She’s all flushed with big tits in my face wearing that tight nurse uniform. “Where have you been? I haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks.”
I scratch my head awkwardly. “I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy for your favorite girl?” She smirks.
I smile. Mia is the most uncomplicated woman I know. We fuck. We’ve fucked for a long time. No strings. No feelings… just as it should be. “Never.” I smirk.
“Do you want to catch up later?”
I purse my lips as I consider her offer. “I’m not in the mood, Moo,” I reply.
She frowns. “Since when are you not in the mood?”
“Since today.” I sigh.
“I can put you in the mood. I’m an excellent stress reliever.”
I smile as my eyes drop to the floor. Maybe that’s just what I need?
“We’ll see. I might call you later,” I reply as I walk into the elevator.
She smiles and goes up onto her toes with excitement. “I’ll look forward to it,” she calls after me.
I get into the elevator and I’m grateful when the doors close on her. At the back of the elevator an elderly couple holding hands smile, and I nod in acknowledgement. Great. Old people. Happy, in love old people. Just what I fucking need.
I want to go home and get to the gym. This day can’t end soon enough. Now I know why Ashley had to have today off. She had to pick up her son from the airport. I feel the fury boil in my gut.
I’m so angry with her, I can’t see straight. I don’t even know her. I haven’t the slightest idea who she really is. There I was being all soppy and honest and fucking pathetic, and she’s been lying to me through her teeth.
The elevator opens and I walk down the hall to my office. Well, I gave the relationship thing a crack for the first time and got burned and that’s it. I’m not doing that again.
Sex is a lot easier than this bullshit.
I walk into my office and sit down. My phone rings and I glance at the screen. Joshua.
I answer. “Hey.”
“Hey, mate. Can you swing past my office on your way home?”
I frown. “Why?”
“I got some shit I need you to sign for the settlement.”
“Fuck, man. I’ve had a prick of a day. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Joshua and I are co-investing in some property.
“What’s up your ass?” he asks.
“Nothing. I’m tired,” I snap.
“Just come in for two minutes. I’ll have the paperwork ready.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine.” I hang up.
Two hours later, I walk into Joshua’s office on the top floor.
It’s just after six and most of the staff have gone home for the day. He’s sitting at his desk when I walk in.
“Where’s this document that couldn’t wait a fucking day?” I roll my eyes as I sit at his desk.
Joshua fakes a smile and holds his pen in his hand as he gestures to the leather sofa in the corner. My mother is sitting there. I didn’t see her as I walked in.
“Mom?” I frown. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
She stands, walks over and kisses my cheek. “Hello, darling.” She puts her hands on both of my cheeks and looks at me. “Are you alright, dear?”
My stomach drops. I never could hide my emotions from her. “Yes, fine.” I sigh.
She walks over and stands near the window and looks out. I frown at Joshua. What’s she doing?
He shrugs.
“I ran into Ashley today, Cameron.”
My jaw clenches and my eyes flicker to Joshua. “Did you?” I reply flatly.
“Yes. She was dropping off Natasha’s dress at the dry cleaners.”
I stay silent as my eyes drop to the floor.
“She had a child with her. Her son.”
I roll my eyes. Here we go.
Joshua frowns in question. “Ashley has a son?”
“Yes. I only found out last night,” I reply.
He widens his eyes. “Fuck,” he whispers to himself.
“How well do you know Ashley?” she asks.
“Not as well as I thought, clearly. I didn’t know she had a son.” I walk over and look out the window at the street way below.
“The child is yours, Cameron.”
I turn to her. “What?” I frown.
She raises her chin defiantly. “I’ll bet my life on it.”
“He’s not. No way. That’s ridiculous-” I huff.
“What the hell are you on about, Mother?” Joshua interrupts.
“You met her before?” she asks.
“Yes, but…”
“The child would be four or five then? And he just so happens to be the spitting image of you at his age.”
I frown as the room starts to spin beneath me.
“It’s… it’s not possible,” I stutter.
“I’m telling you. He is the spitting image of Blake.”
“Well, then maybe he’s Joshua’s, because I wore a condom,” I yell.
She withers and folds her arms. “You’re upset.”
“And why the hell do you think that would be?” I yell. “You trick me over here to tell me I have a son I don’t know about.” I shake my head and throw my hands in the air. “I’m fucking thrilled.”
I turn to Joshua. “Do you have something for me to sign or not?”
Joshua shakes his head as he stares at the floor, stunned. He’s as rattled as I am.
I shake my head in disgust. “See you both later.” I walk out and head down to my car in the underground parking lot. The sound of furious blood pumping hard throughout my body is deafening and I rest my head in my hands as I sit in the darkened car, trying desperately to calm down.
When did I meet her in Vegas exactly?
I try to do the math and work backwards. I’ve no idea how long ago it was. Years, I know that much. How will I find out? I think for a moment, but my brain is so rattled, I can’t think straight. I get out my phone and flick through to the advertisement in the classifieds when I was searching for her. The date was 2012. Nearly five years ago, exactly.
I frown. Mother said Ashley’s son was four or five.
I stare into the darkness for a while as I think.
Fuck.
I start my car and slowly drive from the parking lot to end up sitting at the end of the driveway.
What now?
Ashley
I pace in the lounge room as I glance out at the street. Owen, Jenna, and I have just had dinner and I’m wondering if I should call Cameron again. My son is playing Lego in the lounge room and Jenna is reading a book beside him. I feel sick to my stomach.
Why won’t Cameron just call me?
A car pulls up outside the front of the house, and I peer through the sheer curtains to see the familiar Aston Martin parking.
My heart beats faster. Holy hell.
I quickly walk out the back to the lounge room and I tap Jenna on the foot. She looks up from her book.
“He’s here,” I mouth.
Her eyes widen and she bites her bottom lip.
I put my hands over my mouth and walk back out to the front of the house where I peer out through the curtains. Cameron’s just sitting in his car.
Shit, what should I do?
I stand for a moment as I try to calm down, only for him to climb out of the car, slamming the door as he does. Before I know it, I’ve opened the front door and he is standing at the bottom of the steps.
Our eyes meet and regret kicks me hard.
He frowns in pain. “Is he mine?” he whispers.
I nod as tears fill my eyes. “Yes.”
He stares at me blankly.
“We need to talk, Cam,” I whisper.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
My breath catches, and the screen door slams shut behind me. I turn to see Owen walk out. My eyes turn to Cameron and his face drops in horror.
Owen is the image of his father. The same dark hair with a curl. Same eyes. Same skin.
I rub the top of Owen’s head. “Owen, baby. I’d like you to meet my friend.”
Owen smiles up at Cameron.
“This is Cameron.”
“Hello, Cameron.” Owen smiles happily and reaches up to shake Cameron’s hand, Cameron fights tears as he takes his hand and shakes it.
“Hello, Owen,” he whispers.
The lump in my throat nearly chokes me.
The door slams again and Jenna appears with the car keys in her hand. “I’m going to take Owen for an ice cream,” she announces.
Cameron’s eyes are fixed firmly on the steps in front of him, he’s in shock.
“Jenna, this is Cameron,” I murmur.
“Hi, Cameron.” She smiles sympathetically.
“Hello,” he answers robotically without looking up.