“Hey there, yourself.” Luke leaned over and kissed her on the lips.
Her hands cupped his face and then spread into his hair. She tangled her fingers through his thick waves as they stayed lip-locked. Luke moaned and I immediately felt uncomfortable..
I hit the back of the seat, stopping them before things got out of control. “Are you two going to kiss all day or what?”
After three long seconds, they finally stopped. “So, Sis, how you doing?” Luke adjusted the rearview mirror.
“Totally disgusted.”
“Sorry.” Delaney glanced back at me, her eyes pleading for me to forgive her.
“Take a nap, you’ll feel better.”
I yawned and settled against the seat. A nap did sound really good.
Luke shook his head. “What are you going to do when you go back to work and classes start? I’m sure grad school is more demanding than undergrad.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll see how things go.” I checked the messages on my phone. Nothing new showed up. Now that Shawn and Josh knew, I wondered if they’d told Raven. A tiny part of me wished they would so I didn’t have to. But I didn’t have time to think about Raven. I had to get my thoughts together on how I was going to break the news to my parents. I typed a text message to my dad, telling him I was on the way to see him and Mom. Closing my eyes, I thought about my options. What I should say first and what I needed from them.
“Lexi. Wake up.” Luke slapped the back of his seat. “Damn, I thought she said she took a nap.” I heard everything he said, I just couldn’t open my eyes.
“She did,” Delaney answered. “Lex. Hey, girl, you okay?” She shook my arm and I shifted.
“Hey, Lex, here comes Mom.”
I pried my eyes open and bolted upright. “Where?”
Luke laughed. “I knew that’d get you up.”
I hit the back of his seat with my palm, pushing him forward. He was back to his old tricks like when we were young. It made me smile. “Shithead.”
Delaney opened the door and I slid out first. I turned around when I heard the car door shut. “Hey,” I motioned for her to roll down the window, “aren’t you coming inside?”
She gave me a meek shrug and nodded toward Luke, as if trying to tell me he was the one making the decisions.
“Sorry, Sis. You have to do this one alone.” Luke peered through Delaney’s window, giving me a thumbs up. “You’ll be alright.”
“Uh.” I crossed my arms and pursed my lips together. “But I ne…” I stopped, realizing what I was about to say. I really didn’t need Luke or Delaney. He was right; I needed to tell my parents on my own. I was a grown woman that had been dying to express her independence and had done so defiantly for the past year. The result of everything I had done wasn’t anyone else’s problem. It was mine and I was taking responsibility for the decisions I’d made. “You’re right. Thanks.” I smiled and stepped away from the car.
“Text me when you’re ready to leave and we’ll come pick you up.”
I nodded and waved as he backed out of the driveway. I turned around and took a deep breath. It was now or never. Taking one step at a time, I approached the front door, rehearsing exactly what I’d say to them. Just as I reached into my purse to grab my keys, the front door opened.
“Hey, princess.”
“Hi, Dad.” I smiled.
“I hurried home as soon as you said you were on the way.” Dad loosened the tie around his neck as he held the door open for me. “Where’s Luke?”
“He and Delaney went to the mall. They’ll be back in a little while.”
“Who’s at the door, hon?” Mom’s voice echoed through the foyer. “I don’t want to be late for—” Mom stopped dead in her tracks with her mouth ajar. Her eyes darted to my dad and then back to me.
“Hi.” I gave a short wave, waiting to see if her reaction would soften.
“Lexi. Wh-what are you doing here? I mean, it’s about time you came home. Your sister and I have been doing all the planning for this graduation party. I hope you appreciate it.” She tucked her short hair behind her ear and pushed her shoulders back. Her new hairstyle definitely made her look more sophisticated and more her age. She still hadn’t given up on coloring it to cover the grey, though.
“Thanks. I, um, I need to talk to you and Dad.” I shut the door behind me and walked past them toward the living room, keeping a straight face. If I didn’t keep my focus, I knew I’d lose it and start crying. My hormones continued to wreak havoc on my emotions — I found myself crying at almost anything, including commercials. I was pathetic.
“Well, we were just about to leave for dinner.” She held up her arm and checked her watch. She fumbled with the bangles on her wrist and let out a small sigh. “Where’s Luke? I guess we can all go eat and then—”
“Olivia, I think dinner can wait.” Dad ushered her toward the living room.
“Travis, we told the Stanley’s we’d be there at six.” Mom sounded perturbed that her dinner plans had been postponed rather than happy to see me. Nothing had changed, that was for sure.
“Sit.” Dad placed a hand on her shoulder and forced her down to the couch. With his other hand, he whipped his phone out of his pocket and typed a text.
“What are you doing?” she questioned, but dad remained silent as his fingers worked quickly.
“Now they know we aren’t coming.” He smiled and sat next to her.
Way to go, Dad!
I wish I could’ve recorded the entire incident, because I knew Luke wasn’t going to believe me. Apparently, some things had changed. I hated to say it, but Dad had finally grown a pair.
“What is it that’d you like to talk to us about, princess?” Dad smiled as he leaned forward with his hands folded in his lap.
Mom didn’t say anything, just flapped her long, faux lashes at me, as if telling me, “This better be good”. Oh boy, would it be.
My legs shook as adrenaline coursed through my body. Inside my chest, the gun had just sounded and the horses had been released, galloping at full speed, as if eager to get away from the nerve-wracking scene. Easing onto a chair, I took a deep breath and positioned myself to face them.
I can do this.
“I just…” I took a few deep breaths, trying to get the horses to slow down, but they refused. “I, um, wanted to let…” No matter how many times I’d repeated the words in my head, I couldn’t say them.
“I think what Lexi is trying to tell us is that she’s decided to go to graduate school.” He winked at me and I whimpered.
“Oh, sweetie,” Mom sighed as her hand flew to her chest. “I’m so happy for you. That’s the best news ever.” She scampered toward me and embraced me in a tight hug. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around her, unsure whether her reaction was genuine. “You’ll definitely earn more money with a master’s degree. You can work your way up to administration.” She released me, keeping her hands on my arms. “Who knows, maybe you can become a vice principal.”
Oh God.
“Yeah, um, I’m not going to grad school for education.”
“You’re not?” Mom stood upright, her bubble completely burst. “Then what are you going to do?”
I shifted in my chair. “I’ve decided to get a master’s degree in English and creative writing instead.”
Her hands flew to her hips. “And what do you hope to do with that?”
“What I’ve been doing, editing.” I smiled.
She shook her head and returned to the couch. “And what exactly are you editing?” She pursed her lips together and folded her arms against her body.
“Does it really matter?” I challenged her stare, not ready to back down. “I’ll continue editing student papers like I have been. I was also promoted to a Senior Consultant in the writing lab with Dr. Phillips. I’ll be working there while I go to grad school. That’s why I moved in with Delaney.” I decided to leave the whole part about editing for J.S. Christensen out of the conversation. Sh
e’d never understand and I didn’t feel like explaining it to her.
“That’s great news, Lexi. Congratulations.” Dad got up and gathered me in a hug.
“Thanks, Dad.” I loved how he pretended he didn’t know. It was our little secret.
“I thought you were moving back home this weekend. Don’t the dorms close on Friday?” She looked at my dad and then back to me. “I thought that’s why you showed up…to tell me you were sorry about everything and ask if you could live here.”
“Um, I think it’s you that owes me the apology.” I gritted my teeth. “Your words caused a lot of heartache for me and Raven.”
“Me?” Mom’s voice raised three octaves. “I had nothing to do with that boy’s behavior. And what does it matter now? He got kicked out of school and off the football team, right? And Dad told me he left you — again.”
Thanks, Dad.
“Lexi, Olivia,” Dad spoke up, “let’s not go down that path. Let bygones be bygones. I want both of you to apologize and put all of this in the past.”
He looked at me and then at Mom. “Olivia, you go first.”
Mom rolled her eyes and tilted her head to the right. “I’m sorry, Lexi. I’ll learn how to keep my opinions to myself and let you decide how you want to live your life.” Her words were more sarcastic than honest. “There, you happy?” She glanced at Dad out of the corner of her eye.
I knew he’d been talking to her, which was good, but it did nothing for me unless she was sincere. I didn’t need her to save face. Tears welled up in my eyes again. It really sucked that I couldn’t have a better relationship with my mother. Especially with everything I was facing. I had no idea how I was going to raise two babies on my own.
“I’m sorry, too, Mom. I’m sorry that I don’t meet your standards or do everything that you want me to do. I’m sorry that you don’t approve of my choices.” I pointed to myself and the tears released. “I’m sorry that you couldn’t accept Raven, like you accepted Collin. But most of all, I’m sorry that you don’t treat me like you treat Ashley, because I could really use a friend right now.”
“Lexi, a mother is not supposed to be a friend.” Her eyes glossed over, but she didn’t cry. “My role is to make sure I raise you to do the right thing and put you back on track when you rear off. And that’s all I’ve ever done. I’ve only wanted the best for you, Luke, and Ashley. Can’t see you that?”
“Then that explains it.” I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hands. “I appreciate all of your hard ass advice, but in the end, it really didn’t help me because I’m pregnant. And I’m having twins,” I blurted without even a second thought. “And Raven is the father.”
My mom’s face turned to stone, like I had just knocked the life out of her. Dad did a double take. “Lexi, you didn’t tell me…how long have you known?” He sounded like he was betrayed or hurt that I hadn’t told him.
“You’re what?” Mom breathed heavily, as if still trying to process the words. “Why weren’t you being more responsible? What about all those condoms. How did…”
“I found out this past Saturday.” I exhaled, releasing all the tension and calming the racehorses inside of my chest. It was over. They knew. “I would’ve told you sooner, but it’s been quite traumatic.”
“Traumatic. This is devastating. How far along are you?” Mom ran her fingers through her hair repeatedly, turning into a ball of frazzled nerves.
“I’m eight weeks.”
“Give me your phone.” Mom motioned to Dad.
“Why?” Dad eyed her suspiciously.
She swallowed a few times. “I, um, need to look up the cut off for abortions.”
“Abortion? And you call yourself a Christian?” I shot up, rage hitting my blood stream. “I’m not aborting my babies!” I cradled my stomach. “Not after all I’ve been through.”
“Relax, Lexi.” Dad rushed to my side. “No one is telling you to get an abortion.” He eased me back onto the chair, keeping an arm wrapped around me.
I sat, gripping the handles of the chair, when I really wanted to be ripping out her hair. The nerve she had. This was woman was un-freakin-believable. She was never going to give up until she got what she wanted for me.
“What have you been through?” Mom questioned, as if I didn’t know what I was talking about. “You have no idea what it’s like to be pregnant with twins, deliver them, and raise them.”
“Not yet, but if I haven’t lost them by now, then it’s meant to be.”
Mom and Dad looked confused and I knew I’d said too much. Why couldn’t I just keep it simple? I knew there wasn’t an easy way out of this one.
“Let me explain.” My shoulders dropped as all my energy drained from me. Arguing with my mom sucked the life out of me. “I had an IUD and got pregnant with it, so they had to remove it. The doctor said there was a twenty-five percent chance I could lose the babies.”
“Oh, Lexi.” Dad placed his hand on my back, giving me a gentle rub. “I’m sorry.”
“So, yes, I was being responsible, but it didn’t work. So there you have it. I’m pregnant with twins, so I could really use your support. I need to see a doctor and, if possible, stay on your insurance until I figure out what the hell I’m going to do.”
“How are you going to go to grad school?” Mom still wasn’t getting it.
“I don’t know. I have the summer to think about it.”
Mom fell back against the couch. With her hand on her forehead, she looked just as spent as me. “My God, Lexi. You graduate on Saturday and you’re just telling us.”
“I found out a few days ago. What did you want me to do? Call you the second I left the health center?”
Mom rubbed her head. “I need an aspirin. Travis, will you please—”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve got it.” Dad went to the kitchen to fetch mom her copout, like always.
Dad returned with her aspirin and a glass of water. “Thank you, hon.”
“I think you should seriously consider moving back home. Having two babies at once is a lot of work.” He handed me a glass of water.
“Thanks, Dad.” After taking a few gulps, I said, “I know and I probably will, but give me some time to get my head straight, please.”
“Does Raven know?” Mom pressed the cold glass of water to her forehead, as if she were the one pregnant and facing a life changing event.
“Not yet.”
“Are you going to tell him? Because I think he has a right to know,” Dad chimed in.
“I know. It just that…” I closed my eyes, trying to fight the emotions tugging at my heart and stirring the babies in my belly. Would I ever be okay without Raven? I wanted him to be a part of the babies’ lives. It was only right.
Dad kneeled next to me. Taking my hands in his, he said, “It’s okay, Lexi. You’ve got plenty of time to decide what you want to do. And whatever you decide, we will be here to help you. You can count on that.”
Tears dripped from my eyes. “Thanks, Dad. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
“I love you, princess” He rose up and kissed me on the forehead.
“And I love you, too, sweetie.” Mom joined us, wrapping an arm around me. “This won’t be easy, but I’ll help you, if you want.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
We hugged and cried. It was the best family hug I’d ever had in the whole twenty-one years I’d been alive. Why did it take something so drastic to bring us together?
***
“Thank God,” Luke muttered as the last row of graduates approached the stage.
“Tell me about it. I’m dying over here.” I shifted and stretched in my chair. The Texas sun was directly overhead and being outside in the middle of May on the football field wasn’t exactly fun. I had no idea how Raven played in the heat while wearing so much equipment. My cheeks flushed just thinking about it. “You have to stop somewhere before we head to Ashley’s. I’m starving to death.”
Luke shook his head. “Why a
m I not surprised?”
Saturday had arrived before I knew it and we were at the end of our three hour graduation ceremony. Excitement was definitely in the air and I struggled with my emotions once again. Luckily, Luke and I were sitting side by side, since we shared a last name, and I had him for support. The pangs of pregnancy hunger and sleep called to me. I had no idea how I’d made it this far. Maybe it was because I knew I was closing one chapter in my life and getting ready for the next.
“Graduates, please stand,” the dean of admissions announced.
We stood, donning our purple robes and square graduation caps, proud of our accomplishments. Whistles echoed throughout the crowd and a few whoops followed. Laughter spread throughout and I smiled, even though part of me was a little sad. It was supposed to be a joyous day and it was, but something was missing. And that something was Raven. Being on the field he’d played on for three years didn’t seem right. Especially since I was carrying his babies. Without warning, the waterworks released and I blotted my eyes for the umpteenth time.
“Graduates, if you will take your tassels and flip them to the left.” The dean demonstrated on his own tassel and we followed. Silly string sprayed through the air, covering us in a web of purple and white. More tears fell and I couldn’t help but feel excited. I had finally earned my degree. “Parents and friends, I’m happy to introduce the graduates of Park Hill University!” The dean of admissions spread his arms and the crowd erupted into a loud cheer. Confetti shot out, covering us in a rainbow of colors. Luke took out a bullhorn and squeezed it several times.
“Hey, you’re not supposed to have that.” I pushed his arm down, hoping no one saw, but he didn’t care, doing it three more times.
“We did it, Sis! We did it!” Luke threw his arms around me, picking me up.
I squealed. “Yes, we did!”
After we hugged some of our friends and wished them well, the field filled with families and friends. Everyone darted in different directions as they searched for their loved ones. Luke held my hand as we searched through the crowd, hearing a familiar voice.
“Luke! Lexi!” Delaney jumped up and down, waving at us.
The Winning Side Page 24