by S. M. Koz
“We have to go get it.”
“Where?”
“I’ll tell you when we get in the car.”
He’s smarter than he lets on and has effectively called my bluff. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
His arm tightens on my neck and he starts dragging me toward the door. I don’t think he’d actually seriously injure me with the knife, but I’m sure he’d kidnap me.
“What in the hell is going on?” Gil’s voice booms from the stairwell. Gigi shrieks as soon as she notices the mess and me with a knife held to my throat.
I can’t see what happens, but the next thing I know, there’s a loud whack and then Chase is on the ground unconscious while my mom stands over him, holding a pool cue.
Brad rushes to my side, leaving bloody footprints on the tile, and then inspects my neck. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” My voice is hoarse, but I’ll be okay.
Police sirens sound outside, quiet at first, but more loudly as they approach, no doubt alerted by the security system. Gigi says she’ll meet them and then disappears upstairs. Minutes later, the persistent alarm stops, making the whole situation seem a little less chaotic.
Gil crosses the room and crouches down next to Chase. He raises his eyelids, then puts his hand to his neck. Satisfied by what he finds, he glances up toward us. That’s when he notices the blood following Brad around.
“How deep is that?” he asks.
“It’s nothing.”
“You sure?”
“I want my money!” my mom screams, still holding the pool cue overhead. “Who is going to pay me?!”
“Mom!” I yell back at her, my throat clenching in revolt. “Let it go,” I say more quietly. “You’re not getting any more money.”
“You promised me,” she yells, charging me again. Brad intercepts, picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder. She kicks his stomach until he uses one arm to hold her legs tight.
“You had an obligation to take care of me, but never did. Now we’re even,” I say, rubbing my neck. “We both let each other down.”
“You ungrateful bitch,” she sneers, still trying to reach me from her position. “I did plenty for you.”
I laugh at her. She must be blitzed to think that, although she doesn’t seem to be. This is her nasty sober attitude.
“I should’ve given you to Matty and Axel years ago like they asked.” She spits at me since her arms aren’t able to reach me. It lands on my shoe. “Then you’d really know Hell and could stop your pathetic whining about how bad your life is. You aint’ had it so bad,” she says, shaking her head and pointing her finger at me.
I still at her words. I always suspected Axel and Matty wanted me to join in the family business, but figured they left me alone because of Chase. He and Axel are best friends. I had no idea my mom played a role. “You’re the one who kept them away?”
“I worked twice as hard for half the pay and how do you thank me? By running off with some sugar daddy and giving me nothing!” She starts pounding on Brad’s back. “Let me down!” she hollers.
Brad obeys by dumping her on the sofa.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, sitting on the other end from her. “I had no idea.”
“You owe me!” she yells, pointing her finger at me again, but not bothering to attack this time.
“You’re right. I do. My life could have been a thousand times worse.”
“Bet your ass. Get me the money.”
“No,” I say with conviction. “I’m not giving you money you’ll waste. I’ll send things that you need. Clothes, shampoo, cleaning supplies, food.” With my allowance, I can send her a few things each week. I’ve also been thinking about getting a job. That would help.
My offer seems to satisfy her. She slumps down against the cushions and pouts, but remains silent.
“Right this way, officer,” Gigi says, ushering two uniformed cops down the stairs.
“What happened?” one of them asks, surveying the scene.
“We need an ambulance,” Gil says, standing up next to Chase. “He’s unconscious.”
Gigi must just then notice Brad’s blood-soaked pants. “Your leg!” she shrieks, rushing to his side.
“I’m fine,” he says, waving her off.
“You are not fine. You need to go to the ER right now. We need two ambulances!”
“I don’t need an ambulance,” he protests.
“Then I’ll drive you there.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. Ambulance or me. Take your pick.”
“Fine,” he replies, rolling his eyes. “You can take me.”
“Good. Hailey, you tell the policemen what happened while we’re gone.”
The taller cop calls in an ambulance on his radio while the shorter one sits between me and my mom on the sofa. “Tell me exactly what happened,” he says, pulling out a notebook.
*****
“How are you feeling?” I ask, pulling the blanket up to his neck. Brad was in and out of the ER in about an hour, fully stitched up and loaded with some happy pills and antibiotics. He even made it home before the cops left. I guess that’s a benefit of having a dad who works there. With a couple calls, Brad was treated like a VIP.
“Good,” he murmurs. “But I’d feel even better with you next to me.”
“Your mom’s not done checking on you for the night,” I say, sitting on the edge of his bed.
“Tell her you’ve got it covered.”
“And take away her chance to spoil her baby boy? Not on your life.”
As if on cue, Gigi strolls through the door holding a tray. “How’s our patient?” she asks, remarkably up beat given it’s after three in the morning.
“This patient needs more girlfriend and less mom,” he complains.
I smack his arm. The happy pills seem to be inhibiting his filter. He needs to be careful or he’s going to say something stupid.
“In a few months, you’ll have all girlfriend and no mom,” she responds, not getting too upset by his words. “You better enjoy the last few months we have together.”
He rolls his eyes, but accepts the glass of water she offers him. After taking a sip, he lowers it to the bedside table.
“How are you feeling after everything that’s happened?” she asks, sitting next to me.
It’s been a crazy night. I can’t believe I haven’t been back even twenty-four hours yet because it feels like forever.
I’m glad Chase is gone. The cops said he’d be arrested once he was treated at the hospital and probably not be eligible for bail this time. That’s a relief. I don’t want to have to be constantly concerned about him. “Okay now,” I answer. “I’m glad Chase will be locked up.”
She nods. “What about your mom? What happened to her?”
“The cops took her home.” Gil left it up to me as to whether we wanted to press charges on her and I ultimately said no. I considered it briefly, only because jail might force her to clean up her act, but decided she’d fall right back into her old pattern once she was released. I’d like to think everyone can change their ways, but I’m pretty sure she’s a lost cause. All I can do is try to make sure she has her basic needs covered, like clothes, food, electricity, and water. Beyond the essentials, I’m staying out of her life.
“You know, in her own way, she does love you, right?”
I shrug. Tonight was the first time in ten years I even considered the thought. I can’t believe she worked so hard to keep Axel and Matty away from me. She always made it seem like she chose her line of work and liked it, but obviously, she knows how horrible it is if she wanted to keep me out of it. She was protecting me for years while I resented her for everything else she did.
“Do you forgive her?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I appreciate what she did, but that doesn’t excuse everything else.” Just because it could’ve been a thousand times worse doesn’t mean it wasn’t bad. I’ll never forget
what I had to go through.
“Maybe it will come with time,” she says, patting my knee.
“Unlikely.”
Brad exhales softly, so we both glance in his direction. His eyes are closed, making him look peaceful, despite the nasty gash on his leg.
“We should let him rest,” Gigi says, standing.
I agree, but there’s still one lingering question I need answered. “Can I ask you something first?”
“Sure.”
“What’s going to happen to Michelle?”
“I don’t know,” she says, shifting her weight. “Gil and I have talked about it a little, but haven’t made a decision yet. We need to consult with our lawyer to see if this would stay on her record or be dropped when she turns eighteen. As angry as we are with her, we’re not sure how we feel about our grandson’s mother having a criminal past.”
“What’s going to happen to the baby?”
She looks to Brad for a moment. When he lets out another long breath, she says, “I want to adopt him or her. Or at least be the legal guardian. Don’t tell Brad, but with everything that’s happened, I don’t think Michelle is fit to be a parent. At least not right now. I don’t want Brad to give up college, so I’m the next best option.”
“He won’t want you giving up your life for the baby.”
“I know. He doesn’t understand I wouldn’t see it that way. I’ve always wanted another child, but … it wasn’t possible.” The corners of her eyes glisten and I’m reminded of what Gil told me about their problems. “I would’ve never wished this on Brad, but since it’s happened, I … I have to admit I’m not as disappointed as I should be.”
I’m surprised she’d share all this with me, but I’m not surprised by her feelings. After the initial shock, she seemed to be totally on board, probably because she was already picturing the little baby in her arms. I hope it works out for her, but I have a feeling Michelle is not going to give up easily.
“What’s Gil think about this?” I ask.
“He thinks I’m crazy … I probably am.”
When I don’t say anything else, she adds, “Well, goodnight. I’m glad you’re back and safe.” She hugs me and then leaves the room.
I lean over, plant a kiss on Brad’s cheek, and then start to follow her, but am stopped by his arms grabbing my waist. “Stay with me tonight.”
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“I wanted her to leave.”
I sit back down and stare at his handsome face. His eyes are still closed and all his muscles are relaxed. He looks completely at peace. “You heard everything?”
“Yeah.”
“Your mom wants your baby.”
“Yeah. That’s a little fucked up, right?”
“I don’t know what to think.”
He lifts the covers. “Come here.”
“I’m pretty sure your parents aren’t quite that okay with us being together.”
“You can sneak out before they wake up.”
I crawl under the blanket and snuggle into his side.
“This feels nice,” he says, laying his hand on my hip.
Maybe it’s the late hour or maybe it’s his doped-up state, but I don’t hesitate with my next words. “I think I might be falling in love with you,” I admit, biting my lip. After everything he’s gone through for me, how could I feel any differently? I’ve never had anyone want to protect me like he does or know absolutely everything about me and still want to be not only my boyfriend, but also my best friend.
“You think you might? Can you add any more words of uncertainty in there?”
I smile and turn my head toward him. He’s facing the ceiling, eyes still closed, but he’s wearing a lopsided grin now.
“I’ve never been in love, so I’m not entirely sure what it’s supposed to be like,” I say. “Feel free to enlighten me, if you’re such an expert.”
He turns his head toward me and finally opens his eyes. Vivid pools of blue stare at me, holding my gaze while he speaks. “It feels like nothing else in life matters. You spend every minute of the day wondering what you can do to make her smile. How you can protect her from everything bad out there. How you can ensure she’ll stay with you always. She becomes your focus. Your world. Your everything.”
His words make my heart swell and tears pool in the corners of my eyes. I’ve never had anyone feel like that about me, let alone say it out loud. It could be the happy pills talking, but I’ll take it.
“You sound like you have lots of experience,” I whisper.
“Just one girl.”
“She’s a lucky girl.”
“No, I’m the lucky one.” He grabs my hand with his own and squeezes. “I absolutely, without equivocation or hesitation, love you, Hailey.”
The tears begin to fall down my cheeks. He has no idea I’ve waited my entire life to hear somebody, anybody, say those very words to me. The fact that it’s him is icing on the cake.
Someone finally loves me.
Bradly Nolan Campbell loves me.
Want to know what happens to Brad and Hailey next? Do they ever find the Monet? Is Hailey accepted into college? What about Brittany and Adam—do they get together?
To find out, follow me on Facebook
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where I’ll post updates on future books in the Incongruent Figures series.
*****
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*****
Swipe the page for an excerpt from Book Two in the Incongruent Figures series!
Excerpt from Book Two in the Incongruent Figures Series
“Un-fucking-believable,” I say, lowering myself to a chair at the kitchen table as I stare at my phone in disgust.
“What’s wrong?” Hailey asks, glancing up from her biology book.
“Michelle texted me.”
“Why?”
“She wants me to go to her doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”
“Wow.”
“Right? She has some nerve after everything she’s done to us.”
Hailey nods, closes her book, and then turns to face me. “What are you going to tell her?”
“Hell, no,” I reply, my fingers already pressing the letters.
“Wait,” she says, covering my hand with her own.
“What?”
“Maybe …”
“Oh, no you don’t,” I reply, pulling my hand and the phone away. “Don’t even try to change my mind. I’m more than happy to step up when the time comes, but she doesn’t need me driving her to the doc—“
“Abbie said Michelle’s mom is furious with her for what she did. She’s ignoring her. Took away her car.”
“Not my problem.”
“You know how hard it was for you when your dad didn’t talk to you. At least you still had me and your mom. Michelle’s got no one else.”
“She’s got Abbie.”
“Not really. Abbie’s caught in the middle. They don’t hang out much anymore.”
“You’re seriously trying to make me feel sorry for her so I’ll go to the appointment?”
“I know, I know,” she grumbles, wrinkling up her nose. “It doesn’t make sense, but all this stress can’t be good for the baby. Your baby. Maybe you should help a little to make sure he comes out nice and healthy. Once your mom wrangles him away from her for good, then we can wipe our hands clean of Michelle.”
I sigh because her argument does make sense. I don’t want my son to be born too early or have some other issue because Michelle’s a total mess right now. Only four more months and then we can be done with her. Well, provided the court sides in our favor. If not, she’ll be in our lives forever.
“Maybe you should come with me,” I say, pulling her onto my lap.
“
Not on your life.”
She leans her head onto my shoulder and I twist a strand of her hair around my finger. These are the moments I look forward to. When it’s just me and Hailey, alone. Not because we can play some intense games of checkers, although we sometimes do, but because it’s the only time when I feel like we get to really connect without all the other shit getting in the way.
“I love how you’re kind to people who don’t even deserve it,” I whisper, sticking to the rule the eighty-year-old woman told me at the car wash. Ever since the night we professed our love to each other—well, I professed, she hedged her bets—I’ve let her know how important she is to me, each and every day.
“Thank you.” She used to roll her eyes or scoff at the compliment, uncomfortable with the attention, but she’s gotten much better. “I love how you’ll do the right thing for your son, even if it means spending time with Michelle.”
“You realize most girls would be furious if their boyfriend chose to spend time with another woman, right? Especially one he slept with.”
“I’m not most girls.”
“That’s for sure.”
She takes a deep breath and snuggles closer to my chest before saying, “Your post has been shared over half a million times already.”
“Really?” That’s even faster than I thought. After everything she went through, Hailey decided she wanted to try and find her half-sister. I think getting out of her shitty situation made her feel guilty because she never tried to find or help her. Of course, all we had to go on was a date of birth, location, and a name, which was likely changed the moment she was handed off to someone else. We did add a photo of Hailey to the post, assuming they would look somewhat alike.
“I know. I couldn’t believe it either,” she replies, hanging her arms around my neck. “Maybe we will find her.”
“I hope so.” I dip my head and kiss the inside of her wrist. “We have an hour before Mom comes home.”