Crazy for You Read online

  “And what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “A high-risk pregnancy means you’re most likely at risk. Maybe you shouldn’t have this baby—”

  “No.” Her voice strangled, jarred by what he was suggesting.

  “But you—”

  “I am not aborting my baby. I’ll be fine. There’ll be some pain, but I can do this.”

  “How do you know? Can you guarantee your safety?”

  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, shocked at the direction of their conversation. “Nothing in life is guaranteed. We can’t live forever.”

  The dark clouds in Jake’s eyes rolled away as lightening appeared. He swung his hand into the dresser. Expensive cologne toppled and crashed on the floor. “Dammit, Charlotte!”

  She jumped.

  “Damn this and damn you!”

  “Damn me? I didn’t get myself pregnant!”

  “No, but you’re making all the decisions. Hell, you even told your mother—your estranged mother—that you were pregnant before coming to me. You had an appointment with the doctor and sat on the info for who knows how long. And now you’re deciding that you’re having this baby, despite the risk to the baby and yourself. You’re putting yourself,” he waved his hands between them, “putting us, through undue emotional and physical stress. You first need to get your prediabetes under control. Then, when you’re ready, you can try to have a baby.

  You can try. Not us, just me. He doesn’t want Bean. He doesn’t want me. “Yes. I’ve made the decision.” Grabbing her purse, she rushed out of the room.

  He followed.

  At the door, she turned to face him. “I had to make a decision because deep down I knew I couldn’t depend on you. You let things happen to you, and you never take a stand. You didn’t take a stand in high school when the popular kids who always terrorized you suddenly became your friends. You left your old friends behind. You didn’t take a stand when the popular girls, who dissed you, all of a sudden wanted to get into your pants. And you didn’t take a stand when you were forced to have this farce of a relationship with me, and I know now, it’s a farce.” She spat out her poisonous words. “So yes, I made the decision to keep Bean without you because I knew how you would react.”

  He averted his face as if she’d slapped him. Good. I want him to hurt. I want him to bleed. Grabbing ahold of her newfound strength, she yanked the door open. “If you don’t step up and step up soon, our baby will be my baby.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  He was going to be a father. Dad. Jake played with different name variations as he threw another ball into the mesh netting. Me. A dad. He grabbed another ball from the bucket. Sweat beaded on his forehead and scalp as gripped the stitching.

  Charlotte marching out of his condo days ago meant one thing: She was one-hundred percent serious. If he didn’t get his act together soon, she’d be out of his life. He fired the ball into the pitchback.

  He finally had his shit together.

  The first day had been hell. He’d ping-ponged between missing her and not trusting her. After Denise had lied to the world and attempted to throw him under the bus, he had major trust issues with women who claimed he was their baby’s father. Even sweet and kind ones like Charlotte.

  Jake grabbed another baseball. Today, without Charlotte’s warm and shy smiles, he finally realized he’d fucked up. She was sweet and genuine, through and through. She worried what his parents would think if they ever found out about the fake relationship. She was the church member everyone called when someone was sick or shut in or when an elderly person needed someone to run errands.

  These days, she crowded his thoughts more than baseball. He needed to make amends, but didn’t know how.

  His shoulder throbbed after hours of throwing. I’ve gotta apologize. I need to see her. He tossed one last ball and then looked at the clock. Pitiful. Sixty-nine miles per hour. Gathering the loose balls in the pitching cage, he returned the full bucket to the front and got ready to grovel.

  • • •

  “C’mon Baby Bean. Mama is trying to be healthy.” Charlotte groaned and rubbed her stomach. The chicken salad she’d finished eating didn’t want to settle in her stomach. Nothing settled her stomach but stupid ginger ale—which, ironically, she hated—and saltine crackers.

  The door buzzer sounded. Rolling her eyes, she let out a long, exaggerated exhale that would give a melodramatic preteen a run for her money. I’m not in the mood for unwanted company. Even if it were probably Melanie or Tiana.

  She’d told them about the pregnancy and Jake’s reaction. Melanie had been shocked and upset by his accusations and threatened to castrate him with a rusted spoon. The look in her friend’s bright brown eyes made Charlotte wince. Normally, cool-headed Tiana could calm down her hyper friend. But she, too, had gotten in on the I-hate-Jake-Ross bandwagon and threatened to lop off his head like the female dancing spider.

  Charlotte felt marginally better that her friends could double as contract killers, but she made them promise to keep it to themselves and away from their significant others, especially her nosy, but well-meaning boss, Damien. Melanie and Tiana had rallied around her and stayed over late last night until she’d fallen asleep. Today, she just wanted to mope and watch Netflix. Netflix and mope. She wasn’t up for any ‘you’ll-be-a-great-mom’ speech.

  The buzzer sounded again. End of my pity party. She stood and quietly crept to the door. “Who is it?” She didn’t have a peephole to screen visitors.

  “It’s Jake.”

  Fudgesicles!

  Her heart dropped, rolled, and plopped on the floor. She hadn’t expected him. Not after the nasty words he’d spewed so effortlessly. She didn’t think she could take another did-you-get-pregnant-on-purpose session.

  “Ummm . . . Charlotte’s not here. She’s . . . s-she’s out.”

  Damn this is bad. She sounded like the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood impersonating the recently digested grandma. Under any other circumstance, she would giggle. But this was Jacob Ross, and she’d already tossed him the panties like a groupie at an Usher concert.

  I need to be clear, focused, and strong. No room for error with Jake and her heart. He needed to be gone. By any means necessary.

  “Charlotte . . . ” His voice was commanding and unamused.

  She quivered and then cursed. “What do you want, Jake?” She leaned against the door for strength.

  “I want to talk.”

  “About?”

  “You. Me. Bean. I need to explain some things. And . . . and . . . I . . . I owe you an apology.”

  Damn right you do. “Fine.” Untwisting the knob, she then unlatched the top lock and opened the door.

  He looked good—damn good in his scruffy, I-don’t-give-a-damn wardrobe. An old beat-up cap sat low on his head, and a plain gray tee stretched against his chest. His solemn eyes scanned her appearance before stopping at her face. Then he stepped closer. She didn’t move.

  I will not let him back me into a corner anymore.

  His eyes flashed a mixture of frustration and remorse.

  Yanking her short robe closed, she lowered her eyes. She would not be pulled into his soulful stares nor swayed by his good looks.

  “Yes, Jake?” Turning on a heel, she walked to the kitchen to pour herself that ginger ale.

  “Angel, I’m sorry.”

  The fizz settled in her drink. “What are you sorry for?”

  “How I reacted. I know you would never cheat on me. I know the baby is mine, but I . . . all I could think about was the Denise fiasco last year and how disappointed my family had been. Even the kids got wind of it and asked if I was bringing home a baby cousin.”

  A twinge of sympathy panged in her chest. Just a twinge, like the size of a microorganism. His behavior had been unconscionable. Horrible and downright cruel.

  Putting her drink down, she folded her arms across her chest. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Truly, I am. I
was on the PR team when that happened and, trust me, I still have nightmares about how people dragged you and Denise through the mud. I would never willingly put you in that position again. However, it doesn’t excuse what you said to me.”

  Please tell me this is a joke . . . did you do this on purpose? Her eyes burned and her nose tingled at the humiliating and heartbreaking memory.

  “You’re right. It’s no excuse. And I’m sorry. So damn sorry. I was a selfish bastard. At first, all I could think about was how I wasn’t ready. About the danger and my career and dreams and what if—”

  “Thank you for the apology. But if you don’t mind, I need you to leave . . . now.”

  “What?” He blinked, confusion marring that perfect face.

  “Naptime. Bean and I are tired.” Of your excuses. “So . . . you need to go.”

  He jerked his head back. “I need to . . . ” He didn’t finish his sentence, so she finished it for him.

  “Go. Yes.”

  Steely eyes locked on her frame. His eyes were no longer remorseful but determined. Scary determined. Like he was digging in, kicking up his cleats, and prepared to strike out his opponent. Me.

  Nostrils flared, he shook his head. “No.”

  “No?”

  “Negative.”

  “You can’t make me take you back, Jake.” Too bad a tremble, not a firm tone, supported her bold statement.

  “Maybe I can’t. I’ve been told ‘no’ a lot in my life, and it never stopped me before. People told me I couldn’t get a full ride to college. They told me I wouldn’t make it to the pros, and when I did, they told me I’d never become an all-star.”

  Her eyes drifted to the muscular forearms that sat across his chest. She could visualize the people who doubted them. She could imagine Jake’s drive, the obsession that rode him to prove them wrong. To succeed. She licked her lips, swallowed hard, and stepped back. Just a little. She still wasn’t losing ground.

  “So, go ahead,” he continued. “Underestimate me. But I’m not going anywhere because I’m in this with you, all the way, and right now I’m playing the most important game of my life.”

  The deep, sensual promise in his voice, the resolve in his magnificent eyes, and the set of his chiseled jaw broadcasted that he was playing zero games when it came to winning her over.

  She tried to rile up her fire, the one that had burned widely after Jake’s rejection. She fed off the memories to stoke the embers back to life. “I can’t go back there with you again. It hurts too much, and I’m done playing this . . . this game.”

  “You’re right. This is not a game. This is much more important. Me, you, Bean.” Walking closer, he put his palm against her stomach. She flinched and clenched from the contact. His eyes scorched her, and she was on fire. Not of her own making, but from Jake. Flames of desire, ravenous and unrelenting, burned in her veins. Yes, she was on fire, and, unbelievingly, wet for him, too.

  “You can’t,” she whispered.

  “I will,” he proclaimed loudly. “I will take care of you. I will take care of Bean. I will treat you like a queen.” The intensity of his eyes and his words sucked the oxygen from her lungs.

  She struggled to breathe. Taking a deep breath, she backed away. “A queen needs her king.”

  “I’m him, angel. And if someone else tries to wear my crown or sit on my throne, I’m crushing him. You know why?”

  She shook her head.

  “Because you’re my first thought in the morning and the last at night. I couldn’t even relax on my guys’ trip because I wanted to be near you. Hear your voice. Taste you. And my heart . . . baby . . . I’m not a sappy man, and I’ve never been in love before and I don’t know if I am, but I can’t eat and sleep and . . . my pitching game is shit without you. I have no joy without you. I don’t want to be without you and,” he touched her stomach, “I don’t want to be without Bean. We’re a family now.” His voice shook with emotion.

  Tears swelled and spilled down her cheeks. “Are you sure, very sure, this is what you want? Me and Bean?”

  “Very sure, angel.” He grinned, much like she imagined a Spartan enjoying the sweet victory of a battle won. “And what’s up with the name Bean?”

  She sniffled and smiled. “Yeah, I kinda gave our baby a nickname. I looked online and saw that he or she is the size of a bean right about now.”

  His gray eyes sparkled. “What happens when the baby grows to say . . . the size of a cantaloupe?

  “By then, we should know the sex. Maybe we’ll have a name.” Charlotte shrugged and lowered her eyes to his hand on her stomach.

  “Well then, the working name is Baby Bean.”

  “So . . . ” She licked her lips and lifted her eyes to meet his. “We’re doing this? Are we really raising a child together? As a couple?”

  “Angel, I’d have to be a dumbass to let you go.” Pulling her into a hug, he kissed her forehead. “I’m an asshole but not a dumbass.”

  “There’s a difference?” She relaxed enough to joke.

  “Definitely. And I’m sorry for being an asshole. You didn’t deserve that.”

  Charlotte nodded and leaned away from his arms. “I forgive you, Jake. I know you’re new to being in a relationship, and this news is a surprise for us both. But just put yourself in my shoes and know that being in a relationship and having a baby is just as overwhelming for me, too. And I’m certainly not ready for the media to tear into us.”

  Jake nodded. “As far as I’m concerned, you and Baby Bean are my world, and I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. But for now, and the safety of you and the baby, let’s try to keep a lid on this for a while before we announce this to the world.” He tugged her hand. “I just want it to be our news. Well, our news and your family for now.” He sighed, stroking her cheek. “Wish you would’ve told me first, angel.”

  “I’m sorry. I was a wreck, and Mama called, and she was so sweet and understanding, and I—”

  “I get it, baby. I do. But we’re a team now. I’m going to be the one to take care of you. And I want the number to your doctor. I’m coming to all of your appointments.”

  “You can’t come to all of them. You’ll be on the road in the spring. Baby Bean will be debuting in early August.” Or earlier. No, she didn’t want to think about earlier.

  “Damn. We’ll figure it out.” He lowered his head to her stomach and placed his strong hands on either side. “Don’t come out while I’m on the road.” Then he looked up at her. “Same goes for you. Make sure he stays in there safe and sound until I return.”

  Charlotte giggled. “We will endeavor not to disappoint you.”

  The weight of the world lifted from her shoulders. This was all she could’ve hoped for. Well, minus the bended knee and ring. But she couldn’t fault him for avoiding the subject of marriage since they’d only been dating for a few months. But a part of her, the old-fashioned part, wanted to do this right. She loved Jake and Bean. She hadn’t wanted to freak him out, but he’d been spot on during their conversation at the hospital. She wanted to be married with three-point-five kids in the suburbs.

  But life rarely turned out the way she’d wanted it. For now, she would focus on the safe delivery of their baby.

  • • •

  “Charlotte is what?” Gina screeched, gripping the paperweight ornament on her desk. From the fire burning in her eyes, Jake could tell she was close to chucking it at his head.

  “She’s pregnant, Gina. Like I’ve already said for the third time.” Jake had already met with his publicist the day before, but Gina hadn’t been able to sync up with them. He sighed, not at all in the mood for Gina’s over the top reaction.

  “How in the . . . ” She stood from her desk and paced the floor. Closing her eyes, she massaged her temples. “How could you be so irresponsible, Jake? You’ve had sex with hundreds of women—”

  “Jeez, not that many.” He waved his hands. “I’m no Wilt Chamberlain.”

  “Oh, you’re a close
second.” She snorted and crossed her arms. “Now you go and get the supposed good girl pregnant? I thought she was all into Jesus or something?”

  “Watch what you say about Charlotte.” He raised a finger in warning. “She’s a good woman.”

  “Two words.” Gina formed a peace sign with her fingers. “Morality. Clause. It doesn’t matter if Charlotte is a good woman or not. Threx is a family brand and is not going to be happy now that you have a baby mama.”

  He gripped the arms to the chair. “Do your ears need a cleaning? You will not disrespect her. She is the mother of my child, not just some damn baby mama. Now let’s focus on the facts. We’re having a child, and we’re happy. But it’s a high-risk pregnancy, and we don’t need to add stress or be hounded by the media. Like I told Mark, we’re happy about this, so there’s nothing to spin.”

  Gina stopped her pacing. “High-risk pregnancy?” she whispered.

  For the past month, Charlotte had been putting up a good front about her health and the baby, but he could see the strain lines around her mouth, the deep grooves that wrinkled her forehead, and the short intake of breath as she waited out a dizzy spell.

  They’d agreed to stop the intense gym sessions, much to Charlotte’s dismay, and opted to take nice long walks together. The media had noticed their change in schedule and started questioning what was going on. Mom and Dad had taken it better than expected but were now pressuring them to get married. With family in the know and the media sniffing around, he wanted Gina and Mark to help manage the situation. Soon, the entire world would find out.

  “Yes. Charlotte has prediabetes, so we have to make sure we keep an eye on her blood pressure. Thank goodness we’ve been able to have Dr. Moira examine her at the center. The media has been snoopy lately, and Charlotte swears someone has been following her for the last several days.”

  Gina’s face pinched at the news. Clenching and unclenching a fist, his agent counted to ten and returned to her seat. “Okay.” She shook her head as if waking from a nightmare. “We can fix this.” She took a deep breath. You, me, and Charlotte will meet with Threx.”