Irrevocably HERS

Chapter Eighteen

I'm not sure I am equipped to deal with this much pressure. Between running the auto repair shop here, dodging Vicky and her craziness, and trying my hardest to go from here to NY is sucking all the energy I have in my body. The fact that adulting is this hard right now is severely stressing me out. This is exactly why I should have remained an introvert. I should have never left the shadows that I roamed within. Yet, if I hadn't, I would have never gotten to where I am right now.

I fell for the girl of my dreams and now said girl is having my baby. We can be a family even if she concludes that she doesn't want anything to do with me. Not that I blame her though. I have put her through a lot of s**t and I will make it my mission to make it up to her. I should have been there for her. I should be there for her now. I've made sure to have Chrissy keep me updated, especially now that she was diagnosed with Hyperemesis. However, the only update I have heard so far is that she was granted online classes. That should diminish the stress on her somewhat, right?

Nothing in this world comes out stress free though. Like, here I am now currently sitting in my office trying to figure out budgeting while also looking for apartments that I'm sure I could afford while continuously blocking calls from Vicky. I swear that I have been seeing grey hairs and I feel like I am spiraling. Tyler has been on paternity leave for the last two weeks, leaving me with working on vehicles myself. Of course when I am a man down, s**t hits the fan. The town isn't that big but here I am with a long list of service repairs that will probably have me doing more all nighters. I really do need to hire more people. I've come to the conclusion that I have enough of a budget to help pay towards hiring a few employees. If I can do that, maybe I can be there instead of here all the damn time. I let out an exasperated sigh while throwing my head back against my office chair and trying to catch a break.

I hear the door open downstairs and I brace myself for another repair. As I walk down the stairs, I notice a man standing with his back turned away from me, waiting for someone to speak with, and that someone would be me.

"Morning. May I help you?" I say rounding the front desk in order to speak face to face with the customer. Should also hire an assistant to take orders. That would be helpful. The man turns and I swear it is like looking at a reflection of myself. Feel like I have been sent to the Twilight Zone.

"Uh, yeah, seems I popped a tire and I don't have a spare. You think you could patch it or something? If not I guess I'll take a new tire instead." The man says while eyeing me pretty much like I am eyeing him.

"Yeah. Let me check it out for you. My suggestion is to buy a new tire because once you pop the wheel, patching will only protect you for so long." I say while following him to his car.

"Assumed that would be the case. Traveling cross country and having a simple patch on the tire would definitely not be ideal. Think you could have it done by tomorrow?" He says with the look of having seen me somewhere and trying to pinpoint exactly where, which I am doing myself right now as he stands before me.

"I'm actually down a man and as you can see, I have all these other repairs to tend to but I will absolutely try my hardest to have your car done by the day after tomorrow, yet no guarantees." I say being as honest as I can possibly be. He nods in understanding.

"I'm actually good with cars if you need a helping hand. I know you don't know me but I try and help those that could use it." He says and I consider it for a moment but the truth of the matter is, he's right. I don't know him at all. These cars are my responsibility. If anything were to happen, it'll be my ass, and I just don't need another reason to be stressed.

"Thanks for the offer but I have a handle on things. Since you are a traveling man, I can tell you that there is a motel a few blocks down. There is also a diner that makes the best food if you are hungry. Like I said, I will try my very best with your car and have it back to you as soon as I can. Just fill out the paperwork and we'll go from there." I say to which he nods again as he begins to fill out the form I hand to him. I begin to walk away but he soon stops me.

"Have we met before or something?" He says and I shake my head.

"I'm sorry. This is going to sound strange but, you look really familiar. Like I've seen you before or something. Honestly? You kind of look like me from back in the day. You even kind of look like my father from when he was younger. It's kind of scary. Same haircut. Same color eyes. Even down to the five o clock shadow you are sporting. I've heard of doppelgängers living in the world but when you witness it before your eyes, it's beyond crazy." He says and I couldn't have agreed with him more.

"I'm not even from around here. Was born in Chicago and then placed into the system when I was dropped off in a box on someone's doorstep. From there I have been in countless numbers of foster homes and this town was my final stop until I aged out. Got myself a job and planted roots here I suppose." I say which makes me wonder why I am even telling this guy my life story. I've never told anybody my background, only a select few. It was always under lock and key. Even from Amber at the beginning. The guys eyes widen for a moment when I mentioned Chicago but as quickly they widened, they soon went back to normal.

"Chicago? Huh. What a coincidence. I grew up in Chicago. Had to get away from there though. Needed to pave my own way through life ya know? s**t, sorry about your history and what you have been through. Sounds like a lot. Glad you pulled through it all." He says and it sounds genuine coming from him, a stranger.

"Yeah. So. Like I said, just leave your info and I will get back to you as soon as I can. It was nice meeting you..." I say not even knowing his name yet.

"Mitchell. Mitchell Connors." He says.

"Nice meeting you Mitchell Connors." I say to which he nods, handing me back the form, and sees himself out, but not before he takes another glance my way, raising his hand in a wave like gesture. Nothing more eerie than seeing someone you have this only feeling of knowing yet not knowing at the same time. I shake my head of the thought. My phone begins to ring and when I see the caller ID flash with Tyler's name, I almost jump for joy.

"Bossman. Lily's mom is heading down to come help her out with the baby and I need to get my ass back to work, like pronto. In other words, I love my girl and I love my baby boy, but I need back in with work. Gods speed to all the stay at home fathers but I ain't one of them. Please tell me you need my help bossman. I'm begging you!" Tyler says like a man child and I roll my eyes and chuckle.

"Come in now if you want. I could use the help because we have repairs up the ass over here." I say to which he quickly hangs up and minutes later is in the garage sorting through orders like a man on a mission. When he looks up, I can see how drained he actually is.

"You're not going to wind up falling asleep smashed under someones hood are you?" I say to which he scoffs.

"I may have bags under my eyes from a child who has the lungs of an opera singer but I'm good man. My girl, bless her heart, is so much stronger than me. My baby boy and my girl are my entire world and there isn't a damn thing I wouldn't do for them but s**t man. Parenting is no joke. You can forget about sleeping, eating, even taking a moments rest. We alternated sleep most nights but my boy likes breaking night. Spent most nights watching infomercials. It's crazy but, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Hows Amber doing? Lily has tried to reach out but radio silence, but don't worry because now the baby doesn't even give her a moment to decompress." He says eyeing me with awe for his family but uncertainty towards mine.

"I'm not the only one getting radio silence then. Not even sure man. I've been so bombarded over here with the shop and Vicky blowing up my phone like a crazy person that I haven't had time to head down there and check on her." I say truthfully and he nods.

"Understandable man. You are doing the best you can with a shitty situation of not having her close by. I wouldn't be able to handle that if that were me and my girl. I need her in my proximity just to alleviate any crazy thoughts from playing out in my head. I'm back now so you can go and check on her if you want." He says and I nod knowing I could but not wanting to leave everything on him.

"Once we get everything done and s**t slows down is when I'll head back." I say to which he pats my back and begins working on the first repair. We breeze through a bunch of them by the end of the day and I am currently finishing working on Mitchell's tire. His uncanny resemblance still baffles me and it claws at my brain. I keep replaying in my mind where I could have seen him before but nothing registers.

"Bossman, think we should call it a day. Want to head for some grub at the diner?" Tyler says while wiping down his work area, throwing the tools back into his chest.

"Yeah, why not. Don't forget to bring something home with you for Lily and her mother. Doubt any of them are wanting to cook." I say to which he immediately pulls out his phone to take their order. I grab mine and dial Mitchell's number to tell him his car is ready to be picked up. I have it ring out only to get his voicemail so I leave him a message.

"Hey Mitchell, it is Hunter from the auto repair shop. Just calling to tell you that your car is ready to be picked up. I'm actually closing now but only heading to the diner to get some food. If you want your car tonight, just give me a call and I will have it ready for you. Thanks."

On the way to the diner with Tyler, I try to call Amber to see how she is doing. I am immediately sent to voicemail. I may be slightly irritated but the fact of the matter is, I haven't been there lately and she probably is beyond mad. Knowing she has the f*****g pretty boy Mason there to tend to her every wish and desire has rage coursing through my veins. I still can't comprehend the fact that I know that for some reason, deep down in my bones, she will wind up choosing him over me. Of course she will. He is the better out of the both of us, tending to a pregnant girl, watching over her and another man's child without hesitation. I need to figure out a way to be there for her more. Now that Tyler is back, maybe it is time to hand the reigns over to him and settle my ass down wherever Amber finds herself after graduation. I told her I wanted everything with her and our child and I will damn make sure of it. I may not be proving myself to her now, but, I will, sooner rather than later.

"Jesus both those women are going to be the death of me. If it isn't one thing, it's another. They can never just settle on the first thing that comes to their minds. They have to keep on changing things up." Tyler grits out stuffing his phone back into his jacket pocket, opening the door to the diner.

"Least you have the ability to hear her needs and be able to give it to her. I don't have that advantage from where I am. I promised I'd be there but have failed yet again to live up to her expectations." I say sounding like the pathetic sap I am, sliding into the booth in the far back.

"Come on now bossman. You can't keep feeling guilty over not being there. I'm sure she understands why." He says and I shrug.

"Haven't you spoken to her?" He asks while eyeing the menu like it is his first time reading it.

"Not really. Every time I call, I am sent to voicemail. I try and call Chrissy but she does the same. I'd call Reeve but he'd rather give me the black eye he desperately wants to dish out before answering my phone call." I say while deciding what I want to eat. The door bell jingles and I cringe when Vicky walks in searching both left and right of the place until she finds me. She charges over to where I am, ready to unleash another bout of guilt for my lack of being in her life anymore.

"I've tried calling and texting Hunter. Why haven't you answered?" She tries to say sweetly but I can hear the whine in her tone. I don't want to have the conversation here so I stand and move to escort her outside.

"I've been busy Vicky. Besides, let's not forget that we aren't even an item anymore. How many times are you going to be harassing me daily with your phone calls and texts and popping up places where I am? This is getting out of control. You need to stop. Thought I made myself clear when you stood there lying to my face about being your child father." I say as she just looks from me to a sitting Tyler inside the diner still perusing through his menu, while on the phone at the same time. Crossing her arms against her chest, she holds her head high, not the least bit embarrassed by her actions.

"I am doing this because am I fighting for us Hunter. I miss you. I miss us. I thought I could move on from you but I can't." She says and I just raise an eyebrow. She can't be serious.

"There was never an us Vicky. We were never together officially. You yourself concocted that dream. I can't do this with you now or ever again. Stop contacting me and following me." I say in a low threatening tone but she doesn't even register the words that have come out of my mouth. She refuses to listen.

"I know you haven't been with any other woman Hunter. You miss me. I know you do. We can be happy. You, me, our child." She says and that's when I scoffs at the fact that she is once again using her child to goad me.

"That isn't my child Vicky and you very well know that. I haven't been with any other woman because I have a woman waiting for me in NY, who actually is carrying my child, so this, this trying to get me back isn't going to work. I'm leaving here soon and starting my new life with my family." I say to her which makes her face fall. That she clearly heard.

"You're not serious. No. I refuse to believe that. This isn't over. This isn't over. We were always meant to be together!" She says beginning to cry and when I don't make a move to offer her comfort, she storms away from the diner. The moment she leaves, I release the breath that I didn't even know I was holding and reenter the diner heading straight for the back booth again.

"Any other psycho exes going to come in here and preach their undying love for you or can we order already?" Tyler says as I flip him off to which he just laughs hysterically. We finally make our order and while we wait, my phone rings with Mitchell's name displayed on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Uh, hi. It's Mitchell. Mitchell Connor. I got your message about my car. Mind if I come by in about an hour?"

"Yeah, sure. Sounds good."

"Okay. Great. I, uh, I also need to ask you something when I see you. I'll see you then."

"Sure. No problem. See you soon."

"What was that all about?" Tyler says while stuffing his face with the buffalo burger he ordered.

"Mitchell, the guy who came in with the tire change. He wants to pick up his car but also needs to ask me something. Sounded all cryptic over the phone." I say.

"I'm gonna tag along with you bossman." He says and I want to tell him not to but I know he won't take no for an answer.

"Oh Susie sweetie?" Tyler calls our waitress over.

"Can you have your delivery boy run the extra food I ordered over to my house? I don't want to be put six feet under entering the house with cold food. I'll tip the kid and everything." He asks her as she simply nods her head and runs back over to where the delivery kid is lounging around.

"You don't have to come with me." I say to Tyler who chugs the rest of his drink before rising and heading over to the counter to pay for the meals. He tips the delivery kid a $20 and the kid beams brightly. I pay for my meal and leave the waitress a $20 tip as well.

"Come on bossman. I'm curious about Mr. Cryptic." He says while we make our way back to the shop. Once we get there, Mitchell walks in about twenty minutes later.

"I really didn't expect my car to be done so soon." Mitchell says while Tyler comes down the stairs after having a very long conversation with Lily over the phone.

"Ah, see you have got your workforce back. I'm Mitchell Connor." He says to Tyler, holding out his hand for a shake. Tyler obliges.

"Yeah. Couldn't have Bossman do all the repairs by himself anymore. Just got back from paternity leave. Got myself a little guy back home who likes to stay awake all night and a soon to be wife that wants to probably murder me 99% of the time, much like right now since I myself didn't bring home dinner, but she doesn't cause she loves me too much." Tyler says which earns him a deep chuckle from Mitchell and myself.

"Family man. I like it." Mitchell says but his face falls with from the word family.

"Actually, while we are on the subject of family, I need to ask you a question Hunter." He looks to me and I can feel a sense of hesitation from him but I chalk it down to nothing for now. I myself am not liking where this is going but I try to take it easy on the inside.

"Seeing you look like the spitting image of myself and my father, I just had to call back home. I left home when I was young, only a measly teenager thinking life for him was on the road. I was a f*****g mess back then but I soon found my way. Of course I have been in touch with my mom and dad but I had to ask if they knew of anything about a baby being dumped in a box. That right there should have made headlines. I lived in a suburban area so sure as s**t, it did. The thing is, and I don't really know how to ask you this question, but, do you happen to know the name of your birthmother?" Mitchell asks as I just stand there understanding his question yet in total denial of the actual gravity of it. He can't be thinking or even delegating what I think he is thinking.

"Bossman?" Tyler says which takes me out of my silence towards Mitchell's question. Before I can even talk myself down, I begin speaking.

"I've had opportunities to look at my file when the people just left my file lying open on their desk not giving a damn, but I never looked to see what the egg donor and spent donor names were because I frankly didn't want to know. I seen my birth certificate but I didn't go as far as my name. All I know is that those two could care less about where the f**k I was. The egg donor literally left me in a box on a doorstep and even those people couldn't be bothered raising a baby. I was shipped off to god knows where and was left to be raised by different people through different amounts of foster homes. I honestly don't give a rats ass who my parents were. If they couldn't give two shits about me then why should I ever give two shits about them." I spew the words out with such hatred that I watch as Mitchell's face falls and the look of pity and guilt appear marred on his face.

"Whoa, bossman." Tyler begins to say but I cut him off obviously on a raging rant towards this stranger in front of me asking me a question that I never wanted or needed to have an answer to.

"No. Don't tell me to relax or anything Tyler. I'm sorry but what or why the hell are you asking me that question Mitchell?" I say on the verge of shaking with rage because if he thinks he knows who or where my parents are then he should stop and think twice before telling me anything.

"Look, Hunter." Mitchell begins to say but I have lost the ability to see reason and all I can see is red at this point. I am blinded by rage that I don't care who I lash out at, at this point.

"Don't you dare say anything Mitchell. Don't you dare tell me anything if you do know anything. I've never wanted to know the truth. Never." I say seething but he carefully steps closer to me and I must look terrifying but he doesn't stop. His hands are held up in surrender but he doesn't give a damn at this point what the consequences to his actions can be.

"I never knew Hunter." He says almost apologetically that it almost brings me out of my fury.

"Never knew what?" Tyler says thinking he is breaking the tension but sure as s**t isn't.

"That I had a son." Mitchell says and I swear the world crumbles beneath my feet at his comment.

"Fuck." Tyler says before I do the unthinkable and punch the guy who claims to be my father, right in his guilt stricken face.