Savor

by Xavier Neal

  Stuart strolls up and says, “He’s being over dramatic.”

  “Uncle Luke? Never.” Dean’s sarcasm causes us all, outside of Luke, to snicker.

  “Shut it, Kid. I didn’t have to rent out that whole thing for you and your loud mouth friends who, by the way, are shoving an absurd amount of pizza in their mouths in between splashing around in the heated pool.”

  “It’s heated?” His eyes widen.

  “Yeah. And movies along with the gaming system are set up in the media room,” Stuart fills in the answer.

  “Did you do it?” Dean asks as I try to hide the amount of pain I’m in. “Because Uncle Luke knows like nothing when it comes to video games.”

  “I can read instructions on how to hook one up.” He sounds offended. The three of us give him a sarcastic look and he admits, “Fine. Stuart did it.”

  Dean smiles. “Thanks, Uncle Stuart.”

  “My pleasure. Now get in there and enjoy the girls in their bikinis while you can,” he encourages.

  He gets ready to rush away but stops, turns, and kisses me on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “And what am I? Chopped liver?” Luke tosses his hands in the air.

  “Thanks, Uncle Luke,” he says jogging off.

  Once he’s out of sight, I clutch my stomach in pain, doubling over from the severity.

  What the hell is that?

  “You okay?” Stuart asks as Luke tries to help me stand.

  “Maxx,” Luke’s voice sounds almost like it’s faint.

  Why is he suddenly whispering?

  “Maxx,” his voice says again sounding further away than it did before.

  I try to stand back up and can’t.

  Why am I so dizzy?

  The pain takes over and my eyes shut.

  Chapter 16

  Logan

  “I tried her three times,” Si Si says from behind her clipboard as I try to gain my composure. “She’s not answering, Kellar.”

  I run my fingers through my hair, staring at my assistant with a very pissed off expression.

  Of course I got a new assistant. You didn’t really think I’d be dumb enough to keep the other one after her stunt almost cost me my fiancé, did you? Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not that stupid.

  “I don’t know what you want me to do.” She tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder and clutches her clipboard to her chest, her wedding band catching my eye.

  “Did you try anyone else?”

  “I tried everyone else,” her voice meekly informs me. “Your son included.”

  Shaking my head, I rub my chin. “Something’s not right. Maxx and I promised to speak right before and right after my fights—”

  “Maybe something came up.” I glare at her and she snaps, “Stop giving me dirty looks, Kellar! I’m not the one who’s not picking up her goddamn phone.”

  Where could she possibly be? I know it’s the Kid’s birthday today and he was having a party, but she knew I was gonna call. Besides, with everyone there but me to help with the party, it should’ve been no problem for her to step away to wish me luck.

  Frustrated, I turn around and push against the wall, stretching my arms, and taking deep breaths.

  I have to clear my fucking head, but how can I do that when I know something is wrong? I mean, I don’t know something is wrong, but I do. Fuck. I’m not making any goddamn sense, am I? What’s that thing called deep in your gut?

  “I’m not saying ignore your intuition—”

  Is that what that’s called?

  “I’m just saying focus on getting through this fight, and I will spend that entire time trying to find out where Maxx is, okay?”

  My eyes land on Si Si briefly before the door cracks open and it’s show time. I run my fingers through my hair again and walk by her, making sure to mumble, “Find her.”

  Stepping into the ring has always been a peaceful thing. A way to blank my mind. Channel all the hate and misfortune that’s ever come my way. It’s always felt right. Like I belong there. Like I rule there. Never have I ever had a nervous feeling like I do in the pit of my stomach right now. I need to know where my girl is.

  The crowd cheers when they see me in the ring ready to take on my opponent who calls himself Twinkle Toes.

  Don’t look at me. I didn’t fucking name him.

  Twinkle Toes is stout, slightly taller, and packing a helluva devilish look for a dude with angel wings tattooed on his back.

  When the fight finally starts, I am expecting for it to be as easy as the others have been. A few quick hitting combos and for him to fall, but I’m wrong. Twinkle Toes manages to land blows in my face and chest before I have a chance to brace myself. My feet aren’t moving as quickly as usual. My dodges are a few seconds later, landing me more hits than I’ve ever fucking taken in my life in the ring. The sound of the crowd, unhappy with me losing, filters into my mind and I stumble, my back landing against the wall. Twinkle Toes takes the opportunity to throw his fist at my face, his hazel eyes gleaming in the bright lights. The punch takes me back to the first time Oliver ever took a swing at me, which taught me a very valuable lesson. Don’t be the one to ever take the punch if you think your life is worth fighting for. Twinkle Toes goes to hit me again when I block and counter full force. Taken off guard, he stumbles and I lay into him, blow after blow, each packing more heat than the last until he’s the one barely able to stand. He tries to attack and falls back to his knees leading him to tap out, declaring me the winner.

  The crowd cheers and the feeling of my throbbing face is in sync with the throbbing of my heart. I know I need to see the doc and start getting my face healed, but the only thing on my mind is finding out why the people worth fighting for won’t answer their fucking phones.

  What’s the point of having a cell phone if you’re not gonna fucking use it?

  Out of the ring, I’m immediately greeted by the security team, who usher me to my back room away from the cameras, photographers, and journalists. Once we’re in the private hall, I see Si Si and the look on her face says it all.

  Jogging my body towards hers right past the medical assistance, I demand, “Tell me.”

  She wets her lips and braces herself for my wrath. “Call Luke. Call him now.”

  “Si Si—”

  “No.” She hands me my phone. “But I’m right here.”

  My fingers pound against the keys as the doctor tries to look at my face that’s swelling. It rings twice before he picks up. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Maxx,” Luke’s voice whispers out.

  Feeling my chest constrict, I shut my eyes bracing myself for something I know I’m not gonna be able to handle.

  “She’s in the hospital.”

  “What?” my voice booms knocking the doctor back. “Why?”

  “The baby—”

  “Is my baby okay?”

  “Kellar—” his voice tries.

  “Is it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He doesn’t know? How the fuck doesn’t know? He’s a goddamn nurse! He’s probably slept with her doctor before! He should know something! He should fucking know something!

  “I’ll keep you posted.”

  My eyes pop back open. “No you fucking won’t! I’m coming home—”

  “Kellar, it could be nothing—”

  “I don’t give a fuck, Luke! My girl is in the hospital. My baby is in the hospital! I’m coming home.” And with that, I hang up and get ready to throw my phone when Si Si interferes snatching it from me.

  “You’re gonna need that,” she fusses. Before I can chew her out, she says, “I looked into flights. I got you booked for the last one out tonight.”

  “Nothing sooner?” I bark.

  “I’m sorry I—”

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Jake slithers into the conversation.

  “Home.” I inform him shrugging away the doctor who wants to attend to the cut under my eye that I don’t give a s
hit about.

  I’ll give both my eyes right now to know Maxx is okay.

  “You can’t go home,” Jake states. “And let him fix that cut.”

  “I wasn’t asking.”

  “And I wasn’t suggesting.” Jake steps closer to me.

  Not smart. Not right now. No fucking way.

  “You’re not going anywhere but back to your hotel room for the night.” His grin looks more deceptive than normal.

  This is a fucking power play for him? Hope he’s prepared to fucking lose.

  I grab Jake by the collar of his suit and shove him against the wall, his personal security guard comes up quickly. Looking over my shoulder, I state to him, “I wouldn’t move another fucking step closer or I will drop you next.” The guard stops, and I look back at Jake who doesn’t look as nervous as he should. Jake gives the guard a look to stand down. “Let me be crystal clear for you, Jake. I’m getting my ass on a plane tonight and flying to Texas to be with my fucking fiancé who is in the fucking hospital. And there’s nothing you can do to fucking stop me. You wanna cut my contract? Do it. You wanna try to stand between me and my girl again, and I’ll have my lawyer find a fucking loophole to free me and you’ll be out a fighter. And if you don’t think he can possibly pull enough strings to do it, I will throw every fight you put me until I make you the laughing stock of the fucking country.”

  Jake nods and I let go of his jacket. “Si Si cancel his flight.” My fist balls to react when he says, “You can take my private jet. I’ll have Miranda arrange everything. Si Si. Call her.”

  “Yes, sir.” She pulls her phone out and struts away.

  His face tightens, and he nods at me again. “At least let medical fix you up while Si Si gets everything settled. What good are you gonna be to your girl if you can’t see?”

  I nod and allow medical to come back over. Jake looks on as the guy, whose name I can never remember, breaks out that shit that stings to clean the cut. Shutting my eyes, I start to do something I realize I haven’t done since I was 10. I pray.

  When I was 10, I stopped praying because I figured my prayers had been answered. I’d asked for someone to save me from all the beatings, and I’d met Maxx. She saved me then. She saved me when she told me to get in the ring. She saved me when she put on that Ring Side Girl outfit. She’s always been the one saving me. I pray I get there in time to save her. Can you pray with me? I mean it may not be your thing but…I need all the help I can get right now.

  Chapter 17

  Maxx

  The sound of beeping feels close by, and I realize how much I hate Logan’s alarm clock.

  Why would he set it for so early in the morning? I was sleeping so good and now it won’t shut up. Remind me what he could possibly have to do this early? Shit, am I supposed to take him to the airport?

  On the shock that I’m probably late, I shoot up out of bed only to realize I’m tangled in some sort of cords and not in my own bed. Panicking, I look around at the hospital room to see Erin fast asleep in a chair in the corner with C.J.’s arms wrapped around her. Stuart is sleeping in a chair underneath the T.V., his fingers lightly tangled with Luke’s, who has a magazine spread open in his lap, although he’s asleep too. My eyes fall on Dean who’s asleep on one side of my bed, head resting next to my lap, and on the parallel side, Logan. Immediately, I notice his swollen face and gently stroke it. The light touch shoots him up and he grabs my hand.

  “Jumpy much,” I respond leaning back against the pillows.

  There’s a flood of relief in his eyes as he says, “You would be too if it was me in the hospital.” Trying to offer him a smile, I nod at his comment. “You okay, Maximus?”

  “I don’t know,” my voice sighs. “Why I am here? I mean one minute I was having hunger pains and the next…I’m here.”

  Logan’s lips plant a kiss on the back of my hand. He whispers, “Don’t fucking scare me like that, Maximus.”

  “If it makes you feel better it wasn’t on my to do list…”

  He cocks a smile and I look down at my stomach. “Is our baby okay?”

  Logan nods slowly. “Yeah, but, Maxx—”

  “But what?”

  He lets out a deep breath. “You’re not okay. You had some heavy bleeding. You’re dehydrated. You’ve got severe exhaustion. Luke’s pissed off at himself because he feels he should’ve been able to prevent this from happening.”

  “Wait. Heavy bleeding. But the baby—”

  “Is fine. For now, Maxx. The doc says if you keep up like you have been…we could…well we could…” The words choke in his throat and he grips my hand tighter.

  No way. Not gonna happen. I’m not gonna let that happen.

  Tears form in my eyes and he gets up to hug me tightly. “Don’t cry, Maximus. We’re gonna make it.” His lips land next to my ear. “I gotchu.”

  The sound of my sniffling startles Dean awake. He yawns wide before he noticing my eyes are open. “Mom!”

  His loud declaration wakes the entire room.

  Really? I mean I know it’s not the library, but when the entire room is sleeping, how about we use our whisper voice?

  “Hey.” I extend my arms for him to take a turn hugging me. Unsure of exactly when it is, I ask, “Did I miss your party?”

  He nods, and I go to apologize when he says, “It’s okay. Knowing you’re okay is much more important. This is the best gift. You being okay. You are okay, right?”

  “I feel okay.” My shoulders shrug. “Kinda rested for the first time in weeks.”

  “That’s because they hydrated you and doped you up to get some rest,” Luke informs me from the foot of my bed. “Why didn’t you tell me you hadn’t been sleeping?”

  I shrug my shoulders again. “I thought that was normal. You know between this thing growing in me and then work and I never sleep as good when Logan’s not in bed with me—”

  “God, that’s sad,” Erin scoffs rolling her eyes. “It’s not like he’s that comfortable to be sleeping next to.”

  “Maybe not to someone who was just curled up in C.J.’s arms,” Logan punches and folds his arms across his chest.

  “I was not curled up,” Erin denies.

  “Like a baby bear to its mama.” Logan raises his eyebrows.

  C.J. smirks proudly. “Nothing to be ashamed of, Erin. I’ll let you call me daddy if you want.”

  “Ew,” she sneers.

  “I’m in the room.” Luke shoots him daggers.

  Before C.J. can get out another word, the doctor strolls into the crowded room and says, “Well, boy don’t I feel late to the party.” I offer him a smile and he says, “Alright, people, anyone who is not related to the patient please leave.” When no one moves, I smile.

  Family. They’re all my family, huh? Wait. Where’s Tony?

  “Okay. I’ll try again. If you knocked up the patient, please stay.” His instructions cause the others to shuffle out reluctantly, Dean hesitates the most.

  “Kid, I got her. I promise,” Logan says. “Let Uncle Stuart or Uncle C.J. take you home to get some rest.”

  “But—”

  “Kid. She’s gonna need you to have all your strength. Trust me.”

  Dean nods and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too.” I wave to him as he exits the room.

  When it’s just Logan, me, and the doctor, I let my head hit the back of the pillow again, another wave of exhaustion hitting me.

  Is it normal to get this tired so soon after waking up?

  “I see the meds are doing their job.” The doctor smiles softly at me. “Well let me talk briefly before they put you back to sleep. I’m Dr. Strongston. I’ve been keeping an eye on you since Luke brought you in. The good news is that you are indeed alright. Everything that’s going on with you right now can be treated and dealt with. The bad news is you’ll be sentenced to at least four weeks of bed rest—”

  “Four weeks?” I gasp.

  “Yeah. And even from
bed, the amount of stress you put yourself under needs to severely change for your own health and the sake of your child. You lost more blood volume than I am comfortable with, so we are going to keep you overnight for observation and let your OBGYN take a look at you when she comes in tomorrow. From what I’ve seen and what I know, you were in the process of a miscarriage.”

  Hearing him say the words strangles my attempted response. “Mis-mis…misc—”

  “Miscarriage.” he repeats sternly. “The bleeding stopped. Your body, last time I checked, seemed to have completely reset the course of keeping the baby, but we need to monitor you for at least another day. Sometimes these things happen. All I can say is that for your own health and for that of your unborn child, dramatic changes need to be made. We can further discuss that in the morning however. Why don’t you try to get some rest, Maxx. Your family can come back and visit in the morning, alright?” I open my mouth, and he sighs, “I’ll be the one to tell them. Something tells me that they might listen if I say it.”

  “Thanks, doc,” Logan says sitting back down in the chair. When the door shuts, he demands, “Quit your job.”

  Did you hear him correctly?

  “I’m sorry…what?”

  “Quit.” he repeats. “It’s obviously stressing you out—”

  “My job doesn’t stress me out any more than reading a book does.”

  Though that is sometimes stressful. Like when the two characters can’t see what’s right in front of them and you find yourself screaming at the book. Don’t you hate when that happens?

  “And speaking of, where’s Tony?”

  “Out of town,” he answers, “but Dean called him. He hopped a flight to head back, but won’t be in until the morning.”

  “Your flight wasn’t booked solid?”

  “I took a private jet.”

  Confused, I raise my eyebrows.

  “Jake let me and Si Si take his plane.”

  I let out a soft yawn my eyelids getting heavy. “He wants us to move to Cali.”