Page 63 of Rude Boss' Secret Baby
She handed the folders back to me. “I can’t accept this from you. It’s way too much.”
I took the folders from her and tossed them back into the chair. “I mean, it’s not completely for you, but it’s mostly for you.”
She scoffed. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Thanks.”
I furrowed my brow. “Are you feeling sick today?”
Her eyes filled with anger. “What? Just because you decide to grace me with a bit of your money, I’m supposed to straighten my back and smile? I didn’t ask for any of this, Trey. You just went out and did it without even talking to me. And who the hell made the decision that I was moving in with you? Why aren’t you considering the idea of moving in with me?”
I snickered. “You can’t be serious. The place where you live barely fits you and Rori.”
She clenched her teeth together. “Well, I’ll be the judge of that one. Thank you very much.”
She started marching away, but I reached out and grabbed her arm. “Look, if you don’t like it, then I don’t have to do it. I’ll tell them to stop building and halt everything that’s going on. But, if you decide to keep the child, of course, we’re moving into my place. It just makes sense.”
She wrenched away from me. “First of all, don’t you dare grab me like that again. I’m not just some item you’ve bought and paid for that you can simply whip around whenever you’d like.”
“I—I’m sorry. I just—”
She pointed her finger up at me. “And secondly, you’re moving much too quickly. I haven’t even decided if I’m going to keep this baby, much less move in with you.”
I blinked. “I already told you I’d take custody of—”
She threw her hands into the air as her voice grew louder. “That’s not the point, Trey!”
I raised my voice alongside hers. “Then, tell me what the damn point is because all I’m doing is trying to make your life easier with this pregnancy, and all I’m getting in return is a bunch of wishy-washy nonsense from your direction!” The second the words flew out of my mouth, I knew I had fucked up. The pain that washed over her features punched me in my gut, and I found myself at a loss for breath. Or words. Or decent common sense.
“Well,” Leslie said as she brushed her tears away, “I wasn’t the one who asked for any of this. You’re assuming I want it. So, you can stop assuming whatever it is you’re assuming because you’re on the wrong track,amigo. And if you’ve already put this office together? Then, you can take it down because I have no use for it.”
I took a step toward her. “Leslie, I’m sorry. I’m only trying t—”
She held up her hand. “And as for that little stunt with Suri at the hospital? Offering to pay her? I’ve got that on my own. Thank you very much. So, you can stop trying to ride your cavalry of horses in to save the day because I was doing life just fine before you came along.”
I bit down onto my tongue to keep myself from firing back, and instead, I watched her turn on her heels and march out of my office. She left a residual trail of anger that stoked a fire in my gut I had felt for far too many years. And as she slammed my office door behind her, I swallowed my anger back down into my stomach.
But, that didn’t stop my mind from spinning.
Of course, you’d screw it up. Just like your father always said you did.
And as I walked back toward my desk to ease myself into my chair, I focused on the tasks ahead of me—the only things in my life that I could control. Because if I kept this shit up with Leslie, I wouldn’t just lose her.
I’d also lose access to my one and only child.
22
Leslie
Istormed out of Trey’s office and scooped my cell phone off my desk. I made my way for the elevator at the end of the hallway and quickly made my way down to my car in the parking garage. I had to get away for a few minutes. I had to piece myself back together before I took any other phone calls. And as I wiped my tears away, I unlocked my car before I flopped down into the seat.
Then, I messaged as quickly as I could, too, through my obscured vision of my tears.
Me: Atre yoiu free rigght now?
The typos alone made me cringe, but I didn’t care. My crying mounted, and my chest heaved with my sobs as I sunk deeply against the musty cushions of my car. My phone dropped to the floorboard, and I leaned forward, placing my forehead against the steering wheel. And as I cried alone inside the disgusting car that my daughter had to ride around in day in and day out, it only served to enunciate the one truth that had been running through my head ever since I cradled Rori for the first time in my arms.
I’m never going to be able to give her the life she deserves.
I felt my phone vibrating against my feet, and I bent down to pick it up. But it was just out of reach. I gritted my teeth together and roared out into the cramped expanse of my car as my fingers just barely graced the screen.
