“Yeah, he did.” Regina smiled. “He coordinated you being eliminated and Driscoll being here in time. Cell phones are wonderful things.”
Spencer could only imagine what they did to time it just perfectly so he and Driscoll ran into each other.
“Also, you have a doctor’s appointment next week. Thursday. Three o’clock.”
“I know. Why are you telling me so early?”
“Irene advised that it’s best to start reminding you at least a week before, because you tend to claim to forget the closer you get to the actual appointment.” Regina narrowed her eyes. “You are not pulling that anymore. Your health is important, and you are going to all your appointments, even if I have to drag you there. Or Irene does.”
“Drag me, baby.” Spencer scowled. “But what does Irene have to do with it?”
“Oh…I didn’t tell you.” Regina’s smile was gleeful. “I hired Irene to keep track of those sort of appointments, and a few other things for you.”
“Wait.” He was horrified at the thought. He’d thought he’d got away from Irene’s form of organisation. The woman thrived on control. He thought she took a perverse sort of pleasure in it. “Why did you do that? Oh, no matter. You can’t afford her.” He breathed a relieved sigh.
“Oh, I’m not paying her. She’s doing it because she likes the ‘cornered look’”—Regina did air quotes—“you get in your eyes when she comes to you. She had quite a laugh about it, too.”
“I bet she did,” Spencer muttered. “Dris was right. Interfering women.” He glared at Regina. “And that includes you, too.” He paused as he thought of something, then grinned. Regina’s face went leery. “You do know she’s going to keep track of stuff for you too.”
“Uh-uh. We only discussed you.”
“Poor, poor duped Reggie. That’s how she lulls you in.” Spencer laughed at her expression.
Regina frowned. “I’m going to have to discuss this with Irene.”
“Good luck. Won’t do any good. But have fun trying.”
“Damn. This is your fault.” Regina glared.
“Me? I’m not the one who got duped.”
She lifted her eyebrow. “Say that word one more time.”
“How about overwrought?” He chuckled.
“Funny. Not!”
“I get it from Dris.”
“Driscoll at least is amusing.” She flinched again.
Spencer frowned. “Why do you call him D—?”
“Come on. Let’s get this show on the road!” Julianne called as she came towards them. “Enough of the lovey dovey stuff.” She pushed between them.
Spencer looked at Keenan, who also came up with the rest of the group. “Can’t you control your woman?”
“Can you?” Keenan grinned. “You’re so going to pay for the ‘your woman’ crack.”
“Yup.” Spencer nodded, then winced as he got an elbow in his side. “Jules, you have such sharp jabs.” He grabbed her elbow and leaned over to kiss it through her light jacket. Then he straightened. “And lovely ones, too.”
“Trying to suck up.” Julianne snorted. “It won’t help you. None of you.” She glared at the men. “Ladies, are you feeling like lobster? I sure am.”
The women all made sounds agreeing with her.
“I feel a trip to Simply Essential is in order, too,” Regina interjected.
“Yep. And I’m feeling very shoppy today.” Julianne tapped her finger against her lip. “I don’t think ‘shoppy’ is a word, but I like it. And since we’ll be in the Kinsey Avenue area, we can also stop at Ellis Shoppe and BG Scents, and the antique place Reggie mentioned before. Let’s get shoppy, ladies!” They turned and went off, leaving the men.
“Why are they so pissy?” Spencer watched them leave, confused.
“Dakota,” the men with him said.
Spencer glared at Dakota. “What did you do?”
“I can’t help it that I’m lucky.” Dakota lifted his hand, then grinned. “Until today, I’ve been winning all the laser tag since we started playing. So any of the men who came when I did have gotten to do what we’ve”—he gestured to the others—“wanted. Not that these ingrates appreciated it.” Dakota glared at everyone but Spencer. “You all liked it when we went bowling and got to go to the sports store, hardware super store and the baking goods place.”
Spencer stared at the last one.
“Taggart chose that one. We went to appease him,” Dakota whispered loudly.
His brother, Taggart, smacked him upside the head.
“Hey! Is that the way you abuse your students?” Dakota rubbed his head. Taggart was a professor at the university.
“They have more sense that you.” Taggart lifted his fist. “You liked the baking store. I went there to get some stuff for my science class. I’m not the one who we had to drag out of there—the one the women threatened to kick his ass since he was trying to make them broke.”
“It’s so much fun when they have to buy for us. At least we’re going to the candy Shoppe. We usually go there anyway. But usually, they’re buying.” Dakota grinned. “Admit it. You all like teasing them for losing. Telling them all about when the men win the battle of the sexes.”
“Yes. But we’re not the one who came up with a dance about winning.” Keenan crossed his arms. “Go ahead and show him. Act like he’s one of the women.”
Dakota bowed, then the rest gave him room. He started to move. Spencer was, as usual, impressed that he was so graceful. With a few intricate moves, Dakota set the tone. He slid closer, then winked and slid into a split before bouncing up on his feet, turning, shaking his butt, then looking over his shoulder.
“We win and you lose,” he sang in a nice baritone. Dakota turned then bowed low, blowing kisses.
“You are such a ham.” Spencer looked at the rest of the men. “No wonder they’re pissy. His dance clearly portrays he is taunting them with his winning.”
“No, with us winning,” Keenan said. “Men versus women, remember.”
“And he’s done this every time he’s won?”
“Yep. I’ve choreographed a new part beforehand to add to it each time we win.” Dakota pouted. “I had something all ready for today. Oh well. I’ll save it for next time.”
The men groaned then followed the women. Spencer put his hand on Dakota’s arm to hold him back. When the others were ahead of them, he gestured, and they started walking behind the group.
“Did Reggie make up a dance, too?”
“I don’t know.” Dakota looked at him. “It’s been a long time since she danced.”
“I know.” Spencer could still recall that last time. She had been so beautiful. Glowing and radiant when she did a little twirl in front of him before going to do him a favour.
“Things have changed,” Dakota said somberly.
Spencer nodded. They went forward to join the others. The rest of the day, as the women did make them go to the places they’d mentioned, Spencer’s thoughts were filled with the changes, most especially the change between Driscoll and Regina and what could have caused it. He was drawing a blank on what did. After Driscoll’s accident, they had worked as a team to get him strong and back on his feet.
Later in the afternoon, he carried the numerous bags Regina had up the steps, following her. She had lots of bags in her hands.
“How the hell did you all get so much? The guys said they don’t usually have as much stuff.” Spencer shook the bags he had.
“Most of the men who are with us prefer to buy and go, not browse and find a good bargain like we do. More with the same value for less. That is how you get a boat load of stuff.” Regina laughed. “I especially liked how Dakota ended up the one with the bill for the antique place. Jenn was glad for the business.”
“Don’t you all think it might be wise to set a limit on how much you have to spend on this little continuing bet of yours?”
“There is. Each person only pays up to fifty dollars per person for the day. If you w
ant something more, then you pay the difference. We don’t say it, but it’s understood about finances. Since we know not everyone has the same finances, we try to keep it in their range when we choose something.” Regina shrugged. “Dakota tries to push the limit. He doesn’t actually mean it, but you know him. He likes to try to tease or mess with people he cares about.” She unlocked the door and went in, turning off the alarm.
“That’s a good plan to not offend anyone. You all planned out the logistics of the wager very well.” Spencer came in behind her. “No wonder Dakota is one of Dris’ best friends they are alike in that way. Both teasers, eccentric but essentially good at heart.”
“That’s another way to say crazy.” Regina placed her bags down by the base of the steps.
“There is that.” Spencer set his down too as he chuckled. “But you know they both like to claim they are the sane ones and we’re the ones who are strange.”
“Hump, Dakota and Driscoll are delusional.” Regina stretched then placed her hand on his back, rubbing the base of his spine gently. “What should we do for dinner?”
Spencer leaned into her touch, moaning. “You keep doing that and I’m all yours.”
“You’re all mine anyway.” She kissed the back of his neck then smacked him on the ass. “And I’m enjoying that later.” She rubbed her hand along his ass, squeezing gently.
“Hmmmm, I’m going to hold you to that.” He turned his head and kissed her.
Regina hummed then touched his cheek. “Let’s make dinner quick.”
“Grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup.”
“Sounds good.” She went towards the kitchen.
“Comfort food.” Spencer followed, thinking of earlier with Driscoll. “Reggie, I’ve been thinking we can invite Dris over.”
She stiffened then relaxed. “Sure, we could do that.”
Spencer eyes narrowed at the stiffness in her body and tone. “You don’t sound like you want to.”
“He’s your brother, Spence.” Regina shrugged as she entered the kitchen going to the fridge. “You can have him over.”
“He’s your family too, Reggie, and you all are friends.” Spencer stopped by the island watching her.
“I don’t want to discuss this, Spence.” Regina opened the fridge.
“I don’t even remember when things changed between the two of you.” Spencer frowned, baffled at why they seemed so at odds.
“Leave it alone, Spence.” Regina slammed the fridge closed. “I’m not hungry. If you want something, make it yourself.” She turned and went out of the kitchen.
Frowning, Spencer went after her. He grabbed her in the hall, ignoring her resistance as he turned her to him. He felt her trembling and he didn’t know why. The expression on her face was cold and contained.
“Damn it, Reggie. Dris is my brother and you’re my wife. The two of you are friends. You get along.” He touched her cheek. “Or you used to. He won’t tell me when that changed. You’re going to tell me. What happened between you and Dris?”
“I almost fucking killed him.” Regina jerked away. “Is that what you want to hear? Fine.” Regina wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes glassy and drew in a harsh breath. “I almost killed your brother and that changed our relationship.”
“What? Reggie, what are you talking about?” Spencer moved towards her.
She held up a shaking hand. Stumbling back, Regina shook her head. “Stay away from me.” She turned and took a shaky step.
“Reggie, talk to me. You can’t say something like that and walk away.” Spencer matched her step. “It’s not true.”
Regina turned to face him, her face a mask of fury and pain. Spencer drew in a breath at the sight.
“It’s true!” Regina screamed. She shook, feeling everything overcome her. “I almost killed him. I killed almost all his band mates.” She took a quivering breath, blinking against the wetness of her eyes. She would not cry. “I killed our baby.” Biting her lip, she put her hand over her mouth and placed the other over her stomach. “Our baby.”
The shock on Spencer’s face confused her. He already knew what she had done. She lowered her hand and clasped it with the other. Every moment of what happened bombarded her.
“Reggie.” His voice was soft and filled with pain. “You didn’t kill anyone. It was an accid—”
“Don’t tell me it was an accident.” She clenched her fists. “That is all everyone said for months after it happened. It was just an accident.” Regina moved towards him. “I was the one driving the car that caused everything. I was the one who almost cost Driscoll his life. I killed most of his band mates.” She pressed her hand against her stomach. “Our baby, Spence. I killed our baby.” She blew out a breath. “I wanted our child so much.” The shakiness in her voice made her struggle to keep it together. “I took that from us. You hated me, Spencer, for taking that from you. Just as Driscoll hates me for changing his life so unequivocally.”
“No one hates you, Reggie.” Spencer shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Stop saying that,” she yelled, throwing her hand up. “That’s all you kept saying. And I didn’t believe it then and I don’t now.”
Memories she had refused to face resurfaced as her thoughts flashed to the accident that had changed their lives.
“Dris, you’re full of shit.” She laughed.
“Shit,” the rest of the band in the back seats of the vehicle chanted.
“Fuck all of you,” Driscoll replied.
Laughing, she glanced at him and saw his smug smile that clearly showed he didn’t give a crap they were teasing him. Regina focused back on the road, shaking her head. Driscoll was too used to being in control. The sound of thunder made her frown and she stared out at the pouring rain surrounding them. It had been steadily getting worse throughout the day. A flash of light made her look to her right and past Driscoll out of the passenger side window. A tree toppled. Regina’s eyes widened.
Oh, my God it’s going to hit us. She focused on Driscoll whose attention was focused on the people in the back seat. “Dris!” she screamed.
He glanced at her startled then turned to look out of the window. “Get down,” he yelled. He returned his attention to her and reached for her.
Regina tightened her hand on the wheel as the tree fell. She swerved to try to save them. The van jerked and she screamed as they were hit. Glass cracked in the back behind them and the screams echoed in the interior. The belt jerked her and she fought to turn the wheel. Stronger hands covered hers and she glanced at Driscoll. There was fear on his face she knew mirrored hers. He jerked the wheel sharply and they spun. Driscoll’s foot pushed down on hers and she felt the van buck as it roared forward then they slid and flipped. Her head snapped back and she moaned as her vision went in and out for a moment.
“Dris.” She reached for him.
“Reggie.” His hand gripped hers and his big body covered hers.
Why isn’t he wearing his seatbelt? They slid forward. In the next moment, she remembered their location and fear filled her. They were on the winding road to take one of the band members home and there was a steep drop off. She glanced out of the windshield and in the overcast day, she could make out the guardrail that they were moving towards.
“I’ve got you, Reggie.” Driscoll curled his arms around her. She realised he was trying to protect her. She held him, spreading her hands on his back.
Spence, I love you. She ached, knowing they would die and she would never see him again. Never hold their child together. She slid her hand between her and Driscoll’s body and wept bitterly at the loss of her happiness. Driscoll covered her hand with his. She met his gaze and saw the same hopelessness in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Reggie.” His voice trembled.
“Dris,” she cried then screamed as they hit the rail. Her vision went black. She was aware of being jostled and lifted, then placed on the cold hard ground. There were sounds around her, then as if from a d
istance, she heard her name being called.
“Reggie.”
She moaned.
“Come on, Reggie. We need to get you out of here.”
She registered it was Driscoll’s voice. She blinked, opening her eyes. His blood-coated face filled her view. On one side of his face, she could see the bone and sinew.
“Dris,” she whispered.
“You will not die on me, Reggie. Spence would never forgive me. I would never forgive myself. I’m getting you out of here.” He yanked her along the road. She hissed at the scraping on her skin then the pain registered and she bucked, holding her stomach.
“It’ll be okay, Reggie.” Driscoll kept repeating it over and over and he moved her away. Blearily she looked at the fire on the top of the vehicle crumpled against the guardrail.
When did the fire start? she wondered.
Driscoll finally stopped and he laid her on the road. He knelt beside her and pushed her hair back from her face. “I’ll be right back.”
“What? Where are you going?”
Driscoll looked at the vehicle then to her. “I need to get them out. There are some alive.” He gulped. “Some looked dead, but their families should at least have their bodies. There is gas and with the fire the van might blow before we get help.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
“No, Dris. You could be hurt.” Regina grabbed his arms.
“I’ll be fine.” He smiled then pulled her hands from his arms.
He took off his jacket and placed it on her tucking it in around her. He stood then stumbled but seemed to catch his balance as he went back the vehicle. Helpless, Regina watched through the pouring rain as he pulled his band members out of the vehicle. With each person he brought out, she could tell from his expression if they were dead or alive. She heard sounds of pain as some woke. The fire kept burning and she could swear it was spreading. Anxious, she waited each time for Driscoll to get to safety.
Driscoll placed another body beside her then patted her shoulder. “Just have to get Stuart.”
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