by J. N. Pack
“Wh...what?” Maverick stutters.
“Her mom fucked my Dad when Rena and me were babies. She’s my fuckin’ sister.” he says.
“Does Serena know?” Maverick asks.
“Fuck no! I overheard Dad talking to Matt.” he says angrily.
“She doesn’t know, she thought her dad was a man named Doc. If she is really your sister you need to hear what she’s about to tell everyone.” Maverick says.
Slate says, “I dunno man, I just want to get away from her.”
Maverick pats Slate’s shoulder and says, “Just listen to her and then if you still don’t want to be around her then you can leave. Give it a chance.”
Slate and Maverick walk back downstairs. When Wit gets there, Fallon says, “I need…. I need to tell you guys something.”
Maverick moves to sit beside me. He grips my hand in a show of support. I start the heartbreaking story of why we were staying with Liam and end with how my mom used a hanger to abort my child when I was fourteen.
Chapter 19
A fter I finished you could hear a pin drop. Wit’s face was red and swollen with tears streaming down her face. Liam turns punching the wall. Slate looks horrified, sorry, angry, hurt. Finn comes to me throwing his arms around me with tears streaming down his face.
When Finn turns away I say, “Please don’t pity me or feel sorry for me. I didn’t tell you what happened to me for that. I told you so you could understand me more. I don’t know what it’s like for someone to love me or care about me. I may not always react the way I should. I push when I should pull. You guys mean something to me. You guys mean a lot to me actually. I’ve never had this, with anyone.”
Liam steps forward and wraps his arms around me, “I don’t pity you. I pity the mother fucker who did that to you. He will fuckin’ pay!”
“Damn right!” Maverick says from beside me.
Wit comes to me slowly. She whispers, “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I promise you I don’t pity you, but I do wish I could erase all that from your past.”
I wipe the tears from my face and say, “I wish I could erase it, but I can’t. I have to live with it every day. All I can do is learn to live with it and avoid him at all cost. I just can’t see any of you hurt because of me. Even Slate who hates me.”
Maverick glances at Slate who looks like he’s going to be sick and says, “I better go check on him. Will you be okay a few minutes?”
I nod as Wit says, “I got her.”
He smiles and kisses my forehead before walking away.
***********
Maverick and Slate walk upstairs. Once at the top Slate starts, “What kind of Monster does that? The shit she’s been through…” He shakes his head. “The shit her mom allowed to happen to her.” A tear leaks from his eyes as he leans his head back on the wall. “The shit we put her through. She’s my fuckin’ sister. I should have been protecting her from dickheads like us. Instead we became another monster for her.”
Maverick pats his shoulder and says, “All we can do is be the people we should have been. Do what we should have done from the start.”
Slate nods, “Does she know yet?”
“About your Dad?” Maverick asks.
He nods.
Maverick says, “No. Matt and Miri are going to tell her soon. I guess your Dad’s working with the FBI to try and get Gregor.”
Slate nods and says, “He should. He should have saved her from ever going through any of that.”
Maverick nods, “We can’t change what should have been.”
**********
Wit and I are cuddling together on the couch watching Netflix while the guys play pool. After the past couple hours, hell weeks we all just want to chill. Unfortunately Payton had other plans. We all hear her before she gets to the bottom of the stairs. Wit’s eyes widen and I roll mine. I’m emotionally drained right now, I can’t deal with her crap.
“King? I know you’re here. We need to talk.” She says.
“The fuck if we do, kick rocks Payton.” Maverick says ignoring her.
“But it’s important.” she whines.
I sit up watching.
“It’s really not.” he says.
She notices me and I stand. “Say what you gotta say and go Payton!”
“This don’t concern you bitch!” she growls.
“I don’t fuckin’ care! He’s not going to go anywhere with you, so you may as well say what you came to say.” I state.
“You have been enjoying yourself with my baby daddy, haven’t you.” she says looking all too smug.
I hear the pool stick hit the floor as my mouth drops open.
“What the fuck?” Finns says.
Everything in me goes completely numb. My head is spinning and Wit stands with me. Tears fill my eyes as my eyes dart to Maverick, who looks confused.
“That’s right bitches! I’m pregnant with King’s baby.” she continues.
My feet are moving before I realize it and dart up the stairs with Maverick, Slate, Liam, and Wit behind me.
“Fallon wait!” Maverick yells, but I don’t listen. I need space.
I can hear all of them calling me, but I run until I can hardly breathe. Darting in the woods making my way towards town, I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I have to get out of here. I turn my phone on silent and walk trying to clear my head. It’s spinning. I feel sick to my stomach. I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.
She’s pregnant. She’s having his baby. Why would God do that? Why would he allow me to fall in love with someone who’s having a baby with someone else? Why rub it in my face? Finally getting the best of me my stomach turns and I find myself puking on the side of a tree. I have no idea where I’m going, but I’ve got to get out of here.
I pull out my phone and message Max.
Fallon: You around town, I need a ride and a loan if you can
Mighty Max: I got you, meet me at the coffee shop in 10
Fallon: Give me 30 to get there
Mighty Max: I’ll be there
Fallon: Thanks!
I look at my other messages.
Maverick: Baby please come back. Please, it’s not safe
Maverick: Fallon? Please call me.
Liam: Fuck! Where you at?
Wit: Fal, I’m scared please call me.
Maverick: I’m sorry I didn’t know.
Finn: Fallon, I’m sorry. I wish I knew what to say.
The next message breaks my heart.
Maverick: I love you Fallon. I can’t lose you. Please call me.
Slate: You’re my sister. My Dad is your Dad. I don’t hate you, I just didn’t know how to handle it. You’re not safe. We just got you we can’t lose you.
Tears burn my eyes. God teased me with everything I’ve ever wanted, just to snatch it away.
Liam: Please get a hold of one of us. Let us know you’re safe.
I’m so lost in the messages I don’t hear the car pull up next to me until a hand is shoved over my mouth and I’m shoved into the trunk of a car.
Chapter 20
M averick is being restrained by Liam, Finn, and Slate. “You fuckin’ bitch! I used a condom every time I fucked you. If you’re pregnant it’s not my kid.”
Payton whines, “It must have had a hole or something, I dunno.”
Maverick growls, “You lying cunt!”
“Kiii.” she starts as Liam snatches her by the arm and drags her to the door, “Get the fuck out Payton!”
As he is coming back down the stairs Wit says, “Guys….somethings wrong.”
Maverick is at her side, “What?”
“Max texted me asking if I had seen Fallon. When I asked why he said she asked him to meet her for a ride and a loan. He said he’s been waiting for forty-five minutes and she hasn’t shown up.” Wit says.
The color drains from Maverick’s face. He grabs his phone calling Matt. Slate calls his Dad.
“Dad. You have to help her Dad! You don
’t know what he’s done to her.” Slate says.
“Who son?” Austin asks.
“My sister.” Slate says panicking.
“What’s wrong with Rena Slate?” he asks. “Who has her?”
Slate yells, “Not Rena! Fallon!”
“Wh...How… How do you know about her?” Austin asks.
“I heard you talking to Matt. You have to help her. That man has her.” Slate continues.
“Jesus Christ! I have to go!” he says, but before he hangs up Slate heard him growl, “Move Now!”
**********
I wake up to the coppery taste of blood on my tongue. My head was really throbbing.
“Harper!” a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time says.” Harper, Harper, Harper!”
I spat blood onto the floor. “Gregor!”
“Let’s skip the formalities, call me Michael.” he says.
“Dead is what I’m going to call you if you fuckin’ touch me again!” I growl!
The back of his hand smashes across the left side of my face. My ears instantly start ringing and my face burns feeling wet.
“DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!” I chant.
He swings again hitting the right side of my face. I feel my lip split as he says, “You were a lot less mouthy when you were younger.”
“I was a kid! You fuckin’ raped me!” I screamed!
“Oh what fun we had!” he taunts.
“Dead! Dead! Dead!” I chant. My hands tremble, that's the only sign of how terrified I am right now. “DEAD!” I taunt. I can take a hit. I can take a punch and I can live with a broken bone, but after Maverick, I’d never be able to live with this monster touching me again.
He snatches my hair and punches me in the kidneys, “This could be so much easier.” Then he punches me in the face. “Let’s see!” He looks through my phone, “Hmmm, so which of these boys have been playing on my playground?”
I press my lips together in a firm line not willing to give anything away.
“Liam?.... no.Finn?.... Maybe. Slate?....Probably not. Maverick….. Oh he has definitely been playing with my belongings.” He drops the phone to the floor and moves towards me, where he ripped my shirt open. He swings to hit me, but the door is swung open.
“Don’t fuckin’ move!” an angry voice yells.
Matt shoves Gregor away from me while the other guy cuffs him shoving him to another guy. Feeling overwhelmed and as my adrenaline fades, I pass out. I hear the other man talking to Matt. “I’m taking her to St. Paul’s. You and Miriam can meet me there”
**********
The next time I wake up all I can focus on is the beeping machines. I drift off again. When I wake again a strangely familiar man is sitting beside me. “Har… I mean Fallon. I’m Austin…. Austin Williams…”
“Are you my Dad?” I ask.
He drops his head and says, “Not that I’ve been a very good one to you, but yes I am your Dad.”
“Slate…. He’s my brother?” I ask.
“He is and Serena is your sister. They’re six months older than you are.” he says.
Feeling overwhelmed, I whisper, “I… I think I need to sleep.”
He kissed my forehead and said, “Rest sweetheart rest!”
The next time I wake up Matt and Maverick are arguing at the door. Matt was blocking Maverick from getting to me.
“Mav…” and my eyes fluttered shut again.
It’s quiet other than the beeping the next time I wake up. My room is full of people in odd positions sleeping. Everyone. Liam, Wit, Finn, Slate, even Serena. Everyone, but Maverick.
“You awake?” Liam asks quietly.
“Where’s….” I start.
“Your uncle blamed Maverick. Even banned him from your room.” Liam says.
“I… I...it’s not his fault. I ran. I did this.” I say. “He can’t have the blame for this.”
“I’m not sure you’ll ever be able to convince Maverick of that.” he says.
“Is it true? Is she having his baby?” I ask weakly.
“That’s what she says. Maverick says he used a condom every time they messed around. I don’t see Maverick being that careless with her. I dunno.” he says.
Tears fill my eyes. Liam squats by the bed so we’re eye to eye. “Maverick doesn’t do what he does for you for just anyone. He loves you. I wish this was easier for you guys, but it’s not. You have to decide. Is he worth it to you?” and he kisses my temple. “I know without a doubt you are worth it to him.”
Chapter 21
I ts three days before I’m able to leave the hospital. Three days with no sign or word from Maverick. I miss him with everything in me. Liam’s come back every day to check on me and promised he was letting Maverick know. According to Wit Maverick’s been staying at Liam’s drunk. Payton and Sawyer keep showing up, but Maverick won't have anything to do with them. Liam’s had to kick Payton out several times to keep Maverick from ringing her neck.
When it’s time for me to leave it’s just Uncle Matt, Aunt Miri, and Austin. He said it was okay if I wanted to call him Austin if I wasn’t comfortable calling him Dad.
“I want to go back to Liam’s.” I say quietly.
“Absolutely not!” Uncle Matt says.
“It’s not his fault.” I whisper.
“You could’ve been killed.” Aunt Miriam says.
“I ran. I heard something that I didn’t want to hear and I ran. It wasn’t Maverick’s fault. He did everything he could. It’s my fault.” I say.
“Matt we’ve known Maverick his whole life. You know he’d never let her get hurt.” Austin says winking at me.
“But she did. He was supposed to protect her.” Uncle Matt says.
“I ran. It’s my fault. I didn’t want them hurt because of me. If you don’t drop me off I’ll just sneak out. Maverick would never hurt me or let anyone else hurt me.” I say.
“Fallon…” Aunt Miriam says.
I look at her.
“Does he mean that much to you?” she asks.
“More. He means more.” I say hopeful.
“Matt, sweetie, take her. I know you want to protect her, but you know he’s not going to hurt her. She will be safe.” she says.
Matt is quiet for a moment. When he finally speaks I am starting to slightly panic. “Fine! But keep your phone on so we can check on you.”
I nod, “Thank you.”
When we pull up at Liam’s, Hunter is galloping around like a horse. As I go to look back, I whisper, “I love you guys.” and shut the door behind me. I watch them as they pull away. Hunter is too interested in a critter crawling in the grass to bother me. Knowing they were all in the basement I head down.
When I get down there my heart shatters when I see Maverick. He is definitely drunk. Beyond drunk. Finn is sitting beside him and every time Maverick goes to fall asleep, Finn nudges him. Liam sees me first and smiles brightly.
“Is he okay?” I whisper.
Liam nods and says, “He will be now.”
I make my way to the bottom step. I slowly walk over to Maverick who is having issues holding his eyes open. Finn grins up at me moving across the room. I run my hand through Maverick’s hair and he looks up at me.
“Is it really you?” he asks.
I nod and rub my hand along his cheek.
Tears fill his eyes, “I’m so sorry. I should’ve protected you. I’m so…..”
I push my finger over his lips, “Shhh.”
He leans his head forward on my stomach gripping my hips. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss the top of his head. “I’m sorry,” he says again.
I pull his face up to look at me and say, “I love you too!”
His eyes widen and he says, “I love you.”
I whisper, “I know it’s not your fault. I did this. Stop apologizing. It’s not your fault.”
“But…” he starts.
“But nothing. You were taking care of me and I ran. Not your fault.” I say.
“But Pay�
�.” he starts.
“Is a bitch and she’s probably lying. If not we will cross that bridge when it comes.” I say. I lean down and kiss him like it’s the last time I’ll ever get to kiss him.
Payton choses that precise moment to come charging down the stairs. Maverick’s hands are on my hips and he’s looking up at me.
“You fuckin’ bitch! Get your fuckin’ hands off him.” she demands charging down the stairs. Serena steps forward before she can get to us and says, “Give it a rest.”
Payton glares ta her and says, “Who the fuck are you?”
Serena glances around nervously and I look at her. She fuckin’ knows. “She’s my sister.” Serena says quietly. “And I’m sick of your bullshit. King has never liked you. Saying you’re pregnant is not going to change that.”
Maverick leans his head against my stomach like he was barely holding on.
Payton looks stunned. “But…. but I really am. She’s your sister?”
Slate says, “Yea she’s our baby sister.”
Finn looks up at Payton and says, “If you really are pregnant, it’s not his. King is too careful. Especially with you.”
“What’s that supposed to men?” Payton growls.
Maverick jumps to his feet angry pulling at his hair with his hands and yells, “I fuckin’ hate you Payton! I was always fuckin’ careful, because I didn’t want to get trapped with you. Baby or not, you’re not going to get what you want!”
I move between them to keep him from moving closer to her. Liam comes to his side as I try to calm him down. Liam says, “On that not, Payton you’ve got to get the fuck out. Oh and don’t fuckin’ come back.”
When Payton starts to argue Liam and Finn escort her out.
Maverick slams back another shot and I move the empty glass away. “I think you’ve had enough mister.”
He turns looking at me like I kicked his dog. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
I tense and step back. He comes at me again. Getting nose to nose with me and growls, “Just because we fucked doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do.” His veins were protruding from his temple.
I step back again with tears in my eyes. I turned and walked up the stairs not stopping until I was outside. I take a deep breath sucking in as much fresh air as I could get, before dropping to the steps. I focus on my breathing. In… Out… In… Out.