Into Your Hurricane

by Jillian Elizabeth

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Into Your Hurricane

  Jillian Elizabeth

  Prequel to Out of the Storm

  To the two little girls that have melted my heart and stolen it forever. Dream big and never be afraid to spread your wings.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 Jillian Elizabeth

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical without the expressed permission of the author.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover Design copyright © Cover Me Darling

  Photography: AWT Cover Design- Emma Rider

  Cover model: Emma Rider

  Edited by: Virginia Tesi Carey

  Formatted by: JM Walker

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  TRENT SUDDENLY APPEARS out of nowhere and slides his hands around my belly, rubbing his hands under my sweatshirt. His front to my back, I tilt my head back to his chest and just sigh. This man does me in. He knows when I need him and is always so attentive; it's like he has a sonar on when my body is running down.

  “Keep this up, babe, and you're going to be putting me to bed early,” I say, turning in his arms and kissing his chin.

  Lifting his sunglasses, he gives me a devilish grin and grabs my ponytail. Pulling back slightly so I can look at the glint in his eyes, I raise up on my toes to kiss his lips, but he turns and sucks on the sensitive spot of my neck just below my ear. This has an involuntary moan escaping as I close my eyes to the sensation.

  “Ugh, you guys really make me sick sometimes, you know that,” Amy chides.

  Waving her off, I pay no attention to anything around me but this man I love. I don’t see Marissa here, I’m not being stunned when seeing Carter. I see nothing but this man in front of me who needs my attention.

  I'm suddenly shoved backward, as if someone ran into the back of Trent. What the hell?

  “If it isn't the little slut trying to show everyone just how she got knocked up in the first place,” is slurred behind me. Marissa.

  “Oops, did I let the cat out of the bag, angel? Oh, I'm so sorry,” she says, laughing loudly at her own joke. Everyone is now standing around staring at the spectacle that is a very intoxicated Marissa.

  She has a friend standing close, laughing at the whole exchange while she just stares down at Trent. Someone else that wants him, huh? Great, I need another one like a hole in the head.

  I look to Carter across the room, his nostrils suddenly flare and his clenched jaw shows me this isn't what he wanted to hear. I'm pregnant with another man’s child. A child that always should have been his. But that's not how our life worked out.

  “Marissa, shut your mouth!” Trent yells to her while keeping his hold on me.

  I push him away a little so I can turn around and face her.

  “I need to shut my mouth, Trent? I told you this little tramp was nothing but trouble for you. Look at you, you're pathetic. You run back to her like a lost puppy, after what we just shared. Are you even drinking? I told you he couldn't be tamed, sweet face,” she says now practically spitting in my face.

  What did she just say? After what they just shared?

  “That's enough, Marissa!” Trent yells from behind me.

  “It was so good,” her friend purrs next to her while grabbing Marissa’s arm and licking her lips at Trent.

  Placing my hand on Trent’s chest, I silently tell him to let me handle this. I have had enough of this girl. I don't know what she is after with Trent, what she's talking about, or why she just can't take a hint and move on. Clearly she needs a little motivation. I'm done with her games and the surprises of the night.

  I feel a small adrenaline surge course through me I've never felt before, this must be my inner protector coming to rise to the challenge. Well it's about damn time she showed up to help me out.

  You threaten me okay, you humiliate me...not okay, but I can deal. You want to talk about my baby and my relationship with my love like I'm a scam? Nope, not happening.

  I get right into Marissa’s face and she looks in my eyes with disdain.

  Oh it's mutual.

  “If you were so meaningful to Trent, then he wouldn't have found me. What we share isn't something I ever expect a tramp like you to understand,” I say, pulling back a little as her breathing really starts accelerating. I'm far from done here.

  Trent tries to pull me away from this...again, but I hold my ground. “You make your way around the party and everyone sniffs the desperation on you. Come on, Marissa, who are you kidding? You are a one trick pony and good for some party tricks and maybe being the pretty blonde on someone's arm…but keep you? I don't think so, darling.”

  She’s trying to come back with something to say but she keeps looking around at everyone gathered. Including her friend next to her who is she still looking at Trent. She thought she would get me down like she did last time. Not happening.

  The Andrea that put up with everyone walking all over her is no more. Maybe it took seeing Carter tonight. Seeing him brought out the insecurities I had when he told me to leave his apartment the night I left. He really did a number on me and it's been less than a year.

  Now I finally find someone to make me happy and he isn't going to leave me. He loves me and wants a life with me. It's an amazing feeling to have and this chick isn't going to go stepping all over it and plowing it up with her heels! The same chick I last saw with Carter.

  Marissa leans in and whispers, “I'll let you have your little outburst here and now, but mark my words angel, I am not done. He won't stick with the boring little mouse when he can have the playful kitty that knows how to play. You see, little naive Andrea, my friend Tabetha and I just blew his mind downstairs, not thirty minutes ago.”

  “Marissa, that's enough! I am not going to stand here and let you belittle Andrea. We are having a baby together and going to be together whether you agree or not. I have never been happier than I am right now,” Trent says angrily. He's shaking and I've never seen him this way. But I'm not sure why he's shaking. Is it out of rage for what she's said to me? Or is it her outing that he's been with her again. This is too much, I won't spend my life this way.

  Trent pulls me to the hallway to get away
from her. I turn and look up into his eyes, my eyes begging him to tell me she's lying. That he wasn't just downstairs with her and her friend doing...I don't even want to know.

  “Trent,” I say on a plea, my voice cracking. “Please tell me she's lying.”

  “She's not lying, Starfish.” I hear from behind me. Carter. What is he saying? How, how does he know?

  “Stay out of this Avery,” Trent yells angrily at Carter over my shoulder.

  “I can't do that. Andrea happens to mean a great deal to me, and I won't have her bamboozled by your kinks and lying fucking ass. You can't do right by her, then fucking let her go!” Carter yells back, now getting right in Trent’s face.

  Trent gets a little sneer on his face, before he delivers the blow to Carter. “Didn't you hear? We're having a baby. Andrea is pregnant with my child, she's mine Avery. So again, you need to mind your own fucking business.”

  TURNING OFF THE engine to my Mustang, I grab my purse from the passenger seat and open my door to head inside. The door jingles as I walk into the pharmacy, and I'm greeted by the sweet, older lady who has worked there for as long as I can remember.

  “Hey sweetie,” she calls to me.

  “Hi Shirley, just running through real quick on my lunch break,” I say, smiling nervously.

  I don't want her to see what I'm buying. She'll ask! What would this sweet lady think of me? I cannot take that look of pity or distaste. I just can't. How the heck did I get myself into this? Oh yeah, the hot guy in the bar who happens to be in some of my classes at school. Our general study has us in the same speech class together as fate would have it.

  Shaking my head and smiling over my shoulder at Shirley as I go down aisle five, I get busy with what I'm looking for so I can get the hell out of here. Squatting down in front of the rows and rows of pregnancy tests, I'm lost with which one to choose. I haven't even missed my period yet; maybe this is wrong. But something is definitely not right. Closing my eyes, I give myself a pep talk. I have to know.

  Grabbing the one that says it is ‘accurate early’, I head quickly to the checkout hoping Shirley doesn't ask. I grab a pop and chips on the way. Maybe she won't even notice. Just act normal Andrea, I tell myself.

  I set the Mountain Dew and Doritos on the counter. Squatting down, I check out the gum selection below the counter as Shirley walks over to the register. Grabbing the wintergreen flavored pack of gum, I throw it up on the counter with the rest of my purchases.

  She looks up at me while she throws everything in the bag. I really hope she doesn't address the elephant in the room at the moment.

  Handing over my money, she winks at me. I try to smile back naturally, but it feels strained.

  Shirley hands me my change, receipt, and bags. When I take them, she puts her other hand over mine and smiles sweetly while looking right in my eyes.

  Mine well up as I read what she is communicating to me with her eyes, trying to tell me it will be okay, no matter what happens. Wiping my tears, I mouth a silent thank you, grab my bags, and head to my car.

  The drive to my house is on autopilot, which is thankfully only a few miles from school. Getting home, I check the clock. Crap! I only have thirty-five minutes left before I have to be back for class! Running to the bathroom, I grab the twin pack box of tests and rip it open as fast as I can. Putting the seat on the toilet down, I look over the directions on how to use this foreign thing.

  Once I've peed on the stick, I cap it and set it on the counter and wash my hands.

  Side-eying the test, I know three minutes aren't up yet. Ugh...this wait is forever! No big deal...it's only the rest of my life! What will Trent think...what will he do? I'm feeling so sick to my stomach right now with anxiety over the entire situation. Pacing and wringing my hands like I'm about to start a race does me no good. I need to do something...anything else.

  Wasting time, I go and grab my Mountain Dew and hope to calm my nerves a little. My hands shake as I get the top twisted off and take a swig. Putting it down, I head back to the bathroom dragging my feet to face my fate.

  Taking a deep breath, I pick it up off the bathroom counter. Where the heck is the one line or two? Sighing, I scowl at my reflection in the mirror. “Now what?” I say to myself, just as the test slips out of my hands and lands in the sink. Looking down to grab it, I now see that I had it laying on the counter upside down.

  I am staring wide eyed at...two…pink...lines.

  No, no I have it backward. Pregnant is one pink line and not pregnant is two. Yes...isn't it?

  Crap! I grab the directions again and look, while hyperventilating. “Oh God,” I scream as I drop the test in the sink with a clatter. Shaking and dropping to the floor, I sob. I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant! I wish I wasn't here by myself now; I should have waited for Trent. This is a lot to take in while having no one here.

  I take a deep shaky breath and prepare to call Trent. I'm not sure he will like getting news like this at work, but I couldn’t care less. I'm sitting here finding out our new future...by myself. It affects him just as much, and I need to talk to someone before I totally freak out!

  Moving to the living room, I grab my phone on my way to the couch. Sitting down, I dial Trent on his cell and hope he will answer. I need to calm down before I head back to class. Knowing his reaction could go either way scares me. To say I’m in shock is an understatement, but maybe he will be okay with it. Either way, I need to rip this band-aid off.

  “Hey, babe,” he answers on the second ring.

  “Hi, how's your day so far?” I ask, trying not to let my voice show my shaky emotions.

  “It's been busy, but not too bad so far. I’ve had a lot of meetings with corporate on some changes coming through the firm,” he replies.

  Trent is interning at his uncle’s law firm, learning the ropes while still studying at the University of Michigan like me.

  “How's your day at school so far, babe?” he asks sweetly. Taking a deep shaky breath, I try to answer, but it comes out on a squeak. “It's okay.”

  “Babe, what's the matter? Why are you being so short? This isn't like you. Talk to me,” he pleads. I can hear the concern in his voice down the line and it breaks me.

  A sob comes rushing out. “You know how I just haven't felt like myself?” I ask.

  “Yeah...” he draws out.

  “Amy told me she felt like this when she found out she was pregnant with the twins.” The words come rushing out.

  “What are you saying, is that what you think? That you're pregnant?” He sounds like he's clenching his jaw. “I thought you were on the pill!” he whisper yells.

  “I am!” I yell back, thinking he better get the accusatory tone out of his voice right now.

  “Then why would you think that? If you still are, then there's little chance you are.”

  “I am!” I say, it quickly rushing out.

  “I'm sorry, what was that? What exactly are you telling me, Andrea?” he says tersely.

  A sob rips through me. I'm so afraid of how he will react. What will he do, will I be alone? “I got a box of tests on the way home,” I start. “I took one about ten minutes ago. It was positive. I'm pregnant,” I whisper.

  “Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Calm down, babe. This just wasn't anything I expected you to call about.” He must have sensed the panic in my voice, as his own is now more calm and steady, instantly making me breathe a little easier.

  “You said you got a two pack? I'm coming over after I leave here tonight. Do you have class tonight?” he asks.

  “No, I’m very thankful for that,” I say on a sigh. “I do need to get back to class though, I can't be late.”

  “Okay, babe. I’ll see you later tonight.” I can hear the soothing in his voice I need, maybe a small smile of relief on his handsome face.

  Even though he can't see me, I nod my head as a remaining tear rolls down my cheek. “Okay,” I whisper quietly.

  “Hey, babe, don't cry okay? We will be alright. I love you,” he says.<
br />
  “I love you too. I'm just so scared,” I tell him, wiping at my eyes and checking my face in the hallway mirror.

  “Have a good rest of your day. You can do this,” he assures me.

  “Thank you, I’ll try. You too, bye,” I say hanging up.

  “I’m going to be a mom,” I say aloud as I tentatively touch my hand to my lower stomach. It sinks in a little and a warm feeling floods me. I smile through the tears and start laughing like a loon. “I can and will do this,” I tell myself and the baby. “No matter what happens little one, we will be okay. I promise.”

  Laughing to myself, I think about a conversation we had about a month ago. I had asked him if he wanted a family or if he was ever serious enough with anyone to consider it. I wondered if he had any scares, or kids out in the world. He laughed and said he hadn't but that was a scary thought. He even remarked, “for all I know I could have super sperm.” Spoken like a true man.

  We aren't out of the woods with this surprise yet.

  Can our relationship survive this while being so new?

  What about school?

  What about his drinking?

  I should have listened to my dad. I should have waited until I was married to have sex. Then I wouldn't be in this mess, worried if he really is okay with this, that it will be a happy thing or if I will be alone.

  I pray this doesn’t make him spiral to drinking even more…I am fearful of this problem the further we go. I'm the only one that pays attention to it. And I'm the bad guy most time for making a bigger deal out of it than it is…so he says. That thought is truly terrifying. I'm afraid it's so much more.

  SITTING DOWN AT my little cubicle, I scrub my hands down my face. Andrea says she's pregnant, shit! I mean yeah, I've fallen asleep at the wheel. I’ve been careless with sex, but she was protected...I thought.

  Listening to her so distraught and uncertain broke my heart. We haven't been together long, but we love each other. I just hope we can do this, together.

  Never did I think at 22 years old that I would be a ad. No way, not me. I am still just settling in, finishing school and making a career. Sure, down the road I wanted to settle down and eventually have a family, but I'm still having fun. Andrea has been fun, but with just the right amount of normal to make us work. We go out and have a great time with friends, we lay around and watch movies together- it's comfortable being with each other. Being new and finding that is actually pretty great. I really hope this doesn't change that. I need a damn drink.