Right Kind of Wrong

by Shelly Jones

  “Xander, it’s beautiful.” She says quietly. “Thank you baby.” She pulls me down to kiss me.

  “I want to give you the moon and the stars. So for now, this is my way of giving it to you.” I smile down at her . . . Damn it, she’s crying.

  “Xander, I know that it was written in the stars for us to meet. This necklace is beautiful. I love you.” She simply says. She hands me the necklace and asks me to put it on her.

  I get it on and she turns around, “How does it look?” She asks.

  “Like it was made for you.” The silver moon and the round blue stone with a galaxy in it, is perfect. It looks perfect on her.

  “Dance with me,” I give her my hand.

  “Of course,” She snuggles into my chest and we dance. “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton is playing. “I gotta put this song in the jukebox at the bar.” I make a mental note.

  The song ends, “Should we go?” I ask her.

  “Yeah before they send the army out looking for us.” She sighs. “But I don’t, I just want to stay here with you forever.”

  “We can come back here anytime you want, but right now, you need to get home and get some sleep.”

  “I hate it when you’re right.” She pouts.

  We pull up in front of her house and there are two vehicles parked in the driveway and one parked out front on the curb. One is Mel’s and one is Reese and Blake’s, but I don’t recognize the red SUV. “Must be my parent’s rental.” Emily mumbles.

  We walk in and there’s a house full of people. Her mom, dad, brother and sisters are here, Mel and Scott are here along with Blake, Reese and Izzy and Jameson. “Wow, Hi everyone!” Emily walks in and I can tell she’s overwhelmed. This was not a good idea. She doesn’t need this many people here.

  One by one they came and gave her a hug welcoming her home.

  “Xander, can I talk to you outside for minute?” Blake leans into my ear.

  “Yeah sure, man. Everything ok?”

  “Just come outside with me.” He says a little more sternly.

  I tell Emily I’ll be right back. She smiles and nods.

  Blake and I walk out to the front, “What’s up?” I ask him.

  “First off, how’s she doing?”

  “She’s doing ok, I think she’ll be better once she can sleep in her own bed.”

  “Good, I’m happy to see that you two are together.”

  “Well asshole you pretty much told me you would choose her over me, that hurt by way, but it showed me how much she means to everyone.”

  “Yeah, well she’s special and she deserves the world.”

  “You don’t need to tell me this, so what’s so important that you needed to talk to me out here?”

  “Been doing some digging around on that asshole who hit Emily.”

  “Yeah? What did you find out?”

  “The guy that assaulted Em or tried to . . .” He trails off.

  “Alright, so what about that son of bitch, what does he have to do with the accident?”

  “That bastard is the one who hit Emily. He had been drinking all day, according to the reports.”

  “How the fuck do you know all of this?”

  “Heard it on the news. Then Chris told me because it was a matter of public record.”

  “So that motherfucker that could have easily raped my girlfriend, is the same bastard that almost killed her? He’s going to fucking die!” I snap, pacing back and forth running my hands through my hair.

  “Where is he?” I ask.

  “He’s in jail for now, not sure if he’s going to sit or not. Since Emily made it and all. Not sure what kind of charges, if any, they will push.”

  “He didn’t know who he hit. Xander, he was so fucking drunk, he had no idea where he was.” “You know I was there right? I saw it all happen. I was at the intersection headed to the bar to see you. Reese went all crazy on me telling me to kick your ass and shit. I saw her in the middle of the intersection waiting to make the turn and he just came out of nowhere and slammed into her. I went to Emily right away. I rode in the back of the ambulance with her. I told them I was her brother, just so she had someone with her.” He tells me, I had no idea about any of this. She didn’t tell me shit.

  “I knew nothing of this, but I’m glad you were there for her. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me, all I did was I told her you loved her and she had to hang on cuz I would bring you to her. That’s all I did, man.”

  “You were there, you kept her from letting go. She was fucking destroyed because I tossed her away. You kept her fighting, and I had no idea this happened, I owe you my life.” I tell my best friend. This guy is like a life saver. He’s saved my ass more than anyone. He’s more like a brother to me than a friend.

  Emily comes out, “Everything ok out here?” she asks.

  “Yeah baby, Blake was just telling me about the day of the accident and how he was there with you. I told him I owe him my life.” I wrap her up in my arms.

  “Yeah, he’s a lifesaver. Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

  “It’s ok Em, you were too busy fighting to stay with me. How’s it going in there?”

  “I sort of wish you would have taken me to your house. I feel like I’m being smothered.”

  “I thought about it, but I didn’t want to give your dad a heart attack.” I let out a laugh.

  “Well, I’m going to go back in,” She goes to walk away and I grab her hand,

  “I’ll go in with you.” Blake follows us in.

  It’s around 10:00pm and I can see Emily is getting tired, her dad and siblings are leaving, but her mom is staying the night to take care of her.

  She’s laying in her bed on her back when I walk in. I walk over and lay next to her on my side and just stare at her. I brush a piece of hair from her face, “You’re so beautiful.” I whisper.

  She smiles at me with tired eyes.

  “I think I’m going to go home. Get Harlie off to school in the morning and then come back here, if that’s ok?”

  “Yeah, that’s fine Xander. We both need a good night’s sleep. Do me a favor though?”

  “Anything.”

  “Bring Harlie over tomorrow after school. I really want to see her.”

  I smile a big smile at her, “She’s going to love that.”

  “Good, when you see her tonight, or in the morning, give her a hug from me.” She says and her eyes get heavy. “I love you Xander. I love you so much. I really wish I could lay in your arms, but I know Harlie needs you too.”

  “Me too Em, but trust me, when everything calms down, you and me will cuddle up in bed or on my couch and we’ll have a marathon of movies after Harlie goes to bed. Oh, and I’m sure Axel will be up your ass too.”

  She lets out a small laugh, “That sounds so fucking perfect. I’m not sure how long they’re staying, but they better not think for one second I’m going back to Wisconsin with them. This is my home.” She puts her hand of my chest.

  “I don’t deserve you, but I have you and I’m not going to fuck this up.”

  “You do deserve me. Remember baby, you’re my right kind of wrong.” She smiles at me.

  “Ok, you’re almost asleep, I’m going to go back to my place. I love you and I will see you in the morning. If you need me to pick up anything call me.”

  “Ok, thank you. I love you so much. I’ll miss you.” She says and it almost looks like she has a tear in her eye. “I’ll miss you more.” I give her a long sweet kiss and get off the bed. I don’t even think I was out of the room and she was already asleep. I walk out of her room and her mom is standing in the hallway with tears in her eyes.

  “You really do love her, don’t you?” She asks me.

  “Yes Ma’am I do. With everything in me, I love her.”

  “I am so sorry.” She says walking down the hallway and into the kitchen. I follow her looking around for Mel and Scott and see neither of them.

  “Why are you sorry?”

&
nbsp; “For judging you so quickly. I see the baggy jeans, tattoos and the “I don’t give a shit” attitude and I was quick to judge, I was thinking you were just going to ruin my daughter, when in reality, you’re just what she needs.”

  “I really don’t know what to say right now.”

  “Xander you don’t have to say anything. I’m just saying I’m sorry. I can’t say I’m sorry for my husband because . . . he is who he is. He’s very protective over his kids, but trust me when I say that I am sorry for judging you. I don’t know you and I’m sure there’s more to you then what you’re showing, but from what I’ve seen, I like it. My daughter is happy, she smiles, I’ve never seen her happy this way before. Thank you for giving her that.”

  “Yeah well, I’d do anything for her.”

  “I know. Well I’m going to go to bed, it’s been a long day and I need some rest. Want me to call you if she needs anything or if anything changes?”

  “Yes please,” I write my number down. I don’t know where Emily’s phone is so I wanted to make sure they have it. “Good night Mrs. Hayes, I’ll see you sometime tomorrow morning.” I tell her and walk out of the kitchen, through the living room and out the front door.

  “Hey Xander!” I hear as I’m walking to my car, I turn and see Scott. “Fuck!” I say under my breath.

  “Yeah?”

  “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

  Scott and I have never gotten along. When we were in high school, we fought all the time, not just yelling, we had fist fights, bloody-as-hell-last-man-standing types of fight. He dated a couple of my ex-girlfriends and treated them like shit. When Tessa told me she was pregnant, I had a paternity test done to make sure I was the father to Harlie since Tessa and Scott were always seen together and those two had a past.

  “What’s up Scott? Kind of would like to get home tonight.”

  “It won’t take long, just want to say something.”

  “Yeah, and what’s that?” I snap. I don’t like this guy and I won’t pretend to like him.

  “Just a warning, you hurt my girlfriend’s cousin, I’ll fuck you up. Emily is family now and you won’t fuck with my family. You get me?”

  I start to laugh at him, “Do me a favor Scott, you worry about your relationship and don’t worry about mine.” I snap, “And if you ever threaten my life again . . . It will be last motherfucking thing you do.”

  Scott laughs, “Hey whatever you say Alexander. Just don’t fuck with Emily. I already warned her about you, but she doesn’t listen. So, I’m just warning you.”

  “Yep. Heard it loud and clear,” I get in his face. “Now I’m going to warn you. Stay away from my girlfriend, stay away from me and my family and keep your mouth shut or you will have bigger problems.” I turn and walk away. The fucker said something, but I just took my right hand, flipped him the bird and got in my car.

  When I got home, my mom was sitting in the living room watching the news. I had her bring Harlie to her own bed tonight since I was coming home. “How is she?” My mom asks, as I’m walking through the door.

  “Tired, but she’s doing ok. I hated leaving her. I’ve been with her every night since the accident.”

  “Well go back, go be with her.”

  “I can’t mom, I need to sleep, and I need to see my daughter. And besides her mother is staying there tonight, just not sure about them just yet.”

  “Well just remember her parents are still in shock over all of this. Their daughter was in a horrible accident and they flew across the country pretty much to be here for her, only to find out not only does she have a boyfriend, but she was pregnant. It’s kind of a lot to take in.”

  “I know, but still. They’re quick to judge people and it’s bullshit.”

  “Yes, it is, but their life is different up there. We don’t know what it’s like unless we’ve been where they are. But I’ve been meaning to ask you something. . . .”

  Oh shit, here we go.

  “You two were pregnant, but yet you just decided to be a couple? So Em has been one of your girls?”

  I roll my eyes at my mom, “Not one of my girls. She’s been ‘that’ girl. Yes. When her and I started doing that, it has been just her. I didn’t sleep with anyone else. Well, I did, but that was when we went a month without talking. I was trying to get over her and . . .”

  I can tell my mom is getting uncomfortable “Well, I’ll save you the details, but it was only a one-time thing cuz . . . she wasn’t Em.”

  “But when she came over here to tell you she loved you, you didn’t respond? Xander, why? I don’t get it.”

  “She scared me. She caught me off guard. I was trying to get over her. I didn’t think I was capable of love. But when she left here, I started thinking.” I’m getting frustrated, “It doesn’t matter, Mom. We’re together now. I guess. I don’t know. It’s all weird right now with her family here and her being in the hospital and all that shit.”

  My mother is laughing at me, “Alright, Xander. I’m going to let you get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?”

  “Thanks Mom, for everything.” I give her a hug and walk her out.

  Axel is out in the backyard chasing bugs. I grab a beer and sit outside with him. I feel my phone vibrate and I pull it out quick to check it.

  “I’m not used to you not being here at night with me. My hand feels lonely. I miss you. Xoxo YOUR GIRLFRIEND Em!”

  I can’t help but laugh at this. She made it very clear she’s my girl and it’s a great feeling, but I’m still scared I’m going to fuck this shit up.

  “Miss you too baby. Mom just left and I’m going to finish this beer and go to bed, I’m sure I’ll be missing you even more once I crawl into bed. I’ll see soon, I promise. I love you Emily.”

  She sends me a picture of her pouting with a caption, “I kind of sort of hate you right now that you’re having a beer!”

  I bust out laughing. “Did you just tell me you hated me? I’m hurt, I thought you loved me . . .” I send to her.

  “Then don’t rub it in! Hey I gotta go, my mother is being worse then the fucking nurses. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you!”

  “Ok baby, I love you too! I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I walk inside, lock everything up, go into my bedroom and dive into my bed. “Yep this is going suck.” I lay here staring at the celling.

  The alarm goes off at 6:30 in the morning. “Ugh!” I growl. I slept for shit, maybe got two hours of sleep last night. I kept checking my phone to see if I missed a call or text. Nothing, I’m hoping that means she had a good night. I get out of bed and go take a shower and get dressed for the day. I throw on a pair of jeans, black t-shirt and tennis shoes. I hurry into the kitchen, make coffee and then I go into Harlie’s room to wake her up.

  “Good morning,” I whisper in her ear.

  She doesn’t respond, “Harlie Rae, it’s time to get up,”

  “But Daddy, I don’t want to.” She whines.

  “But if you get up and go to school, you can go see Emily after school.”

  She sits straight up, her blue eyes wide and her smile huge, “Really Daddy? I can go see Emily?”

  “Yep, I brought her home last night. She says she wants to see you today.”

  Harlie stands up on her bed and starts jumping up and down squealing.

  “I need for you to get dressed and get your teeth brushed. I’ll go make scrambled eggs and toast.”

  “Ok, Daddy!” She says.

  Our morning was perfect, she got dressed and ate her breakfast without any attitude. She helped me make her lunch and we were out the door, right on time.

  I get to the school and walk her into her classroom. The substitute teacher that has been here since Emily accident. “Mr. Hunt, how’s Emily doing?” Mrs. Smith asks me. “She’s doing ok. She came home last night. She still has a ways to go recovery wise, I think.”

  “Well, will you tell her we’re all thinking about her and the kids miss her?”

  “Oh, o
f course.”

  “Here, this was Harlie’s idea to make get well soon pictures for her.” She hands me a huge stack. It’s from all the classes from kindergarten to fourth grade. I look over at Harlie and smile. “That’s my girl.” I say under my breath. “Of course. She’ll love these. I’m on way over there now.”

  I get over to Emily’s and knock on the door, Mel answers. “Oh thank god it’s you, and not the others!” She lets out a breath.

  “That bad?” I smirk.

  “Xander I’m going to fucking lose it if they don’t get out of my house, and it’s only been one fucking night. They’re driving me fucking insane.”

  “Do I even dare ask what happened?”

  “After you left, Scott came back in and as he was walking to my bedroom. She told him to show some respect and to hold off on having sex until after they leave.”

  I’m trying really hard not to laugh, but its way too hard, “Are they here now?”

  “No, I got her to leave this morning. Told her I’d take care of Em while she did whatever she had to do. Not sure how long they plan to stay, but they could leave today.”

  “Well, I’m going to go get in some time with my girl before they all show up again.”

  “Do it! I don’t work today, so I’ll try to keep them away as long as I can.”

  I smile big at her, “Thank you!” I walk down the hallway to Em’s room, gently knock and open the door. She’s laying in her bed still sleeping. I put the pictures on her black chair and kick off my shoes. I slowly slide in next to her, trying not to wake her. I lay here on my side, just watching her sleep.

  “You know you could take a picture, it’ll last longer.” She says with her eyes still closed and a smile across her face.

  “I tried to be quiet so I didn’t wake you.”

  “It’s ok, I knew you were here the moment you pulled in.” She opens her eyes, “I missed you.” She says to me. I lean in and kiss her, “I missed you.” We lay here for a while and make out.

  “I have a favor to ask you . . .” She says, her face turning red.

  “What’s that?”