Nine Crimes Chapter Thirty
Waking up in my bed as my alarm blares from beside me on the night stand I reach over and smack it a few times before it finally cuts off. Sitting up I glare as I read the numbers on the clock. Seven-thirty in the morning. I almost want to ask myself what I am doing up at this time but I know perfectly well what it is I am doing up at this time. Bethany wants to come by at eight to talk. It has been two weeks since she told me she was pregnant and since then I have been avoiding her and not just because of the pregnancy but because I fucked her sister.
Getting out of bed I find the jeans I had taken off the night before. As I am getting dressed I can only hope that Leigh hasn't told Bethany about us having sex. I'm not sure that information will help anything in this situation. In fact I am highly convinced that if Bethany knew she would kill me, even if she is having my baby. She is that crazy.
After I am dressed I leave my room, hearing a knock at the door. I know it's not eight so I am surprised that for once Bethany is early. If I can remember one thing about her it is the fact that she is never on time or she shows up at the wrong times. Shaking my head I open the door with a smirk. "You are early for once..." I start but stop when I come face to face with Natalie, my smirk dropping from my lips. This is almost eerily like the dream I had.
"Surprise," Natalie smiles her hand going up to brush some hair out of my face. I just stand there still in a daze. I'm afraid I am dreaming again.
"No kidding," I mutter under my breath, reaching up to grab her hand, moving it away from me. "Is this a dream?" I ask her feeling scared of the answer I am going to get.
Natalie gives me a confused look but pushes her way inside of my apartment. "Why would this be a dream?" she asks her voice showing hints of confusion. "I came back to Tulsa yesterday to file paper work towards getting a divorce from Taylor. After that I pleaded with your mom to give me your address, apparently Kate has told her about our affair and she was reluctant to tell me where you live."
Going silent as she speaks, I shut the door behind her still feeling as if I am dreaming. "You are getting divorced a week or so before Thanksgiving?" I ask figuring she'd wait at least for the children's sake.
Natalie nods as she walks over to my couch sitting down. She is acting like she lives here already. Like she thinks things are going to be fine between us and she hasn't been out of my life for two weeks.
"Does that surprise you?" she asks, her head turning so she can look at me and the moment she does I know I am in a losing battle if I want to deny her of having me back. I will willingly go back to her right now even if Bethany is having my child. I mean I am sure things can work out if Natalie and Bethany don't kill each other first that is.
I look down as I walk over, sitting down beside her on the couch. "I guess it surprises me some. I just thought you'd wait for the children's sake anyway."
Natalie shrugs before smiling, "Taylor and I didn't see the sense in waiting. We both decided to just come back to Tulsa and get things over with quickly so that he and I both could move on. Apparently he has been in contact with Kate. Once your divorce is over with from her they may try to work things out for the baby's sake, not to mention Taylor said Kate thinks he is great in bed."
Before I can reply there is another knock on the door, this time I am certain it's Bethany which is going to make things really awkward.
"I should get that," I stammer before standing from the couch. "I was kind of expecting company. I actually thought you were them when you knocked on the door," I admit still in shock about the Kate and Taylor admission and also nervous about answering the door knowing Bethany is on the other side and wanting to talk about our unborn baby.
Natalie looks at me confused, "Company?" she asks her eyebrows raising. "What kind of company would come this early in the morning?"
I open my mouth to speak but instead of my words, Bethany's voice comes through the other side of my apartment door. "Zachary you better open this door," she says her voice sounding happier than it has in awhile. "Your child is sitting on my bladder and I have to pee."
At her words I just watch Natalie's confused face change to one of hurt. It's a different kind of hurt than she used to have whenever she found out one of Taylor's secrets or lies. "She's having your baby?" Natalie asks and I can hear the sadness in her voice making me hate myself. I should have used protection with Bethany, I really should have. "You are having a baby with Bethany," she fakes a smile before standing from the couch. "Congratulations," she nods, walking to the door and opening it for me.
The moment the door is open I just stand there helpless, watching as Bethany and Natalie stare each other down for what seems like forever. Natalie doesn't speak a word though, instead she walks past Bethany as she leaves my apartment quickly.
"Natalie is back?" Bethany asks as she makes her way inside. I can tell from her expression she isn't happy about that because she probably knows it will be a matter of time before I go back to her. Before Natalie and I find ourselves in each other's beds again.
I nod, "Looks that way," I reply trying to smile but I can't. "She showed up here today as a surprise."
"Sure was one hell of a surprise when she opened the door," Bethany nods as well before brushing past me and heading down the hall. "Where the hell is your bathroom?" she asks her voice coming out pissed. "Besides having to pee I think I am going to be sick as well."
"Down the hall, second door on the left," I answer her watching as she goes away from me. I know she is pissed about Natalie being back but I don't understand why really, not unless she had some hopes of her and I getting together because of the baby, though that would be stupid because she is with Austin and I have made it clear I may care for her but damn it when it comes to my heart it will always belong to Natalie.
When she comes back out of the bathroom I sit down on the couch, "You wanted to talk about the baby," I speak up just wanting to get this conversation over especially if she is mad at me. When she is mad at me is when her crazy tends to get worse.
Bethany sits down beside me, "I do," she confirms as she messes with the hem of her shirt. "I..I told Austin last week," she informs me which shocks me. What the hell is with all these damn shocks and surprises today? "He dumped me. I guess I had hoped that maybe we could be a family or on our way to being one," she frowns and I frown too. "I know I said when I left the message I didn't expect it to change things but I just..I guess I did expect that and now Natalie is back."
Running a hand through my hair I chew on my lip, "Bethany you know I don't love you."
"If you didn't love me you wouldn't have gotten jealous when you saw me with Austin two weeks ago," she speaks a smile crossing her face for the first time since she has seen Natalie. "Or did Natalie coming back make you forget that?"
I swallow hard at her words before shaking my head, "I didn't forget that," I admit before blushing. "But that doesn't meant I love you."
"I think it does," Bethany nods and I know she feels confident in her words. "I also think your jealousy is why you had sex with Leigh," she speaks and I feel my eyes widen which causes her to laugh. "You didn't think she'd tell me?" Bethany asks before shaking her head.
"No," I blush as I sigh but I guess I should have figured she was, she did seem a little crazy like her sister. Maybe she had a death wish and wanted Bethany to kill her. "Did you kill her?" I ask sounding scared.
Bethany laughs more shaking her head no, "I didn't kill Leigh," she mutters rolling her eyes at me. "I thought about it but I knew I had nowhere to hide the body and there was no way I was going to give birth in prison," she smiles again as she takes my hand. "You also didn't deny that jealousy was you slept with Leigh."
Holding her hand I sigh looking down at our hands entwined together. She is right my jealousy over Bethany and Austin is part of the reason I slept with Leigh, the other reason was because Natalie leaving. "I slept with her because Natalie left me and you pushed me aside," I decide to lie knowing if I admit to the jealousy part I will never live it down.
"It's always about Natalie," Bethany responds harshly as she lets go of my hand. "If you want to be with Natalie I don't think I want you near me or the baby," she spits out before standing from the couch.
I look up at her and glare, "Fucking bitch," I spit out watching as she walks towards the door. Bethany has just pulled something Kate would have done. "I have a right to see my child if I want to be with Natalie," I tell her when she stops at the door briefly. She doesn't say anything back though, instead she just slams the door behind her.
Waking up in my bed as my alarm blares from beside me on the night stand I reach over and smack it a few times before it finally cuts off. Sitting up I glare as I read the numbers on the clock. Seven-thirty in the morning. I almost want to ask myself what I am doing up at this time but I know perfectly well what it is I am doing up at this time. Bethany wants to come by at eight to talk. It has been two weeks since she told me she was pregnant and since then I have been avoiding her and not just because of the pregnancy but because I fucked her sister.
Getting out of bed I find the jeans I had taken off the night before. As I am getting dressed I can only hope that Leigh hasn't told Bethany about us having sex. I'm not sure that information will help anything in this situation. In fact I am highly convinced that if Bethany knew she would kill me, even if she is having my baby. She is that crazy.
After I am dressed I leave my room, hearing a knock at the door. I know it's not eight so I am surprised that for once Bethany is early. If I can remember one thing about her it is the fact that she is never on time or she shows up at the wrong times. Shaking my head I open the door with a smirk. "You are early for once..." I start but stop when I come face to face with Natalie, my smirk dropping from my lips. This is almost eerily like the dream I had.
"Surprise," Natalie smiles her hand going up to brush some hair out of my face. I just stand there still in a daze. I'm afraid I am dreaming again.
"No kidding," I mutter under my breath, reaching up to grab her hand, moving it away from me. "Is this a dream?" I ask her feeling scared of the answer I am going to get.
Natalie gives me a confused look but pushes her way inside of my apartment. "Why would this be a dream?" she asks her voice showing hints of confusion. "I came back to Tulsa yesterday to file paper work towards getting a divorce from Taylor. After that I pleaded with your mom to give me your address, apparently Kate has told her about our affair and she was reluctant to tell me where you live."
Going silent as she speaks, I shut the door behind her still feeling as if I am dreaming. "You are getting divorced a week or so before Thanksgiving?" I ask figuring she'd wait at least for the children's sake.
Natalie nods as she walks over to my couch sitting down. She is acting like she lives here already. Like she thinks things are going to be fine between us and she hasn't been out of my life for two weeks.
"Does that surprise you?" she asks, her head turning so she can look at me and the moment she does I know I am in a losing battle if I want to deny her of having me back. I will willingly go back to her right now even if Bethany is having my child. I mean I am sure things can work out if Natalie and Bethany don't kill each other first that is.
I look down as I walk over, sitting down beside her on the couch. "I guess it surprises me some. I just thought you'd wait for the children's sake anyway."
Natalie shrugs before smiling, "Taylor and I didn't see the sense in waiting. We both decided to just come back to Tulsa and get things over with quickly so that he and I both could move on. Apparently he has been in contact with Kate. Once your divorce is over with from her they may try to work things out for the baby's sake, not to mention Taylor said Kate thinks he is great in bed."
Before I can reply there is another knock on the door, this time I am certain it's Bethany which is going to make things really awkward.
"I should get that," I stammer before standing from the couch. "I was kind of expecting company. I actually thought you were them when you knocked on the door," I admit still in shock about the Kate and Taylor admission and also nervous about answering the door knowing Bethany is on the other side and wanting to talk about our unborn baby.
Natalie looks at me confused, "Company?" she asks her eyebrows raising. "What kind of company would come this early in the morning?"
I open my mouth to speak but instead of my words, Bethany's voice comes through the other side of my apartment door. "Zachary you better open this door," she says her voice sounding happier than it has in awhile. "Your child is sitting on my bladder and I have to pee."
At her words I just watch Natalie's confused face change to one of hurt. It's a different kind of hurt than she used to have whenever she found out one of Taylor's secrets or lies. "She's having your baby?" Natalie asks and I can hear the sadness in her voice making me hate myself. I should have used protection with Bethany, I really should have. "You are having a baby with Bethany," she fakes a smile before standing from the couch. "Congratulations," she nods, walking to the door and opening it for me.
The moment the door is open I just stand there helpless, watching as Bethany and Natalie stare each other down for what seems like forever. Natalie doesn't speak a word though, instead she walks past Bethany as she leaves my apartment quickly.
"Natalie is back?" Bethany asks as she makes her way inside. I can tell from her expression she isn't happy about that because she probably knows it will be a matter of time before I go back to her. Before Natalie and I find ourselves in each other's beds again.
I nod, "Looks that way," I reply trying to smile but I can't. "She showed up here today as a surprise."
"Sure was one hell of a surprise when she opened the door," Bethany nods as well before brushing past me and heading down the hall. "Where the hell is your bathroom?" she asks her voice coming out pissed. "Besides having to pee I think I am going to be sick as well."
"Down the hall, second door on the left," I answer her watching as she goes away from me. I know she is pissed about Natalie being back but I don't understand why really, not unless she had some hopes of her and I getting together because of the baby, though that would be stupid because she is with Austin and I have made it clear I may care for her but damn it when it comes to my heart it will always belong to Natalie.
When she comes back out of the bathroom I sit down on the couch, "You wanted to talk about the baby," I speak up just wanting to get this conversation over especially if she is mad at me. When she is mad at me is when her crazy tends to get worse.
Bethany sits down beside me, "I do," she confirms as she messes with the hem of her shirt. "I..I told Austin last week," she informs me which shocks me. What the hell is with all these damn shocks and surprises today? "He dumped me. I guess I had hoped that maybe we could be a family or on our way to being one," she frowns and I frown too. "I know I said when I left the message I didn't expect it to change things but I just..I guess I did expect that and now Natalie is back."
Running a hand through my hair I chew on my lip, "Bethany you know I don't love you."
"If you didn't love me you wouldn't have gotten jealous when you saw me with Austin two weeks ago," she speaks a smile crossing her face for the first time since she has seen Natalie. "Or did Natalie coming back make you forget that?"
I swallow hard at her words before shaking my head, "I didn't forget that," I admit before blushing. "But that doesn't meant I love you."
"I think it does," Bethany nods and I know she feels confident in her words. "I also think your jealousy is why you had sex with Leigh," she speaks and I feel my eyes widen which causes her to laugh. "You didn't think she'd tell me?" Bethany asks before shaking her head.
"No," I blush as I sigh but I guess I should have figured she was, she did seem a little crazy like her sister. Maybe she had a death wish and wanted Bethany to kill her. "Did you kill her?" I ask sounding scared.
Bethany laughs more shaking her head no, "I didn't kill Leigh," she mutters rolling her eyes at me. "I thought about it but I knew I had nowhere to hide the body and there was no way I was going to give birth in prison," she smiles again as she takes my hand. "You also didn't deny that jealousy was you slept with Leigh."
Holding her hand I sigh looking down at our hands entwined together. She is right my jealousy over Bethany and Austin is part of the reason I slept with Leigh, the other reason was because Natalie leaving. "I slept with her because Natalie left me and you pushed me aside," I decide to lie knowing if I admit to the jealousy part I will never live it down.
"It's always about Natalie," Bethany responds harshly as she lets go of my hand. "If you want to be with Natalie I don't think I want you near me or the baby," she spits out before standing from the couch.
I look up at her and glare, "Fucking bitch," I spit out watching as she walks towards the door. Bethany has just pulled something Kate would have done. "I have a right to see my child if I want to be with Natalie," I tell her when she stops at the door briefly. She doesn't say anything back though, instead she just slams the door behind her.