Derailed (Terminal Book 2) (12 page)

Chapter 16

I made it through Europe.

Barely.

I'm so fucking hung over right now this flight is the worst thing I could be doing with myself. I keep beating myself up because I promised not to promise not to hurt her. Did that make sense like it did in my head? Fuck it. Whatever. I tip back my scotch and water and stare at the ice in the plastic glass.

Who's fuckin’ moony now? Yeah I said moony, fuck off.

Evan stayed in Europe with us for the entire tour, which he never fucking does and I think it was just to make fucking sure that I am in pain. Reminded me every fuckin’ day that I knocked up his fiancée and lost my fuckin’ girl. I don't even know what he told her. Lexi changed her number. Siannon won't talk to me. Landyn is being fucking Landyn and Micha, well he keeps fucking leaving so I don't know what he thinks.

We'll be landing in an hour and I know I've got some shit to deal with. I should have stayed in Europe. Never fucking come back here. Yeah, because that's the fucking mature thing to do.

Barely opening my eyes, I roll my head to the side and look out the window at the clouds below the plane. I haven't showered in two days and I am sure the person sitting next to me has caught the amazing aroma of drunken rock star a few times during this lengthy flight. Sometimes I just stare at him sitting there all content in his button up shirt and slacks. FUCKIN’ SLACKS! Those hipster fucking horn-rimmed glasses make him look like I want to punch him in the face.

He turns his gaze to the dirty rock star glaring at him from the window seat and offers a tight smile. I roll my eyes and burp before pressing the call button repeatedly.

“Sir, I'm sorry but I cannot sell you any more alcohol. We will be landing shortly,” the attendant tells me, but I don't want to hear it. I'll pull the rock star card – that will work.

“Do you know who I am?” I slur and point at myself. “I… am Desmond Charter, drummer for the best fucking band in the world.” My voice grows louder and my slurring becomes more obvious the more I talk. Her arms cross and another attendant joins her to glare at me from the aisle. “Whatever, fuck.” I wave my hand angrily. “Can I have a water?”

The two women continue to stare at me, judging me. I know they are planning to have security meet me the moment we land. Leaning across the center seat I repeat, “Can I have water?” rolling my eyes I add an exaggerated, “PLEASE,” and bat my eyelashes at them.

Hipster-suit beside me curls his lip in disgust so I pet his chest and realign the buttons on his shirt so they aren't twisted anymore. “Hey, dude... I bet I could fuck both of them before we land. Or I could take the brunette and you can take the blonde.” Sitting up, I lean on the armrest and lick my lips. “Yeah, you take the blonde.” Smacking my mouth a couple of times, I can no longer hold my heavy eyes open and I give in to the stupor.

An hour later we land and we get the same old fucking spiel. Thank you for flying with us, blah blah fuckin’ blah and my hipster row buddy gets up as quickly as possible and disappears into the sea of tired passengers. I cross my arms and wait until everyone's gone. I don't even think I have enough stability to consider walking with the herd today. Besides, they may need room to have the authorities board and remove me.

No one's waiting for me at the gate which is fucking amazing. I thought momentarily that they might have me escorted out by the rent a cop team on the ground but no. I couldn't give a shit either way. I pull my sunglasses down over my eyes and walk through the crowded airport and for once I am not happy to be home. Stepping out into the humidity, I raise my hand and hail a taxi to take me to my apartment. I close my eyes and relax during the trip to my apartment.

I wonder if that chick down the hall would want to hook up after I take a shower.

I'll bet my nutsack smells like fuckin’ heaven right now.

Maybe I should shower first.

Pulling up in front, my cab driver has to call to me a few times. I think I fell asleep again. Whatever. I hand him a fifty and climb out of the car, dragging my luggage behind me. I step into the foyer and see my mailbox is stuffed full of envelopes and flyers. Giving it the finger, I push past the second set of doors and step into the hallway. Lowering my glasses, I see no one in the hall and I feel a sense of desperation wash over me as I turn the knob and push the heavy wooden stairway door open with my shoulder.

The four flights of stairs feels like a death march in cement shoes. I've barely made it up a flight and I'm breaking out in a sweat and dry heaving. Having to stop on the landing I wipe my brow and rub my eyes. Fuck... still three flights. Reluctantly, I make my way up the remaining stairs. Huffing and puffing the entire time, I can barely pull the door open when I reach my floor. Lifting the handle of my suitcase, I trudge down the hall to my suite. Dropping my head to the door, I fumble to get the keys out of my pocket and swear at my arch nemesis “the lock” when it won't accept the key I want to feed it.

“JUST.TAKE.THE.FUUUUUCKING.KEEEEEEEEEEY.” I snarl at the door before I realize I am attempting to start the door with my motorcycle key. Flipping the keyring around, I finally find the right one and open the door. Practically falling into my suite, I close the door and plod through the room that is still full of fuckin’ lace and candles and frilly shit. I take a breath and vow to burn the apartment down before storming into my bedroom and dropping on the bed to die.

If only it were that fucking easy.

My phone rings from my coat pocket, and I open one eye on my bed to glare at the intruder. I pull my arm from under the heavy weight of my body and let it drop on my jacket, flipping it until it opens and my phone falls out of the pocket. I concentrate really hard and focus on the screen with my one eye, nothing is worth lifting my head from this pillow at this moment.

Caller ID tells me it's Terina.

“Fuck.” I groan and press accept.

“What do you want, Terina?” I ask, not even trying to be nice. Rolling over I raise my arm and cover my eye, catching a whiff of my armpit I cringe and put my arm back down beside me.

“Are you back in the states yet?” Her voice makes me shiver.

“I don't know if I want to answer that,” I reply without any emotion in my voice.

“I'm going to come over if you don't talk to me on the phone, Des.”

“Why do I want to talk to you?” I asked. “You ruined my relationship.” I accuse.

Laughing she replies, “What the fuck do you think you did to mine?”

She's right. I know she's right. “Sorry,” I tell her. But I'm more sorry for myself than her.

“You aren't the only person who lost shit, Des. Don't make this all about you, WE fucked up and WE can't take it back. Grow a pair and man up for fuck's sake.”

I pull the phone from my ear and clumsily bring myself to a sitting position on my wrinkled comforter. She's right. “You're right,” I say while bringing the phone back to my ear. “I don't want anything to do with you, but I'll do what's right.”

“So, uh thanks for that, Des. If you're a part of it’s life, you're a part of mine.” She slaps me with the truth that we are now tied together because of the promise of a good blow job. “I have an appointment tomorrow at the OB/GYN and I want you to come. They are going to have questions about health and stuff, and all I know is you are Desmond fucking Charter. Who fucks anything with tits and a pussy.”

“That's not exactly true.” It is. “Text me the info and I'll be there.” I press end without a second thought and toss it back on the bed behind me. Bending my elbows on my knees, I rub my face and scream into my palms.

I'm so fucking pathetic.

Chapter 17

I sit in the waiting room, waiting on her to arrive. How fucking appropriate. The reception nurse keeps looking over at me and smiling, she's got that 'I think I know you' look on her face. Which is exactly what I need right now. Recognition, fan-fucking-tastic. I pull my ball cap lower and make myself as small as I can in my chair cursing Terina with every passing minute.

Finally she arrives and after check in, she brings the clipboard with a million medical questions over to me. “Thanks for coming, Des.” She sits in the empty seat to my right and kisses my cheek.

“Are you fucking kidding me? You don't get to kiss me.” I stare at her coldly.

“Sorry, Des. This is just a weird situation and I don't know…”

“I know. I'm sorry.” I truly am. I feel like shit for scolding her when I am at just as much fault as she is. “I need to ask you a question before I go any further with this…” I wave my hand back and forth between the two of us, “situation.”

“Shoot.”

“How do you know it's mine?” I ask truly wanting to know.

“Des, Evan and I haven't had sex in months. That's how I know. He's been pre-occupied with Terminal and whatever business venture pops up next.” She crosses her hands over the clipboard on her lap, shrugging her shoulders as she assures me. She looks sad, and I do feel bad for her. My hand reaches out and pats hers, it's meant for comfort but it's forced. I don't know if I have a gentle fucking bone left in my body.

We fill out the paperwork and Terina hands it in at reception. I look around the room at all the other women in our situation. Women. Yeah right. Lots of girls in this situation and it's fucking shittier knowing that they have to do this alone. I see one fucking guy in the room and it's me.

“Terina, we're ready to see you now.” The plump nurse calls out with her kind voice and the look of compassion. She stands in the hall with her hair all twisted up in a bun and wearing some pink nurse clothes with those white shoes. Always the white shoes.

My hand reaches for Terina's and gently squeezes. “Lets go.” I encourage her as well as I can. As much as I want to bail, I don't want her to be as sad as the rest of these girls in this waiting room. Tearfully she looks into my eyes and sniffs.

“You're coming in?” Her chin quivers.

Releasing a puff of air I shake my head. “I don't fucking want to, but neither do you. So I'll come with you, and we will talk to the doctor about options. I'm not going to be a dad, and you aren't going to be a mom and we can go on doing whatever we want to do.”

She looks at me in horror. Her mouth drops open and her nostrils flare. “What the fuck are you saying, Des?” She hisses.

“Miss Terina, let's get you into the room. Alright, sugar?” The nurse calls out again, this time holding her hand out for Terina to take.

“I'm saying let's find out how to fix this situation.” I smile and stand, helping her to her feet when suddenly her hand slaps me across the face and it's the sound that wakes the entire universe. Every pair of eyes in the building is glaring at me. I reach up to rub my jaw and I laugh.

“Fuck you, Desmond. You'll be hearing from my lawyer.” Terina growls.

Smiling I walk toward the door and hold the middle finger of both hands above my head. Flipping every one off at once.

It's liberating.

Time to go petition for paternity testing and waiving of my parental rights. I want nothing to do with this chick. EVER AGAIN.

Walking out into the street, I pull the keys out of my pocket and walk to my car parked at a meter about a block down. I press the fob and open my door before pulling out my phone and tapping the screen until I find my lawyer, Sal Krenshaw. She's a fucking viper and will make all of this disappear.

“Krenshaw, Pallor and Tolchuk,” the receptionist answers the phone. I can hear her chewing gum on the other end and it grates my nerves.

“Desmond Charter for Sal Krenshaw.”

“I'll see if she's available, Mr. –”

“You can patch me through to her please. I need to speak to her now and you need to do it quick like a fuckin’ bunny, alright?” I calmly interrupt her.

“Wa-One minute please, sir.” She stumbles around her words and I put the call on my Bluetooth as I pull away from the curb and into afternoon traffic in LA.

Stopping at the red light, I look to the chick in the passenger seat of the convertible beside me. She smiles and bites her fingertip while she flirts with her eyes. I flip her off and pull away as the light turns green.

“Desmond Charter. It's been a while. How badly have you fucked up this time?” my lawyer asks. She's probably sitting in her air conditioned office, sipping afternoon sangria filled with ice and fruit.

Her question is the story of my fucking life. How bad is it this time? What do I have to fix for you? How much will it cost to make it disappear?

I relay the horrific details to her in the time it takes to pull into my parking spot. Turning off the car I wait to hear what she has to say.

“Hmmm. Well. It sounds to me like she trapped you. Wouldn't you say? You say she knew who you were from the start, right?”

“Yes, ma'am”

“Stop ma'aming me, you little shit. Alright, well it sounds to me like she tried to trap a rock star so, let's send over a paternity suit. We'll draft up a Termination of Parental rights form, and we will sue her for entrapment. Boom. Anything else for you today, Desmond?”

The grin fills my entire face. “Nothing else today, Sal. Have I told you that you are my fucking hero?”

“Shit, are we gonna need another cease and desist? Do I have to sweep this under the rug too?”

“I need this dug deep.”

“Fuck, Des. Keep your dick in your pants and your nose fucking clean. Got it?”

“Yes, ma'am,” I reply, trying to get a rise out of her.

“Desmond?” she asks.

“Yes?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

I burst out laughing. My lawyer is the best lawyer on the planet. I'd fuck her, but apparently she likes pink taco just like me. I can just picture her with a huge fucking strap-on giving it to some innocent looking chick in a schoolgirl costume, and it kinda makes my dick swell.

Weird.

“My office Monday. Nine a.m. not a fucking minute later. We have a ton of things to clear up prior to the delivery of these forms. I also think you should sue Evan, but we can talk about that on Monday.”

“Monday,” I reply. “Thanks, Sal.”

“You're welcome. Now fuck off.” She ends the call and I find myself smiling like a fucking idiot in my parking lot as the sky opens and rain pours down over me as I step out of my car. Every fucking chick is against me.

“Fuck you too, Mother Nature.” I sulk into my building with my hands in my pockets and vow to burn it to the ground if the decorator still hasn't taken the fucking shit out of my suite yet. I stomp up the four flights of stairs leaving puddles on each step and find relief when I see the decorator leaving my apartment.

“It's about fucking time. That was supposed to be gone fucking weeks ago! What the hell did I pay you for?” I throw my hands up erratically and verbally attack.

“I apologize for the misunderstanding. I have next Tuesday's date written in my agenda and I would not have ever not completed my job.” She looks like she's about to cry. What the fuck have I done to deserve today?

“Fuck whatever. It's all gone?” I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. I feel a migraine coming on.

“Yes, sir.”

“Send me the bill.” I throw over my shoulder as I turn the key and step into my vacant apartment. I walk into the room where Lexi and I fucked for hours and it looks totally different. No longer does it feel like she's still here with me. Maybe now I can fucking move on.