"I suggest you all leave before my boys get upset," Terry said, joining his friends. "They're hot and hungry, and tempers are getting agitated. Just one more thing." He loomed over Mr. Kasaab. "You should have taken it into consideration that Baylor would be raising a child whose father is a fucking pussy. Considerate yourself fortunate that this little scumbag couldn't make his dick work."
"Terry, language," Jake hissed.
"Fuck the language. It's time someone told this pathetic little dickweasel the truth."
"Father! Did you hear what he said to Mother and me?" Felix slipped behind his mother as a handful of men cracked their knuckles.
"Get in the car, son. I am not going to bring more disgrace to this family by associating with that female or her delusional friends," the older man announced, as he noticed several cell phones videotaping the interaction. He stood at the driver's door and pointed to the silent woman perched in a tree. "Mark my words. This female has absolutely no worth or value in either a family or a community. She is nothing but a parasite, and might be good for a fast fuck and a pretty piece of furniture, but nothing more. Don't waste your time or money like my son and our family did on her. She will never amount to anything of significance."
Both Jake and Hayden took one step towards the car, and were held back by Terry. The big man squeezed their shoulders. "Let him go with his tail tucked between his legs. He's a bully, and not worth any of our time or effort." Terry turned to the stunned and silently mortified Baylor. "Are you okay, honey-doll? I'm sorry about that ugly display of stupidity. Let me help you down."
She rested her hands on his broad shoulders as he set her on her feet. "I'm so sorry you had to witness that," she said. "I lived with that stupidity for four years. He was actually restraining himself. Ordinarily, he would have been calling me a shamoota. That's Arabic for whore. Felix always called me a skank."
"Good thing they didn't say that in front of your boys. Jake was ready to slice and dice." Terry laughed. "Even Chuckles was sharpening his teeth."
"Don't call me that. Damn you, Jake." Hayden glowered at the new nickname. "You just had to tell him about that, didn't you?"
"Did you really think I would keep 'Chuckles' to myself, little brother? It's gold!"
"They are not my men. And don't you ever put me out of reach again, hear me?" Baylor scolded, smacking his heavily muscled arm.
"I think I just felt a butterfly land on me. There it goes again," Terry teased, as she smacked him again. She swore loudly when he pinched her back.
"Swearing is not very ladylike, Kitten," Jake scolded half-heartedly. "Are you all right? I'm so sorry I lost my temper in front of you."
"There is no need to be sorry, Jake. I've seen people lose their temper. I must admit, given how he was in your face, you exercised tremendous restraint and control. I can't believe what you guys said to them. I'm both shocked and grateful. Thank you." Baylor blinked back her tears.
Terry hugged her with one arm, squashing her face against his ribs. "You have a real family now, kid. I hope you are comfortable being around testosterone. There is an awful lot of it here."
"It depends on how it's being distributed." She could not resist smiling up at him.
"Only in the best possible way," Terry said, and laughed. "That is, except when it comes to these two. I can't be held responsible for their behavior. They both tend to be a bit hot under the collar about certain things."
"I don't think anyone can be held responsible for their behavior. They are somewhat brutish. Hey! No poking!" Baylor grabbed Hayden's index finger.
"Boss! We're ready to roll!" a man yelled out.
"Hit the road, boys," Hayden yelled back. "I'm gonna get pictures of the place so that the landlord can't screw her. Terry will start the party. T-Bear? Take Baylor's car. She can drive back with Jake and me."
"I can drive my own car," Baylor said, hands on her hips.
"What's with the midgetude?" Terry asked, grabbing her hands and removing them from her waist. He squeezed them gently. "Let them drive and grab a little nap. I can tell you're exhausted."
"I don't take naps."
"You're going to start. Don't make me get firm with you. Drink."
"What is it with you guys? I'm not thirsty. Plus, it will make me need to pee."
"Then you pull over and pee. Drink."
Baylor numbly accepted the bottle of cold water shoved into her hand, the quick peck on her cheek, and a pat on the bottom as he turned to take her car. One by one, the men said goodbye and soon she was left standing next to Jake in a quiet, spotless yard.
"This is unfu—"
"Don't say it," Jake warned, tugging her ear. "They are a great group, aren't they? Are you done yet?" he called to his brother.
"Just finished up. I got plenty of pictures. I also got the moving inspector from the base to sign this off for you." Hayden handed her a check off sheet. "Between the photos and this, there is no reason for you not to get your full deposit back. He has two weeks. Let us know if it doesn't come to you."
"Wow, thanks. I have to say, I am grateful for this help. There is no way I could have done it myself in the amount of time I had left."
"Does the landlord have a set of keys? If so, lock these extras in the house and use this as a forwarding address," Jake said, jotting down the address to the CHP station. "I'll let the mailroom know to give it to me. I don't want anyone to know where you live."
"Thank you," Baylor whispered.
"I already got it locked up. Here's your spare, just in case," Hayden responded, flipping the spare key in his hand and handing it to Baylor. "Let's get home. I'm hungrier than a bear in springtime."
Despite her protests regarding Terry's orders to nap, Baylor dozed off in the back of the F250 king cab on the way home. By the time they arrived, the moving truck was nearly empty and boxes had been placed in their appropriate rooms.
"We didn't know if you wanted us to unpack for you, Miss Baylor," one of the men said as she stepped sleepily out of the truck. "We got all the furniture put together and set up. Let us know if you need anything moved."
"No, that's okay. I wanted to take the time to sort through stuff and get rid of things. Thank you so much" she said gratefully. "I thought you guys were going to have a party."
"T-Bear is setting everything up. Trust me," Jake said, chuckling, "you are going to hear the sounds of fun in a few minutes. Once they close that truck's doors, the noise will begin."
"I thought you were worried about bothering the neighborhood." She turned to Hayden.
"Half these guys are part of the neighborhood. Everyone else is too far away."
Baylor felt like a queen on her throne, surrounded by a swarm of faithful servants. Between cannon-balls in the pool and offerings of food and drink, her senses were overwhelmed. The blistering heat of the sun, exhaustion, and one too many frozen margaritas left her feeling woozy. She excused herself to go inside and sit alone in the cool, air-conditioned house. The pounding of her head demanded a few minutes of quiet, so she ventured upstairs and sat on Jake's bed.
"There you are, babydoll," Terry said, sitting on the bed next to her. "I've been looking all over for you. I even went next door. I brought you some ice-cream."
"Thanks. I just have a horrible headache and had too much to drink."
"Open up," he said, spooning the icy treat into her mouth. "Good, huh?"
"It's incredible. Thanks. For everything."
"My pleasure, Angel. Things have been a bit rough for you lately, haven't they?"
"It's a bump in the road. I'll get over it."
"You know," he spooned another scoop into her mouth and then dabbed her lips with a napkin, "you don't have to put up this wall. Those guys…" he tilted his head towards the sound of the rambunctious laughter outside, "well, they're the best. Give them a chance."
"Are you playing matchmaker?" Baylor asked, opening her mouth for the final spoonful.
"I was with them when the divorce happened.
I'd just broken up with my ex as well," Terry said, putting the bowl down and taking her hand. "We helped each other through hell."
"Have you known them long?"
"About fifteen years. Hayden pulled me out of a fallen mine shaft, and then Jake pulled me out of jail."
"What?"
"I was trespassing and got stuck. Thanks to them, charges were dropped and I survived to live another day. They were the only ones I invited to my wedding." His voice trailed off. "I'm gay, and not too many guys in the service back then were as open as they are today."
"How long were you with your partner?" Baylor asked softly.
"Six years. We separated at the same time Amy left them."
"That must have been so hard for you."
"It's always tough when you lose someone you love. But, that is when we decided that we would stick together. Hayden bought this house and some property to expand and then, one by one, we got transferred over here. We made a promise to stay together as a family."
"That's really sweet. And when did Matt come into the picture?"
"He and Jake go back from the beginning. They were joined at the hip until Matt got involved with the Peace Corps and transferred to South America. You will love that scraggly haired dude a lot. Just a head's up—he's my partner. Would you like some more ice-cream?"
Baylor shook her head, pulling her legs up and crossing them on the bed. "No, thank you. Terry?"
"Yeah, babygirl?"
"Jake said something to me this morning that bothered me. I don't know what to do with it."
"Jake is not the master of tact." Terry laughed. "But I'm certain he meant nothing bad, whatever it was."
"Actually, he informed me that—and I am paraphrasing—I am a little child in a woman's body and that until I come to terms with my needs, I will be miserable."
"That sounds like something Jake would allude to. Why are you bothered?"
"Don't you see?" She looked up at the big man. "How can he determine something like that without even taking the time to get to know me? Hayden, too. They're both so, so…"
"Over-bearing? Dictatorial? Domineering? Bossy as hell?"
"I was going to say 'familiar', but yes."
"Let me guess," Terry leaned on his elbow as he stretched across the bed. "Old Jake threatened to spank you because you didn't do what he asked."
Baylor felt her face flush. "Yeah, and he made me stand in the corner, too."
"How did that make you feel?"
"Stupid."
"Be truthful. Don't be afraid, Uncle Terry is listening."
"I hated it. It forced me to think about all the shit that's happened, and how I feel about things. I don't want to feel. Don't you get it?" Baylor felt the tears start again. "When I let myself feel, that means I can be hurt. I'm tired of hurting."
"Come here a sec," Terry pulled her down next to him and cuddled her against his chest. "Yeah, it hurts sometimes to feel. But it can also be good. Give yourself a chance and explore. I promise that no one in this house will hurt you like you've been hurt before."
"I don't want to be hurt at all."
"I can't promise you that a bottom blistering won't hurt, but I can promise your heart will be safe."
"No one is touching my ass, thank you."
"Hmm, I give it two weeks before that statement is proven false." Terry grinned, tweaking her nose.
"You can give it a lifetime, it's not happening."
"Hey! Is everything all right up here?" Hayden asked, walking into the room and plopping down on the bed with them.
"Everything is fine. I needed to bring our girl some of my famous ice-cream."
"Did he feed it to you?" Hayden asked, with a cheerful smirk.
"Yes," Baylor sighed. "It was either let him shovel it into my mouth or suffer watching it melt. Hayden? Thanks for all of this. I do appreciate it. I'm sorry I'm so stubborn and independent."
"You're welcome, my girl, and I can handle your stubborn independence as well as your willfulness, sassy mouth, rebellious—"
"Hey! I didn't say those things about myself!"
Hayden laughed. "Just kidding. Well, no, actually I'm not. The cow is almost done roasting. Are you hungry?"
"I'm famished," Terry answered.
"You're always famished. I was talking to our guest."
"Not really. I have a headache still."
"How much did you have to drink?" a third voice sounded. "I saw those boys handing you margaritas and wine coolers."
"I'm an adult, Jake," Baylor scoffed. "I can drink whenever, and however much I want."
"Your adult here just scarfed down a whole bowlful of ice-cream." Terry laughed, patting Baylor on the thigh. "Don't be so snippy. He's just looking out for you."
Jake pushed Hayden over to make room for himself. "Can I do anything for you?"
"No," Baylor said. "I'm sorry. Things are just catching up with me and I'm taking it out on you guys. I'm going to go home and lie down for a while."
"I'll get the guys to quiet down a bit," Terry said, standing up.
"They're fine. Honest. My room is on the opposite side of the house and I won't be able to hear a thing."
"Nonsense." Terry waved, leaving the room.
"I'll take her over and get her settled. You," Jake pointed to Hayden, "make her a plate and stick it in her fridge."
"Jake, I don't need a babysitter. Please, just let me go home and rest a bit."
"Forget arguing with me right this minute," he ordered, before turning to Hayden. "Are you still here?"
"Cut it out. You can't boss me around the way you do Baylor." Hayden frowned. "I don't like it."
"Sorry." Jake shrugged. "I sometimes forget that you aren't a dumb little kid that talks funny anymore."
"Bullshit. You just like being a bully. I'll be over in a bit."
"Guys," Baylor rubbed her head, "I appreciate you wanting to help me. I really do. But you need to give me some time to rest and wind down. I'm not used to having people around me all the time anymore. It's too much like being with my ex and his family."
"Well, then we won't bother you anymore," Jake said, standing up quickly.
"Wait a minute. I didn't mean to insult you. I just need some time alone."
"Take as much time as you need. Excuse me."
"Hayden? Honestly, I didn't mean to hurt his feelings," Baylor said, watching Jake leave the room.
"How else would he feel? You compared him—us—to some real scumbags. I'm going to go back to my friends. You have our number. Call if you need anything."
She blinked, befuddled by the reactions of the two men. She really hadn't meant to hurt either of them, but they just would not listen to her requests. She slowly rose off Jake's bed and straightened the quilt that stretched across it. Her fingers traced the pattern—someone had put a whole lot of love into making the thing. She wondered who it had been. His mother, perhaps?
Chapter Four
Baylor leaned over the edge of her bed, clutching her temples. The pain was terrible, debilitating, and rendered her completely helpless. She had experienced migraines before, but never to this extent. Regretting her decision to leave her neighbors' house, and their care, Baylor found herself alone. Again. There was nobody to blame this time but herself.
Tears dripped down her face and onto the carpet. She had foolishly packed her medications, and had no idea in which box to find them. Nausea, brought on by the pain, added to her misery, and she fought against the dry heaves that, if possible, increased the pain level. She was, if she could be tender in saying so, fucked.
Squinting her eyes, she tried to read the number Hayden had written on the paper. Realizing she'd left her cell phone in her purse, and that her purse was at the Paterson house, she released a string of muttered curses. She had not had a land line installed—why pay for two phone services when the cell worked just fine?
"I'm such an idiot," she muttered, leaning back on her bed and covering her head with a pillow. "If there was a
ny time I needed a daddy, now would be it."
Her own words stunned her. How could she even consider such a thing? Pain changes people, she reasoned. Whether it be emotional or physical, people do things that they ordinarily would not in order to stop it. It was too late, though. She had blown it. If only she had listened with her heart instead of her head. If only…
It was well after midnight when Baylor crawled to the bathroom to relieve herself. She paused afterwards, resting her forehead on the cold tiles of the floor.
That was how Jake and Hayden found her the following morning.
"Baylor? I want to apologize for—Baylor! Hayden! She's in here."
"What the hell? Honey? Are you hurt?"
She hid her face in Jake's shoulder as he carried her to the bed. "Get Terry over here," he commanded. "Baylor? Talk to me, sweetheart."
"Headache. Bad. Can't talk," she stuttered. "Hurts."
"He's on his way. What's wrong with her?" Hayden asked.
"I'm not sure. It sounds like she has a migraine."
Terry shooed the two out of his way as he looked her over. He tsked loudly, stethoscope in his ears as he evaluated her blood pressure.
"Well, it's no wonder she has a headache. She's severely dehydrated," he plucked at the back of her hand and watched the skin stay in place instead of springing back, "and she's hypertensive. 190/120. Let's take her to the hospital."
"No," Baylor muttered. "No insurance. Can't afford it."
"Young lady, I am not going to hear any arguments this time," Jake said firmly. "You are going."
"No, please—"
"Shh, calm down," Terry urged, patting her hand. "I can hook her up to an IV. I have some fresh bags in my emergency kit. Let's see if that will help. Baylor? Do you have medications for the migraine and your blood pressure?"
"Yes," she whimpered. "I don't know where they are."
"Unfuckingbelievable," Jake said, ignoring the shocked look on both Hayden's and Terry's faces as he repeated Baylor's favorite expression. "The girl is a time bomb. Let's find her meds while T-Bear hooks her up."
***
Baylor opened her eyes several hours later. The sound of heavy breathing jarred her from sleep. "Terry? Is that you? You're snoring."
Moving a Little Heart Page 5
