Baby Come Back(36)

We arrived at the cemetery for the family only memorial service. Trey had his arm around Tylar who still had the statuesque fa?ade going. I was sure that was what it was. She was afraid to feel the pain. I had been that way for a while after my miscarriage. I had simply fled the scene and hooked up with Ian. He had been fun-loving, sexy and care-free. He had been my coping mechanism to forget the hell from which I had just escaped.

I did a double take and swore under my breath when I saw Amber pull up in her little BMW and get out. Tristan had heard me and gave me a gentle nudge. I looked up at him holding Reese close to his chest. He shook his head as if to say, ‘leave it alone, Gina.’ I certainly did not plan on making a scene, but what the f*ck was she doing here? I finally saw some reaction out of Tylar. She whispered something to Trey; it was apparent she wasn’t happy about it, either.

Amber sauntered up to the gravesite and the priest began his readings. She was all decked out like she was going to some type of diplomatic soiree. I watched her from beneath my lashes as everyone bowed their heads to pray. She followed suit as if she really cared. This was just something for her to crash. She was all about getting the attention - especially Trey’s.

The service concluded in less than ten minutes. The priest went over and consoled both Trey and Tylar; others then followed suit going up to them as they stood before the tiny casket to give them a hug or a kiss, or take their hand and offer their sympathies. I watched as Amber went first to Trey. She didn’t linger there as she was looking for Tylar who had gone to look at some of the flower arrangements that had been sent to the gravesite.

I took Reese from Tristan so that he could go over and talk to Trey. I watched as Amber went over to Tylar and gave her a hug. She said something to her and then Tylar conversed back. There was something in Tylar’s expression that had changed once Amber walked away and headed toward her car. It was actually the first bit of emotion I had seen cross her features since the day she was with me at the hospital.

I walked over to where she was standing, watching Amber as she started her car and drove off.

“What did she say to you?” I asked.

“Nothing important. Let me see Reese, Gina.”





It had been more than a month since I had seen or talked to Tylar. I had called her house phone and her cell phone several times. Jean took my messages. I never got a call back. At first I understood; she was coming to terms with her loss. That took some time. Then I made excuses for her. I had figured it was difficult for her to see a newborn baby. That would take some time. It was nearly five weeks now. As far as I was concerned, there was no excuse for her continued avoidance of me.

I had grumbled about it to Tristan several times. He had told me to just keep trying; it was important to let her know that the lines of communication were open. Frankly, I was f*cking sick to death of always having to be the one to initiate stuff with her.

I had been nursing Reese with just a little bit of difficulty. Tylar had made it look so freaking easy. My nipples had felt like they were on fire that first week after my milk had come in. I was moaning and bitching about it to Tristan. The next afternoon a freaking lactation consultant was at our door.

She had spent an hour and a half with us training me how to get the proper latch; the various holds, cradle, cross-cradle, football and the most important lesson of all: detachment.



(Oh, so you don’t just pull the baby away from the breast, still attached until the nipple finally snaps back against you? I get it!)



How had Tylar known all of that as a first-time mother? I don’t recall Trey having had to enlist the services of a lactation consultant for her! That was Tylar though; that is how she rolled.

I loved the bond and the connection that I got with nursing him, but I didn’t have any reservations whatsoever about pumping and letting Tristan handle it for an afternoon if I wanted to get my nails done or go shopping. I didn’t feel a damn bit guilty about it, either.

The only other downside was the mustard seed poop. I mean that part I knew about because of Preston, but damn, having to deal with three to four of those a day was a little taxing. Usually Tristan was good for one or two of them. It didn’t seem to bother him one bit.

I had just gotten Reese bathed and dressed when the doorman buzzed. He said that Tylar was in the lobby.

(Really?)

I told him to send her up. I was curious as to what would have brought Tylar clear into the city without even calling first. I didn’t mind. Maybe she had been downtown for some reason and decided to stop by. I knew that wasn’t the case when I opened the door for her.

(Christ, she looked like hell. Skinny and fragile.)

The first thing she did as to ask me if she could use my freaking phone. I started giving her some shit then it dawned on me that something was wrong; she was freaked out. I told her to go ahead.

I was nursing Reese and hung around close enough so that I could eavesdrop on her conversation. She called her father. She was crying. She spilled her guts to him. Damn Trey! Damn that bitch Amber. What the hell was Trey thinking making out with the bitch like that? I knew Tristan would be mad as hell when he found out.

I could tell that Tylar was winding up her conversation with her dad. They were making arrangements. I went and put Reese in his cradle, kissing his soft cheek.

“Baby, please take a little nap for Mommy, okay? I really need to talk to my BFF.” He gurgled and smiled up at me, kicking his little legs. God he was so freaking cute.