Chapter 10
I might joke around and talk shit about Raine being a diva and me going to prison, but I have never felt happiness like I did when that piece of paper confirmed that she’s my daughter. Who knew such a little human being could fill you up so much and make your whole world change in an instant? Not me, but Raine has done it. Honestly, from the moment we found her in front of the apartment door, she started changing me—and deep down I knew she was always mine. If she hadn’t turned out to be mine, giving her up would have been the hardest thing I’d ever have to do. I’m just glad I don’t have to think about that now. She’s my whole world—besides Callie—and for the first time ever, I’m content and truly happy. I love my little girl—and Callie, even though she doesn’t know it yet. My life is pretty great right now.
I took Cynthia’s advice, so here I am, standing in the medical records department at the hospital while Cayden babysits Raine. “Do you have identification?” the young blonde receptionist asks behind her desk.
I hand her my driver’s license and look at her name tag.
“I’m sorry, but this doesn’t show as the same last name. Do you have anything else showing you are the child’s father?”
“Yes! Here’s the DNA test.” I hand that over, relieved once again that we took that step, and wait while she checks over the results.
“One second, and I’ll have the information for you.” Marla types on her computer, and then I hear a printer whirring as it prints out the relevant documents. After a few minutes, she hands me a stack of papers. “I believe this should be everything you need.”
“Thank you!”
Sitting in the driver’s side of my truck, I go over all of the information. Mother’s name—Tiffany St. Claire. Baby girl born April 25th at 3:32 am, weighing eight pounds, fifteen ounces, at twenty inches long, named Raine Marie St. Claire—no father listed on the birth certificate, of course. Baby girl was healthy, pink and wet vaginal delivery, and her oxygen level was ninety-eight percent. Doctor Lee was the pediatrician called in to care for baby St. Claire.
Tiffany St. Claire… I go over the name in my head repeatedly, and for the life of me I can’t remember who she is. But, as she said, I was pretty intoxicated that night—maybe one of the guys will remember her. I’m just thankful that Callie’s mom was right and I got all of the information I needed; she’s a smart and wise woman. Now I can head to the lawyer’s office.
“With the DNA test and this letter, I don’t see a problem getting the judge—any judge, really—to put you on the birth certificate. Now, as far as you getting sole custody of your daughter, I think we have a good case, but it can take a few months to get that finalized. I assure you I will do everything in my power to make it happen, and I look forward to working with you, Mr. Mitchell.” Theodore Spaulding—the best lawyer money can buy—stands from behind his desk and holds out his hand for me to shake. He’s shorter than I am by at least half a foot, and is older, with greying hair, looking professional in his black suit and tie. He’s a nice man, but no doubt hardcore when he needs to be to win his cases.
As we shake hands I tell him, “Thank you, sir, and I look forward to working with you also.”
Now I’m ready to get back to my girl for our last study session before exams.
As soon as I got back to Callie, I told her everything that happened at the lawyer’s office, and gave her the papers I got from the hospital. She was just has happy with the news as I was.
“So…how about we put a little twist on this last tutoring session?” Callie asks as she leans up against my headboard with a sexy little grin on her gorgeous face.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I smile with my arms folded across my chest. “What you got in mind?”
“For every question you answer right I’ll remove a piece of clothing. Every one you answer wrong, you remove something.” Her expression is one of a challenge.
It’s on, baby!
“Hell yes, I’m down for strip study! Bring on the questions, babe!” Smiling, I rub my hands together. Callie is definitely losing this game!
Callie opens up her Astronomy book with all of her notes. “Question one, solar eclipses occur on which moon?”
Easy! “New.”
“Correct.” She removes a boot.
“What is the largest constellation?”
“Hydra, also known as the Sea Serpent.” I smile in victory.
“Correct.” Callie smiles back and removes her other boot.
“Which constellation is Ursa Major a part of, and what is another name for it?”
“Isn’t that considered two questions?” My eyes narrow and she shrugs a shoulder all innocent-like. “I get two pieces of clothing for this one. Big Dipper and the Great Bear.”
She removes both socks.
“In the constellation Orion, what is the bright red star named?”
I have to think hard about this one. “Beleuse?”
“Wrong! Take something off. It’s Betelgeuse.” Callie smiles.
Throwing my arms in the air, I say, “Technically I had it right, I just couldn’t pronounce the damn word.”
Callie laughs, “You still got it wrong, now strip, baby.” I remove my shirt with a playful scowl.
“In what year did the International Astronomical Union declare how many constellations there are, and how many did they declare?”
“Another two questions. In 1928, and eighty-eight constellations.” I smile once again. “Get to strippin’, baby!” Chuckling, I wait to see what she will remove this time.
Her earrings! Her freaking earrings! Well, at least she has nothing left but her actual clothes now.
“There are five bright stars in the constellation Cassiopeia, also known as the Queen. What letter do they form?”
“W.”
Now we’re getting somewhere—she removes her fitted black top.
“How often will the same solar eclipse occur at the same place on earth?”
“Ha, fifty-four years.” Callie shakes her head while biting down on her bottom lip.
“Fifty-four years and one month.”
“You’re trying to cheat.”
She laughs, “No, you would get it wrong if you answered with just years. You have to have that month in there.”
“Fine.” My eyes narrow in a playful manner as I remove my jeans. Callie’s smile grows wider.
“Orion is high in the night sky in what U.S. season?”
“Winter.”
Callie stands on the bed, shimming out of her skin-tight jeans, and my mouth goes dry. She is so sexy! Her breasts are full in her C-cup lacy black bra, her flat stomach and perfect curved hips beg for my lips to kiss them, and her matching black lace panties are sexy against her soft flesh.
“During which solar eclipse can the ‘diamond ring’ effect occur?”
“Total solar eclipse. I think that’s enough questions.” I quickly crawl up the bed and on top of Callie.
“But…” I cut her off with my mouth. The kiss is hungry, primal, and desperate as I put all of my want for her into my tongue exploring her mouth. Callie matches my movements as we fight for control. My boxer briefs get removed, as do her bra and panties.
“On your knees, face the headboard, and hold on.” There’s no need for foreplay when I’m so fucking ready to be inside her and she’s always ready, wet, and willing for me.
“Yes, sir!” Callie laughs while saluting me, and a low growl escapes from deep in my chest. She gets into position, and her ass is divine looking with its bubble shape.
Getting on my knees right behind her, I press my excruciatingly hard cock into her backside. Pulling her hair, I make her look at me and respond, “You know I love when you call me sir. How wet are you, babe?”
Her lips part and she releases a small gasp. “So wet and ready.” I take her mouth with mine.
Quickly putting the condom in place, I start to slide home inch by inch until I’m completely inside. “Fuck, and so tight.”
Starting a slow rhythm, I pull almost all the way out of her sweet pussy, then push back in to the hilt. “Ahh.” Callie makes little sounds as her hands grip the headboard tighter and her head falls forward.
“Faster, Dex. Please go faster.” She pushes her ass back into me, trying to get more.
With one hand, I grip her hip, holding her ass in place. Reaching around, I quickly find her clit and my thumb moves in little circles over it. “Who owns this pussy?”
“Dex!” Callie moans out.
“Answer the question,” I whisper against her ear as I pump just a little harder, just enough to almost give her what she wants.
“You, Dex, you!” Callie’s head falls back against my shoulder. “Please.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Kissing the shell of her ear, I move my thumb faster, and my hips thrust harder as I pound into her tight, wet heat. I can feel her getting closer and so am I. “Come with me, babe.”
Callie takes over on her clit as my hands move up to her beautiful, perfect tits. Pinching her hard little nipples, I thrust upwards as hard as I can. She screams out my name as her orgasm overrides her, and my cock gets so fucking wet with her juices. Fuck, that’s hot as hell! I follow behind with my own release as my cum fills the latex.
Our breathing is irregular, and Callie falls against the headboard, her face pressed up against the cold metal. Kissing up her spine, I pull out and fall onto the mattress in a sweaty mess, then throw the condom in the small trash can next to my bed.
“Fucking hell, that was electric! Best study session ever!” I tell her as I rub up and down her thigh. Callie falls onto the bed and lays her head on my chest while laughing. Her glazed green eyes meet mine.
“Yes, best fucking study session ever!” Damn, I am in love with her.
I don’t know how long we lay there, but eventually we got up, I cleaned us both up, we got dressed, and headed over to her condo to get my daughter.
It’s Thanksgiving Day, and since I won’t be going home, Callie invited me to her condo. I’m going to have to tell my parents about Raine soon, something I’m not looking forward to.
“It’s a shame you can’t visit your parents during the holidays,” Cynthia tells me as she stirs the mashed potatoes. Since she’s been visiting the girls, I’ve gotten to know her pretty well, and I told her all about my situation back at home.
“Yeah; I’m thinking maybe around Christmas, just so I can let them know about Raine, but it’ll be their decision on what happens after that. I would like her to have at least one set of grandparents in her life—and right now you’re as close to a grandma as she has.”
“I love that little girl.” I know she does; everyone does.
“Did your roommates go home?”
“Nah, Maverick’s parents are away on some cruise, and Zac’s parents tend to forget they have a son. So the guys are probably sitting around eating frozen pizza, drinking beer, and watching football.” I sneak a piece of turkey while she’s not looking. Damn! That’s good—it’s moist and juicy, not like some of the turkey others make that’s dry and chewy.
Cynthia points the wooden spoon in my direction with a stern look on her face. “You better go over there right now and tell them to get their asses over here. No one should spend the holidays by themselves.” I did feel bad leaving them, but I didn’t want to be rude and just invite them over, especially after the incident with Cydney and Mav.
Since the guys joined for Thanksgiving, we carried over some extra chairs from our apartment so everyone would have a place at the table. When I return with Mav and Zac, Cynthia is covering the glass table with a tablecloth that’s designed with fall leaves and has a Thanksgiving feel to it. Callie told me she uses it every year, like a tradition.
The three of us guys take a seat at the table because Cynthia demanded it, and I’ve come to learn you just do as you’re told when it comes to that woman. “Cayden, take this plate to Zac.” Cayden does without a word. “Cydney, give this to Maverick.”
“They have two feet, why can’t they get their own plates?” Cydney responds angrily, but takes the plate anyway, apparently having realized a long time ago the same thing I have—you just listen to their momma when she says something.
“Because they are our guests and it’s polite.” Cynthia doesn’t even bat a lash at her daughter’s attitude. She goes about making another plate.
“No! They’re your guests, not ours.” Cydney brings the plate over to Mav. He smiles up at her, but the smile she’s sporting looks more like a pained grimace. As Cydney stands next to him, she begrudgingly says, “Enjoy.” Then the plate is slammed down in front of him hard enough that some of his turkey, corn, and one of his rolls flies up and lands on the tablecloth.
It doesn’t faze him one bit as he grabs the roll, puts it back on the plate, then grabs a piece of the turkey and shoves it into his mouth. “She wants me.”
“Sure she does,” I respond with a chuckle.
Zac chimes in, “Yeah, about as much as that hot little TA wanted me.” That makes Zac and I laugh harder, while Mav mouths, ‘Fuck you both.’ That gets us going even more.
The girls and Cynthia get their plates and join us at the table. “Raise your glasses,” Cynthia tells us as she raises her glass of red wine. The rest of us are drinking water. “Here’s to spending the holidays with people you love—or new acquaintances. Let’s all be thankful we have a roof over our heads and all of this wonderful food. Cheers.”
Everyone starts to dig into the delicious food, and we give our compliments on how good it is. I haven’t had home cooking like this since I left for college. It makes me wonder what my parents are doing today.
Halfway through our food, I look around the table, because it’s awfully quiet. It’s not one of those comfortable silences, either. Callie sits next to me, still eating, but chewing very slowly as she looks around—she can sense it too. Cayden is staring at Zac, who keeps his head down; he seems very interested in his food all of a sudden. Cydney is giving Mav her go to hell look while he has a big shit-eating grin on his face. Momma is sitting back, smiling over the rim of her glass.
“I knew you wanted me,” Mav says to Cydney out of the blue.
“What are you talking about? I don’t even like you.” Cydney narrows her eyes.
All eyes in the room are looking between Cydney and Mav. “If you don’t like me, then why are you rubbing up and down on my leg with your foot?” His smile grows, and Cydney’s eyes widen, her face beet red.
“I’m not touching you!” she shouts. The smile falls from Mav’s face and he looks thoroughly confused now. Cayden chokes on her water and starts coughing as Callie pats her back, asking if she’s okay.
“My bad. That was me rubbing your leg,” Cayden admits between coughs. Zac finally lifts his head to look at Cayden with an intensity in his eyes I’ve never seen before.
“Why are you rubbing my leg?” Mav asks as Cydney asks at same time, “Why are you rubbing his leg?”
“So... Cayden, did you hear Brody Masters is transferring to your college next semester?” Cynthia pipes up.
“No, I didn’t…” Cayden’s eyes are glued to Zac as he drops his fork and gets up from the table, going into the kitchen and opening the fridge.
“Don’t try and change the subject, Momma,” Cydney cuts Cayden off, then continues, “Answer the question, Cayden. Why were you rubbing Maverick’s leg?” For someone who says they don’t like someone, Cydney seems more than a little upset at her sister.
“Because I thought I was rubbing stubborn ass’s leg. Not Maverick’s,” Cayden huffs out a breath.
Leaning over to Callie, I whisper in her ear, “Who’s Brody?”
She quietly whispers back, “Cayden’s friend-with-benefits from high school.” Well, hell, I think shit just got a little more interesting. Raine’s baby monitor sounds out, her cries letting us all know she has woken up. I start to stand so I can get her out of Callie’s room, but Cynthia tells me to sit back down.
“I’ll get her. My work here is done.” As she heads down the hall, she adds, “Momma is always right, and one day you girls will realize it.” She laughs as she opens Callie’s bedroom door.
“I dislike her so much right now,” Cydney says as she sits back and crosses her arms over her chest. Callie laughs and Cayden sits back with a pout.
Cynthia comes back out with Raine and says, “Why don’t the six of you go out and have some fun. I’ll keep Rainey with me.” She smiles while looking at each one of us.
“We know what you’re doing, Momma,” Cayden and Cydney respond in unison.
“I’m not doing anything. I just want my girls to go out and have some fun.” Cynthia tries to be all innocent, but you can see the guilt in her hazel eyes. There is nothing innocent about that woman.
The Dugout is surprisingly busy for Thanksgiving, but then again, I guess a lot of the college students didn’t go home. The three of us guys order double beers while the girls wait for us at the table. Since the girls are underage, we have to order for them.
“You didn’t spit in my beer, did you?” Cydney questions as she takes hers from Maverick while looking in the top of the bottle.
“That’s disgusting. No, I didn’t. I’d be more concerned with you doing that to me than the other way around.” Mav takes a seat across the table from Cydney.
“Well, you’re kind of an asshole.” She gives him a half smile.
Callie fake gasps and covers her mouth. “Was that a smile you gave him?”
We all laugh, but Mav has to open his mouth. “And you’re a bitch.”
“Did you just call me… I know you did not just call me a bitch!” Cydney stands from the table, leans over with her hands flat on the wooden tabletop, and stares down Mav.
He mimics her stance. “I did, and what are you gonna do about it, little girl? I like the smile, though.” Mav blows Cydney a kiss, smiles, then sits back down.
“I can’t fucking stand you!” Cydney yells over the music that just started blaring out of the speakers, then sits back down as well.
Messing with the label on my bottle, I address the guys, trying to distract from the situation at hand. “There’s something I wanted to tell you guys.”
“What?” they question at the same time. Both have matching expressions of concern.
“Well, now that I know Raine is for sure mine, I started looking into available apartments, and one of the condos has opened up in Callie’s building. I’m going to take it.” Looking at both of them now, with their sad expressions, it makes me feel like an ass.
“You’re moving out?” Zac is the first to comment. “But Raine’s my alarm clock for my morning classes, and I’m not going to get to see her grow up. I thought she was going to ruin everything for you at first, but I love her. Which, by the way, I’m sorry for all that shit I said in the beginning. I’m glad you have her.”
When Zac ends his rambling, I chuckle. “It’s okay—it was a shock to us all, but I’ll be in the building right next door. You will see us all the time, but she needs her own room.”
“I guess.” He pouts. “It’s not gonna be the same.”
“I get it, but I was really getting used to having her around. I kinda like her too,” Mav says in his it’s not a big deal kind of way. “You know we’ll be here if you need anything.”
“Thank you!” I know they will be. They’re my brothers and it’s going to be strange not living with them anymore, but I gotta do what’s best for my daughter.
After a few more beers, except for Cydney and Maverick because they’re driving, Callie announces that she has to use the bathroom. “You want me to go with you?”
“Nah, I’ll be fine.” She grips my thigh under the table. Standing, I let her out and watch as she walks in the direction of the bathrooms.
“Are you guys ready to get final exams done?” Cayden questions, breaking the silence.
We all give our “yes” answers and then it goes quiet again.
“You gonna tell me who the fuck Brody is?” Zac finally asks the question he’s been stewing on.
“Why should I? It’s not like you’re interested,” Cayden stubbornly replies.
“Who is he?” Zac demands.
“A friend from high school, okay?” They stare each other down. Zac may say he’s not interested for whatever reason, but that is definitely not the vibe I’m getting.
It’s been a little while since Callie went to the bathroom, and I’m starting to get an uneasy feeling. Looking around, I don’t see her. I get up and head towards the bathroom.
“Let me fucking go!” I hear Callie yell, and my feet get to moving.
A guy has her pinned against the wall with his leg between hers. Callie’s head turns in my direction, and I see red.
My voice drops a few octaves as I growl, “Let her go!” Gripping the stranger by the shoulders, I pull him off of Callie in the dark hallway.
“Are you okay?” I question as I step closer to her.
Callie stands frozen in place. “It was you!”