Marco (The Men of Indecent Exposure #1) (13 page)

“You took that the wrong way,” he said, trying to clean up his statement.

“No, I don’t think I did.”

He let out a breath and thought to himself. “It’s just that, from the outside looking in, you’re changing, softening toward this guy, and I’m not totally sure that’s the best thing. I mean… Brynn… he’s already made a fool of you once.”

My mouth fell open and I blinked hard, trying to make myself believe I’d just heard him right. Did he really just say that?

I crossed my arms over my chest and gave up fighting the anger boiling inside me. “Good to know what you think of me.”

Trying not to get upset, I did my best not to think the worst of Naseem right now, but that was much easier said than done considering what he just said to me. This was all coming from a place of jealousy, not out of concern like he was trying to pass it off. Nothing I said should’ve given him the impression that Marco was anything but trustworthy. And a fool? I didn’t look at myself that way and it honestly hurt that Naseem did.

It hurt bad.

He took a step closer and I felt the corner of my eyes sting. There was no way I’d let him see my cry, though.

“I’m just saying that this,” he started, gesturing toward my stomach, “this isn’t you. You’re not the woman who ends up in this situation. The Brynn I know is smart, on top of her game, and… and… doesn’t let life just happen to her.”

He kept on with the verbal daggers, but with the gentle tone he used, I don’t even know if he realized how bad this all sounded.

Aside from being hurt, I was disappointed that he’d pass his insecurities off as something of substance. Yes, Marco probably did seem like he came into my life out of the blue, but he and I were now tied together indefinitely. Anyone who wanted to be in my circle would have to realize that. Naseem included, although, right now I wasn’t so sure I wanted him around.

Getting involved with someone
was nowhere near being high on my list of priorities at the moment, but I wasn’t about to promise Naseem that I wouldn’t change my mind about that. He was out of line to even bring it up. Was I defensive? Hell yes, I was, but only because he backed me into a corner.

Naseem ran a hand through his hair and wouldn’t look me right in my eyes, no doubt sensing that he’d upset me. “I didn’t mean for the conversation to go this way,” he started. “I just felt like it would’ve been negligent of me as a friend if I didn’t speak up.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Well… I definitely heard you,” I replied. “Loud and clear.”

“Don’t you think it’s possible that he knows you’re vulnerable right now?” he scoffed. “Isn’t it possible he’d use that to his advantage to get close to you?”

I heard enough. All I told Naseem was that Marco had been to my appointments and that he was a nice guy. Those details didn’t warrant…
this.
And I definitely didn’t deserve being the target of whatever negativity seemed to be consuming him today. Contrary to what he seemed to believe, I wasn’t Marco’s doormat. He wasn’t taking advantage of me in any way and Naseem had no right to make these assumptions.

“Brynn, all I’m trying to say is—”

I put my hand up, halting him. “I got what you were trying to say. I think you should go.”

He had me frustrated and I wasn’t blaming this on hormones. I had every right to feel some type of way about him calling me out. The bottom line was I’d pulled the plug on whatever we had going almost as soon as I found out I was expecting. Mostly, I did that to avoid situations such as these. I wanted the boundaries with Naseem to be clear, but mostly I wanted to make sure he didn’t get hurt. Therefore, he had no right to question me on
anything.
Not even Marco, although there technically wasn’t anything to question me about.

Bottom line: my business is my business. Not Naseem’s or anyone else’s.

The things he said hit me hard, so I made my goodbye quick and then went inside the house.

Maybe I’d been naïve to think this could all work out without me losing him.

*****

Deep breath…

Deep breath…

The phone rang and I counted the seconds as I waited for my brother to answer. The walk with Naseem had calmed my nerves a little this evening, although the conversation afterward had gotten me riled up again. Still, this talk with Cedric needed to happen and the sooner the better.

Part of me wished I’d gone ahead and let Mona tell him herself, but then again, I knew it’d be better coming from me.

“Hey, Sis. What’s up?”

I took another breath. “Hey, you busy?”

Papers rustled in the background and I knew the answer to my question was
‘yes’
, although Cedric’s response was, “Nope. What’s going on?”

Chances are, he’d just put aside an important case for me, putting his client’s needs on ice so I could vent. He was like my father in that way and many others. Both were high-powered, respected attorneys and family came first with my father, too. No matter what he had going on, he always made time for my mom, Cedric, and I.

I plopped down on the couch when I got tired of pacing.

“Uh oh,” came my brother’s voice. “What’d you do?”

The question reminded me of when we were kids and I’d come into the room sniffing back tears, a sure sign I’d gotten in trouble by one of our parents for cutting up. I burst out laughing at the memory and so did Cedric.

“Nothing,” I answered, grinning. A moment passed and he stayed quiet, I’m guessing because he knew that wasn’t the whole truth.

‘Stop stalling and just spit it out!’
I thought to myself.

“Okay,” I blurted. “There’s something I need to tell you, so just… let me get it all out before you say anything.”

Cedric stayed silent on the other end of the line and I imagined the stoic expression he wore while listening.

“You’re gonna be an uncle!” I forced out and then bit my nails while waiting for him to say something.

“As in… you adopted a puppy?” he asked.

I huffed and felt my shoulders slump. “No, as in… I’m having a baby.”

My brother and I were both raised to be responsible, productive human beings. As the children of a prominent lawyer and a respected college professor, we were taught to be mindful of our actions and their consequences. For that reason, Ced and I rarely did anything even remotely reckless, so it didn’t surprise me that my brother was at a loss for words right now.

“If this is a joke, it’s not funny,” was his response.

“I wouldn’t play like that.”

He fell silent again and I wondered what he must be thinking.

“Wow… I… Brynn…”

I didn’t say a word as I held the phone.

“You’re… Does Mona know yet?”

I sank back into the couch. “I told her when I first found out. The only reason I waited to tell you is because I… I couldn’t figure out how to say it.”

“When you first found out?” he asked, sounding concerned now. “Exactly how long have you been keeping this from me?”

Ugh… he spoke as if he was grilling a witness on the stand and I hated the sound of it.

“A couple months ago.”

“A couple…” He paused to calm himself. “Brynn, how far along are you?” His voice was still raised a little, in true big brother-fashion.

I chewed the side of my lip and braced myself for his response. “Far enough along to know I’m having a girl.”

A door or something slammed in the background and my heart raced as I pictured him closing himself inside his home office for privacy, apparently not wanting Mona to hear him rip into me.

“It’s Naseem’s?” he asked curtly, assuming he was the father seeing as how the chemistry between us was common knowledge.

I shook my head. “No… not Naseem. You don’t know the guy.”

Ced sighed into the phone. “How long have you been seeing him?”

And now the fun began…

“Well, here’s the thing,” I explained, letting a nervous laugh slip. “I’m…
not
… seeing him. We just—”

“This was just some random hookup?”

I made a face Ced dubbed
‘the oops face’
, one I’d been making since I was a kid when I’d mess up. “Kinda.”

Another heavy sigh meant he was upset.
Really
upset. I fully expected the initial shock to throw him for a loop, so I just sat there and let him have his moment. With only two years between us, my brother and I were close, so I knew him like the back of my hand. For instance, I pictured him sitting in his high-back, brown, leather chair, massaging his temples as he wondered how I’d gotten myself into this.

“I’m fine, Ced. Seriously.”

“You’re
not
fine,” he countered.

I didn’t say anything back.

“You’re not even with this guy. How are you…” he paused again and I heard him mumbling, talking himself down before going on. “You don’t know this guy. How’re you supposed to do this alone? No help. No family.” I was just getting ready to interrupt to let Ced know that while, no, Marco and I weren’t together, I was confident I wouldn’t be doing this alone. However, he cut in again before I had the chance to speak. “Come to Atlanta. Stay with Mona and I. We can help you.”

I made a face, remembering when my sister-in-law and best friend had made the same suggestion. “Ced, I’m a grown woman. I can handle this on my own. Trust me,” I insisted. “The only reason I was hesitant to tell you was because I didn’t feel like explaining my connection to the father, but I don’t need to move. He’s not some deadbeat.” I thought of the positive interaction Marco and I have had lately and honestly felt at peace. “He’s a good guy.”

“A good guy,” Ced repeated with a huff. “I need to meet him, or at
least
talk to him—see what he’s about.”

I nodded again. “He already said he’d like to do that,” I replied, hoping Ced would realize Marco wasn’t some coward. He had every intention to gain my brother’s trust and respect.

My brother had fought several of my battles, emotionally and physically. As each other’s only blood relative, we were inexplicably protective of one another. He’d roughed up a few guys in the past who broke my heart. The suit and tie he wore Monday through Friday came off quickly if someone crossed me. However, this wasn’t one of those cases. I didn’t need my big brother to come to my rescue.

“I hear you,” he finally muttered.

I smiled a little. “Good.”

My eyes lifted to the ceiling when I leaned my head against the back cushion, feeling relieved for having gotten this over with.

“So… a girl, huh?” Cedric reiterated. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was calming down a bit.

My smile broadened. “Yup.”

He thought quietly on the other end. “Wow… the first baby of the family.”

With it only being the two of us and no cousins to speak of, Cedric was right. My daughter would be the first little one since Ced and I. I tried to imagine what she’d look like, blending Marco’s attractive features with mine, smiling to myself.

“Well, just prepare yourself for some hardcore smothering when Mona and I meet her,” he said, making me laugh a little.

“I welcome it.”

He laughed, too, and all felt right again.

There was a brief pause and then Ced came back with his offer. “I need you to make me a promise, though.” His voice was somber, but not angry.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Promise me you’ll keep Atlanta in mind. If things get too hard; if this guy doesn’t come through for you. I know he’s talking a good game for
now
, but no one will take care of you like family, Brynn. Don’t forget that.”

When I didn’t answer, he called my name and made me promise I wouldn’t rule it out as a possibility. The situation with St. Ann’s and my contract popped into my head and so did Mona’s previous invitation to move me in if things didn’t pan out well. So, while I wasn’t expecting Marco to flake on me, there were other possible causes for relocation, other outside influences that could eventually force my hand.

“I’ll keep it in mind,” was all I said back. My eyes went to the clock on my bookcase and I let my brother’s words settle on my heart, but hopefully, it would never come to that.

Brynn

Scrolling through my email messages had become my daily lunch routine. Desperation was setting in as I waited to hear back from even one of the schools I’d applied with. No one emailed, no one called, and I was running out of time.

At five months in, even walking the halls made me nervous. This pregnancy was becoming harder to hide by the day and I wasn’t even sure I was still hiding it all that well. There’d been a couple awkward glances at my stomach when I couldn’t wiggle my way out of small talk with other staff members. I’d resorted to keeping folders in my hands or my purse—anything I could use as a shield just in case I needed a quick cover. I wouldn’t be able to keep this up much longer. Something had to give.

“All right. Pass your papers to the end of your row and I’ll come by to pick them up,” I announced, preparing to collect the last assignment for the day.

My class was amazing this year, which was a blessing in disguise. I definitely knew how to handle difficult kids, but I was eternally grateful that wasn’t the case this time around. Each one of them was well behaved and respectful—a lot coming from a room full of six-year olds.

“Here you go, Ms. Palmer,” came a small voice, that of my little savior, Izzy. Before I could even get out of my seat, she’d gone around and collected the papers so I wouldn’t have to.

I smiled at her and at that very moment, a gentle inward thump startled me and I placed a hand on my stomach. Apparently, my expression changed and concerned Izzy because she quickly asked if I was okay.

Not wanting to alarm her, I forced a smile. “Yes, sweetheart, I’m fine. Why don’t you go to your seat and get your things together. It’s almost time to go home.”

Being the good girl she is, I didn’t have to tell her twice. After telling the others to get ready for dismissal as well, I touched my stomach again, feeling another gentle bump when I did.

She was moving and I could finally feel her.

Without giving it a second thought, I pulled out my phone and scrolled to Marco’s name. Since the ultrasound almost four weeks ago to the date, we’d talked every day. Mostly they were just quick check-ins, asking how I was feeling and if I needed anything, but sometimes we’d chat about other things—how our day had been, stuff like that. Although, I got the impression his weekend social calendar was pretty full because he was nearly impossible to get on the phone on those nights. It was perfectly fine if he dated around a lot. I had no right to mind, but it was kind of strange to think of it.

Did he tell these women about his situation? That he has a child on the way?

Or maybe he typically did the one-night stand thing… like when
we
hooked up.

Realizing I was giving his personal life
way
too much thought, I dismissed it all and sent the text I set out to send in the first place.

‘
She just kicked
!’ was all it said, but apparently that was enough to get him excited.

‘You serious? Was it only once?’
he asked.

I smiled, imagining him doing the same.
‘Twice. While I was talking to one of my students.’

While waiting for him to text again, I placed my hand on my stomach. It had started to tighten just a bit the past few weeks, but because I wasn’t exactly thin to begin with, it was still relatively soft. Thoughts filled my head of being at the end of this and
looking
like I was at the end.

‘I’m so mad I missed it,’
Marco said back.
‘I’ll have to see if I can sweet-talk her into doing it again when I’m around.’

I laughed and tapped out my message.
‘Oh, I’m sure this is just the beginning. There will be plenty of other opportunities.’

I set my phone down for a moment to quiet my class when their volume rose a little. They got back on task as they slipped their bags onto their backs and lined up at the door. Before walking them to their respective posts—for some the bus loading zone, for others the parent pick-up area—I checked Marco’s last text.

‘Thank you for sharing this. It means a lot being able to know every single milestone our little girl reaches.’

My heart… it melted when I read that.

Something I’d come to learn about Marco is that family is high on his list of priorities. Hearing him speak about his sisters made me almost envious that I hadn’t come from a large family like he did. The more I got to know him, the more I understood him. No, we didn’t choose to be here, but honestly? I found myself worrying less and less about the kind of father my daughter would have. Marco’s promise to be there for her no longer felt empty, no longer felt like a clichéd statement meant to serve as a temporary appeasement. No, it felt real. Deep down in my heart I knew he wouldn’t let her,
or
me, down. And for the first time in a long time, I was on cloud nine.

But I suppose it’s true what they say: all good things must come to an end. I knew that was exactly what had happened when my classroom phone rang on the far wall; my good day was coming to an abrupt end. Before even answering, I knew things were about to change, and not in a good way. The clock had wound down for me and I hadn’t even had time to secure my safety net.

My cover was blown.

*****

Marco

On nights I had to perform, I typically sat in the car for a few before going inside. Those last moments of silence helped me clear my head, helped me get into character, but today, my mind wasn’t on work. I stared at the grainy images I kept over the visor, the place I put them weeks ago after the ultrasound. Today, hearing from Brynn that my little
princessa
was kicking and moving around in there… I couldn’t stop looking at the only pictures I had of her for now. Soon, she’d be here in the flesh, though, and I couldn’t wait to hold her.

It would’ve been nice to stop by Brynn’s to feel the baby move for myself, but I couldn’t pass up the money I’d make here tonight, especially not with the new addition on the way. Glancing down at the clock, I tried Brynn as was my routine
every
weekend lately. Because she wouldn’t be able to reach me after a certain time, I’d call her to check in, and then I put my phone away for the night.

She didn’t pick up, so I assumed she was busy. After all, it
was
Friday night. She could’ve been out. A thought occurred to me—that she might be out with a guy. She mentioned seeing someone when we met at the restaurant when this whole thing jumped off, but she downplayed it. While I couldn’t imagine a lot of guys getting involved with a pregnant woman, I realized it wasn’t impossible. If she explained that we’re only friends at best, maybe someone would still want to give it a shot.

Wasn’t my business, though, so I stopped thinking about it and got out of the car, headed for the back door.

Bass pulsed through the sound system, filling the empty club as the DJ did a sound check. When I pulled in, there was already a line of women wrapped around the building and we didn’t even open for an hour. Because of my schedule, I didn’t get to assist with all the promoting most of the other guys had been doing, but they clearly did one hell of a job without me.

Lately, I’d started to feel like I was spreading myself too thin—working both jobs, tending to my rental properties when necessary, and keeping up with my family. It wasn’t lost on me that my time would become even more strained once Brynn delivered. I wouldn’t let this job or anything else stop me from getting to know my daughter. The thought had crossed my mind that it might be time to cut my time here back to every other weekend, instead of being here whenever the doors opened. I hadn’t known of anyone else to only perform part-time, but hopefully being one of the dancers here with the most time in, Ivy would let me work something out. She wasn’t as understanding as her old man was, but I wouldn’t know the outcome until I asked.

I pulled my duffle bag higher on my shoulder and turned the knob to the changing room, walking in on the middle of a conversation I wished I hadn’t.

“Then, the next thing I know, the chick is like… deep-throating my dick while her mom is all over my balls.” Dennis, the new kid on the block with only six months under his belt, explained. Seemed like he always came in here with grandiose stories about his sex-capades, thinking we lived for updates about who did what to his dick this week. We were all pretty sure that 99.99% of his stories were bogus, but Justin was usually pretty good about calling him on his bull.

“Yeah, okay,” he commented back just as I thought his name. There was an air of disbelief in his tone and I was sure Dennis hadn’t missed it. I glanced over to find that Justin had tried a new tattoo on for size, this time a spider on his neck and it looked dumb as hell. I laughed to myself and did the combination to my lock.

“No way you banged that girl
and
her mom. You’re lyin’,” Carlos chimed in, dropping down onto the couch with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Hold on. Are you talking about the mother/daughter duo who came in last week?” I asked, only remembering the two of them because the mom made a spectacle of herself. She was one of those women who clearly hadn’t accepted she wasn’t nineteen anymore, so she compensated by acting younger than her daughter who came to celebrate her twenty-first birthday.

Dennis nodded, glaring at Justin and Carlos when he did. “Yeah… them,” he confirmed.

My face twisted at the visual of the pair that popped into my head—that of a huge cold sore on Mom’s lip. Seeing the look, Logan grumbled a laugh. Dennis let out a heavy breath and let his age show by getting frustrated. We
all
reamed each other, gave one another a hard time whenever we had the chance, but he always took it personally.

“You know what? Think whatever you want,” he damn-near whined. Slamming his locker shut, he stormed off and left the changing room altogether. Where he planned to go, half-naked with a bowtie around his neck, I had no clue, but now that he was gone Carlos spoke freely.

“So, how’s ‘
the
baby
mama
’?”

Justin let out a laugh and I found my black briefs in the bottom of my bag. I’d need them for the opening act.

“Brynn’s fine,” I answered, correcting the way he addressed her.

Carlos put his hands up. “My bad. No need to get defensive,” he said with a grin.

I was anything but defensive, taking his words in stride. Making my way to the far end of the room, I utilized one of several narrow, curtain-covered stalls we used to change. Coming out of my jeans and t-shirt, I removed my boxers last. The black briefs I pulled on were special made, leaving the material of the crotch less constricting than normal ones. The idea was that, when we moved,
everything
moved, giving the women the show they came here to see. I got myself straight and went back out with the guys after pulling on a robe.

Before I could get there, my phone sounded off with a text message. Justin, having absolutely no shame, picked it up from the table where I left it.

“Who the hell’s Elena?” he blurted, telling my business without hesitation.

I snatched my cell from him and checked the message:
‘I hope you don’t mind, but I’m in town handling a few things and I thought I’d come see you tonight since I’m here.’

Ignoring the questioning stares of the guys, I responded.
‘Wow, I wish I could, but I’m working the club.’

Justin raised an eyebrow when I finally looked his way again. However, before he could get the words out to get in my business again, Carlos cut in.

“Hold up… Elena,” he said to himself, thinking. And then it hit him. “Elena from The Ward? The one who used to live around the corner from your parents’ old house?”

It didn’t surprise me that he remembered. He’d been there to witness most of the incidents when I embarrassed myself trying to get with her.

I nodded, letting him know this was the same Elena. Right after that, my phone went off again when she responded.

‘I know,’
she said first, adding,
‘My plan was to come there to check you out. I’m bringing my girls. Unless this all makes you uncomfortable.’