The Tycoon's Revenge(30)

“Yeah,” Jacob shouted and then giggled as Derek pressed a button and the top started slowly moving back. Jasmine wasn’t thrilled to climb into the small vehicle. She much preferred her sturdy mini-van.

Jacob climbed in the back seat and buckled up. It was a good thing he was still small because he barely fit back there. No way could an adult squeeze in the back. She reluctantly climbed into the passenger side and when Derek soon sat down in the driver’s seat, she was grateful the top was down. The little car was making her feel claustrophobic and Derek was way too close for her already frayed nerves to handle.

Derek threw the car into gear and then gunned down the street, picking up speed quickly. “We aren’t in that big of a hurry,” she gasped in fear, as she held on tightly to the dashboard.

“Oh, Mom,” Jacob groaned. “Go faster,” he egged Derek on. Derek gave him a huge smile in the rearview mirror and then jumped on the freeway gunning the engine. They shot past cars like they were standing still. Jacob was full of laughter, as his hair blew back in the wind and they flew down the freeway.

Jasmine would never admit it to either of the guys but she was getting a thrill out of the ride herself, after her initial fear fell away. He was a skilled driver and whipped around the lanes of traffic smoothly, making it seem like they were flying.

They reached their exit and had to slow down. “We have to do this again,” Jacob shouted from the back seat. Jasmine silently agreed.

“We’ll go on a long ride after the wrestling meet and then go have dinner,” Derek promised him. Jasmine didn’t appreciate how he was just assuming they didn’t already have plans. She would’ve said something but didn’t want to fight in front of her son.

They pulled up to the school and Jacob grabbed ahold of Derek’s hand. “Come on, Dad, I want you to meet my coach,” he said excitedly.

“Let me help your mom carry the food in and then I can meet him,” he answered with never-ending patience. She was impressed how well he was doing with her hyper nine year old son. A lot of parent’s couldn’t handle their children, after having years to adjust and he seemed to be falling right into parenthood. She’d see how he acted in a week, or even a month. That would be the true test.

They walked into the gym, like a million other families. Jacob had his small hand clasped in Derek’s and she walked on his other side. To the rest of the world they would seem like the perfect, suburban family. She knew the truth though. She knew the confrontation was coming and she was trying to prepare herself for it.

Derek barely had time to set the food down at the concession area, before Jacob dragged him off. He was so proud to show his father off to his coach and all his friends. She watched as he proudly crossed the room and ran to Chuck.

Chuck looked up at them with surprise and then she watched as his brow wrinkled, before he quickly managed to paste a smile on his face and shake Derek’s hand. She knew he had to be wondering what was going on between them, as she’d never mentioned Jacob’s father before.

Jacob must’ve insisted Derek sit with him in the players section, not willing to let his dad leave his side, because she saw Derek, businessman tycoon, kneel down and sit on the Matts. She would've caught flies if they were around - her mouth was so wide open. She quickly shut it and got the food all ready for the boys.

“Who is that complete hunk of man meat with your son?” one of the very single mothers said, as she edged up. “Please tell me he’s your long lost brother and single,” the woman continued. Jasmine felt instant jealousy, as she stared at the gorgeous woman, who unlike her, was dressed in a skin tight outfit, with her hair and make-up done to perfection.

She didn’t know how to describe Derek. They weren’t a couple and hadn’t been for ten years. He was the father of her child and he’d made love to her so hotly she was surprised her sheets hadn’t gone up in flames but she didn’t have any rights to him.

“He’s Jacob’s father,” she simply said. She didn’t know what else to add to that.

“Yummy, you haven’t mentioned Jacob’s father before. Does he live out of town?” the woman asked, with too much interest.

“We just lost touch for some years but I don’t think he’s going to want to be away from Jacob anymore,” she said.

“I see,” the woman said and then snaked over to her son, who just happened to be close to Derek. Jasmine watched as the woman had the nerve to actually pretend to trip and fall into Derek. She couldn’t believe he fell for that, as he held his arms out to catch her. Then to top it off, she sat inappropriately close to him.