I hadn’t heard anything more from that woman since being slammed down on my ass by her accusation of my being her unborn child’s father. It had been two days since she walked into my office and turned my world inside out—two days since Jim, Collin, and Alex had talked me down—and if I didn’t tell Ash about this, I was going to implode with feelings of fear, guilt, and remorse.
“Jake,” Jim said, sitting across from me in the booth, “did you hear what I said?”
“I heard,” I answered, and I rubbed my forehead. “I’m sorry I wasted your time and asked you to meet me here. I just think I need to get out of here and talk to Ash. There’s no way I’m going to go down this road without having told her before the media or that woman—who claims to be her best friend—tells her.”
“Did Ash bring it up last night when you were with her?”
“No,” I answered. “Which tells me that the bitch hasn’t gotten to her yet. She can’t find out about this through anyone other than me.” I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug. “What kind of best friend wouldn’t have told Ash first? Maybe that’s all a lie to get me to freak out and buy her off.”
“You heard the lawyers today,” he said. “Don’t give this Elizabeth woman anything to hang you with.”
“I understand that perfectly well,” I said, almost crushing the coffee cup I held in the diner.
“You’re not acting as though you understood them,” he said in his big brother, CEO-dick tone.
“Seriously?” I snapped at him, my nerves shot to hell. “I understood every word they said. Don’t engage the fucking media if they approach me about it. Ensure the hospital staff is not bringing up my personal life. I already know that, and I’ve been handling my goddamn personal life being exploited.”
“Jacob,” Jim said with some sorrow in his voice, “I’m only making sure that you’re locked in with everything. The woman will be doing a paternity test, and the lawyers are overseeing it. Don’t go losing your shit.”
“I get it, Jimmy.” I calmed some. “By the way, thank you for making that transfer from Saint John’s more appealing for that woman to leave and join the staff at Mount Silas. You do handle shit and handle it fast.”
“She was guaranteed a healthier wage, and I don’t think she wants to lose her position over any accusations toward the Chief of Cardiology at Saint John’s. I think she’ll appreciate the transfer, and if this is your child, you will own up to it, or she’ll have no reason to appreciate that promotion as intern—”
“I know,” I seethed, my temper flaring. “She’s pretty much got me where she wants me if that test comes back that it’s my kid.”
“Not necessarily. You already admitted you have multiple witnesses and staff that understand you don’t bring relationships into the workplace. She’ll just take your ass for everything she can.” He leaned back in the booth. “That’s if she doesn’t trap you in worse ways than—”
“I’m done talking about this. There are a million different ways this woman can fuck me over, and the only one I give a shit about is waiting for me to show up at her house.” I sighed. “I can’t keep Ash in the dark a second longer.”
I stood and threw cash down on the table while Jim looked at me as if I had lost my mind—which I had, two days ago.
He pushed the money back toward me. “This isn’t a saloon, you idiot,” he said. “I’ll handle the bill. Pull yourself together. Do you have any surgeries tomorrow?”
“I finished the last of the surgeries scheduled for the week this afternoon. Chi has been working my rounds on recovery patients since my bedside manner sucks. I think once I talk to Ash, I won’t be sitting around wondering how bad shit will be. I’ll at least get this first part out of the way.”
“You’re right. I’m glad we met up, it was worth the drive to make sure you’re still functioning.” He smiled and stood. “Get out of here and tell Ashley about the woman’s claim.” He gripped my shoulder. “It’s going to be fine, Jacob.”
“What if I lose her over this?” I finally admitted my greatest fear.
“You know, I don’t believe you will. From what I’ve come to see, Ashley’s a reasonable person. I’m sure the gravity of it all will sting, but you two seem to have a connection. Just brace yourself for it hurting her because that’s a natural response. Don’t forget that Ashley has also witnessed what this media shit has been doing to you as well. In the end, I feel that she’ll probably think what we all think.”
“This Elizabeth bitch is after money.”
“Yes.” He slipped his hands into his suit pockets. “Get this part over with. It’s something you should have done last night after you cooled off some, but now is a good time as well. I’m glad you’re willing to tell her, she deserves that much.”
“Right. See you later,” I said and turned to leave.
Ash’s house was only ten minutes down the road from here, and it was why I made Jim meet me at the diner. In this frame of mind, I shouldn’t be in her presence, but I didn’t want to be anywhere else either. I wanted to be with her in the comfort of her home. The idea of meeting at the hotel didn’t appeal to me since this happened, and I could see where that was confusing to Ash. She had to know what was going on with the disaster in my life. I couldn’t keep her in the dark.
I’d managed to pull off one night with her, no questions asked about my despondent mood. She also fell for my lame excuse the night before last when that woman walked into my office, and I wound up staying at Jim’s place. It wasn’t a lie when I told her I’d had a long day after surgery and needed to crash.
Now, here I sat, parked next to the curb out front of her house, trying to gather myself. Even though we’d just had the time of our lives surfing together four days ago, this bullshit I’d been hit with made it seem as though it had been months since I had peace.
I rested my head against the seat rest, inhaling and exhaling in silence, knowing very well that admitting everything to Ashley could be the break in this relationship we’d jumped into without caution. I should have known that my fucked-up history would come to destroy my most meaningful relationship in one way or the other.
I couldn’t blame her if she couldn’t take this—there was no way I’d blame her. I would walk away but walk away knowing I’d hurt the only woman I’d ever fallen in love with.
Without another thought, I unclicked my seatbelt, opened the door, and headed toward the front door of Ash’s house.
“You’re late,” she teased after opening the door. Her eyes were brilliant, and her expression flawless—I loved this woman more than I knew.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, and that’s when I couldn’t restrain myself from reaching for her and pulling her tight into my embrace. I heard her muffled laugh against my chest while her hands rubbed softly along my back.
“Hey, are you okay?” she questioned.
I brought my lips to her delicious neck, smelling the floral and vanilla fragrance of her enticing skin. I finally withdrew, making sure I took every sensation I knew I was about to lose with me.
When our eyes met, her eyebrows pulled together with concern as she reached for my face. “Baby,” she said. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to talk,” I solemnly said, not knowing how to start.
She stepped back. “Come in.”
I noticed two men in the backyard that her dad and Carmen had successfully turned into a beautiful, quaint party pad. Party lights, a swing, outdoor kitchen—all of it was quite impressive, and I still hadn’t made good on my promise to barbeque carne asada out there yet either.
“Am I interrupting you having friends over?”
“Jake.” Ash laughed. “You texted four hours ago that we were hanging here tonight after I asked about the hotel. It’s just Clay and Joe. They stopped by for dinner, and I asked them to hang back to meet you finally. Here, sit down for a sec,” she said with concern. We sat next to each other on the sofa. “Dad and Carmen already headed to bed, but I was looking forward to introducing you to two of my best friends.”
“Best friends?” I mused, and it reminded me of her other supposed best friend, Elizabeth. “Well, I believe I may have met another one of your best friends…” I trailed off watching her intently, her eyes now humored.
“Unless it was Clay or Joe, I guarantee you haven’t met any other close friends of mine that I’m aware of,” she said.
“What about Elizabeth?” I questioned. I knew I was screwing up this way of breaking the news to her, but I didn’t know where else to start.
“Elizabeth?” she said, confused. “Are you drunk or something?”
“I’m far from that. Does the name Liz ring a bell?” I stated. “She said she’s one of your best friends.”
“Liz?” Ash looked at me in disgust while two well-dressed men walked into the house.
I immediately recognized the one with long black braids from being at the hospital with Ash. The taller, copper-haired man, however, I’d never met before.
Both their eyes widened when they walked toward where I stood and extended my hand out to meet them. “Hey. I’m Jake,” I introduced myself.
“Nice to finally meet you. I’m Joe,” the copper-haired man took my hand first, “and this is my boyfriend, Clay.”
“Clay.” I nodded, shaking his hand. “I believe we crossed paths while you visited Mr. Taylor in the hospital.”
“We did.” Clay smiled.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Joe, and it’s good to see you again, Clay,” I said. “Sorry that I’ve kept your friend occupied these past few days.”
Shit. I couldn’t even hold down a goddamn normal conversation at the moment.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Ash has never been brighter or happier, and we now know why. You’ve helped bring our girl out of the funk that’s been driving us insane,” Clay said with a boldness that could only make me smile and forget why I was here.
“Sorry if this comes off wrong, but you don’t look like you’re feeling too well,” Joe added.
“I feel like hell,” I answered.
We all sat in the small living room. I really didn’t want an audience for when I told Ash this shit, but hell, if that bitch, Liz, got to the media and her before I did, these two guys would be nothing compared to the spectators I’d have. I debated withholding the information, but these two seemed to be excellent friends, so much so, that if I crushed Ashley, they’d be here for her.
“Oh, God,” I started as I ran my hand through my hair. “Part of me needs to have this time alone with Ash, but I can see where you two are close friends with her.” I started inquiring in my usual office voice.
Clay smirked. “If you’re here to break up with Ashley, then you’re about to get your ass kicked, Doc.”
“I have a feeling it might be the other way around,” I said.
Ash reached for my hand. “What the hell is going on? Why are you bringing up Liz? I went to high school with someone named Liz, but we aren’t anywhere close to bordering on best friends.”
I rolled my lips and pinched them together.
“Wait. Liz, Liz?” Clay questioned with an arch of his eyebrow. “The trick who invited you to that party and ditched your ass?”
Joe looked at Ash. “If that girl has anything—”
“Guys,” Ash silenced her friends, “let Jake finish.” She looked at me. “What’s up?”
“She transferred onto my ward last week as one of the interns—”
Ash shot up and covered her chest, leaving my ass glued to the couch in fear. She spun back to me, “Please, God, tell me you didn’t sleep with her, and now you’re here to confess.”
All eyes were on me—naturally. The media had painted this scenario a billion times over with all their fucked-up reports on my personal life. Ash made the front pages with me a month ago, and from there on, it was this picture of my eventually cheating on her they put on display for everyone watching this fake soap opera to follow.
I stood. “Ash, I haven’t been with anyone since you and I became an item. You already know I admitted to trying to curb my liking you through being other women before we got together. That none could help me move past you and what we shared over a year ago.”
“Then why are you bringing up that woman?” She finally spun back around. Her eyes were like fire at first, and I accepted our fate with the look of disgust alone. “She’s not even my friend, let alone my best friend. She was a friend from high school. After the night she got wasted drunk and slept with some random dude…” she trailed off, and her face went white. “Wait. Are you the one she slept with in Frisco? She woke up flipping out and texting me about getting so wasted that she went to a hotel with a random guy,” she said in a quiet yet lethal tone.
“I assure you that was not me. I only slept with you that weekend. I did not sleep with that woman or any other woman my entire trip.” I gripped my waist, sensing Ash was completely untouchable with her arms crossed. “I did not recall her being your friend until she came into my office after surgery on Tuesday wishing to speak with me. I was highly confused and didn’t know her name, but instantly remembered her being on my yacht because I was pissed that someone from work anywhere near my personal life.”
“Liz was on the yacht?” she asked while the men remained as silent bodyguards, waiting for me to drop the punchline to this horror story and kick my ass. “How the hell did she manage that?”
Fuck, Jake, it’s obvious Ash can’t stand this bitch, I thought. “I have no fucking idea,” I managed to keep my voice down. “I only recalled her from seeing a familiar face from work on my boat—I have rules against that. However, before she transferred to Saint John’s—and before you and me—after first seeing you again, I was with her, thinking she was just a woman to remove you from my thoughts. Jesus Christ, I didn’t know who the hell she was.”
Ash was quiet, and it scared the fuck out of me.
“She walked into my office after having transferred to my ward, which I still have no fucking clue how she managed since there’s a five-year waiting list to intern for me after the media storm fucked my life over.”
“Spit it out, Jake!” she said.
“She came into my office and claimed that I’m the father of the child she’s carrying.” Fuck! I finally said it.
I couldn’t believe my nerves didn’t make me throw up, finally accepting I had a nightmare on my hands that wasn’t even getting started yet.
“What?” she said in a near growl.
“She claims I’m the father—”
“I heard you.” She shook her head and looked over at the grave expressions on her friends’ faces.
“Do you believe you’re the father?” Joe asked carefully.
“Fuck no,” I said. “Jesus. I don’t know what to believe.” I ran my hands through my hair and gripped the side of my head. “She was a one-night stand, who has seemed to ruin my entire fucking life with her accusation.” I looked at Ash. “I’m so fucking sorry, Ashley.”
Without notice or warning, the one thing I never expected to happen, happened. I was in Ash’s arms, and she was holding me tightly. “Okay. Let’s take a breath,” she said, stepping back, her serious eyes focused on mine. “You’re a fucking idiot for sleeping around so casually, period, but I slept with you because you were like this too. So, while I can’t hate you for this, part of me wishes I could. I know you’re not that man anymore, though, and thank God for it. I’m in love with you, and I’m not letting your history fuck up that or our relationship.” She rubbed her forehead. “Liz. What a fucking bitch. Why would she say she was my best friend?”
“She made that claim after she saw that we were together through media outlets.”
“Of course she did. And you’re sure the baby is not yours? How far along is she?”
I could hear the shock, disgust, and nerves in Ash’s voice. “She believes five months, and she also claims I don’t remember that I didn’t use protection.”
“Did you?” she snapped.
“Unequivocally, yes.” I looked at her, forgetting the men were in the room. “Ash, you’re the only woman I’ve ever had sex with unprotected. I’ve never been that fucking drunk to forget protection. With you, it was different, though. Everything was different. It’s the only reason I was okay with it. I was in love with you even then. Either way, I’m demanding a paternity test.”
“Good. Yes.” She took my hand in hers. “It seems like we have a lot to talk about. One thing is certain, though. She seems to be more of the blackout drunk than you.”
“Honey, don’t forget what’s really going on here. Your boy also has money and fame,” Clay chimed in.
“That’s true.” Ash looked back at me. “Liz may stop at nothing, so if we want our relationship to survive this craziness, both of us need to accept that the baby is yours,” Ash told me.
“I can’t ask you to pick up the burden of what I’ll be going through while determining if the child is or isn’t mine. The press’s part in all of it. It’s all going to come out with me as the asshole who knocked her up.”
“You know what? I love you, Jake. If I didn’t, I’d definitely not have the stomach to listen to this. Does it all piss me off? Yes. Is it this baby’s fault? No.” She rubbed my arm and smiled. “I’m here for you. I’m not letting the media, this girl, or anything else destroy the love I’ve found. The past may come back to haunt you, but I knew who you were before I settled in with the idea that I loved you. I’m not leaving your side.”
“I don’t deserve this or you.” I pulled her into me. “You are, in fact, my angel.”
“She’s the world’s angel, brother,” Clay said as he and Joe both seemed to sigh in relief that Ash and I were in this shit show together. “We’re both here too. Let’s go out to the patio. Jake looks like he could use a beer or seven.”
Ash smiled at me. “Are you in a safe frame of mind to drink, or do you want water?”
I brushed my knuckles along her cheek. “I love you.”
“Let’s go hang in the back. We’ll get through this. If you’re too tired to drive, you can stay here.”
“What if I wanted to take you to the hotel?”
“I’d say you should make that decision after relaxing for a while with a beer or two.” She kissed my lips. “Actually, I’ll make that decision after I see my Jake is back. Trust me,” she pulled me toward the patio, “you’re going to love Joe and Clay. It’s therapeutic to be around them.”
I had no idea if Ash was on something or if she truly was the sincere woman I came to know and love. It was beyond me that she was sticking by my side through this. I owed her so much more than the future I might have in helping raise a child that I still couldn’t accept was mine. That fight was not over yet.
