Make Me Stay II: A Second Chance Romance

by Avant, Amarie

  A few weeks?! Her head tilted, her composure still aligned with a game plan of making amends. “I’m just a little confused. Jess, it’s like we’re in a debate. I suggest something, such as the kids wanting to take turns over each other’s house during the weekend for baseball season. Then your rebuttal is to mention something else that’s not going well, without fully addressing what we’re initially talking about, like having Junior over for a few weeks, a month, is that what your requesting?”

  “I take that as a no, then?”

  Sitting back, Avery funneled a deep breath into her lungs before measuring her words. “We had Maggie with no issue. That was a medical reason, but she was very tired waking up in the mornings for school. I don’t believe it’s good that the children bounce around during the school week. So, let’s be open and nurturing to the kids on the weekend, when they’re begging to—”

  Jess scoffed. “Avery, the summer break is right around the corner.”

  Avery’s eyes brightened while Jess rolled hers. Dang, she thinks I was making an excuse. But things had been so busy around the house recently, Avery hadn’t put much thought into the end of the school year coming up. She bit her tongue from telling Jessica that she distinctively recalled her making the same claim of not wanting Junior to spend the night during the school week when they first came around. Why add to the growing tension though?

  “We have two and a half months before the end of the year. We’ll cross that bridge soon.”

  “Ha, let me also mention what a much better school he attends now.” Her eyes flitted up in disbelief. “Since we’re speaking our minds, I assumed you’d enroll Junior into that academy that you yourself attended as a child. Give him a better life.”

  They stared at each other, Jess’s gander hard, daring Avery to continue with the argument. Deep in Avery’s bones, she felt that this was exactly what Mrs. Carlson wanted—no bonding or teamwork—just anger.

  “Jess, DJ has good grades.”

  “Where’s the bar set?” She jumped in.

  Leaning back, Avery gave a chuckle. She placed her hand over her lips to stop herself from the automatic response to Jess’s pettiness. “I’m sorry. I still believe we want the same thing—trust me. I’m repeating that statement for my own benefit as well as yours, Jess. We’re both dealing with trying times. Like I said, let’s ask the children. On Thursday night before preparing for the weekend, we can see where Junior—”

  “He’s a child, Avery. Children do not—”

  “Speak for himself? And if he’s able to say exactly why he’d like to go or not go, and makes a case for himself, then that’s what the hell we’re going to do. Alright.” Avery’s voice rose. “I’m done arguing with you. Even before I was aware of your having pneumonia, I really tried, Jess. Donavan called for me. Hell, I called. My eyes were burning with lack of sleep when I searched Pinterest for words of encouragement for you, and not a response to any of those that I texted to you. This is hard for the both of us!”

  When Jessica’s dark orbs flickered away from her, Avery knew someone had walked into the room. Donavan came to sit beside her.

  “So what are you two gorgeous women chatting about?” There was a nervousness in his eyes that even the biggest men got when they were afraid to address a room full of angry women.

  Avery glanced at him and then Jess. “This entire situation is being blown out of proportion. We are trying to co-parent; however, Jess, I believe we see the world differently with regard to parenting—please don’t take any offense. Though I’m sure you had no problems attempting to slap around the fact that I want to include my son—”

  “Our son,” Jess muttered.

  Avery stood up. “Every time I’ve said our son in the past, you didn’t even try to meet me in the middle.”

  “Okay, this isn’t going anywhere.” Donavan wrapped an arm around Avery’s waist.

  “Listen, Jess.” Avery seethed with anger, clinging to a shred of compassion while peeking over her fiancé’s shoulder, she said, “I cannot stop thanking you from the bottom of my heart for the love that you’ve given Donavan Junior since he was born. Now, on the other hand, every single chance you get, you’re making me feel totally uncomfortable and ungrateful. It seems like . . .” Donavan blocked her view, holding her closely. Avery continued to shout. “In your eyes, I placed my child in a blanket and sat him on your doorstep. I was dead while he was gone.”

  “A.C.” He caught her gaze for a fraction of a moment.

  Avery focused on Jessica who had now offered her attention. “I understand that you can’t have children. One day, after begging Agnes to keep Donnie—he’d done something so dumb, so, so dumb—” Avery paused, recalling how Agnes had stopped Avery’s attempt to debate all the reasons why Donnie was really a good kid. Agnes had comforted her. “Agnes told me she’d never give up on him. She told me that she wasn’t able to withstand a birth. My mind couldn’t conceive that pregnancy wasn’t an option for every woman in the world. And I am sorry! Don’t make out like you’re the only person in the world who has prayed to God for a child. Donavan is living proof of the blessings that come from sorrow! Maggie and Junior are, so let go of your bitterness and be happy or—”

  Donavan’s hand clamped over her mouth. He glared down at her.

  Jess was at their side a sneer on her face. “I do not understand this new-age parenting hogwash, Avery. This quest to ask Junior his opinion at every turn . . . it’s simply unfathomable. You don’t even know your son!”

  Avery’s pupils widened so much she thought they’d pop! She knew that Donavan was shouting at her, but her gaze was on Jessica. He wrapped Avery’s arms within his and held her tightly. When he tried to burrow her face at his chest, she slipped her face to the side and was able to see, because seeing was hearing!

  “He’s wanted to hear for months now, Avery. Everyone is aware of it but you!” Jessica’s lips sneered, making it evident that her malicious tone rang volumes.

  Avery’s eyes locked onto Jessica. “I knew that! Jess, you literally tried to slap me in the face with it, but I forgive you—just to shut down another reason for you to hate me.”

  Earlier in the night, Donavan had walked back into the room, right after Avery had begged God again to hear Anya for a fraction of a second. He had broken down and told her what their son wanted. He’d apologized for keeping it from her so long, and Avery understood that it was because of her own personal perceptions. Being deaf was a sensitive subject for a person who was reared in a world of prestige. When he told her, it dawned on Avery that she’d begged God for this since Anya’s birth by tormenting herself with the Lamaze instructor’s words.

  If she wanted to hear, she could . . .

  Dissatisfied with Avery’s response, Jessica turned on the tips of her cat heels and stalked out of the room.

  She glanced up at Donavan who was still holding her by the forearms. She attempted to wrestle herself away from his hold.

  His lips tensed as he ordered, “Stop it! There are Franny B&B guests, Avery, in the next room over. Just let her go.”

  He pulled her into his arms, her face going to the crux of his neck. Her eyes seared with heat. She was too angry to cry and wasn’t ready for comfort. Avery pushed away from him.

  “Sorry, Donnie,” she murmured, strutting toward the pillars at the end of the library, which separated it from the hallway. “I promise not to make a scene.”

  She needed a moment alone to breathe. But as she walked down the corridor, softly lit by sconces, Maggie came up from the dining room. Eyes glinting, she pleaded, “Can I have another slice of pie?”

  Jessica grabbed her arm from behind. “I just told you no, Maggie. I am your mother and no one else!”

  “But I’ll score another home run this weekend.” Maggie said more, but Jessica was already pulling her along toward the front door, so Avery couldn’t make out the rest of their discussion.

  From her peripheral, she noticed folks in the sunroom stilling
. The chatter must have died down.

  “You all please enjoy yourselves.” She turned to Joshua and Junior, who were on the floor, playing a board game with two other guests’ children. She gave them a look that told them they were to be on their best behavior this evening before slinking up the stairs with Donavan close behind her.

  In the room, they closed the door. Avery went to the crib where Anya lay staring at the mobile of bright colored elephants. She scooped her up, holding her close and breathing in her innocent, mild scent.

  Donavan went to lean against the dresser. She could feel his eyes on her, waiting for her to give him her attention.

  “Why couldn’t you just tell me the second you knew? And who told you?” Avery spoke in a collected tone while rubbing Anya’s back. She hadn’t been angry earlier when Donavan had confided in her. She had been shocked and ready to stand by her son regardless of his decision, but try as she might, Jess’s attempt to blindside her just now was gnawing at her bones. Since the moment was so raw and she couldn’t shake the feeling just yet, Avery put Anya back into the crib and handed over her rattle. “Here you go, honey bun.”

  Hands on hips, she turned around to address Donavan. “Was it DJ or Ted? Or did Jessica put that shit in your face like she did with me just now?”

  “No, Avery. It was Junior. And just like that.” He stopped signing to snap a finger. “You have to be at the forefront of every situation, huh? Yes, Jessica was foul for that move, but—”

  “Alright, I just got so angry!” She shouted, shoulders tensed. “I should’ve handled myself better downstairs.”

  He pulled his top lip with his teeth. “AC, you don’t have to be perfect to run the B&B. What I’m saying is don’t let Jess get to you.”

  “This is one time where I definitely thank you for stopping me at every corner. It’s just that . . . that she has to feel the same way now that I felt that day. Like I had no rights to him.” Avery huffed. “This is hard, too hard. Us trying to do right by Junior hasn’t been easy. I’m glad I have you, but I feel like more and more of her will make me a bitter woman too.”

  He nodded slowly. “That’s right, AC. We are a team. Babe, if I put my hand over your mouth, you gotta shut it. Just let it go for a while. Jess was just being a bitter old biddy.” He tried to smile.

  She didn’t take the bait. “Ha, I’m still sad that you thought you’d have to keep Junior’s wishes from me.”

  Donavan rubbed the back of his neck. “I should’ve said something sooner. First, I was giving Junior time to figure it out. Then it was not wanting to ruin the moment at the hospital. Babe, I know this very discussion came up when you were a kid. A lot. Your dad and his attempt to have you fitted for a hearing aid. Junior and I were going to tell you in July, after we closed up shop and went to Disney World. It should’ve been a happy moment, but something told me to just spit it out earlier.”

  She sat at the edge of the bed. “Guess, in hindsight, I’m grateful it came out now. I am really acting like a witch, trying to lose weight, and make sure I have enough milk for Anya . . .”

  “I love you, AC. Since we didn’t have much time to talk about it before dinner, how do you feel?”

  “We both know my convictions are stemmed in stubbornness. I chose not to hear because I proved I could win even when taking the hard route. And I like me.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Anya is a CODA—she’s the child of a deaf adult—me, her mother. That’s a label she has. Junior is my precious miracle baby and some little fucker is bullying him.” Tears welled in her eyes. “But, Donavan, regardless of my own feelings, I stand by Junior with any decision he chooses.”

  “There’s another thing. The big reason I was hesitant to tell you until it felt like our son really wanted to take the leap.”

  “What?”

  He sat next to her, taking her hands in his. “Donavan Junior would like you to have the procedure completed first.”

  She stared at him. Tears streamed down her face. Being her son’s biggest cheerleader, motivational speaker, guru, or any other coach he needed was something that Avery had no problems doing. Feeding into her children’s dreams was important to her.

  But having spent all her life in a persistent desire to be seen for a woman who could accomplish any goal, without letting a person’s perceptions overtake her, how was she going to change that?

  In this instance, she was reminded of the Lamaze instructor’s comments again. Of course, she’d give anything to hear Anya’s voice, Junior’s shout after sliding into home base, and Donavan saying those three little words.

  But was she ready yet?

  Donavan came close to her, nuzzling her neck with kisses.

  “Can we talk about it tomorrow, Donavan? Can you just hold me tonight?”

  He nodded. They took their phones, turned them off, and lay down on the bed.

  28

  Hunter

  He’d kept Carly out all night long. And after the text messages to Donavan went unanswered, Hunter even attempted a call, determining that he didn’t have to do much to disguise his voice. The asshole had turned off his phone.

  Hours later and after many attempts to call, Hunter had taken her home, unlocked the door with her keys, and tentatively placed her on the couch.

  Begrudgingly, he roamed around the late model home and searched for a pen and pad to leave her a note. C’mon, play nice, Hunter, he told himself while writing a note about how her hair compares to a field of fall wheat. A smile froze on his face when he figured that they’d fulfill their plans tomorrow night.

  It was two a.m. when Hunter headed back to Baudelaire. With his brother in the general vicinity, he’d have to tread lightly. He’d watched the bastard talk with Donavan when they both pulled up to the estate yesterday afternoon. Clearly, Hawk cared enough about his brother not to give away his intentions. It was easy to decipher that this visit to South Carolina was no more than a vengeance vacation.

  Unlike the last two mornings, the Kawasaki didn’t wake him up. It was late in the day when Hunter got himself out of bed, took a shower, and dressed. He snatched his cell phone off the dresser.

  CARLY: Last night was amazzzzing

  Telling himself it would be good to respond, he called and asked if she’d come in to work. “I could use a donut.” He felt the smile in his voice; it was just enough.

  “Nope,” she yawned. “I just woke up. Feel like a teenager. You’re going to have to take me on a regular date. You know the type that includes a real dinner, making it easier to hold my liquor.”

  “Really? I rather liked you drunk enough to see how much more flexible you are.” He joshed. “Just kidding. There’s a really nice restaurant in town that I’d be honored if you’d accompany me to. Say, seven?”

  “Um, how about we rain check until the weekend.”

  “Why? Sometimes it rains on Thursday’s too.”

  “Hunter, you are ridiculously corny. I love it. But I can’t go out for two nights in a row. I had to apologize to AC this morning since she or Donavan took my son to school. Luckily, he had a change of clothes at the B&B.”

  “But tonight’s my last night here.” And I’d rather like you dead.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  He hung up the phone and sauntered down the stairs. A voice he wouldn’t forget in a million years called out to him. He started toward the sound of it and ended up in the kitchen pantry. It was Avery. She was a lovely vision bending over.

  Yet, something didn’t sit right with him. She had earphones in her ears. Had Avery Castle made a fool out of him? Hunter pressed up the back of his shirt, gripping the hook knife in his waist band. All the improvising he’d done during the past few days, for her flashed through his mind! And yet here Avery stood, glancing through the pantry, rapping to Tupac’s “Changes.”

  Avery turned around. The heavy bag of flour in her hands went crashing to the ground as she sucked in air, shocked. White dust billowed between them. She clutched her chest.
>
  “Good morning. What are you doing in here?”

  “You can hear?” His smile was deceptively sweet as if realizing that she’d truly gotten one over on him.

  Avery removed the wireless earphones from her ears. “Oh, these? I didn’t even sense you coming up on me.”

  He stopped himself from glaring at her, hand still fisting the knife. “You can hear?”

  “No, never.” She smiled. She held out the bud. “It’s at the highest volume. What I do is place the earphone into my palm, the beat pulses against my skin, and then I start rapping. Not sure why I put them in my ear.” She shook her head, seemingly still too shocked to understand the threat between them.

  “Really?” he asked, cocking a grin. His hand moved away from his knife and while readjusting his stance, his shirt slid back into place. Relief flooded through him as she explained.

  “You know how kids are stuck on musical cartoons these days? Frozen and stuff like that?”

  He nodded slowly.

  “Donavan had his parents rent Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker from Blockbuster a thousand times when we were kids, and my mom threatened that we couldn’t hang out until I did my piano lessons. Trust me, after you watch that movie, everything is possible. So, then I got it into my head to do the same thing with certain songs. Memorize them.”

  He grinned, lost in every single one of her words, imagining a younger Avery defying all her barriers.

  “Don’t tell my baby brother. He’s still in awe of it, and he loved Tupac as a child that made things easier. I memorized a few songs as a kid. I’m like one of those cheap magicians that won’t make it in Vegas, but I can trick a few folks for a little while.” She winked.

  He nodded slowly. “I really appreciate you telling me your secret.”

  “Yeah, after your story about Hero, I just wish I had met her as a kid. The deaf community is small. But now that you know my secret, you keep it or your toast!” She giggled. “Sorry, that was really goofy.”