How to Fall in Love (61 page)

I go straight to my office and throw myself in my comfy leather chair. I have so much to do. With a groan, I start with my emails. The first one that pops up is one from Reign, dated only this morning. In fact, only about three minutes ago. I stare down the hall to his door. It’s still closed. I click open the email.

To: Tiani

From: Reign

Subject: Morning.

Tia,

I’ve attached some work for you that I need done first thing this morning.

Stop frowning, I pay accordingly.

Reign.

I click open the attachment and groan. It’s a big job; I knew it would be. I quickly reply to the email.

To: Reign

From: Tiani

Subject: Re: Morning.

Reign Braxton,

As a boss, I hate you.

Lucky I like you as a friend.

Is it acceptable behavior if I pay someone else accordingly to do this for me?

My brain hurts.

Tia.

Once the email is sent, I start working through the other emails and then get to work on Reign’s project. Only ten minutes in, I get another email from him.

To: Tiani

From: Reign

Subject: Re: Morning.

You’re supposed to hate your boss, didn’t you know?

It is not acceptable behavior to pay anyone. Don’t do it or I’ll be forced to take measures to keep you in line.

Your brain hurts because you dress like a street bum, go out, let people sneak their fingers into Mrs. Mufflepuff’s zone and allow very handsome men to fuck you in their SUVs.

Reign.

I chuckle, hitting reply.

To: Reign

From: Tiani

Subject: Re: Morning.

You dipped below the belt bringing Mrs. Mufflepuff into this conversation.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I don’t remember fucking a handsome man. Sorry.

I’m going to get more coffee.

See you on the flip side.

I don’t even get out of my chair before he replies.

To: Tiani

From: Reign

Subject: Re: Morning.

You’ve hurt my feelings.

Get me a coffee.

Reign.

Smirking, I get out of my chair and walk down the hall to the small kitchen at the back of the office. I step inside and see three girls; one of them includes Slutena. Oh perfect. Just what I need. Obviously Reign hasn’t communicated with her that I still work here, because the look on her face is one of pure shock.

I flash her a smile, and watch as the other girls lean over and whisper into her ear, all while glaring at me. Such children. I pull out two coffee mugs, making a point of taking out Reign’s favorite. I press the machine to start brewing, then I turn and flash the girls an innocent expression.

“Why are you still here?” Slutena asks.

I put my hand to my chest. “Who me?”

“No, the fucking coffee machine.”

“Selena,” I gasp. “I’m horrified with your behavior. I mean, Reign could walk in any moment. We wouldn’t want him to see through your fake bullshit, would we?”

She stiffens, but her eyes do dart towards the door. This will likely be easier than I’d thought. I spin around with a smirk and take out the two coffee mugs, then I brush past them.

“You’re playing with fire, Tia,” she mutters from behind me.

I stop and glance at her. “I’m sorry, speak up. I can’t hear you? I thought you said I was playing with fire, but you couldn’t have said that, because it’s not me who is the lying, cheating whore, now, is it, Slutena?”

I turn and walk back towards the door.

“What the hell did you just call me?”

I grin but don’t turn back. “Oh, honey,” I say loud enough so I know she can hear me. “I didn’t fucking stutter.”

~*~*~*~

“T
ia,” Reign says, walking into my office later that day. “Are you causing trouble again?”

I look up at him. “Me? Causing trouble?”

He flashes me a warning look.

“What?”

“Selena told me what you called her.”

I snort. “God, that woman is such a child.”

He glares, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Tia, I don’t want this to come into the workplace.”

“Well, it technically isn’t her workplace. She’s hanging round because she wants you,” I point out.

He walks over to the desk, leaning against it. “Come on, don’t make this harder on me.”

I sigh. “Fine, Reign, I’m sorry I called her that awful-yet-true name. I won’t do it again.”

His lip twitches and he walks around the desk to see how I’m doing.

“You are tearing through it,” he comments, nodding his head.

Yeah, be impressed. I’m that awesome.

“I am, but I’m going for lunch now. I’m starving.”

He straightens. “I’m up for that. You want to come with me?”

I look up at him. “You sure?”

He shrugs. “We’re hungry, are we not?”

“I thought you needed time to clear your head.”

“Tia,” he says, shaking his head. “You climbed on my lap and fucked me last night. I’m sure we can have lunch together without things getting complicated.”

I stand, lifting my purse. “That’s what you think.”

He laughs and I follow him out. We head down the street to a deli and get ourselves some sandwiches, then we find a table at a local park over the road and sit down. I unravel my sandwich, starving.

“Oh God,” I say, staring at it. “Don’t judge me if I eat this in three bites. I’m so hungry.”

Reign laughs and lifts his sandwich. “No judgment here.”

My food is to die for. I moan as I eat, not stopping until I’m finished. Then I wash it down the orange juice I got.

“So,” he says, finishing up his food, “did the bikers corrupt you the other night?”

I look away nervously. “No,” I murmur.

“You’re not very convincing.”

“Oh look,” I say. “It’s a squirrel.”

Reign bursts out laughing. “Nothing with you is ever dull, Tia. I’ll give you that much.”

I smile warmly at him, and it seems to take him off-guard.

“You want to know something, Reign Braxton?”

He nods, smiling back at me.

“Regardless of everything, I’m so glad I met you.”

~*~*~*~

O
NE WEEK LATER

Groaning, I shove myself out of bed and push to my feet. I’ve been ill the past two days, unable to get out of bed for the most part. Reign has been okay with that, because I did all the work he needed me to do before I came down with whatever this horrible sickness is.

Addison and Ciara came over yesterday, bringing me some soup. I never thought it would be possible, but I’ve grown to really like the bikers and their ladies. There’s something so deep about them. They’re always there for each other, no matter what goes on. They have always got each other’s backs.

Plodding towards the shower, I flip my phone over and check it. There is a message from Reign and . . .

Oh my God.

Autumn.

With shaking fingers, I open it, feeling my eyes well with tears. I read the message four times before it sinks in.

A: I’m so sorry I haven’t been in contact. I’m coming home today, Tia. It’s over.

I make a loud, sobbing sound and press the phone to my chest, overwhelmed with emotion. My best friend is okay, she’s okay and she’s coming home. I didn’t realize how much it was worrying me until this moment. I slide down the wall, tucking my knees up to my chest, just giving myself a moment to process.

With trembling fingers, I reply.

T: After I punch you, I’m going to hold you so tight and never let you go again.

I swipe the back of my hand across my face to remove my tears, then I check Reign’s message.

R: Are you still sick?

At his words, my stomach turns. Whatever I ate in the past few days has upset my belly in a big way. I’ve spent two days throwing up. It has not been pleasant. I punch out a reply to Reign.

T: I’m not great.

He replies a moment later.

R: You need to see a doctor.

He’s probably right, but today I’m going to be waiting for my friend. Nothing can stop me from seeing her when she walks through that door.

T: I’ll see one tomorrow. Autumn is coming home today.

Reign doesn’t text back. Instead, he rings. I answer the phone right away, still desperately trying to keep the glass of water I drank only ten minutes ago in my belly.

“Hey,” I croak.

“You sound like crap, babe. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know, something I ate has just made me sick.”

“I’ll come and see you after work. Tell me about Autumn.”

I push to my feet, groaning as my stomach turns. “I don’t know, she just texted me and said it’s all over, and she’s coming home.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You sound like shit, Tia.”

“Oh God, hang on.”

I drop the phone and lunge into the bathroom, making it just in time. I drop over the toilet bowl and throw up until my stomach coils tightly, begging me to stop. When I feel it’s safe to move back, I flop onto my bottom and reach out for a washcloth. I dampen it and pat it over my forehead.

Jesus.

I turn back towards my phone, cringing as I realize Reign probably heard all of that. I lift it to my ear and rasp out a, “Sorry.”

“I’m coming over. You need to see a doctor.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay, I just need to rest.”

“No, Tia, you need a doctor. This has been going on for days and you’re probably fuckin’ dehydrated. You won’t argue with me. I’ll be there in an hour.”

He hangs up before I have the chance to argue.

“Fine,” I mutter, curling up on the floor.

I decide to stay there until Reign comes to get me.

It seems easier.

~*~*~*~

“H
ey.”

A hand is on my shoulder, shaking me. I flutter my eyelids open to see Reign kneeling down beside me, his expression one of concern.

“Oh,” I croak. “I must have fallen asleep.”

He slips his arm beneath my head and sits me up, wrapping an arm around me. “You’re pale, Tia. Let’s get you to the doctor.”

I nod, forcing myself to my feet with his help. He keeps his arm around me as he leads me down the hall and out to his car.

The entire drive over, I keep my eyes closed and my cheek pressed against the cool glass of the window. Reign gets a park as close to the door as he can, and then helps me inside.

“Tiani?”

I lift my head off Reign’s shoulder, where it’s been resting for the past half an hour while we wait.

“That’s me,” I whisper, getting to my feet.

“You going to be okay?” Reign asks.

I nod, walking towards the doctor. He ushers me down a long hall and into a small, sterile room. I sit down, feeling slightly better.

“What can I do for you?” he asks, sitting down and placing his hands on his knees.

“I’ve been ill the past three days. My boss out there was worried I might be dehydrated.”

“How have you been ill?” he asks.

“Throwing up, mostly. Really tired. Lethargic.”

He nods, turning to type a few things into his computer.

“And does the throwing up come and go, or is it constant?”

“It’s worse in the morning and the afternoon, but that’s probably because I’m sleeping through the middle of the day.”

He nods and makes a humming sound, before turning back to me. “And when was your last period?”

That’s a stupid question, and it throws me.

“Huh?”

“Your last period?”

I shake my head. “I have that injection that lasts three months, I forget the name. I don’t really get periods.”

“When was the last time you had that?”

I swallow. What is he getting at?

“I . . .” I stop and think, really think. “It was . . . about three months ago, maybe just a touch over.”

“And you’ve had unprotected sex in the last two to three weeks?”

My stomach turns. “Yes.”

He nods and stands, excusing himself. He returns a moment later with a cup. He hands it to me and nods towards a door to the left. “If you wouldn’t mind getting me a urine sample.”

A what? I stare at him, wide-eyed.

“Just fill it halfway,” he encourages.

I turn on shaky legs and walk into the bathroom. It takes me a solid ten minutes and two knocks from the doctor, before I collect what he needs. I’m numb when I walk back out, frantically going over dates in my mind.

“We’ll have the answer in just a second,” he says, dipping a small stick into the container.

I stare at it, unable to breathe, my heart pounding. When he pulls the stick out and turns it over, I actually squeak with fear.

“Well, that explains your symptoms,” he says, looking up at me. “Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”

That’s the exact moment I pass out.

~*~*~*~

“H
ey, Tia.”

I hear Reign’s voice and feel the soft skin of his hand stroke over my cheek. I flutter my eyelids open and realize I’m on a soft, comfortable bed. Reign is staring down at me, the doctor by his side. It all comes rushing back to me and my entire world spins as panic seizes my chest. I bolt upright and start rambling some stupid words over and over. Reign’s hands curl around my arms, and he shakes me just slightly.

“It’s all right,” he soothes. “You’re at the doctor’s surgery.”

I shove away from him, pressing my hands to my cheeks. “I, uh, I know. The doctor here was just telling me I had food poisoning when I passed out. I’m sorry.”

The doctor gives me a skeptical look, but he knows he can’t tell Reign if I don’t give him permission to. Instead, he nods his head and hands me a glass of water. “If you’re feeling better, we’ll finish the consultation and Mr. Braxton can take you home.”

Reign nods and strokes a soft hand down my cheek. “You okay?”

“Sure, if you could maybe get me, ah, an orange juice . . . that might help. I think my sugar is low.”

He nods and presses a soft kiss to my cheek before leaving. When he’s gone, the doctor turns to me. “I’m assuming he’s not the father, then?”

I flush. “He is, but I . . . I just need to process this.”

My stomach turns at the very thought of what’s growing inside me. Not because I don’t want it, because a part of me, a tiny part, is already warming to the idea. It’s just because I’m not sure I’m in the right situation. Reign and I aren’t together and then there’s the problem of Slutena being in the way.