by A. B. Medley
“I’m going to run to the store and get you a couple of tests and some Sprite and crackers. Anything else you want?” she asks as she gets up.
“No, I think that’ll cover it for now.”
She starts to walk out, and I reach up and grab her hand. “Thanks, Briella.”
“Yeah. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Hang in there.”
I smile up at her weakly.
I pull back up at the ranch. I’ve been at the department for the last few hours checking on other cases and filling in Trudeau on my progress. Tate’s walking toward me as I get out of my cruiser, a look of concern etched on his face. “Hey man, everything okay?”
He reaches me. “I’m not sure, you tell me. Bree left not long after you and said she’d be back, but it’s been several hours, and I haven’t seen or heard from her. She had that determined look in her eyes. So, what’s going on? You and I both know she won’t stop until she finds what she’s looking for.”
“Damn it, Bree,” I curse under my breath as I take out my phone and call her. Straight to voicemail.
“That could only mean one of two things: she doesn’t want to talk, or she can’t. Which do you think it is, brother?”
“Hell if I know, but I’m about to find out.” I storm into the house. “I’ll see if I can ping her phone.”
Tate follows me in.
I go to my office and over to the desk to my computer. I turn it on and put a trace on her phone. I zero in on it, blinking a few times. “What the hell, Briella?” I huff.
“What is it? Is she somewhere she isn’t supposed to be?” Tate asks with concern.
I rub my hand down my face. I blink at the computer again. In for a penny, in for a pound. I ping Ivie’s cell too. Sure enough, they’re together. Camden Springs.
I look at Tate. “It looks like Bree is with Ivie in Camden Springs, two hours away.”
“Why would they be there?” Tate asks, his forehead crinkling.
“Ivie lives there. To be honest I have no clue why she’d be there, since her dad’s retirement party is tomorrow night, much less why Bree would be there with her.”
A wave of guilt runs through me at the lie. I know Ivie saw Jade kiss me today. Jade is relentless. She doesn’t understand that I won’t ever be with her. It doesn’t matter that me and Ivie will never work. I’d never be with Jade. Still, she keeps doing things like that. Randomly kissing me or touching me. Texting me.
Unfortunately, Ivie had to see it. I didn’t run after her this time. I can’t do that anymore. I can’t trust her not to run into Dean’s arms, and that means I can’t be the man who comforts her. If I can’t trust her, we have nothing, and like I told Bree, I may be trying to catch a crazed stalker, but the information they have leaked has been accurate. There’s no doubt those pictures are, too.
“Are you going to keep trying to call her? What if something’s wrong?” Tate demands.
I close my eyes, knowing that something is very wrong. Ivie ran again. Does that mean she’ll come back before the party? Who knows. I’m confused by Bree being there, though, so I turn and answer Tate. “Yeah, I’m going to keep trying her. If I can’t get her in the next hour or two, I’ll head down there to check on everything.”
Tate appears uncomfortable. “Have you tried calling Ivie?”
“No, I haven’t. I’d rather not,” I say, hoping he doesn’t push.
No such luck. “Why the hell not, dude? What’s going on?”
I let out an irritated breath. I explain about the messages, then about earlier in front of the coffee shop. Tate stares at me.
“Dude, I think you’re making a big mistake. What happened to fighting for her this time? Honestly, if I were in Ivie’s shoes and saw what she saw, I’d probably run too.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose to thwart the headache building behind my eyes. I know what he’s saying makes sense, but I’m too angry at her. Seeing those pictures did something to me.
I pick up my phone and try to call Bree one more time. It rings once and goes to voicemail, again. Tate’s still watching me. “You should try Ivie. You’ll regret not fighting for her, Sterling.”
“Coming from the man who says he doesn’t do relationships.” I snap.
He narrows his eyes at me. “This isn’t me we’re talking about Sterling, it’s you. You and Ivie. Ivie’s the girl you’ve been dreaming about for years. You’re awfully quick to just let it go.”
“The same could be said for her, Tate. Why didn’t she stay and confront me? Why didn’t she fight? She didn’t. She ran—again. What’s that supposed to tell me, huh? That she’s in this for the long haul? To me, it says quite the opposite.”
I text Bree.
Me: Where are you? Are you ok?
Bree: I’m ok. I’ll be back tomorrow.
Me: Why are you in Camden Springs?
Bree: How do you know where I am?
Me: I pinged your cell when you didn’t answer my call. Tate was worried, I was too.
Bree: Jesus, Sterling. We’ll be talking about your lack of boundaries later. I would’ve called later. I’m a little busy right now.
Me: Are you with Ivie?
Bree: Yes, but that’s all you get.
And just like that, the feeling something is wrong just gotten times worse.
Briella gets back from the store, and I’ve made it to my bed from the bathroom floor. She comes into my bedroom, giving me a small smile.
“How are you feeling?” she asks, bringing me the Sprite and the crackers.
I sit up so I can sip on the Sprite and nibble on a saltine. “My heart feels shattered, but I haven’t gotten sick since you left, so there’s that.” I flash her a small smile.
“I put the tests in your bathroom. I can leave you alone if you want to go take it.” Briella starts to leave the bedroom.
I reach out and grab her hand. “Wait, please stay. I’m not going back to Greendale tonight. I’ll go back in the morning. I have a spare bedroom, or you can even stay in here with me. I just…I really don’t want to be alone tonight.”
She rubs the top of my hand with her thumb and offers me a smile. “I’ll do whatever you want, Ivie.”
“Thank you. I’ll go take this test now.” I get out of the bed and head to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me and bracing myself on the counter in front of the mirror. My hair is a wild mess. I’m pale, and I feel weak. I open the box holding the pregnancy test, feeling a sense of deja vu. I take the test and put it on the counter and wash my hands, then close the toilet lid and sit on it. A few minutes pass with me staring at the floor. A knock sounds on the bathroom door, breaking the trance.
“Hey, are you okay in there?” I can hear the genuine concern in Briella’s voice. It makes my eyes well up again. A tear falls and I quickly swipe it away. “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll be right out.”
I take a deep breath in and let it out again before standing and going to where the test sits, waiting to tell me about my future, and Sterling’s.
I look at the test, feeling faint but confirming what I already knew in my heart. Pregnant. The word stares back at me from the digital test. I walk out of the bathroom, and Briella stands expectantly. The moment I see her, the tears I held back spill like a lake over a dam. I go back to my bed and crawl in as my body starts to shake. Briella crawls in beside me and puts her arm around me. “Can you tell me?” she asks gently.
I nod, not looking at her. “I’m pregnant. I’ll take the other test in the morning to be sure, but it says I’m pregnant.” I hiccup.
She gets up and walks to the door. “What are you doing?” I ask in a rush, afraid she’s mad or that she’s calling Sterling.
“I’m just going to make sure everything’s locked up, and then I’m coming right back.”
I hear her checking my door and setting the alarm. She comes back in the bedroom. “Do you need anything before going to sleep?”
“No, thank you. If you want to change into s
ome shorts, I have some in my dresser right over there,” I say, pointing to the third drawer of my dresser.
She grabs a pair out and goes to the bathroom to change. When she comes out, she gets back in the bed with me. “I don’t want to leave you alone after the night you’ve had.”
I look at her this time. “Thank you.”
“What are you going to do about this, Ivie?” she asks me quietly.
“I’m going to have a baby,” I tell her.
“I mean, what about you and Sterling?” She furrows her brow.
“I don’t know. I’ll tell him, but I’m not ready yet. I’m so scared. I can’t lose this baby too,” I whisper, not caring anymore if the tears fall, but surprised I have any left. Fear and worry settle in my gut.
“I’ll tell him, I promise. Being pregnant, I don’t know what that means for me and him as a couple. If he really has such little faith in me, in my love for him, I’m not sure where that leaves us. Then, him letting Jade kiss him on top of that…it’s just too much.”
She sighs. “Just don’t keep it from him for long, okay? He deserves to know, and I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother. He’ll be such a good father, and as far as you as a couple, I understand what you’re saying. But I wouldn’t count him out just yet.”
“Thanks for listening, Briella, and being here with me. I’m glad I’m not alone.”
“Don’t mention it. After tonight, it sounds like we’re going to be family, no matter what happens between you and Sterling. Family is always there for each other.”
I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.
Morning comes, and my bladder is so full it hurts. I crack open an eye and see Briella still asleep on the other side of the bed. I smile, thinking about how she said I was her family now. Lucy’s always been the only person close to my age I’ve considered family. It’s nice to know I have a couple of people to count on.
I head into the bathroom and take the other test Briella bought last night. I go ahead and jump in the shower. As I’m rinsing off, I think about telling Sterling he’s going to be a daddy. Will he be happy? Will he be mad? That thought irritates me, because it’s not as if I made this baby alone.
I turn off the shower and grab a towel for my body and one for my hair. When I’m dried off and have my hair wrapped up, I go back and check the test. Pregnant. Well, I’m not surprised. I go back into my bedroom and grab some underwear, a bra, some leggings and an oversized, long-sleeved T-shirt before heading back into my bathroom and dress. I comb out my wet locks and get out my blow dryer and round brush, brushing out my hair as I’m drying it. Once I’m finished, I head back to my bedroom.
“Hey.” I say with a smile to Briella. “How’d you sleep?”
She smiles back. “I slept like a baby.” Her eyes widen. “Sorry, I guess I have baby on the brain.”
I laugh. “That’s okay. I’m going to have to get used to it. I just took the other test and it confirmed it. I’m having a baby. You’re more than welcome to take a shower if you want. I’m going to make you some coffee, and I’m going to try to eat something. After that, we probably need to head back to Greendale. My dad’s surprise party is tonight.”
“That sounds good, and I’ll take a quick shower, if you don’t mind.”
“Help yourself. There are towels and wash cloths in the closet, and I left my dryer on the counter so you can dry your hair.”
I walk into the kitchen and start coffee. I decide to cook scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. My phone rings. I look at the caller ID and see that it’s Sterling. I hesitate, not knowing if I should answer. Swallowing the lump in my throat I answer. “Hello?”
“Ivie, is my sister with you?”
“Yes, she’s here, why?” I counter.
“Why is she with you, and why are you in Camden Springs?”
Anger ignites. “I don’t answer to you. Why don’t you just call Jade if you want to keep tabs on someone? She certainly loves being the object of your attention,” I spit out.
“So, you ran again instead of confronting your problems,” he says in a frosty tone.
“Care to explain why I haven’t heard from you in days, then I just happen to see Jade plant a kiss on your lips?” I snap back.
“Care to explain why I got a picture of you and Dean kissing and then one of you in his arms the day you left here so angry at me for confiding in my sister about our baby?”
Bile rises in my throat again at the mention of our baby. Now there’s another. But he doesn’t know. Yet.
“I’m not doing this right now. I have to go.” I hang up before he says another word and run to the trash can to dry heave.
I throw my phone on my bed after Ivie hangs up on me. “Damn it!” I yell. I was such an ass to her just now. I know we need to sit down and talk, but I’m still upset about those pictures. And of course, she’s upset about Jade kissing me, even though I didn’t kiss her back. It made me nauseous to have anyone’s lips on me that aren’t Ivie’s. I don’t know why Jade keeps throwing herself at me so hard. I really thought I’d made it clear I’m not interested. I pick my phone back up and send another text to Briella.
Me: Are y’all coming back today? As in, in time for her dad’s party?
Bree: Yes. Should be back around lunch or a little later.
Me: Why are you there with her, Bree?
Bree: There’s more going on than you know. I’m not getting in the middle of it. You’ll have to talk to her.
Me: Aren’t you already in the middle if you’re with her right now?
Bree: Sterling, you’re my brother and I love you. Just trust me. You need to talk to her.
I have Tate and Bree both in my ear telling me to talk to her. I guess they have a point. I need to give her a chance to explain the pictures, and I need to explain to her that Jade’s kiss meant nothing, that it was her just being her, and not taking a hint. Why does everything have to be so hard?
What am I going to say to her? When can we even talk? Tonight’s her dad’s party. I need to be on high alert. But damn it, I need to talk to her. Tonight, though, I have a job to do. Talking will have to wait. My priority is keeping her and her family safe, and if she does want to talk tonight, me telling her we can’t will most likely not go over well. Not the way things sit right now.
What if she doesn’t want to talk at all? The thought creeps into my head uninvited.
I grab my badge and holster my gun. Time to head to Paris Hall and help check security for the party.
I glance at my tux hanging on the closet door before walking out of the room. This doesn’t feel like a party, or a celebration of anything. This feels like a harbinger of death.
After having a quick breakfast with Briella, we both drove separately back to Greendale Valley. But not before she hugged me and told me everything would be okay and made me promise to keep her updated on the baby…and Sterling.
I know she loves her brother very much, but now she feels a sense of responsibility to our newfound friendship, too. I’ll never make her choose or put her in an unfair place, no matter what happens between me and her brother. In the depths of my soul, I hope there’s no reason for her to need to think she should. The thought brings a wave of nausea with it.
I clutch my stomach and swallow down the bile as I get out of my Jeep at my parent’s house. Mom’s getting her hair and nails done for tonight, and Dad is at work. He still knows nothing about the party. Mom’s plan is to tell him they’re going dancing tonight. She said she’s even telling him it’s at Paris Hall for a ball-like event. Once he walks in, he’ll quickly see it’s a celebration for him. I can only hope it goes as planned, for Mom’s sake, and Dad’s. She’s worked so hard on this.
I walk in the house and head to my room, going into my closet and pulling out my beautiful green dress. My phone dings with a new message.
Unknown number: I hope you like surprises. Tonight, there will be a few… for you.
Panic flares as I read the t
ext. What surprises? I’m no fool. Tonight, something bad is going to happen, but what? There’s no running this time. I have to stay and face whatever this is. For everyone I love, for myself. I put a hand over my flat stomach. I feel chilled to the bone.
I decide to call Lucy as I’m getting my things ready to get dressed for tonight. After one ring it goes to voicemail. That’s strange. I type out a quick text.
Me: Hey Lucy. You’re still coming tonight, right?
I wait, but nothing. The message doesn’t even say delivered. Is she in an area with no service? Or maybe her phone’s off. I put my phone on the bed and decide to heat up my curling iron. It’s already early afternoon, and Mom wanted me at Paris Hall to look the room over with her one more time about an hour before the party. That only gives me a couple of hours. I’ll do my hair and makeup and then check my phone again. Surely by then she’ll have texted or called back.
I know there’s something going on with her that she still hasn’t told me about, but she’d never leave me hanging tonight. She’s just probably getting ready too. She loves a party. I smile, thinking about my best friend. Maybe if I do take the job here with Jake Boyd, we can spend more time together. I’ve missed her. And now with the new baby, I feel a need to be close to her, to everyone I care about here. Including Sterling.
That also means finding my own place to live here. I’m not going to stay with my parents forever. It’s not like I can stay with Sterling. We have way too many unresolved issues. And now with the baby…
I get to work doing my hair and makeup. It takes about an hour to get it the way I want it. I gave myself a smoky eye look with a wine-colored lipstick. I put on the emerald dress, then slide on the silver heels and the earrings I bought for the dress. I take in my appearance in the full-length mirror.