Chapter 0020

•DARLA•

“What did you just say?”

“I’m carrying his child, grandma.” She rolled her eyes and folded her arms on her chest.

I gasped in shock as I tilted my head and looked at Ethan beside me.

I had known him for five whole years and hearing her say that she was carrying Ethan’s child felt like a bomb in the face and I just shook my head and left him with her and went to the bedroom.

I went straight to my closet and took out the realistic water gun that I brought with me because I wanted to prank my kids when we went back home and went to fill it up in the bathroom before walking to the living room with it, fuming.

“You need to get out of here, Rachel. And don't ever show up saying that you're carrying my child when you know that you're not.”

“Come on, Ethan, you and I know that she doesn’t want you as much as I want you. And besides that, you promised to help me when I need your help, and I’m stranded right now.”

“You’re stranded. Are you kidding me?”

“Get out of my house before I lose it!” I snapped as I pointed the water gun at her, and she ran out of the door with her traveling bag.

When she was out of the door, I closed it and turned to Ethan. “The next time your bitch shows up here, I’ll get a real gun.” I pulled the trigger and sprayed him with the water a little before heading back to the bedroom.

“Just to clear things up, she’s not pregnant with my child, Darla. I meant it when I said that I haven’t seen her for over a year now, and that phone call was more of a closure about what happened between us so that we wouldn’t bother each other anymore.”

“If that was the case, then how the hell did she even know where we are? Isn’t she from Chicago or something?” I turned to him, fed up with all the lies that he was trying to make me believe when it was crystal clear that things between them weren’t over.

“I - I - She uh-” he stammered.

I shook my head and went into the closet to return the gun because if I continued entertaining Ethan, I knew that I would lose all my brain cells.

“I want you, Darla. Rachel doesn’t mean anything to me. My thing with her was never real from the beginning. I’m a man and I needed someone since you and I weren’t as involved as we are right now and I broke up with her because I wanted to pursue our relationship. You have to trust me when I say that I’ve been real from the beginning with you.”

“It's the weekend and I had a very long week,” I sighed as I put on my jacket. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me because I’m going out with Amelia. I need some fresh air.”

I walked out of the closet and headed for the front door when Ethan stepped in front of me and stopped me before I could reach for the door handle.

“I didn’t mean to sleep with her, okay? I was lonely and needed someone. It was a once-off thing that didn’t mean anything to me. Rachel means nothing to me, Darla, you’re the only woman that I want.”

I groaned as I rolled my eyes. “Are you done? I’m going out. Don’t wait up.”

He shrugged as I walked right past him and went to our car in the garage got inside and drove to Amelia’s place.

I didn’t want him to lie to me about Rachel knowing where we were and make things worse for us.

So, I hoped that Amelia and I would have a girl’s night and take my mind off things.

When I arrived at her place, I knocked on the door and a shirtless man opened the door for me.

I chuckled softly when I realized that I might have disturbed a steamy session that Amelia kept from me.

“Hi. I'm -” I cleared my throat. “Is Amelia around?” I tried not to laugh because the last time we talked about her relationship status, she seemed pretty sure that she was over men.

Amelia immediately showed up at the door with messed up hair, tossed the guy his shirt, and kicked him out before grabbing my hand, pulling me inside the house, and closing the door before saying anything to the guy.

“Amee!” I laughed. “You chased the poor guy out of the house without any promises of a possible future encounter to finish what you started,” I smirked as I mimicked thrusting movements before she smacked me lightly on the shoulder.

“Let's go out for drinks before you turn this into love coaching,” she rolled her eyes as she walked to her bedroom, and I laughed.

***

After getting a few drinks and laughing about how time flew, but the place remained the same, Amelia and I decided to go to the nearby restaurant to get something to eat before heading back to her place.

“I can’t believe we can’t stay in the bar until AM anymore like we used to,” Amelia laughed as I pulled the door of the restaurant and bumped into someone.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. I can replace your meal if you allow me,” I chuckled softly as I leaned down to pick up his takeaway. I was wasted and still amused by Amelia’s statement.

“Do you see now what I was telling you? She’s everywhere you are.” The woman’s voice instantly made me sober as I straightened up and looked at the person that I had bumped into.

When I saw Elijah and Abigail behind him, I frowned as I turned to Amelia.

“Can we get out of here before I lose my cool? I’m not in a mood to beat a bitch into a pulp on such a good night.” I walked out and headed to the car on the opposite side of the road.

“Darla!” Amelia called after me and just as I was about to get to the car, someone approached me and stood in front of the door.

“Darla Sullivan!” The guy squealed. “Oh my goodness, you’re so pretty in person and I’m so glad that this day finally came. How are you?”

“I’m good. Can you move?” I planned to get Amelia and leave with her to her place.

“I just saw you and wanted to come by and greet you in person. I’ve been following you for the past four years and your wonderful work. You’re such an inspiration to -”

“Darla, can we talk?”

Lord, help me. Not him again. I rolled my eyes at the sound of his voice behind me.

“Hey buddy, she’s talking with me.”

“Who are you?” Elijah asked the guy and when he was about to answer him, he punched him in the face.

“What the fuck, Elijah!” I scolded him as I leaned forward to the guy, trying to see if he was hurt.

“Ahh, fuck…” The guy groaned before he straightened up and left us.

Fuming, I turned to Elijah. “You're the most despicable human being I've ever known. What do you want?”

“I want you.”

Before I could comprehend his answer, Amelia quickly grabbed my hand and opened the vehicle door for me. I got inside and she drove the car.

For a second, I wanted to tilt my head and look back at Elijah after we left him on the side of the road.

‘Fuck him.’ I muttered under my breath as the car turned on the corner and headed to Amelia's place.