Cash and a plane ticket home. The same thing that he offered me the last time he kicked me out. I had at first refused it, then grudgingly accepted it. I was mad at him last time, but this time I was only mad at myself. I nodded my head and grabbed my luggage and purse. He handed me $200 and held the door open for me. I took one last look inside, realizing that it would be the last time I ever saw this apartment.
Just before the door closed, I heard one, last, mournful wail on that guitar before his soundproofing cut off the rest.
Chapter Forty-One
The ride to the airport was uneventful, just as the last one had been. It felt eerily similar, but more painful. My bag was my only company this time. That, and my shame.
I pulled out my phone and just stared at the picture that had cost me my relationship with the man of my dreams. Then, I pulled up my sweater, touching my bare belly. I knew a child was growing inside of there, and I had no idea what to do about it. Everything had been turned upside down in my life these past couple weeks, and I had no idea what to do to straighten it all back out.
Soon, I'd be back in my dorm room. I wondered what I would do when I saw Nicole. Then, I thought with just a hint of disgust, I wondered if suddenly she'd start making trips to Boston. It was clear that he wanted to get with her, and now that I was out of his life, there was no reason not to.
Well, almost no reason. If James slept with Nicole, I'd have to murder her, of course. He might not want that on his conscience.
I pushed those jealous thoughts out of my head. I had driven James away all on my own, and whatever he did with his life from here on out was his own choice.
When we got to Logan International Airport, the limo pulled up in the drop-off zone. For a Saturday evening, the place wasn't very busy. The driver was out in an instant, and my door was held open for me before I even had a chance to grab my bag. I stepped out into the cool evening air, pulling my sweater down quickly.
The driver closed the door quickly. “Mr. Coleman finds this distasteful, but he called me and he would like you to sign a non-disclosure agreement concerning the events of the last few weeks.” He pulled out a sheaf of paper.
I felt even more sick. Three weeks ago, when he had obviously felt bad about throwing me out of his life, he had sheepishly asked that I keep quiet about it without signing a non-disclosure agreement. I had a feeling that this was the more standard way that he got rid of girls that he didn't want around anymore.
“And what if I refuse?” I asked.
The driver shrugged. “Mr. Coleman advised me that absolutely nothing adverse will happen to you if you refuse to sign it. However...” He trailed off for a moment. “Knowing what I know about the two of you, it is clear that if you were the source of certain rumors, he would be forced to sue you for slander or libel.”
I was shocked. “Slander or libel,” I repeated back to him.
“Slander if it was spoken, libel if it was written,” he clarified.
“Even if what I say or write is the truth.”
“Even if it's the truth. Mr. Coleman has a huge legal team as part of his tech company, and the damage that those rumors would cause to his billion dollar company would force his shareholders to act. It would be an expensive suit to defend against.” There was a pause. “Mr. Coleman has anticipated your reluctance and has authorized me to offer you one thousand dollars in order to legally guarantee your silence.”
So this was it. I was being paid off and told to never talk about this again. Whether I signed the NDA or not, my life would be ruined if I talked about my billionaire stepbrother's baby. Whether I signed the NDA or not, I was out of his life forever. Whether I signed the NDA or not, my baby could never know who his or her father was.
With a heavy sigh, I said, “If his first offer is a thousand dollars, he has actually authorized you to offer up to five thousand dollars. I'll cut that in half and sign it for twenty five hundred.” If I was already going to be labeled a gold digger in his mind, I might as well get paid for it. I would need it to support his child.
“Mr. Coleman actually only authorized me to offer up to two thousand dollars. He is apparently a better negotiator than you thought. However...” He trailed off just as he had the last time. “He definitely owes you that much. He's mad right now, but I'll change his mind. If I can't, I'll cover the other five hundred myself.”
He set the sheaf of papers against the car. “This is a general NDA. For now, I'll be the witness on this contract. A more specific NDA will be mailed to your address in New York shortly. It will be up to you to have it notarized and mailed back to the address given. Include receipts for all expenses regarding this and you will be reimbursed.”
I printed my name, signed, and dated without reading a single word of it. I knew that he could have my life destroyed without this contract, but I also knew that he wouldn't without good reason. He was a good man, and I had led him to believe that I wasn't a good woman for him. I was getting what I deserved.
The driver signed and dated it. I had never heard his name before, but now I knew it. He didn't look much like an Oliver, but I knew that he was a good driver and assistant to my brother and I hoped that him sticking his neck out a little for me didn't get him in hot water.
“Thank you. Have a safe trip back to New York,” he said. With that, he turned and got back in the car quickly. He was gone before I had a chance to say anything else.
***
As the driver had said, there were plane tickets waiting for me at the counter. I would be flying coach, and the flight wasn't for two hours, but I'd be home soon and able to put this whole episode of my life behind me.
I touched my belly, knowing that I'd never be able to completely forget this turbulent month.
The line at security was short. I didn't know what kind of proof they needed that someone was pregnant, but I didn't like the look of the scanning machine. However, when I told the TSA agent I was pregnant, she let me through without a problem. A quick wand scan and I was on my way.
I found my gate quickly, then went to a nearby restaurant. I still had over an hour to burn and the only things in my stomach were a half eaten piece of pizza and James'... well, you know. The thought of his cock in my mouth gave me a moment of desire, but I quickly stifled that. Best to just forget him as quickly as possible, I told myself.
I ordered a spinach artichoke dip and turned on my phone. I thought about talking to Tessa, telling her something about how she was right about James or something, but I didn't know if that would violate my NDA. Better to just make up a story that could be confirmed by Anne than gripe about James to anyone. As soon as I turned on my phone, the picture of the pregnancy test greeted me again.