Blind Love (Sulfur Heights Series)

by Brannon, M. S.

  ***

  Hours later, I’m pulling into the hospital parking lot and slamming my car into park. When I walk to the information desk, I quickly get helped and find myself waiting on an elevator heading to the fourth floor.

  I am so excited to be there for Presley and watch the miracle of birth. I thought I would be disgusted by the whole thing, but wanting to be prepared as much as possible, I decided to watch a couple of videos on the internet and got my queasiness under control. When I recommended to Drake it might be a good idea to watch them, he just laughed. I can’t wait to see the look on his face. I hope he doesn’t pass out.

  I step off the elevator and storm my way toward the maternity wing, looking for Presley’s room. I smooth down my gray pencil skirt and stomp down the hallway, my shoes echoing off the walls and tile floor. The pain in my feet has me wishing I chose my three inch black suede wedges instead of my four inch suede stilettos.

  When Jake and Darcie come into view, I smile, knowing how excited I am to see my friend.

  I give Jake a wink when I walk by, only to hear him say, “Damn, cupcake, you look very fuckable in that dress.”

  “Don’t call me cupcake, and it’s a skirt,” I shout back.

  When I pass by Jake, he whistles loudly. “Your ass looks even better!”

  “Get a life!” I shout back before I make my way into the dark, quiet room.

  Presley is lying in bed on her side, sweating and panting from the pain. I take a hold of her hand and ask her how’s she’s doing. I would be lying if I pretend not to be worried about her. She’s always had problems adjusting to change and having a baby is a huge life changer.

  The time has come for her to push, and soon after, the sounds of crying fill the room. The experience is amazing and one I will cherish. I’m standing in the room, watching my best friend bring life into this world, and witnessing firsthand the love and devotion Drake has for his family. He is smiling from ear to ear, kissing Presley’s lips and staring adoringly at his baby girl.

  I feel an instant need to capture this moment, therefore I pull out my cell phone and instruct the new little family to get together, then snap the picture. I brush the tears out of my eyes and decide to go share the news with the waiting room full of Evans men and Darcie.

  Jake

  We’ve had this conversation for the last few months via text and phone. I don’t understand why she is so surprised I think they should name the baby Axl. Why pick something weird or typical? Do something different, and in a place like Sulfur Heights, a little spitfire named Axl Evans will scare the shit out of anyone who tries to mess with her. If that doesn’t, her crazy uncle will.

  I voice my opinion once again, trying to be heard. “Her name needs to be Axl. The day I found out she was a girl, “Sweet Child of Mine” blasted on the radio and it was fate for her to have a rock star name that kicks ass.”

  “Jake, don’t be stupid.” Of course Delilah has to chime in. “You don’t understand the importance of a name and how it can make or break their social status in school and we should avoid names that are easily mocked. Roselyn is traditional, perfect and timeless, where Axl is not.” What? She can’t be serious. Roselyn is the dumbest name I’ve ever heard.

  “Roselyn? Really? Now that sounds pretty fucking stupid to me. Let’s just tattoo kick me on her forehead because, with a name like Roselyn, she will surely get the crap kicked out of her. Maybe in your princess-cupcake-land Roselyn is a great name, but here, not so much.”

  I look over to my partner in crime, and just to be an ass, Darcie provides her opinion. “I like Axl. It’s unique and it sounds like no one will fuck with her, just like Axl Rose.”

  “Hell, yeah!” I say triumphantly, knowing I’ve finally convinced Drake to give her the name that suits her the most.

  Looking at the little one, she does resemble a little hellion. I can’t wait to rub it in Delilah’s face when they choose my name.

  Drake stands to meet Delilah and I in the middle of the room. I’m smirking over at her, knowing how pissed she’ll be when Drake shoots down her stupid, old woman name. “We are not naming her Axl, Roselyn or any other weird, freaking name. Presley and I settled on Mia Analise Evans.”

  What the fuck? Mia? It’s better than Roselyn, but it’s nowhere near as cool as Axl. Mia is just too sweet. Ugh! She’s gonna get her ass kicked in school for sure.

  “We chose Mia because we like the name and Analise is after her mother. Now, everyone needs to get the hell out so she can get her rest.”

  Defeated, I walk out of the room, saying, “Well, I’m still calling her Axl.”

  Delilah pushes me on the shoulder then kicks me in the shin. Ouch! Does she even know how much that hurts, especially when she’s wearing fucking stripper shoes that make her almost as tall as me—almost.

  I finally arrive home and I’ve never been so excited to see my bed. After a small spat in the parking garage with Delilah about her stupid Ford Focus, I snagged Drake’s Chevelle keys and told her to follow me home. I’m not sure why she’s rented a Ford Focus to drive from Detroit. Those cars are so small and such pieces of crap. There’s absolutely no muscle to them at all.

  When Delilah pulls into the driveway, I follow her up the stairs and usher her to the room she’s used before. The clothes she’s shipped have been folded in a box for the last couple of weeks. Delilah quickly tears open the box and gets busy hanging up a couple of shirts and folding everything else, laying them on top of a dresser.

  Not much in the room has changed. She hasn’t stayed at the house since the summer and I’ll have to be honest when thinking I miss having her around. I wonder how long she will be staying this time or how often I will see her now that Presley has had the baby.

  “So how long are you here for?”

  Delilah plops down on the bed, kicking off her shoes and lying back on the pillow. I remove my boots and lie down next to her, turning to my side to look at her face.

  Old feelings I was so sure had left begin to resurface. The night at the lake was the last time I thought about kissing Delilah and when she was gone visually from my life, the feeling to kiss her had finally left.

  Now, I’m fighting with holding her in my arms and just giving her lips a whirl.

  Delilah rolls to her side and now we are lying face to face, our chests practically touching. “Only for the night.” She looks down then back into my eyes. “Emerson has a family function he wants me to attend and I have finals coming up. I need to study.”

  Emerson. The stupid douche would demand for her to come back so soon. Ever since their little fight I know for a fact I will never like him. He’s an egotistical jerk who needs a reality check soon. Delilah has explained to me that he was really drunk when he said she was an embarrassment and doesn’t remember insulting her. I guess he apologized for a week, giving her a bunch of stupid shit and she finally forgave him.

  “So soon, huh? That’s not even time for a J&D adventure.”

  She giggles and murmurs, “Maybe next time.”

  “When will there be a next time?” I ask, silently begging it will be soon.

  “Once I get through finals I am planning on spending another summer here to help Presley with the baby and get her settled.”

  “Really? How did you manage that?” From what Delilah says, her parents are a little over-bearing—her mother in particular—and I’m a little shocked they’ve agreed.

  She snuggles in close and tucks her head in against my chest. Her arms are folded in front of her, but I pull her even closer, securing her in my arms. A twinge in my chest alerts me to how much I’ve missed sleeping in the same bed as her. Mostly, I’ve been drunk when I found myself lying next to her and Presley, but there were times I wasn’t. I would only pretend to be. I like having her next to me. I’ve finally found comfort and peace inside my head. Jesus, I’m sounding like a fucking pussy.

  Her breath tickles my neck as she replies, “I told my mom I was going to get a lot of practice w
ith babies so when Emerson and I get married and have one of our own I will know what I’m doing.”

  I lean back forcefully, looking her directly in the eyes. “Married? Please tell me you’re not marrying that asshole.”

  Delilah rolls her eyes. “Why would it matter?”

  “Because he’s a dickhead and treats you like shit,” I snap back as the anger grows inside my chest.

  “Look, I only said that to get her to agree to let me stay for the summer. We’re not getting married. Emerson has a busy class load this summer and he wouldn’t have time to spend with me anyway, so I convinced her to let me come and get practice with babies.” She puts her head back down on my chest and lets out a tired sigh. “I’m too tired to fight. I just want to enjoy my visit here before I have to go home, okay?”

  I wrap my arms around Delilah again and take in the lavender scent of her hair then kiss her on the top of the head. “Okay.” I’m smiling from ear to ear because I will get to spend the entire summer with my best friend.

  Chapter 9

  Delilah

  It’s been a long few weeks, but I’ve finally made it into Sulfur Heights again.

  Finals were grueling. Then Emerson and I started fighting from the moment I had informed him I was going to Sulfur Heights to be with Presley. He told me we needed to take the summer off. Using his best daddy voice, Emerson accused me of not knowing where my priorities were and notified me that I needed to think about what I really wanted out of our relationship.

  Truth be told, I don’t know what I want. I know what I should want, but there is so much confusion surrounding what I really want. Ever since the introduction of Jake Evans, my life has been upside down emotionally. This summer will be a challenge for me—that’s for sure—but I can’t act on anything. I need to keep my head focused and really think about what’s best for me. When I’m around him, my thoughts need to stay to myself. He’s the worst kind of guy for me. His life surrounds hustling, whiskey and women. I can’t put my heart on the line for a guy who has no aspirations to live a different life; a responsible life.

  The fourteen hour trip was uneventful and extremely boring. Jake was texting me every hour, wanting to know where I was and when I was going to get there. I swear he is the most impatient person I’ve met. By the last text, I could tell he was drunk. When I translated his message, it basically said Jeremy was going to pick me up and take me to the bar. Apparently, he was on his game and couldn’t get away. Another prime example that Jake Evans will never be boyfriend material. His game will always come first.

  This summer, Jake and I will mark our one year anniversary as best friends. I didn’t think much about it, but when I heard the happiness in his voice, I couldn’t help being excited for us. I never thought he would be able to stand me for so long, considering we spent most of our time together arguing, yet here we are. I’m so glad I have him as my friend… my best friend.

  Then I get to spend the summer with my other best friend and her new baby girl, Mia. I miss Presley so much and feel incredibly guilty I haven’t made more of an effort to help her when I was there last year. She has been suffering.

  From what Drake’s told me, Presley is transitioning pretty well as a new mommy, but gets a little overwhelmed at times. He said the doctor said it’s pretty common, however Drake knows nothing about Presley’s past demons. She gets overwhelmed easily and adjusting to a new baby will be the most challenging thing she’s had to face. I won’t know if Presley is really struggling until I actually see her. If she needs help, then I will spill her secret.

  I pull into the driveway, refusing to leave my rental parked in the street, and take up Drake’s old parking place. If I need to move it so others can park there, I will. Or if I need to return it, fine by me. I wouldn’t mind getting chauffeured around while I’m here. The last place I’m going to leave it is in the street, waiting for some punks to trash it, though. My poor Mini Cooper. I really miss that car, but my mother has replaced it with a Lexus. She says I need to drive a car that’s more grown up. Whatever that means.

  Jeremy is waiting by his car when I exit mine. He’s on the phone with a look of concentration all over his face. It’s a pretty typical Jeremy Evans face. The only time I’ve seen a carefree and happy Jeremy is when I came to decorate Mia’s nursery. I hope I can see more of it while I’m here.

  After hauling all of my bags into the house and hanging clothes, I get in the car and ride with Jeremy down to The Slab. Nothing has changed since the last time I was here, but I inwardly chuckle to myself. I was terrified to walk into the bar when I first came here. It looks so rough and scary on the outside, but Presley was right when she said that I would just have to get used to it. On the drive over here, I happened to noticed everything looks less shocking. For this time of year, junkies and drug deals were everywhere, however now I didn’t see any of that. Perhaps, I’m just used to it, but I don’t think I am. Where I’m from I don’t see any of that on a regular basis.

  The ride is quiet and when we pull up to park I don’t recognize where he’s taken me. The only bar I’ve ever been too is The Slab, though this one looks just as uninviting from the outside. The brick building is rundown; neon beer signs hang in the one front window and the bottom half of the door is covered with plywood instead of glass.

  As Jeremy opens my door and ushers me into the bar, I inwardly cringe. Smoke is everywhere, making the air smell like ash and the noise is very loud and overpowering.

  When we make our way to the back, Jake is prowling the pool table, focused and determined to make his shot. I don’t want to disturb him, so I slink back against the wall and watch the master at work. Even when he’s in an intoxicated state of mind, Jake can steady himself enough to make each and every shot he takes.

  There are a few large guys standing around, studying him, as he moves and determines what the best shot will be. I can tell some of them don’t look very easy. Unbeknownst to Jake, I’ve been practicing in our recreation room at home. Once a year, my dad will invite his colleagues over to our house for a male bonding night. They will smoke cigars and drink top shelf liquor while shooting pool or throwing darts. Mostly the room is unused, so at night when I’m bored and home alone I will sneak into the room and shoot.

  I hear Jake tap the side pocket, calling his shot then, with a snap, the eight ball falls in. Game over. Jake’s drunken persona reappears as he collects his money, gloats and moves toward the bar. He still hasn’t noticed me and I take the opportunity to really watch him.

  The crowd divides when he inches his way up to the bar, almost like they’re intimidated by him. Then the women, shameless and slutty, will stare at Jake, almost begging him with their bodies to be the next chosen one. He never says a word, either; he only downs his shot of whiskey and stalks his female prey with his eyes. No conversation is started, yet he can leave them yearning the moment he shows his trademark smirk. I’m held captive by the way he commands a room. He never asks for the attention, he only seeks it when it suits him.

  Jake turns from the bar and a full smile stretches across his face. He notices me flush with the wall, and when our eyes connect, the butterflies begin to swarm. He does something to me. Something foreign I don’t recognize as I’m being sucked into his eyes.

  His walk is graceful, that of a warrior. Watching the swagger in his hips makes my insides burn, my breath escape and my knees weaken. What is going on with me?

  I clear my throat and try to find my voice when he approaches. “Hey, cupcake. It’s about time you got here.” Jake picks me up in a big bear hug, pulling my feet several inches off the ground.

  “Hey, Jakey, how’ve ya been?”

  “Jakey? Really? You know I hate that.” He sets me down on my feet and tries to give me a scolding look. It proves unsuccessful, which isn’t surprising when you’re as intoxicated as he is. I feel drunk just talking to him. The smell of whiskey is everywhere.

  “Right back at ya, friend.” I tap him on the nose and pull t
he chair from the table.

  Jeremy walks over to us with another shot of whiskey for Jake and the typical, old fashion cherry coke for me. The three of us sit around the table, talking like we haven’t seen each other in ages. Although I’ve seen them a few weeks ago when Presley had Mia, I didn’t get the opportunity to really visit with them, and even in Jake’s drunken state, he is quite conversational.

  Jeremy and Jake are in a deep discussion about racing when I see a pool table open up. I excuse myself from the table, ready to take my new skills out for a spin. I pull fifty dollars from my pocket and walk to the overconfident gentleman hustling for cash. Let’s see if Jake’s self-proclaimed mad skills have rubbed off on me.

  “Fifty bucks on my win,” I say, holding the cash in front of the guy. I can’t believe the confidence I have right now. I would have never done this in my pre-Jake life, but here I am, gambling on my virgin skills at the pool table.

  The man is short and stocky, definitely has a muscular build in his small frame, and his smile is cocky. “What’s your game, dollface?”

  “Eight ball,” I answer with self-assurance in my voice, yet with butterflies in my stomach. I can’t believe I’m doing this. What the heck?

  “Eight ball, huh? Fifty bucks isn’t worth my time when there’s real cash to make.” His breath reeks of beer when he leans in closer to talk to me. He has a large scar above his eye, and when he smiles, his front tooth is cracked and jagged.

  I reach my hand inside my pocket and pull out the rest of my money. Counting it in front of him, I lay three hundred dollars on the felt and state, “How about that, big guy? Will you play me for three hundred?” What I’m getting into, I don’t know. I’m a hustling amateur, a complete newbie to the game, however I’m talking like a cocky jerk. Holy cow, I’m acting like Jake.