Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>
“Becca…” Neal smirked. “I’m not just into men.”
Speechless was something I never thought I would find myself with Neal. He was a straightforward person, and to hear him say this now surprised me.
“What do you mean? Allegra said you were gay.”
Laughter escaped him as he nodded, “Yes, I’m sure she did. However, that’s because I want her to think that. I like both men and women. I just don’t want her trying to throw women at me so that I can settle down.”
“I’m sorry, I know this may be personal, but… don’t you want to settle down? Have kids and a huge family?” I asked him out of curiosity.
“Of course I do, one day. Right now, though, it wouldn’t be good because I’m always traveling for work. Partners don’t want someone who is always gone, and I refuse to put that burden on someone. So, if it happens one day, then it does. If not, then so be it.”
“That’s very considerate of you,” I replied after a moment of staring at him.
I had never heard a man say something sweet like that. He was taking his future spouse into consideration without ever knowing them.
“Considerate seems to be my middle name lately,” he chuckled as his eyes gazed at my phone again, watching it light up.
As much as I wanted to be drama free, I was very curious to know what Tally was saying, and rolling his eyes, he snatched my phone and opened it.
“Neal, what are you doing?” I said, trying to take my phone back, only to have him hold it out of reach.
“Look, you are obviously too nervous to see what she has to say, and the suspense is killing me, so I will read it for you.”
“Oh, Jesus,” I laughed. “You’re just like your sister. I hope you know that.”
He was silent for a moment as he scrolled through the text, and then his eyes lifted to meet mine. I wasn’t sure what the look was that he was giving me, but slowly the corner of his lips turned up into a smirk.
“Seems the she-devil wants to meet up with you to talk.” He held my phone out to me.
“What?” I said with shock. “No way… what the hell would she want to talk about?”
Sure enough, looking at my phone, I couldn’t believe my eyes at the message.
‘Becca, I know things have been bad between us lately, but I want to meet up and talk. My mom was out of line with how she acted, and I’m done with her bullshit. I’m sorry for flipping out, but it was a lot. I want us to be the way we were before. Will you meet me to talk?’
Reading the message a few times, I sat there hesitant to believe what she was saying was honest. Tally was not the type of person to apologize, and even though she and I had once been close, we weren’t anymore.
“What are you going to do?” Neal asked with a concerned look upon his face.
“Honestly, I have no idea. I’m curious, but I know she tends to be full of shit, as well,” I replied, setting my phone down.
How was I supposed to even consider meeting her with everything that had happened?
“You could always just go to see if she is being honest…. Either way, it can help you get closer. Of course, that is completely up to you.”
Neal had a point.
I was curious, and if I went, that meant I could gain closure on this issue between us. Even if I wasn’t entirely in the wrong. “Maybe I should.”
Picking up my phone, I took a deep breath and typed.
‘I’m surprised to hear from you. How do I know this isn’t a trap?’
It was the one thing I wasn’t certain of, and to be honest, I wouldn’t put it past her to do something like that. After a moment, the message turned from delivered to read.
‘Things changed, Becca, and I see now how f*cked up all this has been. My mom is crazy, and when she told me about threatening you, I was done with her. It’s one thing to make comments, but to ruin someone’s life over a man who doesn’t want you… it’s pathetic.’
“What’s she saying?” Neal said, causing me to look up at him with a smile.
“She’s trying to convince me that this isn’t a trap, and she thinks her mother’s messed up,” I replied, causing him to smirk.
“She isn’t wrong about that. That woman is nuts.”
‘Fine. Where am I meeting you? You’re home?’
I was out of my mind for agreeing to this, and deep down, my stomach turned with anticipation. It was going to end badly. I just had that gut feeling, but if I was going to accept everything that had happened here this summer, I had to do this.
I had to confront her and hash this out. At least then I wouldn’t have regrets.
‘No. I’m staying at the beach house. Dad and I needed time apart. Will you meet me here tomorrow? We can have drinks and talk about everything.’
Drinks. When was there a time when Tally didn’t drink?
Sighing, I replied. ‘See you then.’
“Well, that’s that. Guess I’m walking into hell tomorrow.”
I stood, and Neal joined me as we grabbed our things and made our way outside of the cafe. “You’re doing the right thing,” he said, nudging me with his shoulder.
“I’m glad you think so.” Before smiling, I chuckled, “I hope I don’t regret this.”
“At least this way you won’t regret not doing it,” he replied with a pointed look.
I loved the analogy he used to try and see the bright side of things. He may have had a point, but I was literally walking into what I said I wouldn’t.
“As much as I want to think positively about this, I can’t. I have known this girl since I was eleven, and she is anything but nice. Granted, we always had an understanding, but it still isn’t in her character to act like this.”
The last time I had seen her act like this was our freshman year of college, and that was when Melissa Ray had stolen Tally’s favorite dress and cut it up at a sorority party. That same party, Tally screwed Melissa’s long time boyfriend in the pool in front of everyone.
Just to make a point that she can take anything from anyone.
Tally didn’t care what people thought about her, and she didn’t have many true friends.
I was the only one…. The others just wanted her for her money and connections.
“Life has a way of making things happen for a reason. Have some faith,” Neal said, glancing at me. “If things get rough, you can leave with me tomorrow night.”
“Oh, how romantic?” I said, rolling my eyes, causing us both to laugh.
However, I may just take him up on that offer if shit hits the fan.
Waking up early, I set out to take care of the only thing I had planned for the day. Tally said she wanted to talk, and I was determined to suck it up and go with the flow. Who knows, maybe it would be a positive thing?
“Alright guys, I’m heading out,” I called out to Allegra and Neal who stood in the kitchen.
“Oh, are we going to war already?” Neal laughed, causing Allegra to smack his shoulder, shaking her head at him.
“Sometimes I wonder what he is on. Have fun, sweetie. If you need me, just call.”
“Thanks.” I smiled and waved to them.
It was funny how motherly she could be, and it did warm my heart to know that she cared the way she did. Even after everything we had been through.
Heading out onto the street, I looked down the way for a passing taxi and held up my hand to flag it. Its yellow color quickly pulled up in front of me, and without hesitation, I climbed in.
I told him, “Take me to 3204 Sunset Boulevard please.”
The driver didn’t bother to say anything as he stepped on the gas and headed down the street towards Tally’s father’s beach house. It was at least a good forty-five minutes away, and if I wanted to get this conversation done with, it was better to get there as soon as possible.
In the back of my mind, I kept thinking about James and what he had said. Perhaps the way I acted was completely out of line. James was in a bad position that night to really defend me without drawing negative attention to himself.
When Neal and Allegra explained the lifestyle they lived in full description, a lot of things made sense. When you have more money than most, there are always eyes on you. People waiting for you to slip up, and make a mistake so they can shame you to the rest of the world.
It honestly made sense now what he meant by ‘don’t act like that’ and ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’ He was trying to explain things to me in a way I would understand, and I didn’t really give him the chance to do so.
As the driver came to a stop, I paid him and climbed from the car. The white and blue beach house stood out against the coast, and standing amongst the palm trees, I hesitated with what was to come.
This was a break it or make it moment. Could things really change between us?
Step by step, I made my way inside the house and glanced around for Tally. “Tally?” I called out as I tried to spot where she could be. “Where are you?”
Sounds from upstairs drew my attention, and furrowing my brow, I made my way up the stairs towards the bedrooms. “Tally?”
It wasn’t until I got to the top of the stairs that I realized what I was hearing was moaning, and to my surprise, it was coming from the room Tally was in. Spinning around, I moved to wait downstairs until I heard something I wasn’t expecting.
“Yes, Chad! Please harder–”
What the f*ck did she just say?
Turning back, I pushed open the bedroom door hard, not even flinching as it hit the wall and the two of them jumped up in surprise.
“Why am I not surprised?” I laughed.
“Becca! What the f*ck?!” she screamed at me. “What are you doing here?”
“Uh–you told me to come over, remember?” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Yeah, I meant f*cking later,” she countered. “Well, at least you know now–”
“Know what? That you’re f*cking my ex?” I laughed. “You can have him. I do not care.”