What the Heart Desires

by Kelli McCracken

  Unable to deal with the ache in her sister’s heart, Heaven asked the question she knew was on Faith’s mind. “What happened three months ago?”

  Brooke rolled her eyes and forced a laugh from her mouth. “I was late by about a week, so I took a pregnancy test. The second blue line was barely visible, but I did see it.” She glanced at Faith’s belly as she shook her head. “Jerry saw it too when I showed him. He had to take off to New York for a few days, so he wasn’t there when I went to get my blood work. It turns out that I’m not pregnant. My protein was high and it caused a false positive on the home test.”

  Heaven couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Judging by the expression on Faith’s face, neither could she. If she knew her sister as well as she thought, then Faith was questioning if Jerry had tried to contact her once he learned the truth. Of course, he couldn’t call or pay her a visit, not when she’d left town and changed her number. But why hadn’t he tried to locate her?

  The question had little time to form when she noticed Mason’s face contorting into a scowl. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but Chelsea came through the door bearing packages wrapped in pink paper and yellow ribbons.

  “Sorry I took so long. I didn’t think Kyle would ever get these out of the car.”

  “Kyle’s here?” The words barely left Heaven’s lips when he walked through the door, packages in hand.

  “Hey, guys.” Kyle grinned. His shoes scuffed against the floor on his way to the fireplace where Chelsea was setting the packages she’d carried.

  Faith came back into view. She glimpsed in Kyle’s direction before looking back at Heaven. Her energy turned erratic, even panicked. Then movement from the hall gained her attention.

  Curious eyes peered from the doorway. They darted around the room, taking in the many faces staring back. But it wasn’t long before they landed on Faith. They lingered for what seemed like forever, and then lowered to the protrusion she was attempting to hide.

  The air grew dense, the tension, even thicker. Every ounce made Heaven’s skin crawl, but not as much as the vibrations building around her. They did so at such a rapid pace, she swore something would—

  Air rushed through the den like a gale wind. It whipped Heaven’s hair around her face and sent debris swirling. Papers scattered. Window blinds rattled. Complaints echoed.

  All the confusion had everyone whispering questions or pondering thoughts. Heaven wasn’t one of them. She knew what was happening, sensed every ounce of energy causing the chaos and wind.

  And every ounce of that energy came from the doorway, where Jerry stood, glaring at Faith.

  CHAPTER 10

  Dust continued floating in the air as Heaven brushed her hair from her face. She backed away from the corner where she stood with her sisters and Brooke. The wind had settled, but the tension in the room doubled. It spun around her, making her heartbeat increase from the influx of energy.

  Her steps came to a quick halt when a wall of warmth spread over her back. Dylan’s arms circled her waist as he and Layne joined her near the fireplace. Neither had a clue that their friend and fellow bandmate caused the commotion. Layne stood at her side, asking if she was okay at the same time Dylan leaned down to her ear. But she couldn’t answer either, could only nod.

  Jerry’s eyes hadn’t left Faith nor had hers left him. Their energy beat with a range of emotions. Fear dominated Faith’s, confusion and anger dominated Jerry’s.

  He remained in the doorway, body rigid, mouth partially open. His brow lifted as he stared at her stomach. The presents he’d carried in went crashing to the floor, drawing everyone’s attention to him. He didn’t care. No one else in the room existed…no one but Faith and the child inside her.

  And standing in the middle of it all was Brooke, clueless to the emotional war raging between her best friend and her boyfriend.

  “What the hell was that about?” She gawked at the presents near his feet and then his face. “And why did you drop the presents?”

  Stone-cold silence responded. A moment later, Jerry moved around the packages and further into the room. His confusion far outweighed his anger. While Heaven didn’t know for sure if he and Faith were soulmates, she had no doubts he was her Keeper. The brief windstorm proved he had kinetic abilities. The intensity in his gaze matched the same intensity she’d noticed in the other Keepers, including Layne. In fact, they’d discussed this same topic not even thirty minutes ago.

  Laughter came from Brooke’s direction. It made Heaven’s stomach knot. Had Brooke made the connection? Had anyone? She had no doubts that their parents knew, or at least suspected.

  Delia probably did too. She had the look, the one with pursed lips and squinted eyes, like her intuition had kicked in. Suspicious vibes swirled around Heaven every second her mother-in-law studied her sister and Jerry.

  Brooke’s chest still jiggled from laughter. She nudged Faith’s shoulder with her hand and pointed to Jerry. “I think he’s in shock. His face looks like mine felt when I saw you.” Once Jerry joined them, she stifled her laughter and patted his cheek. “Don’t worry, babe. The initial shock will wear off in a minute.”

  Jerry refocused on Faith. His throat wobbled when he noticed her belly. “And the father is…?”

  “Who do you think?” Brooke snorted. She glared in Layne’s direction, though she stole a glance at Heaven before doing so. “It’s Layne’s baby.”

  The rhythm of Layne’s vibrations switched to strenuous thumps. His eyes shot to Delia and then narrowed. Heaven didn’t doubt he was questioning the accuracy of her mother-in-law’s abilities. After all, she was the one who swore to him that Faith’s child wasn’t his.

  He finally turned to Brooke, the dimple in his jaw a hint of the anger consuming him. “Excuse me?” He blurted the words. “Who the hell told you that it’s my kid?”

  Brooke seemed shocked by his response. She searched the many faces aimed her way, as if she were expecting someone to confirm what she’d said. When no one did, her lips worked together, the smirk once curling them fell away.

  “No one told me. I just assumed. You guys were together at the time.” Confusion faded from her face. Her pressed lips turned whiter. Then she inched closer to Layne. “Are you sure the baby isn’t yours, or did you have a change of heart about being a man and taking responsibility?”

  “That’s enough, Brooke,” Heaven grumbled. She stepped between her best friend’s sister and Layne, blocking her friend’s view of her Keeper. The personal attacks against him would stop, today. “I don’t know if you’ve forgotten about your previous relationships, but I haven’t. You’re the last person to be judging anyone. Even if the baby belonged to Layne, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”

  “We’re not talking about my relationships. We’re talking about his and Faith’s. She needs someone on her side.” She tilted her head so she could see Layne’s face, and pointed her finger in his direction. “I can’t believe you’re still taking his side in this? I thought blood was thicker than water.”

  “It is thicker.” Faith barked the words. She stared at Brooke and placed her hands over her navel. “My sister isn’t taking sides. She’s telling the truth, which is what I have to do. So here it goes. This baby doesn’t belong to Layne.”

  “What?” Brooke’s head jerked back. Her blonde locks swept across her shoulders with each shake of her head. “I asked if you were back together, and you said no. Why didn’t you tell me then?” She waited for Faith to answer but only received a shrug in response. “If Layne isn’t the father, who is?”

  Faith kept her hands curled around her belly, as if she could keep it hidden from Brooke’s probing eyes. Then she glanced at Heaven as if she was pleading for help, but Heaven didn’t know what to do. There was no easy way to go about this. If she told Brooke the truth, their friendship would end. If she lied, she’d keep her friend, but be miserable for the rest of her life.

  Any other time, Faith wouldn’t care about her answer. She’d
blurt whatever came to mind, regardless of whom the words affected. But since she’d gotten pregnant, something in her had changed, even if it was just a small change.

  Brooke observed everyone in the group, and then Jerry, who struggled to look away from Faith’s belly. She followed his gaze before glancing up at her friend. It wasn’t much longer before the connection contorted her face.

  “Did you…did you sleep with my boyfriend?”

  Heaven’s heart pounded. She waited for Faith to answer, sensing her need to tell the truth. Yet the anxiety flooding her emotions kept her speechless. Brooke’s patience decreased the longer she waited. She peeked at Faith’s waist once more, shaking her head as she did.

  “Is that—?” Her voice broke away. The reality of the situation was more than she could handle. “Is that Jerry’s baby?”

  Time stood still…or so it seemed. All the energy building around Heaven didn’t help. Faith’s consisted of fear. Layne’s burned with anger. Jerry’s spun with suspicion. Brooke’s wavered with disbelief. When Faith finally nodded, the four energies merged until the vibrations became too much. And just when Heaven didn’t think she could stand another second of silence, Brooke lunged at Faith.

  “You Bitch!” She grabbed Faith’s shirt, but it slipped through her fingers. Jerry’s arms went around hers. He pinned them to her sides so that she couldn’t swing at Faith, but it made Brooke’s anger skyrocket. She twisted in his arms like a wild beast, doing her best to break free.

  “Don’t do this, Brooke,” he begged. “It won’t change anything.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Exasperation filled her voice. She peered over her shoulder and glared at him. “That’s why you were upset when I thought I was pregnant. You already knew she was carrying your child!”

  “I didn’t know, Brooke. Do you think I would have reacted the way I did if I’d known?”

  A twinge of hope flitted through Brooke. It angered her to know Jerry had cheated with her best friend, but she feared him leaving even more. Heaven sensed every vibe trembling inside her.

  When Brooke turned to Faith, her jaw tightened. “So what do you want, Faith? Money? Someone to take care of you for the next eighteen years? Or is this some pathetic attempt to make me as miserable and alone as you? After all, you lost your man to your sister.”

  Fire spread across Heaven’s face. As anger spiraled within her, she stepped in Brooke’s direction, fisting her hands at her sides. Before she could advance on her friend, Dylan pulled her back.

  “Let it go, Heaven. She’s not worth it.”

  Brooke’s heated glare shifted to him. “I bet she says the same thing about you, Dylan, when Layne’s banging her behind your back. I mean, she and Faith are sisters after all.You sure that baby is yours?”

  Heaven struggled to break loose of Dylan’s grasp, but he held her tighter. “Don’t let it upset you,” he whispered. “We know the truth. She’s trying to get a rise out of you because she’s hurt.”

  “It’s a shame, Dylan,” Brooke continued seething her negativity toward them. “You’re such a good guy. You deserve better.”

  “Shut up, Brooke.” The words came from Chelsea who’d been watching the chaos unfold. Swift strides brought her to her sister’s side. “Leave Heaven and Dylan out of this. In fact, leave everyone out of this but Jerry and Faith. They’re the ones that hurt you.”

  “Your sister is right.” Faith spoke up. “This is between us. Leave my sister out of it.”

  “Fine by me. I’ll save this ass whipping just for you.” Brooke lunged toward Faith again, but Jerry tightened his arms.

  “Stop it, Brooke.” His voice grew rougher with each word. “For Christ’s sake, she’s pregnant.”

  “I don’t care if she is. I’ll kill them both. That baby doesn’t deserve to live.”

  “Brooke!” Chelsea shouted as she jumped between her sister and Faith. She gripped her arms and shook her until Brooke met her gaze. “You should be ashamed. That baby is innocent. It didn’t ask to be created, and I’ll be damned if I let you hurt it.”

  “You’re my sister. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

  Tears slid down Brooke’s cheeks. Anger remained knitted in her brow, but she stopped fighting against Jerry’s grip. Satisfied that she’d regained her composure, he released her arms and moved around her. His shoulder brushed Chelsea’s as both stood between her and Faith. It didn’t stop Brooke from glaring at them and then Faith.

  “You were my best friend. How could you do this to me? I love him”—she pointed to Jerry—“want to marry him, have his kids. You’ve taken that away from me. All of it.”

  Faith averted her gaze. She stared at the floor as regret fluttered through her. “I’m sorry, Brooke. I never meant to hurt you, but Jerry and I have a connection that goes beyond this baby.”

  The answer had Brooke pouncing again, but her body jerked backwards as if someone had pushed her. Jerry and Chelsea’s hands remained at their sides, which left one explanation. Jerry had used his abilities to knock her back. The way Chelsea’s eyes widened in his direction confirmed Heaven’s suspicion.

  Brooke regained her balance before she stumbled into the wall. Her hands clenched and unclenched, each methodical step bringing her closer to her sister and Jerry.

  “You son of bitch. How many times have you slept with her?”

  “Brooke, please—”

  “Tell me!” she demanded. Her voice rose so high it pierced Heaven’s ears. “I deserve to know the truth after you lied to me for the last few months. Is this why you made so many trips to New York? Is the ring in your duffle bag for her?”

  Jerry tilted his head to the side. “How did you know about the ring? Were you snooping through my things, again?”

  “Don’t you dare take that condescending tone with me.” She jabbed her finger in his chest. “I had every right to be suspicious. Your whore and bastard are proof of that.”

  “I’m sorry it came out this way, Brooke. I should have told you a long time ago that I didn’t—”

  “Don’t you dare say you don’t love me. I know you did until she came along.”

  Jerry didn’t look back at Faith when Brooke pointed in her direction. Instead, he shook his head and backed away. “I cared about you, Brooke. I even put things on hold with Faith because I thought you were pregnant and I didn’t want to leave you like that.”

  “But you did plan to leave. That’s why you bought the ring. You planned to propose to her to keep her waiting for you, only she wasn’t there when you went back, was she?”

  He hung his head, unable to deny the truth of Brooke’s words. It was just as Heaven suspected. He’d gone back to propose to Faith, clueless to the fact that she’d left. What a mess this had turned into, a chaotic mess that affected every person in the room.

  “I really am sorry, Brooke.”

  “Save your lies for the bitch behind you. I don’t have time for them, anymore.”

  Everyone stood in silence. They watched Brooke as she moved across the floor toward the hall. No words would bring her the comfort she needed. Her heart had broken the second Faith confirmed Jerry as the father. It shattered further with Jerry’s explanation.

  Her footsteps echoed through the house. The desperation to get away from the scene rocked her. A moment later, the door slammed shut, signaling her departure.

  A lull of whispers began, and then everyone focused on Chelsea who remained beside Jerry. She narrowed her eyes on him, and then Faith. “I’m not going to judge either of you for what happened. It’s not my place, but if you guys wanted to be together, you could have found a better way to go about it.”

  Jerry huffed at her response. He shook his head and met her gaze once more. “I tried, Chelsea. You know I’ve tried to break things off in the past. In fact, she’s the one that took off with you to your dad’s house the weekend Faith came over. I thought things were ending with me and Brooke.”

  “Then you should have ended things when we
came back.” She said nothing else to him or Faith, but turned toward Heaven instead. “I’m sorry about what happened. As much as I hate to leave, I have to take care of Brooke. She needs me.”

  Heaven cleared the lump from her throat and hugged Chelsea, who held her arms open to her. “I’m sorry too, Chels. Go take care of your sister.”

  Their embrace broke as Chelsea moved toward Kyle. She waved one last time, promising to call soon. Then she and Kyle disappeared into the hall.

  By the time Heaven turned her attention back to the corner, Hope had moved away from the rocking chair and approached Faith. Her head swayed from side to side with each twist of her head. “Why in the hell would you hook up with your best friend’s boyfriend?”

  Faith’s icy glare mirrored the one coming from Hope. “Don’t judge me, Sis. You would have done the same had it been Scott. He’s your soulmate, just as Jerry is mine, except Jerry is my Keeper too.”

  “You know about soulmates and Keepers?” It was Jerry who spoke this time. His question had Faith’s mouth gaping. Her disbelief wavered just as strong as Heaven’s.

  “I didn’t until I came home. That’s when my parents explained it to me. Had I known before, I would have found a way to bring it up.”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore.” He placed his hands against her stomach. “I’m here and you’re here. Soon our baby will be here. Let’s focus on that, nothing else.”

  It would have been a perfect moment, had it not been for Layne. He left the spot beside her and made his way to the happy couple, unable to share their sentiments. The quake of his energy resembled Brooke’s, which made sense. Jerry was his friend. Even though Layne didn’t love Faith, his friend didn’t know any different. It made what he did a betrayal in Layne’s eyes.

  Jerry turned away from Faith, blocking her from Layne’s advancement. He stepped forward, his mouth parting as he did. “I owe you an apology too.”