The Ex Games #3

Chapter 5

Katie



Sleep eluded me as I lay in bed. I stared at the clock on the nightstand and sighed. It was four a.m. I still had four hours before Brandon was going to pick me up and take me to meet Harry.

"Harry," I said slowly in the dark. "Harry," I said again and smiled. I was going to meet my son. My son.

It didn't even seem real. I was scared and I was excited, both at he same time. He was a little over six years old now. My heart broke as I thought about the six years of his life I had lost. Six years I would never get back. Six years Brandon had devoted to him. Our son.

I didn't know how to think about Brandon anymore. I still loved him; I knew I probably would always love him. But I wasn't sure I could deal with his style of crazy. He was too hard for me to figure out and his actions were too extreme. I cringed as I thought about the incident in the bar. I could still remember the hot burn on my face as I had made eye contact with the bartender. He had looked disgusted and shocked, so different than the teasing sweetness of the previous two days.

What Brandon had done was unacceptable. But his revelation after the incident had taken my breath away. I couldn't believe that he had known all this time that we'd had a baby. That he was now raising our baby. My hand flew to my mouth as I cried out. He wasn't a baby anymore. I didn't have a baby. He was a young boy. I'd missed the first years of his life. I felt tears forming in my eyes as I thought about everything I'd lost.

Beep beep.

My phone went off and I grabbed it quickly.

"Hey." It was Brandon.

I texted back quickly. "Hey."

"What are you doing?"

"Sleeping."

"Want to talk?"

"No."

"I can't sleep."

"That sucks for you."

"I'm thinking about what an ass I am.”

"Good for you."

“My fingers are getting tired typing. Can I call you?"

I lay there staring at the phone. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn't.

"Did I lose you? :(" he texted back again and I smiled.

"No, I'm still sleep-texting."

"I knew you were smart :)"

"I did go to Columbia, you know!"

"I know. A little birdie told me."

"Haha."

"What are you wearing?"

"Nothing."

"What? I want a photo."

"I meant none of your business."

"Not fair."

"What are you wearing?" I shook my head as I typed.

"Boxers."

"Oh."

"I can send you a pic if you want! :) :)"

"I don't want."

":("

I snuggled into the sheets and smiled as I waited for his next text. I held the phone in my hands eagerly and felt my smile fade as I realized that he might not text me back again.

Beep beep.

"Miss me yet?"

"No." I smiled to myself again.

"You have to admit that it was slightly hot."

"It was not hot." I glared at the phone.

"I made you come."

"You always make me come!"

"Score 1 for me. :)"

"Idiot."

"I love you."

"I'm going back to sleep now. Bye." I put the phone down and closed my eyes. My heart was beating fast as I thought about his words. I picked the phone back up and stared at the screen. I didn't know what to think or feel. Did he really love me?

Then the phone rang and I bit my lower lip. I didn't know whether or no I should answer.

"I thought you weren't going to answer." His voice was soft as he spoke into the phone.

“I guess you thought wrong,” I whispered into the phone and closed my eyes.

“You sound sexy when you’re sleeping.”

“Really?” I giggled and faked a snore.

“That’s even sexier.”

“You’re not allowed to call me sexy.”

“Is it too soon?”

“Huh?”

“I guess I’m still in trouble. I’ll save the sexy talk for next week.”

“You’ll still be in trouble next week, Brandon.” I shook my head. “I’m still mad at you.”

“You can’t stay mad at me.”

“You think?”

“I hope.” His voice was warm and husky. “I wish I were with you right now.”

“So you can make love to me again?”

“No. So I can hold you in my arms and kiss you.”


“Uh huh.”

“And smell you.”

“Smell me?” I frowned and lifted my arm up to see if my armpit smelled.

“You always smell like gardenias.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Really?” I sniffed again and all I could smell was a faint sniff of the popcorn I’d made when I got home.

“Yeah. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m home.”

“Oh.” My heart melted at his words. “I’m still mad at you.”

“I’m excited for you to meet, Harry.” His tone changed. “I think you’ll like him.”

“I’m a bit scared,” I admitted honestly. “What if he doesn’t like me?”

“He’ll like you,” Brandon laughed. “Don’t be scared.”

“I’ve never been around little kids before,” I mumbled, though that wasn’t what was worrying me. I was scared that I wouldn’t feel anything for him. I was scared I would see him and it would be as if I were looking at just another child. And even worse, I was scared we wouldn’t have any sort of connection.

“You will be a natural.”

“I hope so.” I yawned.

“I should let you sleep.” Brandon sounded sad. “It’s late.”

“Just a few more minutes,” I mumbled, not wanting to get off of the phone as yet.

“You never answered me, you know.”

“Answered what?”

“I told you I loved you.” He sounded unsure of himself. “You didn’t say anything.”

“I didn’t know what to say,” I answered honestly, feeling confused.

“You think I’m a jerk.” He sighed. “I’m not perfect, Katie. I’ve made my mistakes.”

“You can say that again.” I rolled my eyes in the dark at his words and turned over in the bed.

“I’m glad you answered the phone.” His voice was soft again. “I needed to hear your voice tonight. I couldn’t sleep. I needed to know you would still talk to me.”

“I don’t hate you, Brandon.” I sighed. “I just don’t want anything from you.”

“You think I’m an egomaniac.”

“I know you’re an egomaniac.”

“I suppose it doesn’t help if I tell you I want to make you come.”

“What?” I gasped into the phone.

“I want you to fall asleep thinking about me inside of you.” His voice was silky. “I want to make you come.”

“Well, it’s a pity you’re not here,” I murmured into the phone as I imagined him kissing my neck. I let out a little whimper as I imagined him playing with my breasts at the same time.

“What are you doing?” His voice was alert and I knew he had heard my whimper.

“Nothing.”

“Play with yourself for me.”

“No.” I shook my head, but my hands rubbed my stomach.

“I’m thinking about you right now,” He whispered into the phone. “I’m imagining your hands soft and cold on my cock, gliding up and down slowly, trying to tease me. I’m imagining your mouth taking over for your hands and your lips sucking down on me, tasting me and biting me lightly.” He groaned and I froze as I listened to him.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, waiting for him to continue. His talk was making me feel horny and I shifted in the bed uncomfortably.

“Nothing,” he groaned. “It can wait.”

“Okay.” I was disappointed that he had stopped before he had really gotten started.

“I’m not going to have phone sex with a girl who’s sleeping,” he joked into the phone. “I want you to remember me in the morning.”

“Uh huh.”

“But don’t worry, it will be your face I picture when we get off the phone.”

“What?” I squeaked out.

“Nothing, beautiful Katie,” he sighed. “Get some sleep. I’ll be picking you up in a few hours.”

“Okay,” I sighed, not wanting to get off of the phone.

“What’s wrong?” he questioned me and I was quiet. “Katie.”

“Nothing.”

“Do you want me to stay on the phone?” he whispered.

“No,” I lied.

“I remember when we first started dating. You always wanted me to stay on the phone with you.” He laughed. “I’m not sure how either of us got anything done with all those marathon calls.”

“We didn’t have that many,” I giggled as I remembered those first days.

“We spoke on the phone every night. You talked my ear off going on about books and TV shows.” He laughed. “But it was all worth it when I heard your sweet little snores as you fell asleep.”

“I don’t snore.”

“I’m afraid you do.”

“No one has ever told me I snored,” I protested.

“How many men have you slept with?” His tone changed, and I could hear the jealousy. I felt all warm inside as he spoke and I knew that I was just as dysfunctional as him.

“I’m not answering the question.”

“I know the answer already,” he laughed.

“You’re a creep.”

“I didn’t stop you from dating anyone.”

“I know,” I sighed. “Do you ever think about the days before we broke up? The days before I moved in? The first days?”

“All the time.”

“They were good, weren’t they?”

“The very best.”

“Thank you for taking Harry,” I whispered.

“I love you, Katie.” His voice was stronger this time. “And I love Harry more than life itself.”

“You’re a good dad.”

“I got one thing right.” He sighed. “Stay the night tomorrow.”

“No.”

“Think about it.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it.”

“Sweet dreams, Katie.”

“Sweet dreams, Brandon.” I waited for him to hang up before I put down the phone. “You’re still there,” I whispered, and he laughed.

“I’m hoping I get to hear the snores of an angel again.”

“You want me to fall asleep on the phone?”

“I want you to fall asleep in my arms, but the phone will have to do tonight.”

“Night, Brandon.” I closed my eyes and snuggled into my pillow, the phone pressed against me ear. I lay there listening to the sound of his breathing and it comforted me. Before I knew it, I had fallen into a deep sleep and I had dreams filled with Brandon, me, and babies.



***

“Don’t worry, Katie. It’ll be fine.” Brandon squeezed my hand as we walked up to the front door of his dad’s house. “Just remember, don’t tell him you’re his mom, please. I don’t want to shock him.”

“I won’t tell him.” I nodded. I felt hurt that Brandon didn’t want Harry to know right away, but I understood slightly. “Who does he think Maria is to him?” I frowned as we waited at the door.

“He’s only known Maria for the last year or so. She moved in fairly recently.” Brandon sighed. “He thinks she is his babysitter.”

“Oh.” I bit my lower lip to stop from saying anything else.

“Hello,” a sweet older lady said when she answered the door. She had platinum blond hair and a big red smile. “Brandon, you’re here early.” She gave him a hug and then looked at me.


“This is my friend, Katie, Verna.” He introduced us, and the lady known as Verna looked me over with knowing eyes.

“Katie, this is my father’s girlfriend, Verna.”

“Nice to meet you.” I reached over to shake her hand, but she gave me a hug instead.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, my girl.” She smiled at me happily. “You have such pretty brown eyes.”

I smiled back at her, appreciating her warmth to me, and was about to speak when I saw a little boy darting to the door.

“Daddy!” He ran into Brandon’s arms, grinning. “I’m having pancakes.”

“I can see that,” Brandon replied with a smile, and we all laughed as Harry’s face was covered in syrup.

“Do you want some pancakes, Dad?” Harry grinned and then looked at me. “Hello, I’m Harry.”

“Hi, Harry. I’m Katie.” I choked up slightly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Do you like to play video games?” He studied my face for a few moments.

“I’m not terribly good, but I do enjoy some.”

“Then come and play Mario Kart with me. It’s fine ‘cause Grandad said I could play,” he quickly added as he looked at his dad, and I laughed. I tried not to stare at him like a crazy woman, but I couldn’t stop myself from studying him.

He was a gorgeous little boy and looked like a mini-Brandon but with my big brown eyes. His hair was dirty blond and he had a round little face that looked very dirty at the moment. Though I had a feeling that his face was always slightly dirty. His cheeks were rosy and red and he was a little plump, with his round little belly—probably from playing too many video games.

“Or we could play basketball or soccer.” I smiled at him, thinking that it was time to introduce some sports into his life. I laughed inside at my maternal instincts and I saw Brandon giving me a side stare.

“I want to play basketball!” He jumped up and down. “I wanna be just like Kobe Bryant when I grow up.”

“Oh?” I nodded at him and smiled. “He’s a good player, all right.” I knew the name, but I had no idea what basketball team he played for, and I was praying that Harry wouldn’t ask me.

“Or Lebron James.” He grinned. “I could be Lebron James as well.”

“Well, right now you’re going to be the little boy who goes and cleans his face.” Brandon interrupted us and we all walked into the house. “Go and get cleaned up, Harry. Katie and I are taking you out.”

“YES!” He pumped his fist. “McDonalds time.”

“No, Harry.” He shook his head and laughed. “I thought we could all go to a museum or something.”

“Boring.” Harry made a face. “I don’t wanna go to a museum.”

“Don’t be rude.” Brandon gave him a small stare and I turned my face away to stop from laughing. Brandon was a wonderful father, but it was a bit weird watching him in that role.

“I’m being honest.” Harry shrugged and smiled at me. “You know that, right, Katie?”

“Yes, I do think you’re being honest.”

“See.” He grinned at his dad.

“What would you like to do, Harry?” I asked him softly, and he turned to look at me with big adoring eyes. I thought my heart melted right then and there.

“I wanna go McDonalds and to a movie and maybe to a toy store to get some new Legos or a new game for my Wii. And then I wanna go and get some candy.” He paused for a second. “But not Reese’s Pieces. I don’t like Reese’s.

“Neither do I,” I laughed happily, and Brandon gently smiled at me.

“He favors his mother in a lot of ways,” He whispered in my ear. “Brown eyes, doesn’t like Reese’s, likes to have his own way too much.” I gave him a quick look and he grinned at me before turning back to our son. “Harry, go and get cleaned up and come back downstairs please.”

“Yes, Dad.” Harry ran off and Verna turned to us both.

“You make a lovely couple.” She smiled but walked off before I was able to deny he comment.

“She thinks we’re together,” I groaned and looked at Brandon.

“So?” He shrugged.

“But we’re not.”

“Yet.” He smiled slowly and pulled me toward him. He kissed me lightly on the nose and then on the lips. “I enjoyed falling asleep with you last night.”

“Uh huh.” I blinked up at him, my heart beating fast.

“Falling asleep with someone is so much more intimate than having sex with them,” he whispered in my ear.

“You think so?” I smiled up at him. “Then I guess you never want to sleep with me again?”

“Don’t be funny,” he laughed as his hands caressed my ass. “If we weren’t in my dad’s house right now, I’d be f*cking you right here.”

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow. “And it’s only because we’re in your dad’s house? I thought you got off on public sex.”

“Argh.” He groaned and his hands massaged my shoulders. “Okay, I’d f*ck you here in a minute if Harry weren’t here.”

“I knew it.”

“Does it make you feel better that you’re right?” he whispered against my lips, and I leaned in and kissed him hard; this time I was going to turn him on in an awkward place. I slipped my tongue into his mouth and nibbled on his lower lip before pressing my breasts against his chest and reaching down and squeezing his hardening cock.

“Shit, Katie,” he groaned against me as I unzipped him, slipped my hand inside his pants, and ran my fingers lightly over his cock. He gasped at my touch and I smiled as I continued to kiss him. As soon as I heard footsteps coming, I withdrew my hand and walked over to look at some paintings on the wall.

“Ready!” Harry ran back to the entryway and I smiled at him widely as Brandon quickly zipped himself back up.

“Well, that was fast, son.” Brandon’s voice was tight, and he gave me a look filled with such lust and desire that my panties grew wet.

“Let’s go play.” Harry grabbed my hand. “Bye, Grandpa. Bye, Grandma Verna.”

“Where’s your dad?” I asked Brandon, surprised I hadn’t met him.

“I think he’s still in bed.” He laughed. “Verna spoils him and serves him breakfast in bed every morning.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Let’s go.” Harry pulled me towards the front door.

“Don’t squeeze Katie’s hand off, Harry,” Brandon chuckled as we walked through the front door.

“I’m not.” He laughed and smiled up at me. “I’m not hurting you, am I, Katie?”

“No, Harry.” I smiled down at him with love in my eyes. “You’re not hurting me at all.”



***

“Go up and have a bath, Harry. I’ll be up in fifteen minutes to read you a bedtime story.”

“Yes, Dad.” Harry yawned and looked over at me. “Will I see you tomorrow, Katie?”

“If you want to.” I smiled at him happily. We’d had a long day, taking him to a children’s museum and then to a late lunch and back home to watch a movie together. It had been such a great day. I was a little sad that it was over.

“Yeah, let’s go to McDonalds tomorrow.”

“I don’t know about McDonalds,” I laughed, “but I’m sure we can think of something to do.”


“Okay.” Harry ran up the stairs, and Brandon came and sat next to me on the couch.

“You’re good with him.” He stared into my eyes. “You make a good mother.”

“I don’t know about all that.” I made a face and looked around the living room. “I love your house. I didn’t know you had a brownstone.”

“I bought it after I got Harry.” He shrugged. “I still have the apartment though. It’s still intact from the days we lived together.”

“How did you get Harry?” I bit my lip, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking the question that had been on my mind for so long. “The adoption agency told me it was a closed adoption, but a couple in Connecticut were adopting him.”

“The lady in charge of the adoption agency is an advocate for fathers’ rights.” His voice was low. “I went in and told her that I was the father and they didn’t have my permission. We got a blood test done and I took him home.”

“They can do that?”

“When you have money, you can get a lot of things pushed through quickly.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t going to let my son be raised by strangers.”

“You think I’m horrible, don’t you?”

“No, you were just young.” He shook his head and sat back. “There are so many things I think we both would have done differently if we had it to do over.” He sighed. “I think that you never really realize what you’ve lost until it’s gone.” He stared at me sadly. “Sometimes, the biggest revenge is showing someone what they could have had.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I looked away from him, my heart breaking. “

“It was always you, Katie. It was only you. There’s never been anyone in my life that I’ve wanted before. Never.” He sighed and stood up. “I wish you hadn’t lied to me.” His eyes looked down at me and he walked away. “I’m going to go and read Harry a bedtime story now. Feel free to relax until I get back.”

I sat back and stared at the rug, feeling as if I were in Wonderland. My emotions were all over the place and I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down. I heard footsteps and looked up, expecting to see Brandon, but a tall, beautiful lady walked into the room instead.

“Hello,” I smiled at her politely.

“You’re a fool.” The lady’s eyes surveyed me with pity.

“Excuse me?” I sat up straight.

“I said you’re a fool, Katie Raymond.”

“And you are?” I asked slowly, though I was pretty sure I knew the answer.

“I’m Brandon’s fiancée, Maria.” She sat next to me. “I’m sure you’ve heard of me before.”

“You were engaged to him in college as well.” I nodded, letting her know I did know exactly who she was.

“College?” She laughed. “I’m not that Maria. I’m the new and better version. At least that’s what Brandon tells me. The girl in college was a mistake. Like you,” she cackled as she looked at me, flinging her long, dark hair behind her shoulders.

“I see.” I looked away from her, not knowing what to say.

“When you f*cked him, did he say my name?” Maria leaned towards me and hissed. “Did he tell you that he likes to f*ck me in the car, in the shower, in the elevator, in the kitchen?”

“He told me he’s never slept with you.” I jumped up, angry and upset. I wanted to be away from this woman. “He told me he doesn’t love you, that he only became engaged to you because of your dad.”

Maria started laughing, but I could see her face turning red. “I suppose he’s right about one thing. The only woman he ever really loved was Denise.”

“Who?” I frowned and turned to look at her.

“Denise. She’s the one who ruined him. The one he wishes every woman was like. She was a freak in the bedroom, let him do things to her that other women wouldn’t even think of.” Maria stood up and smiled at me. “I suppose I should feel sorry for me. You’re like me. You got caught up in his lies and his spell. He doesn’t love you, you know. This is just about revenge and power for him. He uses us because his true love, Denise, used him. Once you submit to him, he will be gone. Just like he was before.”

“You’re lying.” I turned away from her, not wanting to hear anything else she had to say.

“Go to his study, turn on the TV, and press play on the DVD player.” Maria shrugged and turned away from me. “He goes to his study every day and watches that video to remind himself of who he was and what he lost.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Are you scared, little girl?” She laughed hysterically and then turned around abruptly. I watched as she left the room and the house. I stood there in shock. What was she talking about? I’d never heard of a Denise before in my life. I thought back to the last few weeks and everything that had happened. It had seemed like Brandon had been deliberately trying to humiliate me and hurt me. How did I know if he really truly loved me or if this was just a game to him?

I walked to the study slowly, ashamed of myself for believing Maria’s lies. I just need to know that it’s a lie, I told myself as I entered the study and turned on the TV. It took me a few minutes to find the DVD player. it was hidden behind some books. I pressed play and waited.

The screen flashed on and I blinked. It was Brandon’s bedroom in his apartment that I was looking at—the apartment I had shared with him. I stared at the screen and watched as Brandon walked in with two girls. My heart started thudding as I watched him undressing one while the other one undressed him. I felt like I couldn’t breathe when they all fell to the bed together. One girl started kissing him while the other went down on him. I stumbled back until I fell into a chair, but my eyes didn’t move from the screen. I watched as he played with both girls and teased them. Then one of the women left the room and it was just him and a tall blonde. A beautiful, voluptuous blonde. She sat on top of him, teasing him, and he was groaning as he played with her breasts.

“F*ck me, Denise,” he groaned. “F*ck me now.” She whispered something to him and he groaned again. “You know it’s always been you, Denise. I don’t want anyone else but you. Please, just f*ck me.” His hands reached to her hips and I watched as she sank down on him and rode him hard. Brandon’s eyes were closed and he muttered something incomprehensible.

“Katie, where are you?” I heard Brandon’s voice calling out to me from the hallway, but I couldn’t speak. My tears were streaming down my face too quickly. A sob escaped from my mouth and I heard Brandon’s footsteps walking towards the study.

“Katie?” He opened the door slowly. “What’s wrong?”

His eyes widened in concern as he stared at me. I pointed to the TV screen as I couldn’t make eye contact with him, and I heard him gasp.

“What the f*ck?” He walked over to the screen and frowned as he turned it off. “How did you find this?”

“Maria told me to come in and watch it,” I gulped.

“Maria was here?” He sighed and walked up to me. “That was an old video, Katie. Please don’t cry. Denise was someone I knew before I met you.”

“She was the love of your life.” I tried not to let him see how much I was breaking inside. “You told her you wanted her and that she was the one.”


“Katie, you have to believe me when I say that Denise was never the one.” He shook his head angry. “I could kill Matt.”

“Matt?” I looked at him and frowned.

“He must have given Maria the video.” He sighed. “He’s the only one with access to it, now that his father is dead.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Katie,” he sighed. “I didn’t want to go into this. But before I met you, I dated a girl called Denise. She was beautiful and sexually adventurous. She liked to have a good time and so did I.”

“You guys had threesomes?” I stared at him with accusing eyes and he nodded.

“I told you when I met you, Katie. I wasn’t a saint. I’m a virile man. I like sex.” He shrugged. “It was all before you.” He sighed and then continued. “Anyways, it turned out that Denise was a high-class escort and she had targeted me with some of her colleagues. They tried to blackmail me for twenty million dollars. They were going to go to a newspaper and write a tell-all about all the kinky prostitute sex I liked.” My eyes widened as he told his story and he looked at me with a sad expression. “I mean, it was true. The only part that would have been omitted was that I knew they were prostitutes. But no one would have believed me.” He crouched down and grabbed my hands. “So I hired a private detective to investigate them. That was how I met Will. When I met you, I really liked you, but I didn’t know if I could trust my gut instincts, so I had Will follow you too. In fact, I had him follow both of us. I wanted to know what you did when you were with me and when you weren’t with me, so I could be sure that you were genuine.”

“I never knew that.” My eyes widened, but my tears had dried up.

“I didn’t want you to know.” He stood up and pulled me up next to him. “You passed with flying colors. Will loved you. He thought you were perfect. His report told me you were the furthest thing from a gold digger he’d seen.” He smiled at me gently. “He had just confirmed what I had already known in my heart, Katie. I’m sorry I did it. But you have to know that you are the only one I’ve truly loved, not Denise. Never Denise. She’s nothing to me.”

“Liar.” We both jumped as Maria walked back into the room with an evil smile. “You’re a liar, Brandon Hastings.”

“Get out of here.” Brandon’s face was red with anger. “After all I’ve done for your family, you try and ruin my life.”

“You’re a liar, Brandon,” Maria hissed as she walked up the TV and turned it on again. She rewound the DVD and pressed play. I cringed as I watched Brandon on the screen moaning in ecstasy with Denise on top of him. “Look carefully, Katie.” She pointed at the screen. “For just one moment, stop thinking about your little girl pain and Brandon f*cking another woman. Look at the room, Katie. What do you see?”

I tried to ignore her words, but I couldn’t. I looked at the room more carefully to see what she was talking about. And then I gasped. I stared at Brandon, angry and hurt. He had lied to me. Everything had been a lie. One great big lie.

“You lied,” I whispered, horrified and heartbroken. He stared back at me with an ashen face and I knew then that he knew he had been caught. I turned back to the screen and watched as Brandon made love to another woman with the photograph we’d taken together at the museum staring down at him from the night table next to the bed.