“I’ll call you Monday morning and tell you where to meet us.” Dillon said.
“Good.” Estella responded and left without another word.
“Thanks for coming out with me last night ladies, but I’m going home to shower and then sleep off the rest of this hangover.” Shelby smiled and hugged me tightly. “You call me if you need anything.” She whispered into my ear.
“Thanks, see you Monday.”
“We’re going to go, too, Dane wants to go surf and I want to lie on the beach.” Kayla hugged me and went up to her room to change.
“So...” Dillon began.
“Yeah, that was a big revelation first thing in the morning.”
“Are you ok?”
I laughed, “Dillon, I’m fine, my feet are planted firmly, no running. If Ben is your son, we’ll figure it out.”
“She’ll be a part of our lives forever, then. Can you handle that?”
“I’ll have to. Ben changes things, but not for us.” I kissed him.
“Thank you for being so great about this. I was scared you would run, again.”
I saw just what I had done to him by leaving. I had crushed his belief in us, in me. It broke my heart. “Never again, Dillon. I will never leave you, again.” I put my hands on either side of his face and looked into his eyes. I wanted him to believe me, to understand that I was in this.
“This is not what I would have wanted.”
“I know that, but we have to deal with it no matter what.”
“I know we do. I’m just a little taken aback by all of this.”
“Honey, this is a lot for anyone to take in.” I hugged him. “We’ll get through this, I promise we will. I refuse to let Estella win.”
Dillon smiled at me; it was the first real smile he had given me since Estella had come. “Thank you, for not running from this.”
“I’m sorry I ran before. I realize now what it did to you, to us.” I wished so badly that I could take it all back, all of the uncertainty”
“You were entitled to be scared. But, I’m happy that I have you in my corner, now.”
I clung to him, as if letting go would be the end of me.
onday morning finally came and I sent Dillon off to work with a kiss and a tight hug.
“Call me when you know what’s going on. I can meet up with you.”
“Thanks, babe. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
The look in his eyes concerned me. He looked defeated, like she had already won. I also couldn’t shake the feeling that Estella was working an angle, but decided to keep that thought to myself, for now.
Shelby was already at the office when I got there, the smell of coffee brewing greeted me as I opened the back door.
“Hey, Lor, I’m in your office.” Shelby called when she heard me.
I found her getting my schedule set for the day and laying out the file folders I would need. It was going to be a ridiculously busy week.
Today I had scheduled a walk through at the hotel I was going to renovate in San Diego, then a lunch meeting with my realtor to discuss possible locations for the new office. Ideally, I wanted something already built that Dillon could work with and make into what we needed, but we would see if something like that was even out there.
“Don’t be nervous; you’re going to do great, today.” Shelby squeezed my shoulder.
“I hope so. I’m not so much nervous about me; I’m more worried about Dillon.” I sighed.
“How is he handling all of this? That was a huge bombshell she dropped on him.” Her expression was sympathetic.
“I don’t really know. He’s been quiet about it. Not that I blame him. I think he’s more concerned that I’m going to leave.”
“Are you? It would be a lot to take on, a son by an ex showing up out of nowhere.”
“No, I’m not leaving, I’m sticking it out. He needs me now, more than ever. I can see how my leaving before really wrecked him. I couldn’t do that to him again, even if I did want to leave.”
Shelby nodded. “Well, I’m here if you need to vent.”
“Thanks.” She left and I dove into the pile of papers on my desk.
As I worked, I glanced at the cell phone on my desk, willing it to ring. I was so worried about Dillon, I hated that he had to go through this.
It was finally time for my walk through, my hands shook as I packed up my briefcase with everything I would need.
I’m guessing my expression was not great when I emerged from the office because Shelby raced around her desk and hugged me, tightly.
“You’re going to do great. They already love you.”
I sighed. “I know I already have the job, but what if they hate my ideas?”
“They won’t. Now scoot out of here before you’re late.” She shoved me back toward the door.
I called Dillon once I was on my way.
“Hey, babe.” He answered, sounding distracted.
“Any word on when you’ll be getting the test done?”
“Looks like not until next week. Estella is dragging her feet on it, saying that she doesn’t want to put Ben under any undue stress.”
“How would getting his cheeks swabbed with a q-tip be stressing him out?” I asked.
