He shrugged in indifference. “That’s up to you, love. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”
“Drez, want a burger? My treat for keeping that stupid imitation bacon away from me.” I asked digging into my bag for my money.
“Imitation bacon?” He asked in utter confusion.
“Security guards. Jess and I started calling them that when we found out a few of them flunked out of law enforcement training. You know cops are called pigs. Pig is where we get bacon. Hence imitation bacon.” I explained pulling out a twenty from the bottom of my messenger bag. That’s another thing, dad took my credit card away from me.
Charles laughed so hard he snorted out the milkshake he was drinking. That caused everyone else to laugh harder.
Drez shook his head at me. “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine really.”
I raised my eyebrow at him and looked him over. Yes, he was attractive but once you look past that. You could see faint circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. His t-shirt was rumpled and had a small stain on the collar. His jeans were a bit dirty. He honestly looked like he hadn’t had a decent meal or shower in weeks. I shook my head at him. “Puh-lease. I’m getting you a burger and fries. I will not take no for an answer. Now is there anything you will not eat on it?”
“No.” He mumbled his eyes downcast.
“Good.” I pressed the intercom and ordered a double cheese with the works, large fry and a soda.
“You’re a bossy bit of goods aren’t you?” He stared at me uncertainty in his eyes.
Luke chuckled sending a heady rush of desire through my veins as he kissed my neck. “You have no idea.”
*****
The next few weeks went in the same manner. I’d meet up with Luke in the restroom during first period. We would kiss and just hold each other for a few minutes before heading back to class. During Science, we’d talk and tell each other how our night went. Drez would meet me at my locker keeping the security guards and Bus away from me then drive me to Frank’s every day for lunch. Where one of us would make sure, he had something to eat then I’d talk with Luke in the next few classes until I had to get on the bus.
Christie had apparently found a new boyfriend. Every morning I’d see her drag him into the janitor’s closet. She had stopped leaving notes for me and calling me whore. Thank god. Bus though was still lurking around. He hasn’t talked to me since my revelation that day but I’ve seen his car around my neighborhood when I would get off the bus. At least I think it’s his car. He also just stares at me in between classes.
When I’d get home, I’d grab something to eat and then go straight to my room ignoring my father in his attempts to talk to me. My mother had just started talking to him again. Given it was only monosyllabic responses but it was a start. At least my dad had moved out of the guest bedroom and back into the room they shared.
One Saturday morning, I stood at the canvas smiling at the completed painting. I had finally finished the piece for Eva. Beau’s image sat at the top of the canvas glaring. On his left was Luke with his short hair smiling with his dimple showing. Marie was on the other side, her hair down and topaz eyes twinkling. Charles sat in between them laughing with his head thrown back. The twins were in the corners Dev to the left looking up shyly and Remi smirking on the right.
I cleaned off my brush and draped a sheet over it. Now I just had to get it framed and figure out a way to give it to her. I walked out of my makeshift studio and saw both of my parents standing in the middle of the room.
I looked at mom. “What’s up?”
My father shoved a paper bag at me. “It has been long enough for us to find out. Go take the test and leave it on the counter.”
“Oh.” I gasped. I had forgotten all about that. I hesitantly grabbed the bag and walked to my bathroom mentally counting back the days to my last period. After that disastrous Saturday, I had stopped taking the pill. Only because I had completely forgotten about it and dad had my phone and my reminder was on it.
I opened the bag and saw the box in there. Swallowing loudly I grabbed it and tore off the top. I pulled out the directions and cringed. I was supposed to do what now? Gross. After peeing on the stick, I placed it on the counter and scrubbed my hands. I stepped out of the bathroom and sat on the couch.
“Seven minutes.” I muttered to them. My mom sat down beside me and grabbed my hand gently patting it.
My father paced my room running a hand through his hair. “If you are you are going to your grandmother’s until you have the baby. Then you will give it up for adoption.”
My eyes widened in horror. I clenched my jaw and snarled at him. “No.”
He stopped his pacing and glared at me in shock. “What?”
“I will not be hidden at your mother’s house like some dirty little secret and I will never give away a part of me.” I spat out closing my eyes in anguish. I can’t believe I had forgotten about this.
My mother sighed heavily. “Why don’t we wait until the results are done? Then we can discuss what to do. I don’t want either of you saying anything right now that you will regret.”
I nodded my head in agreement and squeezed her hand. My father groaned and looked at the clock. I swear it was the longest seven minutes of my life.
*****
Luke
I was stretched out on the couch in the living room half asleep with a sick Dev curled up on me when the gate intercom buzzed. I opened an eye and looked at Charles. “Can you get that I can’t really move right now?”
He looked up from his homework and whispered. “Sure.”
I closed my eye and dozed off again. I vaguely heard the front door open and my father talking to someone. The harsh tones and stomping footsteps must have awakened Dev. He stirred with a groan of discomfort ramming his elbow into my rib. “Luke what’s going on?” He croaked.
“Shh, don’t move or you are going to get sick again. I don’t know, squirt.” I rubbed his back in an attempt to get him settled down.
He wiggled his way off me and stumbled when he stood up. “I’m okay. I jus’ wanna go ta my room ‘n sleep.”
“Okay, do you want me to help you there?” I asked standing up beside him keeping my hand at his back in case he fell over.
“Pwease.” He looked up at me with puppy dog eyes.
“Of course.” I gently picked him up. He wrapped his arms around my neck and placed his head on my shoulder. We headed to the foot of the stairs that’s when I saw Charles and Beau listening at my father’s office door down the hall. I raised a hand at them to get their attention and mouthed ‘What’s going on?’
Beau waved me away. I mentally shrugged and carried Dev up to his room. After helping him change into his pajamas, I covered him up and exited his room quietly closing his door. When I turned away from the door, I saw my mother standing at the top of the stairs.
“How’s he doing?” She asked glancing back down the steps.
“He’s tired but at least he’s keeping things down now. How’s Remi?” I asked nodding toward her bedroom door walking toward her.
“He’s still nauseous.” She looked up at me and stretched up to put her hand on my cheek. “Uh, your father wants you to go to his office, Baybee.”
I grabbed her hand pulling it away from my face. She rarely uses her old nickname for me anymore so I knew something was seriously wrong. “Momma, what’s going on?”
She gave me a sad smile. “Jus’ go ta ya daddy. He’ll tell ya wha’ ya need ta know.” She ushered me toward the steps and gave me a slight nudge. “Jus’ go, Baybee.”
I walked halfway down and glanced back up at her. I swore I could see tears in her eyes. I furrowed my brows and walked down the steps. Charles and Beau were no longer listening at the door. I took a deep breath and opened it.
My father sat at his desk leaning forward with his head in his hands. I shut the door behind me that’s when I saw Mr. Saintshill. He was standing by the window looking out at the pool. I swallowed hard and cleare
d my throat. “Mom said you wanted to see me?”
My dad’s head popped up, Daniel turned to glare at me through slits of green. “Sit down.” My father said.
I took a seat in front of the desk. He stood up and walked over to his globe. He opened it, poured some liquor in a glass and handed it to me. I swear I heard him mumble “Drink you’ll need it, lord knows I do.”
I took the glass and sipped the nasty liquid. He leaned against the desk staring at me. “Remember our talk a few weeks ago?”
My heart started pounding in my chest. I slowly nodded my head incapable of speech. He took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. My throat closed up on me as my bottom lip trembled with building emotion. Oh gawd. This has to be about Roxy.
Daniel pushed away from the window and stood next to my father. “If you’re not going to tell him I will. Roxy’s pregnant, boy.”
My stomach dropped to the floor. I sat there in stunned silence. My shoulders drooped as I sat forward to hold my head in my hands resting my elbows on my knees. Pregnant? Panic, fear and excitement warred with each other. I was terrified at the thought of being a father. I knew my teenage life was over. I was going to have to get a job to support her and the child. And I was excited to know that Roxy had a part of me growing inside her. We had created a life. I sat up and stared at her father. “How is she?”
“I don’t know she won’t speak to me.” He ran a shaky hand over his face. “We had her take a home test this morning. Figured it had been long enough for one of those to read accurately. While we were waiting, we argued over it. Jamie went in and told us the results. Roxy locked herself in her bedroom and will not come out for any of us. Not even Lizzy.”
Dad knocked back another healthy dose of alcohol. “What did you argue about?”
Daniel sat on the couch in exasperation. “Everything. What we were going to do if it was positive.”
I swallowed my anger slowly building. “What did you want her to do?”
“Stay with my mother until it was born then give it up for adoption.” He said flatly.
“So I was ta have no say?” I seethed in fury.
He glared at me. “No. She is my daughter. I make all the decisions for her.”
“But dat is my child dat ya were tryin’ ta dispose of. By ya own logic dat means I make da decisions where it is concerned.” I shouted at him before slowly counting to ten to try to calm down.
“You’re seventeen what do you know about making decisions?” He snapped at me.
“I know enough ta realize dat I need ta accept responsibility fo’ my actions. Ya said a few weeks ago ya would accept nothin’ less dan dat. I am willin’ ta hold up my end of tings. If ya would jus’ let me.”
My father placed a hand on my shoulder to try to calm me down. “We were just talking about that, son. Daniel and I have agreed that over Thanksgiving break you two will marry.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes at me as I collapsed back in the chair.
*****
She’s pregnant and I have to marry her. What the fuck did I do? I sat on my bed practically hyperventilating. Oh my god my life is over. I’m too fucking young for this to be happening. This has to be just a nightmare or something. That’s right Marie cooked last night so this is just a hallucination brought on by extreme food poisoning.
A knock sounded on my door. I cleared my throat and croaked. “It’s open.” I fell back on the bed and covered my face with a pillow. Marie, Charles and Beau walked in and closed the door behind them. Marie sat at the end of my bed taking the pillow off my face. Charles pushed me over so he could sit at the head of the bed. Beau moved the desk chair so he could sit in front of me.
“We heard everything.” Marie said quietly.
Charles nodded his head. “We’ve agreed to help you guys out as much as we can.”
“I’m graduating this year. So by the time the baby is born I will have tons of free time. I can watch him during the day so you two can stay in school.” Beau explained.
“Charles and I can take turns watching her during the evenings. That way you two can do homework or just have some free time with each other.” Marie touched my arm.
Charles snorted to keep from laughing. “It’s not like none of us don’t know how to change a diaper.”
I smiled at that. “True. Gawd, the twins had some nasty ones too.”
Beau tapped my knee to get my attention. “You also get to spend as much time with her as you want.”
“Yeah, it’s not like it’s the end of your life. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter of it.” Charles shrugged.
“Then why do I feel like I’m in over my head.” I dropped my head in my hands.
“Because you are.” Marie chirped. The three of us turned and glared at her. “What? Don’t get me wrong I think you two will do fine. I just realize that this is a big deal. Any of us would be in over our heads if we were in your shoes. The only thing though that I think her dad doesn’t recognize. You have us to help you out. No matter what.”
Mom walked in the room smiling. Why is she smiling? A tiny hand rested on her arm. That’s when I noticed Roxy beside her. My feet had me up and moving before my brain caught up to what was happening. I pulled her away from my mother into my arms. I caught my mother out of the corner of my eye motioning for everyone to get out. She smiled at us and closed the door when they all left.
I held her for what seemed like hours. Just standing there letting all my negative emotions pour out of me nothing seemed to bother me when she was in my arms. I could feel her tears seep into my shirt and I pulled away leading her to take a seat on my bed. She looked up at me her green eyes swimming in her tears. I brushed my thumb across her cheek wiping away the trail of salt. “How are you doing?”
She grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I’m fine. Shocked, terrified, panicky, freaking the hell out but I’m fine. Did you really yell at my dad?”
“Yes I did.” I lay down on the bed and pulled her down with me just so I could have her in my arms again. She settled her head on my chest. I wrapped my arm around her pulling her closer to my side. Is this what it’s going to be like? I took a ragged breath. “So how long can you be here?”
“I don’t know and I really don’t care. When he got home, he told me what had happened and what was decided for me. Then he gave me my keys. I picked them up grabbed my purse and came right over. Still haven’t really said one word to him since this morning.” Her hand was tracing an invisible pattern on my chest.
“Stop it that tickles.” I placed my hand over hers to keep her still.
She chuckled. “Sorry.”
*****
Chapter Seventeen
Roxy
It’s been four days since I found out I was knocked up. I still couldn’t get my head wrapped around that. I didn’t feel any different. I wasn’t super emotional or getting sick every morning or even going to the bathroom a lot. My father relented on all his restrictions. Thankfully. So I no longer had the shadow following me. I could drive anywhere I wanted and have whomever at the house though every time Luke comes over we have to stay in the kitchen or the family living room.
I told Beau Monday not to mention anything to Drez about me driving. Because I felt like that was the only time he got to eat anything decent. Well decentish. He agreed with me. So he still met me at my locker today, drove me to Frank’s and then back to school. Luke did go back to work when my father had his freak out. So we are trying to work around his schedule so we can spend time together. Which really sucks, that means that I will have to wait until he gets off work at nine tonight before I can talk to him.
I pouted at my locker as I was getting my stuff for homework tonight. My phone vibrated with a new message.
Jess: Detention again. Can you wait for me?
I hit my forehead on my now closed locker. Dammit. Me: Yeah sure.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out to my car. I really wish she would stop being l
ate for her classes. That would put an end to this detention shit. I unlocked my car, tossed my bag in and walked around Beau’s truck to wait for Luke at his bike. As I rounded the front of the Chevy, I saw Christie and Luke hugging in quite a tender embrace. I stopped short and just stared at them. What the fuck? She smirked at me and kissed him on his cheek before walking off. “Thanks, Lukie.”
He scratched the back of his neck before turning around. He looked startled to see me. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself. What the fuck was that about?” I could feel the surge of adrenaline rushing through my system.
“I just helped her unlock her car.” He took a step toward me his hand coming out to touch my shoulder.
I backed away from him. “So you felt that it was appropriate to receive a hug and kiss from her in return?”
“Roxy, that was nothing. I swear.” He took another step in my direction only to stop when I held up my hand in front of me.
“Luke, I am trying to be reasonable. I can understand a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, but that was not a simple hug. You hugged her like you do me. Your fucking head was buried in her hair with your eyes closed.” My leg started to shake in my building anger.
“Roxy, love, I swear it was not like that.” His eyes looked panicky his breathing speeding up.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of my own. Maybe I was just overreacting. He has never given me a reason not to trust him. I reassessed what I had witnessed. His back was stick straight when she had her arms wrapped around him. His arms were loose and his eyes were closed but his face was contorted in disgust not desire. I released my breath and opened my eyes. He was standing right in front of me fear and worry emanating from those electric blue eyes. “Sorry. I’m guess I’m just overly sensitive today.”
I heard him let out a breath before he pulled me into his arms. My nose twitched in disgust. His shirt smelled like her sickey sweet perfume. I pushed him away trying to keep myself from gagging. Slowly I backed up against the truck and leaned down taking deep breaths to control my nausea.
Tangled Up In You (A Savioe Family Novel) Page 21