Who Was That

TANNER*

My alarm sounded on my phone, and I quickly reached up and turned it off before it would wake Kaysen. She stirred and bucked into me.

"Shhh, I need to get home and get ready for work. Go back to sleep, and I'll see you tonight. I love you, Kaysen," I said as I kissed Kaysen on the cheek and climbed out of bed.

Kaysen and I had walked back to her room last night, and I had stripped down to my boxer briefs while Kaysen had changed into her nightgown. We had crawled into bed, and I had cuddled her all night long. It hadn't taken Kaysen long to fall asleep as I spooned her from behind and brushed my fingers through her hair.

I got dressed and slowly made my way down the hall towards the bathroom. After relieving my bladder, I made my way out of the bathroom to find Nancy outside waiting for me.

"Follow me, young man," Nancy hissed quietly, and I followed Nancy to the kitchen.

"You stayed the night last night?" Nancy questioned me while pouring herself some coffee.

"Well, yes, Kaysen was upset, and I wasn't going to leave her that way," I said as I sat at the table.

"You're the one Kaysen went home with two nights in a row two months ago, aren't you, Tanner?" Nancy questioned me as she sat next to me at the table.

I just nodded my head yes. I knew this wouldn't be good, and I felt it was best to keep my mouth shut. I wasn't going to lie to Kaysen's mom, though.

"My daughter is not a whore. You are not welcome to stay the night again ever unless you two get married. Am I understood? You better make this right, Tanner. Do right by my daughter; having sex out of wedlock is not something my daughter does," Nancy said.

I was brought back to all of the times Kaysen, and I have fucked and made love. Including the one time, I had made love with Kaysen in her bed. I had so many things I could say right now, but I continued to keep my mouth shut and furrowed my eyebrows. This woman was nuts for sure.

"What, you have nothing to say? My daughter is a good woman; if you leave her as you did two months ago, I'll castrate you," Nancy said.

"Kaysen and I didn't do anything last night but cuddle and sleep, Mrs. Richardson. I'll abide by your wishes, but you need to stop treating Kaysen like she's a rebellious teenager and stop being so strict and rigid towards Kaysen. I'm sorry, but I'm going to be late for work. Goodbye, Mrs. Richardson," I said as I stood from the table and walked out of the room.

I needed to get Kaysen and Cora out of there quickly before her mom found out she was pregnant. All hell was about to break loose, and I needed to protect Kaysen from all of the stress her mother would surely put on her.

***

I just walked into the office. Today was our last day before closing the office and going on a two-week rest. Everything that has happened between Kaysen I couldn't have happened at the best time. Another sign that Kaysen and I are meant to be.

I walked into Blaze's office for our morning meeting, and of course, Wade and Connor had not arrived yet. Jace was already there, and I was ten minutes early but still.

"Jace, Blaze, how are the babies doing," I said as I hugged them both and went to sit in a seat across from Blaze's desk.

"As aunry as ever, but everyone is doing good," Jace said with a smile.

"Same here; I'm thinking we get this meeting over with and call it a day," Blaze said.

"Sounds like a plan to me. I've got to go pick up some paint from Home Depot; I would like to start painting my house today," I said.

"Excuse me, what are you are talking about?" Blazed asked with a questioning look on his face.

"Kaysen and I found a beautiful rental home yesterday, and we were told that we could paint the house and make it our own," I said, and Blaze nodded his head.

"That was quick; I guess that's why you missed work yesterday. It's fine. We haven't had anything going on this week anyway, and you finished up all of your paperwork the other day," Blaze said.

"Yes, Kaysen and I had some things pop up, and she needs somewhere to go to get out of her parent's house. We hope to be moved in within the next two weeks. Is there any way you two could help me get the house painted? If we all work on it together, it should only take three days or so?" I asked Jace and Blaze.

"I don't see why not; we could leave from here and head that way," Jace said, and Blaze nodded his head in agreement.

"Well, Connor and Wade are thirty minutes late; maybe they thought yesterday was our last day. There isn't anything that we can't pick up and go over when we return in two weeks, so let's call it a day," Blaze said, and we all got up to leave.

***

"Wow, this house is stunning, Tanner," Jace said as he gazed at the open floor plan before him.

"You should see the master bedroom and bath. It's not as beautiful as the houses we have built over the years, but it'll do for now. We have paid the whole year's rent, and after," I trailed off. I almost spilled the beans on Kaysen being pregnant.

"Uh, Kaysen and I are hoping to have a house built for us by then," I quickly recovered.

"We could go over plans after we return to work in a couple of weeks," Jace said.

"The rehab hospital has a few months to be completed, and then we could jump over and get to work on your home Tanner," Blaze said.

"It's no rush; we could always sign another lease if we needed to," I said as I walked Jace and Blaze through the home.

"So, where do you want to start?" Jace asked.

"Connor and Wade should be here soon; I texted them before going to Home Depot. Let us start with the bigger rooms first. Like the living, dining, and kitchen areas, and then make our way to the other rooms," I said.

"Alright, that sounds like a plan," Blaze said.

***

All five of us worked our tails off until five o'clock in the evening, and now I was headed home. We were able to get two coats of paint on the walls in the kitchen, dining, and living areas.

Blaze has invited Kaysen and me to bring Cora by to play with Adelaide, so Kaysen would be at my place in thirty minutes so that we could head over.

I just arrived home and jumped in the shower. I had just sat down to relax for a moment when I heard a knock at the door. Kaysen was fifteen minutes early.

I ran to the door and was surprised to see Mae standing before me.

"Hey Tanner, can I come in for a moment? I won't be long; I just wanted to come by and say goodbye," Mae said.

"Uh sure, why not," I said as I opened the door and Mae walked inside. Then Mae and I sat down on the couch.

"I don't like how we left things before. I wanted to stop by and apologize for always being so pushy towards you. You told me from the being how things were going to be. I just thought after three years; you would have changed your mind. I drove myself crazy and then took you down with me. I should have ended things well before then. I'm sorry that we both got hurt," Mae said.

"I'm sorry that I kept dragging you along, Mae. I cared for you; I did; I should have let you move on. Hell, I probably shouldn't have gotten into a relationship with you, to begin with," I said.

"Well, I am engaged now, and my fiance got a job promotion and transfer. We are leaving for Japan tomorrow. I wanted to clear the air between us before I left. It wasn't one of us who was at fault; it was both of us. That last year we were together was painful for each of us," Mae said.

"I don't know what to say, but I'm glad you came by, Mae. Congratulations on your engagement. I hope the best for you both," I said, and then there was a knock at my door.

Oh crap, I was so surprised by Mae that I forgot Kaysen would be here soon.

"You have company, and my fiance is waiting for me downstairs, so I'll be taking my leave. I hope you can find happiness someday, Tanner," Mae said as she hugged me; at that time, Kaysen had opened the door and had walked in with Cora to see Mae, and I embraced.

Kaysen's jaw dropped, and then she grabbed Cora and ran out the door.

"Who was that?" Mae asked as I ran after Kaysen.

Writer's Note

Will Tanner get a chance to explain? Feel free to👍and find out in the next chapter ☺️ Hugs and love Sapphirian J 🥰