Sins of the Father (California Dreaming Book 2)

by Stacey Johnston

  “I know man. I just hate that we are so far away from each other. It eats at me knowing she is back there, with that fucker Tatum. It’s him I don’t trust, not Soph.”

  Grabbing a cola, he sits on the milk crate in the corner.

  I get it, I really do, because it’s no surprise, it’s like a pissing contest between those two. The funniest thing about the whole situation is Sophie doesn’t even notice.

  “You know Sophie pays no attention to you, and Tatum.” I throw at him.

  Raising his head, there’s a look of resignation in his eyes. “I know, but he deliberately baits me and I fall for it every time. When it comes to Soph, I can’t help it.”

  “What are you up to?” Kyle queries me, sitting his ass down on the floor.

  He is using his question as a distraction; it’s just his way of pulling Ben back to us. We have used tactics like this over the years to keep ourselves sane when we were in hiding, but also because we have confided in each other about everything as well. We know each other, we know what works and what doesn’t, it’s just how our bond has always been. It’s our brotherhood. I don’t know how I would have coped if it were not for the support they gave me, and I, to them in return.

  “I am heading to Brooklyn on Saturday.” I confide. This causes raised eyebrows from Kyle, and Luke.

  “Do we need to ask why?” a confused Luke asks, his expression fixed, motionless.

  “No, but I want you all to come with me.”

  This causes everyone to turn in my direction, including Ben. Their faces quizzical, giving me a look of surprise. Without hesitation, Luke is the first one to respond.

  “What the fuck for? They will be arriving on Sunday anyway.”

  His reaction is to be expected, but I am hoping once I get out what I’m planning, they will be in on it.

  “I am planning a surprise for Sheri, but I need your help,” I tell them all.

  Not allowing them time to open their mouths I continue, “Sophie mentioned that Sheri is performing the solo at Saturday night’s game. I want to join her.”

  Their looks are still set, until I fill them in on the whole plan. Sophie is organizing with Jason for me to be the other lead. The song she has picked is one from a group called Lady Antebellum. It’s the same group that sings that song I was hooked on when we first moved back. I ended up finding that song title, and artist that night. I have been listening to it every day since. I found it ironic that the title is Need You Now. It summed up everything I had been feeling at the time. Apparently, according to Soph, Sheri has picked one of theirs, called just a kiss. I downloaded it from iTunes last night and googled the lyrics. What I want to do is come into the song without her knowing I’m there.

  The gymnasium back there is designed so that there is a gap in between the seating, allowing me access to walk straight up the middle onto the court. She shouldn’t be able to see me until I reach the end of the bleachers, just before I move onto the court. That part of the gymnasium is generally darker during the basketball games, the focus being on the court itself. If all goes to plan – and Sophie doesn’t blabber first, I should be able to pull this off. What I need the boys help for is backup, both vocal and moral. I need my brothers there, to back me up in case I fall flat on my face.

  I find that no persuasion is required, each of them agrees instantly. It’s all finalized when Ben gets a text from Sophie telling him Jason is also on board. It seems he wasn’t happy when we left, especially after finding out that we could sing, all along. After finalizing some of the minor details, we get Ben’s mom to organize our flights. I found it funny, how quickly she had managed to talk our parents into this, but I then again I doubt any of them were surprised at all. Now all I have to do is memorize that damn song so that I don’t fuck it up on the night. I don’t think I have been this nervous in years.

  Heading home, I message my girl to tell her that I won’t be able to make it, and that I would see her on Sunday. I was hoping she wouldn’t catch on to the little detail, of me not asking for the flight details. I was surprised when she didn’t, and as much as I hated deceiving her, I don’t want her finding out what I’m up to. I have arranged for Anthony to pick us up from the airport and take us straight to the game. We will arrive early so that Jason can run through the performance with us. I did get the impression, though, that she was upset when I told her I wasn’t flying in.

  Just talking with her tonight, even if it was only briefly, had been a welcomed relief. A reassurance of sorts that everything was going to be Okay. My head has been filled with thoughts of what I want to do to her when I get her alone. There is no way I’m letting her out of my bed this time around. Well, not until I have shown her what it feels like to be cherished. I want her trembling beneath my touch, crying out when the pleasure gets too much for her. Pinning her underneath the weight of my body, with our faces close enough to allow my tongue to slowly trace across her bottom lip.

  Fuck! Just the thought of how tight her pussy was, has me hard and aching right now.

  Apart from Rochelle, she is the only other virgin I have ever had sex with. The fact that I ruined it for her is not sitting well with me at all. Not that my first time was anything to brag about either, but that doesn’t justify what I did. Looking back on it now, mine was one of those embarrassing stories you don’t want to become public.

  Just imagine this; we were in Rochelle’s bedroom one afternoon when her parents weren’t home. She made me turn and face the wall while she stripped and got into her bed. By the time she told me I could turn around, she was under her covers, with them pulled right up to her chin. It was fucking hilarious.

  When I stripped off my shirt, I was staring straight at her. I wanted her to witness everything, but she closed her eyes. I couldn’t believe it. Stripping completely, I climbed in next to her, coaxing the blankets out of her hands. She was so fucking nervous, that I just remember thinking it was cute. Pity her cuteness was short lived. Everything else about the moment was just about the mechanics of it. It was an awkward experience that I couldn’t wait to get through.

  I wish I could have made Sherlyn’s a better experience for her. I will have to find a way to make it up to her. I may not be able to give her back that moment, but I will find some way of making it right.

  Sherlyn

  I can’t believe that, by this time tomorrow, I will be leaving Brooklyn for the last time and starting my new life in California. Most people only dream about packing everything up and heading out that way, to live their dreams, but little old me is actually doing it. Everything has been packed, ready for the movers since yesterday, leaving me with just my suitcase, ready for the flight.

  Right now, though, my nerves are kicking in considerably, because in just over an hour, I will be performing in front of the whole school. I’m feeling nauseous - no scrap that, I’m about to throw up.

  I can’t do this, what if I get up there, and stage fright kicks in. I don’t think I can deal with that kind of embarrassment. My hands are starting to shake. I need to stop fidgeting, or I won’t be able to perform at all.

  “Stop pacing, Sheri.” A grinning Tatum murmurs.

  He is standing directly in front of me, with his hands on his hips, tapping his foot. “Come on girl, you’ve got this. Relax.”

  If you didn’t know him, you would think that boy was gay. It’s only because I know him well, and caught him and Sumner kissing at his house one day last summer, that I know differently. Before you jump to conclusions, though, these two are definitely not together. Well, not in the sense that they are boyfriend and girlfriend anyway. Their relationship is more of a casual hook-up sort. They call each other their wingman, but they are also each other’s backup plan as well. To me, it’s a friends with benefits sort of thing, but they don’t like that definition. Whatever makes them happy I suppose. I keep telling them, that they are headed for trouble, but neither of them will hear anything of it.

  Giggling, I start to relax. It’s har
d not to when he is standing in front of me pulling silly faces.

  “Is this your way of making me calm down?” I ask him.

  The look on his face is hilarious, forcing more than just a giggle to fall out of my mouth.

  With fluttering eyelashes, and fish lips he declares, “Of course baby doll, anything for my girl.”

  That has me done in, there are now tears streaming down my face in laughter. It gets even worse when I hear Jason – our illustrious leader and stress merchant, yelling at him to stop whatever he is doing, and leave me alone. I knew there was a reason that boy was my friend.

  He makes me laugh.

  He slowly backs away, smirking at me, with his hands in the air.

  Calming down, I swipe at the tears. Smiling at Tatum, I mouth thank you before heading to where Soph is getting ready. With him singing lead beside me, I know I will be able to make it through my song.

  We are five minutes away from walking out onto the court, and I’m struggling.

  “Are you ready, baby doll?” A deep voice whispers in my ear.

  I won’t deny that the nerves are kicking my ass right now, and having Tatum standing behind me is not helping.

  “I’m nervous enough as it is, Tatum, don’t make it worse for me.” I plead with him.

  Turning me around to face him, he places his hands on my shoulders. “You’ve got this Sheri. Your voice is just as strong as Soph’s. Show this school what you are capable of. I will be right there beside you.”

  His reassuring tone is calming. I know he is right. I just don’t like waiting around like this. Sophie, though, is the complete opposite; she is laughing, and chatting to Jason behind us.

  “All right you lot, get your ass out there and impress me.” Our delightful basketball coach yells at us.

  Why are sports coaches so obnoxious? I am thankful, that I’m not sporty. I wouldn’t last five minutes around Mr. Striker. Turning back, I allow Tatum to guide me out onto the court. His hand resting on the small of my back as reassurance. It’s a shame we never connected; he really is a sweetie.

  Jason’s introduction only lasts a few minutes as we position ourselves, and then the lights dim. I’m grateful because although I know the gymnasium is packed, I can’t clearly see their faces. I chose a song that fits where my head has been of late, and although I would love to be singing it with Stephen, Tatum is my male lead. As the music starts, Tatum smirks at me. What the hell is that boy up to?

  Picking up my microphone I close my eyes and tune out the crowd … Lying here with you so close to me…. As I get to the end of my verse, I open them to look over at Tatum, but he’s not there. What’s going on? Panic sets in, what do, I do now?

  Before I can move, I hear a voice singing back to me, coming from toward the bleachers. That doesn’t sound like Tatum, when did we change leads? Snapping my head around, I look in the direction that the lights are shining. Following the voice, I see Stephen walking toward me, a microphone in his hand, singing in place of Tatum. …I’ve never opened up to anyone…

  OMG, I can’t believe my eyes. This can’t be happening, but it is. He is really here singing to me. Following closely behind him are Ben, Kyle & Luke, each with their own microphones. Even though, technically, he has rendered me speechless, I know I can’t stop. Lifting the microphone back to my mouth, I join in with him…but we don’t need to rush this…

  When Luke, Ben, and Kyle lift their microphones, they join in with us to the chorus. Coming to stand next to me, he grabs hold of my hand and guides me toward him, so that we are face to face. He shifts, putting us on an angle making us visible to our audience … Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight… The others quickly move behind us, fading into the background with everyone else.

  The crowd before us erupts, their cheers almost drowning out the sound of our voices. He tightens his grip on my hand as the song drifts back to my verse, pulling me closer. With my hand entwined with his, he lifts our hands, to place them on his chest. His heartbeat quickening under our combined touch.

  There is a tsunami of emotions flowing through me right now, especially when we reach the chorus for the last time …Just a shot in the dark that you just might - Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life….

  We have been standing in the middle of the court for what seems like an eternity, just staring into each other’s eyes. The crowd around us are clapping and whistling. Their feet stomping on the metal bleachers, blending in time with their cheers. To me, everything going on around us is just an echo, a distant background noise that I have tuned out. My sole concentration is on the boy in front of me. His eyes are absorbing me, drowning me in a gorgeous river of dark chocolate. His eyes were ones that I could get lost in.

  His hand moves to my cheek, and I close my own eyes, moving into his touch. In that moment, nothing else matters, it feels like we are the only two people on this planet.

  Leaning in he whispers in my ear, “We need to move, dream girl. The boys need to get this game started.”

  Oh, snap! Coming out of my daze, I notice that although we are being applauded with cheers and wolf whistles, we are still standing in the middle of the court. The lights are now on, and the teams are warming up, down opposite ends ready for the big game. God damn it!

  Moving quickly off the court, I see Soph, Tatum and everyone else cheering loudly from the corner. Taking in my surroundings properly, it is apparent that everyone has come down to watch. Standing before me now are the Valentines, Luke, Kyle & Ben, as well as our Glee club.

  Could this be any more embarrassing? My face must be bright red right now. The only one missing is Sean, but that doesn’t surprise me. He has been avoiding me since the other day, which makes me feel bad. Soph has tried to intervene, but he has shut himself off to everyone.

  By my side, though, is my dream boy, my prince charming. The love flowing through me right now is overpowering. I didn’t think I was capable of feeling this way, of being able to give myself, to someone this completely. He hasn’t let go of my hand since he walked over to me. It feels like he is scared of letting go, in case I run away. As I look up at him, while squeezing his hand, I reassure him that I’m not going anywhere.

  Sudden movement nearby us catches Soph’s, dad’s attention, causing us to all turn around. A sudden, sharp, pinching in my side distracts me from what they are all looking at. Reaching down, there is a feeling of something wet, and sticky on my clothing, and then the pain hits me like a lightning bolt. Clutching my side, I look down to see the wet, stickiness oozing through my fingers, is actually blood. I have been hit with something sharp, the burning pain around where I have been hit is excruciating. Lifting my head, I feel like everything is moving, in slow motion. I can see the lips of the people around me moving, but I can’t hear what they are saying. They look scared, panicked, and are yelling at me. I just can’t understand what they are trying to say. There is a blurriness to my vision that is starting to scare me. I can’t quite get a grip on what’s happening to me.

  My breathing is becoming shorter, shallower, and extremely painful, as I fight to get air into my lungs. Clutching at my chest momentarily helps distract me from the pain in my side, but my head is becoming fuzzier by the minute. Reaching out, I try to grab onto something as I feel my body begin to fall, it is finally succumbing to the pain of whatever has just happened to me…

  Chapter Nine

  Stephen

  We were all distracted with what Anthony was doing to notice what was going on with Sheri until it was too late. One minute we were all talking, and laughing, and then the next Anthony is yelling at someone to stop. Everyone looked over at him, wondering what the hell was going on, as he started running toward the crowd. When Sheri’s hand pulled away from mine, I quickly spun around to find her clutching at her hip. There was blood seeping through her fingers, running down her clothing. Everything from that moment on was a blur; she went pale, the color draining from her face almost instantly. I was yelling her name, moving
toward her as she stumbled backward, but it was as if she couldn’t hear me. As I went to grab hold of her, she started falling. Her eyes were glazed over, and she was clutching at her chest. All I could think about in the moment was what the hell just happened. She looks like she has been shot, but I didn’t hear a gun go off, nor did she make any noise when she was hit. As she tumbles forward toward me, I grab hold of her, lowering her to the gym floor. There is a lot of yelling, and screaming going on around me, but I can’t focus on that, I need to focus on Sherlyn.

  “Don’t you dare close your eyes, Sheri. You have to stay with me,” I yell at her, my voice cracking with emotion.

  Her eyes are fluttering as if she is trying to keep them open.

  “I have only just gotten you back. You can’t leave me.” I plead with her, tears now streaming down my cheeks.

  I want to shake her, but I don’t want to cause her any more harm. Resting my forehead against hers, I allow my tears to flow. They shower down onto her face, as I contemplate what I’m supposed to do. I don’t want to think about the possibility of losing her.

  “Stephen, you have to move. The paramedics need to take her.”

  Sophie has knelt beside me, gently coercing me to move off her, so that they can help her.

  Not knowing what else to do, I take her offered hand, and latch on. I’m still kneeling beside my girl as the paramedic’s start working on her.

  “Her pulse is faint, but she is still alive, we need to move her now.” I hear one of them say.

  She still has a pulse, which means she still has a chance to survive this. Doesn’t it.

  “Go with them Stephen, I will find my father, and we will meet you at the hospital.” Soph declares, to which I just nod as I rise up from the floor.

  In a daze, I follow Sheri and the paramedics out of the gym toward their ambulance. I’m covered in her blood, but I don’t care. I have never been this scared about anything, not even when we had our own trouble going on. This feels different, unexplainable, but definitely different. They wheel her into the ambulance, making room for me to sit beside her. Grabbing her hand, I hold on tightly, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles in support. She looks ghostly pale; it feels like I have lost her. If it were not for her chest rising up, and down ever so slightly, you would think she was dead already.