by J. A. Owenby
“Where the hell is your stuff?” George asked from behind me.
“Holy shit,” I said as I scanned my room. Everything was gone. My desk was empty; my bedspread, poster, and alarm clock were all missing. The white walls and mattress were completely bare. I opened my closet door and found it empty.
“What the hell? Where’s my stuff?” I asked, my eyes widening with shock.
“Lacey, this has your name on it,” Xander said as he picked up a folded piece of paper from the desk and handed it to me.
My hands shook as I unfolded it.
Lacey, I have your belongings. If you want them back, you’ll have to come get them. Patsy and I are waiting for you. It’s time to get yourself together once and for all and stop being led around by the demons you’re allowing to run your life. We’re at the Holiday Inn, room 118.
A tear streamed down my cheek as I handed the note to George.
“Are you kidding me?” George exclaimed. “She took your stuff to make you come visit her? You can’t go over there.”
“What’s going on?” Xander asked.
I nodded at George, and he handed the note to him.
Xander took it and read it.
“That’s bullshit. She can’t do that,” Xander said and frowned.
“Well, she just did,” George said. “I just don’t get it. Lacey, maybe Xander can help. You need to fill him in on everything that’s going on.”
I sighed as I pulled away from Xander and crawled onto my bare mattress. Xander sat at the foot of it, and George settled in on the opposite bed. I told Xander what I’d shared with George, except I kept Walker out of it as much as possible and didn’t even mention his name. I glanced at him to catch his reaction, but I couldn’t read his face.
“That’s fucked up,” he said as his jaw tensed.
“Those were my words too,” George said.
“George, can you stay with Lacey for a while? I need to make some calls. I’ll be outside in front of the dorm. Keep your door locked,” Xander said, turning his gaze to me.
I stood up and locked the door behind him.
“He’s pissed,” George said.
“He’s definitely something, but I can’t tell what. I don’t think he’s gonna come back. You can’t blame him—that’s a hell of a lot of drama to dump on someone who just asked me out.”
“He’ll be back,” George assured me.
I stretched out on my bed and stared at the ceiling as a tear rolled down my cheek.
“Dammit, I have nothing, not even a toothbrush,” I said. A combination of anger and fear swirled in the pit of my stomach.
“Scoot over,” George said and patted my side. “I know you’re scared, but Xander said you have a place to stay.”
“No, that was before he realized how crazy my life is. I guarantee that that offer is no longer on the table. My God, what am I going to do?” I asked. I couldn’t hide the tremble in my voice.
“Hey, we’ll figure this out. It’s going to be okay,” George whispered.
A knock on my door startled me as I wiped my tears away.
“Lacey, it’s Xander. It’s okay to open the door.”
I crossed the room and let him in.
“Okay, I called a friend, and you should have your stuff back in a few days since she told us where she’s staying in her note. In the meantime, you’re staying with me. George, you’re welcome to come over until you have to leave. I think Lacey feels better with you around.” He paused. “So? Let’s go.”
George and I stared at each other, speechless.
“How?” I asked as I scooted off my bed and stood up. “How are you getting my stuff back?” I frowned as I tried to imagine how that was even possible. There was no way Mama was going to give it back.
“I have some connections. Don’t worry about it. You’ll have it soon,” he said and reached for my hand. “Like I said before, I know people.”
I nodded as I took his hand.
“Do you have your key, Lacey?” George asked.
“Yeah. I’ll lock the door, even though there isn’t anything left to steal,” I muttered.
We followed Xander to his truck, and within thirty minutes, we pulled up to his house. We filed in and made ourselves comfortable in the living room. Xander brought George a beer and a drink for me that I suspected had more rum in it than Pepsi.
“Thank you,” I said as he sat next to me on the love seat.
“You’re safe now,” Xander said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him. I flushed as he kissed my forehead.
Chapter 13
Xander and George did their best to take my mind off Mama. We spent the afternoon shopping for a toothbrush, pajamas, underwear, jeans, and shirts to get me through a few days. I promised Xander I’d pay him back, but he insisted it was an early Christmas present. It wasn’t in my nature to accept gifts from someone I barely knew, but I had little choice unless I wanted to stink and walk around with bad breath.
We dropped George off at his house at eleven that night. It had been a super long day, and I was sad that I had to say goodbye to him for the rest of Christmas break. I walked him to his front door and hugged him.
“I think you’re in good hands, and safe, with Xander. That’s the most important thing, right?” he asked.
“Yeah, but I wish you weren’t going to Mexico. I mean, I know you’ll have an amazing time, but we can’t even talk on the phone while you’re gone. What if I need you?”
“We’ll catch up the minute I’m back, and I feel better knowing that Xander’s around.”
“Yeah, I agree,” I said and kissed his cheek. “Merry Christmas. I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’ll be back before you know it, and I’ll expect all the juicy details about you and Xander,” he said and smiled.
“Okay, I promise,” I replied, chewing my lip as he stepped into his house and closed the door. I sighed as I made my way down the sidewalk to the truck.
“You okay?” Xander asked as I put on my seat belt.
“Yeah, just a little sad. I’d hoped to be in Arkansas with Emma and her family, and now that all this has happened and George, Adalyn, and Cassidy are all gone . . .”
“I get it. This is my first Christmas without my grandma,” he said softly as we pulled out of George’s driveway.
The truck’s windshield wipers whooshed as we pulled onto the highway. The rain had grown heavy, and so had my mood. It had been one thing hanging out with George and Xander this afternoon, but now it was silent, and I was left with my thoughts.
I stifled a yawn as we pulled into his driveway. Xander parked the truck and walked around to the passenger door. He held his jacket over my head as we ran to the front porch and tried to stay dry.
“I’ve never heard it thunder here,” I said as we walked into his house.
“You won’t very often. We don’t have storms like you do back home,” he said and closed the door. “How are you doing with all this?” he asked as he hung his coat in the hall closet.
“Honestly? I don’t know, and I have no idea what I would’ve done if you hadn’t helped me. Thank you,” I said as I glanced up at him.
“You’re welcome,” he said as he tucked a strand of wet hair behind my ear. “You can stay as long as you want.”
“Yeah?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said and smiled.
The rain pounded against the window as Xander wrapped his arms around me.
“I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” he whispered.
I nestled my head against his chest. I knew he was trying to help, but no one could keep me safe. I’d moved away and started over, and Mama had still found me. I bit my lip and closed my eyes as I allowed his warmth to calm me. At least, at this moment, I was okay.
“Let’s get you to bed,” he said.
I followed him up the stairs and into the guest room.
“I’ll be here if you need anything,” Xander said, giving me a gentle kis
s on the lips. “Get some rest.”
I watched him as he smiled and closed the bedroom door behind him. I rubbed my arms and then rifled through a shopping bag for my new pajamas. I stared at them as the last twenty-four hours sunk in.
I bit my lip as I realized that Xander had been true to his word so far, and that I had actually been safe with him. Mama had left when he showed up. Walker had stood up to Krissy, but never Mama. No one had ever stood up to Mama and gotten away with it. But maybe this time would be different.
I changed my clothes and slipped under the covers. It was almost midnight, and I was exhausted. I would figure things out tomorrow.
* * *
“Lacey! Lacey, wake up!”
My eyes fluttered open as I recognized Xander’s voice next to me. His hand was on my shoulder.
“What are you doing in here?”
“You started screaming. Are you okay? My God, you scared the shit out of me,” Xander said and ran his hand through his hair.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered as I sat up. I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to still the violent trembles that traveled through my body.
“It’s okay,” he said, his face filled with concern. “Hey, it’s okay.” He sat next to me on the bed. “Come here.”
I scooted closer to him and laid my head on his shoulder while he rubbed my back. After a few minutes, I stopped shaking and laid down again.
“I’ll stay with you tonight so you can sleep,” he said as he laid down next to me. “I don’t know everything that happened to you, but I won’t let it happen again,” he whispered.
Xander pulled me close to him, calming me. I squeezed my eyes closed and swallowed my embarrassment. I couldn’t stop the nightmares; they were almost as bad as Mama herself, and they followed me everywhere I went. I focused on the rise and fall of Xander’s chest until I drifted back to sleep.
* * *
“Morning,” I said as I placed the last pancake on the plate.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” Xander said as he walked into the kitchen and reached for the coffee pot.
“I wanted to cook you breakfast after everything I’ve put you through,” I said.
“You’re not putting me through anything. I asked you to stay here. I don’t regret it.”
“Well,” I said as my cheeks reddened, “then the least I can do is try and keep you well fed.” I smiled at him.
“It smells fantastic,” he said as he pulled a chair out and sat down at the kitchen table. “I was thinking, now that you’re here, what do you think about going with me to pick out a Christmas tree? I think we should decorate,” he said as a grin spread across his face.
“Really?” I couldn’t hide my excitement. One of the things I’d been missing the most was trekking into the woods and chopping a tree down with Mama. I didn’t have a lot of good memories with her, but that was one of them.
“Yeah,” he replied. “Let’s do that after we eat and shower.”
“Okay,” I said and took a bite of my pancake.
“Grandma loved Christmas,” he murmured.
“I’m so sorry. I lost someone last year around the holidays too, and it’s so hard.” I paused as I realized what I’d said. I didn’t want to get into detail about Susan and Walker. I focused on cutting my pancake and avoided Xander’s questioning gaze.
I scooted my chair back and refilled my coffee cup.
“Would you like some more coffee?”
He took a second to swallow his mouthful of pancake. “I’m good, thanks.”
I started to replace the coffee pot, but I accidentally hit it against the counter. It shattered into pieces, and the remainder of the coffee splashed all over me. Startled, I dropped my full coffee cup, adding to the hot liquid and broken glass that was now all over the kitchen floor.
“Don’t move,” Xander exclaimed as he jumped up and grabbed a towel. “Stay still,” he said as he dabbed the towel against my face, arms, and wet clothes.
“I’m—I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I’ll buy you a new one. I didn’t mean to.”
“Are you okay?” he asked, ignoring my apology as he searched my face and body for cuts. “Stay still, I don’t want you to cut your bare feet.”
I didn’t move as he examined me.
“I’m sorry,” I said again.
“I don’t give a shit about the coffee pot. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Hang on,” he said as he swept me off my feet and into his arms. The glass crunched under his shoes as he carried me from the living room and gently placed me on the couch.
“You’re not mad at me?”
“Why in the world would I be mad?” He stood up and ran his hand through his hair. “I know there’s history with your mom, and I don’t know what else you’ve gone through, but I’m not going to yell at you over a coffee pot. Now stay here, and I’ll clean everything up. You don’t have any shoes on, and I don’t want you in the kitchen. In fact, why don’t you go on upstairs and shower. Just don’t go into the kitchen again without shoes, okay?”
I nodded and watched him walk away.
“Shit,” I said and rubbed my face. How stupid could I be? I’d never broken a coffee pot in my life. What was wrong with me?
I swore under my breath as I made my way upstairs and picked out an outfit for the day. Maybe a hot shower would do me some good. If I kept breaking stuff, Xander would boot me out for sure, and I’d be left staying in my dorm room alone, with Mama only a few miles away.
“Merry fuckin’ Christmas,” I said as I stepped into the hot shower and closed my eyes.
Chapter 14
The week passed by quickly, and I’d managed not to break anything else. Xander and I had spent all our time together. We’d shopped and decorated for Christmas, watched movies, and gone out to dinner a few times. He’d been a perfect gentleman and had only kissed me, but the more time we spent together, the more I found myself wanting to take it further.
I stared at the bedroom ceiling as a ray of sunshine broke through the curtains. It was almost always sunny on Christmas in the South, but here, it had been more than a week since the sun had revealed itself. It was a nice touch.
I sat up and slipped into my house shoes. It was 9 a.m., which meant it was 11 a.m. back home. I couldn’t wait to call Emma today. My heart ached at the thought of not being with her and her family for the holiday, but I was also grateful not to be alone.
I tiptoed across the hallway to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I was getting spoiled not having to share a bathroom with a million other girls.
I quietly made my way downstairs and into the kitchen, still wearing my pajamas.
“Merry Christmas,” Xander said from the kitchen table.
“I thought you were still asleep!” I said. “I literally tiptoed across the hall so I wouldn’t wake you.” I giggled.
“That’s funny. I’ve been down here since seven. I poured you some coffee already,” he said and nodded toward the cup on the kitchen table.
My cheeks flamed at the thought of the incident last week, but Xander hadn’t brought it up again. We’d replaced the coffee pot that same day.
“Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you too,” I said and smiled at him.
“Why don’t we go into the living room,” he said. His brown eyes danced with mischievousness.
I took his hand and followed him into the living room. I gasped. A pile of presents filled the space underneath the tree.
“What’s all this?”
“Well, there’s a gift for you, and then a few items you’ve been missing. I just thought it would be fun to wrap it all,” he said and grinned.
“I bought you something too, but there are way more than two presents here,” I said, confused.
“Here, start with this one and you’ll understand,” he said as he handed me a package.
I gently tore the wrapping open and pulled out a pair of jeans that Mama had taken from my dorm room.
“Holy shit! Ar
e you serious?” I squealed.
“Yes, it’s all here.”
I jumped up from my chair, hurled myself at him, and hugged him with everything I had inside me.
He kissed the top of my head and handed me another present. I tore the paper open and laughed as I pulled out my favorite green T-shirt. The next package was my purse. I opened each one until my belongings covered the floor around me. Xander had gotten all my stuff back from Mama.
“Thank you. Oh my God, you have no idea what this means to me. I have all my things back, and I didn’t have to see her.” I bit my lip and willed my tears back. At least this time they were tears of happiness.
“Okay, wait,” I said as I located his present. “I know it’s not much, but I wanted to get you something,” I said as I shyly handed him the gift.
“You didn’t have to get me anything. I’m just happy you’re here.”
“Open it!” I squealed and clapped my hands like a little kid.
Xander laughed and carefully unwrapped it.
“Wow, this is awesome!” He held up the Seattle Seahawks jersey to get a better look at it.
“Yeah? You like it?” I asked. “It’s Steve Largent’s number.”
Xander stood up and drew me in for a hug. “It’s amazing. Thank you.”
He tilted my chin up toward him and brought his mouth to mine, but it wasn’t a soft kiss, and my body responded instantly. I wrapped my hands around the back of his neck and stood on my tiptoes as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him. Then he gently backed away, allowing us to catch our breath.
“Wow, yeah, I actually do have a gift for you.” He laughed as he kissed the tip of my nose.
“I think that kiss counted,” I said.
Xander stepped away and picked up a small box. He handed it to me.
“You didn’t have—”
“—Shhh,” he interrupted. “Just open it.”
I carefully unwrapped the paper and stared at a small, white box. I lifted the top off and gasped. It was a thin, beautiful gold necklace with a delicate butterfly pendant.
“This is expensive!” I exclaimed. “You shouldn’t have . . . I can’t accept this. You’ve already done so much for me.”