Lexi, Baby Read online

  Her statement wasn’t meant for Ryan, it was meant for me.

  Fuck!

  “Lex, you’re really starting to worry me. What the hell is going on?” Ryan asked. I quickly turned away and walked toward Ryan’s jeep. I opened the back door and buckled Layla into her booster while Ryan turned on the air and radio. I spoke to Layla loud enough for Ryan to hear…

  “Baby, Ryan and I are going to talk behind the jeep for just a minute, okay? I need you to stay right here, but I’ll be watching you.”

  “Ok mama. Who was that lady? She stared. I didn’t like her. And her voice was funny.”

  I smoothed down her unruly black hair affectionately. “Don’t worry about her, baby. I knew her a long time ago. You want me to tell you a secret?” When she nodded anxiously, I whispered low enough so she would feel like this secret was just between us girls, “I don’t like her very much either.” Layla grinned at me so I kissed her on the cheek. “Be right back.”

  I waited at the back of the jeep. As soon as Ryan made it to me I hissed in his face. “Did you fuck her too?”

  “What?” His eyebrows rose to his hairline and he sounded completely caught off guard.

  “I said, ‘Did. You. Fuck. Her. Too?’”

  “No Alexis! Jesus! She’s Anthony’s sister. I’ve only met her a few times. What the hell is wrong with you? You didn’t even say a word when she spoke to you and it was obvious you knew her. You look like you saw a ghost.”

  Anthony? That was interesting; he was Trish’s favorite boy toy. Oh man, this is going to be very, very bad!

  “How the hell is Destiny Anthony’s sister? I went to school with her and I never knew she had a brother. His last name is Lopez and she’s definitely not a Lopez.” I paused. “And why the fuck would I speak to the bitch that ruined my life?” I was trying so hard not to shout because I didn’t want Layla to hear, but my voice was rising.

  “I don’t know, they have the different mothers or something…” he trailed off “Wait, what the hell are you…?” he paused and looked down. He was deep in thought.

  “You mean, that was her? The one from high school and the whole cheating ex-boyfriend thing?”

  Cheating ex-boyfriend thing. Sheesh!

  “Of course it was her. How many damn Destiny’s can there possibly be in the world?”

  “Wait just one fucking minute. It’s been over a year since I last heard that name so why the hell would I remember that? I’m not the one still stuck in the fucking past,” he hissed. I could tell he was getting worked up.

  Without warning, his hand shot out and wrapped painfully around my upper arm. “What the hell do you mean she ruined your life?” he asked belligerently. “Are you telling me you’re still holding on to that shit? That you’re still not happy?”

  “What?” I asked, my voice shaky. Now I was confused and distracted by his strong grip on my arm.

  He continued. “We’ve been together two years, Lex. After all this time, are you telling me you’re still hung up on some asshole who hurt you in high school? Don’t you think it’s about time you let that shit go?”

  I sucked in a breath because I wanted so badly to tell him, “Of course I haven’t let it go. How could I? I see Landyn’s face in my daughter every single day! I see his mesmerizing, amber eyes first thing every morning and I kiss the same plump lips before bed every night! How could I just let it go? Layla is his twin!”

  But there was no way could I tell him that.

  “Let go of me Ryan.” I ordered. He looked down at his hand and it fell away immediately. When he looked back at me, regret was written all over his face.

  “Of course I’ve let it go. It was a bad choice of words, okay?” I lied. “But you really need to watch how you speak to me and don’t ever grab me like that again.” I stared him down for a minute.

  He shook his head as if to clear it. “I’m sorry, Lex. I just can’t stand thinking you’re still hung up some asshole that you were with years ago.”

  I really wanted to punch him in the mouth.

  “Ryan, the only thing I’m hung up on is that little girl waiting inside your jeep.” I looked away from him to try to calm down. When I turned back, I asked softly, “Can we please not argue about this anymore?” His answer was to wrap his arm around my shoulder, pull me close and kiss the top of my head. “I’m sorry, Lex.”

  I rested my forehead against his chest as I let everything sink in.

  “What am I going to do Ryan?” I asked quietly. “Destiny’s going to tell Landyn. I don’t know what happened after I left town. I don’t know if they’re still together, but she’s going to tell him. She could be calling him as we speak. What if he tries to take my angel away from me?” The tears started running down my face. “I can’t lose her, I just can’t. I’ll die before I lose her. Just thinking about it makes me sick.” Ryan held me closely and rubbed my back soothingly.

  Chapter Four

  By the time we made it to the restaurant I was completely stressed out. I was a mental wreck. I hardly ate or said a word through the entire dinner. Everyone kept giving me suspicious glances, but I just shook my head. I would tell them eventually, but I couldn’t talk about this in front of Layla.

  “Hey Lex, can you come with me to the restroom?” I looked up to see Trish staring at me with a raised eyebrow; silently threatening me to say no. Not good. I looked at our group, “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

  Once in the restroom, Trish started in. “What the hell is going on Lex? Did you and Ryan have a fight? You look like someone stole your favorite chocolate with white icing and pink sprinkles cupcake.” I sighed.

  A cupcake would actually be greatly appreciated right about now.

  “We ran into Destiny in the parking lot at the school,” I said quietly. Trish’s eyes grew round and her nostrils flared. I always thought it was awesome when she did that.

  “She saw Layla, T.”

  Tears were burning in the back of my throat. “She made an underhanded comment letting me know she was going to tell Landyn.” I wiped at my face before continuing. “What if they’re still together? She probably called him as soon as she walked away.”

  “Oh! Get this, Destiny is Anthony’s sister. Anthony, Ryan’s friend, Anthony. Can you believe that?” I asked in total astonishment.

  “What!” Trish screamed so loud I jumped and bumped my hip bone into the counter.

  Not exactly the reaction I expected. “Are you fucking shitting me?” she screamed again. Interesting. “I can’t be with someone related to her! And I was just about to have sex with him!” she yelled and I saw her fist. She was pissed.

  “Keep your voice down and what are you talking about?” I asked, surprised. “I knew you liked him and you saw him occasionally, but you never told me it was more than that.” That saddened me. I didn’t like my best friend keeping things from me.

  “I just didn’t want it to come between you and Ryan if it didn’t work out, Lex. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it doesn’t matter now. I won’t see him and risk you ever running into her again; I’d never do that to you.” She put on a good front about no seeing Tony again, but the lost puppy dog look currently on her face told a different story.

  “Just calm down and stop jumping to conclusions T. They have different moms or something; I’m not sure. I’ll find out more from Ryan later, but don’t do anything drastic. Anthony seems like a great guy and nothing like his sister,” I said calmly, trying to reason with her. She glared at me then she sighed loudly.

  “Look, forget about Tony right now,” she said in a resigned tone while waving the conversation away with her hand. “I bet nothing’s going to happen, okay? Even if Landyn finds out he has a daughter, he won’t know where to find you. He might not even want to find you or Layla.”

  Ouch! I know she didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but that was a painful thought.

  “Destiny was probably just being a bitch and saying things to get at you. I bet she doesn’t eve
n know where Landyn is.”

  If only…

  Chapter Five

  Two Weeks Later - Trish

  “Aunt T?” Layla shouted from the kitchen while I was lying on the couch. My eyes hurt so I didn’t even open them. “What Layla?” I shouted back

  “Can I have Lucky Charms?”

  “Sure babe, just try not to spill any this time!”

  “Okay!”

  Yes! Peace and quiet.

  “Aunt T?” she shouted again. I growled deep in my throat before shouting back. “Yeah?” “I didn’t spill the cereal!” she stated excitedly. I growled again. “Good job, babe!”

  Silence.

  “Aunt T?” Layla shouted. Again!

  “What?”

  “I sorta spilt the milk!”

  I sighed. “Give me five minutes okay?”

  Silence met me. I waited a minute. “Lay?” I called out, but when I still got no response, I threw the sheet off and was just about to get up when finally she shouted back. “Okay!”

  Oh good God! I lay back down and closed my eyes again. I only needed a few more minutes to rest my eyes.

  Then there was a knock at the front door.

  “UGH!” I threw the covers back off and stood up. “Just a minute!” I barked at the door. I walked to the dining room for a quick peek at Layla.

  She was alright, but the box of cereal had exploded all over the table. “Honey, you okay in here?”

  “Mmm hmmm,” she answered with a full mouth.

  The knock came again. “Who is it?” I called out. The only response I got was more knocking at the door. “Alright, already!” I looked to look Lay, “Be good. I’ll be right back.” That got me another “Mmm Hmmm.”

  With the pounding still at the door, I yelled. “Hold your horses!” All I wanted was five more damn minutes! Was that too much to ask?

  I stomped up to the door, unlocked it, swung it open and shouted “What?!” before I saw who it was.

  Holy fucking shit! Landyn.

  I tried to slam the door shut, but he threw his arm out to stop me before I could. Shit!

  “Nice to see you too, Trish,” Landyn said mockingly. His voice was still as deep and rough as even I remembered. He was also still the hottest guy on earth. Bastard!

  “Where is she?” he asked, demanding to know. When I didn’t answer his eyes narrowed to slits. “I want to see her Trish,” he growled in frustration.

  I wanted slam the door in his beautiful face and break his nose, but his hand prevented me.

  I tilted my head to the side and crossed my arms over my chest. I bent my knee and stuck out my hip. “To whom are you referring?” I asked nonchalantly and took great pleasure in watching the muscles in his face constrict.

  “You know who I’m talking about Trish, don’t play this game with me. Let me see her.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, sorry.” I honestly didn’t know if he was talking about Lex or Layla, but I sure as heck wasn’t giving anything away.

  He opened his mouth to argue some more, but quickly shut it. I watched as he stood up to his full height and froze. I was about to try slamming the door one more time when I heard Layla’s little plastic high heels click-clacking across the floor; she was close.

  “Aunt T, who’s that?” Layla asked her cute, curious little voice.

  I closed my eyes. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

  When I felt her wrap an arm around my thigh I placed a protective hand to the top of her head and quickly looked down. Layla was decked out in her famous silver crown and huge clip-on plastic, silver and pink earrings with the matching necklace. Her long, thick black hair was down and fell over her shoulders, her long bangs highlighting her big amber eyes. She was wearing a pink fairy costume with princess heels that were much too big for her. The outfit was finished off with pink glittery nail polish and hot pink lip gloss.

  She was staring up at Landyn. “You’re a giant,” Layla said in awe. “Are you famous or somethin’? Like a football guy or somethin’? You look like one of those guys.” She got quiet and waited for him to answer. I glanced at Landyn and he was staring down at his daughter with watery eyes.

  “I wish I had a football,” Layla whispered to herself. “I’ll ask Mama to buy me one.”

  Landyn still didn’t say anything and suddenly Layla perked up. “I have Barbies!” she yelled excitedly. “Will you play Barbies with me? Aunt T, can he play Barbies with me?”

  This was not good at all. I looked up again at Landyn and he still had tears swimming in his eyes.

  Shit!

  He knew she was his and he already loved her. Who wouldn’t? He hadn’t even technically met Layla yet and love was written in black permanent marker all over his face.

  “Umm… Layla, it’s football player not football guy, and this is Landyn. He’s an old friend of your mom’s from high school and I’m pretty sure he’s not famous,” I said very uncomfortably.

  Layla looked up again at Landyn and smiled. “You’re still a giant.”

  Because this situation was so awkward, I forgot to filter my thoughts before speaking. “Layla James, he’s not a giant, he’s just a very tall man.”

  “Layla James.” My head swung to Landyn’s because I heard him repeat his daughter’s name in a barely there, heart wrenching whisper. I felt sorry for him.

  Son of a biscuit!

  “Oh. Okay. Can I still show him my Barbies Aunt T?” Suddenly, and surprisingly, Landyn dropped down to a squat so he was eye to eye with his mirror image with longer hair.

  “Sorry to disappoint you angel, but Trish is right. I’m not famous, but I did play football all through high school. I’d love to see your Barbie’s.”

  Layla considered what he said for a moment. Then she grinned “I changed my mind about Barbies. Can you teach me how to play football?” she asked jumping up and down. Landyn chuckled.

  Maybe this won’t be so bad.

  But a second after that thought, I watched as Lex’s red truck pulled in the parking lot.

  Shit!

  “Layla, I need to have a big people talk with Landyn for just a minute okay? Maybe you can show Landyn your Barbies or play football another time. Can you go watch cartoons and wait for me?”

  “Awww… do I have to, Aunt T?” she whined with her face scrunched up in disappointment. I nodded. “Please. I’ll be right in.” She looked up at Landyn with a shy, yet sad smile “Bye, giant guy,” she said softly.

  “Bye, precious.” Landyn responded quietly just before he stood up and turned to face the stairs. I watched as the muscles in his forearms constricted when his hands fisted. Then I saw his jaw clench and lips thin.

  He knew Lex was here and without a doubt he was prepared for battle.

  Chapter Six

  Five Minutes Later - Lex

  I parked my truck outside the complex, got out and started piling all the grocery bags in my arms. I really hated grocery shopping at nine in the morning on a Friday, but our cupboards we were bare and Layla was starting to eat like a horse.

  I slammed the back door shut with my hip and headed for the stairs concentrating hard on not tripping. The last thing I wanted to do was drop the fortune in my arms. Why in the world were groceries so damn expensive? Everyone has to eat for crying out loud!

  I was halfway up the stairs when I heard Trish call my name in a worried voice. Shit, Layla! She wouldn’t be outside this early in the morning for nothing. I lifted my head and started to ask “What’s wro…” but my voice trailed off when I looked up and found myself glued to a pair narrowed, seriously pissed off, glowing amber eyes.

  Landyn! Fuck!

  I stopped where I was and froze. My feet felt like they weighed a million pounds. I noticed his hands were fisted at his sides. He was furious and looked more than ready to kick my ass. I knew he’d never physically hurt me before, but in the current situation, he looked so dangerous that I couldn’t be sure if the same held true now.

  He was large
r than I remembered; as impossible as that should be. His black hair was now a little longer, but just enough to give him the bed-head ‘I wake up looking this hot every single day’ look.

  He had to be the sexiest man I’d ever seen.

  Get it together Lex! None of that matters now. He’s here to take my world from me.

  I waited for him to say something, but he remained quiet and very, very still; his eyes never veering away from mine. I felt naked under his gaze. I couldn’t do this.

  I let the grocery bags slowly slide down my arms to the steps and I listened as random items fell through the cracks. So be it.

  As soon as I was free, I whipped my body around and started running down the steps.

  I heard Landyn shout. “Lexi! Get your ass back here!” His voice thundered, but I just kept running. I had no idea where I was going I just knew I couldn’t let him catch me. “Lex, stop!” I didn’t think so. I made it to the side street and flew across without even looking.

  “Lexi!” I heard him shout again, but this time Landyn’s voice sounded panicked.

  I made it to the park across the street and slowed just a bit to catch my breath while deciding which way to go. I was about to veer to the right when Landyn slammed into my back. Somehow he managed to twist us around so we landed on our sides.

  Ouch! Shit that hurt!

  His grip constricted on my waist and he quickly maneuvered his body to roll on top of me. I was winded now.

  “Jesus Lexi! Did I hurt you?” he asked while his eyes studied my body. I just shook my head, still trying to suck air into my lungs, but his weight made it hard.

  “What the hell were you doing? Have you lost your God damn mind? You almost got hit by a fucking car!” he shouted. I didn’t answer him. Instead I asked in a small voice, “Can you please get off me?”

  “No,” he growled at me, infuriated.

  “Landyn, please get off me,” I asked softly and nicely. His eyes squeezed tight and I watched his jaw clench. “You keep my daughter from me for six fucking years and the first thing you do when you see me is run. Now you want me to let you get up so you can run again?” He paused before roaring, “Are you out of your fucking mind?”