An Exceptional Twist

by Kimi Flores

  Stefen caught Caleb’s glare and Abby’s mouth hanging open. Obviously they knew exactly where that ‘injury’ had come from.

  Pushing his glasses back in place, Dr. Fernandez wrapped it up. “Okay, then,” he said pleasantly. “I’ll be back to check on you later. And now that you’re awake, a police officer will be in at some point to take your statement. The one stationed at the door is only here for security measures while you’re healing. Better to be safe.”

  As a lawyer, Stefen knew this translated into ‘We don’t want you to sue us. Better to cover our asses’. The doctor left the room after scribbling a few more notes in his chart.

  Stefen looked up at the ceiling, realizing how serious this was. “My dad have anything to do with the cop at the door?”

  Caleb nodded. “Yeah. You were brutally attacked. He’s paranoid. I’ve never seen him like this before.”

  “Where are my parents?”

  “Oh honey, we were supposed to call them as soon as he woke up. I'll take care of that.” Abby whispered something to Caleb, then leaned over and gently kissed Stefen on the forehead before leaving to make the call.

  Stefen peered up at Caleb with his one functioning eye. “Man, how are you so damn lucky to get two extraordinary women in one lifetime? You really are one fortunate bastard, aren't you?”

  Caleb frowned, “Yes, I am, but apparently you are not. Your dad told me what was really going on with those threats. They had nothing to do with a jealous guy. Why didn't you stay longer? Or better yet, why didn't you just move? I’ve been asking you for years.” Caleb crossed his arms over his chest.

  Stefen shook his head. “Can you imagine me living in Santa Barbara permanently? I would be so bored, I'd want to kick my own ass out of town.” He chuckled before pain radiated everywhere, reminding him to remain still. “Ouch...shit that hurts.”

  Caleb tapped Stefen’s calf. “Well you may not have a choice, brother. You’ve got a long road ahead, and you can’t do it alone. I've already talked to your dad about having you move in with us until you’re better.” A smug smile appeared on his lips.

  Stefen grimaced. From the pain and the idea of going back there. “Thanks man, but you know my life is here. I can recover at my apartment and still work from there.” Move there and be around Leah all the time? No way in hell.

  Caleb gave him one of his famous ‘stop being such a dumbshit’ glares. “You mean the apartment that was broken into, and where you were left for dead?”

  Suddenly alarmed at the thought of those fuckers coming back to finish what they’d started, Stefen’s plan changed. “I can stay at my parent's until I recuperate. Hey, by the way, who found me? I blacked out before I could call anyone.”

  Leaning his elbow on the bedside food tray, Caleb explained. “One of your neighbors noticed your front door wide open, so he went inside and found you, then called nine-one-one.”

  That made sense. Nobody was planning on visiting him when he got back. Except for Lisa, of course. He wrinkled his face at that thought, causing further pain.

  He nodded to himself. It was still so hard to believe. He almost died—died.

  Abby came back in, speaking softly, “Since it’s already after midnight, your mom said they’ll be here tomorrow during visiting hours.” She tried to put a smile on her face, but Stefen could tell it was forced.

  Caleb saw it, too.

  Neither of the guys were taken aback by this news. Both of their parents were very hands-off when it came to family.

  Caleb turned and whispered to Abby, “Call Leah, too.”

  “I already did,” she quietly replied, avoiding Stefen’s gaze.

  “Leah?” Stefen asked, a little too enthusiastically. He tried to sit up, but failed when he felt the pain shooting up his arm.

  Caleb grabbed the remote on Stefen’s lap and put him into a more upright position. He was giving Stefen the ugliest look. “Yeah, for whatever reason, she was also concerned about you.”

  Oh shit. Caleb knows.

  “You can imagine how pissed I was after I thought I was pretty damn clear, but…” A bit of that earlier concern returned. “For now, you need your rest. We’ll talk later.” There was no question that talk would happen, and soon.

  Stefen gulped. That talk wouldn’t be fun, that’s for damn sure.

  He thought about the fact that Abby and Caleb traveled all this way and slept in uncomfortable hospital chairs, just to make sure he was okay. “You guys rest, too. You don’t have to stay. I'm really tired.” He could already feel his one good eyelid slowly lowering, and his mind drifting away.

  Abby glanced at her husband, looking for direction.

  Caleb sighed. “We don't want to leave you alone, but Abby could really use the sleep. She’s been awake more than me. We’ve got a room already, but we’ll be back first thing in the morning. Call my cell if you need me, no matter what time. Let me know if you want us to bring you anything tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I'll call if I think of anything. Thanks, brother.”

  Abby and Caleb took turns gingerly hugging him, then left him for the night.

  There was no way Stefen was going to get a good night’s sleep in this hospital. He was out of it because of the pain meds but couldn’t manage to actually fall asleep. It was so difficult to move and whenever he drifted off, someone came in to examine, poke, prod, take his blood pressure or change his IV.

  The little sleep he did manage to get was filled with nightmares, memories of him being beaten to a bloody pulp. The last one really disturbed him because Leah was in it, and she was the one that got attacked.

  Breakfast came, but it was a disgusting blob of goo, so he decided to pass. He wasn't really hungry, which surprised him. After not eating for two days, he thought he’d be starving. Even with all the medication pumping into his IV, all he felt was non-stop agony.

  It wasn't until he was fully awake that a thought hit him. Do those guys know they didn’t kill me? They were still out there. As much as he didn’t want to, Stefen realized that he may have to take Caleb up on his offer. He’d try his own plan first, though.

  Closing his right eye, he removed the eye patch to test the sight, tensing when there was no change. They’d already operated, but he couldn't see a thing out of that eye. There was only complete darkness. He started to panic when he heard the familiar sound of his parents bickering all the way down the hall. Opening his good eye, he set the eye patch in place, and looked at his immaculately dressed mother and father, Sheila and Alec Hunter.

  “You made us worry, Stefen Alexander,” his mother accused, as though this was his fault. She also knew he hated being called by his middle name. “You look awful.” She fisted her hip. “They didn't even have the courtesy to give you a shave.”

  His mother’s greeting was not a surprise, so he paid her no attention as he turned to his father.

  Patting Stefen’s healthy arm, his dad asked, “How are you feeling, son?” Although caught in the same ostentatious, self-absorbed world, Stefen’s father was much more compassionate than his mother, uncle, or aunt.

  “Not so good, Pop. Hey where’s Bri?” He hadn't spoken to his sister since she’d left Santa Barbara last weekend. But now that he thought of it, he was surprised she wasn’t here.

  His father sighed before his mom gave her two cents. “We didn't want to unnecessarily bother Brianna. She just left for Paris with Kaiden, and we need to give her an opportunity with him. Who knows, he may actually settle for her.”

  It pissed Stefen off when his mother talked about Bri that way, as if she was such a disappointment. Sheila Hunter had done that their whole lives.

  His dad seemed bothered by that statement as well, but he’d never stood up for either of his kids. Turning to Stefen, he spoke with true concern, “I talked to Caleb, and we think you should move out of this area. At least for a while. We’re working on finding out what happened. We have private detectives investigating, along with the police department. You and I both know
that Delgado is behind this, but we have to build a case against him before we proceed with anything. The apartment's security camera caught three of them entering and exiting.”

  Stefen shook his head. “I don't want to run away, Pop. Can't I just stay with you guys until this all blows over? I'll even move out of my apartment and get a new one later.”

  Moving in with Caleb meant being close to Leah once more, and he couldn’t do that to her. He’d already inflicted enough pain on her. Plus I’ll lose my damn mind if I ever saw her with another guy.

  His father looked at him, disapproving. “I don't think that’s a good idea. You’re vulnerable here in Chicago. You would be safer in Santa Barbara with your cousin.”

  “Can I think about it, at least?” It sounded like his parents had already made this decision without him. I’m an adult. I make my own fucking decisions. But he had to at least heed his father’s advice.

  “Mr. Hunter?” A uniformed officer appeared from behind the privacy curtain.

  “Yes,” both Stefen and his dad answered.

  The officer addressed Stefen as he flipped open a small pad of paper. “I'm Officer Nichols and need to take a statement. What exactly occurred at your apartment? Please give me everything you know, every aspect is important.”

  Although difficult, Stefen explained the events that he could remember. Caleb and Abby entered in the middle of his story. Sucking in a sob, Abby was visibly upset by the details. Caleb lovingly wrapped his arm around her waist to comfort her.

  “Did you see anyone else that evening?” Officer Nichols inquired.

  He didn’t want to answer, but also understood that now was not the time to withhold information.

  Caleb was glowering at him, like he knew what Stefen was about to say.

  Stefen turned away from him. “Yeah, my, um...” What the hell should he call her? “Ex-girlfriend, Lisa, was there when I got home.” They were never officially a couple, so it felt weird calling her his ex-anything.

  Intrigued, the officer pushed for more information. “Ex-girlfriend?” Stefen nodded. “Tell me more. Did she leave on good terms? Did you argue at all?”

  “Yeah, well, sort of. She was in my apartment when I got home. I asked her to leave, but she didn’t have anything to do with this. My dad and I have a theory.” Stefen risked a glance at Caleb and Abby who seemed surprised.

  Alec Hunter spoke up, “We’re certain that Jose Delgado ordered this. He’s currently serving a life sentence and blames Stefen for losing his case in court. Our firm defended him on several occasions and we were unable to win his murder trial. He made threats which were reported to the police. He’s the top-ranking member of his gang and has plenty of people that would willingly do his bidding.”

  Sheila Hunter looked down at her perfectly manicured fingernails, completely bored by the entire thing. As though she didn’t have time for this whole ordeal, and it was cutting into her personal schedule.

  Officer Nichols nodded. “I'm familiar with Delgado and his group. I did read something about it in the first report.” He closed the notebook and pocketed his pen. “Okay, I think I have everything I need for now. Please take my card and let me know if you think of anything else.” He started to hand the card to Stefen, when his dad snatched it.

  “We will, Officer Nichols. Thank you for your time.” His dad shook the officer's hand before he left.

  Focusing on Stefen, his father smoothed down his suit jacket. “I need to get into the office. This has become a top priority for everyone, and I have to see where we are with it.” This was how his father showed that he cared. Neither of his parents were touchy feely, but his father would do anything in his power to protect Bri and Stefen.

  His mom only said, “Drop me off at New Moon Cafe. I'm meeting Tess for breakfast to talk about our new fundraising campaign.” She waved at Stefen on her way to the door. “Goodbye, son, hope you feel better.” She smiled like she’d just had a brilliant idea. “Oh, and I'll stop by the nurse’s station to tell them you need a shave.”

  Shrugging, his dad apologized with his eyes, muttering his goodbyes on the way out.

  Abby's expression was priceless.

  Stefen laughed, then winced. “Ow.” He adjusted a little, nodding to Abby. “Welcome to the family.”

  She looked at him, confused.

  Stefen smirked. Damn, even that hurts. “I'm assuming that was your first experience with my mother's loving touch?”

  Placing her hand on her chest, Abby looked as though she couldn’t believe what had just happened. “Sorry, she was here the other day, but I thought she was just in shock. Her behavior just threw me for a loop.”

  “No worries. Caleb and I are used to the way our parents approach things.” He grinned at his cousin. Caleb wasn’t looking too thrilled at the reality of it all.

  Stefen had a thought. “Hey, where’s my little squirt anyway?”

  “She’s with Leah since her grandparents just left town with Abby’s parents.”

  Images of the girls and the day the three of them spent together flooded his mind. If only he could go back in time and undo the shitty things he’d done.

  “I can give you a shave if you’d like, Stefen.” Abby looked at Caleb, checking to make sure she wasn't stepping over any ‘Hunter men’ boundaries.

  “I actually wasn't aware of the fact that I needed one, until my mom so graciously pointed it out. I'm okay for now. I’ll let you know if I change my mind.” Trailing his fingers along his jawline, he added, “Besides, the scruffy look is in.”

  So much had happened recently that Leah was having a hard time keeping up. Standing at the counter of her store, she was lost in thought, full of mixed emotions while arranging the flowers for a wedding she’d booked for tomorrow.

  Initially, when she’d heard about Stefen, her heart shattered. He’d wrecked her, but she couldn’t help but be effected. In a moment of weakness, she’d called Celeste and agreed to take her up on the offer for the dance space. At the time, Leah figured it might’ve been one of Stefen’s last acts of kindness.

  Once he was out of the woods, she breathed a sigh of relief and was finally able to enjoy her time with Madison. It was fun having the little girl hang out with her at the shop during the day and snuggle with her on the couch, watching TV at night. She couldn’t wait to have her own child one day. Leah was sad to see her go when Abby and Caleb came home from Chicago and picked her up.

  The same week Madison stayed with her, Zachary Evanwood visited her shop. He was such a nice guy and really good with Madison. The little girl had fallen head over heels for him the moment he did that coin behind her ear ‘magic’ trick. She giggled for a good fifteen minutes over it.

  Zachary and Leah mostly spoke business, and he seemed pleased by her design style.

  With the exception of Caleb, she wasn't used to men treating her like a lady without expecting something in return, but the vineyard owner was proving to be quite the gentleman. It didn’t feel romantic, though. There was more of a big brother, friendly kind of vibe developing between them.

  It didn’t take long for Zachary to bring Stefen up. Leah’s chest tightened as she explained what she knew at that point. It didn't matter how upset she’d be with Stefen, nobody deserved what had happened to him.

  Breaking Leah from her trance, Abby strolled into the store, grinning ear to ear.

  “What's up, mi amiga?” Leah put the shears down and rubbed the sticky flower sap on a wet towel that sat on the counter next to her.

  Positively glowing, Abby couldn’t control her enthusiasm. “Can we go up to your apartment?”

  “Of course.” Leah motioned for her to follow through the back, turning to her employee who was silently working on another arrangement. “I'll be right back.”

  They bounced up the stairs and into Leah's loft. Going straight to the fridge, Leah held up a bottle of soda. “Want one?”

  “No, I’m good.” Abby was still beaming.

  With her cola i
n hand, Leah took a seat on the couch, looking at Abby expectantly. “Okay, what's going on?”

  Abby remained standing on the other side of the coffee table. “Well, I didn’t want to do this alone and don't need to get Caleb's hopes up yet. Plus, I want you to be with me if this turns out the way I hope it will.” Abby pulled a home pregnancy test out of her purse.

  Attempting not to choke on her soda, Leah jumped off of the couch. “Oh my goodness, chica! Are you serious?”

  “I don't know yet, that's why I'm here. I can't wait any longer, I'll be right back.” She shuffled to the bedroom.

  Leah heard the door close as she sank back to the couch. She couldn't believe this. It seemed like her best friend was single just a moment ago, and now not only was Abby married to the perfect man, but also might be pregnant with his baby.

  An ache burst free inside of her without warning. Although she was completely excited for her best friend, Leah was lonely and still nursing her broken heart. Punching her thighs, she thought, pull yourself together, Leah, you’re being selfish.

  Abby came back out with two tests and sat them down on the coffee table on top of the box before plopping on the couch next to Leah. They both stared at the sticks.

  Abby bit her lip nervously. “It takes a few minutes.”

  Leah leaned her elbows on her knees, looking up from the tests. “What makes you think you’re pregnant? Are you having symptoms?”

  Carefully cupping the sides of her breasts, Abby answered, “I missed my period and my boobs feel like they’re on fire. I figured I would grab a test and come over to see.”

  “Ouch!” Burning boobs? “Doesn’t sound fun at all. You just got married a few months ago, how can you be pregnant already?”

  Abby lowered her chin and raised an eyebrow. “Really, Leah? It only takes one time, and I've been married for almost six weeks now. Caleb and I decided not to use birth control from day one and see what happened.” She shrugged, happy and anxious at the same time. “Madison is almost six already. We want any siblings to be close.”