Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  “Let me take one more,” she says with a smile.

  Ripley wraps her arms around my waist and I wrap my arm around her shoulders. She snaps a couple more and then Ripley switches places with her. I wrap my arms around my mom, hugging her tight, and tell her, “I’m glad you came, Mom.”

  “I-I’m so proud of you. My baby boy is a high school graduate, and next, college.” She kisses my cheek before taking her leave. I’m sure my dad told her when he wanted her home, and like always she does exactly what he says.

  Ripley comes up and wraps her arms around my waist. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I am. Let’s go find your parents.”

  2

  RIPLEY

  Brock moves slowly in and out of me, and my orgasm begins to fade. I can still feel him pulsing inside me after his, and my hands glide gently up and down his back. His lips touch that spot on my neck that makes goose bumps pop up all over my body, and a contented sigh leaves my lips. I whimper as Brock pulls his softening penis out of me. We both quickly dress, then I lie back down in his arms.

  The bed of his truck isn’t the most comfortable place to rest, but he keeps sleeping bags and blankets in a trunk in the back, which helps. “I can’t wait until we go away to school,” Brock whispers against my forehead.

  I hug him tight and place my lips right over his heart. “I know baby. I wish my parents would let you move in until it’s time to go.” I push up and look down at him.

  He reaches up tucking my hair behind my ear. “You know that’s not a good idea. I love your mom and dad, and I’d hate if something happened that would change how they saw me.” Stuff like this is why my parents love Brock. He’s always been respectful of their rules when it comes to me, and Dad has been instrumental in keeping Brock on the right path to graduate. His dad is useless, so mine took it upon himself to guide and support Brock’s journey. That’s why my dad’s my hero.

  Every day he drops me off at home sadness washes over me as I think about what he’s going home to. The first time Brock showed up with a black eye, I bawled like a baby and threatened to go after the bastard. Instead, my dad took Brock out back. I don’t know what they talked about, but when they came back he grabbed my hand and we made our way to school.

  I rest my head on Brock’s chest. His heartbeat is a sweet, steady rhythm, and it’s beginning to lull me to sleep. “How many kids should we have?” he asks quietly.

  “Hmmm…well I’d like at least two, maybe three.” We’re both only children ourselves, but I have always wanted a big, loud, loving family.

  He moves me so I’m on my back and he looms over me. “I think we should have four. I want a little girl that’ll look like her mommy and three boys to protect their sister.”

  “Four? You realize I’m the one who has to carry them and then push them out, right? Although I do like the idea of having sweet little boys who love their momma.” He bends down and our lips touch. The kiss is slow and sweet, and I could do it forever. His tongue licks at my lips until they open to him, and the kiss quickly intensifies as our tongues tangle and my legs wrap around his hips. Then he pulls back.

  “I need to get you home so you can get ready for the party—unless you don’t want to go anymore.” He looks at me with a hopeful expression.

  “We have to go. Come on, it’ll be fun.” With a sigh, he helps me stand up. We roll up the sleeping bags and blankets and put them back in the chest, and then he jumps down off the bed and reaches for me, helping me down.

  On the way back into town, I sit right next to Brock with my head on his shoulder. All too soon, he’s pulling up in front of my parents’ house. “I’ll be back at eight,” he tells me before kissing my lips.

  “Okay, I’ll see you later. I love you.” I climb out of the truck.

  “I love you too, baby.” I stand on the sidewalk and watch his truck disappear down the street, and then I head inside to begin getting ready for the party.

  “Brock should be here any minute, so we’ll just meet you there,” I tell Kat as I pluck my outfit out of my dresser drawer.

  “Okay, that sounds good. Cale offered to be my driver for the night and he just drove up, so I’ll see you later.” I toss my phone onto my bed and turn toward the mirror, wondering when Kat’s finally going to realize she and Cale could have something amazing, like Brock and me. I haven’t said anything to Brock because he would accuse me of trying to mettle—which I am not doing—but if they need a gentle nudge, I’ll give it to them.

  The first time I met Brock, I thought he was a cocky jerk, but over our freshman year, I got to know him better. I never thought he’d be into a girl like me: shy and quiet, and my nose was always buried in a book. Kat was the outgoing one, the girl all the guys wanted. Heck, her locker was right next to his. The day he asked me out, that was all she wrote. After that, we were inseparable, and we still are.

  My parents were a little worried at first because it was no secret the type of home Brock grew up in, and they didn’t want me around Brock’s dad. It didn’t matter though, because he’s never taken me there. Over the past three years I’ve only seen his mom and dad a handful of times, usually in a public setting. His mom is a willowy woman who is beautiful, but constantly looks jumpy.

  His dad is tall with brown hair that has some silver sprinkled through it, brown eyes, and a bit of a beer belly on an otherwise athletic frame. He would be a good-looking guy if I didn’t know what a piece of crap he was. I hate knowing that his dad hurts him and his mom, and I don’t understand why she stays. I’ve talked to my mom and dad about it, and they’ve never been able to explain it. The only thing they said was that if Brock’s mom ever decided to leave, they would help her in any way they could. I love my parents.

  My dad and Brock are close, and I love that he’s taken Brock under his wing. He’s a positive male role model for someone who’s never had one. They’ve just made us promise to wait until after college before getting married and having kids.

  I get back to the task at hand and quickly fishtail braid my ash-blonde hair so it falls over my shoulder in a thick plait. I touch up my eye shadow and blush then add a thin coat of pink lip gloss.. It’s hot and humid so I throw on a black cami and a flowy lavender tank top that hangs off one shoulder. I slide on my favorite cutoffs, which are so worn, I’m surprised they haven’t fallen apart. After slipping on my black Chucks, I head out into the living room.

  My mom is sitting on the couch reading and I flop down right next to her. “Whatcha reading?” Since I can remember, my mom has always been a reader, always carrying a book around with her, which makes total sense because she’s the head librarian at Aldridge Public Library. I love to read, but not to the degree she does.

  “Nora Roberts’s latest book. You’d like it.”

  My mom knows what kind of books I like to read, so if she recommends it, I’m probably going to like it. “You’ll have to let me read it when you’re done.”

  “Is Brock picking you up?”

  I look at my phone and see that he should’ve been here five minutes ago; he’s never been late picking me up before. “He is, but he should’ve been here by now.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.”

  “Honey, stop pacing. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” I turn to look at my dad while I dial Brock’s cellphone again. It goes right to voicemail…again. Something’s wrong—I can feel it.

  “Dad, what if he’s in trouble? Can I borrow your car and go drive by his house?” Brock should’ve been here an hour ago. He hasn’t called, and his is phone shut off.

  My dad gets up and comes toward me. “Sweetheart, if he’s not here in thirty minutes, then you and I will drive by.” I frown, folding my arms over my chest. “You know why I can’t let you go over there by yourself. I’m sorry honey, but I don’t trust his dad. The answer is no.”

  At that moment, I hear Brock pull up, and I watch through the window as he stares at his steering wheel. Normally he’d be out of the truck
and coming to get me, but he’s just sitting there. My stomach turns as different thoughts go through my mind. I let the drape go, grab my purse, and head toward the door, only to be stopped by my dad. “Let me check on him first.”

  I can only nod as I watch him disappear outside and walk slowly out to Brock’s truck. I head out onto the front porch. Dad leans against the driver’s side door. They talk for a while and I’m getting worried, but then my dad steps back and Brock climbs out. That’s when I see Brock’s got a split lip and his cheek is slightly swollen.

  With all of my might, I hold in the cry that is threatening to spill from my lips. My dad climbs the stairs first and I shove past him to get to Brock. He immediately wraps his arms around me. “Sorry I’m late.”

  I put my finger over his lips. “No, you don’t have to apologize. Are you okay?”

  He kisses my finger. “Yeah, I’m okay. You look beautiful.”

  I circle my arms around his waist and snuggle in under his chin. “Thank you. Let’s go inside. We’ll watch a movie.”

  “No, I’m good. I promised we’d go, so we’re going.” I try to argue but he shuts me up with a kiss. “This is our last high school party. We’ll go hang out for a bit, then go see a movie, how about that?”

  “Yeah, okay.” I tell my parents bye through the screen door, mouthing a thank you to my dad.

  We’re both silent during our drive out to the Miller’s farm. I want to ask what happened, but I’m afraid it could set him off, and I don’t want to ruin our night. He lifts our intertwined fingers and kisses the back of my hand. “Two months.”

  I turn toward him. “Two months?” I’m not sure what he’s talking about.

  “Two months until we’re moving to Macomb.” A girly squeal escapes my lips and I squeeze an arm around his waist.

  “I can’t wait.” We pull down the gravel road the farm is on then Brock parks his truck and I climb out the same side as him. Hand in hand, we walk toward the huge bonfire. There are people everywhere.

  “You’re finally here!” Kat runs toward us and it’s very clear that my bestie is hammered. I hug her as she sways, then she cups my cheek and Brock’s. “I love you guys so much. You’re going to get married and have beautiful babies, and live happily ever after.” She pulls me in for a drunken kiss on the lips then kisses Brock on the cheek, and then just like that she’s gone, off to do whatever she was doing before we got here.

  Brock smiles down at me and I smile back, but my stomach knots up when I look at his split lip. I reach up and stroke it with my thumb. “Rip, it’s okay. I promise.” Nodding, I let him lead me over to Cale and other friends of Brock’s from the football team.

  I’m nursing my second beer when Kat drags me toward the makeshift dance floor. I smile at Brock as I sway to the music, and he gives me a chin lift along with a smile that makes my belly warm. One of his teammates grabs his attention so he signals to me that he’ll be back then disappears into a mob of huge football players.

  I’m finishing my second beer and dancing to the music with Kat and a couple other girls, but they’ve busted out the stripper moves. They’re all shitfaced, of course. My best friend smiles at me before lifting her arms in the air and grinding on an invisible pole. I can only shake my head because that girl is so wild, but I’d do anything for her.

  I need a drink, and before I go, I lean toward Kat. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get a drink and go to the bathroom.”

  “Do you want me to come with?” she asks.

  I shake my head and wind my way through the thick crowd, stopping to talk to people and give out hugs. Brock and I haven’t decided yet where we want to live once we finish school, so I may not see some of these people ever again.

  By the time I make it to the porta-potties I have to go so badly. Luckily one is open, and I go in to do my business. Once I’m done, I check my face in the little mirror on the door, then I freeze when I step out of the stall. “Go away Jonah.” Obviously my prayers that Jonah would skip the party weren’t answered.

  “Go away? Oh come on, don’t be like that.” I quickly move away from him, not listening to anything that jerk has to say. He doesn’t even like me; it’s just a game to him because he hates that Brock is better than him.

  I know he’s following me through the throng of people, but I refuse to look back and acknowledge him. I find Kat on the dance floor and keep close to her. I’m pretty sure Jonah is afraid of Kat because she’s loud and in your face, and she has no problem telling people what she thinks. Last year at a house party, he kissed her and she slapped him across the face. My hope is dancing with her will keep him away, because I know he’ll try to start a fight with Brock again if he can.

  I begin to relax, figuring Jonah has slunk off to mess with someone else, and continue dancing. As I move to the beat, my eyes scan the different crowds as I look for Brock. I don’t spot him, but I’m sure he’s around somewhere. Arms wind around me and I smile because it’s rare that Brock will dance with me. I place my hands on his and begin to move my hips, but then Kat freezes. She is looking at me strangely and I stop moving.

  Brock’s a lot taller than I am, and I suddenly realize the person against me isn’t. I spin around and come face to face with Jonah then reach out and shove him hard with all my might. He grabs my wrists and pulls me toward him.

  “Let me go.”

  “No, I don’t want to. When are you going to stop slumming with that piece of shit? Baby, I can take you places you’ve never been. What can he give you that I can’t?”

  I’ll blame it on the two beers causing me to lean forward and say, “Multiple orgasms.” Of course, a crowd has gathered and they all whoop it up when I say it, but I ignore them and try to pull my hands free. Still, he won’t let go.

  The crowd parts and Brock comes over to us, followed by Kat and Cale. She must’ve gone and got Brock. I wrench my arms out of his hold and move to Brock. His arm immediately wraps around my shoulders and he hugs me tight.

  “Mitchell, I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from Rip.” Brock’s body is strung tight, and I’m afraid he’s going to freak out.

  Jonah steps closer to him with a cocky grin on his face. Something ugly coils up in my belly and leaves me feeling uneasy. “It won’t take long before she realizes she’s hitched herself to fucking loser. How long do you think it’ll take before she walks away from you? Apparently the only thing you can give her is orgasms.”

  A gasp leaves my lips as Brock advances on Jonah. I hustle to get in between them but Brock shoves me out of the way. I don’t even think he knows it’s me; his eyes are focused on Jonah. Kat grabs my arm to keep me from trying to stop them and says, “Let Brock deal with it.”

  “I can’t. Jonah’s trying to push him to lose his temper and I can’t let that happen.” I move toward them and get between them both. “Brock, let’s go. He’s not worth it. Please.” He still won’t look at me and his body is held so tight, I’m afraid he’s ready to strike.

  “Brocky boy, how long is it going to take before you become your dad? Before you’re nothing but a drunk and a wife beater?”

  It feels like things move in slow motion. Brock tries to shove me out of his way and stalks toward Jonah. As I move right in between them again to stop Brock, I see his fist moving, hear screaming, and feel arms grab me right before I go down, and then…nothing.

  3

  BROCK

  Time freezes and silence descends. Ripley crumples in Jonah’s arms, her eye swelling up immediately. I’m frozen where I stand, a nauseous feeling swirling around in my gut. I hit her. I hit Ripley, and now she’s unconscious on the ground. It’s like a home movie in my head. Images flash through my mind: my dad slapping my mom right out of her chair at the dinner table, him grabbing me by the throat and holding me against the wall while my mom cried, my mom and I leaving in the middle of the night only to have him find us and drag us home.

  Every picture is of my father hurting me, hurting my mom, and no
w I’ve hurt Ripley, the only person I’ve ever loved, the one I swore I’d never hurt. Jonah’s bent over her body and then people start moving around me. Kat and Cale come toward me, their expressions full of shock and fear, and I finally become unstuck. I hear Cale call after me as I back away and then turn, rushing through the crowd. Everyone gives me a wide berth and I head right to my truck.

  Images assail me, images of Ripley’s eyes rolling back in her head, the shocked look on her face, and then nothing. As I hit the gas, my body goes numb, my mind gets fuzzy, and all I want to do is crash my truck, hoping it kills me. Tears spill down my cheeks and a pained cry slips past my lips. I whip my truck over to the side of the road, smacking my head against the steering wheel over and over.

  “What have I done?” I don’t even recognize the sound of my own voice right now. Why did I leave? I need to go back, need to make sure she’s okay and tell her I’m sorry. It was an accident. She shouldn’t have gotten in between us. I wipe my face with my t-shirt and throw my truck into gear. Before I can turn around, I spot an ambulance flying down the road, my stomach sinking as I watch it fly by.

  I need to leave, and I need to do it to protect Ripley. She deserves someone better than me, someone who will cherish and protect her, not hurt her. Instead of turning around and heading back to the party, I head home to pack a bag and leave town.

  I park a block down from my house and keep to the shadows as I make my way toward it. The little blue bungalow I’ve lived in since I was born is up ahead, and I move around to the side and open the window to my bedroom. I quickly grab some clothes and shoes, stuffing them in my duffle bag. On top of my dresser sit several picture frames: Ripley and me at prom, Ripley on my back at the homecoming game, Ripley and me sitting in front of the Christmas tree at her parents’ house. I rip the pictures out of the frames and stuff them into my bag.