Page 9 of Spring Surprise
“No. A man does not shirk his responsibilities. I’m going, Therese. We’ll talk after I make it through boot camp.” I lean in to kiss her lips, but she sticks her hand in my face and pushes me away.
“…live in some shitty apartment near base, are you crazy, Toby? I only got pregnant to keep you here in Wintervale. I never wanted to have kids in the first place. I had an abortion the week after you ruined everything and left me…”
I doubled over like I’d taken a roundhouse to the gut. I stumbled, turning away from her before I did something I couldn’t take back. I always knew Therese was selfish, but part of me thought she’d outgrow it. I lied and told myself that motherhood would help her become more responsible. More empathetic. She killed my baby while I was off becoming a soldier, and I’ll never forgive her.
Since her betrayal, I’ve avoided anything resembling commitment. I learned through town gossip while stationed in Japan that Therese and her family moved to Denver after she was kicked out of college for causing the same type of scandal, only this time, it involved two married professors, their wives, and a hell of a lot of drama.
In contrast, if Neely can be believed, she saved TJ’s life. I’m afraid to trust her motives even though the attraction between us is a powerful thing. It’s given me something to think about, but until Mason gets back to me, I’ll be watching… because when TJ is released from the hospital, he and his momma will be coming home with me. Even if I have to turn on the charm to make it happen.
Chapter 9
Tobias
“Don’t shake your head. And stop with the guppy-out-of-water thing. We’re going out tonight. Sort of one last hurrah before the TV crew starts filming on Monday. Go get a shower because, frankly, you stink.”
Neely blushes as I stare at the questionable stain on her shirt. TJ must have spit up on her again. She looks deranged. Her glasses are so smudged, I’m amazed she can see out of them. She’s also only wearing one sock on the toes of her left foot while drowning in a pair of basketball shorts that look suspiciously like the pair I was looking for the day before yesterday.
“I-I can’t go out. I have TJ, and I am not taking a baby into a bar. What would people think? Besides, he just got out of the hospital.” Neely gives me a worried look that clearly saysidiotas she lifts him from his bouncer and cuddles him against her chest.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I don’t know how anal she was with him before I met her, but since TJ got sick, Neely’s done nothing but hover and stress out over the littlest things since I moved them in with me. Not that I haven’t enjoyed the time together, getting to know both of them. My house has never been cleaner or smelled so good.
“Neely, TJ has been out of the hospital for three weeks. He’s doing great since the blue light therapy, and they figured out a formula that works. He’ll be fine for a few hours.”
“A few hours? Tobias, we can’t leave him home on newspaper in the bathroom like he’s a puppy for crying out loud!”
When TJ begins to fuss, I pluck him out of her arms.
“Hey!”
“Now you’re being ridiculous. You are not getting out of going. You need a break, and so does he. I’ve lined up a sitter to keep him overnight, so we won’t disturb him when we get home.” Turning away, I smile against TJ’s soft little cheek. Three… two… one…
“You did w-what?! Y-You expect me to trust some random stranger to look after my baby while I go have a good time? I cannot believe you. Give him to me, right now!”
I wince at the decibel of her screech. TJ’s bottom lip juts out, but I’m able to soothe him by whispering nonsense about how silly his momma is being. When he settles, I turn to Neely.
“Do you trust me?” She nods, albeit there is hesitation in the movement. “Connie is a registered nurse with years of experience. I’ve known her all my life. She’s also Brady’s mom, and Brady is back in Wintervale for his rotation. He’ll be available if needed. It’ll be okay, okay?”
“All right.”
“Good, we’re dropping TJ off in an hour, so that means you have less than fifty minutes to get ready… and try to put on something cute besides my shorts while you’re at it.”
“An hour? Are you crazy?”
Chapter 10
Neely
I laugh as Jorie rests her hand against my abdomen. Taller than me, her breasts are a heated, muggy weight against my shoulders as she grinds her body against my backside, following my every dance move.
“Ezra’s head looks like it’s about to explode,” she gleefully shouts above the din of music and bar revelry.
“Which one, big head or little head?” I tip my chin upward as I turn so she can hear me.
“Both!” We crack up laughing. “Come on, I’m thirsty.” She grabs my hand, pulling me in her wake as she winds her way through the gyrating bodies and off the dance floor. “Girl, you’ve got the moves,” she exclaims as we reach the table and jumps into Ezra’s lap.
I climb up on the stool Toby saved for me, using his thigh to do it. “Years of dance lessons,” I explain.
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s how they’re teaching little girls to dance,” Aaron chimes in as he bounces his eyebrows suggestively.
