Lucky Strike

by M Andrews

  “Still so feisty.” He chuckles. “I see being with old what’s-his-face has given you the delusion that you’re happy. But you and I both know...” he walks around behind me “... you will never be happy with him. You and me are cut from the same cloth. We don’t do happily ever after. It’s just a matter of time until you would come crawling back to me.”

  His words are like venom to my ears. Fitting since he’s a snake, a nasty evil snake. I spent years blind to who he really was, but now I see him so clearly and I’m not going to fall for his line of bullshit anymore.

  “That’s not who I am anymore. I’m not your property, Jackson. So why don’t you run on back to your groupie whores and leave me alone.”

  His dark, sadistic laugh echoes through the coffee shop. He presses his hard muscular body against mine, his rough hands take purchase of my arms. Gripping so tightly it feels like he’s leaving permanent hand prints on my flesh.

  “I will never let you go, Nadine. You can run all you want but I will find you. Now just be a good girl and go get in my car. It’s a long drive back to Mexico.”

  The old me would have caved. Being the sad pathetic girl who believed that Jackson was as good as I was going to get. Not anymore, I’ve seen what real love is. What a relationship is supposed to be like. I don’t have to settle anymore. I have a real man, who loves me, broken pieces and all.

  I carefully raise my left foot up off the floor and then slam the heel of my boot down on Jackson’s foot. He screams out in pain, releasing my arms from his grasp. I ram my elbow into his sternum. The second he doubles over in pain, I bolt for the kitchen door. I know Mrs. Kim at the dry cleaners next door will let me hide out and call the cops. I reach my hand out for the door but Jackson roughly grabs a hold of my other arm and spins me around, slamming me against the wall. My head cracking the glass of the picture hanging behind me. His body is like a heavy rock tight against me, keeping me from kicking and squirming away.

  His hand wraps around my throat, squeezing until I can barely catch my breath. I’m gasping for air, fingers scratching and pulling at his arm. I’ve never been scared for my life before, but the dark, frightening look in his eyes is telling me if I don’t leave with him, I’m leaving in a body bag.

  “You’re not leaving me,” he growls, squeezing my throat harder. My breathing shallows, I can feel myself getting lightheaded.

  I’m on the verge of passing out when I hear the clicking of a gun and Ryder’s voice telling Jackson to let me go. His hand drops from my neck. I take in a deep gasping breath as I fall to the floor, rubbing my hand along my neck. My eyes come back into focus and I see Dylan throwing Jackson to the ground, digging his knee into the middle of his back while he cuffs his hands.

  Ryder kneels down in front of me. I let out a sigh of relief when I see his face. “Lucky, are you okay? Did that asshole hurt you?” He looks me up and down, running his hand along my neck.

  “I’ll be okay,” I rasp. “What are you doing here?” My head still fuzzily trying to put together the pieces of what just happened.

  “You were in such a hurry this morning, you forgot your cell phone. After I picked up Edwards we headed over here to bring it to you.” He pulls my phone out of his back pocket, holding up to me. I’ve never once forgotten it and left it at home, the lucky clover coin Ryder gave me must be looking out for me.

  I take my phone from Ryder’s hand then leap into his arms, wrapping myself around him. I found my strength and stood up to Jackson. I broke the cycle, it almost killed me but I broke it. I feel as if a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I’m free.

  “Any word on what’s happening with Jackson?” Lucy asks, straightening her side of the ‘it’s a boy’ banner.

  “He’s being deported back to Mexico to face the mountain of drug charges against him. He’s looking at spending the rest of his life getting gang banged in a Mexican prison.” After Dylan and Ryder had taken Jackson in, we found out about the multiple federal arrest warrants against him. He was wanted for drug trafficking. All those times Jackson would disappear for days, he was smuggling cocaine and marijuana across the border. He was good at keeping a secret I’ll give him that. I never suspected for a minute what he was doing. I just thought he was shaking up with one of his whores. At least now I know I won’t ever have to see his face again.

  “I’m just glad that asshole is finally getting what he deserves. But more importantly, how are you doing?” Lucy jumps down from the ladder and joins me at the dining room table to help blow up the balloons.

  “I’m doing really good actually. Thanks largely in part to Ryder. He’s been so sweet through this whole thing. He’s kept me from going to my dark place. I’m just trying to stay focused on all the good that’s happening right now. I’m getting married and I’m excited about planning a wedding.” I can’t believe I’m actually one of those girls that gets excited about picking out wedding dresses and flowers. I guess it just took loving the right man to bring it out of me.

  “Have you two picked a wedding date yet?”

  “March seventeenth.” I smile proudly. Luck has been on our side since the day Ryder and I met, so why not get married on the luckiest day of the year.

  “That is very fitting. We can have a green wedding cake and Irish car bombs.” She giggles under her breath. “You never told me how Ryder asked you to marry him.”

  “He asked after giving me three mind blowing orgasms. He probably did it that way so my sex high would keep me from saying no.”

  “That definitely sounds like a Ryder thing to do.” We both laugh. I will have to tweak the story a little when I tell our future kids how Daddy proposed to Mommy.

  “What are you two laughing about in here?”

  We both look up to see Brooke waddling in through the kitchen door with Ella on her hip. She’s dressed in a sapphire blue dress that shows off her baby bump. Ella is dressed in the pink and purple tutu I bought for her.

  “We were just discussing how Ryder proposed.” Lucy stands up from the table and takes Ella from Brooke.

  “Oh yes, Brian told me all about that mind-blowing proposal.” She flashes me a wink as she takes a seat across from me at the table.

  “Where is Brian?” Lucy asks, joining us at the table.

  “He and Hank were called out to a double homicide this morning. They should be back before the party is over. I promised Hank we would keep Dylan away from his nanny Nora. She’s damn hot so we may have to lock him in the basement until Hank gets here.” She giggles.

  “So what’s going on with Hank and Nora? Are they banging or what?” I don’t know how any single dad who’s been celibate for as long as Hank has, can have a hot nanny like Nora and not want to tap that.

  “Hank is doing his best to keep his feelings in line, but it’s just a matter of time before he caves. And by the way Nora looks at Hank, she’ll let him do whatever filthy thing he wants to her.”

  “I get why he put his life on hold to raise his daughter, but if he doesn’t climb on top of Nora soon, his dick’s gonna fall off.”

  “Lucky, watch your language,” Lucy scolds, covering Ella’s little ears with her hands.

  “This coming from the woman who taught me every swear word I know.” I tilt my head to the side, narrowing my eyes at her.

  “You could have said his pee pee will fall off.” Even she can’t hold it together on that one and immediately bursts into laughter.

  “Oh my God, you two are ridiculous,” Brooke says shaking her head.

  The party is in full swing, people are having a great time even with the rain putting a dampener on our outdoor event. Thankfully, we were able to get most of the decorations and tables inside Lucy’s house before the rain really started to pour. Dylan’s been a good boy, staying clear of Nora for most of the party. Ryder must have threatened to rip his balls off.

  Brooke is sitting at the craft table with Nora and Brian’s sister, Natalie. She has a huge smile on her face and laughing at h
er lame attempt at painting a puppy on a onesie. I know throwing a baby shower for her won’t make up from me leaving, but it’s a start. I just want her to know I’m here for her and I’m not going anywhere.

  I notice the punch is running low so I pick up the punch bowl from the table and head into the kitchen. Pushing open the door I’m met with a familiar sight. “Seriously, again,” I snarl, spotting Hunter and Lucy making out up against the refrigerator. At least, I hope that’s all it is. “Hunter, your sister’s in the next room at her baby shower. Can you, at least, keep in your pants until after we serve the cake? And Lucy, I would expect more from you of all people.” I set the bowl down on the marble counter top with a loud thud. My face is on fire with anger. It’s like I’m living in the Twilight Zone and Lucy and I have traded brains.

  “You’re right, Lucky, I’m sorry.” A flash of guilt washes over Hunter’s face. He takes a few steps away from Lucy then walks back out to the party.

  “What the fuck is your problem, Lucky?” Lucy snaps.

  “Watch your language, Lucy,” I say in a condescending tone, pouring more punch into the bowl.

  “Fuck, my fucking language. Just answer my goddamn question? What is your problem with Hunter and me?” she spits out, slamming her hand down on the counter.

  “You want to know what my problem is?” I walk around the counter and get nose to nose in her face. “My problem is you sneaking around, keeping it from me and especially from Brooke. She’s your best friend and she deserves to know what’s going on. This isn’t you Lucy. He’s changed you and I don’t like it.”

  “I haven’t changed, Lucky. I’m still the same person I’ve always been.” She takes a step back.

  “That’s total bullshit and you know it. You’ve never lied a day in your life. You told Jeanette Peters you made out with her boyfriend under the bleachers at Homecoming. Why are you now starting to keep secrets?”

  Her focus drops from my eyes to the floor. Smoothing her hands nervously over her dress she then sucks in a deep breath looking back up at me “I’m not talking with you about this anymore. This is my life, and if you can’t accept that...” she pauses, her expression growing hard, “...then you don’t have to be in it.”

  I start to open my mouth to reply when Nora bursts through the door. “Ladies, Brooke’s water just broke.”

  “Oh, shit!”

  “Okay, everyone, I think we are going to cut this party a little short. Thank you all for coming and we’ll keep you posted on Brooke’s condition.” I usher the last of the party guests out the door, then return to the living room where Lucky and Nora are helping Brooke onto the couch.

  “Nora, would you mind taking the kids over to Hank’s and keeping an eye on them until Brian and Hank get back?”

  “Absolutely, I’m happy to help any way I can.” She smiles warmly, then gathers up Colby, Ella, and Bailey.

  I walk over to the couch to check on Brooke, who’s calmer than Lucky. There is a look of panic in her eyes and a sheen of sweat on her forehead. “How are you doing little momma?”

  “I’m doing well. The contractions are getting a little more intense, but I’m managing just fine. Any word from Brian yet?” she asks.

  “Not yet, but I’m sure he’ll be calling soon. You just relax and we’ll take care of the rest.” I smile, then grab my phone out of my pocket and try Brian’s cell, but I get his voicemail yet again.

  “I just got off the phone with Brooke’s doctor, and he said once her contractions are four minutes apart we can take her to the hospital.”

  “Okay, thanks Lucy. Nora is going to take the kids over to Hank’s.” As I finish my sentence, I notice Lucy and Lucky glaring at each other. I heard them yelling in the kitchen just before Brooke went into labor. “All right, what’s going on with you and Lucky? You’ve been giving each other daggers for the past ten minutes.”

  “It’s nothing. Just go back to trying to call Brian.” She turns and bypasses Lucky and Brooke and goes to help Nora pack up some toys for the kids.

  This is definitely not the time for one of Lucy and Lucky’s childish fights. I’m going to need both of them on their best behavior if we’re going to get Brooke through this. I wave Lucky over, we need to end this fight now.

  “What did you do to piss Lucy off?”

  Lucky flashes me a dark evil glare the moment the words slip from my mouth. “What makes you think it was me who pissed her off? Can’t it for once be her fault?” she asks in a hushed tone.

  “Look I don’t care who pissed off who right now. I just want it fixed, so it’s not adding stress to Brooke. We need to keep her as calm and relaxed as possible right now.”

  “You should tell that to Lucy because she’s the one that started this whole mess by banging Brooke’s brother.” Her voice becoming even softer when she mentions Hunter.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” I shout. All eyes in the room are now centered on me. I grab Lucky by the arm and lead us into the kitchen and away fromprying eyes. “Are you telling the truth?”

  “Yes, I walked in on them having sex at the coffee shop a few weeks ago, then I caught them making out against the fridge not even a half an hour ago. I tried confronting her about it and why she’s keeping it a secret, and she basically told me if I’m not onboard with her lies, then we can’t be friends anymore. I guess I’ve started growing a conscience because I think what she and Hunter are doing is wrong. Brooke deserves to know what’s going on. Now I’m in the middle, and I don’t know what to do.” She folds her arms in front of her, her eyes drifting down to her shuffling feet.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see a tall figure enter from the dining room. I look over to see Hunter standing on the opposite side of the kitchen island.

  “Lucky, I’m sorry for putting you in the middle of all of this. Believe me I never wanted to keep this from you, and I especially didn’t want to keep it from my sister. I tell her everything, we don’t keep secrets. But Lucy is hell bent on keeping us a secret.”

  “The shit has hit the fan my friend, and I’m not going to sit back and let my fiancée get stuck in the middle. You need to come clean with Brooke, and the two of you are going to have to deal with the consequences.” Fucking Lucy needs to get her fucking head out of her ass and fix this shit.

  Lucy pops her head through the door with a frightened look in her eyes. “I think we need to get Brooke to the hospital right now, her contractions are coming more frequent and more intense.”

  Lucky and Hunter both run for the door. I grab Lucy by the arm and lean into her ear. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but if you don’t come clean with Brooke, I’m telling her what’s going on between you and Hunter. Lucky and I are going to take Brooke to the hospital while you and Hunter stay here and figure this shit out.” I release her arm then walk out to the living room.

  “All right Brooke, let’s get you and little man to the hospital.” I help lift her up off the couch. “Hunter, will you keep calling Brian?” He nods then helps me get Brooke out to my car.

  We pull out onto the street, the rain still pouring down. Brooke is breathing heavily and spewing every swear word she knows in the backseat. Poor Lucky is doing her best to keep her calm.

  “I was in labor for twelve hours with Ella. Apparently Matthew is in a bigger hurry to get out.” Brooke’s groans turning to screams. “Fuck, this hurts!”

  “Just breathe, Brooke,” Lucky says, taking in deep breaths.

  My foot pushes down the accelerator as we weave through traffic.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me!” I slam on the brakes, coming to a screeching halt in the middle of the freeway and just inches from the bumper of the SUV stopped in front of us. I look ahead and see at least a mile of cars stopped in all lanes.

  After thirty minutes of only moving one car length and Brooke’s contractions now coming every two minutes, I grab my phone out of my pocket and dial dispatch to find out what the hell is going on. “Colleen, it’s Offi
cer Callahan. I’m stuck on the I-5 with Brian’s wife, Brooke. She’s in labor and about to have her son in the back of my car.”

  “Oh honey, you’re stuck in that mess. There was a ten car pileup. They have the whole Interstate shut down while they clean up the scene.”

  I bang my head against the steering wheel. Could this get any worse? “Any way you can get an ambulance out here?”

  “I’ll try to get one out to you as soon as I can, sweetheart, but with this storm there have been accidents all over the city.”

  Just then Brooke lets out a blood-curdling scream.

  “Ryder, this baby is coming now,” Lucky’s voice is shaky and laced with panic.

  “I am not having my baby on the Interstate in the back of a car,” Brooke groans in pain. But we may have no other choice. I maneuver the car over to the shoulder, thinking I can drive the rest of the way on the shoulder but, unfortunately, I’m not the only one with the same idea. There’s a line of cars stopped in front of us.

  “Colleen, can you patch me through to the emergency room at Washington University Hospital. I think I’m going to have to deliver this baby in my car.” I can’t believe this is happening right now. I’ve done a lot of crazy shit during my years on the force, but delivering a baby in a car is a first. I pass my phone back to Lucky and instruct her to lay Brooke back and relay what the doctor wants me to do.

  I’m about to deliver my best friend’s baby, nothing bad can happen, right? I take a deep calming breath then grab Lucky’s umbrella from the front seat. I climb out of the car and open the back door, hanging the umbrella over the opening. Brooke is laying against Lucky’s chest, breathing heavily and groaning in pain. “Okay Brooke, I’m going to take your panties off now, and I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t care what you have to do Ryder, just get this baby out of me,” she snarls, then let’s out a loud shriek of pain.

  “The doctor wants to know if you can see the head,” Lucky informs me. She lets out a quiet scream as Brooke squeezes the life out of her hand.