He said nothing for a while as we continued our game. It was our last round before we finished packing up our lives for good. Biscuit had stayed in her room the last few nights to do the same and hang out with her best friend.
She placated me by reminding me that she would be heading to the lake house with me for the summer, then to Cambridge. Though she hadn’t told her parents yet.
“Where is Reagan? Is she coming over?”
“She’s finishing up her packing and hanging out with Megan.”
“Oh, she’s busy, and now you have time to hang out.”
“What the fuck is up, Gav? It’s not like you were moving to Cambridge and now you’re not. You’re doing your own thing, like always. Except this time we won’t be coming back.”
“Fuck!” He tossed the controller. “Your ass dying so soon left me to hang out to dry.”
My avatar dissolved into nothingness and I faced my best friend. “It’s our last fucking night together. Why don’t we go to the bar and have a final drink? And then maybe I can convince you to come stay a while at the lake house.”
“Yeah, like I’d ever do that. Three's a crowd. But I’ll say yes to the drink.”
“I’m sure she can convince Megan to come too.” I winked.
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t need your help there.”
My hand rose on autopilot. “Look, whatever bro. You’ve got that covered. Let’s just get a drink.”
Light added torment to the thunderstorm in my head. I drank too much and remembered too little. The only solace was Biscuit curled up against my chest. I’d gone to her place instead of home.
“Morning,” she whispered. I had no idea how long she’d been awake.
Her hand circled around my cock as I said, “Morning.”
Hair tickled my face when she angled her head to graze her mouth against mine. I shifted my head back, knowing my breath had to smell like death, because it tasted like it. Talking out of the side of my mouth, I said, “I should probably brush my teeth first.”
There was no stopping her hands as she pushed down my shorts, pressing her soft breasts against my chest as she ran her hands up and down my length.
I rolled her to her back, slipped inside her, taking her fast to satisfy her need. We didn’t have much time as I’d arranged for a moving company to pick up my things and whatever she wanted to bring.
The boxes would be moved to the lake house while we spent the next few days at a hotel.
Tomorrow our families would arrive for commencement. Neither of us wanted to go home and be apart those few days. So we begged off our family by telling them that we were hanging with friends. Technically, we were friends. But I planned to be much more before summer was over.
When the day of the graduation came, I stood fixing my tie in the mirror while Reagan did her hair and whatever else in the bathroom.
“Are you nervous about meeting my parents?” Her voice echoed in the tiled room only to come out sounding tinny.
“Yes and no,” I called back.
Through the mirror, I saw her head poke out and realized she was still only wearing a towel from our earlier jaunt in the shower. My cock didn’t seem to care and stirred to life at the sight of her.
“Yes and no?”
I’d pushed up the knot about midway but stopped to face her. “No, because if they raised you, then they are good people.”
Her smile said I won some points with that line, but I truly believed it. “And yes,” I added, “because I’m not sure how they will take our news.”
She hadn’t told them she was pregnant. And if her mother was as crazy as she said, all hell would break loose. I could only hope her father wouldn’t try to kill me. It was bad enough I would face my parents’ displeasure. They weren’t going to take the news well at all.
She nodded.
“What about you?” I returned the favor. Though what I really wanted was her out of the towel if I could reach her before she figured out my plan.
“I am nervous. I’m worried they won’t think I’m good enough for you.” I hadn’t exactly told her he was a senator. I hoped she would forgive me when she found out.
“Stop,” she giggled. “I know what you’re thinking and we’re not.” She stepped into the bathroom and I heard the lock click.
Just when I was about to knock and explain that while yes I did have sex on the brain, there was something I needed to tell her, her phone chimed. I moved toward it.
“Is that my phone?” she called through the door.
She came out and I angled my head from the bedside table to see her dressed in a short white dress that looked like it was made from lace. “Is that my phone?” she asked again.
I walked over and handed it to her, stealing a kiss before she could answer.
“Hello? Yes, we’re ready. Are you already on your way up?” She glanced at me. “Yes, he’s dressed.”
A knock sounded at the door. She glanced at her phone before moving to it.
My eyes drifted down to her thighs. The material from her dress barely covered half of them. Her legs suggested that miles could be traveled from the spiked heel of her shoes to her epicenter.
The door opened and a blur of a brunette half-tackled, half-hugged her. “I can’t believe we are graduating.” Megan stomped her feet, and the blue number she wore fluttered up as her hand moved up and down like she was running. Then all movement ceased. “Thanks for letting her ride with us to the ceremony. My parents are so excited to see her again.”
Biscuit came over and I met her halfway, giving her a kiss that said, I love you.
“I’ll see you later,” she whispered with a sexy grin, before leaving.
The door closed and she was gone. I’d agreed to her going with Megan because she’d explained that once our parents found out about the baby, there would probably be a lot of talk. And she wouldn’t have time to say hello or spend time with her best friend’s parents.
Girls were weird. It wasn’t like that was the last time they’d ever see each other. But it wasn’t worth the brain damage.
It was only about an hour before I was required to be at graduation to line up. My parents would arrive soon. The room was paid for one more night. We decided to play it by ear whether we would stay or go to the lake house after. Our bags were packed and lined up against the wall if we decided to leave. I took one look at the room, which was modest, and could hear my mother chiding me for not doing an upgrade. It was a good thing she’d never see the place and know it was the best that they had to offer.
52
REAGAN
The ceremony was long and hot. My parents were the only family members that showed up. Dad’s mother was in a home in Kansas; Mom’s parents had passed.
After it was over, Tade found me before my parents did. When they came over, I braced myself for what Mom might say. I’d done my best to warn Tade, but he was sure he would win them over.
“Mom, Dad, my boyfriend, Tade,” I said, pointing between them. “Tade, these are my parents, Anna and Jim Winters.”
“Hi, I’m Tade Astor.” He held out his right hand to shake Mom’s first. “You are as stunning as your daughter. I know where she gets her beauty from.”
When Mom narrowed her eyes at him, Dad held out his hand.
“Nice to meet you. Reagan has told us all about you,” Dad said, wearing a genuine smile.
My finger rubbed against the absence of the ring Tade had given me. Funny how something I’d only been wearing a week or so could make my finger feel so naked without it. Being as covert as I could, I felt for it in my pocket, needing the reassurance.
“You look familiar,” Mom said with narrowed eyes.
“Should we find your parents?” I asked, hoping to stop Mom from making a scene. When he nodded, I clung to his hand and he gave it a little squeeze.
A queasy feeling came over me. I wasn’t sure if it was the pregnancy or meeting his parents or telling them all the truth about their future g
randchild. Added to it, I prayed his parents would like me.
We walked down an aisle crowded with families and friends giving congratulations to those of us who’d made it this long journey.
I heard my mother agitatedly muttering to my father. Tade whispered to me, “There they are.”
His dad’s back was to us and I couldn’t be sure who he was talking to. Needing strength, I felt in my pocket for my ring and slipped it on. I didn’t plan on spilling the news right there, but maybe telling them we were engaged first would soften the blow.
Tade must have felt my nervousness through our connected hands because he turned and smiled at me. He mouthed, I love you. And I mouthed it back. I gestured to my hand not wanting to blindside him. He nodded in approval, giving me his sexy grin.
My parents were somewhere behind us by the time we reached his.
He tapped his dad’s shoulder and his parents turned as one. My father wore shades and his hand came up to slide them down.
A gasp sounded behind me at the same time as so many things changed.
Tade
“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Reagan, my girlfriend.”
At the same time, a flash went off and a microphone was shoved between us. We had been discovered. I wasn’t sure if my parents had been blindsided or if this was a planned photo opp.
“Your son is engaged. Congratulations,” the reporter said. I barely saw the woman, keeping my eyes on my father.
Dad wore a mask of happiness, but I saw the darkness around the corners of his eyes. He was furious with me. Biscuit’s hand went limp in mine and I felt her being drawn away. I knew I should have prepared her for the limelight. Hadn’t Mom warned me? Would this be the breaking point to our relationship?
“Give us a minute,” Dad growled at the reporter. Security stepped in and shuffled them away. By now we had an audience. I glanced back at Reagan, who wore a pained expression. It looked like she was choking back tears. “Do you have a place to talk?”
I sought out my mother’s eyes for an ally, but she looked as horrified as everyone else. Now the press had the news.
“We can go back to our hotel.”
My father nodded and I glanced back at Biscuit and her parents. They nodded too. Her mom was whispering to her and pulled her away when I went to take her hand. I turned back to find that my parents had already gotten away from me. I rushed ahead, spying Gavin on the way. I nodded at him, knowing he’d get that I’d talk to him later. He wore a look of despondency or anger. I couldn’t puzzle it out. I was too busy trying to figure out how to fix my own mess.
The driver gestured me to the front after my parents had been seated in the back. When the privacy glass was raised, I guessed they’d wanted to hash things out before finding some singular front from which to attack any justification I might have. Really, it was my life.
The elevator ride was awkward at best. Mom had pity shining in her eyes. I looked away from both of them in favor of reading the elevator safety sign. I had my own warnings. At that moment, I didn’t care about my father’s political aspirations. There was nothing he could do or say to convince me I’d made the wrong choice.
When we stepped into the room, already filled with Reagan and her mother locked in a tearful embrace, the vibration of my own anger dimmed. Her father stood just off to the side, arms folded, wearing worry like a shield.
I stopped in front of my girl and turned to my father. “I know what you all think.” I took in the room before I continued with words that hadn’t been on the menu for tonight. “I know this is sudden. But you have to realize we love each other.” I turned back to Biscuit and glanced at her mom. “I love her with all of me.”
“Tade.” My father’s command had me spinning around to face him. I was dizzy with anger and spoiling for a fight.
“Dad, don’t.” The level of sound from my voice may not have matched my father’s, but it was strong and steady.
“Tade. You have to understand—”
There was nothing my father could say to undo this. “No, you have to understand. You think somehow I’ve embarrassed you. You think that maybe I won’t follow through with your plan for me to attend Harvard. But I’m going, and Reagan’s going to be my wife.”
When I turned back to reach for her hand, her mother intervened, stepping between us. She bellowed, “I saw you with that girl before she went missing.”
When I faced Reagan again, her eyes spilled with tears and her hands were clasped over her mouth. The sparkle from her ring said she was still mine but something in her eyes said differently.
A riptide of emotions clamped shut my throat, rendering me unable to speak. I reached for her hand, but I let mine fall away. Stunned, I’d been unable to do anything but stare at the mouths that had continued to speak. However, the ringing in my ears prevented me from hearing a coherent word.
A single ember burned a chasm down my cheek. The blazing hot tear was as unfamiliar as it was appropriate given the situation. My world had burned to ash with the things said and left unsaid in that room.
I felt like a foreigner while the walls moved in on me like a house of cards ready to fall. Claustrophobia set in and finally I turned to the woman behind me.
“Don’t,” I said, watching her in horror. She stared at me like I was a monster. The stranger reflected in her eyes wasn’t me. “Please.” It was almost pathetic how I pleaded. How the mighty had fallen. I felt their pity and scorned them for it.
Only one woman had ever made me weak. I hated it and didn’t care, all at the same time. She was it for me. If somehow they succeeded in poisoning her with their blasphemy, I would live my life a broken man. There was no way I could survive without her.
My father’s voice morphed as his face softened. He stepped over to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder and I felt comfort in waves off him. Further confusion came when his voice cracked as he spoke his next words and Reagan ran for the door.
53
PAST
He cocooned me in a blanket averting his eyes.
“It’s going to be okay. Can you tell me your name?”
I hesitated as I tried to remember. Pet, Eve…
“Luana.”
“That’s a pretty name. Can you tell me how you got here?”
That was when it truly hit and a sob escaped instead of words.
“It’s okay. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you. I just want to help you get home. Can you tell me who your parents are?”
Those names came easier. I blurted them out. “He took me from the beach. I was at the beach with my parents.”
“Where?”
It seemed like eons ago. “Cancún.”
Someone came in and looking up, he said, “I think we found our missing girl.”
“They took my baby,” I repeated.
“Baby?”
I cried in earnest. “Adam, the guy who bought me, I had his baby.”
I wasn’t sure he understood what I said.
“He’s here. Or he was. Did you find him?” I sobbed.
“You say his name is Adam.”
“He calls me Eve. I call him Adam.”
“Can you describe him?”
“He’s older, like even older than my dad with gray in his hair.”
The man’s eyes turned hard. I cringed back.
“No. I’m sorry. I’m just angry this happened to you.”
“He raped me. He raped a lot.”
I glanced up to find other people in the door. A few had tears in their eyes.
“I think there are others. Did you save them?”
“Others?”
I wanted him to stop repeating what I said and find the Adam, my baby, and the other girls.
“There were others, at least the last time I was here. There was a girl, she was a few years younger than me.”
“What did she look like?”
I shook my head. “I just heard her calling for her mommy and daddy. She sounded younger than me.”
“How old are you?”
“Twelve, wait, I’m probably thirteen by now. I don’t know what day it is. They didn’t let me see the sun.”
“Jesus,” several people muttered.
“Someone get her a doctor.” The nice man glanced at the bed, which was streaked with blood. “I think she’s recently given birth.”
Even though he’d been nice, when he reached a hand to me, fear made me shake my head.
“Get Emily,” he said. He turned to me again. “Emily will come and get you home.”
He didn’t come any closer, only stood slowly and backed away. I would never forget his face. Nor would I forget the face of Adam or Sir.
54
REAGAN
The air had gone stale and I had to leave that room. The things Mom had whispered in my ear along with what she accused Tade of made me sick.
Meghan. I hadn’t seen a picture of her in the news. He hadn’t denied that he’d been with her the night she disappeared. And had I paid more attention to the news instead of getting it second hand from Megan, I would have known the truth sooner. I’d stared at the pretty girl he’d been with at the restaurant that night.
Was he a monster? I couldn’t wrap my head around that.
I’d run out the back and leaned against a tree, trying to make sense of everything.
His words tilted my world on its axis. He’d said his dad had done some bad things. He also made a case for us not talking about the past. Why hadn’t I asked more questions?
But that wasn’t the worst of it. The things Mom whispered brought fear back into my heart. I was reminded again of everything I’d been afraid of. And there was one other thing…
A sound like a twig breaking made me spin around.
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Because of Him Page 20
