It hits me. She’s stressed out because he brings out the worst in her. Pretty sure he brings out the worst in everyone. I don’t know how his new family deals with him, but I’m glad they do so we don’t have to. Most of the time.
“Sutton!” Mom calls.
This is all the drama I was trying to avoid. Or at least put off for as long as possible.
I grab my phone and text Anchor.
Sutton: My parents found out. Meet you at the lake in a few?
Anchor: They know??
Sutton: Unfortunately. Gotta go. Gonna escape ASAP.
Anchor: Good luck.
I’m going to need it. I stuff my phone into my shorts pocket and trudge downstairs. I can hear my mom and dad arguing already.
I’m tempted to sneak out to the lake now. But Mom would know exactly where I was. Maybe I could go to Anchor’s, then we could take his car somewhere. Anywhere.
Not that escaping will do me any good. I’ll still have to face my parents eventually. May as well get it out of the way. They’re going to have to learn to deal with the news.
They both stop talking and turn to me the moment I step off the stairs.
“What were you thinking?” Dad glares at me, his face red.
“Good morning, Dad. Great to see you.”
“Drop the sarcasm. What were you thinking?”
I step closer to him. “Do you really want to know? Don’t ask unless you want the answers.”
His eyebrows draw so close he looks like he has a unibrow. “How could you do this? Do you have no concern for your future? Or your family’s reputation?”
“That’s what this is really about. What people are going to think about you.”
“Don’t turn this around, young lady. It isn’t about me—it’s all about you.”
Anger surges through me. “Thanks for asking how I’m doing after my boyfriend died. That was really sweet of you.”
“This is serious!”
“You think I don’t know that?” It takes all my self-control not to slap him across the face. He’d probably sue me for assault. “Why do you think I made the doctor’s appointment?”
“To discuss your options, I hope.”
I narrow my eyes and wait a beat before responding. “To make sure I’m healthy and the baby is too. I know that’s your first concern, right? Dad?”
“You’d better find out about your options, and pick the quickest one.”
My mouth falls open. “You can’t be serious.”
“How could I not be? You’re eighteen and about to start Harvard! This will destroy your bright future.”
“Is that what you’re worried about, or is it the fact that you might have to tell people that neither Rogan nor I are going to college?”
His face grows even redder, though I wouldn’t have thought it possible. I must’ve struck a nerve.
Dad turns to Mom. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take. You need to talk some sense into her.”
I step between them. “You can’t make this decision for me! It’s my body and the baby of my dead boyfriend!”
“And you’d better be glad he’s already dead, because otherwise I would kill him myself for doing this to you!”
It’s like my body and my brain disconnect. I stare at him, unable to believe what I just heard. That he actually said that. There’s both a scary sense of calm and an unleashed fury racing through me. Someone screams. It’s me, and at the top of my lungs. I’m scratching my throat, I’m yelling so loudly.
I lunge for him, having lost all control. I slap, hit, and kick, while still hollering. Everything is moving in slow-motion. Clear, yet somehow also a total blur.
Dad has grabbed onto my right wrist and is squeezing. It should probably hurt, but I feel nothing. I continue assaulting him with my other extremities.
The front door bursts open behind Dad. It takes me a moment to realize it’s Anchor. He’s saying something, but I can’t hear what over my yelling.
Someone pulls me off Dad. It’s Mom. I struggle against her, ready to attack again. The only thing I want is to make him pay for what he said about Kade. He’s the one who should’ve died. Not a good person like Kade.
Life can be so cruel when it wants to be.
Dad’s screaming. Spittle flies from his mouth. I have no idea what he’s saying. And I don’t care. None of it matters. I’ve felt like he doesn’t care about me for a long time. Now I know it as truth. If he had one shred of love for me, he’d have never spoken about Kade like that. Never.
Now Mom and Anchor are yelling. I pull away from her and lunge for Dad again.
Anchor pulls me away just before I can punch Dad in the eye. He takes me outside, holding me tight. “It’s going to be okay, Sutton.”
I’m too angry to respond. “Let me go! You didn’t hear what he said about Kade!”
“Don’t tell me, or I’ll be tempted to go back there and beat him. And I don’t want to do that.”
“I do!” I struggle against Anchor, but he’s strong. Really strong. He takes me down the walking trail to his house and stops at the front door.
“Can I let go of you for a minute so I can unlock the deadbolt?”
All I can think about is going back to unleash my fury on my dad. I struggle against Anchor.
“I can unlock it one-handed.” He holds me with just one arm and unlocks the door, despite my efforts to get away. “You may as well stop fighting me. I’m not going to let you go until you calm down. You’ll thank me later.”
He pulls me inside, but he’s not rough or forceful. Just strong and clearly means business.
“Are you ready to walk on your own?” Anchor loosens his grip on me, but doesn’t let go.
“You didn’t hear what he said!”
“I’m glad for that. Will you let me make you a root beer float?”
I stop struggling. “What?”
“It’s always been one of my favorite treats. My mom makes them for us when we have bad days.” He releases his hold on me.
I give him a double-take. “You want to make me a root beer float?”
Anchor nods. “I’ll add sprinkles if you promise not to try and run away from me. Try being the operative word.” One corner of his mouth curves up.
My anger is starting to melt away. I don’t know if it’s from being away from Dad or just being with Anchor.
“Come on.” He tilts his head toward the kitchen. “Ice cream and root beer make everything better.”
I follow him then sit at the table, watching in silence as he pulls out large glasses and the makings for the dessert, including whip cream. He moves around like he’s comfortable in the kitchen, which makes me wonder what else he makes. Does he cook? Grill?
And why am I thinking about that when I should be fuming over what Dad said? Does he not realize I’ll never be able to forgive him for that? Or does he just not care? But then again, why would he when he has his new family?
Anchor sits next to me and glides one of the enormous glasses in front of me. It has three scoops of ice cream surrounded by the pop, topped off with whip cream and sprinkles. He hands me a spoon. “Cheers.”
I take it. “Cheers for what?”
“Being eighteen. Not having to be under anyone’s thumb anymore.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I raise my glass, and we clink them together. Root beer and whip cream slides down the sides of each, getting onto both of our fingers.
Anchor laughs then licks his off. For some reason that makes me laugh, even though I’m still angry with my dad.
Anchor
It takes all my self-control to hide my outrage toward Sutton’s dad from her. No, I don’t know what he said about Kade, but I can imagine. And hopefully my thoughts are worse than reality, but I know how self-righteous jerks like him think. I’ve dealt with enough of them in my time.
“Sutton Scott.” The receptionist at the doctor’s office looks around the room. Her tone makes me think something is wrong.
/>
Sutton slides her phone into her purse and glances at me before plodding across the waiting room.
I watch, ready to jump to her aid if needed. They’re speaking too quietly for me to hear from where I sit. But I can tell by the tones, something is wrong. I take a deep breath and stand by Sutton’s side.
She turns to me, her face pale. “The insurance didn’t go through.”
I’m not sure why I didn’t see that coming.
The receptionist nods. “The doctor can’t see her without payment.”
I lean over the counter and glower at the woman. “She’s pregnant and hasn’t been seen by a doctor yet.”
“There’s a free clinic over on—”
“No. She chose this office. There has to be a way for the doctor to see her.”
The receptionist leans back. “We take credit cards and cash.”
Sutton’s eyes shine with tears. “I don’t have either on me.”
The pain on her face hits me in the same place that Kade’s death broke me. I pull out my wallet and hand the lady a credit card. “Put it on this.”
Sutton stares at me with wide eyes. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I… Well, it’s probably a lot of money.”
“My family’s hardly hurting for cash.”
The receptionist holds up my card. “Should I charge this?”
“No,” Sutton says.
“Yes,” I say.
Sutton shakes her head. “This isn’t your problem.”
“I’ll send the bill to your dad.”
She sighs in defeat.
The receptionist arches a brow.
I nod.
She slides the card through the payment device. A few moments later, I’m signing for the payment.
I lean closer to Sutton. “The good news is that this assures the insurance company won’t tell your dad anything from here on out. They’re not in the picture anymore.”
We go back to our seats. She taps the armrest. “You didn’t have to do that, you know.”
“I know.”
She throws me a curious look, like she’s trying to figure me out. “Why?”
“Because you need this appointment.”
Tears shine in her eyes again. “Why do you care so much?”
For some reason, the question throws me. Why do I care so much? I wouldn’t have paid for anyone else’s doctor’s appointment, would I?
She’s still looking at me, expecting a reply.
“Well, someone should. Kade would, if he was here. But he’s not.”
“You’re the best friend ever.”
“Not really.” I glance away and study a painting of a woman holding a baby. “But Kade and I were tight, since before I can remember. We’ve always had each other’s backs. Always. He risked his hide on my account more than a few times.”
“Well, thanks. Whether this is for me or him, I appreciate it.”
Before I can respond, someone calls Sutton again.
I groan. “Now what?”
“It’s time for my appointment.”
I whip my focus back to her. “Do you want me to go with you? I understand if you don’t.”
She bites her lower lip, looking scared and tugging on my heartstrings.
I jump up. “I’ll go with you, and you can kick me out at any time. Okay?”
Her eyes light up. “Thanks.”
She trudges toward the nurse at a pace a snail could sail past her. I slide my hand around hers and speed her along.
The nurse introduces herself and then asks Sutton to stand on a scale. I know how women are about their weight, so I pretend to be texting and turn my back.
Then I follow them into the small room and sit in a stiff chair. Sutton leans close to me as she answers the nurse’s questions. I hold her hand again, and this time realize how soft it is. How nice it feels. I offer a silent apology to Kade.
Sutton lets go, then sits on the exam table to have her blood pressure and temperature taken.
The nurse gathers her things, then says, “Change into a gown in the top drawer. The doctor will be in soon.”
Sutton and I exchange a wide-eyed glance as the nurse closes the door behind her.
I clear my throat. “This is when I should make my exit. I’ll be in the waiting room if you need me. I won’t go anywhere.”
She swallows. “I’ll be okay.”
My stomach flip-flops. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Thanks for being here for me.”
I nod, then make my way out. In the waiting room, I flip through a magazine about pregnancy but toss it back on the table. I hate that Sutton has to go through the exam on her own, but it really isn’t my place to be there. Kade should be there.
I want to talk to him so bad. I haven’t been able to talk with my best friend in about a month and a half. We never missed a day before he died. Between texts, emails, social media, and online games we always talked. Even if one of us was on vacation or grounded, we found a way.
There’s no way around death.
A bell dings every time someone comes in or leaves. Several people coming and going give me odd expressions, obviously wondering what a young guy would be doing here by himself. I smile and nod, which is enough to force them to look away.
After what feels like forever, Sutton appears from around the corner.
I jump up and rush over to her. “How did it go? Are you okay?”
She nods, but is a little pale. “Everything looks good.”
“You don’t seem happy.”
Sutton blinks a few times. “I heard the heartbeat. It… uh, I guess I wasn’t expecting that. There’s actually a baby in there. I know that sounds dumb.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s a big dose of reality.”
She nods.
“I have an idea. Come on.” I put my arm around her and we walk to my car.
“What’s your idea?”
I help her into the passenger seat and get myself settled before answering. “Let’s visit Kade’s grave and tell him all about this.”
Her eyes widen. “I haven’t been there yet. Not since they buried him.”
“Me, neither. Too much reality. But we may as well go today. It might help to talk to him.”
She chews on her lip and nods.
“Do you want to stop by a store and pick up flowers?”
Sutton sobs into her palms.
“We don’t have to get flowers.” I start the engine.
“No, it’s perfect. We should.” She sniffles.
And women say us men are the confusing ones. “Okay.”
I stop at the nearest floral shop. A grocery store would be easier, but I have an aunt who’s a florist and she’s instilled in me the truth of the quality of flowers at a specialty shop versus a large chain. And right now, both Sutton and Kade deserve the best.
Inside, she stares in awe at the selection. “What should we choose?”
“I’m going to leave that up to you. Take all the time you need and don’t look at the prices.”
She takes me literally when I said to take all the time she needs. But we eventually emerge from the shop with an impressive bouquet of blue flowers that remind me of ones from Kade’s yard, mixed with several others I don’t recognize—though I probably should with an aunt in the business.
I snap a picture of Sutton holding the flowers. She’s even more beautiful than the flowers.
I’m going to have to apologize to Kade again. I need to stop thinking of my dead best friend’s girlfriend like this. Surely he knows I would never have thoughts like this while he was alive, and in fact I never did. Not once did I have an untoward thought toward any girl he was even remotely interested in. Bros first and all that. We always took the code seriously.
When we get to the grave, Sutton falls to her knees, sets the bouquet next to the shiny new gravestone, then arranges the ones already there so the inscription shows fully. I snap some pictures, then I pos
t them on my profile to remind everyone about Kade. I have to make sure nobody forgets him. I never will.
Likes and comments come in before I even have time to close the app. Good. It makes me feel better knowing that even though people aren’t posting about him as much, they still care.
I start to put my phone away, but the way the sun hits Sutton as she sits in front of the headstone gives me pause. It’s such a strikingly beautiful moment. I take a few pictures to give her later, and I don’t post those. They’re too personal.
I return my phone to my pocket, then sit a few inches from Sutton and study the inscription. My stomach knots seeing the dates underneath his name. There should be another six decades added to the last date. Eighteen years is barely a start to life, even though we all feel mature and ready to take on the world.
Sutton digs through her purse. I assume she’s going to take a picture, but instead she pulls one out. A picture from an ultrasound. It shows what looks like a jellybean.
I swallow. “Is that the baby?”
She nods and wipes a tear from her eye. “He’ll never know. Never get to see his own child.”
The lump returns to my throat. “I think he knows. He’s watching us.” And hopefully not hating me for the thoughts I keep having about Sutton.
She frowns. “I’d like to think that’s true, but I just don’t know.”
I put my arm around her. “He’s never going to leave you. Ever.”
Sutton turns and leans into me, sobbing.
Sutton
A bright orange maple leaf floats and twists toward the ground, landing just in front of Anchor and me. He picks it up and spins it between his thumb and forefinger. “Fall is officially here.”
“It sure is.” And the weather is far from the only thing changing. All of our friends have already left for college. I’m about halfway through the pregnancy now. My stomach is round and growing, though I can still hide it with loose-fitting tops which are thankfully in style this season.
The only thing that hasn’t changed is that I haven’t seen my dad since the day he came over to insult me and Kade. Mom put me on her insurance and Dad cut me off from his funds and out of his will until I change my mind about the baby.
The Only Things You Can Take (Wildflower Romance #2) Page 5