Afflicted

by Sophie Monroe

  Feeling a hand on my shoulder I looked over to see Rowan standing there with an apologetic look on her face. “What did the poor wall ever do to you?”

  Not even cracking a smile, I leaned my head back on my forearm. “I just need some time alone right now.” I snapped.

  “You acted like a real son of a bitch in there. I know you’re still hurting, and a little pissed at her, but she didn’t deserve that. She just told you you’re going to be a dad for fucks sake, Blake. You need to find her and beg for forgiveness before it’s too late.”

  “And do what, Rowan? I’m going to have a kid and I’m not even going to have a chance to know him or her! How would you feel?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you think that Cole’s going to be okay with us having a relationship? He’s fucking bat shit crazy, so no, he isn’t. This cannot be happening!”

  The door opened and Jake came out looking disheveled.

  “What the fuck was that about?” He said, pushing my shoulder.

  “Don’t.” I warned.

  “Or what?” He said getting in my face. “She’s a broken fucking mess, and you just shattered the last part of her! I had to threaten Cole with life and limb to get the fuck out before we got back because he was so angry about her being pregnant. We found her on the bathroom floor when we went to pick her up. She hasn’t wanted to be there the entire time whether she knew it or not, and this baby gave her the out she needed, and you just fucking blew it like an asshole! I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t want anything to do with you now. Worse than that, you’re on Aubrey’s shit list, and there’s a good chance she’s going to kill you.”

  I felt like the world’s biggest asshole, even though she didn’t really deserve a nicer reaction than the one she got. Especially, after all the suffering I went though since we ended things. I get that she was trying to be a savior, but some people just can’t be saved. Cole was one of them. He wasn’t going to change. Sure, he might have stopped taking pills, but there’s a pretty good chance that he’s still taking them behind her back, and even if he isn’t there’s always the possibility that he’ll relapse and then what?

  I was going to be someone’s dad. Jesus, fuck!

  I was holding on with a broken heart that was still beating trying hard to fake that I was fine while hiding the fact that I was breaking inside. Feeling sick to my stomach, I leaned over lurching and threw up. I needed to do something and fast. Jake handed me his phone.

  “I can’t fix this through the fucking phone!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air.

  “She’s at my place, Brett will take you. I’ll tell them you had something come up and once we wrap up we’ll be there. Hopefully, you’ll still be alive.”

  “I’m already dead.” I said kicking the wall one last time, walking toward the front of the building ignoring all of them.

  What I said to her was almost past the point of an apology. There was no way she was going to forgive me. Kicking the gravel I watched as Brett appeared, shaking his head. Obviously he knew what was going on too.

  I followed him over to the Escalade and hopped in the passenger seat. He told me that he spent the last fifteen minutes trying to stop Aubrey from coming out to castrate me and that there was a good chance that he was going to have the bruises to prove it come tomorrow. I stared blankly out the window and watched as the night whizzed by.

  He pulled into Jake’s driveway and I hopped out before the car even stopped, walking up and pounding on the door yelling her name. She wasn’t answering, not that I blamed her. Brett came and used his set of keys to open the door. I breezed through the door searching the house for any sign of her and coming up empty.

  “She’s not here.” Brett said confidently, holding up a letter.

  Ripping it from his hands I read it quickly. I made a huge mistake and I needed to find her. Wanting to scream until my heart bled out of my chest. I tried calling her, but it kept going to voicemail. Wasting no more time, I went into the garage and grabbed the keys to Jake’s new bike. Strapping on his helmet I revved the bike to life and opened the garage door. Speeding out of the driveway I started looking everywhere for the fiery redhead that owned me. She couldn’t have gone that far, right?

  Wrong. After looking everywhere she was nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, LA is huge. I pulled off into a gas station to refuel the bike before going searching again. Trying to call her phone again I got her voicemail. Frankly I was freaking the fuck out. She was alone in a big city and didn’t know where she was going. If she walked she couldn’t have gone far, so she had to get a ride. Did she hitchhike? Then it dawned on me that she may have called for a cab or something.

  I didn’t even know where to start trying to find out who she would have called. Part of me wanted to call up the local news and have them put me on asking if anyone saw her, but that would be a total joke.

  As I took the money out of my wallet to pay for the gas something fell out, seeing what it was I quickly picked it up and put it back where it’s been for the last three months, unused.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Redemption

  After riding around until the sun came up I made my way back to Jake’s. Pulling into the garage I turned the bike off and unbuckled the helmet, pulling it off and tossing it against the wall leaving a dent in the sheetrock. What the fuck was I supposed to do now? Seconds later the door leading inside burst open and a very angry Aubrey stood there giving me a death glare.

  “Where the fuck have you been?” She screamed.

  “I’ve been out looking for the other half of me.” I yelled back.

  I climbed off the bike and strode past her inside, where everyone was waiting in the living room. They were looking at me with a mix of both fury and pity. I knew that I acted rash, but what did they expect from me… I was going to be a dad for fuck’s sake.

  If looks could kill I’d be a dead man because Aubrey looked beyond furious. Piper was like her sister, and now no one knew where she was, it was my fault too.

  “Her phone is off, and I have no idea where she is, or where she’s headed. I could fucking kill you right now, Potter!” She yelled.

  Rowan looked at me with a sad smile while Jake tried to calm Aubrey down. As if I didn’t feel like enough of a shithead. Derek just sat there all laidback like it was just another day at the office and Kevin looked distraught.

  “I’ve tried calling all the bus stations and airports, but they won’t disclose any information.” Kevin said. He was by far the most resourceful out of the bunch.

  “She’s pregnant and scared. And now very alone!” Aubrey cried. “It’s all my fault! I told her everything would be fine. I never expected her to just up and leave.”

  “It’s okay, baby. We’ll find her. I have Brett and Vin out searching too. Brett called a couple guys that he knows that deal in missing persons. She had to have left some sort of trace.” Jake soothed.

  “They better. If they don’t, I’ll never forgive you Blake.”

  “Alright, I think we should go home for a little while and regroup.” Rowan said standing and putting a hand on my forearm, which I shrugged off.

  “The only place I’m going is back out to look for her.” I said, stomping out the front door and taking off in a jog back to my house. I was officially on a mission to find her, at any cost.

  Piper

  I arrived in Vegas five hours after leaving the release party. Hailing a cab I headed straight to the airport to go home to pack some things and get my car. Walking up to the ticket counter I was sad to see four hundred dollars go down the drain, but I didn’t have much of a choice at this point. Wracking my brain for where I could go I came up empty until I thought back to a place where I would be unlikely to be found. Pulling my ancient flip-phone out of my bag I pulled up Tim, Aubrey’s dad and hit send.

  I knew I could depend on him to keep a secret.

  “Hey, Spike.” He answered. “What are you doing up this e
arly?”

  Holding back the tears I went into what happened last night, and about the baby and Blake’s reaction.

  “Wow, I wouldn’t expect that reaction from him either.”

  “So… I was kind of hoping for a favor, but I’ll be putting you in the middle of it all. And, I need you to promise that you won’t tell anyone, no matter what. I wouldn’t ask you if there was any other option.”

  “I know you wouldn’t kid. You know I look at you as being my other daughter so whatever you need, as long as it’s legal, I’ll help you.”

  “I want to head up to the cabin after I get home. No one will know to look for me there. You can’t tell anyone, not Aubrey, not Jake, and absolutely not Blake.”

  “Of course you can go there. You can stay as long as you need. I’m only a phone call away if you need anything, though I would reconsider falling off the grid without telling everyone. Blake’s young and not used to being tied down, he’s most likely really scared, and I’d hear him out.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t want to hear anything he has to say right now. Maybe that will change down the road, but right now I wish I missed the first time he kissed me.”

  “You’ll be fine, you’re tough as nails, kid. If you need anything you know how to find me. I love you, Piper Jane.”

  “Love you too, Papadukes.”

  I felt a little better after hanging up the phone since at least I would have a place to go and it wouldn’t cost me anything so I could spread my money out longer. My phone alerted me that my voicemail was full.

  I listened to all of the messages. Forty-four were from Blake, eight from Aubrey and one from Jake. The last one was from Cole. Aubrey was worried, and I felt bad not telling her what was going on, but I couldn’t put her in that situation between her husband and his best friend it would cause too much tension and it wouldn’t be fair. Blake was worried and apologized profusely, repeatedly. He said he overreacted and wanted to talk. He pleaded for me to call him back. I deleted the rest of them without listening to them until I got to Cole’s.

  “Piper, I know when you left we weren’t on good terms and for good reason, but I’m sorry for how I reacted. After everything you’ve been through with me I should be there for you through this. I’m so sorry for all the things I said. I know you’ll probably be staying in LA with him now, but I just wanted you to know that I’m here for you if you need me. I wish I wasn’t such a fuck-up all the damn time. Okay, you know where to find me. I love you. Bye…”

  Tumultuous was a good way to describe my relationship with Cole. It was back and forth, hot and cold, and at times very unhealthy. I had another little person that I was responsible for now, and I couldn’t subject him or her to that kind of environment. Cole was a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. Aubrey often said that he was like a shaken can of soda that each little thing shook him and before long when you popped the tab it was like an explosion. His personality was very volatile and sometimes left me feeling worried in my own house.

  I stayed with him because I thought our love could survive anything and that if I loved him enough that he would just return to normal, but no matter how hard I tried it wasn’t enough. It took getting away from him and finding out that I was pregnant for all of this to be put into perspective for me. There was no way that I could really even have him as a part of my life anymore. I’d be cordial with him, but I couldn’t offer him more.

  When they announced my flight I stored my bag in the overhead compartment and took a seat. An older gentleman took the seat next to me as we waited for takeoff. I stared out the window into nothingness for the first hour.

  “Excuse me, miss.” The older gentleman said. Turning to look at him I saw his gray hair and laugh lines. “I’m Henry.”

  “Piper.” I replied.

  “I couldn’t help but notice that you look a little down. Sometimes it helps to talk about it and after raising five kids I’ve heard just about everything.”

  “I’m fine.” I lied. Then I thought about it, and how it might feel better to get an outside opinion. “Actually, that’s a lie. It’s a long story though.”

  “According to my watch I don’t have anywhere to be for the next two and a half hours.” He smiled, blue eyes crinkling.

  “I guess I’ll start at the beginning. I had a boyfriend. We were together since high school, he went into the military and came back a completely different person. During one of our break-ups I met a guy, who happens to be my best friend’s, husband’s best friend. Following so far?” I asked, and he nodded. “My boyfriend and I broke up, and I briefly dated the best friend. During that same time the ex was in a bad car accident, and like an idiot I went running back to be the savior. At the time I thought I was making the right choice, and I almost made the biggest mistake of my life by agreeing to marry him. A couple days ago I found out that I’m pregnant, and it’s the best friend’s. I just told him, and he didn’t take it so well…”

  “I think you bought the dream when your ex sold you one. There are plenty of good men out there, but they’re all stuck with their heads in the clouds waiting for a good woman to come bring them to life. That was my Maggie, rest her soul. She had me chasing her for a whole two years, before she even agreed to go on a date with me. Times were different then.” He said, deep in thought. “We used to have supervised sweet tea visits on the front porch. I remember sweating bullets the first time I asked her father permission to kiss her. I was scared shitless. She was so hardheaded, but worth all the breaking down she made me do. I understand why you’re upset and that his reaction probably wasn’t what you were hoping for, but he’s a man. I have three sons and two daughters I’ve seen it all.”

  “I wasn’t completely surprised by his reaction, but I was hoping for a little more compassion. He was the one that kept trying to pull me out of the situation I was in and each time I went running back to the crashing plates. It was only a matter of time before he grew tired of chasing a lost cause. I left out the part that he’s a famous musician and can have the pick of any girl he wants. He also happens to have a beautiful ex-girlfriend that came running to his side when we broke up.”

  “I think the worst thing you can do is just hide from it all. You need to face this head on. Besides, you don’t come off as being weak.” He laughed a throaty laugh looking at my tattoos. “Lace up your gloves and get back in the ring, darling.”

  “I think I need some time to let it all sink in. We’re going to have to talk eventually since I’m sure he’s going to want to be a part of the baby’s life.”

  “I think you’re right. I’m actually on my way to see my youngest son, David. He and his wife Becca just had a baby girl. She’s my sixth grandbaby. I get sad that Maggie isn’t here to see all of this, but the big guy upstairs decided he needed an angel and took her one night in her sleep.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you had a wonderful life together.”

  “The very best. You’ll have that one day too. Try not to be too hard on the guy when you decide to let him come around. I’m sure he’s doing a good job of that all on his own.”

  “Judging by the forty-four voicemails I had before I left, I reckon you’re right.” I smiled. “Thanks for the talk.”

  I needed to do me for a little while before I threw myself back out there. After spending years focusing on anything but myself it was what I needed to do.

  Blake

  I felt empty like the bottle next to me. Against my better judgment I couldn’t stop trying to forget. Jake forced me to come back to Smithville with him and Aubrey despite her growing agitation with me. He thought that she would more than likely come somewhere out here. No one had seen or heard from her. I tried going to her place, but that was empty too. I knew Cole was around somewhere and needed to find him because there was a good chance that he might know where she was.

  Heading down the stairs I grabbed Derek and asked him to take me to see if we could find Cole. He tried talking me
out of it, but there was no use. I was determined. If I wouldn’t be risking a DUI I would have gone myself. Tossing him my keys we climbed into the car and took off towards his usual hangouts.

  We kept coming up empty until I had him drive by Piper’s place and saw a light on in the kitchen. Derek pulled into the driveway, and I was out of the car in a flash. I started banging on the door, but he didn’t answer. I kicked in the door and started looking around before heading back to the bedroom.

  Walking over to the bed I put my hand on his shoulder giving him a gentle shake. He appeared to be breathing. I tried and turn him onto his side when he reached out and lunged for my throat. Caught completely by surprise, I felt his hands squeezing into my throat. Derek came into the room and started yelling at him to stop. He slightly loosened his grip refusing to let go of me.

  “I knew you’d come back looking for her.” He seethed. “It’s your fault that she’s gone and wants nothing to do with either of us. She’s carrying around your Satan spawn. It should be mine!”

  I saw red.

  I punched him right in the face, hearing a satisfying crunch when I hit his nose.

  “I’ll fucking kill you, dirtbag!” Grabbing his hand, I unclenched it and pinned him to the bed. “Where is she?” I demanded.

  “Who fucking knows… I might have had an idea, but I’m sure as hell not telling you. You’ll just have to try and beat me there, asshole.” He made a sinister laugh making me haul back and punch him in the face one more time before Derek pulled me off, only because I let him, and led me back to the car.

  “Where do you think she is?” I asked him.

  “Dude, I have no clue. Obviously, somewhere where she won’t be found.” He shrugged, throwing the car in reverse heading back to the house.

  I stayed up all night staring at the ceiling thinking of where she would go. Then it dawned on me, it was so obvious that I didn’t even consider it. I was sober enough to drive now, so I grabbed my keys and went to hopefully find her. After making a quick stop for coffee and gas I was on my way. My mind was racing the whole way. I realized I wouldn’t care if she kicked me out on my ass, as long as I knew that she was okay.