The Webster Grove Series

by Puckett, Tracie

  “Stop!” I tried to cut him off.

  “How long has she let you keep this name? A year? Two? I'll bet four... about the time you were in North Carolina. Am I right?” I felt the blood drain from my face. Isaac was relentless, and he continued without shame. “You aren't Baby Levin, Abcdef Ghijk, or any other absurd name your psychotic mother came up with. You are Isabella Loreen Peyton, born December 24, 1990 at 6lbs 1oz, 18 inches long, sporting a birth mark the size of Texas on the right side of—“

  “Stop!” I yelled.

  “Steph,” Alex said, leaning over and running his fingers through my hair. “They don't have to stay. If you want them to go—“

  “Oh, you'd love that wouldn't you?” Isaac spat.

  “We'll leave,” Nick interrupted his son.

  “Like hell we will—“

  “Isaac!” Nick yelled. “This isn't about you.”

  “Steph?” Alex asked.

  “They can stay,” I barely whispered. “Can you do me a favor though?”

  “Anything,” he said.

  “I'm thirsty.”

  “I'll be right back.”

  With a peck to the forehead, Alex turned and left the room. I slowly lifted my head to meet Nick's stare.

  “I want to hear your version,” I said. “But don't assume that means I'm going to believe anything you have to say.” Isaac leaned forward and opened his mouth. “Not you,” I snapped. “I've had my fill of your attitude. Nick?”

  Isaac crossed his arms and pouted, mimicking a young child.

  “Caroline and I spent the first couple years of your lives swapping the two of you back and forth,” Nick started without hesitation. “She was only sixteen when you were born, and neither of our parents were willing to let us stay together under one roof. Luckily, I lived next door.”

  I nodded. “Okay...”

  “Her house caught on fire the night before our graduation. I smelled the fumes and left Isaac with my parents. The flames were gaining momentum and making it nearly impossible to see through the heavy smoke by the time I got there. I rushed in as fast as I could to find your grandparents trying to pry open the door of the bedroom you shared with Caroline; it was locked. No matter how hard it was to catch our breath, the three of us kept trying to get in. Next thing we know, we're waking up in the hospital after suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation.”

  I watched Nick fighting to hold back tears. “We thought you were dead.”

  “The investigation concluded arson, and never turned up any bodies,” Isaac chimed in.

  “Arson?” I asked.

  “The entire first floor had been doused with gasoline. Caroline wanted to make sure there was nothing left of the house. She didn’t want us to find out you were still alive.”

  The room was silent for a few minutes as we sat staring at one another. Isaac inhaled a deep breath while his father rubbed his eyes beneath his large, round glasses.

  “I'm sorry,” I said, skeptical of every word. “It's hard for me to believe...”

  Isaac sat straighter. “Steph, we have your birth certificate, pictures, hospital records...”

  “My mom was running from Richard Levin—“

  “Richard Levin doesn't exist!” Isaac yelled. “She's a compulsive liar, Steph. How can you be so stupid?”

  “Never call her stupid.” A familiar voice came from the other side of the room. Calvin Rivera, Alex's older brother and my mother's fiancé, stood tall at the door. He smiled at me. “It's good to see you're finally awake.”

  “Cal,” I said, pulling the blankets away and trying to slide off the bed.

  “Stay right where you're at, hon,” Calvin instructed, walking closer and repositioning the white bedding. “How are you today?”

  “I thought you were in Tahiti—“

  “Why would I leave the country when someone I love is bedridden in the hospital, Steph?”

  “But, mom—“

  “Does what she wants to do.” He pressed a quick kiss to the top of my head. “Now, I'll ask you again. How are you today?”

  I shrugged. “Stressed.”

  “Cal,” Isaac said. “Reason with her, man. She'll listen to you.”

  I watched the three men stare at each other for a few long seconds. Calvin reached behind him and pulled a nearby chair forward and sat down.

  “Steph,” he started. “If you know one thing about me, what is it?”

  “You can't do a decent Elvis impersonation to save your life.”

  He fought a smile and shook his head. “And?”

  “You're the best chef in the world.”

  “Much obliged. Anything else?”

  “Your biggest priority and concern in life is family.”

  “Bingo. And what are you?”

  I stared at the bracelet on my wrist. I flipped it over and read the scripted phrase: A RIVERA AT HEART.

  “Family.”

  “Exactly,” he said. “You're my family. Nothing else comes before you, okay?”

  “Why do I get the feeling you're about to tell me something I don't want to hear?”

  He took in a long breath and looked at the Peyton duo once again. Nick silently urged him to continue.

  Calvin leaned forward. “You have to believe everything they're telling you, Steph.”

  “Cal, he may seem like a genuine guy on the outside, but they've been lying for months. You can't trust them—“

  “I've known Nicholas Peyton since my first day of culinary school in '97. We went to school together, partied every weekend, and graduated side-by-side. We've been best friends for fifteen years, hon.”

  I sat up and stared at him. “You're joking, right?”

  “You ended up in Webster Grove because I wanted you to, Steph. Your father spent over a decade trying to figure out how to approach you. It took some time before I realized that Caroline was the one we should be targeting. Since she'd never met me, all I had to do was tell a few white lies. I stumbled upon Caroline's online dating profile and knew I'd struck gold. I contacted her, wooed her for weeks over the internet, and finally invited her up.”

  “You're lying—“

  “I needed to get you here... and keep you here,” he said. “I first pitched the plan to Nick and he thought I was crazy.”

  “It was just crazy enough to work,” Isaac added.

  I closed my eyes and fought the urge to cry. On top of all of Isaac and Nick's lies, my relationship with Calvin Rivera had been nothing but a sham since day one.

  “You were at an arms distance,” Cal continued. “I couldn't risk Caroline getting restless. I had to stay in her good graces, and that meant giving her everything she wanted. I did the only thing I could think to do; I proposed. I never intended on marrying your mother, Steph. And then the unthinkable happened...”

  “He backed out on our plan,” Isaac interrupted. “He fell in love with Caroline, go figure.”

  “I wanted to be a family,” Cal admitted, ignoring Nick's red face and clenched fists.

  Unable to hold it back any longer, I finally broke down.

  “Steph?” Cal said, taking my hand.

  “Alex ... he's known all along. That's why he's kept me so close—“

  “Good God,” Isaac chimed in. “We're trying to make a breakthrough and all she cares about is her stupid boyfriend—“

  “No,” Calvin said adamantly, cutting Isaac off. “This plan stayed between Isaac, Nick, and me.”

  “You need to leave,” I yelled, pointing at the door. “All of you. Go.”

  “Steph,” Cal pleaded.

  “Leave!”

  I watch Nate walk in as I gave the final command. He wore blue jeans, a gray tee-shirt, and his rusty-colored hair was covered with a ball cap
. He clutched a white envelope in his hand as he stared around the room. I could never admit it to him (for the sake of his ego), but in that moment, he was my hero.

  “Nate,” I said, reaching out, desperately needing his embrace. “Nate, please...”

  He didn't hesitate to rush over and take me in his arms. Wrapped in his tight hug, we slowly swayed back and forth as the three remaining men willingly exited the small hospital room without another word.

  I sobbed uncontrollably against my best friend's shoulder for the next five minutes.

  “Everyone lied to me,” I finally managed to say. “Everything... nothing but lies. Is it too much to ask for a little bit of honesty?”

  “Yes,” he said, answering the question honestly. “Can I offer some advice?”

  I nodded as he brushed his thumbs across my wet cheeks. “Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.”

  I managed to smile. “That might be the most insightful thing to ever come out of your mouth.”

  “Mom used to tell me that when I was a kid,” he said, giving up his credit for originality. “Some kind of proverb...”

  I looked down at the envelope still clutched in his hand. “What’s that?”

  “Something... for you.”

  He took a deep breath and started to extend it to me as Alex walked into the still-open door carrying two bottles of water. Nate retracted the gesture and shoved the envelope into his back pocket.

  “Sorry, kiddo. I had to take a call from Gran,” Alex said, rushing over. “What happened? Is everything okay?”

  Nate backed off and took the seat previously occupied by Calvin.

  Alex sat on the edge of the bed and wiped the emerging tears from my cheeks. “Steph?”

  “Alexander Rivera,” I said, staring into his dark brown eyes. “I'm going to ask you a few questions and don't you dare lie to me.”

  He nodded. “Anything.”

  “Why did Caroline bring me to Webster Grove?”

  “Moving is what she does best.”

  “Why did Cal propose to her?”

  “He loves her, God help him.”

  “You're not really Switzerland, are you?”

  “Neutrality doesn't necessarily exist when you're involved, kiddo. Now,” he said, taking my hands. “Are we done?”

  “Nope. One more.” He sighed and urged me to continue. “Do you love me?”

  “I do,” he said, with his heart-warming smirk. “With all my heart.”

  For the first time since I opened my eyes this morning, the mood in the room was light and carefree.

  I fought a smile.

  Alex bit his lip.

  Nate dropped his head and groaned. “You two make me sick.”

  Chapter Two

  Saturday April 14

  “Are you comfortable? Hungry? Thirsty? Hot? Cold? Can I get you anything? A blanket? A fan—“

  “Alex,” I said, trying not to laugh at his uncanny impression of Bridget. “I'm fine, really.”

  I left the hospital at nine o'clock this morning. As a legal adult, I didn't need Caroline to sign off on the insurance or release papers. This was a fortunate matter. Mom, as I suspected, still hadn't returned from her sudden flee to Tahiti.

  After they left on Sunday, I'd put Isaac, Nick, and Calvin on a watch list, blocking them from accessing my particular wing. Despite their best intentions, I had absolutely no interest in hearing any more revelations.

  I currently found myself sitting on the plush, brown couch in Alex's comfortably small living room.

  “We need to figure out what to do with you,” Alex said, resting on the cushion next to me.

  “I'm not a stray dog—“

  “I don't know how you're handling this.” He took my hand. “You're allowed to be upset—“

  “I can't let yesterday use up too much of today,” I paraphrased Nate's advice. Alex smiled and nodded. I continued, “I guess I need to just go home and start picking up the pieces. Salvage the good parts of my life and wait until mom decides to show up.”

  “What if she doesn't?”

  “I'm here. Believe me, she'll be back.”

  “Steph,” he said, obviously approaching his following words with caution. “Let's assume for a minute that Caroline never comes home. What then?”

  I shrugged. “I dunno...”

  “You can't live on your own forever, kiddo. Consider the big picture. Rent, utilities, food... how will you make that work?”

  “I never thought of that...”

  “Besides,” he continued. “I don't think it's safe for you to be alone, especially with Nick and Isaac right across the street.”

  “Not to mention the fact that your brother has a key—“

  “You don't have to worry about Cal. I promised you Calvin is a good man; I stand by my word.''

  “Where do I go? Bridget's dad would never let me stay over and Nate's mom doesn't have the room—“

  “You're staying with me.”

  “What?”

  “The spare bedroom is all yours, kiddo. I know I can't offer a second story oak tree view with a window seat, but the sheets are clean and the bed is comfortable.”

  I took a moment to quietly consider his proposal. Staying under the same roof would be a risky move, and one I'm not sure I'm willing to make.

  “So?”

  “I think I'll just head home.”

  “Is that smart?”

  I smirked. “It's definitely smarter than the idea you came up with.”

  I returned to the two-story brick rental house later that evening with Alex by my side. He dropped me off outside the front door with a hug and discreet kiss to the cheek. The sun was beginning to set as he walked back to his car and disappeared down the road. I let myself into the house and locked the deadbolt behind me.

  I trekked up the stairs and passed mom's bedroom until I reached my own. The lavender-painted walls surrounded me, reminding me why I'd chosen to come here alone, rather than stay a few blocks away and enjoy Alex's company.

  I plopped down on the bed and looked at a poster hanging across the room. The man was tall, dark, and handsome; wearing his beautiful tan skin, chocolate eyes, and a smile to die for. As I lay staring at the picture of Alex, I heard a patter on the window behind me. I turned and stared at a shadowed figure on the tree limb outside. I stood up and moved closer, catching a glimpse of rusty-colored hair in the moonlight. I opened the latch and offered a hand.

  Nate jumped inside and hugged me. “Glad you're home.”

  “What's with the bat?” I asked, watching him grip a Louisville Slugger in his right fist as he shot across the room.

  “Did you check the house before you came up here?”

  “Check the house for what?”

  “Come on, Steph,” he said, taking my hand and pulling me into the hallway. We walked down the hall and toward the steps, being extra quiet with each movement. Nate had the bat strung up over his shoulder, ready to attack at the sight or sound of anything unusual. It was funny to see him take something so seriously, but reassuring nonetheless.

  We surveyed the entire first floor to find nothing out of the ordinary. If anything, the house was actually cleaner, homier, and cozier than I'd remembered leaving it the morning of the wedding.

  Back up the stairs, Nate threw open the door to mom's dark bedroom. He stepped in first and flipped the lights.

  We walked into the room together and stared forward with open mouths.

  My heart started racing.

  My mouth went dry and tears streamed down my cheeks.

  Her furniture was gone, closet stripped clean, and walls bare. There was not a single item left in the desolate room to indicate anyone had ever slept one night there.

&nbs
p; Nate's arm rested around my shoulder as we both stood staring at the barren space.

  He knew it.

  So did I.

  But neither of us wanted to say it out loud.

  Mom hadn't gone to Tahiti.

  She'd packed her things and fled again; this time, leaving me behind... without as much as a goodbye.

  Sunday April 15, 1AM

  The wedding was scheduled to begin in less than an hour.

  Cal was gone and I ceased the opportunity. I turned the lock on the door and found myself pinned against a wall with Alexander Rivera firmly planted on my lips. Caught in the moment, I pulled the tie off his neck and tossed it aside. I was three buttons down his shirt, thinking unclear, but feeling incredible.

  Somewhere between bated breaths and sweet, warm kisses, his hands found mine and stopped the heated madness.

  “No,” he said, brushing his nose against mine. “I can't let you do anything you're going to regret, and I care too much about you to be that regret.”

  A flash of white light came from the back of the room. My palms started sweating, pulse rising, and head fogging.

  “Steph?” Nate's voice interrupted. Alex's face became increasingly transparent before it slowly faded away all together. “Steph, wake up.”

  I opened my eyes, allowing myself to adjust to the change of scenery.

  Nate and I were crammed on opposite sides of the couch, fighting to share one over-stuffed comforter. We'd obviously fallen asleep sometime before the start of whatever absurd flick he'd picked for our movie night.

  “Bad dream?”

  “Nope,” I mumbled, trying to turn over. “Sad memory of my poor, pathetic life.”

  “Well, you kicked me in the ribs,” he said, pulling the blanket closer to his chin. “Go up to your bed. This couch isn't big enough for both of us.”

  “Bite me.”

  “Steph,” he whined.

  “Too tired. Can't move.”

  He stopped protesting and the room fell silent. I was on the verge of another dream when Nate sat up.