Perfect Storm

by Erica Marselas

  “No, I didn't get a clear look as they made a dash for it, and they were all dressed in black. It didn't look like there was anything in their hands, but they were in a hurry to get out of there. I would've followed, but I can't run with my knee. I'm sorry, man. Do you want me to call the cops?”

  “I'm actually home. Let me get dressed, and I'll come down and look around. Maybe it was just some kid.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” Though he doesn't sound convinced of that. “I'll see you in a minute.”

  I hang up with him and grab my boxers and pants from the floor.

  “Dean, are you going to tell me what's going on?” Lola growls as she watches my every move.

  “Adam’s here. He saw someone in the backyard. It's probably nothing…”

  “Fuck it being nothing,” she snaps. “I told you I was feeling like someone was following me or watching me.” She pulls the blanket tight around her. “Like Peyton. What if it's her?”

  “Peyton?”

  “Yeah. And don't say it can't be.”

  “I'm not, but she's with Georgia.”

  She better be with Georgia and not prancing around my backyard.

  “Georgia was with her grandmother when she was creeping in my house alone.”

  My eyes close, feeling my blood pressure rise. I hate my ex-mother-in-law, and if anyone didn't like being around kids, it’s that woman. Peyton didn't even like being around her mother, so why would she leave Georgia with her? But as the alarm bells sound in my head, I know it’s a fight for another day.

  “Just get dressed, and we can go downstairs and figure this out. See if the neighbors saw anything. I don't want you to worry.”

  “Kinda too late for that. I'm sick and tired of feeling like every time I go outside my skin crawls and someone is there. Like I'm going insane.”

  I kneel on the bed, cupping her face in my hand. “I'm not going to let anything happen to you.” My eyes close and I feel I've already let her down a week ago when she was drugged. “I love you. If Peyton is behind this, then you can believe I'm going to fight harder, not only to protect you but Georgia. Trust me, she has me worried lately, too. Now get dressed.”

  We make our way downstairs and meet up with Adam. We walk around the outside of the house, and there's no signs of disturbance or vandalism. The house doesn't appear broken into, not that I was worried about that. Neither of my neighbors saw anything or have cameras, so it's a dead end there.

  “I don't think this is just a coincidence, Dean,” Lola says, wrapping my gray coat around her tighter as we settle back into my living room. She's shivering and her face is pale, obviously freaked out by the events.

  “I agree. I'll get security cameras for the front and back in the morning.” I kiss her forehead, hoping that will put her at ease. There isn't much more I can do at this point. The police will tell me the same thing.

  “I still think it's Peyton.”

  “I just don't understand what she would get from hanging out in the backyard.”

  Peyton might be acting unusual, but hanging around in the dark at night? What would that do?

  Also, why am I still defending her?

  “To be weird. Maybe she was up to something before Adam pulled up. Who the fuck knows?” she screeches. “But she's been everywhere. Fucking everywhere. Peyton isn't Peyton anymore. I'm sorry, Dean. She's lost her fucking mind. I've said it before. Three months ago, I wouldn't think this, now…now she's a fucking looney toon who wants you back.”

  I grab her and put my arm around her shoulder, trying to get her to relax. To breathe.

  “I'm kinda with Lola on this,” Adam says, and my head snaps in his direction

  “What?” I question, wondering where the fuck that observation came from on his part.

  “Well, I know it was dark, but the person running was thin and fit Peyton's build. Plus, haven't you been saying she's been coming over a lot to the point of harassment? Always coming by uninvited and when she drops Georgia off she pushes her way in. Considering how she got fired last month, it's all believable.”

  “Wait, back up. She got fired?”

  This is a fucking newsflash. Why the fuck am I hearing this now?

  “Wait? You didn't hear?” he asks astonished and I shake my head. “Yeah, Peyton got let go from North about a month ago.”

  “No, I didn't,” I hiss the words out. Now I’m severely pissed. I should’ve known about this. And I should’ve heard it from Peyton or at least one of my former co-workers.

  Then again, maybe everyone expected Peyton to do it or they didn't want to get in the middle of the drama. Especially when the last thing I ever wanted to talk about was her.

  “Man, I swore, you knew. Yeah, according to Larry, she started acting erratically with the students and the staff. Then didn't show up twice, with no substitutes in place. Larry thought maybe it was the divorce or her finding out about Lola, but he just thought she didn't seem all there anymore.”

  “That's an understatement,” Lola mumbles.

  “I can't believe I'm just hearing about this. I should fucking call her and rip her a new one. Like what the fuck has she been doing with her time?”

  “Following me.”

  “Lo.”

  “I'm just saying it because it’s true.”

  “Fuck I'm calling. Maybe it can help figure out where she is.”

  “She's just gonna lie to you.”

  True, but goddamn it.

  I'm to fucking blame as well. She might not be my problem anymore, but she is because of Georgia. If only I paid closer attention to see how she was changing, I could have gotten her help sooner.

  Georgia. Suddenly, the conversation I had with her last week spikes in my memory banks. Her friends and their sudden disappearance, could it be what made her tides change?

  “Adam, before that happened, do you know anything about the friends she was hanging out with?”

  “I saw her a couple of times with a few people around town. If you want to know, maybe ask Karen. They were close before things went sour at work.”

  “Ms. Davis?” Lola snorts, rolling her eyes. “Ugh, she was always such a bitch. Didn't she hate you?”

  “She didn't hate me. She despised me,” I laugh.

  Karen Davis hated me out of jealousy purely because I won the awards, and the students loved me over her, including the principal. It didn't help she walked around like she had a stick up her ass. But leave it to Peyton to grow close to Karen while we grew apart.

  “Any males? Like maybe a boyfriend?”

  “Not that I remember. But maybe?” Adam shrugs. “Sorry.”

  “It's fine.” I shake my head and pull out my phone, wishing the puzzle pieces of my ex's crazy downfall would come together easier.

  “What are you trying to get at, Dean?” Lola touches my arm, looking at me curiously.

  I’m not even sure what I’m getting at. Besides I want to find a way to get back my somewhat normal life. I want Peyton sane-ish and on her meds and to stop chasing after me. I need her to be happy, so I can be. “I think Peyton's want for me is triggered by her getting fired and possibly the loss of her friends or possible boyfriend. I'm not sure, but all these little things seem to be adding up.”

  “But calling her?”

  “It's the best way I can get a read on her. It'll be fine.” I brush her off and dial Peyton's number. It only takes two rings for her to answer.

  “Dean?” She answers timidly, not in her usual cheerful voice that I get from her nowadays. Red flag already. “Hi.”

  “Where are you?” I hiss through the phone, and she takes a sharp breath.

  I’m pissed. Fuming at all the lies and all the craziness.

  “I’m at my mother’s house with Georgia. What’s wrong with you?”

  “A couple of things, Peyton. Let’s start with the biggest one of all, like why didn’t you tell me about losing your job. That’s something I should know, but I had to find out through a third party.”

>   There’s a heavy sigh and some shuffling before she speaks again. “I was embarrassed,” she says softly, and it might be the most honest statement I’ve heard out of her in a long time. I straighten my back and clear my throat.

  “I get that, but you should’ve told me.”

  “Would you have cared? You don’t seem to care about anything about me anymore. Actually, I think you did say that.”

  I bite my tongue, knowing I probably did, but that had been after she started throwing herself at me. “I would’ve Peyton, but what it sounds like is you need help.” She goes quiet, though I hear something shatter through the phone. “What was that? Where is Georgia?” I didn’t need our daughter to be around to see Peyton losing her shit or for her to get hurt.

  “With my mom. Stop telling me I need help, Dean. I hate being told that. What I need to help me is you, and you won’t give me that?”

  “We’re backtracking now. I’m tired of that conversation. You know the answer already. What the hell have you been doing with your time, Peyton?”

  “My time? Why do you care?” she screeches.

  “Because if you’re not working, what are you doing?”

  Her breathing gets heavier, and she doesn't answer me.

  "Well?" I snap.

  "Can't you come over and we can talk about this in person?"

  "No, Peyton, I can't. You can tell me on the phone."

  "If you want to talk I think it should be done in person. We have so many things we need to work out. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I lost my job, it stung. Our separation wrecked me in a big way. You know this." She sniffles.

  Oh, for fuck’s sake, again with the dramatics. I still remember no arguments when I asked for the divorce. I love how now it's all my fault that she’s such the victim, like I didn’t suffer.

  Instinctively, I wrap my arm around Lola’s shoulder, pulling her close to me and kissing the top of her head. Okay, so maybe I didn’t suffer too bad in the end.

  "Actually, I don't. You were out having a grand old time with all your new friends, remember?”

  “That’s none of your business,” she hisses, the whine in her voice now evaporated. I hit a nerve. It's like striking gold. “I have to go. Our daughter needs me.”

  “Don’t you hang up on me, Peyton.”

  “Why? You do it to me all the time. Sucks, right?” The line goes dead, and I groan tossing my phone to the coffee table.

  “Yep, that solved nothing,” I mumble.

  However, I have a better idea of why my soon to be ex-wife has suddenly switched. Now it is down to what I can do about it.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  DEAN

  “I think this turned out much better than going out.” Lola coos burying her head into my chest. We are cuddled on the couch watching Passengers. “I’m still exhausted from walking all over the zoo today with Georgia’s class.”

  “Yeah, this is a hell of a lot better.” I kiss the top of her head and inhale the sweet scent of her apple shampoo.

  After the night we had last night, we decided to stay in. It’s our usual date night routine; stay inside and curl up on the couch with a movie and stuff our faces with pizza—but this time I did my best to make it special and comfortable for her. I brought the fancy dinner to her, laying out candles and cloth linens to set the mood. I had also sprinkled rose petals on the floor, the couch, and our bed to complete the date night. When she walked in and gasped in amazement then jumped in my arms, kissing me with everything she had, I knew I at least did something right. Even if I can’t wine and dine her the way she deserves.

  Once this whole divorce is behind us, I’m going to show her off to the world and tell everyone she’s mine.

  At least she’s as much as a homebody as I am. The last thing I want to do is ever take away her youth.

  My head is still reeling from the events of last night. Learning everything I did about Peyton and finally seeing how manic she is has put me on high alert. Then when I called Karen about Peyton, that was another shock to my system.

  “Karen, it’s Dean Goodwin.”

  “Dean. Wow. You’re the last person I expected to hear from ever. What can I do for you?”

  “I wanted to ask you about Peyton.”

  She’s quiet for a moment, other than the heavy sigh that vibrates through the phone. “What about her?”

  “You guys are friends—”

  “No. We’re not friends anymore,” she snaps.

  “Okay, did something happen? I ask because I am concerned about Peyton. She’s been acting… different.”

  Different being an understatement.

  “Yeah, she’s fucking lost her damn mind,” Karen says with a huff.

  “What did she do?”

  “She threatened Sonia and me. Blamed us for her break-up or whatever it was. Then for losing her job.”

  “Break-up?”

  “I don’t know how you didn’t know…or maybe you didn’t care. I can’t blame you because I finally met the real Peyton. But yeah, she was seeing someone, and then he dumped her ass. Sonia and I got the blame saying we drove him to do it. I have no idea what she meant, but I didn’t know a lot of what was coming out of her mouth.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine. Lesson learned. But listen, I think it would be in your best interest to get her help. She’s insane.”

  Noted.

  “She refuses any help. How come nobody thought to tell me?”

  “We aren’t friends either, Dean. Plus, I thought she was over you…” Her words drift off.

  “And now?”

  “I’d watch your back.”

  “Hey, where did you go?” Lola brushes her hand through my hair.

  “Sorry, I still have a lot of my mind.” I kiss the side of her neck.

  “Yeah, so do I.” She frowns and I lift her chin, wanting her to look at me. Instantly I see the anxiety bubbling behind her chestnut eyes.

  “What’s been going on? I know you’re keeping something from me.” I stroke back her hair.

  “I don’t know how to tell you.” She bites her lip, and her eyes glint downwards.

  “Just say it.” Her mouth opens and closes, and then a tear slips from her eye. “Lo, come on. What’s going on with you?”

  “I’m just stressed,” she mumbles and wraps her arms around me.

  “But it’s more than that.”

  “I promise to tell you. I just need a few more days to get my head around it.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.”

  She nuzzles her head deeper into my chest, and I can hear her as she inhales my scent, much like I do to her when I get close. “Can you trust me?” she mumbles, “that I’ll tell you real soon. I need some of this drama to calm around us.”

  “I trust you, but I think you should tell me now. You’ve been carrying whatever this is around with you for a while. I don’t like you hiding stuff from me, Lo.”

  “I don’t like hiding from you either. And I’m not. I just want the moment to be perfect.”

  “And tonight wasn’t?”

  “It was, but...”

  “But what?”

  “Peyton is still hanging over us. I’m still expecting her to jump out of the woodwork and ruin everything the second the words come out of my mouth.”

  My lips twist, and I’m instantly hit with an oddly familiar feeling of six years ago. Instead, it was Peyton sitting in front of me squirming around, and her chestnut eyes staring up in fear and worry, with her arms wrapped protectively around her belly. “Lo are you...” My fingers point to her stomach. Her eyes grow as big as saucers, and she scoots away from me, and I know I hit the nail on the damn mother fucking head. “Fuck. I should’ve known with how you’ve been acting. How long have you known?”

  “Since I went to the hospital after I got roofied,” she murmurs. “Are you mad?”

  Mad? How could I be mad?

  A barrage of emotions flash through me. I’m terrified, amazed, aston
ished, hell maybe a little pissed at myself that I didn't better protect Lola from getting pregnant considering she is still so damn young herself. But in the end, it doesn't matter because I’m going to be a father again. Ready or not.

  There's no going back now.

  “No, no of course not. I’m…shocked.” My fingers brush through my hair.

  “I know we never talked about this and I didn’t ever expect it to happen. Like I haven’t fully processed it all since the doctor came back with my blood work after I was roofied. I’ve been worried something could happen to the baby because of me being drugged and I drank a little that night. Which I wouldn’t have done if I had known, but it’s why I wasn’t jumping at telling you. I didn’t want to let you down if I lost…” She looks down at her hands, folding them over her stomach.

  I cup her face lifting her back up to look at me. “No, I get it.”

  I do and I don’t. I would hope this would be something she could tell me right away, but between our fight and what has been going on, I guess I can’t blame her.

  A baby.

  Fuck.

  “You do?”

  “Of course.” I kiss her softly on the lips, giving me another second to process this whole thing. I close my eyes and picture her round with my child. My dick twitches enjoying the mental image.

  “I’m sorry,” she mutters, making me pull back and examine her.

  “Whatever for?”

  “For getting pregnant. For not telling you—for everything.” She peeks up through her lashes as she mumbles the last words.

  “What do you mean for everything?”

  What else isn’t she telling me?

  She shrugs and lunges for me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her head into my shoulder. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” I whisper into her hair. “We will figure this out.”

  “Did you even want more kids?”

  “I want them with you.”

  Her head lifts, and she presses her forehead to mine. “That’s the sweetest thing I think you could have said to me.”

  “Well, I’m about to make it a hell of lot sweeter.” I nip at her bottom lip and shift her legs around my hips so she can straddle me. I roll up the hem of her t-shirt, brushing her warm, soft skin under my fingertips.