Chapter Twenty-One
Aaron wasn't sure yet how he was going to use the news that Tatum was pregnant, but there was no question that he was going to use it somehow. It could potentially alienate or put a strain on Isabella and David's relationship, even though they both obviously already knew, and that could only be a good thing in his opinion. He could use it to convince the girls to sell the bar, maybe make sure his father knew. If there was one thing Malcolm Miller didn't like, it was a single, pregnant woman who was working. It could mean he was willing to put in a more than generous offer on the bar, which would hopefully tempt them at least enough to cause them to fight with each other. Aaron could also spread rumours about her character; he was sure most people would believe him if he said she'd been sleeping around or, even better, prostituting herself out to customers at the bar. That would not only affect her reputation but that of the bar as well. True it could impact on Isabella but, as much as he was infatuated with her, he couldn't say that wasn't a risk he was willing to take if it hurt her redheaded sister.
One thing he was sure of, was that he would not be telling Sean. His younger brother had always been a bit soft on those that he liked to torment, and he'd noticed that Tatum was no exception. And Aaron did not want Sean to get in his way of getting to Tatum. He might be able to talk to Austin, make him have a word with her: a bar was no place for a pregnant lady after all, even if smoking was now banned inside. He was sure the Sheriff could make it sound like they were trying to protect her.
Aaron tried to stop a smirk from appearing on his face as he continued scheming and looking like he was doing work, not wanting to invite any questions from his brother or family just yet.
"I'm headin' to bed. Night," Tatum said to her sister as soon as she pulled up in front of their house. She'd been tired from not sleeping well and things at the bar had been tense since Austin had left. She had no idea what the Sheriff had spoken to her sister about, but she'd been in a foul mood after that.
"Tatum..." Isabella started as she followed her out of the truck but had no idea what to say next. As much as she'd tried to act normally today, she knew her frustrations with Austin had impacted on her mood. "Night," she said with a sigh when she saw the frustrated look on her sister's face. The redhead simply nodded as she headed inside, barely stopping to say hi to David on her way up. The brunette really did not want to go inside and find out what mood he might be in. And apparently just those few seconds of dawdling, thinking through her options, was too long for her boyfriend.
"Well come in..." his icy voice called her in, knowing she was hesitating outside. Isabella closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to quickly build up some courage to actually go inside. "You took your time," he commented, and she knew it was going to be a long night.
"Sorry, I thought I'd left my phone in Tatum's truck," she fibbed as naturally as she could, moving through the living room into the kitchen to get herself a drink.
"What, you don't ask if I want anything?" David asked offended when he saw she was sipping her cola. "I don't like your manners since you moved here," he added as he made to get up.
"Sorry," she quickly apologised. "I'm just tired. Beer?" Isabella offered his favourite straight away, knowing anything non-alcoholic wouldn't cut it right now, even if she didn't want the alcohol to encourage any of his tendencies.
"That would be great, thank you," he said with exaggerated politeness.
They hadn't noticed that Tatum had made her way back down to get herself a drink and, while she'd only heard his last comment from the hallway, it made her wonder if their relationship was all that they'd made it seem when he first got here. She waited until her sister had gotten him his drink and sat down on the sofa next to him, before she headed into the kitchen. She figured this way they couldn't think she'd heard anything, which of course she hadn't really.
"Tatum," her sister said surprised when she turned at hearing her movements. It was obvious Isabella was worried she'd overheard something.
"Sorry, I just wanted a drink," the redhead said as she held up a bottle of water from the fridge. "Didn't mean to startle you. Night," she continued. Tatum gave her sister a nod in an attempt to reassure her, before she headed back upstairs.