Unexpected Consequences

by Sloan Johnson

  “Did you have a good day?” Mary asks, smiling up at me. I lean over, pressing my lips to hers, needing to feel her warmth. She reaches up, resting her hand on my cheek as I deepen the kiss, my teeth nipping at her lower lip to gain entrance to her mouth. Her body hums with a sigh as she opens to me.

  “There’s something I didn’t expect to see.” Mary and I startle at Zeke’s annoyed remark. “What are you doing here, Jeff?”

  I tilt my head back, realizing that tonight is going to be much harder than I had originally thought. I motion for Zeke to sit down, expecting him to stay leaning against the wall in defiance. The ache in my chest lightens when he makes his way to the chair, glaring at me the entire time.

  “I have some things I need to say to you,” I tell him, quickly continuing before he can shut me down. “For starters, I’m sorry I didn’t let you tell me your side of what happened the night you got pulled over. It wouldn’t have changed the fact that I was upset, but I owed you that much. I’m hoping that you will understand that I had my reasons for reacting the way that I did.”

  “Go on,” he urges with a shaky voice. I want to reach out and still his leg, which I’m pretty sure is currently tapping out ‘get me the fuck out of here’ in Morse code. I wish he would look at me, but he’s doing everything he can to look anywhere but in my direction.

  I begin telling him about my parents, how much they loved one another when I was a little boy. And how that all changed when my dad started drinking more. How it didn’t seem like a big deal at first, but slowly, he was drinking more and more.

  “I’ll never forget the night my mom got the call to pick him up at the police department,” I say quietly, staring into the distance. I didn’t expect it to be a walk in the park, but putting all of my cards on the table for both Mary and Zeke ranks in the top five hardest things I’ve done in my life. “She was so mad at him when they walked in the door. I went to my room and turned up the music, hoping to drown out their fighting. She told him that night that he needed to choose, her or the alcohol. At the time, I thought she meant us or the booze, but I was wrong.”

  “Jeff, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Zeke moves to the edge of his seat. I want him to move closer. I want him next to me as I continue, knowing the next part of the story is going to be the hardest.

  “Anyway, a few months after that, my dad was still drinking and my parents were fighting every night. One night, I heard my mom’s car start and I watched her back out of the driveway.” I haven’t mourned the loss of my mother before now because I’ve spent so much time hating her for leaving me behind. Now, surrounded by people who care about me, remembering how compassionate Zeke’s mom was when she came to my house, I feel tears welling behind my eyes. I don’t bother trying to stop them.

  “That was the last time I saw her.” Mary wraps her arms around my waist, kissing my arm as she leans in as close as she can without crawling into my lap. I look up to Zeke and see him watching us. My eyes shift down and to the left, a silent invitation for him to join us. I can’t form the words because I don’t want to him hear him refuse.

  “I was an ass,” Zeke says as he moves to sit on the couch. He isn’t as close to me as I would like, but it’s progress. “I want you to know, I haven’t had a drop to drink since that night. I didn’t know why you were so mad at me, but even I’m not dumb enough to not realize what it had to do with.”

  When I look at Mary, she nods, confirming what Zeke has just told me. “I don’t expect you to not drink at all, Zeke. But we’ll talk about that later. I need to finish this because you both deserve to know.”

  Mary’s body tenses, her fingers digging into my side. I take a deep breath and start telling them about the night my dad died. It doesn’t take long for Zeke to pull me against his body. He rubs my arm as I talk, kisses my head when I have to take a break to compose myself.

  “By the time we got to Charleston, he was already gone. More than anything, I wanted to scream at him, ask him why he didn’t call me for a ride. I hated him for a long time because it’s his fault that both of my parents were gone before my eighteenth birthday.” When I stop talking after admitting that I hated the man who raised me, Zeke’s strong arms wrap around my chest. I reach up, holding onto him for dear life. I look over when I feel Mary moving away from me. She shakes her head before blowing me a kiss. She’s giving me some time alone with Zeke.

  “Jeff, I hope you know I won’t do it again. I wanted to tell you that I wasn’t that drunk and it wasn’t my driving that got me pulled over, but now it seems stupid to say that.” I squeeze his arm tighter, letting him know I understand. And I do because Mary and Tommy both called me to tell me Zeke’s side of the story, trying to get me to quit being stubborn and talk to him.

  “It’s okay, Zeke. I’m not sure I can explain it, but you calling me to come and pick you up scared me. I started thinking about everything that could have happened to you and it made me think about what it would be like to not have you around.” I know I’m not saying what I want to say, and this isn’t the way I had planned this conversation to go, but I can’t stop myself. “When I thought about what happened to my dad and how that could have been you, it crushed me. The thought of losing you made me realize that I do love you.”

  I smile when I hear a gasp from behind us. I look over and see Mary busying herself between the kitchen and dining room, like I wouldn’t realize she had been standing where she could hear us.

  “I love you too, Jeff.” I ignore the tear that hits my shoulder. “I’m so sorry I fucked up. But you should know, it’s not going to be the last time I do it. The fucking up, I mean,” he quickly adds for clarification.

  “I knew what you meant. And your mother did warn me about that.” I turn in his arms, shifting my body so I can kiss the man I love. Zeke groans as I claim his mouth. I’m not sure if it’s in answer to my statement or because he’s enjoying the feeling as much as I am. Honestly, I don’t care. The only thing that matters is that we seem to have found a way past our problems and we’re together.

  “Guys, I hate to break up that beautifully sexy scene, but dinner’s ready,” Mary laughs. Instead of moving to the dining room, I hold out a hand, inviting her to join us.

  “I love you both, so much,” she sighs as I shift and she settles in next to me, both of us resting our heads on Zeke’s beautiful chest. I have a feeling we’re going to be reheating dinner because none of us seem to be in a hurry to separate.

  “Do we have to go?” I whine as I try to find an outfit in the overflowing walk-in closet. Jeff and Zeke are already sitting on the couch waiting on me, as usual. It’s not my fault both of them can throw on the first thing they find and look amazing. Plus, Zeke’s outfit was chosen for him, so he has no room to give me a hard time for having to dress myself. “I’m sure some of them will breathe a sigh of relief if we’re not there.”

  “Nice try, baby,” Jeff laughs. “Now hurry it up, Debora will never forgive you if you’re the reason we’re late.” He tries this threat every time we get together with Zeke’s mom. She’s turned into the mother Jeff and I both needed in our lives, much to Zeke’s chagrin. It’s easy for him to take for granted just how lucky he is to have someone in his life that is willing to try to change her views on life for the sake of her son.

  Ten minutes later, I walk out of the bedroom wearing a cobalt blue, maxidress with wedge heels. I almost ask how I look, but think better of it when I remember asking their opinion last year before we went to the Reed family reunion. No way am I subjecting myself to that torture again, especially since it’s going to be a late night.

  “It’s about time, let’s go!” Zeke’s more excitable than normal. When he stands and turns my way, I lose the ability to breathe for a moment. The man I love, who is almost never seen in anything other than blue jeans and t-shirts, stands before me, clean shaven, and dressed head to toe in black. I wasn’t sure about a leather and lace wedding, but seeing the way his black vest pulls across every muscle
in his chest, it's perfect. I can’t wait until we get home tonight and Jeff and I get to enjoy everything underneath.

  Jeff and I trade Zeke for baby Ava once we get up to Dylan and Tasha’s apartment. After listening to her parents lecture us for fifteen minutes about every possible contingency while they’re otherwise indisposed, we’re allowed to strap her into her infant seat and head to the park.

  “It’s beautiful,” I sigh, seeing how they’ve managed to transform the historic pavilion into a gothic wonderland, without going so overboard that the family will have a coronary. Long banquet tables are draped in black with white table runners and antique candlesticks with red candles from one end to the other.

  “It’s not bad,” Jeff shrugs. I turn around and my heart turns into a puddle at my feet. He’s managed to get Ava dressed in her white lace dress and she’s settled into the crook of his arm, just about to fall asleep. Seeing how at-ease he looks right now gives me hope that he’ll be the same with our child when the time comes. “A little too much black for my taste, but it suits her.”

  As guests make their way up the hill, we direct them to the seating behind the pavilion. Holly couldn’t have picked a more perfect location to marry Tommy, with the Capitol and Monona Terrace serving as a backdrop. Zeke’s Jeep comes roaring up the hill and onto the grass. I toss my head back, laughing as he drives right up to the small gazebo, causing no shortage of curses from his aunts.

  “Sorry, had to get him close enough that he couldn’t get lost. Bride’s orders,” he laughs, giving his mother and Tommy’s mother kisses while Tommy and Dylan get out of the Jeep. Zeke turns to wink at us before climbing into the driver’s seat.

  “That was some entrance,” I laugh when he makes his way back up the hill. “You’d better get up there.”

  I’m trying to pay attention as the minister goes through the ceremony, but it’s nearly impossible when Jeff’s standing a few feet away from me holding Ava while Mary’s arms are wrapped around his waist. My heart swells with love for both of them as I think of what our own future holds.

  “The rings?” I feel Dylan’s elbow in my ribs and look up to see everyone staring at me.

  “Sorry,” I say, hoping the blush I feel creeping up my face isn’t visible. I hear Dylan laughing behind me and turn to glare at him. “Shut it, Caprese,” I mumble under my breath.

  “Do you, Tommy, take Holly to be your wife?”

  “I do,” he says quietly. I can’t see his face, but I have no doubt he has some dopey, totally in love look in his eyes. A year ago, I would have laughed at him, but I get it now. I’m pretty sure I walk around that way most of the time.

  “And Holly, do you take Tommy to be your husband?” They opted against the sickness, health, and all that other bullshit in their vows because, after all they’ve been through, they said it was pretty much a given they didn’t need to ask about that.

  “I do,” Holly says with a smile.

  “By the power vested in me…” now that my job is done, I turn my attention back to the loves of my life. We’re definitely going to have to work on a playmate for Ava. Soon.

  Thank you for taking time to read Unexpected Consequences! If you enjoyed the book, I hope you will take a moment to leave a quick review to let other readers know what they can expect.

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  Also Available from Sloan Johnson

  Unexpected Angel (Isthmus Alliance #1)

  Unexpected Protector (Isthmus Alliance #2)

  Keep reading for an excerpt of my next project, Fragile Bonds, available in May 2014!

  Fragile Bonds

  Coming May 2014

  “Daddy! There’s a woman at the door, but she’s not saying anything!” My cheeks flood with embarrassment as a little boy’s voice slices the early morning air.

  I can’t help but wonder how long I’ve been standing on the front porch, lost in another time. It’s been six years since I walked out this very door, but the pain in my heart is as raw today as it was then.

  “Melanie?” My eyes shift from the little boy at my feet to the only man I’ve ever loved. His sapphire eyes are steely, cold and rimmed with fine lines at the corners. The subtle tick in his square jaw gives away the fact that he’s biting back his displeasure at seeing me here.

  “Hello, Xavier,” I bite out, hoping I sound professional. To my own ears, my voice is breathy and too high. My throat feels scratchy, as if I haven’t had anything to drink in days. “I’m here to help with Alyssa.”

  I take a tentative step over the threshold, sucking in a sharp breath. When I started working as an end-of life-companion four years ago, I thought it was a brilliant way to combine my nursing degree and my desire to help the terminally ill die with dignity. It’s never easy, but this is going to be my most difficult assignment to date. Most days, I go home to my one bedroom apartment wondering why I continue to put myself through the emotional drain of watching patients slip away before my eyes.

  With every new family, I promise myself I won’t get attached, but it’s hard when I’m the one they rely on to ease more than just the physical pain. It doesn’t matter that my job is to care of the person who is dying, I become a shoulder for family members to cry on as time slips away. I’m the one pushing the family to eat when their grief and need to be close to the person whose days are numbered consumes them. Inevitably, the patient passes away and I move on to the next family. My problem is I can’t deny the fact that I’m already emotionally invested in this family.

  I kick off my tennis shoes, lining them along the foyer wall by force of habit. Looking around, I feel a moment of peace created by the taupe, ivory and blue color scheme carried throughout the foyer and living room. Flames dance in the gas fireplace, taking the chill out of the mid-November air.

  The little boy with shaggy brown hair looks up at me with sad blue eyes. “Daddy sometimes lets guests keep their shoes on when they visit,” he informs me.

  I crouch down, ignoring the clenching pain in my chest. “I just figured your Daddy wouldn’t want my dirty shoes on his white carpet,” I respond quickly, ruffling the boy’s hair. He’s a miniature version of his father, right down to his eagle eye for details. I’m going to have to be mindful that I don’t get too comfortable here.

  “That’s smart,” he says with a quick nod. When I go to stand, I feel the boy tug at my pants leg. I look down and see him worrying his lip. “My name’s Jacob and I’m four. My daddy told me someone was gonna come to our house today and help make mommy better. Is that why you’re here?”

  I close my eyes, biting my lip as I try to dance around the truth with Jacob. Even though I understand why his father said what he did to the boy, I have a hard time lying to anyone, even the youngest family members. The truth is, there’s nothing that will make his mother well again, my job is to simply help her face the end of her life surrounded by those closest to her instead of in a hospital.

  I lead Jacob to the couch, pulling him onto my lap. More than anything, I want to hold him to my chest, smoothing his hair as I tell him that I have magical powers that will keep him mom alive. Beyond that, I wish it were true. Even I can’t bring myself to admit the reality that Alyssa Ross is dying and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that. Less than three minutes in, and I’m already too attached. I silently vow to do everything I can to protect this little boy and his father, even if it kills me in the process.

  “Your mommy is very sick, Jacob,” I confirm. Not like he needs me to tell him this, he sees it every day. Then again, according to her chart, she’s been ill long enough that he might not remember a time when she wasn’t this way. Her cancer ravaged body might be completely normal in his eyes. “I promise, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure your mommy isn’t hurting, okay?”

  Jacob studies me, looking deep into my eyes for a sign that I’m lying to him. “Daddy sa
ys you might have to spend the night sometimes if mommy needs you to. I told him you can sleep in my room. You have to sleep on top because daddy says I’m too little for the top bed. Do you like rocket ships?”

  “Jacob, Miss Melanie will not be spending the night.” We both startle at the angry voice echoing off the high ceilings. “Didn’t I ask you to clean up this mess before the nurse got here?” Jacob slides off my lap without a word and begins picking up his toys, leaving me alone on the couch.

  I close my eyes, my hand floating to rest at the base of my neck. Time may have healed the wounds, but I’m not sure I will ever get used to hearing Xavier’s voice. A tear threatens to fall as I remember the last time I was in this room.

  Xavier leans forward, gently kissing my forehead. We stay connected this way, his hands resting on my shoulders. “Without trust, we have nothing,” he whispers, sliding his hands around to the back of my neck.

  My body quakes as I’m overcome with sobs. I don’t want to believe that my one decision is leading him to such a drastic measure. The moment he releases the clasp of my necklace, I feel as emotionally bare as I am physically.

  “What are you doing here, Melanie?” Xavier asks, scowling down at me from behind the couch. It’s a straight-forward question, and yet I can’t seem to find the words. Instead, I stare at Xavier, wishing I had asked for another companion to be assigned to Alyssa’s case.

  “Melanie,” he snaps, this time his voice low and forceful. “I asked you a question.”

  I lower my gaze reflexively. After so much time apart, you would think my body would have forgotten that admonishing tone. It’s another reminder that my wounds are deeper than the flesh or even the heart, and the ones that remain might never fully heal. “I’m sorry, Xavier. I thought about asking to be reassigned to a different case, but I would have had to explain my reasons. If you would prefer I not be here, you’re more than welcome to call the office and request someone else be sent to help.”