Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

for a moment. For one thing, he couldn’t believe that Ivy had placed him in such a pitiful situation all because she had neglected her responsibility as an adult to use a fucking condom. Secondly, this man had just asked him in a public place if he had a tight pussy. He wanted to laugh, laugh at himself for being so blind. Ivy had wanted aggression their entire relationship. She had wanted him to be this man. Grey’s outrage was unmistakable, showing on his face and in his heart. He remembered himself and quickly returned to his task.

“No, Nicola, I don’t have a tight pussy for you, and the one I had you obviously took full advantage of. So, please control your locker room antics for the duration of this meeting.”

“I think you know where I stand, so what do you want now.”

“Utter discretion until we know for sure whose this child is.”

The waitress returned to the table with Nicola’s drink and extra glass of water as the two men sat quietly through the thick tension thinking where and how they would come to terms.

“So what is it that you want from us that makes you unable to step out of the picture now? Please help me understand, since it is apparent that I don’t?” Grey asked surveying the room to make sure that no one important was witnessing their heated discussion.

“I don’t want to miss out on this pregnancy. We have six months before we know which one of us is the father. During that time, Ivy will need a lot of help. There are doctor’s appointments, classes, baby crap to buy and other arrangements to be made. I mean, I’ve never had a kid, but I’m sure it takes a lot of preparation. And I don’t want to leave her to do it all alone. After all, she didn’t make it alone. Besides, I’m not convinced that this baby isn’t mine. If I was convinced, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Are those the only reasons that you want in on it?” Grey asked perplexed by the stranger’s devotion to his fiancée.

“I am in on it,” Nicola said gulping down his Vodka. “For that matter, so are you. My reasons are crystal clear. No love involved. No future involved with Ivy. I just want to make sure that this kid isn’t mine. Plus, she isn’t a bad girl. Why would I leave her to do all of this alone?”

“She isn’t alone. Why do you think that I’m here?”

“Unlike Ivy, I can’t put my trust in you. I have to take care of my own shit.”

“Just the kid?” Grey asked irritated.

“What the hell else is there? We split the responsibility fifty-fifty. You go to half of the doctor’s appointments, and I go to the other half. Anything that she needs concerning that child, we should both be responsible for and any decisions made about the child, we should both be privy to.” Nicola was sure that Grey would agree; he was much too self-centered not to.

“Well obviously, I would benefit from it.” Grey analyzed the situation further. “But what’s in it for you?”

“If it’s mine, then I just did what I was supposed to do and if it’s not mine then I’ve just spent six months making up for one long ass night that I assured you involved more than a few quick pumps,” Nicola said quickly.

Their eyes met.

“Fine. We will put up with each other until Ivy has the baby using complete discretion to protect Ivy’s interests and image, but immediately afterwards if the baby is not yours genetically…you’re totally out of the picture,” Grey said finishing his Mimosa.

“Sounds good to me. Besides, I’m sure you know that I have no problem finding a woman, but for that matter neither do you. You as much a dog in heat as I am.” Nicola sat back in his seat and sighed. He didn’t need to miss sleep for this bullshit. They could have easily done this over the phone.

“Yes. I know of your reputation. And I’m sure that you know of mind. But you still have no idea how precious Ivy is,” Grey said wiping his mouth with his napkin. “The only reason why I’m agreeing to any of this is because of what she means to me.” It was apparent that Nicola’s presence was an irritating reminder of Ivy’s secret indiscretion.

“Believe me, man. I know how special she is and my reasons are similar if not the same.” Nicola said thinking back to the night he had held Ivy’s body in his arms.

Nicola’s comments seemed to have been just enough to rob Grey of his cool. “I’ve been with that woman almost longer than you’ve been on the job. You can’t possibly share the same reasons for standing beside her as me.” Grey threw down his napkin. Nicola’s pestilence enraged him further. “Two more things, just so we’re clear…. Ivy is mine and this town is mine. If you get in my way, I will fucking crush you.”

“Or you’ll die trying,” Nicola said smiling. “And I can just about guarantee it will be the latter. I’m not one of your little political friends. If you’ve got a real problem with me you just name the place and time. We can handle this the old fashion way. Enough with all this panty waist bullshit!”

The room became quiet. All the patrons stared on whispering and snickering. Grey had to neutralize this quickly.

“Thanks for coming out,” Grey stood and offered his hand with the same smug smile. Regardless of Nicola’s rebuttal, he had made his point. It was time for the games to begin.

Nicola stood up and looked at Grey’s hand. “You can go fuck yourself. Give Ivy my regards, if you can.” He was sure that Grey would read between the lines. And secretly at that moment Nicola enjoyed the thought that Ivy might very well be carrying his child. In fact, he hoped that she was…just for