AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A cold hand claws into my forearm and drags me into the house.
“God, I hope none of the neighbors saw that,” Cheryl bites out and then drags me into a room in the house. I look around and notice I’m in an office.
“Monica, double-check that my son, your fiancé, is resting.” I turn to see Monica walk out of the room.
“I can’t believe you are going to claim that my son is your baby’s father. You’re a whore and probably have been sleeping with several other guys.”
“No.” I shake my head as tears roll down my face. This can’t be happening. “He told me he’d make everything right if it happened. It was a mistake. I’m not sleeping with anyone but him.” The words spill from my lips in defense.
“You’re right.” She smiles again. “Have a seat, Scout.” She waves to the chairs behind me, and I take a seat. I know I’ll regret this for the rest of my life, but I still hear her out.
An hour later I’m sitting at the top of Hagelberger looking down into Fairbanks and wondering how I ended up here. Cheryl had drawn up a document that states I’ll never tell anyone that I suspect Thad of being my baby’s father. That I will never come after him for money, and that I will abort the baby as soon as possible. It said by accepting the check in my hand, I agreed to all the terms. She wrote me out a check for five thousand dollars to pay for my “pain and suffering.” I look at the check in my hand and the copy of the paperwork. I had no choice when Monica came back into the room. She said Thad said to get rid of me. I can’t even tell my mom, who would help me with everything about this situation. I’m locked in and I’m scared because I don’t want to get rid of my baby. It doesn’t deserve the hate from that woman. I think of my parents. Of what I thought Thad was like and of my life here. For just a moment, I think I should just end it all, but I can’t do that either. I look at the check and fold it up, then I slip it into my wallet as I make a phone call.
I weave the bike along Goldstream Road, careful of the frost heaves. The memories of my past still flash through my mind. Tears roll down my face, causing me to have to pull over. I wipe the tears away and start up again.
That phone call to my aunt was the only thing I could think of doing. I know it hurt my dad and mom. I know they blamed themselves, and I don’t know how I could ever fix it. I finally showed my mom the contract, and she had my uncle look it over. I was sixteen and not a legal adult. I never cashed that check, so I’m not going to get in trouble. It took everything in us to hold my mom back. She still wants to kick Cheryl’s ass.
I turn up Ballaine Road and then into the pull-off that was our spot. The large Dodge pickup parked there doesn’t stop me. A lot of hikers and people pull over here. I sit on the bike, straddling it. Trying to get the memories and pain to subside. I don’t hurt physically as much as I do emotionally. My head is dropped, and the tears are flowing.
“Hey, you okay?” I hear his deep voice and can’t believe my luck. I look up and there he stands. The Dodge pickup must be his.
“What are you doing here?” I ask without thinking. He doesn’t know it’s me, but when he hears my voice he knows instantly.
“Scout?”
I nod and kick my stand down, then I swing my leg over and stand on the opposite side of him with my bike between us. I don’t take off my helmet until I have my back to him. I slip off my gloves and wipe my face, praying it doesn’t look like I was crying. I obviously failed when I turn around and he steps back. He moves around the bike faster than I thought a man his size could move.
“Are you okay? Are you hurting? You shouldn’t be riding so soon after the attack.” He brushes his hands into my short hair and pulls it back from my face.
“It’s not that.” I look up at him as he holds me so close. His hands cupping my head gently. He’s so big, but he’s always treated me with tenderness. That thought brings more tears because I couldn’t even keep up my end of the bargain he wanted me to. “I’m sorry.”
“We’ll fix everything. It’s okay, Sunshine.”
I don’t understand why he’s kissing me. Why he’s calling me that when he wanted me to have an abortion.
He leans down and gently kisses me. I can’t stop my body’s reaction. He’s always pushed my buttons. He turns my head and deepens the kiss. Before I know it, my back is pressed against the side of his truck and he’s pulling my legs around his hips. I wrap around him as I start to move against his erection through his jeans.
“Fuck, Sunshine, we need to stop, or I’m going to fuck you against my truck for everyone driving by to see.” He groans when he pulls away. I lean forward and lick along his throat, slightly biting his neck.
“I want you.” I tell him the same words he said to me weeks ago.
“We need to talk first.” He doesn’t release me but continues to stare at me with so many emotions on his face.
“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain. I’ve spoken to my attorney. He’s getting everything written up. I don’t want anything from you. If you don’t want to help, that’s okay. I make enough money to support us. And, I’ve done it without using any of that money.
He pushes back so fast I fall to the ground. My hand shoots out in time to catch myself from falling on my face. I stand up and take him in. His face is red, his lips tight, his jaw flexing.
“What the fuck?” he yells, and ducks in the water take off around us.
“I’m sorry I didn’t follow the agreement. My attorney says I was under eighteen, so it wasn’t legal.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? What agreement?” He advances on me, and I slip to the side fast so he can’t pin me to his truck again. I unzip my jacket and pull out my wallet. I pull out the check I’ve carried for years and throw it at him. We both watch as it flutters to the ground. When he bends down to pick it up, I’m in motion. I run for my bike and jump on it. He’s holding the paper in his hand and slowly unfolding it. When he looks up at me, I don’t know what I see in his face, but I know I have to get out of here.
“My attorney will be in touch,” I scream as I snap my face shield in place and take off. I head back to my apartment and hide out.
* * *
Thad
