Unforeseen, page 12
“Norma and Dean, huh? I could’ve sworn you told me on the phone that you met with a group of women?” she questioned.
“Did I? I think you must’ve misunderstood me,” I said, burying myself further into the lie.
“Mommy,” Kaity said, tugging on the hem of my coat. “I thought Geema and Geepa said they were Penny and Dennis?”
“Penny and Dennis, huh?” Brooke said, twisting the corner of her mouth. “I’ve met Blake’s parents before. Really nice people.”
Knowing I’d been caught in a lie, I leaned my head back in frustration before my daughter unknowingly continued to dig my hole.
“Aunt Brookie, look what else!” Kaity beamed, rummaging through her bag, pulling out her new doll. “Look what Blake bought me in the Apple!”
“Wow! That’s a pretty nice present, Kaity. And, I think you mean the Big Apple,” Brooke said, her mouth turning into a smile.
“Oh yeah, why do they call it the Big Apple? Maybe they should call it the Big Banana instead. Bananas taste way better than apples,” she said innocently, as we both chuckled at her naivety.
“She’s not even five and she already loves the banana. I’m in big trouble,” I said as we both laughed.
“So, Cass, enough with the stories, when were you going to tell me that you saw Blake?”
“I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d make a bigger deal out of it than it was,” I lied, my eyes darting back and forth. If Brooke really knew the truth about Blake and me, she’d die because I hadn’t told her sooner. I knew that it was probably best to come clean now rather than dig myself into an even deeper hole, but I wanted to keep our relationship between the two of us to myself for just a bit longer. I was just hoping that my chatterbox daughter wouldn’t spill the beans before I was ready.
“You’re so full of shit!” Brooke exclaimed.
“Mommy, Aunt Brookie said a bad word,” Kaity squealed.
“Sorry, Princess. I should’ve said that your mommy was full of poop,” she said, correcting herself.
“It’s OK,” Kaity said, reaching for her tiny, purple suitcase as it came down the conveyor belt.
“Seriously, Brooke. We just had lunch. That’s all–it was nothing.”
“Yeah, you’re still lying to me. You’re doing that thing you always do with your eyes.”
“OK, he invited me over for dinner, too,” I confessed, already revealing more than I cared to.
“Did you kiss him?” she asked, obviously not letting this go.
“I’m done talking about this, Brooke. Let it go. Please,” I nearly begged.
“You so kissed him!” she squealed. “Oh my god, did you two have sex?” she questioned, whispering the last word.
“I said drop it!” I nearly yelled, causing a few people around us to turn in our direction.
“Fine, I will, but only because we’re in the middle of an airport. But, once we’re back in the car, you’re spilling it! All.of.it.” she said.
I sighed, knowing that this was a battle I was bound to lose. Collecting our luggage, we walked out into the short-term parking area, the frosty January air nearly taking my breath away. After loading our bags into the trunk and fastening Kaity into her booster seat, I slid into the passenger seat.
“Spill it,” Brooke said, turning to me before pulling out into traffic.
“OK, but you’re not going to be very happy with me,” I confessed.
“Well, I’m already not very happy with you. So, you might as well tell me everything.”
“Fine, Blake paid for our trip to New York. We took the kids sledding while he was here over Christmas, and he wanted to see me again. So, he came over on Christmas, and gave me the plane tickets.
“At first, I told him I couldn’t accept them, but he eventually wore me down. I’ve learned that he’s pretty good at that,” I said, smiling at his ability at doing that the night before, as he argued with me about spending the night together in the same bed.
Understanding that it wouldn’t be right for us to sleep in the same bed as he shared with Alyssa, he told Kaity that she could sleep in a king-sized bed all by herself. Kaity loved the idea, and begged me until I relented.
“Yep, you’re right. I’m definitely not very happy with you for keeping this from me! I thought we told each other everything, Cass!” she yelled.
“Can we go sledding again Mommy?” Kaity piped in from the back seat.
“Kaity, can you please put your headphones on so your Aunt Brooke and I can have an adult conversation, please?” I asked.
“But, I want to talk, too, Mommy!” she pouted.
“We’ll talk when we get home. Please do this for this time, OK?” I asked again.
“Fine,” she huffed, rummaging through her bag.
“Anyways, where were we?” I asked Brooke.
“I was telling you how much of a pain in the ass you were for not telling me about your love affair with my husband’s best friend,” she yelled, giving me the classic stink-eye.
“You’re being dramatic, and it’s hardly a love affair. Besides, it all just happened so fast. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen.” I said, leaning my head back in frustration.
“Wait, did this all start at my wedding? Has this been going on for months?” she asked.
“No!” I nearly screamed. “I promise it hasn’t been going on that long. He did ask me out at your wedding, but I told him no. I didn’t want to date and I told him that. Honestly, I still don’t know if I want to date. I’m so confused!”
“Are you two dating then?” she asked.
“Yeah, kinda. I told him I would try,” I said, shrugging. “It just sucks that he’s so far away.”
“Yeah, did he tell you that he was moving to D.C.?” Brooke asked.
“Yeah, he did. I also had to hear from him that my best friend might be adopting a baby!”
“I tried calling you, but you were avoiding me. I thought I’d done something to piss you off, but I now see that isn’t the case,” Brooke remarked, slyly.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve answered. If I’d had any idea that you were thinking about adoption then you know I would’ve answered. I want to hear all about it.”
“I don’t know much yet,” she said, biting down on her bottom lip–a nervous trait she’d done since we were kids. “We’re meeting with a social worker, who Rich knows, next week. I just want to be a mom, Cass. I can’t take this constant rejection month after month. It’s killing me, and Rich has been a mess, too.”
“I know, Brookie. But, you two are good, right? Don’t tell me that I have to kick Dick in the ass,” I said with a half-smile.
“No, he’s been great. I definitely wouldn’t be able to do this without him,” she said. “And, don’t think I didn’t notice you going and trying to change the subject on me. I still want to know more about you and Blake.”
“I’ve told you everything,” I said, knowing that I left out the little detail that we’d had sex.
“Everything?” she questioned, raising her brow.
“Yes, everything,” I lied again.
“You never did answer me when I asked you if you’d had s-e-x,” she said.
I stared at her, hoping against hope that she’d just drop it, but no such luck. “Well?” she asked again.
“Fine, we did. Twice actually. And, it was effing amazing. Probably the best I’ve ever had,” I confessed, her eyes practically popping out of her head at my candidness. “You happy now?”
“Holy shit! You and Blake, huh. You two are going to get married and have babies and live happily-ever-after just like you always dreamed about,” Brooke fantasized.
“You’re such a hopeless romantic. You know I don’t believe in that stuff anymore. This is probably nothing more than a fling. I mean he lives practically five-hundred miles away,” I sighed, wishing for a minute that Brooke’s dream for me was really a possibility.
“Mommy, if you’re having a baby does that mean I’ll be a big sister?” Kaity interrupted from the back seat.
I stared at Brooke a minute, trying to contain my laughter, before turning to answer my daughter, “Kaitlyn Olivia Carpenter, I thought I told you to put your headphones on?”
“But, I wanted to listen!” she cried.
“Headphones, now!” I yelled, as Brooke pulled into the driveway.
“Should I tell Kaity that since we’re home now, it probably doesn’t matter if she has her headphones on?” Brooke laughed.
After helping us unload our luggage, Brooke left saying she had some business to attend to before their meeting with the social worker next week. Even though she said we were good, I suspected she was still a little upset with me.
We’d been home for just a few minutes, when my phone dinged with an incoming text. I smiled seeing Blake’s name flash across my screen.
Blake: I heard you made it home safely. You could’ve given me a heads-up that you were going to let Brooke in on our little arrangement.
That little bitch had already blabbed everything to Rich. I shouldn’t be surprised, she’d always been horrible at keeping secrets. I was going to let her have it when I saw her next time.
Cass: Sorry, she knew something was going on the minute I stepped off the plane. I didn’t stand a chance, especially when she started using Kaity to her advantage. That little lady is trouble with a capital T. I take it Rich let you have it, too?
Blake: Yep, he called to give me shit. I mean we’re dudes so we don’t really get worked up about secrets and shit, but it still would’ve been nice to know it was coming. You know so we could get our stories straight.
Cass: Sorry, she must’ve literally told him the second after she dropped us off. I was going to call you in just a few minutes, I promise.
Blake: It’s fine, Carpenter. I’m not really upset. ;) And, as much as I’d love to hear your sexy-as-fuck voice, I’m actually about to leave on an assignment. I’ll call you later tonight?
Cass: I’ll be waiting, Mitchell. Oh, and, thanks for this weekend. We really did have a great time.
Blake: You’re welcome, Beautiful. I’ll talk to you later.
Cass: TTYL.
Cassidy
NEARLY A MONTH had passed since I’d last seen Blake in New York, and what a whirlwind of activity it had been since that time. Just a week after Rich and Brooke had met with their social worker, she’d asked them to consider fostering a three-year-old boy. The child’s mother had been killed in a car accident when he was just seven months old, and his father’s name wasn’t even listed on his birth certificate.
The boy’s mother had also been orphaned which left him without any known family members. He’d been in the care of a young couple for the last year. However, the husband received word of an out-of-town job transfer, and the two were expecting a child of their own. With the move, they were unable to take Brendan with them.
Because Rich had already started the fostering process weeks earlier, they were able to take Brendan into their home almost immediately. Knowing they wanted Brendan as a permanent part of their family, they’d already begun the formal adoption process. In just a few months, my best friend would finally be the mother that she so desperately wanted to be.
Also during the month, Blake had moved his family from New York to begin his position at the Post. I still secretly wished he’d been able to move closer to me, but I understood that this was in everyone’s best interest–except for mine.
Even though we Facetimed nearly every night, it wasn’t the same as having Blake with me in person. It was funny how I’d gone about life as a strong, independent woman for the last several years without as much as even thinking about a man in my life. Now, I couldn’t even reach something on the top shelf at the grocery store without thinking about how much easier it would be if Blake were with me.
And, I won’t even mention my increased sexual appetite since Blake had made me come not once, but three times that night. All I could think about since I left the Big Apple was my pussy riding Blake’s Big Cock. And, it was those very same fantasies to begin with that lead me to my most recent health crisis, if you could call it that.
I was blaming it all on the damn vibrator. My mother had been right all those years before. “Those damn things are nothing but trouble,” she’d say. I could hear her now, “You’re going straight to hell if you use one of those devil toys.”
I may not be going to hell, but I couldn’t walk either–all because I’d tripped over the fucking vibe. Now, I needed to seek medical attention as my ankle was already what could be called a cankle and was turning the deep purple color of an eggplant.
Writhing on the bedroom floor, I screamed out in pain hoping someone would hear me. Glancing at my window, I cringed remembering I’d closed it before embarking on my latest sexual escapade. I hadn’t wanted Fay, my much-too-nosey, elderly neighbor, hearing me climax. Now, I felt as though I might pass out, or worse, die on the bedroom floor. No one would even come to my rescue, if my screams couldn’t be heard. Instead, I was left hoping that the life insurance policy I’d taken out had a vibrator clause.
Crawling across the floor to reach the phone, I noticed Kaity standing in the doorway. My little angel–sent from heaven above to come rescue her mother! Little did I know then that she’d actually turn out to be my little devil in disguise.
“Kaity, can you please bring Mommy her phone? I need to call Aunt Brookie,” I asked.
“Are you OK, Mommy? I’m scared,” she confessed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Of course, I’m the one who wanted to cry, yet had to remain the calm, cool and collected one in order to ease her nerves. Damn you Brooke for rubbing your emotional side off on my daughter. You’d really think genetics would win out. Thanks for that, biology.
“I’ll be fine, Baby. I just need to call Auntie Brooke so she can take me to the doctor. Mommy has a big owie on her foot.”
“Oh, I’ll kiss it and make the owie go away like you always do for me!” she said, seemingly pleased with herself for thinking of such a cure.
“I’d love a kiss, Kaity, but I really think I need a doctor for this one. You remember, like the time a while back when your ear hurt so bad that even Mommy’s kisses couldn’t make it better?”
“Oh, I do remember. That’s the time we had to go to the big doctor’s office late at night. They gave me a grape sucker before we left there, right?” she said, rubbing her chin.
Jesus, sometimes my child just talked too damn much. In the time it took her to get me the damn phone, I could’ve limped my way to the emergency room.
“Yes, Baby, that’s right. Now can you please hand Mommy the phone?” I sighed.
Finally, with the phone in hand, I dialed Brooke. Luckily, she picked up on the first ring.
“Brooke, can you drive me to the ER? I think I broke my ankle,” I screeched.
“What? How’d you do that?” she asked.
“It’s not important. Just please hurry. It’s already been too long. At this rate, my bones will have fused back together and they’ll have to break them again at the hospital before inserting a titanium rod and six screws.”
“OK, drama queen. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but first I need to see if Rich can come home to stay with Brendan.”
“No! There’s no time! I may lose my foot!”
“Oh my god. You’re ridiculous. I’m on my way.”
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, a nurse finally called us back to an examining room. First she took my weight, which I totally didn’t think was necessary for this type of injury, and then my vitals after which we were stuck waiting again. With two adults and two children crammed into the tiny room, the walls were beginning to close in on me. If the doctor didn’t hurry, I’d be needing more than medical attention for my ankle.
“Seriously, if this doctor doesn’t hurry, I’m going to need mouth-to-mouth.”
“That can be arranged,” I heard a deep male voice respond.
Looking up, I suddenly forgot why I was at the hospital to begin with. The man was a vision in light green scrubs and white coat. Perfectly styled hair, bronze skin, glistening teeth, and a stethoscope neatly hanging around his thick neck. I immediately felt my lady bits tingle in the presence of Dr. Adonis.
“Blake,” Brooke coughed.
Glaring at her, I quickly turned my attention back to the doctor. After all, yes, I was committed to Blake, but that didn’t mean I was dead, or couldn’t window-shop. Besides, Blake lived in D.C. and since he’d just moved there he obviously didn’t have any intention of leaving anytime soon. And, it could be argued that it was because of Blake that I was sitting in the ER to begin with. But, that would remain my little secret.
“What’d you say, Doctor?” I asked, secretly hoping this was a dream and that he’d revive me with his lips.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Miss . . .” he said, looking down at my chart. “Miss Carpenter. I was talking to my nurse out in the hallway–that must’ve been what you overheard. What seems to be the problem today? Your chart here mentions your ankle?” he said, coming over to check my pulse.
“Yeah, I tripped and twisted my ankle. It’s turned a nasty shade of purple. I think it may be broken,” I sighed, trying to avoid the entire story.
“Mmmhmm,” he said, placing the stethoscope to my chest. “Please take a deep breath. OK, now exhale slowly.”
“Something wrong?” I asked, unsure as to why he was listening to my chest when I’d come in worried about my tibia.
“Just standard procedure,” he said. “When I came in the room, your pulse was racing so I just wanted to check things out.”
I blushed, hoping he wouldn’t realize it was the effect he was having on me. “Oh, I guess I’m just worried about what could be wrong?” I explained.
“OK, let’s take a look then,” he said, taking a seat on the rolling stool in front of the exam table.
“Of course,” I answered, rolling up my pant leg. I tried making it look sexy until I saw unshaved legs and my purple ankle that was now the size of a watermelon. Nothing could possibly make that look sexy.
