I walk out of my room in a long t-shirt.
“You need more time?” he asks.
“No. I’m staying here.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to see your face when I run down the escalator at the airport.”
“You sure?”
“Think so. We’ll find out.” I hand him cash. “Pick up a Tracfone on the way to the hospital and take it to Bailee. Buy her some minutes then send a text to my number before you leave for the airport.”
“That won’t cost $100.”
“Also, buy a litter box and cans of cat food.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re bringing Penelope home.”
“And she’s a cat?”
“Yes, and by the time she gets into your truck, she’s going to need a bathroom and food.”
“OK. I’m going to see you at the airport? The same you?”
“I’ll have more clothes on, but it will be me.” I kiss his lips. “The same me who washed you so clean.” Another kiss. “And dried you so softly.”
He’s beginning to pant.
My hands press gently on his pecs. “I think you’d better leave. Now.” We walk to the front door.
“We can kiss in front of your dad?”
“Certainly. On the cheek.” I open the door. “Tell Bailee about Caden and Garrett. It will make her feel better. And be at baggage claim before 6:30.”
He nods then waves as he drives away.
After locking the door, I go back to my room and remove my shirt. I’ve decided I need to skip back the same way I got here and hope Jag followed directions about staying in bed. I slip under the sheets and imagine Jag behind me. I picture every inch of him, smell his scent, and hear him breathe against my back. I scoot my butt back into his flesh. He is so warm. I turn toward him and watch him breathe. My fingers touch his lips.
“Jagger,” I sing. “Open your beautiful eyes.” I kiss his mouth. “I’m back.”
His lids flip up, and his eyes pop at me. “Where did you go?”
“I’ll tell you later. Are you rested?”
He pushes me onto my back. “Are you?”
“Does it matter?” I laugh. I need to skip back into the plane. I try to hear the sound of the jet engine, but it’s too hard.
“No.”
He crushes my lips with a kiss and pushes his tongue into my mouth. My breathing quickens and my hands grasp his back. His mouth moves to my breasts then to my stomach. I groan and try to reach down for him, but he slips away as he moves his mouth below my waist. I arch my back and lift my arms above my head.
I need to leave.
I gasp.
“Laney,” Gibbs whispers close to my ear. “Wake up.” She pushes my shoulder.
Before my eyes open, I hear the roaring sound inside the plane.
“Are you awake?” Gibbs asks.
I open my left eye and see Gibbs’ smirking face staring at me. “Yes. Why did you wake me?”
She chuckles and moves her mouth closer to my ear. “You were groaning so loud, people were starting to stare at you. I was afraid you’d scream. I’m so sorry.” She laughs again. “If we weren’t in this plane and your father wasn’t sleeping right by us, I would’ve let you cum as loud as you wanted and never said anything.”
My face is suddenly hot.
“Who is he?” she asks.
I take out my phone and show her pics of Jag.
“Oh my. He’s gorgeous. I am so so sorry, Laney.” Her voice lowers. “Have you had sex with him?”
“Can you keep a secret?”
She jerks up in her seat and barks out a laugh. People turn around. She covers her face with her hands and gives me a side-glance.
“Deal?” I ask.
She nods then laughs again.
I’m so tempted to go back. Just for a few minutes. But I push his naked image out of my mind until I hear the wind just beyond the window. The plane banks slightly. My neck is stiff, and my butt hurts. I see crop circles on flat ground stretching for miles. My arms lift above my head, and I stretch with a stifled squeal.
Gibbs still snickers and glances at me. I turn my face to the window.
The ground below is dry, sometimes wrinkled. Occasionally, a shiny ribbon of green wanders along our path. More irrigation circles in clusters, then the whole pattern repeats. I can’t keep my eyes open and slump into my seat.
* * *
I’m in my bedroom. The rope tightens around my neck. I push with my fingers and twist around, trying to find a foot to stomp on. A pop and a whoosh, and I see a dart deep in my leg. I’m going to black out. Jag! Where are you?
* * *
Gibbs pushes my shoulders. “Laney. Wake up.”
I hear dings and a voice telling me to raise my table.
“Laney. What’s wrong?”
“Just a bad dream.”
“You said you wanted Jag. Did he leave you?”
My eyes open wide. “Never. He saved my life. He’s the most amazing, beautiful boy in the world.”
Dad turns his head. “Really? I’d like to meet Jag.”
“So would I,” says Gibbs with a little flirt in her voice as she pushes her elbow into my ribs.
“He’ll be waiting for us.” I have no doubt she’ll tell him about my interrupted orgasm on the plane. Just please not in front of Dad.
Penelope meows from under Gibbs’ seat. The tranquilizer has worn off.
We land, and all of us unlock our phones as the plane taxis.
I find a message from Bailee. Hey, Sis. Can’t wait to see you.
I text back. I’m on the plane. Just one of me. I shot Garrett twice, and Jag broke a few of Caden’s bones.
I know. I made Jag tell me the story twice. Thank you.
Are you ready to leave?
Almost. I want to see Gus first. He’ll be here for another day or two. He’s been asking about me. I know he kept them from killing me sooner.
“I’m pregnant!” yells Gibbs. “With a girl! I told you.”
Dad and I stare at her, shocked.
Her face glows. “I got the email about my test.” She shows me her phone. “I’m pregnant with your sister.” She turns to Dad. “You’re going to be a daddy again. Is that OK?”
Dad tears up then reaches for her. “Yes, Gibbs.”
I start blubbering and hug them both. Some passengers near us applaud. A flight attendant tells us to please stay in our seats until we’re at the gate.
“Have you had any cramps? Or bleeding?” asks Dad.
“No. I checked in the bathroom a while ago.”
My phone dings. I see a message from Mom. Which hospital?
I text back. University. Are you coming?
Yes.
Oh my God. This night will be interesting.
After another ten minutes, we’re walking up the jetway. Gibbs tells everyone she can she’s pregnant. Finally, we’re on the escalator. I keep standing on tiptoes and leaning over the balustrade to find Jag at the bottom, but a hundred people block my view. Just before we get to the end, I see him and squeal.
He waves. As soon as I can dodge other people, I run and leap onto him, kissing his mouth. He spins me around then gently lowers me. “I thought you said on the cheek,” he whispers.
“I couldn’t help myself. I missed you.”
He laughs. “It’s been two hours.”
“I take it you’re Jag,” says Dad behind me. “Laney, let me shake his hand.”
I unwrap myself from him. “Dad, this is Jagger Ray. Jag, this is Sean West, my father.”
“Good to meet you, Sir.” Jag shakes Dad’s hand.
Dad looks him up and down. “Are you an athlete?”
“Wrestler. MMA.”
“My Ninja,” I say, grabbing his arm. “Bone breaker and savior of women in distress.”
“Move out of the way, Sean,” says Gibbs. “I want to hold this beautiful boy.” Gibbs grabs Jag in a bear hug. “My goodness but you have muscle
s.” Gibbs kisses his cheek. “Now, you can kiss me right here.” She offers her cheek. Jag obliges. “By the way, I’m pregnant with Laney’s sister.”
“Congratulations,” says Jag.
We find our bags and walk into the parking garage. Dad peppers Jag with questions about wrestling. Evidently, Dad wrestled in high school.
I hold hands with Gibbs behind the men, laughing together like boys. She is so happy. Maybe having her own daughter will make it easier for her to accept who Bailee’s mother is. “Gibbs, Bailee and I are twins. Mom had me in this universe and her in another.”
She stops, opens her mouth to say something, then sighs. “So Hannah won him twice.” She wipes her nose. “It’s OK. He’s mine now.”
“Yes, he is. And I’m not going anywhere, either.”
“But how did I see Bailee?”
“I’m not sure. Somehow our two worlds overlapped, maybe because we’re twins and we both died that day. We both rode bikes and made bad decisions.” I touch her face. “We’re both with you now.”
She smiles. “Laney, it’s OK. I’ll have my own daughter.”
“Yes, you will. Our sister.” We catch up with the boys.
We release Penelope from the carrier and let her use the litter box before we climb into the truck. Jag has a bowl of water and one of food on the floor. After a few minutes, we take our seats and leave the garage.
As we drive, I explain what happened in the trailer and at the house this morning with Caden and Garrett. Gibbs and Dad remain silent in the back seat for several minutes.
“All this is true?” asks Dad.
I turn around in my seat. “You’ll see the broken window in my bedroom, and I think there’s a bullet hole in one of my walls.”
Dad slaps his hand on Jag’s shoulder. “Thank you, son, for keeping my girl safe.”
“My pleasure, Sir, though I hope this doesn’t happen every day.”
“And what if it does?” I ask. “Will you get tired of saving me and walk away?”
“Not a chance. But I’d like to take you to a movie or go dancing sometime.”
A tingle moves up my neck. “You like to dance?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Cool. I’d like to dance with someone besides my mirror.”
“You ever go hunting or fishing?” asks Dad.
Jag looks at me and winks. “I’ve been hunting for deer once, but didn’t catch anything. I’ve been fishing a few times with a friend of mine. It’s fun.”
“Maybe we can get out on the lake. Laney, does Hannah still have the boat?”
“I think so. Hasn’t been used since you left.” Should I tell him Mom will be at the hospital?
“Maybe she wouldn’t mind me borrowing it. Would Bailee be able to go?”
“I think so. Anything to keep her mind off what happened to her.”
Jag finds a parking spot at the hospital. We walk inside and head for Bailee’s room. At the nurses’ station we learn Bailee is visiting Gus. I ask if Jag and I can see him. The nurse hesitates about Jag, but I tell her he saved his life, that Gus would want to see him. She nods and takes us back to his room.
When we walk in, Gus is sitting up in his bed, crying. Bailee stands up from her wheelchair to hug him. She whispers something in his ear and wipes tears from his cheeks.
“Bailee, I’m here,” I say and walk toward her.
Gus turns his head and smiles. “Hey, young lady. Hello, Jagger. Come here, young man. I want to shake your hand.”
Jag walks over and grabs Gus’ hand.
The old sparkle returns to his eyes. “I hear you two tore into those bastards this morning and sent them to the hospital.”
“Yes, we did,” Jag says.
“Well, I hope the doctors don’t try too hard to save them.”
We all laugh. I feel the same way.
“Hey, Sis,” says Bailee. “Hey, Jag. Is Dad here?”
“And Gibbs. Who is pregnant with our sister.”
Bailee’s face lights up. “For real?”
“Yup. Got the results of her blood test.”
“Very cool.”
The nurse returns and tells us we should leave.
“Will you be back at school after the holidays?” I ask.
Gus tightens his jaw. “I’m hoping to. Depends on my head. I’m supposed to see a shrink tomorrow.”
Bailee kisses his cheek. “You’re the kindest, bravest man I’ve ever known, Gus. I want to see you when you get out of here.”
He sniffs and wipes an eye. “I’ll try, Bailee. I’ll try. You take care of yourself. You too, Laney. And Jagger, please keep these girls safe.”
“I will, Sir.”
Bailee sits in her wheelchair. “They want me to use this while I’m in the hospital. Push me?”
“Sure,” I say.
We leave the room and find Dad and Gibbs at the nurses’ station.
Bailee stands up, her chin quivering, and reaches out her arms. “Dad?”
They hug.
“How’re you doing, Baby Girl?” asks Dad.
Bailee’s eyes widen, and she smiles at his face. “That’s what my Dad called me.”
“That’s what I call my daughters.”
They hug again. I join them, all of us crying, holding each other.
After another minute we remember Gibbs.
“Bailee,” I say. “This is Gibbs.”
“Hello, Gibbs.” They hug. “I hear you’re pregnant.”
“Yes, I am. With your sister.”
“I can’t wait to see her. I’m so happy for you.”
“Hello, Bailee.”
My mother’s voice echoes down the hall. We all look around and see her walking from the waiting room door. She wears a pretty dress and more than her usual amount of makeup.
Bailee looks at me, eyes popping.
“I told her everything,” I say.
Mom walks straight to Bailee. With tears in her eyes, she reaches for Bailee’s hands. “I’m so sorry about what you’ve gone through to find your sister. I wish . . . I wish I had made a better decision years ago. If you’ll forgive me, I’d like a chance to be your mother.”
“Yes, please.” Bailee grabs Mom, who clutches her back, burying her face in Bailee’s chest.
Hopeful, nervous, shaking, I step toward them. “Mom?”
She reaches to me with her right arm and pulls me in. I’ve never been hugged so hard by my mother, whom I’ve never seen cry until now.
Mom kisses my cheek. “Maybe we can all have a fresh start. I love you, Laney, and I’m glad you’re home.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
We all release each other and wipe our eyes. Mom turns toward Gibbs, who amazingly extends her arms. “Will you hug me, Hannah?”
“Yes, I will.” They hold each other.
“Mom,” I say. “Gibbs is pregnant with a girl. She just got the blood test results.”
Mom smiles at Gibbs. “Really? Well, congratulations. Now there’ll be three sisters.”
Hannah turns to Dad. They stand awkwardly until Gibbs says, “Kiss each other for God’s sake. You were married for thirteen years.”
Dad extends his arms, and they kiss briefly on the lips then hug tightly.
“I’m glad you’re back, Sean,” says Mom. “Laney and I have missed you.”
Dad smiles but doesn’t respond.
“Hello again, Jagger,” says Mom, extending her hand. “I understand you’re quite the hero.”
“Laney keeps me busy,” he says.
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Mom looks at all of us. “I’d like you to stay at my house tonight and for as long as you want. Why don’t you all go ahead. I’ve got some paperwork to complete for Bailee.”
“That’s very kind of you, Hannah,” says Gibbs.
A nurse wheels Bailee out of the hospital. Jag drives his truck to the hospital entrance. Bailee and I sit in the front seat, sharing Penelope. Dad
and Gibbs sit in the back.
“Where to?” asks Jag.
“Rudy’s,” I say.
“Oh, I love Rudy’s,” says Bailee.
I put my arm around my sister. “I knew you would.”
32
Bailee moans and whimpers as I hold her in bed. She is reliving her torture from Caden and Garrett. Once again, I try to wake her. “Bailee. I’m here with you, Bailee.” I kiss her face and rub her arms. She cries and covers her head. My heart aches. I don’t know what to do.
Earlier this evening, she seemed happy. We stuffed ourselves with barbeque. Jagger played the piano. We sang. Penelope pulled Q-tips out of my bathroom and batted them all over the house. Mom was incredibly gracious to everyone, even offering to pay for doctors and counselors for Gibbs to help her through her pregnancy. She wants to take Bailee and me shopping tomorrow for clothes.
All Bailee wants is a gun to carry. She asked Dad to teach both of us to shoot.
When we changed clothes tonight for sleeping, I saw Bailee’s bruises—purple, yellow, dark red on her breasts and all around her pelvis, much worse than those around her neck. Going to the bathroom hurts.
We both cried ourselves to sleep.
Bailee jerks upright, her eyes wide open. “Stop! Please stop hurting him!”
She’s relived Gus’ torture twice tonight. I sit up and pull her into my lap, stroking her face.
I hear two quick knocks. “Yes.”
Jag opens the door. “I heard her scream.” We put an inflatable bed in the living room for him.
“I don’t know what to do,” I cry.
He rushes in and sits next to me. “How can I help?”
“Get some wine and cups.”
He leaves and returns with a bottle and glasses.
“Pour me some.”
He sets the bottle on my dresser and opens it.
“Bailee,” I say softly. “Hey, Sis. Drink some wine with me.”
“Do you have any?” She sits up.
Jag hands me a glass. I offer it to her. “Here.”
She drains the wine in a few gulps then holds it out to Jag. “More.”
Jag looks at me, and I nod. He fills it up and returns the glass to Bailee. She tries to chug it all, but I stop her.
“Slow down, Bailee.”
“I need it, Sis. I’ve gone days without a drop. Neither of us is going to get any sleep tonight if you don’t let me drink.”
Some Laneys Died: A Skipping Sideways Thriller Page 25
