Happy Friday :) I just…you have to review and tell me all of your thoughts on this chapter. Mkay? GO.
Chapter 10 – Oh Sh*t
Friday, April 23rd, 2021
Troy's POV
She pushed my shoulder hard and I grunted, "Troy," it was followed by a moan and I squinted my eyes, "What?" I murmured as I tried to roll over but the cry that followed caused me to sit straight up in bed. "Eve?" I questioned with confusion and concern ripping apart my features. Her eyes found mine and her arms were cradling her belly. My eyes snapped to hers with excitement building up in my bones, "What's wrong?" I asked her with a slight panic in my voice.
"My water broke," she huffed out a breath, "I was getting up to go to the bathroom, I went, and then on my way back it just popped all over my feet." I pulled her close to me to give her a comforting hug. She whimpered with another contraction, "Breathe," I reminded her. "I was having contractions all night but they were never consistent." I kissed her forehead, "Okay, go get your bags and get ready. I am going to wake up Gabi and see if she'll stay with Claire until my mom can get here, okay?" she nodded as I kissed her forehead with a gentle kiss. I tried to not let it nag at me that was the first time I had kissed anything on her in weeks.
I pushed out of bed as I pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts with a hoodie. I yanked on a pair of Adidas tennis shoes and moved out of the bedroom. I swept my fingers through my hair as I rubbed the sleep out of my eye. I hesitated towards Gabi's door after our talk the other week. It was deep and hard and…I just didn't want rock the boat too much but I needed her help. I chewed on my lip as I tapped on the door gently but I heard no movement from the other side.
Quietly opening up the door, I glanced in as she was fast asleep on the left side of the bed as normal. It was the reason I slept on the right. When we were in school and we would study, lay in bed and watch a movie, or do uh…other things, she always started on the left. Her hair was in a bun on the top of her head and she looked peaceful. I clutched Claire's monitor in my hand as my blue eyes swept over her entire body before landing on her face, again. I gently went to the side of the bed while sitting down next to her. I tapped her shoulder gently and she moved her head. "Gabs," I whispered with little response to my words.
A strand of hair fell into her face and I held my breath but she didn't move. I reached forward and pushed the hair behind her ear. She moved again as my fingers touched her warm skin, the familiar tingle running through my body. My heart beating rapidly in my chest. I felt a shaky breath move out of my chest, "Gabi," I finally spoke up her name a little louder. She opened her eyes with a panic and she jumped in her sleep. "Jesus, Fuck, Troy," she said as her hand went over her heart.
I chuckled quietly, "Calm down. I'm sorry, I don't want to wake you. Eve is in labor. I need to get her to the hospital but it's three in the morning. I will send my mom by twelve this afternoon if that's okay." She sat up quickly and nodded, "Is Eve, okay?" she asked, I smiled warily, "Yea, she's okay. She's just in labor. Her labor with Claire lasted well over 15 hours. I don't suspect this will go too fast but I will text you when my mom is on her way."
She nodded again, "Okay. It's really okay," she hesitated and smiled quietly to herself, "When I made the initial rule about not being her babysitter…it was mostly just in the house. These things I'm okay with it. I know her parents aren't around and your parents are in Wilmington. Don't worry too much about it." I smiled and nodded, "Thanks, Gabi." She nodded, "Good luck, Troy." I smiled as I looked into her brown eyes that were hazy with sleep.
Her eyelids drooped down and I just stared at her when she let those brown eyes drop from mine. I cleared my throat and I stood up, "I'll let you know how it goes." Gabi nodded and she laid back down as I shut the door. I breathed out heavily as I walked across to find Eve leaning against the counter. I reached for my hat on the counter as I pulled it down to shield my eyes, I put my car keys and wallet in my pocket before I put my hand on her back as I picked up her hospital bag and her purse as I ushered her down to the parking garage.
Helping her into the car, she buckled her seatbelt as I put in a phone call to my mom. It rang a couple of times and then she picked up, "I need you and dad to get to Boston." I spoke. She squealed with excitement and I smiled at her reaction. I held Eve's hand to reassure her that I was here but I could tell that this labor wasn't going to be nearly as long as Claire's. She was already in a lot of pain and her contractions appeared too already be close together.
Chewing on my lip, she said they would get on a flight as soon as they could. I thanked them as we pulled into the hospital. I parked the car in the front parking space and put my car in park. My eyes glanced over at her as she breathed in deeply, "Are you ready for this?" I asked her and she gave a hesitant laugh and a nod. I got out and jogged inside to find her a wheelchair but she whimpered forward in pain. "I'm here, I'm here," I said squeezing shoulder gently. I was a shit ton more scared with Claire. I was becoming a dad for the first time, I was 22, and she was induced. This time. I knew what was going to happen and how everything worked. I didn't know that it was going to move this quickly. I grabbed two of the bags and threw them over my shoulder.
We found our way to L&D where they quickly pulled her into a room and settled her onto a table – having my name worked wonders sometimes. She changed into a gown while they strapped her up to make sure she was truly in labor. She inhaled and exhaled heavily with the pain, "I can promise I am in labor." She cried as I gripped her hand tightly, the nurse laughed lightly, "I think you are too but this is just part of the process." They checked her dilation and the nurse smirked.
"Yea, you're having a baby sooner than later. You're already six centimeters dilated and basically all the way thinned out." Eve tilted her head back and I squeezed her hand gently in reassurance, "Can I get an epidural still?" she asked, the nurse nodded, "I'll put in a request right away. Let's get you in a room and get a doctor to check on you." I thanked her as she left the room and I gave a tiny smile over to Eve. "I'm excited to meet him." I said as I reached over to put my hands on her belly.
It was round and ballooned out of her stomach. "I can't wait to meet him either. I hope he likes football," she said with a sparkle of happiness in her eye. I smiled over at her, "I think I just want him to be happy." Our fingers squeezed together as the whole process got expedited. We were transferred to a labor room; she got her IV and the doctor came to check her as they watched her contractions that were already growing closer and closer together.
It was a whirlwind to how fast this was going because by the time they got her admitted and an epidural placed, they were racing against the clock to finish because she was basically ten centimeters. She was crying with the pain as I held her and tried to soothe her. "We're so close to meeting him," I whispered to her. She closed her eyes tightly and the nurse came in to check her again. The nurse couldn't stop her smile as she checked her dilation, "Eve, we're going to place you in stirrups – it's time to meet this baby." Eve laughed as her epidural was finally taking a good effect as she was relaxed and laughing. "This must be the second baby," the nurse said with a smile, Eve gave her own tiny smile, "Yea, we have a little girl. Claire." The nurse gave the both of us a smile, "Well, she's about to be a big sister. This baby is ready." Eve sent me over a smile as I threaded our fingers together. I kissed her hand as they prepared the room to welcome our son. It wasn't long until they allowed her to start pushing. I held her hand and encouraged her through every single push.
"Good, Eve," the nurse encourages, "I already see the baby's head."
The on-call doctor came in and settled in front of the bed as she watched, "Eve, give me one big push and this baby's head will probably be here." Eve mustered up strength and pushed down as I helped her lean forward. "You got this baby; you are doing so well." I encouraged her and she groaned, "We have a head!" I smiled brightly as I kissed her forehead, "You're almost done," I whispered into her ear. Eve laid back as tears filled her eyes and she was sweating with effort. Her eye pulled me in and I saw something there I wasn't sure how to place it.
"Troy," her eyes looked at me and I saw panic fill them and I gave her a confused look when the doctors told her to push again. Eve struggled with something but shook her head before she started to push with the contraction. Then we heard the wail of our son as I looked down with a beaming smile on my face as I looked at the doctor hold up our little boy. Yet, my smile slipped away from my face immediately. My fingers dropped hers and I felt my feet stumble backwards. I collided with something but I couldn't process what because I could only see red.
My heart hammered inside my chest and my blood boiled underneath.
The world seemed to stop spinning.
The room got really quiet besides the wail of our son, her son, and the sob of Eve behind me. I took two more steps away from the bed as anger swelled underneath of me. They laid him down on Eve's chest as she put a hand on him but her other hand was over her eyes as she sobbed. I wasn't sure what the sobs were for at this point if it was because she had her child or if it was because she knew it wasn't my child. I took in this little boy with dark black hair and a skin tone that didn't match anything close to ours. My jaw worked back and forth as I tried to keep my reaction to a minimum because all of these people knew who I was. They knew this was Troy Bolton and his wife.
They knew that my wife cheated on me. They could probably clearly tell that I had no fucking idea. They could see the tension spread among the room and the anger boil underneath my skin. Nothing was okay. Everything was definitely wrong and I could feel the acid burning in the back of my throat. My eyes blurry with emotion as I wanted to say so many things but I couldn't get my mouth to move. My jaw ticked with anger.
I was going to need non-Disclosure agreements immediately.
This wasn't my son.
Eve was still crying but she was finally looking at her son as he had calmed down and was laying on his chest. "Mr. Bolton," I looked up with confusion all over my face, "Would you like to step outside for a minute?" I swallowed hard and I nodded my head as I started to move, my body cold and angry. "Troy," she gasped out my name and I didn't turn to look at her, I didn't give two shits that she just said my name, I could care fucking less at this point.
Pushing out of the hospital room, I ran my hands over my face as I felt the panic settle in my chest. Eve had cheated on me. Eve cheated on me and told me that we were having a baby together. Did she know this entire time? Is she still cheating on me? The questions were like rapid fire in my head as I finally had to sit down and breath as I felt like air wasn't getting into my lungs. "Mr. Bolton, breathe," I looked up and realized I was hyperventilating. The panic taking over and the sheer shock of everything.
A nurse was taking my pulse as I just followed her breathing pattern, "Good. Breathe," she whispered and I just nodded my head until I could breathe normally again. The panic going away just a little bit as the nurse gave me a reassuring nod. "I know that this is all a shock to you and I am so sorry." Her voice was soothing but it wasn't like Gabi's voice. It wasn't calm and collected. This nurse was panicking as well.
"I just…what do I do now? We have a daughter together. We're married. She's my wife and I am a public figure. She's an influencer. People are expecting to see our baby and when they see a picture of our baby, they are going to clearly know that is isn't my baby." The tears surfaced finally and they just started to fall. "That was supposed to be my baby. We always said we were going to give Claire a sibling but…but that isn't my baby."
I couldn't stop the tears as my heart broke in half. I spent the last nine months bonding with that baby in her belly. Talking to him every night, coaching him through plays on the football field, and just preparing for him. I was excited to teach him football and coach him as he got older but I knew in the moment I laid eyes on him none of that was going to happen. "I think the best thing for you to do is talk to Eve after we have her all cleaned up. We'll take the baby for his wellness check-up and we'll give you two sometime alone."
I just nodded as the nurse finally walked away after she knew I was better. I tilted my head into the back of the wall because I didn't know what to do. This wasn't written about in a baby book. This wasn't something I just prepared for. I didn't have an inkling that she was cheating on me. Nothing, nada, zero.
Maybe that was part of the problem.
I knew we weren't a match made in heaven from the beginning but I liked her well enough. She had Claire and we did always want her to have at least a sibling. We just made everything work for our daughter but I wasn't sure how in the fuck we were going to make this work. This wasn't something we could just hide from the public. It was very obvious and I was going to have to say something. The entire country knew we were expecting a baby at any point.
My fingers ran through my hair before running over my five o'clock shadow on my face. I breathed out heavily and I heard the door open. They wheeled the baby out in a bassinet and the nurses all took a glance at me. I stood up on shaky legs and the nurse who talked to me stopped me, "We will be back in twenty minutes." I thanked her as I wiped my palms off on my pants before entering the room. Eve was still sobbing as the door collapsed shut behind me
Her eyes looked up to meet mine, "Troy, I can explain," she cried and I let out a bitter laugh, "I sure hope you can fucking explain!" I yelled. Eve winced at my voice and I just laughed again, "What the fuck, Eve. That baby is clearly not my baby. You fucking cheated on me." Eve stared at me and her bottom lip trembled but she nodded. "Yes." She confirmed, I laughed, "I already knew the answer Eve! I don't make black babies!"
Eve exhaled and the tears started again, "I'm so sorry, Troy, I just…" she wiped her tears away, "I didn't think it was his when I got pregnant." I snorted, "Rich," I shot back at her. "Are you still seeing him?" I questioned over towards her and Eve hesitated but shook her head no. "I haven't seen him since before Claire was diagnosed. He knew I was pregnant but I didn't think it was his. He knew about us." My fists curled tightly into my side as I turned my head as I tried to not show her how angry I truly was.
"For Fuck Sakes," I shook my head, "I'm a fucking fool." I looked at her and I shook my head, "I know we have never had the best relationship but I never touched or looked at another woman since the beginning of our relationship and we went exclusive. I have stayed faithful and this is how you repay me?" I questioned moving my hands in the air, Eve laughed, "Really Troy? Like there isn't something going on between you and Gabi."
I snorted, "Jesus, Eve, no. She's taking care of our sick daughter. We aren't anything. I haven't touched her." Eve shook her head, "No, but you can't stop staring at her. You are constantly staring with this lost puppy dog eyes and the smiles that you give when you look at her…are something you never gave me."
"Why the fuck are we arguing about this? You fucking cheated on me. You had a baby with another man. You are the one who was unfaithful in this relationship and this clearly happened well before fucking Gabi came back into my life. So, stop deflecting your fucking bullshit. You cheated. You're a sorry excuse for a person for not even being like hey, Troy, I might be carrying another man's fucking baby."
Eve was sobbing again and I shook my head, "No. I'm over this bullshit. We're done." Eve cried out, "No, Troy, I am so sorry. I promise, I'll end things." I whirled around and stared at her. "You're still talking to him?" The anger boiled in my body and I could feel the rage pulsing off of me. Eve saw it all in my features because her entire body shrunk and her eyes went wide with fear. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out and then she shut it again. "Troy," she whispered quietly and I closed my fists tightly.
"No, do not say another word. We're fucking over. Find yourself a damn apartment because you aren't coming back to mine. I'll be Claire's primary caregiver until you can figure your sorry excuse of a life out. I don't know why you didn't just tell me you were unhappy in our relationship. I would have happily worked shit out with you but now? No. This is over. I am not doing this. I refuse to take care of another man's baby, I refuse to be with a cheating bitch, and I refuse to let you have my daughter until you can be in a suitable place for her."
Her lips parted and balked at my words, "You can't keep her from me."
"You can come visit when I allow it."
"No."
"Shut the fuck up, Eve. I'll have my lawyers contact you with papers. I hope you have a damn good life." I picked up my shit and I quickly left the hospital room. It didn't take long until my fist found a wall and broke it. My hand cut up and bleeding immediately. I didn't know what I needed to do right now because I wasn't sure what the fuck to do. My whole life just shattered wide open. My heart was bleeding.
I wanted to break shit. I wanted to just throttle somebody. I didn't know who she was fucking but I wanted to murder him. The fact that she was cheating on me and still is cheating on me…is fucking ridiculous. Picking up my phone, I scrolled until I found his number.
"Hey! How is everything going?" Hanson asked, I sent him a text earlier, "She's been cheating on me," I threw out. Hanson was quiet on the phone, "Troy…" I shook my head as I fought the tears that were climbing in my throat. "She fucking cheated on me, dude."
"Where are you?" Hanson asked, I was still standing in the hospital and I closed my eyes. "Meet me at the breakfast bar." I muttered, "No, get in an Uber and come to the house. I'll have booze ready but you cannot be seen in the breakfast bar getting trashed." I didn't say anything, "Troy, I am sorry." I cleared my throat, "Yea, I'll see you later."
It was a blur getting into my car, driving to Hanson's house, and moving into the house. It was quiet, which confused me because he had kids. Kids. Pleural. I was supposed to have kids. I twisted open the door knob and walked in. Hanson took one look at me and gave me a tumbler of whiskey.
I took one long sip and finished the whole thing. "What happened?" Hanson asked after he pushed me into the couch. I cracked a laugh as I took another drink of the whiskey. "Her water broke this morning, it was a fast labor, and the next thing I know they are handing her a mixed baby." Hanson winced with the words, "The baby has black hair, dark eyes, and a very dark skin tone compared to the two of us. She was sobbing and pleading with me but I lost my shit."
Hanson eyed me eerily as the words tumbled out of my mouth. His face trying to decide what the best thing to do was in this situation. He was hesitant because this was unchartered territory that we were diving into and I was about to lose my ever-loving mind. "Troy, I wish I had words or something that would help but I don't even know what to say. What did you do?" he questioned and I blew out a hot heavy breath of air. My anger working back up and I slammed down the rest of the whiskey as he started pouring me another one.
I exhaled heavily, "After they cleaned her up, I told her we were over and our relationship was done. She claimed that she hasn't slept with him in a while but they still talk. She kept begging that she'll give the cheating asshole up if I would just stay and I told her absolutely not. I know that we've struggled with our marriage but I never did that shit. I've had countless opportunities but I never did. I'm so fucking over this bullshit."
"You never really loved her." Hanson said, I looked at him and I just sighed, "I did in the beginning." I said and Hanson shook his head. "No, you didn't. From the stories you've told me of you and Gabi from high school? That was you in love. You did everything to protect her and be there for her. You barely gave two shits about Eve half the time. You didn't care if she showed up to your games and you've already expressed want in Gabi coming to the games."
I chewed on my lip, "You always want Claire there but if she came with a babysitter, you were happy. You didn't love her and I think you were only with her still because of Claire. You made it work. You provided her a good household but maybe this is what you needed. An excuse to walk away." I took another long drink, "Not like this. I would have been more than happy to just separate but this is going to get messy and gross."
Hanson sat down and sighed, he looked at me for a beat as if he was trying to find the correct words to say to me in this situation but he didn't seem to have any. "You don't have to let it be nasty and gross." He finally forced out and I let out a bitter laugh from deep inside of me.
"How is Eve going to take care of a newborn and my daughter with cancer? Gabi stays at my apartment. That makes having to move Gabi and Claire into an apartment that won't be suitable for Claire's needs." Hanson chuckled, "You are thinking way ahead here buddy, I doubt she'll argue with that Claire just needs to stay with you. You are going to have to let her back into your house though." I sucked on my lower lip and I took another long pull before refilling my drink.
"Fuck this bullshit, Hanson."
He patted my back with a firm hand and he let out a long sigh himself, "I know,"
Gabi's POV
I frowned as it was past five in the evening and I haven't heard from Troy or Eve. His parents did show up and they haven't heard anything either. They were both sick with worry but were playing with Claire. She was exhausted today though and mostly just wanted to watch movies. She was still recovering from the pneumonia and she had chemo last week. I was stirring the dinner that I was preparing when the front door of the apartment opened. I spun around and a very drunk Troy Bolton staggered in with Hanson behind him. My eyebrows shot up in confusion and Hanson looked grim with his best friend.
Hanson shot me a look and I frowned deeper. "Are his parents and Claire here?" Hanson asked me and I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't find any words because I couldn't speak looking at him. He was a mess and it broke my heart looking at him because I could seriously tell his heart had been broken in half. What the fuck happened today? "Gabi," Hanson said again and I snapped out of it trying to find my voice.
"Yes," Troy slurred. Troy looked right at me and I saw something in his features that showed that something went terribly wrong today. All of the different thoughts of what could have happened started to roll through and the panic began to fill my chest. I shut the stove off, "They are all in Claire's room." I said softly, my voice finally finding me, Hanson nodded as he shoved Troy across the apartment. "Wait," Troy stopped his body and gripped the counter. "Wait," his words were slurred and he shut his eyes as if he was trying to concentrate but the room wouldn't stop spinning in circles.
My eyes were concerned watching him, my heart dropping to my gut. "Troy," I finally said and those eyes flashed open, the blue gray, "Did you ever cheat on me?" Troy asked, his voice filled with zero emotion but just flat. I rose my eyebrows high in the air, "What? Troy, no never." I said but I scrunched my face up. "Why in the world would you think that?" I fought back with my words but I shook my head. I didn't want to talk about us. He just had a baby this morning. Troy chuckled to himself, "Just making sure I didn't date two cheaters. One is plenty."
I shot a look at Hanson as he sighed and his eyes met mine, I gave him a questioning look but he just shook his head back and forth, "Troy, c'mon,"
"No, Gabi is going to find out. Might as well just tell her. My wife found some black dick and he got her pregnant. That baby isn't mine. That bitch still talks to him. He knew about me. That baby isn't mine." The words cracked on his tongue and the panic began to set in for him. He slumped to the floor and I felt my heart break for him. The pain was deep and embedded into his pores. Troy loved Claire with every fiber of his soul. I could only imagine how excited he was to have another kid to love like that, how much he had already bonded, and how devastated he probably was in the delivery room. My heart shattered for him. Hanson watched his friend and this must have gone on for most of the day. A panic of rumbles echoed from his mouth as he just kept talking as a few tears shed from his eye.
I sat down on the floor next to Troy as I kept space between the two of us but I mirrored his position. "This isn't your problem but I just wanted you to know," his words were jumbled together but I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Troy." I said quietly. "This must hurt because I know how much you love Claire and how excited you were to have a little boy. It's okay to feel all of that but I just want you to know that it'll all work out like it is supposed to. You're still shocked and upset. Get some sleep." My voice was quiet and he laughed, "How is this going to just work out Gabi? I have a daughter. I'm getting a divorce. And I started football shit this week and it's going to get worse. Oh, and just to throw a cherry on top…my daughter has fucking cancer." His words were spiteful and full of anguish. "And you were right. I was already in love with that little boy. I couldn't wait for Claire to have a little brother, I couldn't wait to teach him football, I couldn't wait for all of the things we were going to get to do together but now I won't get that opportunity. I won't." his voice cracked at the end and I shared a look with Hanson. "All day," he mouthed to me and I cringed.
"Troy, man, this all happened today. You need to sleep and let it all go for tonight." Hanson sat on the other side of him as Troy scrubbed his face. "Daddy!" Troy tensed heavily from her voice as Hanson quickly stood up and scooped Claire into his arms. "Hi Claire Bear," Claire giggled as I gently put my hand around Troy's bicep. His eyes were full of alcohol and those blue eyes were gray with anger and alcohol. "Go to the bedroom. I'll take care of her tonight."
He parted his lips to try and say something but he shook his head, "No,"
"No, you're too drunk. Go." I stood up as I pulled Troy up, his large warm hand wrapped around mine. All of those feelings rushing back with his big hands-on top of mine. Troy looked at me and a look of something came across that I couldn't explain. He stumbled over his feet when his dad and mom came into the room. "Troy?" his mom rushed over to him but I shook my head. "Sara, I will explain everything but Claire doesn't need to see Troy like this." I whispered softly.
Her eyes went around with shock and I nodded, "Let's just get him into the bedroom and I'll have Hanson help him from there. Can you go cause a distraction with Claire?" She nodded her head before she slipped back to Claire to take her back to the bedroom. I coaxed Troy up and towards his bedroom. I pushed him inside as Hanson followed, "Thanks, Gabi," I nodded my head as I went back to see Sara and Marco staring at me with confusion.
"Is the baby, okay?" Sara asked, I grimaced, "Yes, it appears the baby and Eve are fine. It uh…also appears that the baby is clearly not Troy's." Marco frowned quickly and Sara gasped with shock, "What? No." Sara shook her head and I sighed, "Apparently, the baby is clearly half black. Dark hair. Dark skin." Marco shook his head, "I never liked that girl." He said quietly. I nodded, "I know. Eve knew you didn't like her and she told me more about it. This isn't a time to bash Eve in front of Troy or Claire. This is a time for you guys to support your son and his daughter. Her life is already a mess with cancer and now her parents splitting up."
Sara gave me a curious look, "Did he tell you they were splitting up?" she asked, "I don't know if it was just the alcohol but…Troy and Eve have had numerous problems and fights since I've lived here. I think this was the final straw for him. They weren't in love with each other. They were together for Claire."
Marco shook his head before he turned and went to the bedroom to find his drunk son and best friend. Sara sighed, "It's been a shit year for him." I grimaced, "It started off so well." I gave her, she gave me a tiny smile, "That boy hasn't been the same since he broke up with you," she said softly. I shook my head, "No, Sara, he burned that bridge. I am here to take care of his daughter and then I am leaving." Sara gave a tiny smile.
"I know. I always told him that you were his best thing." I didn't know what to say when Claire cried out from her room. I quickly moved towards her and she was crying in her bed. "I want mommy and daddy," she sobbed and I picked her up. "Mommy had your baby brother today," I told her gently. She sniffled but still wrapped her arms around my neck, "But why hasn't daddy come in here to kiss me good-night? Grandma said he had to go to bed."
I sighed, "Daddy doesn't feel good." Claire pouted that bottom lip and I tapped on it. "I just wish I could give him a big hug. That's what he does for me when I don't feel good." She whimpered. God, I hated and loved kids all at the same time. She wrenched my heart right out of my chest with that little comment.
Sara sat next to me, "Claire, sweetie, tomorrow everything will be a little better. Do you want to watch a movie?" she shook her head, "Only if Gabi stays," I hesitated but nodded, "Yea, let me go finish dinner and then we can watch whatever movie, Claire." She smiled and I walked into the kitchen and over to Troy's room. He was sitting up in the bed with his head in his hands. His whole-body stiff and I felt my heart ache for him.
I went over and pushed through Hanson and Marco before knelling in front of him. His blue eyes were so stormy and gray that I didn't recognize him. I tilted his chin back and I looked right at him. "Troy, listen, your daughter is terrified right now." His blue eyes dilated and morphed as our skin burned with the touch. The slight mention of his daughter had his entire body straightening. I watched his Adam's apple move in his throat with emotion, "She thought she would be meeting her baby brother tonight but instead her daddy is here upset and not talking to her. She's scared and worried."
He tried to say something but I shook my head, "You need to sober up for ten minutes, go tell her good-night, and that you'll take her to see her mother tomorrow and her new baby brother. Because like it or not…that's her mom and her brother. You need to act like a man for one more day to calm all of her fears. She's scared." Troy closed his eyes painfully and he moved his chin away from me. "Please, take a shower, and come tell her good-night. I'll take care of her tonight and tomorrow morning. Okay?" he just nodded his head and I stood up from the ground.
Marco and Hanson both looked at me and I narrowed my eyes at the two of them. Marco was trying to hide a smirk behind his hand and Hanson watched me with intrigue. "Stop," I snapped towards the both of them. "Troy needs to shower, then he needs to say good-night to his daughter, understood? Do you think you two can handle that?" my words hit both of them which only caused Marco to let his big smirk out and Hanson coughed into his elbow to hide his laugh.
"Yes ma'am," they both said together as I pushed out the door and out of the room. I shut the door and I tried to push through all of my emotions that I was feeling right now. I can't believe she's been pregnant this entire time and never mentioned anything to him. How did she think today was going to go? Was she just hoping that it was going to work out? I breathed heavily as I finished the small meal and plated it for Claire. I heard the shower twist on and I walked across into the living room to hand her the plate.
"Gabi, I'm not hungry," she whined. "Can you take a couple of bites for me. I bet if you do Daddy will come say goodnight," she gasped and quickly took two big bites. That alone made me happy as chemo shot her appetite. She was due for a set of scans later this week and so much was just thrown into the air. The bedroom door opened and Marco walked out, "Marco, would you like a plate?" he nodded, "Do you know anymore that happened?"
I shook my head, "Hanson only told me that this has been going on all day."
"He just keeps repeating how stupid he was to miss it."
"Well, if it makes anybody feel better, I never thought she was cheating either." Marco shook his head and he grabbed a plate as Sara followed him. Hanson came out next and I gave him a look, "Is he okay to be alone?" I questioned. Hanson laughed, "No. I am just getting him some water." I nodded, "Can you give any more information? I know he'll tell his parents a lot tomorrow but I just…" Hanson nodded, "he said by the time they got to the hospital and set up – they basically had the baby. He called me at 8am in a panic, freaking out, and since then I let him drink and talk. I cut him off a while ago but…"
"I feel so bad for him," I whispered, "I can't stay tonight. I promised my wife I would be home soon. Are you okay to watch him and Claire?" I nodded my head, "Yea, I'll make it work." Hanson nodded as he returned with the water. He shut the door as I made my own plate but first, I made Troy a peanut butter sandwich. He wasn't going to want to eat it but he needed too. I settled in on the couch next to Claire as she grinned up at me.
The beginnings of Frozen 2 started on the screen as I paid half attention to the movie while I ate my dinner and encouraged Claire to eat more of hers. I couldn't focus though because I knew I had to reach out to Eve for Claire's sake. I tapped out a message on my phone asking for a photo of the baby to show to Claire. That way she wouldn't worry as much. I didn't want to talk to her but I knew I couldn't take sides. I was there for Claire. I had no loyalties.
Fuck, even I knew that was a lie.
The bedroom door cracked up and three heads twirled around to face it as Troy emerged with Hanson. His eyes looked a little bit clearer, his hair was damp, and he didn't look nearly as pissed right now. He walked over as Sara paused the TV and Claire looked up at Troy. "Daddy!" she jumped up and Troy got down on his knees before grabbing her in a tight hug. "Hi baby," he murmured into her ear. "Gabi said you didn't feel good, I wanted to give you a hug because that's what you do for me when I don't feel good and you give the best hugs, daddy," I watched Troy's reaction as his eyes fell closed and he just held onto her.
"Claire, I love you so much sweet girl. You give the best hugs." She giggled and rubbed her face on his chest. "How is mommy and baby brother? What's his name?" she asked. His body shifted and the anger took over his body again. Hanson put his hand on his shoulder as Troy's jaw flinched a couple of times. "Your mommy and baby brother are okay; we'll go see them tomorrow, okay?" Claire grinned and hopped back up onto the couch.
"I love you Claire Bell,"
"I love you, too Daddy,"
He smiled and the tears filled his eyes as he watched her for another moment. That right there…completely and utterly shattered my heart.
Saturday, January 4th, 2014
Gabi's POV
It had been one month since we had celebrated my birthday and every day after only got better in our relationship and life in general. Troy Bolton and I tried to find time to sneak in more time together because once would never be enough. I couldn't get my hands off of him and the connection, the sex, the everything was just too good. I had to ask my friends if losing their virginity was like that and when they all laughed and said it was awful – I couldn't compare.
Troy took care of me that day and it hurt in the beginning but by the time I left his house that night it felt too good. We studied for our finals together, we celebrated Christmas, and rung in the New Year over at Liam's house. It was a whirlwind of a month and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I tucked my arms tighter around me as Scarlett and Layla were laying in my bed watching a movie together. Sophia was off doing something with Gianna and their boyfriends probably.
A knock came at my bedroom door and Troy walked in with a frown on his face and his eyes pushed together. "Troy?" I questioned as I sat up and Scarlett shared a look with Layla. "C'mon, Lay, let's go see if mom made any cookies." Scarlett said getting up off my bed.
"I don't smell any," Layla whined, Troy's blue eyes hit me and I felt my own eyes grow wide. Something was wrong and I wasn't sure what it was. What could be wrong? I tried to run through the past couple of times but nothing of any significant made it to my mind. "C'mon, Lay, if she didn't make any, we can beg her to make some. Maybe some of Troy's favorite," Troy looked at her when his name was mentioned but he had no idea what was said.
Layla and Scarlett walked out of the room and I sat up onto my knees, "Troy, what's wrong? I can see it all over your face." He scrunched his face and then he looked at me, "I have to tell you something and I don't want to tell you something but I have to tell you before the rumors start circulating." I felt my own frown come over my face at those words. My belly pooled with worry as I flattened down as he approached. His finger brushed my face, "I went out with Liam and Jamie last night. We stopped by this party and I didn't want to be there. I would have much rather been hanging out with you and fuck, Williams is a god damn asshole,"
"Troy," I soothed as he was starting to ramble in the wrong direction. He released a heavy sigh of air, "One of the cheerleaders, Bailey, was there. I ignored her…all night. I never once thought about talking to her but Williams kept pushing her on me. He just continued and continued and I nearly snapped at him for it and I repeated to him that I had a girlfriend about four hundred times. He told me to go get rid of my virginity," My own eyes fell at those words, I couldn't stand Jamie. He was a fucking asshole to Troy all the time.
"I started to leave and Liam was coming with me when Bailey came over and kissed me. I never kissed her back, I shoved her off of me and I told Jamie and Bailey to fuck off before I went home with Liam. You can call and ask him about it or talk to him, I don't know. I just…fuck, Gabi, I don't want to hurt you. I never want to hurt you. I wouldn't cheat on you." I couldn't resist the tiny smile that was pulling up on the corner of my lips.
He was in complete distress talking about all of this and I couldn't stop my little laugh, those blue eyes swung and narrowed in on my body. "Gabi," I shook my head with a laugh as I rose on my knees and pulled him into my arm. "I believe you. I believe every word you tell me, Troy. Until I find other reasons to not believe what you tell me. I know other girls still want you and it pisses me off that they don't understand our relationship but…I'm not mad at you."
Troy's whole body sagged with relief as he buried his face into my hair, "I was terrified you were going to kick me out, break-up with me, and tell me to take a hike." I couldn't stop my roll of laughter from my mouth and I shook my head, "As if I could ever do that. Unless you actually took her upstairs and lost your virginity to her," I teased with a glint of humor in my voice and Troy let a slow smile roll over his face. "She can't because some other girl took that already, some floozy," I giggled as he captured my mouth into a deep kiss. "I love you, thank you for telling me," I said with a tilt of my head. "Some guys would try to just hide it. I would have been more pissed if somebody else told me."
"I know, I just…I would never cheat, Gabi. I've seen how that's destroyed people and I will not do that to somebody." I smiled with a faint look, "I won't cheat on you either, I promise,"
"With everything?" he murmured into my ear, I released a heavy breath, "With everything."
Saturday, April 24th, 2021
Troy's POV
I nursed the coffee slowly in front of me as Lucas working as my agent and as my brother, my lawyer, and my PR manager sat in front of me discussing what the fuck we were going to do. My lawyer had already slammed the nurses and staff with NDAs after I made a phone call of anger to him to figure that part out. I needed time before this all exploded in my face and I wanted the narrative. I don't want somebody else taking ahold and running with it in a direction I wasn't prepared for.
I could only focus on the pounding in my head and the dull ache in my chest from what I had gone through yesterday. I don't know how she cheated me, carried a baby, and never knew who the father was and lie to me the entire time. The thought made my entire body flame with anger. My jaw was clenched shut and my body was rigid with anger. "Troy," I glanced up at Lucas whose eyes were worried as he stared at me. He didn't know where I was inside of my head and that worried him endlessly. "Hmm?" I questioned with a look towards him and he sighed, "What do you want to do? We can spin this; we can say you guys couldn't get pregnant and…"
The anger flared and burst, "No, fuck that. That's putting blame on me. I am over that bullshit with her. I want a divorce," I yelled pinning my eyes towards my lawyer and he nodded his head in understanding, Dan was a smart man to not say many words. Especially when I was pissed. "I want full custody of my daughter until her cancer is in remission and then I want primary with shared time with Eve." I breathed fire with the words as I never wanted to share her with Eve anyways but I knew that was unrealistic.
"I want her to have a full-on shame show as well, fuck being nice."
"Troy," Mandy said as she leaned across the counter. "That's still Claire's mom. I know you are hurt and angry,"
"Damn right I am fucking pissed, I am angry, I am livid, my heart is broken and she's going to get away with half of my money and more fame? Fuck that." I emphasized as I ran my hand through my hair and down the scruff of my face. Lucas, Dan, and Mandy all shared a look with each other as I felt myself starting to crumble underneath. "She won't get away with half of your money you signed a pre-nup." Dan finally spoke up and I squeezed my eyes closed, "That's not the damn point."
"No, but I agree with Mandy. If you do something and let this, get out of control Claire will see it one day."
"And Eve can explain it," I snarled, Lucas reached over and squeezed my shoulder, "All of us are in agreement that Eve needs to take the blame for this. I think, we announce your divorce, you put out a statement that this decision it right for your family at the time and that you have nothing but love for Claire's mother," I shot him a look and he held his hands up, "Love that she is her mother and let the media run with it. They can speculate all they want and we tell Eve she can't post a picture of the baby for a few months to let the divorce thing settle and then take that hit later. It'll show it was Eve's fault and she will be the one having to explain it."
"That's not going to work," Mandy clarified, I pulled at the ends of my hair, "Why?" Lucas asked, "Because, the world knows Troy and Eve are due to have a baby at any moment. They whole football world is expecting pictures of a new baby and when none appear for months? Troy's whole feed is either Loyalist or Claire. That doesn't fit with his or Eve's profiles." Lucas sighed as he rubbed his face as I swallowed before my eyes pinned Dan. "Full custody while she's in treatment. She sleeps here every single night. Gabi is here and she does not move. I am the one paying her and she stays here – understood?" Dan nodded his head as the fire was hot off my breath.
"I will work with a schedule after she is done in treatment. I will not keep Claire from her mother but it is on my terms. I'll pick two days a week she can come over during the day to see her while I am gone. She can bring the baby and Gabi will be here to supervise. I will retain primary care of her though and if I move – she moves. Claire is attached to me. Do you understand?" Dan nodded his head again knowing it was better to just not speak right now.
"Let's be honest," I said swinging my voice to Mandy. I knew from the sound that it was powerful and commanding as I spoke. "Let's just be blunt – the baby wasn't mine. I am filing for divorce. Our family needs privacy right now. I want control of the narrative and that's the only way I can think of it, no?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow as she opened her mouth I nodded, "It is because I don't need somebody coming up from my past realizing Gabi is suddenly in my life again and I'm cheating on my wife. She's the cheater in the situation, she gets to deal with the brunt of it."
Mandy gave a look towards Lucas who shook his head but looked right at me, "Are you sure? Claire will see this one day."
"And Eve will have to explain herself."
Lucas let his eyes hold mine for a few beats and he nodded his head, "Okay, Mandy, do you think that will be okay?" Lucas asked, his eyes never leaving mine though as my entire body was burning alive. "Yea, I can make it sound a bit more tasteful than that too." Lucas finally flickered his gaze over to her. "Good, please run it by the both of us before you release it." Lucas handed me my cell phone, "Call Coach Davis and tell him everything. He needs to know that you are about to be in the press for several days."
Lucas turned his attention to Dan, "How fast can you get papers ready?"
"By the end of the day."
"Go," Lucas directed and Dan picked up his things and hustled out of my apartment. I finally sank back into the couch and my entire body was numb. "I have to go take Claire to see him," I whispered quietly and Lucas sighed as he settled on the couch next to me. "I can take her."
"No, I have, I have too." I said and he rubbed my shoulder gently. "You are an amazing dad, you knew a divorce with Eve was going to happen eventually, this just made it a bit easier on all of us. You can get out of it without having to pay her money, you will probably get the custody arrangement you want for now, and it isn't your fault. We are going to work this as best as we can."
"That doesn't change the heart break. That doesn't change that Claire's world was just torn apart. That doesn't change her cancer. That doesn't change that I suddenly don't have a son." Lucas squeezed my shoulder, "Call Coach Davis," I just nodded as I put the phone to my ear and it rang a few times before Coach D picked up. "Troy, how can I help you this morning?" I squeezed the bridge of my nose and exhaled.
"Eve had the baby yesterday," I said, Coach chuckled, "Congrats,"
"No," I said quickly, "The baby wasn't mine. We are going to release later tonight or tomorrow that we're getting a divorce, the baby wasn't mine, and etc. I just need you to know that everything might be a circus for a while but I am not going to talk about it to the media." Coach Davis was quiet on the other end of the phone and took a heavy breath. "Troy, son, I am so sorry. I know how much you love Claire and your family. This isn't a quick decision, right?"
"No, it's not. I don't need that in my life." Coach Davis nodded, "Okay, well, I am going to support you. We'll handle the media crisis, I'm assuming Mandy will alert our PR team," I swung my eyes to her and just nodded my head, "Yea, I might need some time to sort everything out, Coach. I know OTAs are going on and I will be there when I can but right now, I have to focus on Claire." Coach Davis rumbled a laugh, "Of course, Troy. I know you will put in the work. You are a dedicated athlete and are going to take our team far. I know your home life is in pieces right now but just know I am here for you. Your teammates are here for you."
I breathed out and nodded, "Thanks Coach,"
"You're welcome, Troy. Good luck and I'll see you soon." I hung up the phone and rung the back of my neck with a heavy breath. The front door to the apartment opened and Claire came squealing inside, "Daddy! You're awake!" she came running into the living room as she had a scarf tied over her head with a pretty dress on and a jacket over top. Her blue eyes were bouncing around with happiness and a smile on her face.
"Hi sweet girl," I breathed as I hug her tightly, "Gabi took me to the park daddy and I got play and play and play on the playground equipment and it was so much fun," her rush of words caused the storm in my chest to dull as I looked up at Gabi. Her brown eyes were so soft as she looked at me with concern on her face. She was in a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and a zip up jacket over top. Her hair spilling down her back and I had to turn my attention back to Claire.
"Yea? How are you feeling?" I asked her, "Good, daddy! Gabi said I looked good today and we are going to go take a bath to get all the germ off. Can I go see mommy and baby brother after?" I swallowed on the painful knot in my throat a I nodded, "yea, baby, we can." She squealed with laughter, "Claire, go get ready for your shower." Gabi said gently. Claire stopped and hugged on Lucas and said hi to Mandy before disappearing down the hall.
"How are you this morning?" she asked and I looked up at her, God, she would have never done this to me. "I'm okay," I said quietly, "I'm angry and just…" I blew out a breath of air, "Trying to do my best for Claire." Gabi nodded as her eyes shifted to Lucas and Mandy. "Mandy, this is Gabriella Montez. This is Claire's nurse." I said standing up to my full height which towered over her. Lucas smiled at Gabi as she smiled back, "I'm going to get Claire ready,"
She started to walk away and I sighed, "Gabi," she turned to face me, "Thank you,"
She smiled, "No problem,"
My eyes watched her walk away and I turned to find Mandy looking at me, "Is this the Gabi that is back in your life?" she questioned and Lucas let out a laugh, "Yea, we dated in high school." I said simply, "We haven't spoken in eight years and then she was the nurse they asked to take care of my daughter. It was a shock to both of us." Mandy just nodded her head with a laugh, "Alrighty, I will work on the press release. You need to tell, Eve,"
My jaw clenched and I just nodded my head. "Okay,"
"We'll release it in the morning," I just nodded as Mandy left and Lucas looked at me, "You going to be, okay?" I barked a laugh and shook my head, "No. Probably not."
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Next Update: July 11th