Crazy for You Page 16

  “Fine,” she snapped. “What else?”

  Her mother exhaled into the earpiece. “You ran away to New York after graduating from college to get away from us. Didn’t come home except for the holidays or when Big Mama asked you to come down. I understand that now, but I think if you would’ve told us how you felt back then, we could’ve worked out our misunderstandings. You rarely came back home to visit. Only a day or two, max. You’re doing it again. You’re running away, but this time from Jake. I want you to change your perspective. This entire time you’ve been talking about how Jake feels, what he wants to do. What about what you want?” She harrumphed. “You didn’t get yourself pregnant.”

  Pacing the floor, Charlotte ran fingers through her hair. “I know. I just don’t want to force him to marry me.”

  “And you shouldn’t. But you need to evaluate your feelings, too. I want you to consider your future. Talk to that handsome boss of yours, take a few weeks off, and think about what you want to do. Do you want to stay with Jake? Move back home to Florida? His family is nearby, so Bean can grow up knowing both sides of the family. The sky’s the limit for you. Your life is just beginning.”

  She was twenty-six. Worked at a successful nonprofit and had a popular dance class. She could do this thing called life, with or without Jake. Charlotte slowed her steps and smiled. “You’re right, Mama. I’ll take a few weeks off. Damien won’t mind.”

  “Or maybe more than a few weeks. You do most of your work on the computer, right? Other than your dance classes, you could work remotely.”

  Charlotte weighed her mother’s words. Not a bad idea, plus she could get away from the media’s prying eyes and Threx’s subtle threats. “I’ll ask Damien. Someone is already covering my classes, but the PR stuff I can do from anywhere.”

  “Great. I’ll prepare your old room for you. Dad and I’ll be sure to spoil you while you think things through.”

  “Sounds good, Mama. Let me talk to Jake when he returns, and then I’ll talk to Damien at work on Monday.”

  “I’m excited, Charlie. Things will work out the way they are supposed to. You’ll see.”

  • • •

  Jake fingered the white and gray linen draping the black wood bassinet. The crib, shaped like a bean, had caught his attention. He didn’t know how he’d ended up at the Pottery Barn, but the all-white nursery in the window spoke to him. Before his brain could react, his feet moved him into the store.

  A tall, thin woman with a severe blond bun approached. “Can I help you, sir?” Her eyes flared when she recognized him. Immediately, she went into full salesperson mode, describing the soft, plush microsuede material, soft protective sides, and handcrafted basket.

  Her voice droned on as he refocused on the bassinet. He wanted this—for Bean, for Charlotte. He closed his eyes and imagined little Bean sleeping safe and sound. That’s all that mattered. We’re a family. He smiled and then cleared his throat, getting the chatty woman’s attention.

  “I’ll take it.”

  “It’s a great choice, Mr. Ross. Can I show you some other necessities? A stroller or travel system? Or a lounger and bouncer?”

  He shook his head. “No, I think my girl would kill me if I buy anything else without her.” He focused on the bassinet. “She’ll love this.” And she’ll get a kick out of the shape. “I’ll pay now, and let’s have this delivered tomorrow.”

  “Right away, Mr. Ross.”

  Jake paid and headed home, feeling optimistic. Buying Bean’s first gift for their home brought everything into focus. He and Charlotte were a family and had something special. He wouldn’t allow Threx or anyone else to taint it. When they were ready to marry, they would. And he wouldn’t force her into some centuries-old arranged marriage contract and then a few months, or maybe years later, regret their actions.

  He wouldn’t sell his soul for a contract no matter how much money was involved. More endorsements were to come; he had a feeling this season would be record-breaking. He’d make damn sure Threx or any other brand who judged him for his past, would regret not picking him up as a spokesperson. He’d break records and win titles to prove he was the best.

  Arriving at the penthouse, he released a relieved breath when he spotted Charlotte curled up on the couch. Her eyes were trained on the television. She was no longer in costume, but rather sported the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle flannel pajamas he’d gotten her.

  Stretching her legs, she settled them on the floor. “How are you?”

  Jake sat beside her, pulling her feet into his lap for a massage. She hummed in pleasure.

  “I’m fine. How are you feeling?”

  “I feel . . . ” She wiggled her toes and lifted her eyes to look at him. “I feel like things are going to be fine.” She gave him a small smile.

  “I think so, too.” He grinned, knowing what would make her smile grow wider. “I have a surprise for you and—”

  “Jake, I . . . we need to talk. Again.” She shrugged. “Sorry for all the serious conversations we’ve been having lately.”

  “No problem, angel. What’s up?”

  “I think I want to go home.”

  “Your apartment?” He wrinkled his brows. “I thought there were already new renters in your place.”

  “Not the apartment. I mean home, home.” Her eyes bore into his as she whispered, “Pensacola.”

  His hands squeezed her fuzzy-socked feet as something else squeezed his heart. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Charlotte. I need you here. Need to protect you. I . . . I don’t understand. Why do you want to leave?”

  She licked her lips. “I’ve been so focused on you.” She waved toward him. “Your wants, your needs, your desires. And I’ve been so focused on making sure I’m taking care of Bean and dodging the paparazzi that I’m just tired. I need a reprieve, and I think going back home is just the answer.”

  “But you don’t even like it there.”

  “Mom and I talk almost every day now. Prissy and I are getting along better, too. I think you were right in saying that I misjudged my family.”

  “What happened to us being a team?”

  “We are a team, but right now I need a time-out.”

  “Charlotte, this is madness.” He moved her legs from his lap and rose to stand. “Training camp is starting up in a few months, and I—”

  “Won’t be around anyway. How can you protect me then? When I go home, I’ll see your parents and my parents. I have people to take care of me should an emergency happen.”

  “Are you trying to punish me?”

  “No, Jake. Not at all. I just need to love myself a little bit more.”

  “You can’t love yourself here?” Anger dragged his tone to the gutter.

  “I need to go home, Jake. I’m not asking.”

  “What the hell, Charlotte? I’m sorry I’m not Prince Charming, but there’s no need to throw away what we have.”

  Charlotte righted herself on the couch and gripped her knees. “I didn’t ask you to be my prince anything. My moving down south isn’t forever.”

  “Can you guarantee that? You and Bean will fall into a routine with the family. You said you wouldn’t separate us, and now you’re going back on your word.”

  She shook her head and stood. “I’m not, Jake. You will always have access to Bean. But for once, I’m prioritizing me, and I won’t have you bully or emotionally blackmail me for feeling this way.” Bowing her head, she seemed tired. Lost. He didn’t want her to feel that way, but he needed her more. And with the stalker on the loose, he needed to protect his family.

  “I’m leaving in a week.” She opened her eyes, now burning with determination. “I’m sorry if you feel blindsided, but I need this. Can you please try to understand where I’m coming from? Besides, the stalker will be miles away from Bean and me. We probably won’t even need security down there.”

  The anger that had heated his blood receded. Giving up the fight, he pulled her into a hug. She relaxed and sighed agai
nst his chest. The warmth of her breath gave him a fraction of comfort.

  He’d do anything to ensure his family’s safety. And much to his disappointment, it would be better for her to change locations. The stalker most likely had limited resources and couldn’t follow her. And, best of all, the psycho would assume he and Charlotte had broken up. Exactly what she wanted. They were playing right into the stalker’s hands. “Take a few weeks, but please . . . please come back to me. Promise you won’t leave me for long.”

  Charlotte didn’t say anything, just tightened her arms around him.

  Cracks and splinters crisscrossed his heart. Shoving away the pain, he focused on practicality. “You need to call me. Every day. Even if you think I’m working, leave me a voicemail. I need a daily report and pictures of your baby bump.”

  She nodded against his chest. “Okay, Jake.”

  He stroked her hair. Despite her soothing promise, he was losing . . . losing big. He wanted to dig his heels into the floor and argue, but no. Charlotte needed a break, and he would give it to her. But that didn’t mean he was giving up on their future together.

  Chapter Twenty

  Charlotte twirled in a circle, taking in her old childhood bedroom. The curtains had been spruced from a faded purple to pretty burnt orange, yellow, and white flowers. The pale yellow walls were the same, except instead of posters of her favorite movies and comic book heroes, they were bare. A vase of fresh flowers decorated a pretty chestnut brown desk sitting catty-corner near the window.

  Surprisingly, her mother had supplied file and drawer organizers equipped with highlighters, pens, and pencils. The room was spacious with plenty of sunlight streaming through. Perfectly adequate for work, quiet time, and reflection. Deep thoughts like her career path . . . if she’d make a good mother . . . Jake. Coming home had been the right decision, but it still didn’t stop the hurt that throbbed with every beat of her heart.

  She smiled as she looked out the window and observed the quiet neighborhood. In her bones, she knew she would be a good mother. She wanted it all for Bean. A real family. A father who lived with them. Family dinners and busy Sunday mornings getting the kids ready for church. For a moment, she’d thought Jake could be that guy and she’d soared in the sky from elation. But like Icarus, she gotten too close to the sun and had plummeted down to Earth.

  “Is the room okay, Charlie?”

  She jumped at her mother’s voice. Gathering her wits and scattered nerves, she smiled and sat on the wide windowsill. “Yes, Mama. Everything looks good.”

  Her mother nodded with a relieved smile of her own. “Good. We kept things minimal because we figured you’d want to add your personality to the room. And, if you decide to stay longer, we can make room for the baby, too.”

  “Oh, I . . . I’m not sure if I’ll be here that long. Maybe a few weeks, no more than a month.” She tapped her forehead. “Just enough time to get my head screwed on right.”

  Mama crossed the room, hesitated, and then gave Charlotte a tight squeeze. “I think you have a pretty good head on your shoulders already.” Clearing her throat, she stepped back and tucked her hair behind her ears before clasping her hands behind her back. “You just need to evaluate your options, and there’s no better way to do that than surrounding yourself with good country air.” She waved her hands. “Take all the time you need, baby. Your father and I . . . and your sister and brother, too, are here for you and the baby.”

  Charlotte’s body shook with emotion. “Thank you, Mama. This means a lot to me.”

  “And you mean a lot to us.” She smiled. “Now, I’m going to cook your favorite. Pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy and lima beans. And of course, my world-famous key lime pie.”

  “Key lime pie?” Charlotte repeated. Her mother hadn’t made her favorite in years.

  “Yes, ma’am, but it may taste a little funny. I’m experimenting with a recipe that has less sugar.” She waved her hands in a defensive stance. “Not for losing weight, but for diabetes.”

  “It’s okay, Mama. That’s really sweet of you.”

  Her mother sighed, and her shoulders sagged in relief. “Anyway, dinner will be ready at seven-thirty, so you have all day to settle in. Prissy told me that she’d be over in a few hours to help you unpack, and I think she wants you guys to go shopping at some fancy maternity shop sometime this weekend. No pressure. Up to you. Dad will be around to hang up any pictures or your comic book covers, so don’t try doing it yourself, young lady!” She waved her pointed finger.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Mama nodded and moved toward the door, pausing before the doorway. “And Charlotte?”

  “Yes, Mama?”

  “Welcome home, baby.”

  • • •

  Charlotte sat cross-legged on her bed, watching her father hammer in a nail for her framed posters as he chattered away about one of the new hires at the local plant he managed.

  Am I in the Twilight Zone? Swinging her head, she scanned the room, looking for a camera, no doubt manned by bug-eyed green aliens with large antenna-like ears who’d swapped her father’s personality or maybe took over his mind. But from what she could see, every nook and cranny was clear of any extraterrestrials.

  Hammer in hand, Dad stepped back. “I swear that boy is gonna kill us.”

  That boy was actually a man named Joe, an eager beaver who’d nearly caused an explosion at the water treatment plant. Her father had mentioned something about ozone and organic chemicals. All Greek to me.

  “Oh, he’s probably just nervous. With you as his trainer, I’m sure he’ll catch on quick.”

  Swiping another nail from the table, he snorted. “Shee-iit. That boy struts around like he’s the second coming of Jesus, waving around his master’s degree like we’re supposed to bow down and kiss his feet. I told him there’s a tree stump in a Louisiana swamp with a higher IQ.”

  Laughter bubbled from her chest. She doubled over and pressed her face into the pillow. She couldn’t believe Vance Jones had cracked a joke. And a funny one, too. “Dad, tell me you did not say that to Joe!” Wiping tears that had formed in the corners of her eyes, she couldn’t remember laughing so hard.

  “Sure as hell did, excuse my language. The man nearly killed us all and had the audacity to say that it wasn’t in his course studies. You can’t teach common sense.”

  She laughed again, and he laughed along with her.

  “Now, baby, where do you want this man in a cat suit?”

  “Oh, Black Panther is front and center. You can put him on the wall over there.” She pointed at the bare space opposite her bed. “Right in the middle.”

  “All right, then.”

  Charlotte’s bedroom door swung open. “What’s all this cackling goin’ on in here?”

  Prissy stepped in, dressed to the nines in a royal blue sweater dress and black leather knee-high boots.

  “Hey, Priss.” Charlotte waved from the bed. “Dad was just telling me about his near death experience a few days ago.”

  “What?” Her sister rushed into the room. “What happened and why was it so funny?”

  “Tell her, Dad.” Charlotte encouraged. After he’d recounted the story, Prissy told some more as she helped Charlotte unpack. Her sister was a paralegal at one of the biggest law firms in Mobile and had a lot of crazy clients and attorney stories. Pretty soon they were all laughing.

  “Dinner’s ready!” Her mother shouted from the kitchen.

  “Right on time.” Prissy hung up the last piece of clothing in the closet. “And sister of mine,” she reached for Charlotte’s hand and squeezed, “rest up tonight because you and I are going shopping for maternity clothes tomorrow.”

  Charlotte smiled, her heart warm as her family rallied around her. She rubbed her stomach. We’re going to be okay, Bean.

  • • •

  “Get your head outta your ass, Ross!” Coach Conner yanked the cap off his bald head, slapped it against his knee, and then rushed to the pitcher
’s mound.

  Jake wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed. He didn’t need the pitching coach’s shit today. Almost a month since Charlotte moved away, and it didn’t seem like she was anywhere near making whatever fucking decision she needed to make. Anger and resentment seared his chest.

  Coach wheezed as he neared the mound. “We’re not repeating the shitty performance you did a few seasons ago. You’re not some baby-faced rookie from nowhere Alabama anymore. You’re a fucking Yankee!”

  “Got it, coach,” Jake growled, kicking up dust with his cleats.

  “I don’t think you do, Ross. J.J. just devoured your pitch like one of those fat fucks at a hot dog eating contest.” He waved at the home plate. “Fucking J.J. bats two-seventy, and you’re letting this mook get one over you?”

  Jake squeezed the ball as he took in the coach’s harsh words. The man was an asshole, but a talented asshole, and he was completely right. I’m not focused.

  “It won’t happen again, coach.”

  “You’re damn right it won’t. Hit the showers and get outta my sight.” He jerked his thumb past his ear, pointing toward the stands. “You’ve been moping around like someone kicked your puppy. Whatever it is you’ve got going on, fix it before training camp starts.”

  Jake slid off his mitt and strode from the mound. Thank God the entire team hadn’t witnessed his shitty pitching. For now, it was just Coach Conner, the five starting pitchers, and seven relief pitchers at practice.

  Coach yelled from a distance. “Garcia, you’re up, amigo! Fuck up, and you’ll be hitting the showers like Ross.”

  After a quick rinse off, Jake sat on the locker room bench, contemplating his next move. Not in life, just the next hour in the day. He couldn’t think too far ahead anymore, but he didn’t want to return to his condo. To combat the emptiness, he took it a day at a time, step by step. If he thought too far ahead, he’d think about Charlotte and Bean.

  My son. God, he’d learned over the phone they were having a boy. A fucking phone call. Would that be his role when Bean arrived? A phone dad? He wanted to jump on a plane and hold Charlotte, but he couldn’t. She needed her space.