Finding Strength: A Club Dark Novel

by Reagan Hollow

  For the most part, dinner was uneventful. Besides the fact that my purse felt as if it was weighed down with a ton of bricks, I found his family easy to be around and felt myself relax. Though the nausea still sat there, like an irritating itch at the pit of my stomach, I could hold down more food than I’ve been capable of since I got back.

  Lance, now out of his cap and gown, and looking adorable with his just tousled hair style, had a young, very beautiful girl sitting at his side. She screamed innocence, but her attention was all for him. He, of course, was eating it all up, taking every opportunity to make the poor girl blush a deep, bright red. Is this how I look when I’m around Cory? Surely not.

  Cory’s mom even managed to loosen up by the end of the evening, though the three glasses of wine she downed might have had something to do with that. We did manage not to give each other any dirty looks, so I’ll call that a win.

  Ansley said she had to get her kids to bed, so she and her little family left not long after we all showed up.

  I watched with a bit of envy as the little girl, Emily, gives Cory a big squeeze around the middle before she surprises me by wrapping her tiny little arms around me, too. She doesn’t say a word, only squeezes me with impressive strength for such a small thing, then bounces out the door with her mommy and daddy. Such a sweet little girl.

  Not long after they leave, our food is cleared and we are getting ready to say our goodbyes, when Cory’s dad stands, announcing that he needed all of us to follow him outside, where a shiny new, black Mercedes sat with a very impressive red bow attached to the top.

  Mr. Lewis walks over to a stunned looking Lance, dropping a set of keys into the palm of his hand. “Your mother and I are very proud of you. Treat her right.” He gestures toward the car.

  Like a five-year-old getting his favorite toy for Christmas, he squeals, he actually squeals, before wrapping both his parents into a quick hug. Without wasting anymore time he rushes over to the driver’s side and climbs into his beautiful new car, girlfriend all but forgotten on the sidewalk.

  She stands there looking awkward for a few seconds before the faint sound of a window being rolled down is heard and Lance’s laughter flows out of his car, “Well? Are you coming or what?” He shouts at the nameless girl. Boys and their toys. I shake my head.

  “Ready to go home?” Cory squeezes my hand, sending shivers down my spine as he whispers in my ear. But before I have time to enjoy his touch, the weight of the world is back on my shoulders, as well as the all too familiar anxiety I can’t seem to shake. “Yes, please.” Is all I can say, trying to put a little more excitement into my voice than what I am feeling. Dread is the only feeling coursing through my veins right now, an emotion I have grown all too familiar with lately.

  I’m seated, not so patiently I might add, on the lid of the toilet in the guest bathroom. I waited for as long as I possibly could, before giving Cory the excuse of needing to get out of my dress and shooting straight up the stairs. Of course, Cory asked if he could assist and I was so tempted to let him. But then there’d be no way I’d be able to sneak away and now that the idea is planted into my head, there’s no way I can go one more second past the three minutes the instructions are making me wait, without knowing.

  The timer on my phone goes off, and suddenly, I don’t want to know. If I just don’t look at the test, then nothing will change. Everything can go back to the way it was before I was kidnapped; Cory and I can be happy.

  But I look anyway. My heart plummets to the floor as my eyes take in Pregnant with the happy little smiley face, across the screen.

  No! I scream in my mind. This can’t be happening. Refusing to believe this is true, I rip open the second package and down a cup of water from the sink. False positives are a real thing, right? Surely, I deserve a break from this tragedy I call a life.

  After waiting another ten minutes, both for the urge to pee again and for the test to register, I stare down at yet another smiley face. I don’t even feel the impact as I hit the floor, my body and mind both going numb all at once. A baby? What the fuck am I going to do with a baby? I can’t imagine bringing one into the world I have been forced to live through. What if it’s Aarons? I can’t stop the thought from crossing my mind. God, I hope not.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  The sound is too quiet to be coming from Cory. My suspicions are confirmed when Amber comes barging right in, without my permission. I have no strength, let alone sense, to hide the test.

  “Oh no, sweetie.” She says quietly before shutting the door, and thankfully locking it behind her. I should have thought to do that when I came in here, but I was too distracted with what I was about to do to think ahead. She kneels in front of me, and without a word, pulls me into her arms. We sit in this position, her rocking me, and me soaking her shirt with my tears for what feels like hours. She must’ve just gotten back from work since she’s still in her uniform.

  “What am I going to do?” I say out loud, knowing there’s no true help for me. I’m destined for this life, no matter what I do to escape heartache and grief, it seems to always find me.

  Helping me to sit tall again, she dries my tears with a towel, giving me a sad look. “I don’t know honey, but you know I’m here for you. No matter what.” I know what’s she saying. I could have never imagined that I would consider an abortion, but just the thought of giving life to a child that could be like him, I don’t think I could do that to a child or a potential victim. Call me an evil bitch if you like, but it’s true.

  “Does Cory know?” I shake my head, the tears flowing faster now. “You do know that man would do absolutely anything for you, right?”

  “I can’t ask him to help me raise another man’s baby, Amber, hell, I’m not even sure I can raise this baby.”

  “Are you so sure it’s Aaron’s? You don’t even know how far along you are sweetheart. Don’t make any rash decisions until you see a doctor.”

  The thought that it could be Cory’s hadn’t even crossed my mind. Funny, how one bad thing can over shadow all the good that’s ever happened in your life.

  “How would I even go about seeing a doctor? Cory won’t let me out of his sight, I can’t even leave the house alone, which is why the doctor looking after me now comes here.”

  “Leave that up to me. I have the perfect place to take you, they ask no questions and you won’t need an appointment. For the right price, they’d even make up legal documents if you ever need them.”

  “Do I even want to know?” I question, slightly concerned that she knows people like this.”

  “Nope!” She ends the word with a pop, and pulls herself up off the floor, dragging me along with her.

  “Now, get yourself cleaned up so boss man doesn’t go asking questions, I’ve got a phone call to make.”

  She exits the bathroom, leaving me to stare at my reflection in the mirror. Pregnant? Me? And what are the odds of it being Cory’s? I can’t even think about that. With my luck, I can’t even hope to have a sliver of happiness.

  Splashing some water on my face, I go through the motions of getting ready for bed. Washing away the makeup that makes me feel more beautiful than I really am, and brushing my teeth. I make my way back to the room set up for Amber and me. I don’t think I have the guts to face Cory right now, at least not without completely breaking apart.

  Sleep comes for me as soon as my head hits the pillow, but I don’t truly rest. Once again, my nightmares are full of his sinister smiles, only this time, they form on the face of a baby.

  I feel it, the instant she pulls away from me. I can tell something is weighing heavy on her mind, and instincts tell me to lock her up until she opens up to me, but I know it won’t help.

  It’s been almost a week since my brother graduated. I was hoping to spend that night with Lacey in my bed. For nothing more than the two of us relearning each other. I would’ve been content to talk until the sun came up, if that’s what she wanted me to do. I was taken by surprise to
come upstairs and find her asleep in the other room. I wanted to move her. But resolved myself to just sitting in the sofa chair across the room and watching her sleep.

  I felt myself nodding off when Amber walks in.

  “Sorry, Mr. Lewis. I didn’t know you were in here,” she whispers, and moves to walk back out the door.

  “No, it’s okay. Stay. I was just leaving.”

  I plant a soft kiss to Lacey’s cheek, careful not to wake her, and head straight for my room, sure that this is going to be a long night.

  The next morning, the doctor assigned to Lacey shows up, and to our surprise, her cast comes completely off. With a few new instructions to do flexibility exercises, he ordered her to wear a sling for a few more days, or whenever she feels she needs it. He does want her to come to the office to reassess her ribs, as well as the stitches in her stomach and vaginal area, so we go ahead and set an appointment for the following day. I had plans to take her myself, but Amber speaks up, offering to take her, saying it would give her and Lacey a chance to have girl time. Seeing Lacey smile for the first time in a few days, I couldn’t help but agree.

  Now, three days later, she’s hardly spoken more than a few sentences to me. She said the doctor had cleared her on her injuries to the ribs, and the stitches in both areas were fully dissolved. But now I question everything as I get off the phone with the good doctor. Seems as if Lacey never showed up for the appointment and he wanted to see if she wanted to reschedule.

  I haven’t known Lacey to be a liar, so this news is a complete shock to me. What reason would she have to lie to me, and why would she do it at the expense of her health. If they didn’t go to her appointment the other day, where did they go?

  Someone’s going to answer these fucking questions for me, now.

  “Greta.” I punch the intercom leading into the kitchen, “Has Amber left for her shift yet?” She doesn’t leave me waiting long for her response, one of the reasons why she’s been employed so long, “I believe she’s still here sir, would you like me to send her your way?”

  “Yes, please. I’m in my office.” Not five minutes go by before she storms through my door without even knocking.

  “I’m not some lap dog you can just summon, Cory.” Is the first thing to come out of her mouth upon walking through the door. I’m stunned. So much so that I can’t even think of what I even called her in here for.

  “Is that any way to speak to your boss.” She laughs, and it’s starting to piss me off.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not on the clock, so here, you are not my boss and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t send your staff after me.”

  “Noted.” I say and almost laugh when her cheeks grow even more red from anger.

  “I wanted to discuss Lacey.” She gives me a pointed look, as if to say, go on.

  “Seeing as you are the only one she communicates with now, I want to know what happened the other day?”

  “What do you mean?”

  My hand slams down hard on my desk. I watch with some satisfaction as she jerks, taking a step back. “Don’t fucking play stupid with me, dammit. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  Her body sags as her head drops to her chest. She draws in a deep breath, “Look, if she hasn’t told you, it’s not my place to say anything. You’re going to have to go talk to her.” She turns on her heels and walks straight out my door.

  What in the actual fuck!

  Fine, I’ll get my answers from the source. One way or another I will know what’s going on.

  It’s been months since I’ve picked up a book, but after seeing Amber's doctor last week I made her stop at a nearby bookstore where I picked up the first Stephen King book I could get my hands on. Lucky for me, I’ve been torturing my mind with killer clowns that stalk little children from the sewers.

  Deep into the story, I nearly jump out of my skin when Cory slams the door to my room open. Does no one know the boundaries of privacy around here?

  There’s heat and anger written across his gorgeous face that would normally have my heart racing, and terror licking at my bones. But after learning the truth of what I carry inside of me, a steady calm has taken over my body. Giving me more strength than I’ve ever had in my life.

  I look him in the eyes with a steady resolve, I know he’s come for answers and I can’t much blame him. Though I’m not sure I’m ready to give them to him, yet. I know it’s not fair to him, but I haven’t come to terms with everything myself.

  “What’s going on, Lacey? And don’t even think about bullshitting me.” He’s pissed, I can see it. He’s never taken this tone with me and I can’t even be mad about it. He’s got every right to be upset.

  “I’m pregnant.” It just blurts from my mouth.

  “What?” He whispers, but I have no other words for him. Tears run hot streaks down my face, a flood opened that I have no control over stopping.

  “What do you mean, you’re pregnant?” I look up at him, letting him see, more than hear the terrifying truth here.

  A look of utter confusion and disbelief crosses his face. “How?” I give him a strange look. What the fuck does he mean how... how else would this happen.

  “I mean, how do you know, how long have you known?”

  “I’ve known for almost a week, but got confirmation when Amber took me to a doctor she knows a few days ago,” I say on a shaky breath, handing him the folded piece of black and white paper I’ve cradled since first looking at it. The image is hard to make out, but after the doctor showed me the small, circular shape toward the bottom, my eyes have been glued to it.

  He looks at it with wonder. “Is this why you missed your appointment?”

  I give him a small nod.

  “Why haven’t you told me?” His anger is back full force; this time setting just a bit of fear into my gut. Cory wouldn’t hurt me, I know. But his anger is almost a live thing, I can feel it licking across my skin and lingering in the air.

  “Because, Cory, I don’t even know if I’m keeping it. You shouldn’t have to worry about that.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?!” His voice rises.

  “The doctor says I can be anywhere between four to six weeks along, but won’t know for sure until my bloodwork comes back, which apparently can still come back with just a range. An ultrasound won’t give you anything but an estimate either, so there’s no clear way of knowing if I’m pregnant with...” I can’t even bring myself to say it.

  Before I know it, he’s across the room, pulling me into his arms. He sits there, rocking me back and forth, running his fingers through my hair, without muttering a single word. Now, more than ever, I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking. It’s been so hard not to go to him the last few days, but I feared this right here. The unknown, I feared how he would take this and wasn’t ready for the possible fall out. I wish I would’ve just opted to terminate the pregnancy right then and there. The thought makes me sick, but then I wouldn’t have anything else to worry about. And neither would he. But for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

  I feel his strong hand on my chin as he raises it so our eyes are on the same level, “I really wish you would have told me.” He kisses me lightly on the nose. “But, I get why you didn’t. Lacey, you are my life now. If that means you are now a packaged deal,” he looks me square in the eyes making sure he’s got my undivided attention, as if it would be anywhere else right now, “even if that package came from somewhere else, then I’m still here and we will figure this out together.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck, so thankful not to have the restrictions the cast left me with, and throw one leg around his waist, fully seating myself in his lap. I bury my face into his neck and just let it all out, what did I ever do to deserve this man? Just when I feel like life has given up on throwing me a bone, Cory walks in and shows me that there is still some good out there, and just maybe, some has been reserved for me.

  “Shh, it’s going to be o
kay,” he whispers into my hair.

  Grabbing my chin once again, he angles my face up to his. I get a brief glance at the hunger that’s now in his eyes, before his mouth comes crashing down on mine. Everything we haven’t said to each other comes out in this kiss. Nothing is held back as teeth and tongue clash against each other, neither of us breaking for air until we absolutely have to. Before I can blink, his hands are at the hem of my nightie, ripping it over my head, revealing the matching black lace set I have on underneath. My heart quickens its pace, not in fear, but in anticipation.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” He whispers into my ear, grabbing the sensitive flesh there between his teeth, knowing he’s not playing fair.

  I squirm in his lap, grinding myself down harder on the prominent bulge between his legs, hoping that’s answer enough.

  “I need to hear you say it, Lacey.” He clamps down harder on the skin at the base of my throat, eliciting a small scream of pleasure from my throat.

  “Ahhh, yes. Please, yes.”

  Without another word, he places me gently onto my back and slides his pants, boxers included, down his legs until he’s standing free before me.

  He slips his shirt off before climbing onto the bed, careful not to smother me, holding his body and all his weight, above me.

  My anticipation builds when his hands splay across my stomach, gently rubbing circles, careful to avoid the area where the stitches were, before slowly trailing down and hooking his fingers into the waistband of my panties. Pulling them slowly down my legs, his hands leave goosebumps on my flesh as they trail even slower back up, as he settles himself between my thighs.

  “Mentally, I know you’re ready, but are you sure you’re okay physically? You were supposed to be examined at the appointment you missed.” There is worry etched into his features and it causes my heart to melt for him even more. He is always so sweet and protective.

  “Yes, Cory,” I say with a gentle smile. “They did a full exam when I had the ultrasound and I informed them of what happened, so they made sure everything was good before I left. I am all healed up and I need this. I’ve missed you and the closeness.” Gone is the look of worry on his face, replaced with a look of pure desire and love. I lick my lips as I feel the warmth of his tongue lick one slow trail from my entrance all the way up to my clit. My body begins to squirm into the mattress, fighting to stay still. His arms come up to wrap around each of my legs, effectively holding me in place.