Found by the Rivers

by liberty freer

  I feel my eyes begin to water. “I bet it would be nice, and they do sound like nice people. It’s your choice. I’ll stand behind you in whatever you choose.” I don’t know what the right move is for him. We are two different people. I can’t choose for him what I would choose for myself even though I might want to.

  He gives me a lazy smile. “Thanks, Lena.”

  “Have you been up all night?”

  “I got a little sleep. My schedule is all messed up right now. What are you going to do about college? I heard Ty talking to you about it.”

  “I’m not sure. I kinda forgot that he brought that up.”

  Kelsoe walks into the room looking irresistible with messy hair and a bare chest. “Come back to bed, Red.” He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. He turns to Zack. “You should try to get some sleep too, bud.”

  Zack smiles. “You guys finally made it official?”

  I nod, and Zacks chuckles. “Finally. Took you long enough, Kelsoe.”

  “Had to wait till this one was ready. Until all her demons were slayed.”

  He’s been there for me, helping me, when I had nobody else. And for that, I should feel completely at ease, but I don’t. We tell Zack good night and then walk back to bed hand in hand.

  “Why couldn’t you sleep?” Kelsoe asks as we get into bed.

  He pulls me onto his lap, resting his back against the headboard. He wraps his arms around me, and I melt into his warmth. “I have a lot on my mind,” I tell him.

  “You worried about this.” He motions between us.

  I sigh, staring straight ahead and not at him. “A bit. I don’t want to be, but I can’t help it. I have more to lose than you. I’ll be the one starting over when it ends. Nothing lasts forever.”

  He cups my chin so that I’m facing him. “Why start anything ever then?” He shakes his head with a smile. “Don’t give me that look.”

  “What look?”

  “The one that says you’re ready to bolt. Live in the moment for once, Red.”

  I move my head to the side, and he drops his hand back to rest on my thigh. “If I lived in the moment, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’d probably be dead or fucking sold to that Tom prick. I can’t afford to live like that. I don’t have a home or property and friends I’ve known all my life. When it comes down to it, I’m alone.”

  He moves me from his lap so that we are side by side. “Baby, you still don’t get it. Open your eyes. We are your family. No matter what. What do you need to see that it’s true?”

  I close my eyes. “I want to believe that. I just don’t know how.”

  “What about a house?”

  “A house?”

  “Here on the property like everyone else has.”

  My heart beats faster. “It would be mine?”

  “It would always be yours. Don’t answer. It’s done. We’re going to build you a house.”

  “Kelsoe—"

  “It’s already done, Lena.”

  I stay quiet, letting him think he’s won. I’ll talk him out of it tomorrow. I yawn, snuggling down and pulling the blanket up to my chin. Kelsoe kisses me and then wraps his arms around me. I close my eyes, hoping my mind will let me get a few hours of sleep before the sun comes up.

  Chapter 25

  Drew rushes into the room as I’m waking up alone. Kelsoe leans against the door frame fully dressed with a smirk on his face. I glance at the clock and roll my eyes. I always seem to sleep the day away when I’m in his bed.

  “Lenny, I told you. I knew from the moment I saw you that you belonged here.”

  I shoot Kelsoe an accusatory glare. “You told him about the house?” I sit up, brushing my hair away from my face.

  Kelsoe laughs. “Were you hoping that I’d forget or that you’d be able to talk me out of it?”

  I don’t answer him because, yes, that is what I was thinking.

  Drew chuckles. “And you two made it official.” He grins. “He warned us all to stop hitting on you now that you’re his.”

  I laugh. “Of course, he did.”

  “We’ll back off some, but no promises,” Drew says.

  Kelsoe sits down next to me, wrapping his arms around my middle as Adam shuffles into the room. His face is swollen and bruised.

  “How you feeling?” I ask.

  “Like shit,” he replies, lying back on the foot of the bed. He turns to me and grins. “But I have some good news.”

  I quirk a brow. “Let me guess.” I tap my chin. “You’ve hired a hot nurse to give you sponge baths.”

  He laughs. “That would be good news, but nope, I’m going to meet my son next week.” His hand waves in front of his face. “If this is all healed. I don’t want to scare him.” His expression grows serious. “You’ll come with me, right?”

  My eyes widen. “You want me to go with you?”

  “Yeah, of course. You and Chris.”

  I pick at lint on the blanket. “Why me?”

  “You’re a girl. You have motherly instincts.”

  I laugh, meeting his eyes. “I’ve never even held a baby.”

  “Really?” Adam shrugs. “Well, he’s going to need a motherly figure around here with all the guys.”

  I get a warm feeling inside my stomach. Adam wants me to be a part of his kid’s life.

  Chris leans against the door frame. “Did you hear? I get to meet my nephew in a couple days.”

  “I heard. So happy for you. And I apparently get to meet him too,” I say.

  “Why didn’t I get invited?” Drew asks.

  “Not too many at once; I don’t want to overwhelm him. Plus, your ugly mug might scare him.”

  Drew scoffs. “You’re one to talk. You look like a zombie right now, dude.”

  “Whatever. I’ll be back to normal soon, and you’ll still be ugly,” Adam says with a grin, and Drew laughs. Adam turns to look at me. “Did Kelsoe tell you why I did what I did? Not acknowledging my son and all.”

  I shake my head. “He didn’t tell me.”

  “I don’t think I really knew why myself, but Kelsoe and I talked today.” He shrugs.

  I’m not sure if he wants to tell me, so I say, “I’m guessing you called Barette to schedule a time to meet your son. What’s his name?”

  “Yeah, I called Barette to apologize and schedule a time.” Adam frowns and stares up at the ceiling. “I didn’t want to fuck my kid up.” He swallows. “You know about my sister, how my mom’s boyfriend killed her. I don’t think it was intentional, but it happened. He lost his temper. My real dad isn’t any better. When I told him what happened to Nicole, my sister, he didn’t even care.”

  “You’re nothing like them, Adam. You’ll see. You’re going to be a great dad,” Chris says.

  Adam sits up. “All right, cut the sappy shit. I’ll be a mediocre dad at best, but you, little brother, you’re going to be an awesome uncle.” Adam turns to me, pulling me in for a hug. “And you’re going to be the best aunt to Liam. My son’s name is Liam.”

  Kelsoe wraps his arm around my middle, pulling me towards him and away from Adam. “No touching.”

  Adam laughs but sobers up when Kelsoe gives him a menacing look. “Got it.”

  I smack my forehead. “You’re going to try and make Chris and I do everything, aren’t you?” I point a finger at him. “I am not changing diapers.”

  Ramsey comes into the room wearing blue coveralls and work gloves. “What are you all doing in here?”

  My mouth hangs open, and I turn to look Kelsoe in the eyes. “You guys are already starting?”

  Drew backs up towards the door. “Oh no. You’re not getting out of this.”

  Ramsey grins. “Looks like you’re stuck here in Neverland with us, Wendy.”

  That cracks me up. “You got jokes, Ram-Ram?”

  “Oh, I get it.” Drew laughs. “Because the girl in Peter Pan is Wendy, and Lenny calls this place Neverland.”

  I smile at Ramsey. “Wendy didn’t stay in Nev
erland.”

  Ramsey grins. “I guess we’re changing the story then.”

  I look to each of the guys, feeling my heart expanding. These boys have given me everything I never knew I was missing: a family. My family. I don’t know what’s next for me, but I think I’ll take the advice of a guy who’s very important to me and live in the moment.

  Author Bio

  Liberty Freer finds a way to bring her memories to life with twisted truths. She was a bit of a rebel in her adolescence and still is at heart.

  Find her on Facebook @AuthorLibertyFreer