Pulled(29)
Author: A.L. Jackson

“Just get in the car, Vanessa.” This was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

Once we were in, we drove back to Vanessa’s house. It was just better to get this over with, the sooner the better. I ran the back of my hand across my lips, glancing in her direction. She stared straight ahead, pouting.

“What exactly do you want from me, Vanessa?”

“What do you mean?” She’d turned toward me, her posture defensive, but her voice feigned innocence.

“You know exactly what I mean. I’m not here to play games. Tel me what you want from me.” I had no intention of giving her what she wanted, but I just needed to hear her say it.

“Wel , Daniel, we are having a baby. Don’t you think we should get married?”

Holy shit. I was right. I just hadn’t expected her to come straight out and say it. She wanted money. And she wanted my name. I laughed out loud as I shook my head; she was indeed insane.

“Why are you laughing? There is nothing funny about this situation, Daniel,” she scolded me.

“Oh, I disagree. I find this utterly f**king hilarious.” Did she really think she could get away with this? Yeah, I had been stupid enough to fal for it the first time, but that night would be the one mistake I’d make; there would not be a repeat.

“Daniel, we’re having a baby; we have to be together.” She tried to sound confident, but it sounded more as if she were pleading.

“No, Vanessa. There wil never be anything between us.” I looked directly at her. “Never.” Even I hated the sound of my voice, but I had to be clear on this point.

“What? Is this about that bitch at dinner? You don’t even know her, and you can’t have her. She’s married!” she screeched.

That bitch? I was so pissed, I couldn’t see straight.

I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to talk as if she knew anything about Melanie or me. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to rein in the outrage consuming me.

“You don’t know me, Vanessa, so I’d appreciate it if you’d stop talking like you do.” Getting my temper under control, I said in an even tone, “So this is how it’s going to be. I don’t want anything to do with you,” I squeezed the steering wheel as I said the words, trying to keep myself from spitting them at her. “I know that baby is my responsibility, and I’ll accept that. I’ll pay child support, but I expect to have joint custody.”

Inside the car was silent except for the short breaths I could hear Vanessa taking as she chewed on her lip, her hands clutching her purse. I looked around, surprised we were already approaching the front of her house.

“You’ll hear from my attorney tomorrow. Other than that, I don’t want to hear from you unless it is directly related to the baby. Do you understand?” I sat in my seat and waited for her answer.

“What? W…wha…why?” she stammered,

gawking at me.

“Because I don’t appreciate being taken

advantage of.” I glared at her, daring her to deny it.

“I…I…” Her words twisted together, unable to form a lie quickly enough.

That’s what I thought.

I would never have treated her like this if this had been an accident, if the two of us had been irresponsible and had the consequences to face. What I wouldn’t tolerate was being manipulated.

She mumbled under her breath, “You’re an

asshole,” as she opened the door and got out, running up the sidewalk to her house.

Yeah, probably so.

“But you are a whore,” I muttered to her retreating form.

Mom would kil me if she ever found out how I’d treated Vanessa. She’d remind me that everyone deserved to be respected, even if you didn’t feel like giving it to them.

But I was in full defense mode because Vanessa was most definitely a threat.

Leaving Vanessa all owed the emptiness to suck me in, and I drove aimlessly, my only companion the burn on my skin Melanie had left behind.

I’d missed her so badly all these years, haunted by the memories of her face, agonized by the loss of her comfort, plagued by the grief we should have shared. all of that was still there, strong and growing, except there was something else building with it. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt, good?

Even though I knew I should stay away, there was not a chance in hel I would. I had to see her again even if it was only from a distance.

I pulled off to the side of the road, dust flying as I came to an abrupt stop. I searched for Nicholas Borel i on my phone. Numerous results popped up on the screen, but there was something specific I was looking for. Scrol ing through, one caught my eye—his personal address. I saved the site and threw my phone into the seat next to me as I took off toward home.

I knew I’d never fal asleep tonight; I didn’t even think I wanted to. I entered my apartment, an expanse of desolation only because she wasn’t there, but tonight it was different. Instead of climbing into the shower and giving myself over to my pain, I walked out onto the balcony and looked at the city lights, knowing she was there. Leaning against the railing, I closed my eyes and all owed myself to feel all the love, hurt, and longing she had shown me tonight. My chest filled with my love for her, and once again, I called upon the power that somehow held us together. I prayed she was safe and felt loved, by me.

Chapter 11

I glanced back up to see Daniel watching me with his hands in his pockets, defeat in his eyes. I mouthed a silent bye to him as Nicholas slid into the driver’s side and pulled away. I almost missed the words my love form on Daniel’s lips. My heart broke all over again as I watched him in the side mirror, and he disappeared from sight.

The silence was thick as Nicholas sped through the streets. His knuckles strained against the steering wheel, his chin taut and teeth clenched. He did not utter a word in the twenty-five minutes it took us to get back to the house.

He pulled into the garage and climbed from the car. Fear ran up my spine. I’d never been afraid of him before, but the look on his face told me it was time to start.

He said nothing as he opened my door, waiting for me to get out. The only sound was that of my heels clicking on the concrete floor as he followed me into the house.

“You f**king whore.” The words were control ed and menacing, making me stop mid-stride, and I slowly turned to him. He stared at me, and I felt the threat in his eyes. I didn’t back down. I was done. I would no longer all ow him this control over me. My face must have told him that very thing, because I heard the crack before I felt the sting on my face.