“What did Xochitl say? Has she seen her?”
“No one’s here. When’s the last time you talked to her?”
“About two hours ago.”
Byron explained what he’d already explained to her mother, minus the part about her being upset with him. Then let him know it was him knocking at the door. Her uncle Angel opened it, looking as worried as Byron was now feeling.
Her dad walked out of her bedroom holding a phone. It rang and they all froze but her father frowned when he glanced down at the screen. “Valerie,” he said to them then answered. “Babe, it’s me. I’m at her dorm. The door was unlocked, and her phone was here on the charger but no one else is here.”
The man was quiet for a moment as he listened to whatever she was saying, then his expression went rigid, and he glanced up at Byron. “She was upset with you when you last talked to her?” They all turned to him at once. “I’ll call you back.” He hung up the phone and glared at Byron. “Is that what this is all about?”
Byron shook his head. “I don’t think she’d worry you guys over anything that happened between me and her.”
In the next moment as her dad took a deep breath he also seemed to double in size as he stared Byron down. “Why’s my daughter upset?”
Uncle Sal took a cautious step in front of him and thankfully so, because the man looked ready to lunge at him. The knob on the front door jiggled, and they all turned anxiously as it opened. Xochitl walked in and froze, gasping wide eyed when she saw them all standing there. But Savannah didn’t walk in with her.
“Where’s Savannah?” Byron, Taz and her father all asked in unison.
She shook her head still looking very stunned. “I thought she was in La Jolla.”
“She never got there,” her dad explained everything going on. “We’ve been calling both of you and neither were answering. We didn’t know what to think.”
“Sorry. I was on a date and I silenced my phone.”
Savannah’s dad turned to Byron again. “Why the fuck was my daughter upset?”
One quick glance at Xochitl, and Byron knew she knew. She looked as horrified as Byron felt over the prospect of him having to explain this to this brood. “She uh, ran into someone I used to—”
“Last I heard from her when I spoke with her on the phone, she was leaving her phone on the charger,” Xochitl blurted out. “Because it was dying. School’s website was down so she had to run back to the lab at school and turn in an assignment.”
“What?” Again, Byron and her dad spoke in unison.
“So, she never got back from the lab over two hours ago?” Her dad sounded as alarmed by this as Byron was.
The sudden chill down Byron’s spine was reminiscent of what he’d felt the day he got the call about his mother. God no. He’d been so sure this had nothing to do with the shooting at the school, and now it may have everything to do with it. Sal held her aghast looking dad back again because he looked ready to bolt out of there, just as Byron felt like doing now too. Only the sheer terror he was feeling now, rendered him completely inert.
Sal said something about the news coverage reporting the whole place was on lockdown. Even streets leading up to it. There’d be no way they could get anywhere near there.
Byron felt ready to pass out. He was suddenly assaulted with all the memories he’d since repressed. Both from the day his mother died, and when he’d gotten the news of Lizette. The feelings of utter shock and disbelief overwhelmed him. As dreadful as those memories were, even losing his mother, didn’t compare to what he was feeling now. While he’d gotten past those two horrific events in his life, he already knew he’d never survive this if something had happened to her.
The noise from her dad and his brothers arguing, and then Xochitl turning on the news because she hadn’t even heard about the shooting, was nothing but a droning buzz in Byron’s ears. The boulder in his throat, threatened to suffocate him now, as the reality that something might have actually happened to Savannah sunk in deeper.
Xochitl gasping broke Byron out of his terror induced trance. “Listen,” she said pointing at the reporter recounting the latest and upped the volume on the television.
“. . . school administrator having marital problems for some time. Her estranged husband entered the lab where a gunshot was heard . . .”
“Oh, my God! The lab.” Xochitl brought her hand over her mouth. “That’s where Savannah was going.”
The whole room seemed to hold their breath at once, as they continued to listen. The standoff was over now, and the guy had been taken into custody, but it wasn’t clear if there were any injuries, or God forbid, fatalities.
They broke away from the story suddenly to report on the death of a popular daytime soap star. “What the fuck?” Her dad echoed Byron’s sentiments exactly. “I don’t give a shit about that,” he roared doing a double take when he glanced a Byron. “You crying, boy?”
Not until that moment had Byron realized terrified tears had escaped him. They all stared at him and he glanced away swatting them away, though even their staring didn’t slow or stop the tears from coming.
“Alright,” Sal said lifting a hand. “Everybody just calm down. We don’t know anything yet. They haven’t even—”
The front door opened and like a God sent miracle, Savannah walked in. Just as Xochitl had when she’d walked in, she froze at the sight of all of them. Before anyone else could, Byron rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Even having her in the safety of his arms knowing she was fine, didn’t stop the fucking tears, but he didn’t care at that point. He was just beyond relieved that she was okay. “Jesus Christ, Savannah. I was so scared.”
He knew kissing her there in front of her dad and uncles, especially if she pushed him away given their last conversation was suicide, but he was willing to take the chance. Pulling away from her, he cradled her face in his hands, as she stared up at him with a stunned expression. But at least it wasn’t a disgusted, angry, or even a hurt one, so he went for it. He pecked her softly, sweetly and she was all for it. She even smiled pecking him back. Though Byron knew better than to go for any deeper kisses.
“Where you’ve been?” her dad asked, his own terrorized tone from earlier now sounding a bit annoyed.
“There.” She pointed at the television that had gone back to reporting on the school shooting and Byron finally let her go. Turning to Byron who was still swatting tears away, she touched his face as if she already understood why he’d be so upset. “I would’ve called if I’d had my phone, but I left it here.” Her dad lifted it with a frown, to show her they’d already figured out that much. “I don’t have anyone’s phone numbers memorized, and I didn’t even think to Google and call the restaurants until about a half hour ago, but no one answered. I called all three.”
“We closed them all early to rush down here when we heard the news and couldn’t get a hold of you,” Sal explained. “Your aunts are with your mom and Sienna, helping Gordo calm them.
“Yeah, she’s fine.” Her dad was already explaining to his wife on the phone.
Savannah explained about not even being in the same room as the shooter, just the same building, but they’d gone on lockdown after the shot was heard, and they didn’t let anyone out until they had him in custody.
“Who did he shoot?” Angel asked.
“No one.” She shook her head. “I heard someone say the gun went off on accident.”
“You see, this is why you can’t believe shit on the news anymore.” Angel turned to her dad. “I didn’t wanna say anything earlier because you were already so worried, but I’d heard one channel reporting that they might be dealing with a mass school shooting.”
Everyone in the room hugged Savannah one by one, and Byron was already wondering how in the world he’d tear himself away from her once the dust settled.
“You always leave your door unlocked?” her father asked with a scowl as he pulled away from her.
Savannah wi
nced, exchanging glances with Xochitl. “We’ve been known to rush out sometimes and forget to lock it. But there’s security out front.”
“Not always.” Her dad countered with an even more severe scowl. “We walked right in because no one was there when we got here.”
The lecture she got from her dad and uncles about safety and the importance of locking not just her door, but all her windows was much appreciated by Byron. Savannah promised she’d be more diligent about locking everything from here on.
All said and done, much to Byron’s relief Savannah said she’d save the trip down to La Jolla for the morning. “If it’s all the same to you daddy, I’m exhausted and it’s safe to say mom’s dinner’s a wash anyway, right?”
Thankfully, he didn’t argue. Byron and Savannah walked them out. “You guys go ahead.” Mr. Moreno told his brothers and Taz. “I’ll be right there.” He turned to Savannah but placed a hand on Byron’s shoulder. “Give us a moment, sweetheart.” The instant alarm in Savannah’s face wasn’t missed and her dad’s face soured. “He’ll be fine.”
She nodded, saying nothing before kissing her dad goodbye on the cheek, then wincing at Byron. Her father waited until she’d gone into her dorm but started toward the parking lot. Byron walked alongside him bracing himself, as he remembered the lethal probing earlier. “Look, I don’t need to know what it is that upset her anymore. Obviously, she’s over it and it’s clear you really care about her.”
“I’m in love with her, sir. Have been almost since I met her.”
Alex stopped and stared at him for a moment blankly, as if letting that sink in. “Well, I guess if anyone’s gonna date my baby girl, he better be in love with her. Lowers the odds of his hurting her, and me ending up in prison.”
“I’d never hurt her,” Byron said with conviction. “What she was upset about earlier was something that happened before her and I had made things official. Before I knew I even had a chance of anything serious with her. But ever since things changed, I promised her, like I promised you before and I’m promising you again, I would never hurt her.”
Her dad searched Byron’s eyes for a silent moment, as if looking for any insincerity. “Good to know. And believe it or not, son, I like you. The idea of her having someone who’s looking out for her now that she’s so far from home, had grown on me. But I’ll especially like it now that I know how much she means to you.” He shook his head with a frown. “Girl can’t even remember to lock the door, for Christ sakes.”
Byron chuckled almost giving into the stupidity of what hearing her dad say he liked him did to him. He nearly blurted out that he didn’t have to worry because most days she stayed at his place lately anyway. But he managed to catch himself. Instead, he admitted something there was no doubt about anymore.
“She’s everything to me now.” He had to suppress the emotion he was feeling once again. “I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy. You have my word.”
Her dad glanced away taking a deep breath, before looking back at him. “I’m holding you to that, boy.” Clapping Byron’s shoulder, he started to walk off but turned around. “You’re welcome to join us tomorrow if you wanna drive down with her.” Before Byron could respond to that, the big guy turned around again with an almost smirk. “Don’t think I’m all sweet on you either. I’d just feel better if she didn’t take the two-hour drive down and back by herself.”
Smiling for the first time, in what felt like way too fucking long, Byron was already mentally clearing up his busy schedule tomorrow. “I’ll see you there.”
Despite how good it felt knowing Savannah was safe, and that her father and him had made an unlikely connection, Byron started back to the dorm where he knew he’d be facing the music about his night with Irma now.
Twenty-Nine
Why not?
Vannah
The moment she opened her dorm door, Byron stepped in and wrapped his arms around her tightly again. He held her for a long time taking in deep breaths. His embraces were always heartfelt, but this felt even more emotional somehow. Xochitl had already confirmed what Vannah thought she’d imagined when she first walked in. Those really had been tears in his eyes she’d seen, and they’d been shed because of the dread he’d been put through. Vannah couldn’t even blame him. He’d already suffered two harrowing and heart wrenching experiences in his life. She didn’t even know how she would’ve handled thinking something might’ve happened to him. Just like all the other times she’d been so quick to forgive and forget his past popping up, she’d already decided she wouldn’t dwell on the whole Irma thing. And she knew why now, just as he had today, Byron had worn his heart on his sleeve from the very beginning and she loved him for it. She’d promised not to hold his past against him, and she was keeping that promise.
It wasn’t until he finally pulled away sniffling, that she saw his bloodshot eyes were flooded again, and she was instantly choked up.
“Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Irma—”
“No.” She shook her head adamantly taking his face in her hands. “I’m glad you didn’t, and I don’t even wanna hear about it now, it would’ve been worse then. It just took me by surprise and shook me for a moment, but I had time to think about it during this stupid standoff and it doesn’t matter. That was before we’d made any promises. You’ve proved more than enough times already, and you’re proving it again now.” She smiled wiping away the tears that escaped the corners of his eyes. “That your intentions are honorable, and your love is as genuine as it gets.”
“Savannah you don’t even know.” He leaned in and kissed her as Vannah brought her arms around his neck. “I already knew I’d fallen hard. And you probably didn’t believe it when I said if I had it my way, I’d marry you tomorrow. But after today, if I thought you’d say yes, fuck the four years of school, I’d get down on my knees, and ask you to marry me right now.” Her eyes went wide, and he shook his head quickly. “I know it sounds like crazy talk, and I really do respect that you want to finish school first. I’m just saying there’s no question about it anymore. I’ll never feel like this for anyone else. You’re it for me. Four years from now, I know I’ll still feel the same. When you walked in through that door today, all I could think of was how the hell I’d let you out of my sight again? How could I convince you to sleep in the safety of my arms every night, for the rest of your life?”
“I think you just did.”
He smiled sniffling, as Vannah tried not to freak out about the words that had just flown out without thought, but clearly, even he didn’t think she was being serious. She was just reacting to his sweet words, hypothetically. Right?
The moment she saw that what she’d just said sunk in; her heart thudded. He tilted his head peering at her suddenly. “What?”
She felt her eyes go wide again as her heart sped up. Did she dare repeat it? It was crazy talk, but she’d already begun to consider Xochitl’s suggestion that she just move in with him. What difference did it make if they were married or not? She already knew she couldn’t live without him. Her old school grandparents would probably appreciate their first grandkid to leave home, to be because she was getting married, not shacking up with her boyfriend. And who said she couldn’t keep going to school while she was married? It’s not like they could marry immediately anyway. Her family would never hear of it. Their first grandchild in the family to marry would get the biggest, fattest, Moreno wedding La Jolla had ever had. The baby making would definitely have to wait but most importantly, there was no question about it for Vannah anymore either. Byron was it for her too. As insane as this really was, she couldn’t even imagine her life without him anymore.
Cautiously lifting and dropping a shoulder, her heart raced as his eyes widened. “Why not?”
His jaw dropped. “You’re shitting me?”
“I could still finish school and—”
She stopped, and yelped bringing her hand over her mouth, when he dropped to his knee in front of her. “Ma
rry me?”
“Yes!” she said without even giving it another thought.
Jumping to his feet, he picked her up and spun her around as she laughed nervously, then put her down just as suddenly. “I know that nervous laugh, Savannah.” He searched her eyes. “Are you sure about this?”
She nodded adamantly bringing both her hands to her mouth, feeling her brows pinch as she was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. “Just nervous because I know my parents are gonna freak. But yes. I’m absolutely sure, Byron.” She smirked when she saw the uncertainty in his eyes, but she also knew him too well now. “Am I sleeping here tonight?”
His brows jumped in surprise. “Well, if you’re leaving that up to me. Hell no! You’re coming home with me tonight.”
“And when we get home tomorrow night?”
“Yeah.” He smiled big as if understanding what she was getting at already. “You’ll be there again and every night after that I can convince you to stay. We may as well make it official.”
Xochitl who’d gone into the bedroom before Vannah had even let Byron back in, walked out into the kitchen. She’d been sure things would get emotional again and wanted to give them their privacy. “Just getting something to munch on, but I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I’m done.”
“We’re getting married,” Vannah blurted out making her roommate spin around so fast she nearly lost her balance.
“What?”
Vannah laughed bringing her hands to her mouth. “He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. Why not? It feels so perfect, and you were right. I’m over at his place most the time now anyway. All I ever think of when we’re apart, is when I’ll be with him again.”
“Same here,” Byron confirmed, and she turned to smile at him.
“I should call my mom.”
“No wait!” Byron looked absolutely panicked now. “I mean trust me I have zero qualms about doing this but, phew!” He clutched his chest. “Telling your parents. Can’t we wait a little? At least until I can get you a ring?”
“I don’t need a ring, and you don’t understand. My parents hate for us to keep anything from them. Especially something this big.”
Not Even Close (A New Generation) Page 29