Replace Me (15 page)

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came. He was right. Just hearing his voice was giving me butterflies. I think that’s why I called and told Shayne what I’d done. I felt guilty for wanting Joey. I felt like a slut for wanting to be with him when I’d just gone out with Shayne.

“Say something, Lacey.”

“What do you want me to say? Do you want to hear that last night was amazing? Do you want me to say that I can’t get you out of my head? Is that how you get off? Do you like stringing women on?”

“What the fuck? Who has been puttin’ this bullshit in your head? Did I ever make you feel like you were one of many? I told you that you were different and I meant that shit. If you were just some other woman, I would have fucked you and sent you on your way. That ain’t what happened and you know it. You can believe everyone else, but it’s a lie. I didn’t just want to fuck you, Lacey. I thought you knew that.”

“Maybe I’m more mad at myself.”

“For what?”

“For thinking you could make me forget about Shayne. I’m sorry I used you, Joey. I’ll stay away from Sky’s place so you won’t have to be around me.”

“Lace…”

I hung up before he could say anything else. I knew what I’d done was the right thing, but it felt so wrong. In seconds, I’d collapsed down on my bed and started bawling. I shouldn’t have been so torn up over Joey, but I was.

I liked him, no matter how wrong it was, or what everyone else said about him. It killed me that we couldn’t be together again, because when I was in his arms, nothing else mattered.

Chapter 15

Shayne

When I walked into the door of my dad’s office, he was sitting there with Ashley and her father. She smiled as I came in.

“What are you doin?”

My dad folded his hands across his desk. “We’re tryin’ to do what’s right for you two kids.”

“That’s not your business.”

“It’s important that you think about your future. Neither of you is ready to raise a child. How are you going to support my daughter now after the fiasco you pulled with your cousin? Were you really goin’ to let him raise your child?” Ashley’s dad and mine were too much alike.

“Dad, please. It was a mistake. Shayne didn’t know it was his.” I appreciated her trying to help, even if she was lying.

“Look.” I stood my ground. “I get that you both are worried about us, but we’re going to have this baby.”

“It’s best if we terminate the pregnancy, son.” My dad’s words ripped me in two, considering this was Parker’s life also. If only he knew what he was saying and what it would do to the one son he still loved with his whole heart.

“That’s not an option. Ashley and I have discussed it. We’re adults. You don’t get a say in this decision. I get that you think you do, but you’re both wrong. I found us a nice apartment and there’s plenty of room for the baby.”

I didn’t realize what was happening until the words were coming out of my mouth. I hadn’t found us a place and I certainly wasn’t about to live happily ever after with Ashley.

The room got silent. Then Ashley’s dad cleared his throat. “I was under the impression that you didn’t want anything to do with this child. Have I been misinformed?”

“Yes, sir. I don’t know who told you that,” I looked at my dad, “but it’s not the truth.”

The man seemed pleased. “If that’s settled then I will be on my way out of here. I have other business to tend to. Come on Ashley.”

They started to walk away, but I grabbed Ash by the arm. “Do you mind leavin’ with me. I need to talk to you.”

Her dad smiled, but had already gotten on his cell phone and was talking about an appointment.

I started heading toward my car when my dad came out. “Shayne, can you come in here for a second?”

I walked toward the bay door and put my hands in my pockets. “Have at it, Dad. I know you’re disappointed.”

“I need you back to work. How long do you need to move in your new place?”

He pretended like he hadn’t kicked me out of his house and fired me just days before.

I shrugged. “A few days, I guess. Ashley’s goin’ to need help too.”

There was no point in arguing. I needed my job and I liked it.

“Just come back next Monday ready to work. Make sure you tell your mother your new address so she can change the files in the office.”

Of course, he was all professional. God forbid he act like we were father and son. “Will do. See you then.”

I climbed in the car and saw Ash staring at me. “Shayne, this has gone too far.”

We started driving before I could talk to her. “Look, I’ve had a shitty couple of days. Let’s just find a place that we can share for now and we’ll figure things out later.”

“You’re willin’ to put your life on hold to take care of me?”

“It’s temporary, Ash. As soon as the baby is born you can decide where you want to live. I don’t even care if you don’t talk to me everyday. Let’s just keep everyone happy until the truth can come out.”

“I’d do anything to get away from that man. He’s so suffocating.”

After agreeing, we set out and found the perfect place. It was about twenty minutes in between each of our parent’s houses, which was far enough away that they wouldn’t be stopping in and spying on us every day. Ash even stopped at a couple places and filled out applications for part-time work. We talked about being cordial roommates, who chipped in and stayed out of each other’s way. When it was necessary, we’d put on a good show for everyone that mattered.

After the background check was done and I gave my first months rent, we were able to move in three days later. All of the furniture from my old place was in storage and Ash only brought her bedroom set. The only room that wasn’t furnished was the baby’s room and we had plenty of time for that.

Staying busy kept my mind off of Lacey, but I still worried that she wasn’t right with things, so one night I called her.

“Hello.”

“It’s Shayne. How are you?”

All I could hope was that she didn’t hang up.

“I’m okay. How are you?”

“I moved into my new place. It’s in that community Canterbury. My dad’s lettin’ me come back to work next week.”

“That’s great Shayne. I’m glad things are getting better for you.”

“What about you, Lace? I’m callin’ because I’m worried about you.”

“I appreciate that you care, but I’m fine. I’ve been home at my parents since Monday and school keeps me busy during the week. I’m sure you remember that.”

“Have you spoke to Joey?”

“No.” She got quiet. “Shayne, I can’t talk to you like that yet.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“It’s nice to hear your voice and I’m really glad that you got your own place.”

“Lace, can I call you again? I promise I won’t pry. I just miss bein’ able to talk.”

“Sure.”

“Talk to you soon, then.”

“Okay. Bye Shayne.”

After hanging up, I was able to smile. We talked about nothing serious, but hearing her sweet voice made me feel like one day we’d be able to get passed everything else and be friends again. Lacey was someone I would always care about, no matter who she was dating. If I couldn’t have her in my bed, I at least needed her in my life.

Lacey

I’d done so well focusing on everything but the two men in my life. Joey hadn’t tried to call or message me, but one call from Shayne was all it took for my mind to start wondering if he’d already moved on.

It drove me so crazy that, by the time Friday came along, I found myself driving to Sky’s in hopes of seeing him, even if only for a moment. I wanted to catch him with another woman, so I could be sure that I’d made the right decision.

I didn’t need to look far to find him, since he was underneath of his car working on it when I pulled up. I tried to hurry up and knock on Sky’s door, but he was rolled out from under it, chasing me up the sidewalk. “Lacey, hold up a minute.”

I turned and put on a serious face. “What?”

The moment I looked into those light hazel-brown eyes, I felt like I was going to melt. I noticed his perfect jawline and the way his stubble had grown in around his chin. He licked his lips before words came out and I licked mine as a direct reaction.

He noticed and a smile formed in the corner of his mouth. Instead of talking, he reached up and ran the back of his hand over my cheek. I closed my eyes, remembering the way his hands felt as they explored my naked flesh.

He nestled his face close to my ear and the air as he spoke tickled me. “Did you come here to see your friend, or me?”

I shoved him away. “Don’t flatter yourself, Joey. I came here to see Sky. It’s the weekend. This is where I come. Nothing has changed.”

He pressed me against the building and grabbed ahold of my crotch. “Everything’s changed. Stop pretendin’ you don’t want more.”

I attempted to fight him and he held me steady, rubbing me between the legs. “I don’t.”

His lips were on mine and I couldn’t help myself. The only reaction that came out of me was reciprocation. For days I’d tried to get him out of my head and now I understood why it was so hard. I yearned for his touch, no matter how bad or wrong it was for me.

Joey pulled away, once he knew I’d stopped fighting him. He brushed over my lips with his thumbs and kissed me softly once more. At the same time, Sky opened her door and saw us in the embrace. Her eyes opened wide.

Joey wasted no time, letting her know how things were going to go down. “She’s comin’ home with me. Make sure you tell Ford we don’t need any drama. Once my door’s locked, ain’t nobody stoppin’ us.”

My heart was beating so fast and I felt like I was going to pass out as he grabbed my hand and led me inside his place. He kicked the door shut and pulled us against it. I still had said nothing to him, knowing that at any moment I was going to start crying uncontrollably due to being so overwhelmed.

Joey pulled away and looked right into my eyes. I felt like he was burning through me. He tugged on my shirt until I lifted up my arms, letting him pull it over my head. I ran my hands up his, feeling his hard, warm chest against the palms of my fingers. With little effort he lifted it off, then brought our lips back together.

He pulled away and sat me down on the couch, while he remained standing. “You think you know me, but you’re wrong. I’ve never lied to you about my intentions, but only withheld things about myself that you would prefer to not know.”

He paced around while still talking. “Since you don’t believe me, I think I should show you the difference between you and the other women I’ve fucked.”

The way he was talking sort of scared me. “Is this where you tie me up and beat me so that you can cum all over my face and make me leave?”

He cocked his eyebrow then began to laugh. “Um, no. Is that what you like?”

I giggled. “Of course not.”

Joey got down on his knees and looked at me. “I don’t want to do this, but you’ve given me no other choice.”

“Do what?” I was definitely worried.

Joey took my bra and ripped open the hook in the front clasp. He yanked it off of me, causing me to lose my balance and fall back against the couch cushion. “When I fuck other women, I don’t care about taking my time. They come for one reason and I give it to them.” He grabbed my jeans and started pulling them off of me, without waiting for me to lift my ass. My body was yanked halfway off of the couch and he still kept pulling. “They never fight me.” I stood up and stepped out of my jeans, watching him pull down my underwear, without any regard for the details of my naked body in front of his eyes.

Joey stood up, threw me over his shoulder and took me into the guest bedroom, where he tossed me down on the bed. From there, he removed his pants, opened the bedside table and pulled out a condom. When he climbed on the bed, he didn’t kiss me. Instead, he flipped me over and got behind, so he was facing my ass that was up in the air. I could feel his hand massaging it, right before he smacked it hard. The sting was replaced by his rubbing and as soon as it felt better he smacked me again. Before I could respond, or scream, he shoved himself inside of me. I wasn’t wet and the friction felt like he was ripping me raw. As much as I hated what he was doing, I couldn’t help but start to get turned on that we were having sex again. My body began reacting to his movements and soon I could feel the wetness of my arousal. Joey felt it too. He grabbed my shoulders and pounded into me harder. He yanked my hair back and forced a kiss on my lips. Then he bit down and sucked on my bottom lip until it hurt. When he pulled away, I cried out. It felt so good and so painful all at the same time. I wanted what was happening, but this was not the same guy that I’d been with one week ago.

Joey flipped me over and grabbed both of my hands, lifting them over my head so I couldn’t touch him. He held them with one hand and rubbed my clit with the other, while he entered me again. He wouldn’t look at me, but stayed focused on my pussy and what he was doing. We slammed into each other, every time causing me to hit the headboard. Loud bangs became more frequent as the bed kept hitting the wall. Joey continued going, without emotion. He fucked me like a machine would that couldn’t experience feelings.

I let him go for a few seconds before I began to cry. Joey pulled out of me and stood up. He looked mad. “The next time you want to compare yourself to someone else, maybe you should come to me first. You and I both know that I didn’t fuck you like I do them that night. It was more than that and you need to start believing it if you ever want to find out what’s been happenin’ between us, Lacey.”

I was speechless. It wasn’t like he’d assaulted me. I’d never told him to stop, because a apart of me didn’t want him to.

What I wanted was to feel close to him. This side he was showing me was obviously his way of dealing with me rejecting him.

After he’d left me alone in the guest room, I waited a few minutes before I could go out to face him. He was standing in the kitchen, naked, smoking a cigarette, with the door cracked open.