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  Her anger rose and poured out of every pore in her body. “I don’t owe you anything! Let go of my door so I can go to work,” she seethed through clenched teeth.

  He bit back. “I helped you get this damn apartment or have you forgotten that? When you moved from that rat hole you lived in you couldn’t afford this place on your own.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “A lot, Lincoln. You should be nicer to me or I might have to tell the leasing office I’m no longer a co-signer for your lease.”

  She shook her head and started the car. “Don’t waste your breath. I already had them remove your name. The lease is now in MY name only.”

  Anthony pinched the nerve between his eyes. “This is not how I expected this to go. I’m ready to clear up the questions you have and not fight with you. Can you give me five minutes?”

  “I don’t have five minutes. Didn’t you hear me say I was late for work?”

  “I can’t believe this is us,” he said in a low voice. “We never argued or talked like this to each other.”

  She agreed. “No, we didn’t do that. But then you started creeping behind my back. Why couldn’t you be a man and tell me about your son?”

  “I didn’t know about him, Lincoln. I had a son living somewhere else that I didn’t know about until now.”

  Her throat tightened. “And when you found out, you continued to keep it from me. Why, Anthony? Why couldn’t you tell me the truth? We could’ve worked it out together.”

  “Lincoln, please, can we go inside and talk?”

  Lincoln remembered she hadn’t cleaned the apartment. The dinner plates she and Nick used last night were still on the dining room table. Also, clothes she had washed for him were on the sofa that he had not yet put away. He had accumulated a stash of clothes and other personal items that he left at her apartment. “We can talk here.”

  Anthony got in the passenger’s seat and closed the door. “How have you been otherwise?”

  She frowned not wanting to exchange pleasantries with him. “Don’t waste your five minutes on drivel, Anthony.”

  “You’re right. Okay, I have to say that I do miss you. I miss the way you laugh at my jokes and just the fun we had together.”

  “Do you miss me when you’re making love to Melanie? Did you think about me when you were with her knowing I was at home waiting on you?”

  He cupped his head in his hands. “God, Lincoln…”

  “Don’t even try it!” She said meanly. “Look what you did to us, Anthony! You didn’t think about me or us. You made your decision and totally left me out. You could have handled the news about your son differently, but you took the extreme step and slammed the door in my face! Was I that insignificant to you?”

  “Lincoln…it’s not…”

  She shouted. “Answer me, dammit! I don’t want a round-about explanation, just the damn truth for a change!”

  His dark skin was moist with a thin sheen of sweat as she glared at him. She once trusted this man with her life. Sitting next to him in the car now made her want to vomit. He wiped his face with the back of his hand. “It was a hard decision for me to make. I didn’t want to hurt you or Melanie.”

  “So why me when she had been gone for two years?”

  “Don’t make me say it, please.”

  His face tensed and his eyes glossed over, Lincoln saw tears forming in his eyes. “I want to hear it. I have to hear it in order for me to move on. I’m tired of hating you.”

  Anthony sucked in a deep breath; his rugged, masculine hand covered his face. “I’ve never stopped loving her. She was off my mind when I first met you, but I thought about her here and there. When she got married I figured that would help me get over her but it didn’t. I’m ashamed I broke down and called her. When we talked on the phone, we realized we weren’t over each other.”

  “Hold it a second! You had talked to her before she came back to Cleveland?” She didn’t know how she did it, but she remained calm. “So your lie is larger than I imagined. You knew about your son and didn’t just find out about him.”

  “I’ve known about him for over a year. Melanie’s parents have a vacation home in Michigan; I would drive to see him. I felt sick when I had to leave my son, Lincoln.”

  Tears spilled from her eyes. “Were you sleeping with her then? The lies have come to light, Anthony, so confess that you have.”

  “Why do you think we weren’t making love anymore, Lincoln? I couldn’t bring myself to do that to you so I made up excuses not to be with you.”

  Her face distorted with hurt. “You lying bastard! How can you look me in my face or even say my name after what you’ve done. I accused Orlando of knowing your secret and keeping it from me. He doesn’t even know how long you’ve had the affair going on, does he?”

  He shook his head. His face streaked with tears. “Only Gwen knows the whole story. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m so sorry. I never found the right time to tell you.”

  The inner rage that was oozing erupted as she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. The sound of her hand making contact with his face echoed throughout car. “You’re pathetic!”

  Her hand stung from the blow and she saw a trickle of blood run from Anthony’s nose. She waited for him to hit her back but he didn’t move; not even to wipe the blood from his face.

  Her sobs became heavy as she continued to berate him. “How can a man that once declared himself to be honest and faithful do this to a person he’s supposed to love. I am so over you and this shit! Get out of my car!”

  Anthony pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped away the blood running from his nose. He said in hurtful voice, “This has been eating me up inside, Lincoln! That’s why I came here today. I couldn’t live with the guilt anymore.”

  “Consider yourself free of your guilt. Now get out of my car! Get the hell out of my life, Anthony!” She screamed at him. Her head rested on the steering wheel waiting to hear the car door close. It did softly. He was gone.

  A light tap on the window broke her sobs. She looked up and saw an elderly woman holding a small dog in her arms staring at her. “Honey, are you okay?” The woman’s eyes were filled with concern. “Did that man hurt you?”

  Lincoln dried her eyes. She spoke through the car window that was lowered enough for their argument to carry outside the car. “I’m fine. And no, he did not hurt me.” In fact, what he said hurt worse than a thousand blows to her stomach.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hmm,” Nick mumbled as he clicked off the phone. He propped his feet on the empty chair next to him and opened the newspaper.

  Jon sat at the table sifting through the rest of the newspaper. “Okay, what’s going on?”

  He chuckled, “Same old bullshit; murders, corruption, and terrorists running amok.”

  “I’m not talking about the newspaper. You’ve been calling someone every ten minutes. Is it someone new you’ve met?”

  Nick lowered the paper and looked over the top of it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “C’mon, Nick, I’m reading right through you.”

  Nick folded the paper and put his feet on the floor. “Alright. I’ve been trying to reach Lincoln all day. She won’t answer her cell or her desk phone at work.”

  “Maybe she’s busy with Regan. Why are you calling her anyhow?”

  “Damn, you’re nosey. We are friends—I’m checking on her that’s all.”

  Jon smirked, “Yeah right. Next, you’ll say it doesn’t snow in Alaska. What’s the deal, Nick?”

  Nick squirmed in his seat. He was dying to tell someone his secret and Jon and Orlando would be the only people he would trust to keep it. He looked around the room for other firefighters standing around. He leaned into Jon. “You have to promise you won’t breathe a word to anyone, Jon. And I mean not Gabby and especially not Ant.”

  Jon held up two fingers. “I swear I won’t say a word. Now what is it?”r />
  “Here’s the deal. Lincoln and I are together but keeping it under wraps until we figure out a way to tell everyone.”

  “Damn, you broke the code, man. Anthony’s gonna shit bricks when he finds out.”

  “Yeah, I did and I don’t care about that fucking code. I got feelings for this girl and I ain’t letting her get away because of a stupid code implemented by a bunch of jealous ass firefighters. Hell, if you can’t hold onto your woman and she finds another firefighter irresistible, that ain’t my fault.”

  “Chill, Nick; I’m kidding with your ass. Seriously, though, Ant will not like it.”

  “Where is he anyway? He’s not on the schedule this week.”

  Jon sipped his coffee. “He requested a few days off. He didn’t tell me what he was doing.”

  Nick groaned. “I wonder if he is sneaking off to marry Melanie. I see him doing some shit that dirty.”

  “I didn’t ask and he didn’t offer to tell me. Besides, Murad is back and I’m not in charge anymore.”

  Nick felt Jon’s stare and smiled. “What?”

  “When did you and Lincoln decide to be exclusive? She only split with Ant a couple of weeks ago. Nick, make sure you aren’t falling into a rebound situation.”

  Nick raised his brow. “I know what I’m doing. Lincoln has been upfront with me about wanting time to clear her head. In the meantime though, we’ve been getting closer.”

  “How close?”

  Nick wiggled his brows. “Close.”

  Jon's hand slammed down on the table. “Are you kidding? You’ve slept with her?”

  “Lower your voice, man,” Nick said, frowning. “Don’t make it sound like it was disgusting. I genuinely care about her. You know me, Jon. I love women and can snap them up like candy. Every since Lincoln came along, I don’t even look at other women. Hell, I wiped my cell phone clean of the numbers of my ‘friends with benefits’ chicks.”

  Jon shook his head and chuckled. “I anticipate a war raging and it will not end well. There is no way you and Ant will be able to work together once he finds out.”

  “You want me to quit my job? I’m not doing that or giving Ant the benefit of running me away from my firehouse. He can leave if he can’t deal with it.”

  “I agree, but he has seniority over you. I hear Colby is resigning. He’s moving his family out west. You might want to consider transferring to Orlando’s shift. You’ll still be at Station 30 and not lose any seniority.”

  Nick’s interests rose with that information. “That’s not a bad idea. Since Regan and Lincoln are sisters, I’ll probably be hanging out with him more anyhow.”

  “Yup, couple’s night will be a ball.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t think I belong with them?”

  “I’m gonna be real with you for a second. This thing between you and Lincoln is going to be more complicated than you think. And I’m not talking about Anthony acting an ass. Nick, you’ve never been in an interracial relationship before. Are you prepared to handle it?”

  Nick rolled his eyes upward. “You’re doing it, so why don’t you think I can handle it.”

  “Because I’m not a newbie. I’ve always dated Black women and you know that. However, that doesn’t change anything. We still get stares and I worry about my son being picked on when he’s old enough to go to school. Gabby and I have prepared ourselves for the day he asks why his mommy is Black and his daddy is White. There is a lot involved and I don’t want to see Lincoln or you hurt because you can’t handle it. Then there is your father...”

  Nick stopped him from talking. “I’m not a teenager, Jon. I’m going into this with my eyes and mind open. And my old man can take his seat in hell now for all I care. What I feel for Lincoln will surpass any hatred thrown at me. I will protect her and not let her take any shit from anyone. I swear on that with my life.”

  Jon sat back in the chair impressed. “Damn, Nick. I don’t have anything to add to that. I’m here and so is Gabby if you or Lincoln need someone to talk to if the pressure gets to be too much.”

  “Thanks for supporting me in this, Jon.”

  “That’s what friends do, man.”

  Nick got up from the table. “I’m gonna try her one more time before we get busy. I’ll see ya later.”

  Nick stepped outside for privacy. The night air was chilly after another rainy day. The May showers just wouldn’t seem to stop. He walked over to the far side of the building and leaned against the damp brick wall. He dialed her number and got no answer. This time he left a message. “Hey, babe, where are you? Call me soon as you get this message.”

  He checked his watch; it was 8:30 in the evening. If she had plans with friends, she would have told him, but he hadn’t talked to her since yesterday. Worry set in his bones. This was not like her. Lincoln kept in touch with him even if they were playing phone tag. He scrolled down to Orlando’s number but didn’t make the call. He didn’t want to start a chain of panic because he hadn’t talked to Lincoln all day. He would wait to see if she returned his call tonight and if not, he would stop by her apartment on his way home in the morning.

  The next morning as Nick prepared to leave the station, he ran into Orlando coming in for his shift. “Hey, Nick, have you talked to Lincoln?” He voice bubbled with concern.

  Nick threw his duffel back over his shoulder. “Not a word. I’m stopping by her place on my way home.”

  “Call me if she isn’t there. Her mom and sisters are freaking out and I’m kinda worried about her too.”

  “No one bothered to check on her yesterday?” he asked, suppressing a quick surge of anger.

  “Hey, the woman is grown and has a life of her own. She doesn’t have to ask permission do what she wants,” Orlando replied tersely.

  He walked past Orlando to the bay doors. “I’ll let you know if she is there.” Nick didn’t want this situation with Orlando to get ugly. They were aware of what she was going through and should have taken the initiative to check on her.

  “Nick.”

  He kept walking but looked over his shoulder. “Yeah.”

  “Don’t forget to meet me at the tuxedo shop on Saturday.”

  He threw up his hand. “Right, I’ll be there at 2:00 o’clock sharp.” He had forgotten about the appointment to pick up his tux. The wedding was going to be a struggle to get through with Anthony and him standing side by side. When he was supposed to smile and appear happy, he would instead think of ways to destroy Anthony or make him suffer for hurting Lincoln.

  God forbid if he’s stupid enough to bring Melanie to the wedding. The event could possibly end up on the 6:00 o’clock news. He got in his truck and shook off the whole scenario and hoped Anthony wouldn’t be that dumb.

  Nick parked in the open space in front of her apartment and got out to walk up to her apartment. If she wasn’t home, he would drive downtown to her job. His attention was drawn to an elderly woman walking a diminutive dog down the sidewalk waving wildly at him.

  He backed off the patio and went to the woman to keep her from hurrying in his direction. “Ma’am, do you need help with something?” he asked as he reached her.

  “Oh, no, I’m okay. I wanted to know how the young girl that lives there is doing. She was so upset yesterday.”

  Nick winced. “You saw her yesterday?”

  The woman nodded picking up the dog. “Yes. She was arguing with a man in her car. When he left, she was crying. I asked her if he’d hurt her and she said no.”

  “This man, was he about my height but Black?”

  “Yes,” she said nodding her head faster.

  Nick bit his bottom lip sucking it in. “Have you seen her this morning?”

  “No. And I’ve been outside with Misty for a few hours. I wanted to knock on her door, but I didn’t want to intrude on her. It was such a nasty argument she was having with that man. This is a quiet community and we never hear anyone fighting or arguing like that. That’s why I’m concerned about her.” />
  Fear took over him. Anthony wasn’t the violent type but when under pressure the meekest person could break. “I’m going to check on her now. Thanks for telling me what you know.”

  “I’m glad to help. Domestic violence is a serious problem. By the way, who are you? Are you a policeman?”

  Nick shook his head anxious to get away from the woman and to Lincoln. “No, ma’am, I’m a firefighter.”

  “I see, a firefighter, how nice. Are you dating this young lady?”

  He didn’t know how to answer that since their relationship had not been officially defined. “You can say that. Hey, I’m gonna check to make sure she is okay and let her know you’re looking out for her.”

  “If you need me, I live in the tall building on the corner in apartment 103.”

  Nick watched the elderly woman shuffle down the walk with her dog in tow. He turned away and went back to Lincoln’s apartment and knocked softly on the door. He knocked again when he got no response.

  He looked around. The complex was quiet other than people leaving for work or walking their pets. He noticed the garage door had a small window. Nick looked through the window and saw her car. He went back to her door and banged harder with the palm of his hand. “Lincoln, open up or I’ll break the damn door down. You know I won’t have a problem getting in.”

  The door cracked open a smidgen. He pushed it open all the way and stepped inside. Lincoln had all the curtains drawn and the apartment was dark and warm. The television was on but the sound off. She was lying on the sofa curled under a thick blanket.

  He sat on the edge of the sofa cushion and placed a hand on her hip and said, “Lincoln, tell me what happened.”

  “Nick, go home. I want to be alone.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what happened with Ant. I know he was here yesterday and you got in an argument.”

  “Nosey ass neighbors,” she muffled from under the blanket covering her head.

  “In this case, I’m glad she was nosey. What did Ant say to make you this way?”

  She sat up pushing tangles of hair away from her face. “He confirmed my suspicions, Nick. He knew about his son before now and he has been with Melanie for over a year. The egg is on my face this time. The two years that we were together was a big fat joke. According to him, Michigan was their meeting place. He would go there to be with her and their son. Anthony was living a double life and I had no clue.”