Chapter Twenty Three
“Heidi,” Dean and I say in unison.
“What?” Latson’s voice sounds in my ear.
I open my mouth to explain as Dean says, “I’m on it.” His eyes flash before he turns and walks away.
“Jen? Are you there?”
“Yes, I’m here.” I start to make my way back to my bedroom. “Let me get out of this noise.” I weave my way around bodies, and then shut the door behind me. “It’s not what you think,” I say when I’m alone. “I saw Dean’s phone. He didn’t send you that text.”
“Then who did?”
I get sarcastic. “The one and only Heidi.” God, that woman is a bitch. Not only did she invade my personal space, she involved Dean.
“Are you telling me there isn’t a pregnancy test in your bathroom?” Latson sounds like he doesn’t believe me.
“No, there is.” I start walking in that direction. “But it’s not mine.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “What is going on?”
I flip the light switch and see the test on the counter, next to the sink where Ariel left it. I don’t feel right sharing her situation, but, then again, Latson knows she came to see me earlier. “Remember the last time we talked? Who interrupted us?”
“Ariel. So?”
“So?” I frown into the phone. “Put two and two together. The test isn’t mine. I’m not pregnant.”
Latson’s silent, so I decide to elaborate. “Heidi and I … we got into it tonight. She must have snooped around my room. I was with Dean and Caleb when she asked to borrow Dean’s phone. I should have known she was up to something by the look on her face.” I pause, thinking about it. “I’m sure she thinks she caught me hiding a secret.” Well, I am hiding a secret. Just not my own.
Latson still doesn’t say anything, and I start to feel uneasy. I wait a second or two before asking, “You believe me, right? You know there’s no way the test is mine. We’ve been safe every time.”
He finally responds. “Sometimes things fail.”
His tone makes me wonder if he wants me to be pregnant. “Are you disappointed?”
“Yes.”
My mouth falls open. “What?”
“Why were you with Caleb?” He clips his words. “Why is he there?”
So that’s what he’s disappointed about. “I wasn’t with him,” I explain. “I had no idea he was here until he pulled me aside and asked me not to bring up the past to Dean. He’s worried you’re filling my head and I’m sharing the details. I told him you weren’t and I wasn’t.”
“I don’t like him talking to you,” Latson says. “I don’t want him anywhere near you.”
I want to tell him I can hold my own, but instead I say, “I’ll try to avoid him, but I never know when he’s going to be around. He seems determined to sign Dean.”
“I’m sure he is,” Latson snaps.
I wonder why Caleb wants Dean so badly, but I don’t ask. Latson’s agitated enough for one night. I wish he were here, so we could get lost in each other and forget the outside world.
“I’ll make sure Heidi’s taken care of,” Latson interrupts my thoughts. “I meant what I said before. I can get her kicked off the tour, and I will. There’s no reason for her to mess with you like this.”
“I think Dean may have beat you to it,” I say. “He went to find her.” I’m quiet before I add, “She’s in love with you, you know. That’s why she acts the way she does. She wants you.”
Latson scoffs. “Her actions aren’t love. They’re infatuation and greed.”
I can imagine her reaction when she’s forced to go home. If she’s kicked off the tour, I’m sure she’ll pay Latson a visit. Or two. Or three. “Maybe it would be better if she stays here and far away from you,” I say.
“Do you think I’d let her get to me?”
“I don’t know,” I tease. “She was all over your lap the first time I met her.”
Latson doesn’t think I’m funny. “Seriously? You’re going to throw that in my face when you’re surrounded by guys?”
Whoa. “I was kidding.”
“No, you weren’t. You’ve brought this up before, when you thought Heidi and I were dating.”
I get defensive. “What did you expect? She was all over you.”
“What was I supposed to do? Shove her on the floor? I told you I was numb. I didn’t care about anything back then, other than work and Oliver.”
My stomach starts to knot. How did we start fighting? “I’m not doing this,” I say.
“Not doing what?”
“Fighting with you. Heidi sent that picture to start crap and it’s working.”
Latson sighs and I picture him rubbing the tension from the back of his neck.
“I shouldn’t have tried to joke about Heidi,” I say. “I just know how she is around you.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped.”
Suddenly, there are three loud bangs on the bedroom door. I walk over and open it to find Dean. “Jen.” He walks toward me with sympathetic eyes. “I can’t find Heidi, but when I do her ass will be gone.” He wraps me in an unexpected hug. “I can’t believe she violated your privacy like that. I’m so sorry. How are you feeling?”
He sways a little, so I know he’s still buzzed. “I feel fine. Why?”
“Is that Dean?” Latson asks through the phone.
“Yes,” I respond.
“Because you’re pregnant.” Dean steps back and holds me at arm’s length. Then, he smiles. “I’m going to be an uncle again.”
Oh boy. “No,” I shake my head, “you’re not. The test isn’t mine. Heidi’s confused.”
Now Dean looks confused. “But …”
“Let me talk to him,” Latson says.
I hand Dean the phone. “Your brother would like to speak to you.”
While Dean talks to Latson, I plop down on the bed. How did this night get so out of control? First Ariel, then Heidi. Now Latson and I are snapping at each other, and Dean thinks he’s going to get a new family member. I’ll take a do-over for $1,000 please, Alex.
“Well, yeah. I agree.” Dean paces back and forth. “Do you think I wouldn’t? Yes, I promise. What? That’s out of my control.” He stops walking. “What do you mean? How’s she involved?” His eyes grow wide. “Oh.”
I tap my fingers against my leg and start to wonder how Ariel’s chat with Zach went. She hasn’t come back in tears, so I assume things are going okay.
“Yeah. I’ll call you later. Yes … yeah. Here’s Jen.” Dean hands the phone back to me with a scowl. “I need another drink.”
He really doesn’t, but I don’t say anything. As he leaves I put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“I wish I were there,” Latson says, his voice more relaxed.
“Me, too.”
“Heidi should be gone soon. You won’t have to worry about her anymore.”
“I’m not worried now. As long as you know everything she says is a lie, I don’t care what she tries to pull.”
“You shouldn’t have to care about her at all.”
I hear something shut. “What are you doing?”
“Checking on O. He’s been faking sleep for Shark Week. I’ve caught him watching recorded episodes twice already. Both times it was after two a.m.”
“It’s summer.” My expression softens. “You should let him watch the sharks.”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t have to deal with his grumpy butt the next morning.”
I look at the clock. I wonder if there are any shark shows on now. “You know I’d be happy to deal with him if I were there. Tell him I’ll try to watch some episodes so we can compare notes. What channel is it on?”
“The Discovery Channel. He’ll like that.”
I look around the room for the television remote and catch the time. I didn’t realize it was so late. “It’s almost three a.m.,” I say. “I’ll let you go so you can get some sleep.”
“Now that I know I’m not going to be a father that should be easy.”
I frown. Is he being sarcastic with me? “I’m sorry about tonight. Trust me. I’ll always be honest with you.”
“Don’t apologize. What happened wasn’t your fault.”