Mine To Promise, page 11
“You need to come and maybe protect me from my mother,” he declares, and I am not rolling my lips to stop from laughing at him. His tone is both equally scared and panicked. “She is not pleased with me.”
I don’t even know why, but the words come out without me knowing. “Okay.” I give in. “I’ll go. Now, I need to get to bed or else there will be bags under my eyes tomorrow, and that isn’t the look I want to have when meeting your parents for the first time.”
He chuckles. “Addison, you could be wearing a potato bag and war paint on your face that is dripping down, and you’ll still be the most beautiful woman in the room.”
My heart stops. Completely. “Good night, Stefano,” I say before I hang up on him and put my phone on do not disturb. I’m not doing this with him. He has a girlfriend, and I’m not the one who is going to walk in there and just steal him away. I’m not that person. “We have a child together, so I’m going to have to be nice to him, but that’s it when it comes to Stefano and me,” I huff, putting my phone on my bedside table. But isn’t he sexy? my head screams out. Remember when he did that thing with his tongue? I put my hands on my ears. “I’m not listening to you anymore.” I turn over and close my eyes but that makes it even worse because now all I can see is me ripping his shirt off him while he places me on that hotel desk no one actually works on. His hands roam up my legs that are spread with him standing in the middle of them, our mouths devouring each other. My eyes spring open. “That didn’t help anything.” I turn onto my back before turning over on my side. “He’s in bed with his girlfriend right now,” I tell myself. “Yeah, so shut the fuck up and go to sleep.”
I don’t know how long it takes me to fall asleep, but the next day, I have to literally peel myself out of bed. I spend more time than I should picking an outfit, knowing that after work I’m going to see him. We get into the car with seconds to spare and only when I pull out of the parking lot does Avery start to ask me questions, “Momma, is Stefano really my dad?”
I glance in the rearview mirror, seeing her look out the window. “What do you mean?”
“He said he’s my dad,” she says, her feet going up and down, “so now I have a dad.”
“Well, you always had a dad,” I tell her, gripping the steering wheel.
“But now I can tell people that my dad ate dinner with me.” I pull into the parking lot and put the car in park. “So if Ms. Terry asks me what I did last night, I could say I had dinner with my dad.”
“Yes.” I look over at her. “You can say you saw your dad.” She nods her head at me as she unbuckles her seat belt before jumping down from her booster seat. I open my car door and then open hers. She jumps out of the car and holds my hand as we walk into the school. The minute we walk in, she takes off to her classroom door.
“My dad came to see me,” she announces as soon as she sees her teacher, who looks at her and then at me. The shock is all over her face, especially since I told them her father is uninvolved in her life. “He brought pizza, and he got me princess dresses.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun,” Ms. Terry says.
“Okay, come give Momma a kiss,” I say, squatting down, and she comes over to me.
“Will Stefano come and see me again?” she asks me, and I just nod my head.
“We are going to the park after school, and he’s going to be there,” I tell her, and she jumps up before running back into the class. I avoid looking at anyone before I walk back to my car. Even when I get to work, I walk in, head straight to the kitchen, and start the coffee. Unlike yesterday, there is less fanfare this morning.
Shelby comes in not long after me. “Morning,” she mumbles to me as her phone rings in her hand.
Clarabella is the next one in with a car seat. She huffs as she comes in and the door closes behind her. “Have kids, they say.” She blows the hair out of her face. “It’ll be fun, they said.”
I roll my lips when I look at her and see she’s literally leaking through her silk shirt. My eyes must go big, and she looks down. “I’m like a cow,” she says, putting the car seat down with the baby still sleeping. “I swear, he cries, and it just pours out of me. The other day I just thought about him, and it was dripping everywhere.”
“Ew,” Presley states, coming in the door at the moment, “you’re leaking.” She points at her, and Clarabella just gasps.
“Really?” She looks down. “Wait, your shirt doesn’t leak milk?” She rolls her eyes. “Watch your nephew while I clean up.”
“Clean up in aisle ten.” Presley makes a joke at Clarabella’s back. She just lifts her hand high in the air and flips her the bird. “Good morning,” she greets, picking up the car seat and bringing it with her.
I turn around and start the emails. I have a whole list of questions I have to ask Sofia when she gets in. The time flies by, and when I hear the door open, I expect it to be Sofia. So when I look up with a smile, it quickly disappears when I see Stefano walking in. He’s wearing black jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt that makes his arms look bigger than they were yesterday. He pushes his aviator glasses on top of his head, the smile on his face filling it when he sees me.
“What are you doing here?” I don’t even move from my chair because I can’t. It’s as if all motions have left my body.
He holds up the brown bag I didn’t see in his hand. “I brought you lunch.”
My mouth opens to say something but nothing comes out, I just close it and then open it again. But, in that little bit of time, Clarabella comes out from the back and the front door opens and Sofia steps in.
“I just left you like ten minutes ago, so how are you here?” she huffs at Stefano.
“First off, I left you guys an hour ago,” he corrects, “and second, your shirt is all buttoned wrong.” She looks down and laughs.
She quickly fixes it and glares at him. “What do you want?”
“I brought Addison lunch,” he says, walking toward my desk and my legs finally decide it’s okay to stand.
“Interesting,” both Clarabella and Sofia say at the same time before crossing their arms over their chests.
“Nothing is interesting.” I walk around my desk toward Stefano, the smell of him making my mouth water and my stomach twinge which makes a certain part of me tighten. “Thank you,” I say, grabbing the bag from him.
“See you later.” He smirks at me and then a smile fills his face. I want to punch him in the face, but I also want to climb him like a tree, so the two parts of my brain are working at the same time.
“Yes,” I grit between clenched teeth, then bite down before I say something I shouldn’t.
He turns and puts the glasses on. “Ladies, have a great day.” He pushes the door open, and when it slams shut behind him, I close my eyes.
“Oh my God,” I hear Sofia mumble, but all I can do is shake my head.
“It’s nothing.” I avoid even looking at them before heading back to my desk.
“It’s not nothing,” Clarabella declares. “It’s lunch from Luke’s.”
“If he got her a whole combo, you know he means business,” Sofia adds.
“If he even got her a drink, he’s been thinking about her the whole day.” Clarabella looks at her, then at me. “Open the bag,” she demands of me.
I open the bag, and my eyes scan a sandwich, a bag of chips, a little something else that looks like a dessert, and a bottle of tea. “It’s a bag of chips, and I think, a dessert.”
“You’re lying,” Sofia scoffs and takes a step forward, but I close the bag before she gets too close, making them both laugh.
“It’s a phase.” I say the only thing I can say. “He just found out he has a daughter.” My hand trembles as I put the bag on my desk. “He’ll move on as soon as everything gets settled.” The words feel like acid in my mouth. He’s going to leave in a matter of time, and I’m going to have a heartbroken girl to deal with.
“He’s buying a house,” Sofia states, and just like that I’m more surprised than I was five minutes ago. “Apparently, that is a huge deal.”
“But—” I start to say, my head spinning. “But he is a city guy.” If I could bang my head on my desk, I think I would bang it over and over again. Just like they do in the cartoons.
“People can change,” Sofia reminds me, “look at me.”
“You grew up in the South,” Clarabella throws out, laughing. “Look at me, she says,” she makes fun of her.
“On a farm,” Sofia counters, throwing her hands in the air. “This is as city as it can get.” She tilts her head to the side. “Buckle up, buttercup, and welcome to the family.”
stefano
I walk out of her office, the door slamming behind me, and I immediately want to go back in there. I know showing up threw her off. I knew the minute she looked up and saw me that she was not expecting me. I also knew I was going to bring her lunch, especially when she said she doesn’t eat to save time and leave early. I didn’t even know what she ate but I asked for the most popular item, so that is what she got.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket and I take it out to find a text from Matty.
Batmobile lands in ten minutes. Where are you?
On my way.
I get into the car and put the phone in the cupholder when another text comes in.
You went to take her lunch?
Yes, why?
Why? Why do you think? The question is why did you take her lunch?
She has to eat. I can’t text, I’m driving.
You have my car. I know damn well you can voice text. Pussy ass, just get here. I don’t want to have to deal with the whole family when they aren’t even here for me.
I don’t bother even answering him because I’m at the private airport in a matter of four minutes. I get out of the car and look around to see Matty standing by the chain-link fence that encloses the area. “Why does everything take four minutes to get to?”
“Small town,” he mumbles, looking up from his phone. “The most I’m in my car is fifteen minutes and that’s if I’m downtown.” He’s about to say something else but stops when we see the plane slowly coming to a stop near the fence. The phone buzzes in both our hands.
Uncle Matthew:
We have arrived.
I look at Matty, who looks at me. “Does he think we can’t see the plane?” He chuckles as the plane shuts off and the side door of the plane opens.
“Wait, I didn’t know he was coming,” I say, looking at Matty, who just shakes his head and chuckles. The door to the plane opens and the stairs come out. My father is the first one to stick his head out and walk down the four stairs before my mother joins him. He always walks out first so he can hold her hand once she gets to the last step. I look behind her to see her best friend, my aunt Karrie, get out followed by my uncle Matthew, then my uncle Max, and finally my aunt Allison.
“Oh my God,” I exhale to the six of them once they reach the gate and the door opens. “Is anyone else in the plane?”
“No,” Matthew says from behind my father, throwing his head back and laughing. “Viktor was going to come but he had something.”
“You know he doesn’t go anywhere without me,” Uncle Max says, “and usually I would opt out, but this.” He shakes his head and laughs. “I’m not missing this.”
“I’m here to make sure that everyone is safe and in case I’m supposed to bond anyone out,” Aunt Allison states. “Grandpa Cooper spoke through clenched teeth.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “He’s expecting a phone call.”
“I thought—” I start to say to my father as he walks to me and slaps my shoulder, followed by my mother, who just glares at me. I bend to kiss her cheek, and she kisses me softly, even though she is pissed at me.
“That was your first mistake,” Matty mumbles from beside me, “you thought.” He smirks at me and is shocked when Matthew slaps his shoulder. “Ouch. I didn’t do anything wrong. He’s the one who, you know.” He then puts his hands together and looks like he’s rocking a baby. I push his shoulder to tell him to shut up.
“Did you think she wasn’t going to call me?” My aunt Karrie moves my mother to the side to stand in front of me. “I’m her best friend.” She smiles at me and I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Who else do you think is going to reel her in?” she asks me, and I didn’t even think about that part of it.
“I could have done that,” my father states, which makes everyone but Aunt Karrie laugh.
She glares at my father. “We all know the way you reel her in.” She folds her arms over her chest. “I don’t think sex is something anyone is going to want to watch.”
“Jesus,” Matty says, putting his hand on his stomach. “It’s a good thing I didn’t have lunch.” That earns him a glare from my mother. “Sorry, Tatie.” He uses the French word for aunt to make her soften toward him. Everyone knows if my mother is mad at you, all you have to do is try to speak French, and she suddenly forgets what she is mad about and is happy you are trying to connect with her. Well, everyone but her children, that is.
“We are going to have to all reel it in.” I look at my mother.
“We are a lot to handle.” I look at everyone and do a circle with my hand. “But she hasn’t really been around many people, so baby steps.” I start to get nervous for Addison. The last thing I want is for her to be nervous or uncomfortable. If I see she’s shutting down, I’m getting her out of there, and I’ll deal with the consequences after.
“Let’s go see the house,” my father urges, and I nod at them. It’s a good thing Matty came with his other truck because both truck beds have luggage. I don’t have the energy to ask how long they are staying; from the looks of things, it’ll be at least a week.
My parents come in the truck with me and my aunt Karrie while the rest go with Matty. We pull into the driveway and my father whistles. “This is—”
“This is a home,” my mother declares, opening the back door of the truck.
“I like it,” my uncle Matthew says with his hands on his hips as he takes in the house.
“How is the crime rate in the area?” my uncle Max asks as he pulls out his phone. “I’m going to just enter the street name and I’ll be able to tell you.”
“Aren’t you glad you called everyone?” Matty teases, slapping my shoulder before walking up the steps to the front door.
I take out the key from my pocket and open the front door, stepping in, sliding the first door closed. “Most of the doors are sliding,” I explain, sliding open the second door.
“Great,” Matthew observes, “this way when she is pissed at you, she can’t slam the doors.”
I nod at him as we walk into the foyer area and the circular staircase is in the middle.
“This is nice,” my father notes, looking around. “How many bedrooms?”
“It’s five bedrooms,” I reply. My father whistles like it’s a lot of house for someone who just lived out of a suitcase for most of the time. “I know.”
“Is she moving in?” my mother asks me as she walks to the side where the kitchen is.
“I have no idea,” I answer honestly. My goal would be for us to live here, but I think I should discuss it with her before I tell my family.
“Well, didn’t you make a plan?” my uncle Matthew asks me.
“It’s been two days,” I tell him.
“Exactly,” Max counters, putting his hands on his hips. “How don’t you have a plan?”
“It’s a shock for anyone, I’m sure.” My aunt Allison smiles, giving me an encouraging smile.
“Either way, I want to make a room for Avery,” I inform them of the only thing I’m one thousand percent sure of.
“Yes.” My mother nods her head. “I’m already on it.” She smiles at me and I know she was already on that yesterday as soon as I got off the phone with her.
We walk around the house and go outside, where we talk about putting in a pool, because what kind of a monster doesn’t have a pool for his child. My phone beeps, and I look at the group.
“I’m going to go and get Avery and Addison,” I say nervously, then look at my parents. “I’ll text you when it’s time to meet.” I look at my father, trying to tell him that it would be better going at it slow. He just nods at me as I turn and walk out the door.
I make it to the ice cream shop before them. I park the car and get out, walking over to the little picnic table in the shade to wait for them. I look to the side where a giant soccer field is in front of a huge jungle gym where kids play in different spots. Some kids are trying to cross the monkey bars while the other kids are screaming as they go down one of the slides.
Older kids are off to the side where there is even a basketball court as they start a game. I start to get really nervous as the seconds tick by, and I look down at my phone every thirty seconds because it feels like it’s been forever. My eyes roam the area, and then I spot them walking toward me. Addison is wearing tan pants that hug every fucking curve she has and a tight black sleeveless shirt showing off her slender arms. The neck is in a circle, and you can see her clavicle. The clavicle I bit into the second I slid inside her as she sat on that hotel desk that no one uses. My cock gets immediately hard, but I shake my head, looking down and then up again toward the both of them. Addison holds Avery’s hand while they talk, or better yet, as Avery tells her a story. Her free hand goes crazy in the air as she tells her the story. I can’t help but smile when I look at them. I also can’t help but feel settled. It’s the strangest feeling I’ve ever felt in my whole life.
