Sacha
When I got home from Tilly, the first thing I did was look for Gibson Colebank online. I came up empty-handed, finding several listings and profiles for people with the last name "Colebank" but none that matched the man I had met. Melanie was over with her laptop, joining in the hunt, though she kept getting distracted by photos of hot-looking guys.
"You said he looks sort of like this?"
She pointed to a photo of a well-known Australian blond actor. There was an annoying tingle in my lady parts due to the sudden mental image of Gib, naked in my motel room. "Yes but more rugged. If that guy grew out his beard and dressed like Paul Bunyan."
Melanie licked her lips and kept clicking through the images on her screen. "Mmmm… Now I understand why you can't forget him."
"That's not why, and you know it. I have no choice, do I?"
My statement was true but seeing him again had triggered my sexual fantasies. I couldn't help it. He was even better-looking in person than I'd remembered.
"Well, if you had to get knocked up by someone, at least he has good genes."
"Yeah well, that's about all he has. That and a beat-up old truck."
"Well maybe he has other redeeming qualities. Is he nice? Smart?"
"I really don't know."
I didn't want to know. Getting to know Gibson Colebank meant letting him into my life, maybe my heart. I didn't have that to give to a man right now. My focus was on impending motherhood, not a romantic relationship.
"Well, you have some time, I guess. Are you sorry you told him?"
I put my laptop aside and leaned back on the sofa with a sigh. "Not sorry, really, because it was the right thing to do. But I'm just not sure about him. He seemed nice, but he's got an edge. And I think he's hiding something."
Melanie's dark eyes finally left her screen to look at me. "Like what?"
"I can't explain it. It's a feeling I have, like he doesn't really 'fit' in Tilly, you know? And he's been vague about anything I've asked, like where he was from originally. All he said was Atlanta."
The buzz of my cell phone interrupted. When I looked at the screen, I recognized the number and my heart almost stopped. "It's him."
Melanie stood. "I'll leave. But you better fill me in later."
As she reached the door, I called, "I will" and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
I tried to keep the nervous warble from my voice but failed. His tone was brisk and deeper than I recalled.
"Sacha? This is Gib."
I didn't bother to explain I'd known it was him, and simply said, "Yes?"
"I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time because we need to talk."
Closing the laptop, I settled back on the sofa. "No, I have time. What's up?"
There was only one thing he'd want to talk about, but I let him lead me along. I was still determined to remain in control of the situation but thought it best to let him have his say first. Then I'd know which way to proceed.
He cleared his throat then spoke, "I want to be an equal partner in the raising of my child. I won't settle for less. I'm just letting you know."
A stab of anger sliced through me. His tone was challenging, presumptuous, and infuriating. "What exactly do you mean by 'equal partner'? Are you planning on moving in with me?"
"If that's what it takes, yes. But I'm sure we can make some kind of living arrangements that are suitable for both of us."
"Whoa, wait a minute, Mr. Colebank. I'm the one who is carrying the child, not you. I have the final say, according to the state of Georgia. We're not married, so I am not obligated to you in any way. I told you what happened because I'm a nice person with a conscience. But don't think that gives you the right to tell me how to raise my child."
"Our child. I'm aware of the legalities, Ms. Rowan. I plan to assert my rights as a father, whatever it takes."
This had escalated quickly. My hands were shaking, and I almost dropped the phone. I knew the law was on my side, but if he wanted to, he could cause trouble in so many ways. Trouble I didn't have the time or energy to deal with. He didn't seem to have the money to wage a legal battle, but then I really didn't know much about him.
So far, I wasn't favorably impressed.
The blood in my veins ran ice cold at the thought of being pushed around by anyone, especially when it came to the fate of my child. I'd waited my whole life for this, and no one, not even the child's father, was going to interfere.
"Listen, Gib. I appreciate your wanting to step up and be a co-parent. What I don't appreciate is your confrontational attitude. I'm willing to work out a visitation schedule, and I prefer to do so without going to court. But if you insist on being a pig-headed ass about it, and think you can order me around, you'd better be prepared for a long battle."
~*~