by S R Dyble
The thought, as always, pained every inch of my body and I closed my eyes briefly before nodding.
"Thank you for being here," I said then and they both nodded and gave me a tight smile.
"Will you need to be inside? I can get you both drinks and—"
"Thank you, Miss Johnson, but no. We'll be outside mainly, unless we need to come inside."
"Please call me Eve," I smiled as they said their goodbyes.
Leaving me and Kit alone.
"They look like normal guys," I said stupidly.
"What were you expecting, the men in black?"
"Something like that..."
Smiling slightly, Kit brushed his knuckles against my stomach.
"When is the next scan?"
I shook my head. "I can't remember the date, but I have a letter to confirm the next one," I answered, remembering the letter I'd received to confirm my next scan appointment.
It was going to be the twenty-week scan.
He nodded and leaned forward to kiss my forehead, reserved.
"I'll see you later," he said leaving and shutting the front door behind him.
I stood there for a while, uncertainty laying thick on my mind as I stared at the front door before eventually moving about the room. I headed back over to the letter I'd received confirming my scan appointment. Then picked up the other letter I'd received confirming the pass I'd earned for photography. I held the paper in my hand and shook my head. Although I was so happy to have passed, I couldn't believe I'd managed it. Especially with everything that had happened. It was a good thing that I'd passed it now because there would be no time for college from here on out. No way would I even be allowed under the circumstances. I decided to call Lilly because I needed to hear her voice so badly after today.
"What are you thinking, Eves?"
I froze and snapped out of my daydream to look at Lilly. On my lap, I had a bowl of pasta that Lilly had made once she'd come over. After my awkward moment with Kit, I'd called Lilly and she'd come straight over. We'd gone over everything once again that had happened between me and Kit and I'd explained Delta to her once more.
"I don't even know," I answered honestly.
My mind was a god-damn mess.
"I guess I'm just thinking, what am I gonna do?"
"I think there's only one thing to do," she said honestly, tackling a piece of pasta in her dish.
"Enlighten me?" I asked after waiting a while as she chased the pasta around her dish with her fork.
"Got you, you little shit!" Lilly spoke fiercely to the piece of pasta now held up to her face.
I raised my eyebrows as she shoved it into her mouth and chewed it like a boss. Impatiently, I waited for her to swallow.
"You love him, right?"
I blinked. "That's about the only thing I am sure of..."
I thought about it some more.
"But he lied!" I added. "He keeps lying to me, there's always something else—always something coming between us. Don't you think that's a sign?"
Lilly just stared at me as I continued to ramble on.
"I'm having a baby, for christ's sake. I need stability, and so does my baby. I can't be with someone who constantly lies to me."
"Eves, shut up," Lilly said simply.
"You love this guy. Yes, he's had to lie to you. Yes, there's always something or someone coming between you both. And yes, you've had the worst luck. Kit has only ever lied to you to protect you, otherwise, I'd be telling you to run from the shit-head."
She sighed, trying to get to her point.
"My point is. If you really love someone, and I mean really love someone, you should fight for them."
Lilly wasn't sounding like herself at all.
"You want me to be with Kit? I thought you hated him?"
"Oh, don't mistake my words for love," she laughed.
"I still think he's a prick. He still has a lot of proving to do before I let him walk you down the aisle—"
"Lill'," I scoffed, "let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"My point is, if you love him and he loves you, you shouldn't let anything get in the way."
I waited a little to take in everything she'd said and then I nodded and smiled. We both then chewed on a mouthful of pasta and I pointed my fork at her as she sat cross-legged in my grandad's chair.
"You're pretty good at advice, you know?"
"I'm a hairdresser. I cut hair and listen to people's problems. I've been doing it for three years and I swear I'm a certified therapist."
I laughed which made her chuckle before she shoved more pasta into her mouth. After eating, I rang my grandparents. The conversation wasn't long but they were having a great time and wished I was with them. Saying goodbye, I hung up the phone and stared across at Lilly engrossed in the TV until I picked up my phone again and dialled out. She smiled as the phone rang and I held my hand to my stomach.
"Hey, sorry, can't answer right now. Leave me a message." Kit's masculine voice spoke into my ear as I listened to his voicemail message and then hung up.
Placing the phone down I looked at Lilly again, expecting Kit to ring back shortly after. When he didn't I frowned and waited a little longer.
"You're thinking about it too hard," Lilly said.
"Wouldn't you be if your partner told you he had to go to work to plan out his fake relationship with his ex?"
Lilly nodded. "Fair point."
"Why don't you surprise him?"
"What?" I asked whilst getting up to get a drink.
"Go to his house and wait for him to come home, you can talk everything out and have more makeup sex."
I shook my head in disbelief and smiled before walking into the kitchen. As I reached into the fridge, I thought about it harder. I could surprise him. I strolled back into the living room.
"Can you drop me off in Beverley?"
"Whey!" Lilly smirked. "Certainly ma-lady," she said before getting up.
"I'll wait five minutes for you to message me to say you're safe."
I nodded as I got out of Lilly's car, knowing those five minutes were likely being watched already. I couldn't see Bob and Phil's car. It either meant that they weren't here or that they were seriously good at their jobs.
"Be careful, Eves," Lilly then said as I went back into the car to grab my bag.
"You too, drive careful," I smiled back at her.
"And thanks for dropping me off."
"You look hot, you're an official MILF, my friend."
Snorting and shaking my head I closed the door and straightened my dress before waving goodbye. I was wearing a plain army green skater dress that has spaghetti straps. It was loose where I needed it most and fitted nicely around my breasts. I had on a pair of black leggings too, purely because it was chilly. Placing my long bag over my shoulder, I wrapped my arms around myself before starting the short walk down the beck to Kit's house. I wasn't sure who was going to answer the door, and I was still a little worried that Kit hadn't answered my phone calls.
With some luck, Kit may have fallen asleep after a hard work out session and I'd be able to slide into bed alongside him. The thought made me smile as I waited for someone to answer. When Jax did, I wasn't prepared for the look he gave me.
"Eves, Sweetheart. Hi," he breathed.
"Hey Jax," I gulped, knowing the last time we'd spoken wasn't a good one.
"Come in," he insisted, being overly sweet.
"I erm... Came to see Kit," I said as I placed my bag down on the floor beside my shoes. It was weird how after everything that had happened, I still felt so at home here.
"Kit isn't here," he said as I followed him through the house and to the kitchen.
I searched the wall for the clock, it was ten PM.
"He's probably got caught at work, shall I call him?"
Shaking my head, I placed my phone on the kitchen counter and remembered that I needed to text Lilly to let her know that I was safe. I did it quickly as Jax went about making some drinks.
&n
bsp; "Look, Eves, I never—"
"It's okay Jax." I stopped him, knowing full well where this conversation was heading.
"I know why you didn't tell me."
He placed a drink of orange juice in front of me and sipped at his own whilst staring at me from over his glass. He was still dressed in what appeared to be his work gear. He wore a shirt and a tie with trousers that fit him perfectly.
"Have you just gotten home from work?"
He nodded as he placed his drink down and continued to stare at me.
"Has Kit told you that I work for Delta too?"
"He said you're a doctor at Delta."
He was about to speak again when we both heard a loud bang coming from the front door. I followed after him as he examined the hallway.
"Fuck sake, bro'," he cursed.
My eyes widened as Kit picked himself up off the floor and shut the front door behind him.
"Fucking door gave way on me," he mumbled to himself and it became clear that he was absolutely sloshed.
He'd been drinking, and that's why he'd come home so late? Kit looked at Jax and then saw me standing behind him and he smiled.
"Baby," he came towards me but stumbled, missing his footing and Jax caught him before steadying him against the wall.
"How much did you fucking drink?" he asked but Kit just grinned at him and patted Jax on the shoulder before coming towards me again.
"You're a sight for sore eyes, Angel," he said before nuzzling his face into my neck and bringing his arm around my waist to give me a gentle hug.
I hugged him too and brought my hand to his face once he'd moved it back, but held onto my waist.
"You're pissed out of your head."
"And you're beautiful," he answered.
I scoffed and raised my eyebrows. "Yeah? Which one of me?"
It made Jax smile from where he stood behind Kit.
"I'll let you know once I've got another drink," he said wandering into the kitchen.
"Coffee, I hope?" Jax said after him.
Thankfully, it seemed Kit was getting a coffee and he brought a mug out of the cupboard and searched the drawer for a spoon before holding it up in the air and inspecting it.
"Why the hell do they call these stainless steel? Have you seen these teaspoons?" he said, waiting for the kettle to boil.
I bit my lip to hold off a smile as Kit started lifting more teaspoons out of the drawer.
"Stained," he placed one down.
"Stained," he laid another down.
Drawling on all the more, he then turned his attention to the hot kettle and I decided to step in.
"I think I should do that," I said gripping the handle before he could.
I poured his drink and placed the kettle back down as he started to speak.
"Aren't I just the luckiest son of a bitch walking?" He turned me around so that my back pressed against the counter and so he could stand in front of me with his hands holding onto the counter at either side of my body.
I stared into his eyes as the smell of alcohol met my nose.
"Too damn perfect," he drawled as his head disappeared into my neck where he began placing hungry kisses.
"Just let me leave the room first before you both fuck, okay, bro?" Jax said.
I shook my head and pushed Kit back. "No need. You're having coffee and going to bed."
"Is that so?"
I nodded and stared him in the eyes as he teasingly challenged me.
"That might not be possible," he moved me aside so he could get to the sink and before I could answer he threw up in the sink.
"Fuck sake, Kit," Jax growled before rushing over to us.
"I'm fine," Kit answered, telling Jax to leave him.
"Am I fuck leaving you. You can barely stand up, look at you."
It was then that I realised how much damage Kit had really done because he was slouching against the counter and I brushed his hair back that had grown since we had first met. Looking him in the face I saw his eyes struggling to stay open.
"Jax, is he gonna be okay?" I asked as I begin to worry.
Jax nodded and boosted Kit up against him so he could help him walk.
"I thought you were done pulling this shit, bro?" Jax asked as he took Kit up the stairs with him, holding Kit's arm around his shoulders and using his strength to help push Kit up the stairs.
I thought about what Jax had said as I followed after them.
What did that mean? Was this a regular thing for Kit?
I climbed the stairs after them and rushed ahead to pull Kit's duvet back so Jax could place him on the bed. Sighing, Jax looked down at Kit who laid on his front with his eyes closed. He looked perfect with his hair ruffled over his eyes, even in his current state.
"I'm sorry Eves, do you want me to take you home?"
I shook my head.
"I'm staying, if that's okay?"
"Like you even have to ask," he smiled before coming to me to give me a quick hug.
"If you need me, just shout okay?"
I nodded and thanked him.
"He should just sleep it off."
Again I nodded and stared at Kit, wondering what the hell could be going through his head to get this drunk. As Jax left I thought about my next move. First, I rushed back downstairs to retrieve my bag and found Jax in the kitchen, cleaning the mess in the sink.
"Do you need any help?" I asked, and it caught him off guard.
He wasn't dressed in his suit anymore, he'd got changed into joggers and a t-shirt.
"No way are you cleaning this away," he answered and I walked further into the kitchen and rested against the counter.
"Earlier when you took Kit upstairs, you said something about Kit not doing this anymore. What did you mean?"
He glanced around at me before continuing to clean.
"Let's just say before Kit started on your case, he was all over the place. He drank, a lot."
The thought hurt my chest and I looked down. I didn't know that about him.
"Has he always been a drinker?"
Why hadn't he told me?
"No, but he's not always had reason to." Jax finished up and washed his hands before turning to face me.
He took a seat at one of the stools opposite me and relaxed there.
"Unfortunately, after your family died he held onto a lot of guilt."
I raised my eyebrows and my heart sank further. I knew from our previous conversations that Kit partially felt responsible for my Dad not listening to his warnings.
"He drank so much to drown the guilt?"
Jax nodded. "I think so."
I shook my head. "It wasn't his fault."
He nodded again, knowing what I'd meant.
"You should get some sleep, Sweetheart. You need energy to grow my nephew."
I scoffed after letting go of the hurt I felt for a second.
"You guys are gonna be so wounded if I'm having a girl."
Jax chuckled and said goodnight as I pushed away from the counter and headed back upstairs with my bag in hand.
Back in Kit's bedroom, I looked at him. He hadn't moved an inch and was peacefully breathing on his front. I searched in my bag for my clothes and heard Kit groan in his sleep. Hearing the noise in his throat made me worry so I stayed with him instead of going into the bathroom to change. I pulled my leggings off and then lifted my dress over my head when I heard him making the same noise again. This time I moved over to see if he was okay when he suddenly sat up and looked around the room until his eyes landed on me beside him. I just stood still, catching my breath from the shock of his movements when Kit sat himself on the edge of the bed and leaned his head against my body. I held onto his head and threaded my fingers through his hair as his hands came around the backs of my legs and he kissed my stomach.
"Hey, buddy," he said making my heart skip.
He waited a little longer, slouching, and then brought himself back to my stomach to finish his chat.
"I won't let
them hurt you both, I promise. I'll do better," he mumbled quietly before laying back down onto the bed.
"What?" I questioned him and when he didn't answer I crawled over him and looked at his face.
"Kit? Answer me," I demanded, but it was useless.
Kit had fallen back into a deep sleep and I sat completely confused. I'd come over to clear things up with Kit and I was more confused about us than I was already. I settled back against the headboard, knowing I needed to get dressed because I was only sitting in my underwear. First, I allowed a tear to fall down my cheek. Everything was so fucked up, and nothing was getting better. Kit's words were ringing in my ear.
I won't let them hurt you both, I promise.
What the hell did that mean?
I'll do better.
I already knew we were in danger. That's why this whole thing with Maddie had been created.
Was there something else going on at Delta that he knew about but wasn't telling me?
I sat and thought about it longer, until another thought overrode everything. That being, my bloody tits were killing me. The pain I felt was adding to my sadness. In anger, I reached behind my back and nearly snapped the strap on my bra, trying to unlatch the hooks so I could release my breasts. Once I'd succeeded I threw it across the room. Just before I made a move to get dressed I felt Kit's arm snaking around my body, humming as he pulled my body into his. He cupped one of my breasts in his hand as my arse connected perfectly against his groin. Like two perfectly matched jigsaw pieces. I found my safety there in his arms, just like I always did, and I allowed myself to close my eyes.
I slept like a baby.
As I opened my eyes, I released how stupid that saying was. Babies don't sleep well, and I was sure to find that out very soon. As I thought about my baby I felt Kit's large hand shifting to my stomach. My mind averted back to the night before and how drunk Kit had been and I turned over to face him. I was still topless and Kit, despite looking tired and hungover stared at my tits.
"What happened last night?"
I had to give him a chance to explain before I bombarded him with the other questions clouding my mind.
"I had too much to drink," he answered.
"No shit," I answered blatantly. "Why did you drink so much?"
