I hopped out of the truck and slammed the door shut. If it weren’t for the fact that I loved my dad, I’d probably be at some chick’s house getting a blowjob. I pulled off my TapouT hat and turned it backwards.
I was about to knock on the front door when I remembered my dad gave me back my key the last I visited, which was like four months ago. I had to space out my visits with Dad, because every time I stepped foot in this house, it sent me spiraling out of control. I slid the key into the lock, and the door flew open. On the other side was my dad with a beer in his hand wearing his favorite apron that said, ��Fuck your chef if it tastes good.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his ass.
“Well, I’ll be dipped in shit. My son has finally crawled out of his cave to visit his old man.” He lunged forward and trapped me in a bear hug. He picked me up and pulled me inside. When he set me down, I punched his shoulder playfully.
“Dad, shouldn’t you be out playing bingo or something.”
“I get more pussy at the grocery store. I don’t need a damn bingo hall, son.” I punched him again.
“You’re one sick son of a bitch, Dad. You do know that, right?”
“Yeah, and that’s where you get it from.”
As he led the way out to the patio deck, my eyes locked on the family portrait hanging above the fireplace. It was the last family portrait taken of all of us together. I was seventeen in the picture. My dad had his arms wrapped around my mom’s slender frame, and me and Stormie where doing the Hulk Hogan pose. Damn, I missed my sister. She was my world and my heart. I would have done anything for her, and I would do anything to bring her back. I’d do anything to have taken her place, and there’s not one day that goes by where I don’t wish it were I that died that day. My mom, on the other hand… well, I didn’t have a mother as far as I was concerned. After the funeral, she took off, leaving Dad and me without as much as a goodbye. She was dead to me.
I felt my dad walk back toward me. He stopped next me and put an arm around my shoulders pulling me into him. “Come on, son. There some things I want to talk to you about.” I took one last look at the carefree smile on Stormie’s beautiful face before walking away. I should have never come. I could feel the wall I fight so desperately every day to keep from cracking, breaking all over again. It felt like my insides where unraveling, and my head was about to explode. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head.
When I got to the patio, I grabbed two beers and leaned up against the wooden frame of the patio. Snapping one of the beer tops open, I looked up at my dad who was grilling steaks. “So, Dad, what did you want to talk about?”
“I’m doing fine, son, thanks for asking,” he said with a frown on his face. I put the bottle to my lips and chugged the bottle until it was empty before slamming it down on the table. “You know, Ocean, sooner or later you’re going to have to start working your shit out.” I rolled my eyes at him and opened the next beer. “I think it’s been long enough, and you can’t keep blaming yourself for what happened, O. I know you’re hurting. Hell, I’m still fucking hurting. I lost my daughter, and the woman I vowed to love until I died, all in one month. So you can keep rolling those bug eyes of yours all you want, son.”
“Dad, I hope you’re not still watching the Oprah channel, because it’s fucking with your brain cells. I don’t need a lecture, Dad. I’m dealing with my shit the best way I know how and standing here talking about it doesn’t help shit!” He snapped his head up as he narrowed his eyes. My old man was not the one to lose his temper or cool, but every time I came over, and he started this shit with me, chances were that one of us was going to wake up with a black eye and a busted lip tomorrow.
“Son, I didn’t ask you over to piss you off. I wanted to let you know that I was retiring and moving back to Dunlap. Your aunt Layla called me a few times and I don’t think she is doing too well. Something about Law’s dad trying to take the house.” My heart started racing a million miles per minute. Law was more like my brother than my cousin, and I loved the bastard more than anything. I’d do anything for that kid.
“So when are you thinking about going to Aunt Layla’s?”
“Tomorrow, actually. I was hoping you would consider coming with me. I heard Law has something good starting up. You should give the boy a call.”
My heart sputtered. The last time I talked to Law, I told him to go the fuck to hell. It was after Stormie died and that was a little over a year ago. “I’ll think about it.” I looked at my dad, and he frowned shrugging his shoulders.
“You staying to eat tonight?” I took one look at his apron and laughed as I chugged down the last of my beer.
“No, thanks. I don’t feel like fucking the chief tonight.” I said laughing, and my dad joined me.
Chapter Twelve
Livie
‘Livie, baby, wake up. Livie, wake up, baby. Mummy? Why I’m sleepy still. Livie, baby, do you want to feel your little brother kick. My eyes snapped open, and I was not wide-awake. WOW! Mummy, I’m up. I’m up. Can I feel him? What is he doing? Is he happy? Is she playing? Livie, sweetheart, calm down. You always ramble when you’re nervous. Here, give me your hand, and I’ll place it where he’s kicking, okay? Okay, mummy, but why is he kicking you? Is he mad at you, because that’s not nice? Your belly looks like a beach ball, so he should be happy, mummy. Oh, Livie, baby, he’s not mad at me. He’s just stretching. There’s not that much space in there. Are you ready? Yes, mummy, I’m ready.’
“Sunshine, wake up, we’re here, Sunshine.”
“Huh?”
“Hey, Sunshine. Sorry I guess I took the long way to the hospital I didn’t want to wake you up right away.” Oh shit I fell asleep. Oh, my god, was I drooling? Was I talking in my sleep?
“Calm down, Sunshine, you look like you’re about to have a panic attack.” I ignored him. I flipped down the visor to check for drool stains. All clear. “Are you seriously looking to see if you were drooling Sunshine?”
“Is that a crime?” I snapped back. He put his hands up in front of him palms facing me.
“Down, girl. Power naps are supposed to make you happy, not cranky.” I took another look in the mirror, and the dream I was having came back to me. Instantly my eyes watered. Not now. I can’t fall apart now!
I unbuckled my seat belt, opened the truck door, and jumped out. I needed some fresh air. I heard Law do the same, and he slowly made his way toward the back of the truck where I was leaning up against the tailgate. “Do you want to talk about it?” I looked at his baby blues and started to feel bad for being such a bitch.
“No. Not really. It doesn’t matter anymore. Just old memories that won’t go away.” He didn’t say anything just looked down at his shoes and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“I knew you were dreaming because you had the biggest smile on your face, and if makes you feel any better you don’t talk in your sleep. So your secrets are safe.”
I looked up at the stars and wished that would always stay true. My ugly secret needed to stay safe, even from him. “Sorry, Law. I just don’t cope well with certain things.” I said honestly. I knew I could tell him anything. Even for the short time, I’ve known him, but I didn’t trust myself enough to reach out for help. If that’s what I even needed.
“Come on, Sunshine, let’s go meet my mom.”
Making our way through the hospital reminded me of the night my mother died. It was the worst pain I ever felt, and the nurses had to sedate me I was so hysterical. I concentrated on my breathing and Law’s arm around my shoulders. He walked into the elevator, and he pushed the button for the ninth floor.
“So your mom has her own office here?”
“Yeah she practically lives here.” I caught him clenching and unclenching his jaw. Whatever his own demons were, they were close to the surface. I remembered how the phone call from his mom had changed his mood, and I had a feeling in my gut that things were about to get ugly real fast.
As we made our way through a million double d
oors, my nerves started to go haywire. I was going to meet his mom, and I had no idea what to expect. The look in his eyes when he talked about her was a look that a proud son had of their mother. I could tell he loved her more than anything, but something was definitely tense there. “Sunshine.” His voice brought me back to reality. “You’re going to love my mom, but do me a favor.”
“Of course, anything.”
“I want you to come in with me, and don’t leave. No matter what I say or what I do with whatever news my mom gives me, please don’t leave. Can you do that for me?” The simple fact that he was pleading for me not to go broke my heart.
“Of course, I’m not going anywhere. You’re my only ride back home.” I teased trying to get a smile out of him. He gave me a crooked smile, which was good enough for me.
“Okay then, here we go, Sunshine.”
He knocked on a door that had the name of Layla M. Hawthorne. Within seconds, a very pretty and petite auburn haired woman stood in front of us. She looked at her son with a worried smile, and then looked at me with the same expression. She extended her arms to invite us into the office.
“Hey, mom, so what’s the news?” Damn, he went straight for the prize.
“Well, hello to you too, son. I’ve had a great day, how about yourself?” Her voice was serious but the smile in her eyes told me different. So that’s were Law got it from. Her eyes could light up a room just as Law’s did. Walking toward me, she slapped Law on the chest with a stack of papers. “I would like to think my son has better manners, but I’m afraid it’s only wishful thinking,” she teased.
“My name is Layla.” She extended her hand out to me, and I reached out to shake it.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Hawthorne. My name is Livie. Livie Acosta.”
“Oh, please, call me Layla. It makes me feel young,” she joked.
“Okay, Layla, it’s nice to meet you, and I would like to assure you that you indeed did raise a perfect gentleman.” I winked at Law who looked like he wanted to smash something and go all Incredible Hulk any minute now. I guessed it was from the anticipation of receiving news from his father.
“Mom.” His voice sounded strained and he didn’t look too happy with the fact his mom was ignoring him.
“Okay, okay, Law. Pull your g string out of your ass!” I couldn’t help but laugh at her. I did like her. Law frowned at me so I stuck my tongue out at him. Such a party pooper.
“Fine. Lawrence. I received this packet of papers from your father this morning. It was addressed to me here at the hospital but when I opened it, your name was written on the front.”
“Did you read it?” He cut her off.
“Yes, I read it, Lawrence!”
“Well, then tell me what it says.” His voice was getting deeper trying to reign in his anger.
“I’m not your personal secretary, you read it.” She slapped the manila envelope onto his chest, and he grabbed it before it fell. “I’ve got my rounds to do. I’m sure you’ll have questions, but they aren’t for me to answer. I won’t be back up to my office for a while. I’ve got about four deliveries to oversee tonight.” Law was fuming mad at this point. “Law, please keep an open mind about this and know that I’m okay with whatever decision you make.”
She gave him an honest smile and caressed his arm as she walked by. Before leaving, she stood in front of me and smiled. “Livie it was nice to meet you, and I’m glad you came with him tonight.” I looked at her confused. I was about to ask her why but she shook her head. She stepped closer and whispered in my ear. “I trust you, Livie, take care of my Lawrence.” I didn’t know what else to do so I just nodded in agreement. Damn, whatever was in that envelope was definitely not good. Layla opened the door and stepped out.
Law was looking me dead in the face. I walked over to him to close the distance. “How about we sit down and figure this out.” He blinked twice and then walked over to the leather chair behind his mom’s desk and plopped down. He ripped the manila envelope open and flipped to the first page. As he read down the page, his mouth pierced into a tight line. One of his fists was clenched so tight the skin around his knuckles looked transparent.
His breathing was becoming wild and erratic. Shit was about to the fan. Fuck, Livie, think! What can I do? Before I could answer myself, the papers went flying everywhere, and he slammed his fist onto the cherry wood desk sending his mother’s books toppling off the edge. He stood up and stormed out the door. A part of me wanted to pick up everything and put it back in place, and the other part of me wanted to run after Law. The curiosity was eating me alive seeing the papers scattered everywhere. What could have sent him into a full-fledged rage? I pushed the curiosity away and ran out the door after him. He needed me, and I wasn’t going to let him down. Boy, this job was turning into more than I had bargained for.
Chapter Thirteen
Lawrence
From the moment I stepped foot into my mom’s office, I knew something wasn’t right. She was way too calm and her bullshit line about being okay with whatever decision I made was straight up horseshit. My mom was a fighter like me; there was no way she would give up so easily. The only time my dad contacted her or us was to make our lives a living hell all over again. My mom was too good of a woman to have to put up with his shit.
As Livie guided me to the desk, I sat down and prayed that whatever I did tonight didn’t ruin things between us. I could feel myself losing control the way I did during fights, and this was clearly not the right place to lose control like that. I didn’t have anger management issues; I just had issues with being rational, if there’s a difference. Especially when it came to my mom. Nobody fucked with her and didn’t at least get something broken in return, courtesy of her eldest and only son. I had lost count how many times I’d broken my dad’s nose on his so-called custodial visits. Not wanting to drag it out any more, I ripped open the envelope. Livie was nervous as hell. She kept shifting her weight and running her fingers through her silky hair, but my mind was too fucked up to process her anxiety.
As I started reading, I immediately lost it. All moral and rationale was gone by the second paragraph. The motherfucker wanted to take my mom’s house. FUCK NO! I slammed my fist on the table and stormed out. I high tailed it, avoiding the elevator, and hitting the stairwell instead. Taking five steps at a time, I flew down the nine flights of stairs without breaking a sweat. I could hear someone calling after me but couldn’t process who it was. My mind was on a mission and that was to catch a flight to my dads and beat the sorry life out of him. No way was he taking anything else away from my mother. Not while I was still alive. As I reached for the door handle of my truck a body slammed into my back. “WHAT THE FUCK!” I spun around and swung at the small frame in front of me. The small body dodged my swing and came up with her own fist landing a blow to my chin. My head snapped back and hit the driver side window. “DAMMIT!”
“What the hell, Law! I chased your crazy ass down nine fucking flights of stairs, and you think you can take a cheap fucking shot at me!” Livie reached out to slap me, but I caught her hand and pushed her back.
“Back off, Livie! This shit has nothing to do with you. Call a fucking cab! I’ve got somewhere to go.” OH HELL NO! DID HE JUST CALL ME LIVIE, AND TELL ME TO CATCH A MOTHER FUCKING CAB?
“You dumb stupid son of a bitch. Who the fuck do you think you are? You have to be fucking kidding me. I AM NOT CALLING A MOTHERFUCKING CAB, AND YOU DO NOT GET TO CALL ME LIVIE! I’M SUNSHINE TO YOU, ASSHOLE. YOU DICKLESS PIECE OF SHIT!”
Both of her fists came up so fast that I didn’t know which one to block first. Her left hand missed, but her right clocked me right in the nose. I felt the burn shoot down from the bridge of my nose to the tip. Again, she punched me and landed a blow to my chin. When I saw her leg come up to kick me in the rib, I grabbed the back of her thigh and swung her around me, slamming her back into the side of my truck. I pushed hard against her, and I felt the truck shift from the force. I grabbed her other leg t
o keep her from kneeing me in the balls, and she wrapped her legs around my waist. She was going off on me still calling me all kinds of names. Shit! What did I just do! Even though she couldn’t push me off completely, she kept slapping at me and pushing back at me with her chest and hips. It was only a matter of time before the cops showed up. Fuck!
“Sunshine! Sunshine! Listen to me! I’m sorry! I’m really fucking sorry! Sunshine! Stop! Stop fighting me! I’m not fighting back!”
She stopped fighting, her body slumped back against the truck, and she started crying. Not ouch-I-stubbed-my-toe or I’m-crying-because-I’m-really-pissed. She was hysterically crying as if she were hurt… or hurting. Something was hurting inside of her, and it was pouring out of her in her tears and screams.
I’m such a dick! I picked her up off the truck with her legs still wrapped around me and opened the passenger door. Her entire body was shaking, and the hiccups from crying where loud and violent. She had her face buried into my shoulder. “Sunshine, come on. I’m sorry. I really am. You don’t have to believe me or forgive me, but I’m sorry, Sunshine. Please, stop crying. I’ll take you home now, but you have to let go.”
“No… no, I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be alone, Law!” Was all I heard between her sobs? She just literally ripped out my heart and stomped on it with her kickass Steve Maddens.
“Okay, Sunshine, I can stay with you, or you can come home with me. Whatever you want, Sunshine, just tell me, okay?”
“Y… you…” was all she could manage to say as a response.
“Okay, Sunshine, you’re coming home with me. Now let me put you in the truck, and I’ll take us home.”
She slowly unwound her legs from around me, and I lifted her small body up and into the truck. After I closed her door, tears of my own started streaming down my face. This woman was here to change my life, and to change it forever. I jumped up into my truck, pushed the startup button, and sped out into the street. As soon as we were on the highway, Livie unbuckled her seatbelt and laid her head on my lap, curling her body into a fetal position and closed her eyes. I reached my arm around her small frame, and she grabbed it and held it tight across her chest.
Oceans Collide Page 6