Unplanned Love (Savage Love)

by Woody, Jodi

  Meanwhile, Seanna was ready for her date. Now that the time was here, she wished she hadn’t agreed to go. Feeling sorry for someone wasn’t a good way to start a relationship. As she was heading down the stairs she had pretty much made up her mind to call and cancel when she saw Bryce and Alyssa hugging on the couch. She choked back the tears and quietly headed out for her dinner date. You need to go. You can’t come between them. And it’s just dinner with a guy who is lonely. By the time she got to Carl’s she had calmed down and accepted her fate. Peter senior was there waiting for her, and she had to admit he cleaned up pretty good. It was the first time she had seen him out of his work clothes.

  Samantha thought it was all going well until half way through dessert, he looked at his plate and shook his head, “Seanna, I’m sorry…I just can’t do this. You’re a nice girl and all, but I don’t think I’m ready to date.”

  “Oh…Peter its ok, really. I’m not looking for a relationship right now either,” she assured him.

  “I somehow thought that with Peter liking you so much that…I don’t know…I’m an idiot. Look, I’m just gonna go. I’ll pay for everything on my way out. Sorry,” he looked close to tears.

  “Ok, look, no big deal. I’ll see you when you drop your little guy off on Monday,” Seanna said, not wanting things to be strained between them.

  “Yeah, thanks for being so understanding,” he gave her a sheepish smile.

  Seanna picked at the remainder of her dessert and finally gave up. So much for trying to move on. I guess nobody wants me, Kevin never did, Bryce is in love with Alyssa and now super-dad still loves his ex. She was on her way out when a group of guys came in.

  “Where you going little lady?” asked the better looking one in the bunch.

  “Home,” she said trying to walk around them.

  “Aw, but it’s still early. Why don’t you let me buy you a drink?” he asked with a friendly smile. “Don’t let the other guys scare you, they’re not as mean as they look. I’m Chad, my buddies and I just got done helping a friend move and we decided to grab a few beers. Why don’t you join us?”

  Why not? she thought, saying “Sure…ok.”

  Chapter 16

  Incalculable Error

  Seanna knew she had had too much to drink, she knew that she shouldn’t be in this motel room with a guy she just met at a bar, she knew that she was making all the wrong decisions, but she just was so past caring that she turned off that still small voice. I just want to forget! Is that so terrible! Stumbling into the room with Chad, Seanna laughed as she closed the door behind them. He obviously wasn’t as drunk as she was. He wasn’t having any trouble standing as she clung to him. What he took as passions was simply her attempt at staying upright.

  Soon she found herself on the bed and Chad was whispering in her ear. The room was spinning around her and her heart was literally pounding in her ears. She willed her mind to shut up, but it rebelliously continued to replay the picture of Bryce and Alyssa in each other’s arms. Though she could feel Chad’s wet kisses and could feel his hands roaming over her body, she felt unattached to what was happening. It was as if she was out of her body watching from the edge of the room. What she saw disgusted her. A drunken woman, makeup smeared, hair in disarray, half dressed, in an intimate situation with a total stranger, pawing and panting like an animal. Suddenly she was back in her body and struggling to get out from under the weight. Pushing with all of her might, she managed to shove Chad off.

  “What the hell?” he exclaimed.

  “Get out!” she cried. “Get out!”

  “What’s wrong with you? Are you on drugs?” he exclaimed as he picked himself up off the floor.

  “I made a mistake…I can’t,” she said tears streaming.

  “Hey, I already paid for the room!” he interjected.

  Seanna got up and grabbed her purse, she dug through her wallet and grabbed some cash. He grabbed the bottle of booze and held out his hand for the money. As he walked out she reached over and took the bottle out of his hand.

  “Keep it,” he sneered as he walked out of the room.

  Seanna locked the deadbolt and sagged against the door. Within minutes she was even drunker and more depressed. Managing to wash the makeup off of her face and get partially undressed, she flopped into the bed. Lying in bed, feeling so alone and shaken over her behavior, All rational thought had vanished. She could only think of one thing. Bryce. She needed Bryce.

  Bryce and Alyssa were sitting on the patio, having talked way into the night, when his phone rang. “It’s Sea,” he said with his brows drawn together. “Hello.”

  “Bryce…” she slurred.

  “Sea, what’s wrong? Where are you?” he asked.

  “Bryce I messed up…you won’t love me anymore…” she said incoherently.

  “Sea, are you drunk?” he asked in shock.

  “It’s all my fault…I just needed someone…”

  “Seanna, where are you?” he demanded.

  “I’m at a motel…keep-away…no…” she giggled, “Sleepaway.”

  “The one in town? Are you ok?” he looked at Alyssa with fear in his eyes.

  “Mmmm…yeah…?” she continued to slur.

  “Seanna, I’m coming, ok? Don’t hang up! I’m on my way,” he cupped his hand over the phone and told Alyssa that he was going to go get her. “If we aren’t back before morning, cover for us, ok?”

  “Sure, be careful,” answered Alyssa, following Bryce to the house. “Call me when you get there.”

  “Seanna, are you alone?” he asked turning his attention back to his phone.

  “Yep, he’s gone…I couldn’t…he’s gone,” she answered.

  “Who’s gone?” he asked as he piled into the car.

  “Umm…I can’t remember…it wasn’t you …I’m your sister…”

  “Yes, Sea, you’re my sister, Big Bro is on his way,” he assured her.

  “No, don’t want a brother…want you…bye, Bryce…bye...”

  “Seanna, don’t hang up!” he was too late, she was gone. He tried dialing her back several times on his way to town. When he was almost there she finally picked up the phone, but must have dropped it. He could hear her breathing and that was good enough for him.

  It wasn’t until he pulled into the motel, that he realized he didn’t know what room she was in. Running into the lobby, he rang the bell for the night clerk.

  “Need a room?” asked the sleepy woman as she came out of a back room.

  “No, I’m looking for my sister. She called from here and asked me to come and get her. I think she passed out and I don’t know what room she is in,” he explained.

  “Short girl with dark curly hair?” asked the desk clerk.

  “Yeah, that’s her,” he answered.

  “I saw her go into room twenty-one earlier with the guy that paid for the room. She looked pretty wasted. He didn’t stay long, squealed out of here quite a while ago,” she said handing Bryce a room key. “Hope she’s ok.”

  Bryce didn’t even bother knocking, but just let himself into the room. Seanna was curled up in one of the beds with her cell lying on the pillow next to her. He shut off her phone and quickly called Alyssa and let her know that he had found Seanna. “She’s passed out. I think we’ll just stay here and let her sleep it off. Can you just tell everyone in the morning that we had to come into town? I’ll let Seanna explain what she wants to later.”

  “Sure, are you ok?” asked Alyssa sleepily.

  “Yeah, I’ll feel better once I know what happened. She checked in with some guy,” he sounded clearly shaken.

  “Well, try to get some sleep; I’ll pray for you both. Night, Bryce.”

  “Thanks, good-night Alyssa.”

  Bryce made sure the door was locked then as carefully and quietly as he could, he took Seanna’s shoes off, pulled down the heavy bed spread and covered her lightly with just the sheet. He stroked her heavy hair away from her damp face and placed a gentle kiss on her for
ehead. Checking the air conditioner, he saw that it was turned up as high as it would go. Since Seanna was oblivious, he felt comfortable stripping down to his boxers and wearily flopped into the other double bed. Sleep came much more quickly than he thought it would and he slipped into fragmented dreams.

  Sometime during the night, Seanna awoke to a full bladder and total disorientation. Silver moonlight was streaming into the room from a gap between the curtains. She looked around, finally recognizing her surroundings. Memories came crashing in as she realized where she was. Noticing a body in the bed next to hers caused her heart to jump into her throat. Getting to the bathroom quietly, not wanting to wake up her unwanted roommate, ended up being harder than it should of, obviously she was still a little drunk. Once she emptied her bladder, she decided to try and sneak out of the room. Tiptoeing past the man in the bed to find her shoes and her purse, she couldn’t help but take a last look on the person she had spent the night with. The moon light lit up the face in the bed next to her.

  Byrce! How did he get here? Did I call him…what did I say to him. I told him I loved him and didn’t want to be his sister…he came…Bryce.

  She eased herself onto the bed next to him and watched him sleep for a few minutes. He was sleeping with his mouth slightly open and a slight smile on his face. It seemed so natural for Seanna to lie down next to him in the bed and snuggle into his side. Bryce stirred, and she thought she had woken him. But he only turned and put an arm around her. They were lying face to face. Seanna’s heart felt like it was going to burst. Almost without her knowledge, she leaned in and kissed him softly on the mouth.

  Bryce was dreaming. He dreamt of Seanna…they were on the beach…kissing. Somewhere between sleep and reality, Bryce returned Seanna’s kisses. Losing herself to her long desire for Bryce’s love, Seanna held tighter and her kisses became more desperate. He whispered her name and a soft moan escaped from her lips. Bryce came fully awake. Jerking away from Seanna, he pushed her away and looked into her face. What am I doing?

  “Bryce…” she pleaded, and he could smell the liquor on her breath. She reached out and put her hands back around his neck, pulling him in.

  “Seanna…stop,” he said. He disentangled himself from her arms and sat on the edge of the bed. He sat there with his head in his hands.

  Seanna crawled across the bed and laid her head against his back. “Bryce?”

  He stood up from the bed, grabbing his pants and shirt. “Seanna, I’m sorry…go to sleep,” he choked out. Shortly after he stormed into the bathroom, she heard the shower going. I’ve ruined it! Now he won’t even love me as a sister…Feeling ashamed for trying to seduce him, when clearly he was disgusted by her behavior, she finally cried herself to sleep.

  Bryce stood in the shower totally appalled at his behavior. He had almost caused irreparable damage to the person he loved most in the world. Thank God, he had been able to come to his senses. She would never have been able to forgive him for taking advantage of her while she was under the influence. How will she ever be able to forgive you now? How can she ever think of you as her brother again? Now you’ve lost her…He stayed in the shower until his fingers began to wrinkle. He took his time drying off and getting dressed. When he finally worked up the courage to face Seanna, he found her sound asleep, curled up in his bed. Lying in her bed, it took much longer for him to fall asleep this time.

  The next morning, Bryce awoke to the sound of Seanna leaving. “Where are you going,” he asked panicking.

  “I’m going to go get us some coffee. Then I just want to go home,” she said refusing to look at him.

  “Can we talk about this,” he asked full of remorse.

  “Not now,” she said with her voice full of regret.

  As soon as she shut the door, Bryce was up. By the time she got back he was waiting by the door. Seanna silently handed him his cup and stood walked back out the door. She followed him to the car and they both got in without exchanging a single word. It wasn’t until they were about halfway home that Bryce tried again.

  “Seanna, I just want…” he tried.

  “Just drop it, Bryce. Nothing happened, just forget it.”

  “So…we’re good?” he asked hopefully.

  “Yeah, we’re good,” she said with a sigh.

  “Will you still let me be your brother?” he asked.

  Seanna gave a cynical laugh and said, “Siblings don’t seduce each other.” Tears again threatened. How can he even think about forgiving my behavior?

  “No, you’re right. They don’t,” he replied broken hearted. She’s right, I am a pig. “Sea…” he said with his voice quavering.

  “Shut up, Bryce. Please, just forget about it.” They drove the rest of the way in silence. Both broken hearted.

  Chapter 17

  The Day After

  When they got home, it was early. Everyone was still in bed and Seanna escaped to her room, flinging herself on the bed and allowing the release to come through her hot tears. Bryce turned on the coffee pot and went upstairs to take another shower and changing into fresh clothes. By the time he came downstairs; Alyssa was up and pouring herself a cup of coffee. She took one look at him and poured a second cup setting it on the bar in front of him.

  “You look like crap,” she said looking over at him.

  “I feel worse.”

  “Want to talk about it?” she asked.

  “It’s such a mess…I still can’t believe it…” he said shaking his head.

  “Was she with another guy?” asked Alyssa with concern.

  “She had been…Alyssa…I never even asked her what had happened…what if she had already…” he couldn’t even finish the sentence, but started crying, elbows on the bar and head in his hands.

  Alyssa placed one hand on his back and with the other she grabbed his arm, giving her what comfort she could. Seanna chose that time to look over the rail and saw the intimate moment between them. Her knees gave out and she sank to the floor. Putting her hand to her mouth, she managed to pull herself up and made her way back to her room. Alyssa waited patiently for Bryce to pull himself together. Finally he wiped his eyes with a napkin and giving his back a final pat, she picked up her coffee again.

  “So what happened?” she asked gently.

  “I got to the motel and the clerk said Seanna had shown up with some guy, both were drunk and apparently he didn’t stay long. By the time I got into her room, she was passed out in the bed. I guess I was so stressed out on the way up there that I pretty much passed out as well. Then…I don’t know, I was dreaming, or thought I was, but when I woke up…Seanna was in my bed…God, I almost let it go too far, we were kissing…she was still drunk, I could smell the booze on her…” he tried to explain.

  “But you didn’t…let it go too far?” she asked softly.

  “No! But, she was almost begging me to stay in bed. The poor girl…she’s so vulnerable right now and I’m supposed to be her brother. I’m supposed to protect her from guys like that. Now, she doesn’t even want to be my sister. I don’t know what to do…”

  “Look, why don’t you give her some time, maybe a little space,” she suggested.

  “How do I do that, summer break isn’t over for another month?” he asked.

  “You could go with me. I’m a little nervous and could use the moral support. That would give you a good excuse to leave,” she said.

  “I hate that we’d both be leaving at the same time. But she doesn’t want me, and you owe it to yourself to go and see what Jeff wants,” he worried. “Do you think I should talk to Samantha about this?”

  “I think that for right now, you should leave that choice to Seanna. They are pretty close.”

  “What’s Samantha going to think about my seducing her daughter?” he lamented.

  “I’m sure she will understand. We can’t help who we love, Bryce. Samantha knows that, and I am sure, given time, that Seanna will be able to see that as well, and forgive you.”

  “I hop
e so…so what time are you leaving?” he asked.

  “My flight leaves at one fifteen.”

  “I better call and see if I can get on that flight,” he said. “Thanks, Alyssa.”

  Seanna slept through most of the day. Bryce had made up a story about having to go and pick Seanna up after she called him, saying she was too sick to drive. Samantha had peaked in to check on her daughter a couple of times. The first time she had been sleeping. The second time Samantha had heard her daughter crying softly into her pillow, but she had decided not to pry, knowing in her heart that Seanna was going through something that she had to work out on her own. By late afternoon, Seanna showered and changed and made her way downstairs.

  Trisha and Samantha were in the kitchen doing dishes while Leal and Daffyd were getting things ready out on the patio for what looked like an evening of playing cards. The girls didn’t hear Seanna come in, so Samantha was a little startled when her daughter gave her a hug from behind, resting her head on her mom’s shoulder.

  “Feeling better?” asked Samantha, as her daughter pulled away. “There is some left over’s in the fridge, probably still warm.”

  “I think I’ll just have some fruit,” she answered as she grabbed a banana off of the counter and filled a big glass with water from the fridge.

  “Where’s Bryce and Alyssa?” she asked slowly pealing her banana.

  “Didn’t they tell you?” they left for Lucille and Bryson’s earlier this afternoon.

  “Oh, yeah…I guess I forgot,” she said sadly. Of course they left, they couldn’t stand to be around you a minute longer.

  “You know, I feel like I might be sick. I’m going to go back to bed,” she said grabbing her water.

  “If you need anything just holler,” said Samantha. After she turned to leave, Samantha watched her daughter as she practically ran up the stairs.