Eight

Abby

Thanks. The man had licked and fucked me to within an inch of my life and he’d left me with nothing but a disgusted, “Thanks.” Well, he could shove that thanks so far up his ass, he’d be burping it out for the next twelve months.

That one word had played through my mind like a bad dream in the days following our unfortunate encounter. Unfortunate because it shouldn’t have happened, but of course Roc was a very skilled lover and therefore one hell of a way to break my four-year dry spell. And that bastard thanked me. I had to shake off the constant disgust I felt coursing through me—at both Roc and myself—because thanks to the DNA results arriving in the mail yesterday, he would arrive in less than an hour.

To meet our daughter.

It was the perfect end to a perfectly crappy week. And I had to put on a smile and act like this was good news or else Lily would catch on. Sometimes being the adult sucked. “Lily, come here, please.”

Her little feet smacked against the floor in her rush to get to me because my little girl did nothing slowly. “Yes, Mama?”

I held my arms out and summoned her. “I need to have a talk with you and I need you to listen to me. Do you think you can do that?”

She bobbed her head up and down and then jumped up on my lap, smiling so that every one of her teeth were on display. “Yeah.”

“Remember what I told you about your father?” She’d started asking about him last year when she realized that her friends all had fathers.

“That he would be here if he could but he had a new life when you found out about me.” She practically sang the words she’d heard at least a dozen times.

“That’s right, baby.”

Her little face twisted in a scowl that made me smile because I knew what she’d say next. “I’m not a baby, Mama.”

“Of course not. Anyway, your father is here in Puerto Rico for business and he would very much like to meet you.” Demanded was a more accurate way to describe it but it would be wrong to say that to a little girl. Right?

Her big blue eyes went so round I thought they might pop right out of her head. “My daddy? Here? Here!” She slid from my lap and ran to her room, and I couldn’t tell if she was upset or happy so I followed her down the hall.

“Hey, pumpkin, are you okay?”

She turned her back to her closet filled with clothes, those big sapphire eyes pleading with me. “I want to look pretty for Daddy.”

Something Roc inspired in most females, apparently. Except me, of course. I refused to put on any makeup and my hair had air dried into messy waves. I had on my favorite blue and white polka dot dress and no shoes. But that was me. For Lily I would do whatever I could to make this easier for her. “You’re already pretty, honey, but we’ll find you the perfect thing to wear.”

“The fwowers, Mama.” She pointed at the white dress dotted with sunflowers and I took it down for her.

“With these sandals and I’ll give you two beautiful braids, sound good?” Wearing that beautiful excited smile of hers, she threw off her shorts and tank top and carefully pulled on her new outfit.

After dressing, Lily climbed into my lap so I could braid her hear. “Will my daddy like me?”

“Are you kidding, he’s going to love you.” I had no doubt in my mind about that. The rest however, was up in the air.

“Promise?”

“Of course, but maybe not if you shovel your dinner into your mouth like a wild animal,” I joked with her but truly she ate like a teenage boy.

“He’s eating with us?”

“Yep. So let’s get in the kitchen and you can rip up the lettuce for salad.” Lily’s shoulders fell at the thought of so many vegetables in one dish, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I herded her into the kitchen.

“Cake, Mama, daddies like cake,” she grinned with hopeful eyes.

“Tear the lettuce and we’ll see about cake. Later.”

“Aw man,” she grumbled and climbed up on her chair and tore up the lettuce as though it would bite her.

The fish and shrimp sat in marinade, ready for the grill and the salad only needed to be dressed while the string beans and potatoes roasted in the oven. For dessert, I had Aunt Melanie make Lily’s favorite chocolate brownies with white chocolate. I had a moment to congratulate myself on the meal before the doorbell rang and my daughter tore through the house as though she were being chased.

“Mama, he’s here!”

“Don’t you dare open that door, little girl.”

With a sheepish smile, she let go of the knob and stepped back. “But it’s my daddy,” she pouted.

“You don’t know who it is and that’s why I’m answering the door. Now should I open it or make our guest wait forever?”

She giggled and pointed at the door. “Open it!”

Of course I knew the devil on the other side of the door and no matter how much I wanted to turn back to the kitchen and avoid this night, it meant too much to my daughter. I opened the door with a blank expression and invited Roc inside. And I did it without noticing how incredible he looked in jeans and a lightweight short sleeved shirt that made his eyes pop. Not even one spare glance at those long, strong legs and that perfectly formed ass. Nope.

“Roc! My daddy is coming tonight!”

He squatted down so they were face to face and grinned. “I know he is. Do you know how I know?”

“No...?”

“Because I’m your daddy.”

“You are?” Her gaze went from Roc to me for confirmation, and I gave her a quick nod before she flung herself into his arms. “Daddy!”

In that moment, I questioned my decision to keep the news of my pregnancy from Roc. Even though I felt certain I’d made the best decision for all of us, seeing them so fascinated with one another gave me a deep sense of regret. He may be a jerk to me but I knew he’d be great with Lily. “Why don’t you show your father your photo albums?”

Reaching for his hand she asked, “Wanna see my room?”

Roc thought for a moment, tapping his chin as though deep in thought. “I don’t know, is it pink?”

With a giggle she told him, “No, it’s purple and blue.”

“In that case, I can’t wait,” he winked and let her pull him down the hall while I returned to the kitchen.

As grateful as I felt that they’d hit it off so well, I didn’t want to see it. I wanted no reminders that I may have made a grave mistake by keeping them apart. I didn’t need any because my mind seemed determined to drill that message into my brain. I set a beer and a cup of juice on the table, unsure when they’d return, but I didn’t have to wait since they did just that a few minutes later.

“Thanks, Mama!”

“You’re welcome, honey.” I put together a light vinaigrette and tossed the salad, listening to father and daughter get acquainted. Lily told him all about her life on the island and even showed off the “tattoo” she’d gotten at the festival last week.

“Mama says I’m too young for a real one,” she pouted.

“She’s right, they hurt a lot.”

Based on the sounds of awe coming from the living room, I knew Roc had showed her the intricately designed tattoo that covered his shoulder and bicep. I hate that I remember that. Most days, especially lately, I wished I didn’t remember a thing of our time together. Or the heartbreak that followed.

The sound of the doorbell pulled me from my thoughts and I didn’t need Lily’s yelled reminder to make my way to the front door, ignoring Roc’s curious stare. On the other side of the door I found Roc’s uncle Noah and two men who I could only assume were his brothers. “How can I help you gentlemen?”

“Is our brother here?” The biggest one posed the question which sounded more like a threat given his six-and-a-half-foot frame and broad linebacker shoulders.

I just stepped back so they could see their precious brother was unharmed. “There he is.” All three men had the same blue eyes as Roc and Lily, but they all showed up now because they had actual proof. While he met his brothers, I scooped up Lily so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. “You okay, pumpkin?”

“Who’s that?”

“Your uncles, honey.”

At her confused look, Roc walked over to her and held his arms out. I wanted to cry when she eagerly hopped into them, effectively abandoning me. “What are uncas?”

His smile came through patient and amused. “My brothers.”

Lily clapped. “Brothers!”

In less than one minute she’d had every one of the Mahoney men under her spell, vying for her attention and elbowing one another to see who would hold her. It was exactly what I’d always wanted for her, a large affectionate family to shower her with love and attention. Yet at that moment, in my own home, I felt like an outsider. I might not ever give her a larger family but she would have the Mahoney’s to give her that. And so much more, I thought because they were so wealthy and I was not. Eventually, what they could give her would become more important than what I could.

Biting back tears, I returned to the kitchen so they could get acquainted. Okay and to lick my wounds but mostly to get away from Roc. From all of them. In need of fresh air, I escaped to my backyard, seeking refuge near the grill.

I couldn’t wait for the night to be over.

***

The early evening air felt wonderful with the warm breeze kicking my hair up and making the leaves dance. A beautiful bouquet of aromas hit me from all sides and I closed my eyes, turning my face towards the moonlight. It was exactly what I needed before going back in to get the rest of the food, and to face the Mahoney men. Wonderful.

My bare toes enjoyed the feel of the blades of grass, still warm from the sun as I made my way across the yard and back into the kitchen. Eyeing the pitcher of tea, I grabbed a few glasses for the unexpected guests. Just because they had no manners didn’t mean I didn’t. Aunt Mel raised me better than that. Glass pitcher in hand I froze at the sound of a hushed conversation.

“What does she want?”

“Has she asked for anything yet?” I didn’t recognize them all but I knew Noah’s voice because I’d known him in St. Lucia.

“Yeah, why didn’t she tell you about the kid? Should I call Jasper to get started on custody papers?” That voice belonged to the giant and I could only assume Jasper was some well-paid lawyer.

Even though I expected it, hearing them tear me apart hurt. It hurt even worse that Roc hadn’t bothered to stand up for me. Hell, he said nothing at all while they peppered him with questions about where I’ve been, the certainty of his paternity, how much he should offer me. For my daughter.

Assholes.

I’d had enough. Slamming the pitcher down much harder than I should, I marched back into the living room, grateful to see Lily had not overheard them. “That’s it. All of you get out of my house right now.” I just started pushing them, not caring who left first as long as they all got the hell away from me immediately.

“Abby,” Roc touched my shoulder but I shrugged him off and yanked open the door.

“For your information, I don’t want a damn thing from Roc or any of you. I didn’t ask for this and I don’t want it. I wish none of you had ever come here, so you can take your money and your privilege and shove it right up your asses!”

Beyond disgusted, I couldn’t stop the words from flying out of my mouth. “Not that any of you deserve to know a damn thing but I didn’t tell him because I assumed he’d already married the fiancée I knew nothing about!” Then with more satisfaction than I should have felt, I slammed the door in their faces. I ignored the bell and the insistent knocking.

One step away from the door and I felt hesitant, worried I might apologize or worse, let them back in. Two steps and I held on to my anger. By the time I found Lily curled up on the bed with tears in her eyes, I wanted to erase every Mahoney from the face of the planet. “What’s wrong, pumpkin?”

“Mama, why come they don’t like you?” Tears swam in those big blue eyes and my heart broke for her.

“I don’t know, baby, but what matters is that they like you.” She tried not to smile but I could tell my words pleased her. “Don’t worry about me, Lily, that’s my job.”

“Will Daddy come back?”

I curled up around her small body on the bed with little surfer girls on the comforter and kissed her head. “I don’t think you could keep him away if you tried.”

“Love you, Mama.”

“Love you more, baby.”

“Not a baby,” she grumbled and snuggled deeper into my embrace.