Steal Me (Haunted Roads Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  Always wanting the best for her, I never took Bailey to McDonald’s, but I was desperate for distraction that day. She was in her car seat, with legs swinging, as we sat in the McDonald’s drive-thru. “I want…” Her little voice faded as shitty thoughts overruled my mind. Cole, Houston, and Tucker were getting in Tuck’s car and saw me. I knew that Lilah had told them about me pulling away from her by the way they looked at me as though I had let them down.

  Guilty. I felt so guilty that all I could do was hold up a peace sign. Tucker gave a slight nod as they all got into his car.

  Even though I wanted to escape, I found myself back at home, stuck in a ruthless cycle of codependency. Bailey and I ate our breakfast in the front yard at our wooden table. She found it to be a special picnic. I found it to be more denial. I was thankful the sun was keeping a winter chill from the air because I was still refusing to go back inside the house.

  After eating, I sat in a lawn chair, watching Bailey play on her swing set. I didn’t know what triggered it, but I felt as if I was falling—not physically, but mentally. My elbows rested on my knees as I struggled to stay composed. My head hung low as I tried to breathe through the pain in my soul. The sound of a car door shutting made me look up. I hadn’t even heard the rumble of her ’69 Chevy. The sun shined off her hair like a beacon, but my heavy heart kept me seated and strapped to a world I could no longer deny and no longer handle alone.

  Bailey jumped from her swing in midair. “Dewiwah!”

  Delilah’s arms opened, and Bailey leapt to her. No one corrected her Ls.

  I had believed I was protecting Bailey. I had believed Bailey was unaware of the depth of our struggles and that my distractions were working, shielding her from the pitiful truth. And then I heard her say, “My mommy is making my brotho sad.”

  I’d been tragically wrong. My shoulders shook as I broke. I couldn’t look at those two girls as shame took me over. I’m failing Bailey. I’m failing my dad.

  “Can you do me a favor?” Delilah asked Bailey.

  “Yes.”

  “Go to your room and pack a bag. Jaz is coming to get you for a sleepover with Hailey.”

  Bailey was five. Packing a bag consisted of shoving dolls into the biggest sack she could find. That was how I knew Delilah was just trying to avoid Bailey seeing me crumble.

  Bailey’s excitement was not contained. “Awre you sewious?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  There was a moment of quiet, and then I heard Bailey ask, “Wiwll you hewlp my brotho?” It was a desperate plea from a scared little girl.

  Delilah’s voice cracked. “Yes, baby. I promise.”

  Little feet ran up the front porch steps, and Delilah crossed the yard, coming to me. I couldn’t look up. I was ashamed of my epic failure. Familiar long fingers ran through my hair, making me let her in. I continued to cry while shaking my head no. “I—I didn’t want you to see.”

  Delilah whispered, “That you miss your dad?”

  I did. I missed him and his knowledge. He would’ve known what to do—how to help my mom. I missed my dad so fucking much that I was running from his death, from his memories, but what I didn’t want Lilah to see was the truth of my mother’s condition. That truth began to shred my existence to the point that I didn’t know where to turn next, except for Delilah being in front of me, pointing the way. I couldn’t hold myself away from her anymore.

  I needed my air. I needed my Lilah.

  I found myself reaching out to her thighs, which were in front of me. Still shaking my head, I desperately pulled her closer. Delilah was concerned with what I wasn’t telling her—I could tell by her hesitation—but she came willingly. My arms went around her hips as I clung to her. I cried onto her stomach, trying to breathe her in. She held me to her, giving soft, loving touches. Her empathy had me falling apart even more. Delilah stood between my legs, cradling my head and shoulders against her.

  Her voice was the only thing reaching my mental break. “I’m here. I’m here, Maverick.”

  I was gasping through the pain. “I’m so sorry I tried to shut you out.”

  She soothingly said, “It’s okay.”

  “I need you so goddamn bad.”

  Lilah sounded tortured for me. “I’m here, baby. Shhh, I’m here.”

  I didn’t know how long I clung to her, silently begging her to steal me, also—steal me from the crushing pain of my mother’s sadness, which I couldn’t seem to control. But meanwhile, reinforcements had arrived. I heard Tucker’s car pull up. He asked, “He okay?” Jazebelle quietly walked past us, entering my house. I couldn’t look at anyone. I just sank my shameful face into the safest being in my world.

  Lilah wouldn’t let me go while answering her brother. “He will be. Can you do me a favor and check on his mom?”

  Tucker patted my shoulder while telling Lilah, “Of course. Be right back.”

  I squeezed her tighter, knowing she was about to learn about what I’d tried to hide from her. Lilah rubbed my back. Bailey was tickled pink, running out the front door. Tucker said, “Hey, sport. Excited much?”

  “My firwst sweepover!”

  “Wow!”

  “I know! Can you beweive it, Tucko?”

  “No way! Go with Jaz, baby girl. I’ll be right out.”

  “Okay.”

  Jaz walked Bailey to my truck, telling her excitedly, “Come on, kiddo! Hailey is waiting for you.” Jaz grabbed her car seat and buckled it into the backseat of Tucker’s Mustang. Bailey leaped in, trying to help. “My brotho says I have to be buckled in weal tight…”

  “Your brother’s pretty smart.”

  Tuck came back out of my house and whispered to his sister about my mom. “Sleeping on the couch. Uh, I think we might have some pill issues. Same shit docs had June on. Depression, anxiety, sleeping. Feeling me?”

  Delilah pulled me even tighter to her. “Is that what you didn’t want me to see?”

  There was nothing to say.

  Tuck said, “I’ll talk to Dad about how we can possibly help. Right now, I’m gonna get Jaz and Bailey home. I take it you’re staying?”

  I couldn’t help but tighten my hold, again, begging her not to leave me. “Shhh,” she murmured to me. Then she told her brother, “Yes, I’m staying with him. Keep your phone on you.”

  “You got it.”

  When the car doors shut and Tucker had driven Bailey and Jaz away, I finally came out of hiding. I looked for the brown eyes I needed. “Lilah…”

  Her finger rested on my lips. “Shhh, come with me.”

  Lilah held my hand and pulled me through the house, up the stairs, and through the maze of snacks and toys on my bedroom floor. She quietly said, “Looks like I missed a party.” I could only shake my head. Lilah asked, “Not so much?” It was obvious I’d hid Bailey and me away. I shook my head again. Tenderly, she touched my face. “You look tired, Maverick.”

  My voice was scratchy as I said, “So tired. Can’t sleep anymore.”

  Too tired to ask questions, I just watched as Lilah took off her jeans before moving Bailey’s stuffed animals from my bed. She crawled into my bed then turned to face me on her knees. Delilah began taking her bra off from under her long-sleeved shirt. She said, “I’m not seducing you. I just can’t sleep in a bra and constricting pants, and we are getting you some rest.” She flung the lacey bra onto my chair and opened her arms to me. I slowly crawled to her, the weight of the world sucking out my remaining strength. Her arms went around me as she pulled me to lie down in my bed. With my face to her chest, I surrendered to the truth: I was shit deep in my mother’s depression.

  Exhaustion won as my body melted to hers for much-needed rest.

  “Lilah.”

  She whispered, wanting me to sleep. “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  Silence.

  A kiss on my forehead was as soothing as her next words. “I love you, too.”

  I love you.

  My eyes closed.

  Her
smell pulled me from my sleep. I still lay in Delilah’s arms, her heavy breathing a remedy for my aching soul. I opened my eyes to see it was dark outside.

  She never left me.

  I laid my hand on her to feel her breathing, her inhalation and exhalation making her chest move.

  She stirred.

  I stirred inside.

  She stretched, which arched her breast to me. I stirred more. After getting some awesome deep sleep, I was no longer too tired to take advantage of a young, half-naked woman in my bed. Suddenly rejuvenated, I was unable to stop myself. My mouth opened as I leaned in to kiss her breast.

  Delilah jerked as if waking completely spooked. In the dark, I quickly told her, “I’m so sorry. You looked so beautiful—”

  “Maverick?” She sounded so scared.

  I realized she must have thought she was at home and couldn’t fathom why she was being touched in the night. “It’s me. You’re okay—”

  She started to cry and hug me. “It’s you. It’s you.” She seemed desperate.

  That reaction had me extremely concerned. “Lilah, what is it?”

  “Nothing.” She kissed my neck. “Nothing.” She kissed my face. “It’s you.” And we dove into a passionate kiss so full of relief and need my head spun. I moved to be on top of her, needing to feel her body against mine, telling her she was safe.

  During more kisses, she said, “You can touch me anytime you like.”

  I should’ve been asking what had upset her, but her invitation sounded like a plea. That was confirmed when her hand rested on the back of my head, pulling me to her breast. I lifted her shirt and planted gentle kisses on her chest. Enjoying her plush body, I was no longer wondering about her odd reaction just moments before.

  I kissed her tight stomach and continued down until I found her silk panties. I could barely contain my anticipation at having a luscious thigh on each side of me. Running my fingers on the outside of the G-string and keeping my fingers from her core had us both trembling. I looked up to see if I was pushing her too far, but her eyes were filled with an anticipation of her own.

  Removing her panties opened a whole new world for me. Never had that part of a woman looked so exquisite to me before. My tongue reached out, and her sigh was my smoke signal, begging me to continue. While sampling perfection, my thumb gently rubbed her sensitive nub. A gasp made me look up. “Are you okay?”

  She was breathless. “What was that?”

  How does she not know?

  I tilted my head. “Delilah, have you never come before?”

  Her head slowly shook back and forth. My eyes shut as my head dropped to her stomach. I growled with a heady desire. I will be her first with what will become her favorite activity, if she’s anything like me.

  Never moving my head, I begged, “Lilah, let me make you come.”

  “Please.”

  Tasting the delicacy I was treasuring, my thumb resumed and rubbed her most sensitive spot till she began to quiver. She was panting but sounded timid. “Maverick?”

  Oh my God! Hearing her say my name like that is gonna make me blow my load.

  I stopped and looked up. “It’s okay. Trust me?”

  She nervously nodded, so I continued. When her hips began to rock, and her moans got louder, I knew she was getting close to her climax.

  “M-Maverick?”

  I chuckled. “Yes, baby?”

  “I—I can’t stop moving.”

  I kissed her inner thigh. “That’s okay. I will follow you. Just let yourself fall over the edge. I got you, okay?”

  More nervous nodding.

  Licking Delilah was making her hips move again, but this time, she didn’t stop me. I smiled on the inside. Hold on, girl. I greedily sucked on her sensitive clit then began flicking it quickly with my tongue. Delilah groaned while her hips rocked harder… until my name escaped her mouth in a muffled scream. Delilah’s body shook, and her breathing was erratic. I kept on lavishing her core with my tongue. Soon, her wonderful thighs tightened on my face, trying to avoid the unbelievably sensitive ticklish time.

  I kissed her inner thigh to let her know I would stop and give her peace. Her breasts rose and fell with every sigh and deep breath. I lay next to her, just watching her body relax, then wrapped my arms around her as she nuzzled to my chest, saying, “I feel like… I’m not sure. Is this why guys want to nap afterwards?”

  I burst out laughing. “Yeah, our bodies feel, uh… high, I guess.”

  Lilah faced me. “Yes! I feel high! How do you know how to do that?”

  A little nervous to tell the truth, I said, “Internet and… an older lover.”

  “What? How old?”

  “Umm, in her thirties. Good old spring break in Daytona.”

  Lilah suddenly looked at me in shock.

  I asked, “What?”

  She blinked and then smiled so big it rocked my world. Before I could ask what her smile meant, she hand gestured, wanting more details. “This sounds like a wonderful story. So, were you underage, meeting her in a bar or something?”

  “Yes, I did meet her in a bar. How’d ya know?”

  Still smiling, she touched my chin. “Did you have this goatee then?”

  I thought about it. “Uh, no, actually, I didn’t. Do you not like my beard?”

  Delilah kissed me—just a peck, but it was extremely affectionate. “I love it. And I love your hazel eyes, which I bet a girl could never forget.”

  I grinned. “What’s gotten into you?”

  She inhaled deeply. “Loving that wishes do come true.”

  “My goatee is a fulfilled wish?”

  Her fingers ran through my hair. “You, Maverick. You are my wish come true. Now, tell me your story.”

  Thinking broads were odd at times, I continued with my cougar tale. “Being bigger, I was able to get into a bar with no fake ID. I had fooled one woman about my age until she realized how inexperienced I was in bed. The jig was up. Luckily, the cougar took pity on me and said, ‘Someday you’re going to find a girl you’re gonna want to keep, and this is how to do it.’” I tickled Delilah’s side. “I want to keep you, Lilah. Is she right?”

  After squirming, she inhaled deeply. “Yeah, she’s right. Worth the wait. I’m all yours.”

  As I was about to ask what she meant by “worth the wait,” headlights shined through my bedroom window. I got out of my bed as Lilah reached for her cell. “I turned my ringer off so you could sleep.”

  I hadn’t turned my cell back on either.

  Looking out my window, I saw Jaz pulling Peanut out of her car. “Bailey.” I took off running down the stairs. As I swung my front door open, Jazebelle put her hand up. “She’s okay.” She was completely expecting my reaction. Bailey was on Jaz’s hip. “Just a belly ache, and only one person would do.”

  Bailey reached her arms out for me. I took her and held her to me. “What’s the matter, Peanut?”

  “My tummy hurts. I hate McDonald’s.”

  I laughed as I took her to the rocking chair in the living room. Holding her, with gratitude that she was okay, I began rocking her, rubbing her back, and trying to soothe her belly. She lay on my chest and shoulder, her body completely relaxing to mine. I didn’t realize I was being watched till I looked up. I squinted, positive that I was not having my manliest moment, but to my surprise, Lilah and Jaz had their hands covering their mouths, apparently finding Bailey and me adorable.

  Score!

  Sometimes, magic happens in your life. At least, it felt like magic to me. A family who had experienced tragedy came to the rescue of another family that was sinking from a similar loss. Miracle. Lilah’s family was my and Bailey’s true miracle.

  The next morning, Delilah was still there. We had held hands all night, as Bailey happily slept between us, claiming this was “the best sleepover ever!” Bailey felt much better, so Jaz returned and took her for playtime with Hailey so the rest of us could focus on my mom.

  Since my mom’s pills had my
steriously disappeared by morning and she was without, she was sitting on the couch, bent in half from her anguish. Nothing was numbing her senses, and memories and regret were pelting her like a hailstorm. My mom’s arms were curled to her chest as she rocked her body into her thighs over and over. I sat in a chair across from her, watching her lose a battle I could not fight for her.

  Lilah went to answer a knock at the door. Tucker and his dad had arrived with breakfast and no judgment. John walked into the living room. He seemed to recognize my mom’s state of mind immediately. Her head, still in her lap, turned to face him with a plea that only someone who had lost a spouse could understand.

  Mr. Ward handed his son the bag of food and walked to my mom. After sitting next to her on the couch, he said, “Even breathing hurts, huh?”

  The tears that burst from my mother were earthshattering. I wanted to leap up and fix her, but John simply nodded to her, saying, with complete sympathy, “I know… I used to hate the air in my lungs that made me face another day without her.”

  My mom nodded with a desperation I could no longer watch. Lilah must have noticed it because she took my hand and left her father to pick up the pieces my mom had shattered into.

  Once it was clear how much more healing we all needed, I decided to take Mr. Ward’s advice and enroll Bailey and me in counseling. John told my mom about a group meeting for widows and widowers that he still attended. She agreed to go with him and try. She must have finally come to realize there was nowhere else to run. The counselors she met were so welcoming that my mom trusted them when they recommended additional help for substance abuse.

  Christmas came and went, and my mom willingly disposed of hidden pills. Delilah and I chose not to do the holiday gift exchange and add more pressures to what we were already experiencing. No present would’ve compared to the comfort we were bringing each other. On New Year’s Eve, we wanted to stay home, but our friends wouldn’t have it. Delilah and I were both dragged to another river party.

  The river party when Lilah and I first became official seemed like ages ago. So much had transpired since then, and Delilah and I were undoubtedly the real deal. The idea of a future without her had become nauseating and something I would no longer consider.