“You’re such an egotistical idiot. I’m not coming.”
“LOL.” That was his last message in big bold letters. He wouldn’t answer me back when I told him that I was being serious. Now I either had to really defy him or fight with Dawson. Like an idiot, I chose to fight with Dawson.
“I’m dead serious, Riley. I don’t want you to go there alone. I’m begging you not to go there alone,”
Dawson pleaded when I told him.
“It’s a two hour flight, Daw. I will be back by like three or four in the afternoon.”
“I don’t like it,” he said.
Well duh, I knew that.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Stop worrying about me. I will be fine,” I promised.
He laughed when the little one kicked him. My belly had really grown. It seemed like I woke up one morning, and it was there.
“There and back?” he asked, giving in. I was hoping he didn’t stay mad. I needed him to control my raging hormones and hoped that they stayed intact until I got back. I didn’t need to be screwing up and screwing Drew again.
***
Evidently Gary hadn’t gotten the memo that I was
pregnant. His eyes darted straight to my stomach when I answered the door the following morning.
“Um, do you have a bag?” he stuttered.
“No. I’m not staying overnight,” I replied, retrieving my purse. I should have known right that second that I wasn’t coming home that night. The look that Gary gave me told me that I wouldn’t be returning that night.
It was a pretty quick flight and I was driven to a five star hotel in Kingston and then escorted up to the penthouse suite. The only thing I could do was laugh after tipping the bellhop. The room was as romantic as I had ever seen. A black sleek evening dress lay across the bed with beautiful shoes to match. I picked up the note and laughed again.
“No panties.”
Fuck. He was planning on seducing me. My stupid vagina just happened to wake from the dead. How fucking convenient.
I dialed his number right away.
“I’m not staying here, Drew,” I demanded as soon as he said hello.
“Yes you are,” he replied. I was sure if I could see through the phone that he was grinning from ear to ear.
“No. I’m not. Where am I supposed to go sign these papers? And what the hell am I supposed to do with this dress?” I yelled.
“Yes you are, the papers will be signed tonight, and you are supposed to put it on and meet me downstairs for dinner at six,” he rattled off, answering every one of my firing questions.
“Why did I need to be here at eleven in the morning? Where are you planning on staying? Why didn’t you tell me you were planning on me staying, and if you would have been around me over the last few months you would know that my five months pregnant belly is not going to fit in that dress.”
“Look at the tag. Yes it will. I have to go wrap a few things up. I’ll see you at six.”
“Don’t you dare hang up on me,” I yelled a second too late.
“Grrrrr,” I moaned, slamming my phone to the bed.
What the hell was I supposed to do now? I was stuck in a romantic hotel room. Dawson was going to be pissed.
“I’m coming after you,” he yelled in the phone.
Yup. He’s pissed.
“No, you’re not. I’m fine. He said the papers would be ready in the morning, and I will be home by noon,” I lied to him once again thanks to Drew Fucking Kelley.
“How the hell am I supposed to know that he’s not going to take you away some place, and I can’t find you?”
“He’s not going to do that, Daw. If that was his plan he would have already done it. I’m not afraid of Drew. I promise, I am fine, and I will see you tomorrow.”
Dawson groaned through the phone. “Tell me you love me.”
I smiled. “I love you. Don’t worry about me.”
“Take care of my baby.”
“I will. I’ll call you later.”
I was a nervous freaking wreck sitting around that room all day. I sat out on the balcony overlooking the city for a while, but it was cold. I mostly just paced, waiting for six o’clock. This was a mind game. This was just another one of Drew’s sick jokes. He knew I would go nuts with anticipation.
Someone knocked on my door at four o’clock. I opened it to find two women and a cart.
“We’re here to help you get ready, Mrs. Kelley,”
the younger of the two said.
I never said a word. I just snorted and let them in.
“Would you like a shower first?” the same girl asked.
I didn’t know why I said yes. I’d just showered that morning, but I did want to freshen up my legs. Yes. I was already thinking about the night ahead with Drew. I was still going to be strong, and refuse to let him stay with me, but I knew how un-resilient I seemed to be around him so just in case, I showered.