Chapter 11 – Breaking the Ice Novel (Easton & Caroline) Free Online

I quickly ran through the events of last night, and Fran listened without comment until I finished. “And you haven’t heard a word since?”

“It’s still early.” I sighed, feeling both defeated and relieved. If Easton didn’t want any part of his children, I’d go on with my life, raise my kids, and work on a career path.

“I’m sure you will this morning. Give him time to adjust.”

“Maybe I’d just as soon he didn’t call back. Maybe it’s better that way. The kids can continue to believe Mark is their bio father. I won’t have to worry about Easton wanting custody down the road or interfering with my parenting…”

“Take it from someone who’s been down that road and has deep regrets. Even if Easton doesn’t want a relationship with his children, you can’t keep this secret from them like I did from Mark. They have a right to know when they’re old enough.”

“Even if he doesn’t care?”

“Absolutely. For all the reasons we did those DNA tests. People need to know where they came from and about their genetics. It’s important.”

More so to her than to me, but I couldn’t discount my children might also want to know and had that right. “I guess I’ll fly home and wait to hear from him.”

“Stay a few more days. Give him a little time.”

That was the last thing I wanted to do. I preferred slinking off in the inky black Seattle night with the hope he’d forget all about me as he had the last seven years. And to think I’d once believed I loved him.

Even worse, seeing him again had dredged up feelings best buried. Easton and I still had chemistry, but he’d broken my heart once, and he wouldn’t get a second chance, even if he wanted one—which I was damn sure he didn’t.

Fran and I spoke for a few more minutes about the kids and ended the call. I placed the phone on the nightstand and leaned back against the bed. I closed my eyes, but all I saw was the shock on Easton’s face when I told him he was a father.

My cell chirped, signaling a text message.

With shaking hands, I picked up my cell phone. Only a few people had my new number, and Easton was one of those few.

Meet me at Lake Union Park at eight a.m. near the Seattle ferry dock.

My throat was dry, and I swallowed hard. With trembling fingers, I texted him back.

OK.

That was it. He didn’t respond. I stared at the phone as if the device held all the answers.

Easton point of view

I arrived a half hour early at the park. I sat down at a picnic table and immediately regretted it. My efforts to look casual were now thwarted by a wet ass from a soaked picnic bench thanks to a recent shower. With a sigh, I ignored the big spot on the back of my jeans and stayed seated. The last thing I wanted was for Caro to pick up on how anxious I was.

I wiped my palms on my thighs and took a gulp from the water bottle I’d brought along. I wished I’d brought a flask of whiskey, but it was too early to drink, even for me.

I had a child, and I was both dying and dreading to learn the details.

A car pulled into the parking lot several yards away. It was a nondescript silver sedan, a typical rental car. Through the tinted glass, Caro’s face was barely visible. She hadn’t seen me yet. She gripped the steering wheel and stared straight ahead for several seconds. I half expected her to start the engine and back out of the spot, but she didn’t. The Caro I remembered had more guts than that.

The car door opened, and I held my breath.

She emerged from the car like a mermaid from the depths of the sea. I’d been stunned by her beauty the first time I’d seen her at the skating facility handing out rental skates in the office. Despite the fact that I’d owned an expensive pair of hockey skates, I approached her under the guise that I wanted to rent skates. The second I looked into her deep blue eyes, I was drawn to her like a magnet to metal. I wanted her, and when I wanted something, I went after it.

She glanced quickly away from me and rummaged through the skates, looking for my size.

“I don’t see your size here.” She was all businesslike as she returned to the counter. “You have large feet, and we don’t get much call for your size in rental skates.”

I grinned and pounced. “You do know what big feet are an indication of?”

She blushed but had the guts to look me directly in the eyes. “I do, but I haven’t seen that theory proven yet.” She purposely looked me up and down, pausing briefly at the ever-growing bulge in my crotch.

“I’d be glad to prove it. What time do you get off work?”

“Nine, but you’re going to have to work a lot harder than unproven claims regarding big feet to get a date with me.”

“Who said I was asking you on a date?” I moved in close to her, leaning across the counter until our lips were inches apart. She didn’t shy away but held her ground and licked those luscious red lips. The girl was toying with me, which drove my teenage hormones into overdrive.

“I do, Mr. Bigfeet.” She batted her eyelashes in mock innocence, and I laughed heartily.

“Caro, get back to work!” shouted a woman who’d just walked into the office.

Caro jumped backward as did I, both looking guilty as charged. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

I shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other, not wanting to leave, but under the intense scrutiny of Caro’s tight-ass boss. “I, uh, okay.” I backed away from the counter.

“See you at nine.” Caro winked at me.

I broke into a grin and backed into a rack of skate repair and maintenance items. I grabbed for the wire rack, managing to hold it upright. Turning, I ran for the safety of the door with Caro’s soft giggle following me.

After that evening, we were together every chance we got. I didn’t score that night, and she did make me work for it, but the wait had been more than worth it.

And now this object of my teenage fantasies come reality stood before me. No longer a girl but a woman and a mother and most likely a wife. Despite the situation, my body knew what it wanted, but my body wasn’t always a good judge of what was best for me.

---