Justice Falling (Falling #3)(29)
That reminded me, I hadn’t received the full report on Camille from Johnny Sparks yet. I’d have to check in to make sure he was paying up on that favor.
Chapter 8
Throughout the week, I received daily texts and a nightly call from Nate. He figured out quickly that it was best to call around nine, though he didn’t know it was because that’s when the boys were sound asleep. It was getting harder every day to keep Tanner a secret from him. At this point, I didn’t even know where to start or how to broach the conversation. After two weeks of purposely avoiding any topic remotely related to children, I felt stuck. So much so that now I feared admitting the truth would be a huge issue. Something that could potentially make him lose interest in me.
Daily, I was at war with the fact that I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted Nate to move on. I enjoyed the time we’d spent together, looked forward to our date this afternoon, but I still didn’t believe he could fit into my day to day life. Wealthy, stunningly handsome attorneys didn’t up and change their lifestyles for a receptionist, single mother who stripped part-time. They just didn’t. Jin thought I was crazy to worry. She talked me off of the cliff multiple times when confessing how I didn’t see this thing between Nate and me going anywhere. She encouraged me to give it time, but also to tell him about Tanner. For some reason, I just couldn’t get the words out. It was as if I’d open my mouth to tell him, and it would fill with cotton, the words not able to push through the dense, fibrous material, choking off every syllable.
Having a man call and text me regularly, made me feel desired and wanted. The feeling was foreign to me, and I was afraid if he knew the truth it would end. Maybe that was selfish, but I wasn’t ready to lose him. He made me feel beautiful. Unlike Tyler and the gentleman at the club, he treated me with respect. Those men looked at me as if I was a piece of meat. And for all intents and purposes, that’s what I was. I shook my hips suggestively, bared my breasts, and took their cash without remorse, and planned to do it again and again to provide my son with the life he deserved.
Thinking of the life Tanner deserved, on top of the daily text and calls from Nate I looked forward to, I received several more from my new friend, Oliver. He was bound and determined to get me to sue Tyler for child support. Oliver was convinced I would be living the high-life with the amount of money and back child support Tyler would owe, even taking into consideration the ten thousand he gave me to “get rid of it.” He didn’t understand. I didn’t want anything from Tyler. I’d done just fine on my own, and Tanner didn’t need to know who that man is or what kind of person he came from. If I sued for support, Tyler could turn around and sue for custody, and claim I disappeared with his child. I had read a lot about the subject, and I would up and disappear if that despicable excuse for a human being was given access to my child.
With a deep sigh, I slipped the gauzy maxi dress over my shoulders and down my length. It was Kelly-green and matched my eyes. I added a crocheted thick belt around the waist to accentuate my curves and stepped into my favorite pair of well-worn wedge sandals. With a chunky necklace, gold earrings, and bangles, I was ready for my date with Nate. He didn’t share where he was taking me, and I didn’t ask, preferring to be surprised. Regardless of where we went, the dress would be appropriate for just about anything. I grabbed a long cardigan that went well with the outfit and made my way to the living room.
Jin was sitting on the floor with the boys around a game of Chutes and Ladders. “You look great!” she hopped up and hugged me.
“Thanks, I’m going to wait on the steps for him. Are you sure you’re fine with watching them through the evening? This is supposed to your day off, too, and I’ve got you watching Tan Man.”
Jin rolled her eyes and shook her head. Tendrils of black hair swung from side to side. She belonged in a Pantene shampoo advertisement. I coveted those shiny ebony locks. No matter what I did, my hair would always be a dull brown with a little bit of body. At least I could rock the beachy look, mostly because it didn’t take any effort other than a few sprits of gel here and there and a crunch of the hands.
“Relax, Cam. I’m not doing anything. Besides, you’d do it for me.” She knows I would and I have. She’s had her share of one-night stands, but she always came home even if it was the middle of the night.
Quickly, I hugged her and headed towards the door. I was startled by a loud knock. Bone-crushing fear skittered down my spine. Jin’s eyes widened.
“Looks like your secret is about to be revealed,” she whispered. I looked at her with the biggest puppy dog expression. She stomped her foot and went over to the boys. “Guys, can you come with me for a second?”
“But…but…I’m about to go down the big ladder!” Zach griped.
“And you will in a moment.” The knock at the door got louder. I pressed my hand against the cool wooden surface willing Jin and the boys to hurry.
“Just a minute!” I called through the door. When Jin had the boys out of sight, I opened the door quickly.
“Hey you,” I said, breathless, trying desperately to control the jittery nerves skating along the surface of my body.
Without words, I was pulled by strong hands that plunged into my hair at the nape and Nate’s warm lips were on mine. For long moments, he moved my head from side to side then slipped his tongue into my mouth, holding me in place against him. The kiss was wet, hot, and had my temperature to scalding in seconds. I gripped the back of his neck and kissed him like I’d never get another chance. He tasted of mint and man. Delicious. Behind me the door closed, breaking us out of our trance.