Reformation: A Salvation Society Novel

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Reformation: A Salvation Society Novel Page 19

by Chelle Sloan


  “What are you doing here?”

  “Why, Josephine, is that any way to talk to your mama?”

  The woman standing in front of me is a shell of the woman I used to know as my mother. Her blonde hair, which used to be the same color as mine, is now gray and straggly. Her clothes are dirty, and I could smell her six feet away. If she weighs one hundred pounds, I’d be shocked.

  She looks horrible. If it was anyone else, I would feel sorry for them. I’d offer them food and help and try to get them into a rehab center.

  Then I remember that I might not know why this woman is here, but it’s definitely not for my help.

  “How did you find me?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.

  “Does your new boyfriend know that you’re a drug dealer? It seems pretty risky to date someone like you when you’re a fancy doctor. Did I see him driving a BMW?”

  I take her arm and drag her around to the side of the building, away from any prying eyes. “I’m going to ask this again. How did you find me?”

  She steps on her cigarette and immediately lights another. “I always knew you were in Virginia. I remembered you getting all those fancy letters when you were in high school. Really, Josephine, you aren’t as smart as you think you are. Not as sneaky either. And that elementary school of yours is way too giving of information.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fine. You found me. Good detective skills, Mama. What I want to know is, after twelve years, when you told me specifically to get out because I turned in your drug-dealer boyfriend and cut off your supply, why have you decided that now is the time to barge into my life?”

  She doesn’t say anything for a minute, and I don’t know whether to be concerned or hopeful about it. “I got evicted from the house.”

  “Honestly surprised you lasted that long. Mr. Meyers finally stop taking sex as payment?”

  “You watch your mouth, girl.”

  “Or what? You gonna hit me? I’m not a kid anymore, and you are no longer my concern. I spent way too many years doing that, Mama. And I quit worrying about you the second I got the hell out of Alabama.”

  She starts itching her arm. I knew it. She’s still using. Even more of a reason to get her away from here.

  “You really not going to give me anything?”

  “Why should I? What have you ever done for me?”

  “I’m your mother. I deserve it.”

  I want to ask if she’s serious, but by the look on her face, she absolutely is. Unbelievable.

  “You deserve it? You were a druggie mother who brought a man into our lives who nearly ruined mine. And he nearly killed you. Yes, Mama. Let’s lean on that one.”

  I expect her to slap me. I expect her to come back with another attempt at getting me down. Instead, she reaches for her phone, puts the cigarette in her mouth so she can unlock the screen.

  “What are you doing?”

  She doesn’t say anything, instead shows me a picture on her phone. Then another. And another.

  The photos are of all the people in my life here in Virginia. One is of me and Cassie and Anthony leaving school last week. Another is of me and Garrett going to the charity event at the Robinsons. There’s one of Cullen and Makenna with Charlie and Mark as they waved goodbye to me after I went over for dinner.

  These are my people. Everyone in this world I love.

  “Why do you have these?

  “Because, Josephine, you think these people are your family now? You think they love you? They don’t. No. I’m your family. And you’re going to help me.”

  As much as I hate it, her words sting and I feel the tears begin to threaten. No. I’m not going to cry in front of this woman. I take a deep breath and force them back. “I will ask again. What. Do. You. Want?”

  “Money. And pills. I’m sure your doctor can help out with that. Work on it. Or else. Goodbye, Josephine.”

  She throws the second cigarette on the ground and gives it a stomp before walking away. I just stand there, still shocked from her appearance, and watch her disappear down the road. She gets into the passenger side of a car, though it’s too far for me to get the license plate. Or to see who is driving.

  “Hey, Angel. I’ve been looking for you.”

  I give myself a quick shake as Garrett approaches. “Hey there. All finished?”

  “Yeah. We’re getting ready to pack up. You OK? And why do I smell smoke?”

  I know I should tell him. I need to tell him. She just threatened not only me, but everyone I care about, including Garrett and his family.

  I need a minute. I need to regroup.

  “I caught someone smoking back here and asked them to put it out. No worries.”

  But there is a worry. A big worry.

  Because I have a feeling there is a lot more that’s coming as to why Naomi Blackstone has popped back up in my life… and it’s more than just a few bucks and some pills.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Garrett

  “I was thinking we could just get takeout tonight. Maybe Chinese?”

  “Sure.”

  I look over to Paige who is wiping down her kitchen counter for the twentieth time since we got back from the free physical day. I’m pretty sure she has no idea what I said.

  “Is Chinese OK?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  I stand up from where I unceremoniously plopped down on the couch a half hour ago, dead tired from the day. “Maybe after Chinese you can rub my feet in nothing except your bra and panties and tell me that I’m the king of your pussy.”

  “That’s fine.”

  OK, now I know she’s not listening. My girl hates, among anything else in this world, feet. I found this out once when I tried to wiggle my toes in front of her face as a joke to get her to rub them. I was sure she was going to break up with me that night.

  I snap my finger in front of her face, hoping to snap her out of her daze.

  “What? Yeah. Everything sounds good,” she says in a rush.

  “No, Angel. Everything is not good. You just agreed to give me a foot massage tonight.”

  Her face nearly turns green at the thought. “I did?”

  I hold out my hand for her to follow me back to her living room, where I sit down and immediately bring her to my lap. Since we left the clinic she’s been distant. Usually, after a day like today, she’d be bursting at the seams with excitement for how well the day went. She’d be planning and wondering how many other services I could offer that could give back the way we were able to today.

  Instead? She didn’t say a word during our ten-minute drive to her house.

  “What’s the matter? And don’t tell me that nothing is wrong. Because I know that’s a lie. Let me help you for once.”

  She doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, and this worries me even more. Paige has always been honest with me. But this look in her eye, it reminds me of the day she told me about…

  Oh shit.

  “Paige. Did something happen with your mom today?”

  She nods, but still doesn’t say anything. I continue to hold her, because I know that’s what she needs right now. She needs me to be strong for her, even though inside my blood is boiling.

  “She was there, Garrett. She was just standing there like it’s what she does every day. I went to talk to her. I didn’t want her around any of you, around any of the kids, so I took her around the back to find out what she wanted.”

  I take a deep breath, pushing down my anger. Of course, this was the day we didn’t have one of Mark’s guys watching her. We figured he could take the day off considering we would all be at the clinic together. And I hate that she did this on her own, though I shouldn’t be surprised. This is Paige. My strong girl who wants to fix the world.

  “What did she say?”

  “She lost her house, well, our house. She had rented it for years off of a slumlord, and in the months she couldn’t pay, she… Well, let’s just say they had an alternate payment plan. I can tell sh
e’s still using. She says she wants money and pills, and that she’s sure you can help me.”

  “Why didn’t you come find me? Or Mark?”

  “She wouldn’t hurt me. At least, that’s what I was hoping for. She needs me too much. But something isn’t sitting right with me about this whole thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “My mom, unless it involves using her body to get what she wants, has never been someone to put pieces of a plan together. She’s not stupid, but she’s not book smart either. There is no way she could have found me, driven up here and made the demands she did on her own. She had pictures of you, and Mark and Charlie and the kids. Heck, she even had pictures of Anthony and Cassie. This is way too elaborate for her. And that’s what scares me.”

  I bring her closer to me; her head falling to my chest, and I just hold her, because I don’t know what else to do. If she was sick, I could treat her. If she needed money, that would be no problem. But this? I haven’t the faintest idea of how to fix this for her.

  But I know someone who can.

  “We need to tell Mark. One, if she knows where they live, they are in danger. And two, he can help. More than just a security detail.”

  She nods, though her head is still buried in my chest. “I know. I don’t know how unstable she is. I really thought she was out of my life. Why? Why now?”

  I feel the tears against my shirt and I let her cry. I can’t imagine the emotions she’s dealing with right now. I always knew I hit the lottery with my parents, but it really puts it into perspective when you know that a mother can literally choose a drug-dealer boyfriend over their own kid.

  She lifts her head from my chest, and I take my thumb to wipe away the stray tears that are left. “I hate that you’re hurting. What can I do? Please, I need to do something for you.”

  She repositions herself on my lap, now straddling me as she wraps her arms around my neck. “You can make me forget about this day. Make me forget, Garrett.”

  I don’t have a chance to protest as her lips meet mine, the sweet taste of Paige overtaking my senses.

  I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into me even tighter. The fact that she feels that she is in danger is triggering a deep sense of protection inside of me.

  Nothing can happen to this woman. Nothing.

  Because I love her.

  I love her so damn much.

  My hands travel underneath her shirt, which makes her shiver. She reacts this way every time I touch her, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of it. I bring her shirt over her head, her bra not too far behind it. I leave her mouth and slowly kiss down her jaw, her neck, until I reach her breasts.

  “Yes, Garrett. God, I love when you do that. More. Please.”

  I continue sucking on one breast, loving the way she arches into me every time we are in this position. I take her other nipple between my thumb and finger, working it how I know she likes it. I switch sides, my tongue and fingers doing everything to drive her as crazy as possible. I want to make her think only of my touch. My tongue. To feel me in every part of her body.

  “Oh God, Garrett… I think I might… You feel so good.”

  Is she about to come just from my mouth on her tits? Holy shit. Just the thought of that makes my already-hard cock turn to stone. And now I have one goal and one goal only, to make this woman explode just from my touch.

  I flick my tongue rapidly over her nipple, and the sensation makes her hips buck on top of me. Her hands are in my hair, pressing my face deeper into her chest. Fuck, if she keeps this up I’ll come in my pants.

  “Do you like that?” I say, pulling back and taking both of her breasts in my hands, working her nipples with my fingers. “Do you like it when I touch you like this? Play with you?”

  “Yes. I love it. I’m so close. Make me come, Garrett.”

  As if I could ever deny her. I dive back in, sucking on one, then the other. Using my lips, tongue, and hands to bring her maximum pleasure.

  “Yes! Garrett!”

  I feel her hips buck once, twice, and then on the third they freeze as she climaxes, and I look up to watch her. Her beautiful face is enjoying every ounce of pleasure that I just gave her.

  I take my hand to the nape of her neck and bring her in, needing to feel her lips on mine. I don’t know how long I kiss her, but I know that I kiss her with everything in me.

  Because she’s mine.

  I break the kiss, but touch my forehead to hers, still needing connection.

  “I love you, Paige. I know it’s soon. I know things are just starting. But I have never felt this way about anyone in my life.”

  She’s quiet, and for a second, I wonder if I said the wrong thing. Does she not feel the same way about me?

  Before I can say anything else, I’m gifted with the best words I could ever hear.

  “I love you, Garrett Dixon. With my whole heart and soul. I love you so much.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Paige

  If head games are what my mother is going for, she’s doing a really good job of playing with mine.

  It’s been two weeks since I spoke to her. I thought after the day I saw her at the clinic that I’d be getting daily phone calls and threats. Instead, nothing.

  I think that is worse. This is making me paranoid. This is making me look over my shoulder at every turn.

  Like right now, during my normal after-school tutoring session with Anthony. We only have about ten minutes left, but I want to keep him here forever. We are safe here. There is a security guard outside the door—his name is Ben and Cassie drools over him every day despite his wedding ring or me telling her that his wife Gretchen is amazing. No one can hurt me or Anthony here.

  When we leave? I can’t protect him. I don’t even know if my mom knows where he lives. I can only hope that she is only focused on me, and the pictures of Anthony and Cassie were just threats.

  “Done!” he says, standing from his desk and walking toward mine. “Do you want to check? I’m pretty sure I got them all right. Math is so easy.”

  I give him a questioning look, because those are never words I thought I’d hear from him. “Math is easy? Since when? Last week math was, if I remember correctly, the worst thing ever invented.”

  Anthony lets out an exasperated sigh. Because you know, ten-year-olds are so smart. “That was last week, Miss Blackstone. Keep up. Plus, I’m getting older. Which means I’m getting smarter.”

  I laugh at his words, but they also make me a little sad. He is growing up. He’s no longer my little protector in kindergarten.

  “Are you still going to come and do your homework with me next year even when you move up to middle school?”

  “Of course. You’d miss me too much.”

  I give his hair a ruffle and give him back his perfect homework. “Grab your things. Your mom will be here soon.”

  As soon as I say the words, a sense of dread goes through me. I honestly want to believe that my mom wouldn’t hurt a child, then again, I wanted to believe she would choose me over the boyfriend who got her hooked on drugs, so what do I know?

  I gather my things and stick my phone in my back pocket as Anthony and I walk out of my classroom when it hits me that I have to use the restroom.

  I debate for a second. I could wait until I get home, but that’s at least a half hour and I don’t think that’s going to work. And Anthony’s mom is always on a tight schedule because of her second job, so I don’t want her to be late.

  “Hey, Ben, I’m going to use the restroom real quick. I’ll meet you guys outside.”

  I can tell from the look on his face that he’s not too happy with this plan. “We’ll wait for you.”

  I shake my head. “It’s fine. I’ll be out in two minutes. Go ahead and check the bathroom first to make sure it’s OK.” No sense making his mom wait because of me.

  Ben checks the hallways again before moving into the bathroom. “It’s clear. Come right out when you are done.”<
br />
  I give him a mock salute. “I’ll make sure to report to the door that’s ten feet away as soon as my mission is complete.”

  He and Anthony head outside and I quickly go into the teacher’s restroom to take care of business. Just as promised, I’m quick, exit the bathroom, and turn toward the exit. I don’t even make it two steps when I feel something pressed against my back.

  “It’s about time that guard left you alone.”

  I don’t recognize the male voice that is whispering in my ear. He reeks of cigarettes and body odor, and I nearly gag when I get a whiff of him.

  “What do you want?” my words coming out more afraid than I’d like.

  “Your mama needs to talk to you.”

  “Please don’t hurt Anthony. I’ll go. Leave him alone.”

  The man turns me away from the exit that Ben and Anthony used and pushes me toward another one down the hall, an object still pressed against my back.

  “I’m not going to hurt him. As long as you do everything we say.”

  We make it to the other exit, and the car I saw my mom get into at the clinic is parked across the street, far away from any security cameras. She gets out of the driver’s seat and opens the back door, allowing the man, whose face I still haven’t seen, to push me in. He follows, taking the gun that had just been against my back and presses it to my side.

  “Did you forget about me?” Mama asks as she gets back into the car. “I thought you would have called by now.”

  “Must have missed that part of the conversation.”

  “I see that smart mouth of yours hasn’t changed,” the man says from next to me. He seems so familiar, but I can’t place him. He obviously knows me. “You have grown up, haven’t you?”

  Bile rises to my throat and it takes all I have not to vomit from his smell, and his words. “What do you want?”

  “I told you,” my mom begins, handing the man a needle before driving away from the school. “Money, which you have plenty of. Living in that nice house and shacking up with that doctor. I think it’s long past time that you pay me back.”

 

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