“We might as well go together,” Drake replies.
I nod along with Ash before we begin walking towards the dining room.
As we walk into the room, Mom looks up from her spot at the opposite end of the table to Benjamin. She smiles brightly even though her eyes gave away a different emotion.
She was upset under that mask.
“Vivian, I would like to introduce you to my son Trevor. He is Ash and Drake’s half brother.” Benjamin introduces.
Mom nods towards Trevor while he gives her a shy wave in response.
Not another word is said as we each sit down. I sit next to Ash on one side of the table while Drake and Trevor sit on the other side.
We begin eating moments later.
My stomach twists in knots as only the sound of our forks scraping against our plates fill the room. The only thing keeping me steady was Ash’s leg brushing against mine.
Just when I’m about to burst, Ash places his fork down before glancing between my mother and his father.
“Are we just going to ignore the fact that you’re sitting at opposite ends of the table?” He snaps before continuing. “Why don’t we just get this over with? Are they leaving or what?”
Benjamin and my mother share a look before Benjamin releases a heavy sigh. “They will be staying with us for the time being or at least until Vivian can figure out a living arrangement for them.”
“What happened to our old house?” I question my mother.
“It’s already been sold.” She admits.
“And let me guess you spent all of that money already, didn’t you?” I bite out.
She remains quiet while bowing her head.
“That’s real nice,” I growl out before looking towards Benjamin. “If you have any respect for yourself you will not give her a dime. Let her figure this mess out on her own for once.”
Mom stands as anger washes over her features. “How dare you?”
“Seriously…?” I laugh. “You had a good thing going here, and you just had to mess it up, but I guess I knew that you would eventually.” I pause for a moment to shake my head. “I bet you already have another guy, don’t you? That’s probably why you don’t seem worried at all.”
Without warning, she marches around the table before bringing up her hand to slap my cheek.
Ash growls before he stands and grabs her wrist to keep her from doing it again.
“That will be enough of that.” Ash snarls. “If you touch her again I will call the police and let them give you a nice place to stay for a while.”
Thankfully Mom takes his threat seriously. She pulls away from his grasp while I tenderly touch my cheek as tears blur my vision.
“I think you should leave this room, Vivian,” Benjamin demands.
Mom looks at him before nodding.
She then turns and begins walking away.
Before she leaves the room, I take a step towards her. “Do me one favor, when you leave don’t take me with you. I’d rather live on the streets than be anywhere around you for another second.”
Instead of responding to me Mom walks away.
Sitting back down in my seat I stare down at my food before grabbing my fork. My hand shakes uncontrollably as I try and fail to scoop up some food.
Ash places his hand on my wrist, stopping me. “Scarlett…”
Instead of looking at him I pull my hand out of his grasp. “Don’t…just don’t…”
He thankfully remains quiet as I manage to scoop some food onto my fork before placing it into my mouth. As I eat tears stream down my cheeks and splash against my plate.
My heart was shattering.
I should have known that my time here would come to an end. I just wish I would have kept my distance like I had wanted to in the first place.
Chapter Nineteen
“Scarlett, can we talk?” Ash shouts from the other side of my door. “I need to talk to you, please. You can’t keep shutting me out.”
Instead of responding to him, I cover my head with my pillow in an attempt to muffle his voice.
Three weeks had passed since the incident at the dining room table, and I had managed to keep my distance from Ash and Drake like I should have done from the start. I had even managed to avoid my mother too.
It hadn’t been an easy task though.
Staying away from my mother had been far easier than Ash and Drake.
I had been forced to change classes at school, and after school, I would drive around in my truck until I was sure that Ash and Drake were occupied at home and distracted from noticing my presence.
Even though I had been able to avoid Ash and Drake at school I hadn’t been able to hide from Troy. After breaking up with him I had gotten an angry glare every day for about a week until he realized that I wasn’t actually dating Ash.
Thankfully after that it didn’t take long for Troy to mend his friendship with Ash and Drake.
It was a relief that I hadn’t ruined that for them.
Jace, on the other hand, had acted as if I never existed, and that was fine by me because the last thing I needed was more drama with him. He hadn’t bothered Troy, Ash, or Drake either.
The only person I had spoken to was Trevor. He had found me at a park nearby. He had been riding one of the horses, and I hadn’t had the energy to run away from him.
We had talked for hours about what had happened, and I had cried on his shoulder.
He had surprised me with how kind he was. I had never expected him to understand my circumstances, but he knew all too well what I was going through considering his mother had been the same as mine.
Luckily for Trevor, she had left him behind.
My mother would never let me go.
“Please, Scarlett...” Ash pleads.
Without warning, my stomach twists forcing me to jump out of bed before rushing into the bathroom.
The contents of my stomach come up as I kneel in front of the toilet.
For the last two days, this had been happening, and it had my heart racing with fear. Of all the issues I was dealing with this wasn’t one that I could handle right now.
Tears spill down my cheeks as I heave again and again until I can’t take anymore.
Once I’m done, I stand and then move over to the sink where I splash cold water across my face and avoid my reflection in the mirror.
After a few moments, I move back to my bed before lying down.
Seconds after I close my eyes I drift off.
****
All too soon my alarms sound off as the first rays of sun shine through my window.
I groan loudly and stretch my arms above my head before reaching for my phone to end the assault on my ears.
Sighing softly I stare at the screen absently.
It was the weekend, so I was in no rush to go anywhere, but I had plans for a quick little outing today; one that would hopefully put my fears to an end.
Sitting up slowly I close my eyes as a wave of nausea slams into me just like it had done the last few days. After a few moments, it disappears just long enough for me to leave the comfort of my blankets.
“Scarlett…” Ash calls out abruptly from the other side of my door. “I know you’re awake. I heard your alarm. Please, talk to me, or let me talk to you.”
“Hell just let me see you for a second, so I know that you’re alright.” He tries.
Giving in, I move towards the door. I place my hand against the rough wood as I close my eyes tightly.
“It’s better this way, Ash,” I whisper just loud enough for him to hear.
“That’s a lie, and you know it, Scarlett.” He replies softly. “My heart is aching without you. I can’t stand not being able to touch you, and I know you have to be feeling the same way.”
I bite my lip in response to keep my emotions from spilling out.
There was no way that I could deny that. My heart felt as if it would never be whole again without him. I had dreamt of him every night, and every m
orning my heart would ache more than the day before.
After a few moments, Ash releases a heavy sigh. “I need you, Scarlett.”
And I needed him, but I had to stay strong.
“Just leave, Ash.” I squeak out.
He doesn’t respond for the longest time. When he does, he slams his fists against the door before walking away. Seconds later his door slams shut down the hallway.
I whimper softly and then turn around.
There was no reason to allow myself to break down now. I had other things to deal with today before I dealt with my emotional state.
Moving to my dresser, I gather the clothes that I would need for the day before slipping them on.
Once I’m ready I move back to the door before opening it slowly.
Thankfully no one was on the other side, and there was no sign of anyone in the hallway either.
I quietly shut my door behind me and then rush down the hallway and the stairs until I reach the door to the garage.
I reach for the handle, but it turns and opens before I have the chance to open it.
Drake’s eyes widen with surprise as he sees me.
He opens his mouth to say something but before he can I shove my way past him and then run straight to my truck. I jump into the driver’s seat as fast as possible before shoving the key into the ignition.
Moments later I pull away from the house and turn onto the road that would take me to town.
Within just a few minutes I park in the parking lot of the local pharmacy.
I stare at the building while grasping the steering wheel tightly in my hands. I was nervous; beyond nervous actually. I was also terrified and angry. I couldn’t just settle on one single emotion.
Closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath before opening my door.
I force myself out of the truck and then into the store. Inside I move directly down the aisle that I needed. I quickly find a few tests on a shelf.
Grabbing three different kinds, I tuck them under my arm before making my way to the front counter to pay so I could leave as quickly as possible.
As I place the tests on the counter, the older woman glances at me curiously before grabbing the boxes.
“Hunny, you’re not going to need all of these. Just this one will do. It’s the best one we carry here and the most accurate.” She states softly.
“Okay, I’ll take that one then. Thank you.” I reply shyly.
She nods and then places the other boxes behind the counter before ringing up the one box that she had recommended.
I hand her my money, and she gives me back change and the box in a white paper bag.
She smiles. “Don’t worry, Hunny, it isn’t the end of the world. I’m sure it’s only a little scare. I had a few of those when I was younger.”
I nod and give her my best smile before leaving without another word.
Back in my truck, I let out a shaky breath while placing the bag on the passenger’s seat.
Tears fill my eyes as I turn the key to start the truck’s engine. It chugs and then stalls. A few tears roll down my cheeks as I try it again.
“Please, don’t do this to me now.” I whimper.
It always picked the worst times to be temperamental.
After a brief moment, I try again. Thankfully this time as I turn the key it starts.
I don’t waste a second pulling out of the parking lot and then back onto the road.
As soon as I arrive home, I grab the test and place it into my purse before getting out of the truck. I quickly move into the house and then directly to my room.
I lock the door behind me as more tears fall down my face.
After taking a few deep breathes to calm myself I push away from the door. I toss my purse onto the bed before pulling out the test.
I grasp the box in my hands as I turn towards the bathroom.
This was it. This simple little test would tell me if I had ruined my life or if I had dodged a bullet.
Either way, this was a moment that I never wanted to relive, at least not until I was good and ready for this huge of a step.
Chapter Twenty
“Scarlett, I know you’re in there.” Mom sings while knocking on the door. “We’re having dinner together downstairs, and you’re going to join us.”
I groan and roll my eyes as I sit up on the edge of my bed.
“I swear to god, Scarlett, you better come downstairs.” Mom snaps abruptly. “If you want this to work then we both have to act like a part of this family.”
She was fooling herself if she thought that she could repair the damage done.
As far as I could tell from the whispers that I had heard around the house from the maids Benjamin and my mother hadn’t spent much time together. Plus, they had been sleeping in separate rooms.
“Damn it. Open this door right now.” Mom demands as she hits the door harder.
I sigh and then stand up before moving to the door. I unlock it and then open it before crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’m not going to get in a fight with you, Scarlett. Just go downstairs now.” Mom huffs out.
“Fine…” I reply before I begin walking down the hallway as quickly as I can in order to leave my mother far behind.
The second that I walk into the dining room, I regret my decision to move so quickly.
Ash, Drake, and Benjamin look at me with surprise.
“Do you have any idea what your mother has up her sleeve?” Benjamin questions.
I shake my head. “No, I don’t.”
“You might as well sit down.” He replies while motioning to my usual seat across from Drake and Ash.
I sit and avoid any and all eye contact with Ash.
After what feels like forever, Mom walks into the room with a bright smile while servers rush into the room to place plates of food down in the center of the table.
Once they are done Mom waits until they’re out of sight before she speaks. “I had high hopes for this meal today. I was hoping to mend some bridges with you and your sons, Ben, but a rather disturbing issue has arisen that must be taken care of first.”
As she turns her full attention towards me, her smile falls while she reaches behind her back.
My heart gets lodged in my throat when she holds up the box that I had discarded in my bathroom wastebasket.
“What is that?” Benjamin questions with confusion.
“It’s a pregnancy test,” Mom announces. “I found it in Scarlett’s bathroom just a few minutes ago.”
She then pins me with a look of disgust. “Who the hell are you sleeping with? Is it that boy that was trying to get into your pants when we first moved here?”
“I didn’t sleep with Troy,” I reply quickly.
There was no reason to let him take the fall for this because Mom would take this farther than anyone deserved and Troy didn’t need his name drug through the mud because of my choices.
“Well, what did the test say?” Mom nearly shouts.
“Vivian, maybe this is a conversation that should be held in private?” Benjamin tries.
Mom shakes her head while staring daggers at me. “What did the test say, Scarlett?”
When I remain quiet, she throws her hands up in the air. “What am I going to do with you, Scarlett? You can’t have a child; you’d never be able to take care of it. You can barely take care of yourself, and I’m certainly not going to take care of whatever bastard child that you’ll have either.”
“Vivian…” Benjamin scolds as he stands up. “That’s enough. Scarlett doesn’t need this right now; if anything she needs support.”
“All I want to know is who the father could be? I want to know who the hell is going to help pay for her to fix this mess.” Mom snaps harshly.
I swear all eyes turn to me.
Instead of saying a word I look across the table at Ash. A million different emotions cross his face as he stares back at me.
Without warning, he stands and faces my mother
with a cocky smirk. “It was me. I slept with Scarlett while we were staying at the farmhouse.”
Mom stands frozen in shock while Benjamin curses softly as he sits back down in his seat.
Drake shakes his head as he smiles. “I knew it. She was in your room when I came looking for her, wasn’t she?”
Ash nods without taking his eyes off of my mother.
“What do you have to say now, Vivian?” Ash spits out.
She doesn’t say a word as she glances between me and then Ash before looking Benjamin.
“Ben…” She whispers.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
Mom releases a shaky breath before looking at me again. “What did the test say, Scarlett?”
I glance at Ash before bowing my head.
“Whatever it said doesn’t matter to me, Scar. I’m not going anywhere, and I will support you with whatever you choose to do.” Ash declares before he sits down.
I smile as I raise my head to look at him. “Thanks, Ash.”
He grins in response.
After a brief moment, I look towards my mother. “It was negative.”
“Thank god,” Drake states loudly. “Now can we eat? I’m starving over here.”
Without waiting for anyone else, he begins grabbing food from the plates in the middle of the table before he starts eating.
Ash glances between my mother and his father in question. “Now that you know about Scarlett and me I’m warning you that it isn’t going to end. Nothing is going to keep me away from her even if you try to take her away.”
That last part was directed at my mother and was more of a threat than anything.
Ben throws his hands up in surrender. “I’m not going to get in the way if Scarlett is who makes you happy, Ash, but I am going to ask that you two be more careful. I’m not ready to be a grandfather yet.”
“How can you be alright with this?” Mom bites out.
“It’s my son. I would do anything to see him happy, and if your daughter makes him happy, then I’m not going to stand in their way.” Benjamin replies before looking at me in question. “Does my son make you happy, Scarlett?”
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