Morgan and Sam have been inseparable. I haven’t heard any more news about Tatum or him and me like I’ve been worried about. But now I’m living in the same constant state of worry he went through for months.
Every day I try to call him. I miss him and want to hear his voice, and I want to tell him about everything. He should know why all of this happened. He deserves better than this. This was a vendetta against me, not him. Who knew our lives would be so intertwined and we’re not even together?
I’ve thought about driving to his place to see him, but it feels wrong. He’s right—if someone saw me and people found out about us, he’d be in deep shit. Deeper shit than he’s already treading now.
At the end of the day, I just hope he’s okay and I hope, somehow, we’ll find our way out of this.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Tatum
“Well, that’s great news, isn’t it? Isn’t this what we’ve been waiting for all along?” Coach Murray is on the phone delivering some good news for once. I feel like the sky is finally opening up and the sun is starting to peek through.
“Yes, but there’s a lot of baggage with it. We’ve met with Amanda and she’s agreed to speak publicly about the allegations and to set the record straight, that is, if we can trust her.”
“I don’t see any other options right now, Coach.” He’s quiet, probably searching his brain for any other way to get me out of this.
“I don’t either.” We hang up and I call Amanda. She already set up an interview to set the story straight, but it comes with a major stipulation.
“Can you do it? This is a big step for me, Tatum, but I think it’s time. If we’re going to make this work, we have to start somewhere.”
She’s right, it’s just not what I was expecting. Not anytime soon, anyway.
“Yes, absolutely. Bring him over here. I’m excited to get to spend time with him.” She’s trusting me with Theo. I don’t have any experience with kids, but if I’m going to be his dad, I need to get used to him being around.
I hang up the phone with her and call in the two people I can count on. I haven’t talked to either one of them since everything happened. To say it’s been crazy around here is an understatement.
Amanda comes and drops the kid off with a smile. I’m grateful when she brings food and stuff for him, since my house isn’t quite equipped for kids yet.
“Thank you for doing this.”
“You’re helping me out more than you know,” she tells me.
In another life, maybe she and I could’ve been together. We could’ve raised this baby and been a family. Unfortunately, in this lifetime and with all the drama preceding these moments, there’s no chance in hell that will happen.
Not to mention, I’m in love with someone else.
There’s a knock on my door and I already know who it is. “Come in,” I yell. In walks Chance, Aubrey, and CJ. I guess their son won’t exactly be able to play with mine yet, but he can start getting to know him now anyway.
“There are so many things I want to say to you, but I need to censor myself because of the kids,” Aubrey tells me as she tosses her purse on the couch.
I turn to Chance and he laughs. “She’s right, man. We have a lot to talk about.”
Aubrey walks over to the carrier where Theo just woke up. She unclasps the harness and picks him up, rocking him from side to side. He coos and smiles at her and she smiles back.
“He’s a big baby.”
“Yeah, the doctors say he’s doing good.”
“You’ve taken him to the doctors?” she asks.
“Well, yeah. That was kind of the whole point. I mean, he needs a ton of visits with his history and Amanda can’t afford it.” I shrug.
“Huh.” I glance from Chance to Aubrey, trying to decipher what she means from the one word.
“Spit it out.”
“Well, for his age, I’m not sure he’d be this solid if he were a preemie. I mean, I’m no doctor or anything, but I’m pretty sure he’d still be tinier and not as advanced. He would be measuring what a two month old would, but he’s acting like a normal four month old.”
“Maybe he’s just a smart kid,” I grin.
“Maybe.” I don’t like her tone.
“What are you getting at, Aubrey?”
She sighs. “Nothing. You got the paternity test, right?” I lift a shoulder.
“We’re working on it.”
“Wait, you haven’t done it yet?” She’s horrified and even Chance matches her expression.
“We haven’t had the time.”
“You just said you’ve been taking him to doctor visits. Seems like the perfect time to ask how to get one done.”
The words surround my heart like a boa constrictor. I have to squeeze the words out. “You don’t think he’s my son.”
“I don’t know, but it’s something we need to find out.”
The thought paralyzes me.
It’s the only thing I can think about as the hours pass and Amanda doesn’t come back. Then, an even worse fear takes root. What if she never comes back?
The fear is eliminated around seven when there’s a gentle knock on my door. Pulling it open, Amanda is on the other side with bright eyes and an eager smile.
When she steps into my place, her smile falters. “Hi. Tatum, who are—wait, I know you.” She tilts her head to place where she knows Aubrey from. “You’re a lawyer.”
“Nice to see you again, Amanda.” Aubrey doesn’t confirm or deny the statement.
“What are they doing here?” Her voice becomes gravelly and she fidgets. “I don’t like strangers around my kid.” I can’t argue with that. I go to apologize, only to be cut off.
“Well, Theo is Tatum’s kid too, right? Which means he should have a say in who meets him and spends time with him, right, Amanda?” Aubrey’s tone is dangerous and accusatory. She’s threatening her without saying the actual words.
“Right, but I should meet them first.” Amanda brushes her off.
“Glad you agree. You did meet me first. So, we don’t have a problem here, right?”
The tension in this room is suffocating and I’m ready for the standoff to end.
“Say whatever you want to say, I’m not going anywhere,” Amanda states, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Actually, you’ll be going to court when we file a civil lawsuit.”
“Aubrey, what the hell are you doing?” This is the last thing I need right now, but I don’t even think she hears me.
“You see, even if you refuse a paternity test, the court would order one. Especially considering you’ve been using Tatum’s status and money for child support.” Aubrey pins Amanda with her glare and I never saw someone turn so white so fast.
Heavy moments follow and she glances back and forth between me and Aubrey. After an eternity passes, she turns to me, her face crestfallen and full of fear. “Tatum, I think we should talk.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Bria
It’s been almost a month since I saw Tatum last. I haven’t even spoken to him because he continues to ignore my calls. I saw Amanda on the news. I guess she finally came forward and told the truth. I’m happy for him, but his career is still up in the air. I thought when that aspect of things cleared up, he’d at least take my calls, but I guess I was wrong.