by Chloe Morgan
And I knew our sex still tainted the air of my bedroom.
“I’ll set another place for breakfast,” she said coyly.
Serenity stirred and gasped as she opened her eyes. My mother waved at her before she shut my bedroom door. I looked down at Serenity, and she whipped her gaze up to me, her face pale and her body tense.
“That was your mother, right?” she asked.
“Yep,” I said.
“She just saw us, didn’t she?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Are we… in trouble?” she asked.
I chuckled as I bent down and kissed her forehead.
“I don’t know about all that, but now you’re expected for breakfast. Apparently, Mom’s cooking and setting out a place for you,” I said.
Serenity started giggling, and it caused me to laugh along with her. I pulled her up and over onto my body, watching as her beautiful curly hair fell like a curtain over our faces, blocking the rest of the world from penetrating our little bubble as she slipped between my legs.
“I didn’t mean to sleep over,” she said.
“I’m glad you did,” I said.
“It was kind of nice, waking up to you.”
She looked so beautiful, lying on top of me. Smiling down at me. Her body fit perfectly with mine, like a glove I had always been meant to slide into. Everything about her was perfection. Everything about her was a dream come true. The statement of a lifetime slammed against my mind and found its way up my throat. It raced to the tip of my tongue, projecting itself from my teeth before my lips had a chance to stop it. To taste it. To savor the moment.
“I love you, Serenity.”
Her eyes held mine, and I watched shock roll over her features. I held on to her, scared she’d scramble away. Scared she’d run and never look back. But after the shock settled onto her face, her cheeks twitched. Her lips curled. A grin formed before it burst into a bright smile. One that outshone the sun streaming through my childhood window.
“I love you, too, Chase,” she said.
I let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding. I reached up, tucking some of her wild hair behind her ear. I cupped her cheek and guided her face to mine, pressing our lips together. And when we kissed, everything fell into place. I rolled her over onto her back. She spread her legs for me. My tongue slid against hers as I slipped into her body, swallowing her sounds as we rocked against each other. Made love to each other. Climbed a silent precipice as I reached up for the headboard, gaining leverage to roll deeper into her body.
“I’ve loved you for so long,” I whispered.
“Me too. Shit. Yes. Oh, Chase. Me too. I love you so much,” she breathed.
It was tender. Vulnerable. Like it had been when I took her virginity that night. I should have told her before she left for college. I should have opened up about my feelings before she left. I had a second chance with her, and I wasn’t going to spoil it. I wasn’t going to let anything come between us again.
She deserved better than that.
After finally rolling out of bed, we pieced ourselves together and made our way downstairs. Mom and Dad smiled at us as we came and sat down, and a spread had been set. Scrambled eggs with bacon. Pancakes. A fruit salad. There was even coffee and orange juice. The two of us sat down, and my father reached over, taking Serenity’s hand within his.
“It’s good to have you here,” he said.
“I wouldn’t mind having an extra guest during the weekends,” my mother said.
“Mom,” I murmured.
Serenity slid her hand over my knee underneath the table, squeezing it to reassure me everything was okay.
“I’m sorry if I kind of… surprised you guys,” she said.
“There’s no surprise that involves you that could ever be bad,” my father said.
“Does this mean I get to give you the motherly rundown of what it means to date my son? Because honestly? I’d just kind of like to go on a walk in the park with you,” my mother said.
Serenity smiled brightly. “Sure. And if you’re up for it, we can even get some ice cream.”
“Hey, I can’t come on this fun adventure?” I asked.
“No,” my mother and Serenity said together.
My father looked at me and gave me a telling look—a “welcome to the rest of your life” sort of look. I debated on whether or not to mention my apartment hunting, but Mom looked so happy at the idea of having Serenity over on the weekends that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything about it.
There was no rush, after all.
The two of us had the rest of our lives to make it work.
15
Serenity
I didn’t know what prompted me to look at my phone calendar that morning, but I did. I didn’t know what prompted me to count the days, but I did. And when I noticed I was four days late for my period, it set me on a track that would forever alter the course of my life. I sprang from bed and raced to the pharmacy. I checked my bank account and bought the four tests my balance allowed of me. I raced back home and closed myself up in my bathroom, staring at my phone.
At the tests.
Back at my phone.
My fear led me to call Kayla. My fear led me to beg my best friend to come over. My only saving grace was that no one was home. Just me and the sick feeling in my stomach.
And now, Kayla and I were staring at four separate pregnancy tests as they percolated.
“You know you didn’t need that many, right?” she asked.
“Not the time for jokes,” I whispered.
“You know staring at them might not be a good thing.”
I felt tears crest my eyes as Kayla slipped her arm around my waist.
“Have you thought about what you might do if they’re positive?” she asked.
“I’ll keep it, if that’s what you’re asking,” I said flatly.
“Sort of. Have you thought much beyond that?”
I shook my head slowly.
I had no idea how Chase would take the news. I’d only been back home for a little while. If I was pregnant, I was in my very early stages. Was it possible the stress of everything going on with finding a job had pushed my cycle back? It was possible. Time ticked by slowly. I couldn’t stand there and stare at those tests any longer. I needed some fresh air.
“Come on. Let’s go stand on the back porch for a little while,” Kayla said.
She led me out there as tears fell down my cheeks. I prayed to the heavens above that they were negative. That I was being paranoid. Maybe I had miscounted the days. Or charted my period wrong. Maybe someone on high would have some sort of mercy on my soul.
I didn’t even have a fucking job.
“What the hell is all this?”
Shawn’s voice ripped me from my trance. I looked at Kayla, and in a flash the two of us ran back into the house. I knocked over chairs getting to the stairs before we stumbled up to my bathroom. I wiped at the tears from my eyes as Shawn came out, standing in the doorway with one of my pregnancy tests in his hands.
“What the ever-loving fuck is this!” Shawn exclaimed.
And when he thrust it into my face, I saw the plus sign.
My eyes fell to the tests behind him, and I saw all of the other plus signs.
I slowly turned to Kayla, no longer trying to hide the tears as they slid down my face.
“I’m pregnant,” I whispered.
“So, these aren’t Kayla’s?” Shawn asked.
She opened her arms for me, and I walked into them, my world tilting upside down.
I heard Shawn going off in the background as she held me close. Asking me things like, “when the fuck did this happen?” and “who the fuck is the father?” He was enraged, and part of me wanted to slap him across his face and tell him to shut up.
Part of me also wanted to cry on his shoulder and tell him to help me.
“Oh. Holy. Shit,” Shawn said.
I knew that voice. It was that tone of voice he alw
ays got when he dropped the pieces into place.
“Please don’t tell me…”
I slowly turned around. “Don’t tell him, Shawn. Don’t do that to me.”
His jaw fell open as the test fell from his hand.
“You… Chase is…?”
“I’ll tell him later. When I’ve got my own mind wrapped around this. I expect you to keep your mouth shut, no matter how you feel about it,” I said.
Then I took Kayla’s hand and led her up the stairs. I’d gather the pregnancy tests up later, before Mom and Dad got home. What I needed to do was piece myself together for the day. What I needed to do was get myself to a doctor.
What I needed to go was get away from the anger I knew my brother was about to bring down into my world.
16
Chase
I stood on the stoop of Serenity’s parents’ house. I hadn’t talked with her in a couple of days, and every time I tried calling her, she didn’t answer. I was worried about her. Worried that maybe her brother had figured out something was happening between the two of us.
Or worse, my admission this past weekend had scared her away.
I knocked on the door and heard footsteps shuffle down the hallway. The door cracked open and Serenity’s face appeared, but her eyes were bloodshot. Her face was a bit paler than normal. Her lips were chapped. It was obvious she wasn’t feeling well, and I immediately leapt into action.
“Have you been to a doctor?” I asked.
“I’m not sick,” Serenity said.
“You look sick.”
“Thanks,” she said flatly.
I shook my head and double-backed.
“I just mean it looks like you don’t feel well. So, if you’re not sick, is it something with Shawn?” I asked.
“No,” she said.
“I can tell something is going on with you. I know you, Serenity.”
“I know you do.”
“And you haven't been taking my calls.”
“I’m well aware of that, too,” she said.
“Well, okay? Are you going to tell me why?” I asked.
What I wanted was a real answer. A reason as to why it looked like she had been crying for the past few days. A reason as to why she had suddenly dropped back out of my world. I studied her closely, trying to get a read on her. Serenity never did like doctors. She had an extensive phobia of needles. Maybe she was sick and simply didn’t want to book an appointment?
She could be stubborn at times.
“I feel you studying me,” she said.
“Yeah, because you won’t talk,” I said.
“I told you, I’m not feeling well. Just been down and out the past couple of days.”
“Looks to be a little more than that.”
“Well, it’s not,” she bit out.
“You’re lying to me, Serenity. And I don’t take kindly to lying.”
“Sounds like a personal problem.”
I snickered and shook my head as I slipped my hands into my pockets.
“Well, when you’re ready to talk like an adult instead of sling around lies and insults like a child, give me a call,” I said.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
She closed the door in my face, and I stood there, stunned. Hurt. I turned on the balls of my feet and made my way to my car, cursing myself with every step. I never should have opened my mouth. I said those words way too early. Way, way too fucking early. I ripped my car door open and slammed myself into my seat. I shut the door hard, then cranked up the engine and sped out of there.
I’d scared her away.
It was the only explanation.
I went for a drive to clear my head. To wrap my mind around some things. I drove back out to Horsetooth Reservoir and parked myself in our picnic spot. But the longer I sat there, the more my memories haunted me. And the more worried about her I became. I sat there, taking in deep breaths. Trying to figure out how the hell I could make this right between us again.
Because I wasn’t giving up without a fight.
My phone rang out in my drink holder, and I picked it up. I didn’t even bother looking at who was calling. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back into my seat, trying to settle my swirling mind.
“Chase Owen,” I said.
“Mr. Owen! It’s Alicia Brookshire, from Edgewood Apartments. How are you doing today?” she asked.
Terrible.
“I’m fine, Miss Brookshire. What can I do for you?” I asked.
“Well, I was calling to congratulate you. Your application on one of our three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhomes has been approved!”
I cracked my neck.
“That’s great,” I said.
“All I’ll need is for you to come in and sign the lease. Once you do, we can set up a move-in date for you.”
“Wonderful. Thank you for calling,” I said.
“Just keep in touch with me. If I don’t hear from you in a couple of weeks, we’ll assume you’re no longer interested.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”
I hung up the phone without saying goodbye. Honestly, I didn’t know if I even wanted the place any longer. The only reason I’d been looking at places was because Serenity had come crashing back into my life. But now, it seemed as if she didn’t want me there any longer.
No use in abandoning my mother just to have my own place if there was no reason for the space.
“Fuck!” I exclaimed.
How the hell had things gotten so messed up so quickly?
17
Serenity
“You just need to tell him already,” Kayla said.
“I’m working on it, okay? Just give me time to wrap my mind around all this,” I said.
“You don’t have time, Serenity. And the more time you waste, the angrier he’s going to be when he finds out you're hiding this from him.”
“I’m not intentionally hiding anything. What I am trying to do is figure out the rest of my future seeing as I don’t currently have a job.”
“Which is something Chase could help you with if you told him about your pregnancy,” she said.
I sat there in the bar and grill with Kayla, sipping on my Sprite. It was the only thing that my stomach seemed to want. I hadn’t been hungry the past few days. My mind had been so preoccupied with Chase randomly showing up and my brother stomping around like a spoiled child. I knew I needed to tell Chase, but it had to be the right time. I needed to have answers when I sat down and talked with him.
Answers I didn’t have yet.
“Maybe we could call him and see if he’s free to come hang out?” Kayla asked.
“Stop forcing it, or I’m leaving,” I said.
“Serenity?”
I felt myself grow sick as his voice hit my ears.
“Chase?” I asked as I turned my head.
“Speaking of the devil,” Kayla said smugly.
“Hey, Chase,” I said as he approached the table.
“It’s nice to see you, since you won’t return my calls,” he said.
“Wait, my sister hasn’t talked to you?” Shawn asked.
He appeared by Chase, and I shot him a look that could kill.
“Well, isn’t this just a fun little powwow,” Kayla said.
“Shut up,” I said.
“Why aren’t you returning any of my calls, Serenity? At least give me that,” Chase said.
“Holy shit, See-See. You haven’t told him?” Shawn asked.
“Will all of you just shut your mouths?” I asked.
“Told me what?” Chase asked.
“Come on, Serenity. You need help,” Kayla asked.
I was a few seconds away from tossing my drink in her face.
“Tell him, or I will. He’s my best friend,” Shawn said.
“And I’m your sister,’ I hissed.
“Allegiance flew out the window when the two of you started screwing around behind my back. He should know,” Shawn said.
&n
bsp; “Know what? Serenity, I’m tired of this game. What aren’t you telling me?” Chase asked.
I sat there, cornered. Like an animal. And as a tear rolled down my cheek, I watched my brother draw in a breath.
“Shawn, please,” I whispered.
“Good going, buddy of mine. You knocked my sister up,” Shawn said.
Kayla scoffed. “Really? You said it like that?”
“Wait, you’re pregnant?” Chase asked.
I felt my world reeling. I felt all of my control being ripped from me by insensitive assholes who could not have possibly understood. My watery gaze turned to Chase, and I did the only thing I knew to do. I nodded, confirming the answer to his question. Fire ignited in his eyes. His eyes rushed up and down my body as tears streamed down my cheeks.
“You—and you haven’t been—but I’ve called and—?”
I watched Chase struggle, and it broke my soul. I reached out for him, seeing if maybe he’d sit down so I could talk him through my state of mind. But instead, he put his hands up and backed away from the table.
“Chase, please,” I whispered.
“Nope. No. Uh-uh,” he said as he backed toward the door.
“Chase!” I exclaimed.
But he didn’t stop for my voice. Even as I slid from my seat and rushed for him, he left in a hurry and never once looked back.
Shit. I really had fucked this up.
“Serenity, stop,” Shawn said.
And when he clamped down onto my arm, I ripped out of his grasp so hard he stumbled.
“What the hell?” he asked.
“I don’t give a damn what you think your role in my life is, but from here on out, I don’t want to see you,” I glowered.
“What?” he exclaimed.
“Serenity, take a breath,” Kayla said.
“I don’t want to see you, or talk to you, or even know you exist. I know what you did. I know you like the back of my hand, Shawn. You brought Chase here just to confront me. Just to throw it all down like this. I don’t know why, and I don’t care. But you better listen to me now, brother of mine.”