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CHAPTER 14
"Jesus," Tanya hissed when I answered the phone. "Why the fuck are you always answering his phone? What, don't you trust him? Oh, that's right, that got you so far the last time."
The bitch was seriously starting to piss me the fuck off.
"What do you want, Tanya?"
"I want to talk to Edward."
Edward had started the car and was heading towards the grocery store.
"Well, then that's just too bad, isn't it? I'm pretty sure I told you you wouldn't be talking to him until those paternity results say: you are the father." Edward laughed at my best Maury impersonation. "In the meantime you can talk to me."
Edward stared at me for a minute, the hint of a smile playing on his face.
"You have no right to do this!"
"The fuck I don't!" I snapped. "Edward doesn't want to talk to you, Tanya. That's why he gives me the phone every time you call."
"Not every time." She laughed. "He didn't give you the phone when we were having phone sex last night."
I turned to Edward and rolled my eyes. He gave me a look that I can only assume was suppose to say "what" but I just shook my head, I'd tell him later.
"You truly are delusional aren't you? Keep spewing your stories, Tanya. You're the only one that believes them … now, what do you want? We're trying to grocery shop here."
She huffed. "My credit card got declined. I have no way of paying for the hotel. There, are you happy, you fucking cunt?"
I turned to Edward and felt a sudden bout of dread wash over me. "I'll call you back!" I snapped hanging up the phone.
"What?" Edward asked, turning to look at me.
"She said her credit card got declined. She has no way of paying for the hotel. I thought she had money, Edward? I mean, I remember you telling me that James' family was almost as well off as yours."
Edward sighed but kept his eyes on the road. "They do. But, her family cut her off about two years ago. I guess she was blowing her allowance on drugs and shit."
What? Why the fuck is this the first I'm hearing about this?
I turned to look at Masen; deciding this was probably a conversation we should have after he went to bed. He didn't know anything about Tanya's baby, and I really wanted to keep it that way.
I sighed. "I have lots of questions that I expect answers to tonight, but in the meantime, what are you going to do about her?"
"What can I do? I either go pay the hotel, or I let her stay at my house—"
My original plan flew right out that damn window. I needed answers, and I needed them then. "Are you paying for her apartment, Edward?"
"Um, yes?"
"Why?"
"Uh, because if it—"
"But if it's not?" I interrupted, all sorts of pissed off. What in the hell was he thinking?
"I told her I'd pay for it until it arrives … if the test is negative then she's on her own."
"Oh, my God." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Were you supporting her while she was in Boston or wherever the fuck she was?"
Edward shook his head. "No." He sighed. "I thought we were going to talk about this later?"
"We were. Who was supporting her if she didn't have any money?"
"She was sponging off James. Got a bunch of credit cards … the only thing I've done for her to this point is pay the airlines and her apartment … I can't just let her stay on the streets, Bella. I mean if it is mine then I have to at least support it."
"But what if—"
"If it's not, then I guess I just look at it as a small price to pay for my freedom. It's worth it to me. It's not as if I'm giving her all kinds of money … I think the most I've got wrapped up in her right now is five grand? That's nothing to me. And nothing compared to what it'll be if it is mine."
I guess when he put it like that he was right, but it still didn't mean I liked it. "Fine, pay for the damn hotel room."
"Baby?"
"It's fine, Edward. You do what you gotta do. But I want proof that her cards were declined. I don't trust her … it sounds like she's just looking for her meal ticket and hit it big with you."
Edward sighed, nodding solemnly. "I know. Baby, I'm sorry."
"I know. I'm gonna call your mom and see if she can watch Masen."
"Why?"
Is he really that stupid?
"Why? I just told you I wanted proof she's broke, and that requires seeing her. I'm not taking Masen anywhere near that woman!"
"Oh."
Oh?
"What's the matter, Edward? Don't you want me seeing her?"
"What? No. Why would I care if you see her?"
"I don't know."
He turned to look at me briefly before turning back to the road. "I don't want to see her, Bella. And to be honest, no, I don't want you seeing her. Not because of anything other than I can't stand her. You shouldn't have to even associate with the vile thing they call a woman."
"Well, unfortunately, that's not an option, now is it? I don't really see any other choice. I don't trust her anywhere near you so that means I get to deal with her."
He sighed, shaking his head. "Baby, that's not fair to you. And it's not good for the baby. I know you say you won't let her get to you, but I know she does."
"No, actually Edward, she doesn't. What got to me here is you not telling me everything that I should have known. I mean, we're supposed to be a team, right? We're in this together?"
"Yes, of course we are."
"Okay then. She's not getting to me. And I kind of like fucking with her."
Edward laughed. "Okay, but if I see it wearing on you I'm stopping it. At least until the baby comes. I wasn't joking when I said I'd pay someone to deal with her for me."
"Daddy!" Masen yelled from the back seat. "I want french fries!"
I laughed turning to look at Masen as Edward looked at him in the rearview mirror. "You just ate, Masen. We're not stopping for french fries."
"I was talkin to daddy. Pwease daddy? I has french fries?"
I turned to look at Edward, a little taken back by my son's attitude. "No, Masen. And apologize to your mother. You don't talk to her like that."
I loved that he spoiled him and still didn't let him get away with acting like a brat.
"Sorry momma." Masen pouted looking out the window.
"It's okay, buddy. But you shouldn't be so mean, it hurts mommy's feelings."
"I sorry. I won't do its again."
I nodded in understanding, turning my attention back to Edward. "Thank you."
"No problem." He smiled. "So you're gonna call mom?"
"Yeah." I sighed, taking out my cell phone.
~OOO~
I really didn't care to see Tanya ever again. Though I knew that wasn't an option, I at least hoped it'd be another few weeks before I'd have to. But no, there I was, going to the fucking Edgewater to pay for a God damn room for the whore that ruined my happy little family.
What the fuck am I thinking?!
That you love Edward.
Fuck!
"If we're paying she's going to the fucking Holiday Inn. I'm not paying for the bitch to stay in a hotel I've never even stayed in."
He looked at me curiously for a moment and then smiled. "Huh, you've never stayed at the Edgewater?"
"Um, no?"
Why in the fuck was he looking at me like that?
"Hmm, well we'll have to stay there sometime. And if you want her to go to the Holiday Inn she goes to the Holiday Inn."
I laughed; I couldn't help myself. "God, she's gonna love that, isn't she? I bet she's never stayed at a Holiday Inn in her life."
"Probably not."
Tanya was standing right inside the door when we pulled up. Edward opted to park my car himself since we weren't going to be there long. He grabbed my hand firmly and we walked into the hotel.
"Oh, Edward!" she gushed throwing herself at him.
Edward stepped back before she was able to get her arms around him—thanks to her very pregnant belly. "What the fuck, Tanya? Don't touch me!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot we were still putting up the charade for little Bella here."
She smiled at me. Can you say crazy much?
"There's no charade, Tanya. And you know it as well as Bella and I do. Now give me your fucking wallet."
"What? Why—"
"Because," Edward interrupted, "I wanna make sure your ass is really broke before I give you any money. Now, give it here."
She looked at me, and hissed, "This is because of you, you stu—"
"Enough!" Edward yelled. "You will not talk to her like that! I mean it, Tanya. I won't tolerate it! If you want me to have anything to do with this kid you will not talk to her that way! Are we understood?"
Tanya just stared at him while I beamed in victory.
"Are. We. Understood?!" Edward hissed.
"Yes!" she snapped.
"Good. Now give me your wallet."
She reluctantly handed it to him. Edward grabbed it from her. After taking my hand in his he stalked off to the front desk. Tanya tagging behind.
"Can I help you, Sir?" the gentleman at the desk asked.
"Yes, this woman tells me her cards where declined. Is that correct?"
"Um," he looked to Tanya, then to me, before returning to Edward. "Yes, Sir. They were."
"Okay. How many of these did you try?" he asked gesturing to the four credit cards in his hand.
"All of them, Sir."
"Okay. Would mind trying them for me?"
"Certainly, Sir."
"Thank you."
The cards were of course declined and Tanya smiled a smug smile.
"Thank you for your time," Edward handed him what looked like a hundred dollar bill. "Go ahead and cancel the reservation. It won't be needed."
The man looked to Tanya again and then back to Edward. "Okay."
Tanya smirked at me and I couldn't help myself anymore. "What are you smirking at?"
Edward whipped around at the sound of my voice. Tanya of course didn't say anything she just turned and headed for the door. I looked at Edward and then went after her. Edward hot on my heels.
"No, really, Tanya. What are you smirking at?"
She still didn't answer me.
"What? Do you think that because he told them to cancel the reservation that you're staying at his house?" I'd caught up to her and was walking side by side with her.
She still didn't answer me.
"Well, you're not."
That got her attention. She stopped and looked at me. "Then where am I staying?"
I smiled what I hoped was an evil smile. "The Holiday Inn." And with that I walked away.
** Author's Note **
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