Page 3 of Spring Surprise
I take a step back as Toby’s little body jerks in my arms. His face turns as red as his father’s. His tiny bottom lip pulls downward in a quivering pout as he draws in an elongated gasping breath before unleashing a frightened wail loud enough to rival the yell that just startled him.
Trembling, I turn away from the fury blasting me. I lift my son to my shoulder, rubbing gentle circles onto his tiny body and swaying in a rocking rhythm. God, I need to get out of here. There isn’t any maybe about it, I’ve made a huge mistake, but TJ needs soothing before I can do anything else. Why did I think Tobias would believe me or would even care? I need to come up with another plan to keep us safe. Maybe a safehouse or cabin off the grid.
“Shh, shh, you’re okay, baby. Momma’s here. You’re okay. Hush now,” I repeat over and over, soothing us both. As Toby’s wail lessens to a snuffling mewl, I turn to face the music. I’m surprised. Everyone except Tobias has left the room, and I didn’t notice.
His lips are pinched, and his fists are clenched as he stares at the baby in my arms. His voice is stilted, softer but no less harsh when he speaks.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing here, little girl, but I do know I’ve never seen you before today. I’ve certainly never fucked you. You’re not my type. Try again, Sweetheart.” His eyes track over my body and back to his son before he meets my stare.
Wow. Okay then, definitely not his type. He’s a flirty man-whore until you piss him off, then he’s a cold-hearted jerk. Good to know. Why that makes my heart hurt, I don’t know. I just met him, and yeah, I thought for a second there was a spark between us, but you live and learn, I guess. Now I understand why Janessa did things the way she did.
“You’re right,” I finally answer. “I’m not your type. And no, you haven’t fucked me, as you so eloquently put it.” I keep my voice soft but firm, letting the distaste I feel bleed into every word. I’ll analyze whatever else I’m feeling later when TJ and I are alone and safe.
“You did, however, fuck my cousin, Janessa, at the Independence Day celebration last summer, did you not? She’s exactly your type. Do fireworks, a spilled beer, and the bed of your pick-up truck ring any bells?”
His eyes round in surprise. Ooh, direct hit. I may have sunk his battleship.
“Maybe, but there’s one problem.”
I quirk my brow when he pauses.
“Your math is off. If he was conceived on the fourth of July, he’d have been due next week. As I said, try again. It’s obvious your cousin is a liar.”
Okay then. I nod. I’m not going to stand here and argue. TJ has drifted back to sleep. It’s time for us to go. I carefully place him in the car seat, buckle him in, and then grab the handle of the carrier. I should leave it at that and leave Wintervale in the rearview mirror, but now Tobias isn’t the only one who’s pissed off, and for some insane reason, I need to have the last word.
“My math would be off… except there were complications. Toby was born seven weeks premature. If you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment.” I don’t care if he excuses me or not. Why I’m trying to still be polite is a mystery I’ll contemplate later, and that appointment? Well, renting a house here is pretty much useless now, isn’t it? I won’t be staying.
“An appointment? Doing what?” I don’t look back. I don’t need to see the look on his face; I can hear his suspicion just fine.
“Nothing for you to be concerned about. I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
“The hell you will! If that is my son, you aren’t going anywhere.” I make it about two steps out the door before I feel his heavy hand grab hold of my sweatshirt, halting me in my tracks. He isn’t rough or anything, but my blood pressure shoots through the roof all the same.
“You wanna bet?”
“Listen, little girl, if I have to, I’ll march across the lot to that police station and tell them I suspect you’ve kidnapped that baby.” He stabs a finger through the air at the building next door to the garage.
Kidnapped? Has he lost all his marbles? First, he says TJ isn’t his, and now he wants to bring charges of kidnapping against me? “Are you on something? And no, he hasn’t been kidnapped. TJ is legally my son.”Sheesh. This is what I get for attempting to do the right thing. The safe thing. I try yanking my arm free, but he doesn’t release me.
“Oh, yeah? Well, from what you just said, he’s my son. Are you trying to shake me down for a big payout? Is that what this is? Where’s his real mother?”
I can’t help it; I start laughing, and it isn’t a joyful sound. The last thing I need is his stinking money. Bitterness coats my tongue and my nose stings, but I refuse to let him see me cry. “Let go of me.”
But does he? No. No, he does not. Instead, he grabs the carrier’s handle with his free hand. A silent battle ensues over the possession of TJ, but his father is too strong and swings him away from me.
“Give him b-back!” The sob bursts from my lips as he tows me across the parking lot.
“No. Settle down.”
Hah! Fat chance. I’ll settle down the moment I shove my foot up his ass. Men are so stupid. Next, he’ll be telling me period cramps are an urban legend or some such bologna. Settle down? Like that has ever worked. Idiot.
“Where’s his mom?” As we reach the cars parked at the side of the lot, he lifts Toby’s carrier up onto the hood and pins me against the fender.
“I am his darned mom! Let. Go!”
“Janessa. Where’s Janessa, Neely?”
“Janessa is dead.”
