“Well, Brian Case is his name. You may have actually heard of him if you are into sports.”
He takes a drink of his coffee nearly choking. “As in the baseball player? So, why isn’t he in the picture? Did he walkout on you?”
“Yes, I am getting to that and no.” He gives me a confused look. “Brian was getting ready to leave for college. It had always been his dream to play for Louisville, and his dream was coming true. I didn’t want a family to stand in his way.”
“So, you just didn’t tell him.” His nose is scrunched as he looks at me, his expression is somewhere between a scowl and a frown.
“No, I didn’t, but I am going to tell him soon. He used to like to drink a lot and he could have a bit of a temper.”
“Did he hurt you? I swear if he has ever hurt you.” He balls his fist on the table.
I take his hands in mine, rubbing my fingers over his knuckles. “No, he hurt himself more than he ever hurt me. He never put his hands on me.”
“That’s really fucked up,” he almost yells at me as he pulls his hands away.
“I’m a horrible person, say it. I know you are thinking it.” I feel so ashamed.
“To be honest…yeah. I kind of am. I mean, Aria, that is a big thing not to tell someone. I want to try to understand it without judging you too harshly. I mean, I can understand not wanting a kid around someone who drinks a lot. You don’t know a lot about my world. It isn’t pretty, but still—when you love someone you try to help them, you don’t turn your back on them.”
Looking at the clock, I am going to be late if I don’t leave right now. “Can we finish this later? I am going to be late if I don’t get Jace to daycare.”
“Yeah, no problem.” he almost sounds relieved to get away from me.
I take a few tens from my purse and try t
o hand them to Tyler for mine and Jace’s food, but he refuses.
He stands, giving me a stiff kiss on the cheek, his facial scruff rubs me as raw as I feel. He thinks I am a horrible bitch. I can’t really blame him. “This is why you don’t date Aria!” God, I could kick my own ass.
After buckling Jace into his seat, I take few deep breathes. It really hurts for Tyler to think so poorly of me. A tear slips down my face. I turn to get in my car when Tyler suddenly twists me around facing him.
“Don’t do that!” he barks his words at me as his stormy eyes rage into mine.
“Do what?” I wipe the teardrop that is trickling down my face.
“Don’t beat yourself up over the past.” He runs his finger down my face, traveling the path of my tear. “You’re an amazing person. I’m sure whatever the reasons are behind your choices, you made them with good intentions.”
I look into the depths of his eyes. I lick my lips, begging him to take the invitation to kiss me. God, I just want him to kiss me right now! To feel his warm full lips taking me hostage and never letting me go. That’s what I want right now, standing in this busy parking lot. I want to forget all my wrongdoings and just be his. I want him to be mine. The thought of it terrifies me because I should want to be Brian’s.
My thoughts should be about giving Jace the family he deserves with his dad. But instead, my heart is opening to someone else. Someone who holds the power to crush my heart and consume every part of me. The idea of being with Tyler, really being with him, not just his occasional fuck, makes butterflies take full flight in my stomach. I part my lips as he bends his face slowly to mine. His tongue begins tracing the outline of my pout. His warm tongue begins massaging mine. First the kiss is tender and sweet, but then it turns into something else completely. It turns into a fever pitch of want and desire. He could take me right here in this parking lot against my car, if Jace weren’t with me.
Oh, my word, Jace is sitting in the car witnessing his mommy make out. I snap out of the hold Tyler has on me.
“I really have to go.”
“Until later, sugar tits,” he says as he pinches my nipple, hard.
Chapter Eight
After a long day at the tanning salon and picking Jace up, I run by the house and pick up Faye. Tomorrow is her birthday, but I have to work at Indigo, so I am taking her out for her to celebrate this evening. After a quick change of mine and Jace’s clothes we are ready to go. It is a scorcher; I feel like I just may turn into a puddle. Maybe I should reschedule the birthday dinner. Faye looks miserable as she leans toward the cool air of the vent.
“Sure you’re up to this, I mean we can stay in, and I can cook or order takeout.”
“Aria, I only get out of the house for doctor’s appointments. I am ready to get out even if I don’t feel much like celebrating my final birthday.”
“Why do you say things like that? You don’t know that. You have no way of knowing that. Unless there is something you’re not telling me.”
I wasn’t able to go to her last appointment with her. Bender actually took her, or so she said. Next time, I intend to go with her. I get the feeling she is purposely scheduling them for when I am at work. Caroline has been going with her when Bender can’t. I bet she knows what she is hiding. My mom has probably made her promise to keep the information to herself too. A bottle of good wine may get her to spill. One can hope anyways. I’d like to think Faye wouldn’t keep anything from me, not now, after we have grown so close these past few years.