The Core Four Series

by Stacy Borel

  “Geez, so dead around here,” he grumbled.

  “Wrig, go wait in the car, would ya?” Paul sighed.

  A giggle bubbled up my throat. I couldn’t help it. “He doesn’t have to go. It’s okay.”

  Reaching his hand out to me, Wrigley offered to help me up. Turner growled. I took it and stood.

  “You’re my girl, Belle.”

  “Thank you.” I beamed. “In fact, thank you to all of you. Especially you, Donna. I don’t know how you knew what to do, but you did. I’ve not been a part of a family in so long, that this is truly overwhelming. Noah was a very special boy. All I wanted for him in his short life was to know and feel what love was. I hope he did.” A single tear streaked down my face.

  “No doubt he did,” Turner said, pulling me into an embrace.

  “You’re in trouble, mister,” I mumbled into his chest.

  “Wouldn’t expect anything less,” he replied.

  A groundskeeper approached all of us and asked if he could go ahead with lowering the casket into the ground. He said we could stay to watch if we wanted. I didn’t. This was all more than I could handle in one day, and I felt like I was ready for a nap.

  “Would you two like to come to the house for dinner? Won’t take me long to whip something up,” Donna offered. “In fact I’d like all of you to come, boys.”

  “Thanks, Mom. But I’ve gone some plans with Annabelle this afternoon.”

  My eyes shot to Turner’s. “What now?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Great! He may not live to see another day the way he was going with all the unexpected stuff today.

  “Oh, Donna?” I called her back before she had gone too far.

  “Yes, dear?”

  I looked at the ground and swallowed the lump in my throat. “Th-thanks. For this. For all of this. For Noah and me. It was more than I could have ever expected or known I wanted.”

  Her eyes became glassy. She strode toward me and pulled me into the most caring and motherly embrace I’d received since my own mom had held me.

  “Always.”

  She turned and walked away. Family . . . it really was the cornerstone or foundation of who we are.

  ***

  “Turner,” I warned.

  “Before you say anything, just hear me out.”

  “No. No, no, no. And I mean absolutely not!”

  “Annabelle, you’re getting worked up over nothing.”

  His “nothing” was certainly something. I was currently standing in front of a building that had a sign on the outside that said: Touch the sky, and fall to the earth.

  What. The. Fuck.

  “This isn’t nothing, Turner Brooks. Did you actually think I was going to bungee jump?”

  “No, but I thought maybe if I asked nicely enough, you might. You said not to sky diving, but you didn’t take bungee jumping off the list.” He gave me puppy eyes. Which was a new one for him.

  “There aren’t enough words in the English language that would explain how crazy I think you are right now. Today, of all days, you want to do this?” He was certifiable.

  “Listen.” He stepped forward and grasped my face with both hands. “You know I have my reasons behind everything I do. I knew you were going to fight me on this one, but you need to hear me out.”

  My eyes darted back and forth between his. “I just watched a baby being buried today, I’ve been crying my eyes out for days, I have a headache, and now you want me to fling myself off a platform, attached to a cable and expect that it acts like a rubber band? Turner, this is way worse than some zip lining course.”

  “Kind of, but again, I have my reasons for asking you to do this. At least come to the top with me and see what it’s like from up there.”

  Nerves were setting in. So was anger. “For fuck’s sake, the view is probably just as I’m picturing. I don’t need to go up there to see it.”

  He released me and started toward the lift. I called after him but he ignored me. Bastard knew I’d follow just to keep bitching at him. And I did exactly that the whole ride up. I had no clue what these things were called—we were on a platform similar to what we were on when we did the zip line. An electric lift raised us up as high as it would extend. It was really windy up there and I gripped the rails. I had a harness attaching me to the railing as a safety measure and the man who brought us up was giving us instructions for when we jumped. I heard nothing. My heart was in my throat and I wanted to puke. Could this headache get any worse?

  “Annabelle?” Turner was standing there looking concerned.

  “Huh?”

  “Did you hear anything I just said?”

  I was sweating so much, it was dripping down the side of my hair line. I shouldn’t be sweating. It was cool outside, and being this high up it was even cooler.

  “Were you talking?” I asked confused.

  He brought his blue eyes down to my level. “Look at me. You’ve been through a lot. Today was not a good day, and there are a lot of things at play right now. But I needed you to know something.”

  “What’s that?” I asked inquisitively.

  “I’m here, Annabelle. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. The past couple months we’ve been getting to know each other I’ve come to the realization that I’ve been taking life for granted. Being a doctor, I’ve not noticed just how out of touch I have been, which is why I think I’m always looking for the next big thrill. You are my thrill, Annabelle. I look forward to seeing you every day. I love our crazy back and forth flirting. I love how you push my buttons and I make you step out of your comfort zone. But I love even more that you trust me enough that you do it.”

  As if I hadn’t cried enough today. “Turner,” I softly spoke his name.

  “I know you think today isn’t a good day to do something like this, but I think it’s a perfect day. Want to know why?”

  “Why?”

  “Because you need to know that life keeps moving. The longer you sit back and watch as things happen around you, you’re not living the one that you were given. I don’t want to see you live in fear that something awful is going to happen. And every step you take . . . I want to be right there with you. You jump off of this thing, I’m jumping too. Hell, we can go together and I’ll hold you the whole way. You are no longer alone.”

  I sniffed. “Turner?”

  He cleared his throat, knowing he’d just made the grandest speech of all speeches. “Yeah?”

  I didn’t want to think anymore, I just wanted to act. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  The sun was setting over some hills in the distance and the light was reflecting off of his vibrant blue eyes. He beamed even brighter than the sun and gave me a blinding smile. “Good, ‘cause I think I’m falling too.”

  I was taken aback. I wasn’t expecting him to reciprocate. Not at all. I simply wanted him to know where my feelings stood. Warmth was taking over my body, and I stepped into the protection of his body.

  “We hooked up to this thing?” I asked over my shoulder.

  The guy who had ridden up with us gave me a thumbs up. I don’t think he wanted to intrude on our moment.

  “What are you doing?” Turner asked.

  “Take the leap, Turner.”

  “Right now?” he said surprised.

  “Now. Don’t make me say it twice.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Without hesitation, he put his massive arms around me, asked the guy if we could go together and next thing I knew, we were free falling. I had no idea how long we fell for. Seemed like minutes to me, but it was only seconds. We jerked hard when we reached the end of the line, and flew back up a little over halfway of the distance that we’d fallen. We bounced back and forth and swung like a pendulum several times. This was nothing like race car driving, or zip lining, or driving a Jeep, or, hell, even sex. Bungee jumping was straight up insane.

  But falling in love was an absolute leap of faith. There was no comparison. I’d fo
und something in this man that was heating up my cold and closed off heart, and he was busting down my walls of protection faster than I could keep putting them back up. He wasn’t going to let me win this battle. Not now, and maybe not ever. And you know what? I was okay with that.

  I hadn’t made a single sound the whole time we were flying through the air, but as the machine lowered us to the ground I started laughing. I laughed hysterically. No doubt Turner thought I’d gone mad.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked, an amused expression on his face.

  I shook my head, laughing even harder because we were hanging upside down and we both looked ridiculous. “Oh, just all of this. Today should have been the second worst day of my life, and somehow you made it okay. You showed me I’m a part of a family again, and now you’re teaching me how to live. Where did you come from, Doctor Brooks?”

  He smirked. I knew a smart ass answer was on the tip of his tongue. “From snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails. And of course good genetics.”

  I chortled. “Always arrogant.”

  “Wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t.”

  “Hmmm, yes, I know.”

  When we were set on the ground, we both stood on our feet and regained our balance. I used his chest as a place to steady myself.

  “Can we do this again sometime?”

  I don’t think he could be any more shocked than he was right now. “I suppose, if you really want to.”

  I nodded. “I do. But on one condition.”

  “And what’s that?”

  I reached up on my tippy toes and kissed his soft lips. “That you fall with me.”

  He smoothed my hair back and placed a kiss on my nose. “Always, Annabelle. Always.”

  With that I knew I was okay. I had loved, lost, and been loved. I was a part of something huge, and my life wouldn’t be wasted sticking to the sidewalks. Turner Brooks was my future, and I planned on living it to the fullest as long as he was by my side. I had a feeling that he was going to be for a very long time to come.

  The End

  Epilogue

  Annabelle

  “ANNABELLE, I THINK YOU HAVE a visitor,” Keegan said from beside me. She nudged me with her elbow.

  I looked up to where she was staring. Turner was walking towards me wearing his obnoxious white doctor’s coat and a smile. I smirked. What was he up to?

  As he approached me, his face turned serious. “Nurse Annabelle, I have some things I need to talk to you about.”

  I stood and straightened my scrubs. “Doctor Brooks. Does this pertain to a patient?”

  “Actually, it has to do with your behavior and some complaints that I’ve received.”

  I jerked my head back. “Whomever had complaints hasn’t come to me to discuss them, so as far as I’m concerned, I don’t care.”

  “That’s not the best attitude to have, Annabelle.”

  Keegan snorted. I glanced down at her and tapped her with my foot. “Oh sorry, I think I have a patient to check on. Have fun you two.”

  She took off down the hall. I brought my attention back to Turner. “Well, my attitude is none of your concern, Doctor. If there are any more complaints the HR department can come talk to me.”

  He frowned. Darting his bright blue eyes around, he took a step into me. “I think we should discuss this in private.”

  A snarky grunt came from across the counter. I looked over and saw that Miss Red Silk’s lip was curled in disgust. I broke character for a brief moment and winked at her. Eat shit, honey, he’s mine. Turner wasn’t searching for her or any of the other women he’d dated—he was looking for me. My gesture wasn’t well received. Instead of watching the rest of our exchange, Robin stormed off down the hall. Served her right.

  Turner cleared his throat. “Now that that’s taken care of, what were we talking about?”

  He broke character as well appearing amused.

  “About that private talk . . .” I stood, leaned into him and kissed his cheek.

  Turner raised his brow. “I do believe that goes against protocol, Annabelle.”

  I stood on my tippy toes and nibbled on his ear, not caring who saw my public display of affection. “Protocol, schmotocol.”

  “What am I going to do with you?” I heard the smile in his voice.

  “Whatever you want.”

  “Hmmm . . .” he whispered in my ear. “Find an empty room, now.”

  Who was I to argue? Twisting around, I began the short walk to the end of the hall where I knew a room was empty and we’d have a few moments alone. Turner swatted me on the butt, reminding me who was in charge. I shook my head and bit my lip. Only two months had gone by since Noah had passed, but I’d never been so happy. Yeah, Turner Brooks made me happy. He was life. He breathed it into me, and showed me who I could be. I learned how to smile again. I’d found my reason—I was my reason, but he was the teacher. For that I’d be forever grateful. I loved him and today, that’s what mattered the most.

  “In here, Doctor,” I summoned, entering a room.

  His eyes shifted from entertained to lustful. Oh yes, Turner Brooks was undoubtedly mine and I was going to keep him for as long as he’d have me.

  ***

  Macie

  My hands shook furiously as I ripped open the box and pulled out the white sheet of paper. I laid it flat on the counter so I could read the instructions. My eyes scanned over the words.

  “Ack, not fucking Spanish. Where’s the English version?”

  I searched vehemently for anything that said “Step one” or for an image to follow. It’s not like I didn’t know how to use these things. They played commercials all damn day for the women who stayed at home and watched soap operas. I’ve seen a few of them. But I wanted to make sure I was following the instructions to the letter. Any skipped stepped or timing or whatever could make it all invalid or false.

  “Ha!” I said to myself.

  I found it. It said to take the applicator out of the plastic wrap and place it in the urine stream for five seconds, then lay it flat. It would take two minutes for results to appear in the window. I sat on the toilet and tore the test open with my teeth. There was a purple cap on the end that I took off and tossed to the side. Thank God I needed to pee. I did exactly as it all said. Standing up, I pulled up my pants and hovered over the test, refusing to take my eyes off of it.

  My finger nails tapped on the counter like I was playing Chopsticks on the piano. A nervous habit I had picked up when I was a kid.

  Two minutes. Two fucking minutes.

  Why did it take two minutes? This shit should show up right away. The idiots who created these things clearly didn’t realize how time sensitive it was to know the answer right away. And honestly, why don’t I wear a watch? Where in the hell did I put my cell phone? I should be timing this. I glanced around. It was nowhere near. Apparently, it was still in my purse on the bed.

  “Damn,” I grumbled under my breath.

  My eyes went back to the little game changer on the counter. Something started to show up in the first box. What does that mean? Fuck, I didn’t even finish reading all the instructions. I don’t even know what I’m looking at. I searched. Okay, two lines is positive, one line is negative.

  Two lines is positive . . . two lines is pos—oh God!

  I was going to be sick. Rushing to the toilet, I flipped the lid and threw up. My stomach heaved so hard it hurt. Every ounce of food and coffee I’d inhaled this morning was now a mess of bile and disgustingness. I slid down until I was on my ass on the cold travertine tile of my bathroom. Tears streamed down my face and confusion wracked my brain. How did this happen? I was on birth control. It didn’t make any sense. Was I part of that small two percent population that the pill wasn’t effective for? God, I was going to sue the shit out of the company. Nobody was in the two percent. The two percent was just there to scare the shit out of people to take their pills on time. I was someone that took it at the same time every day.

  What was
I going to do? I looked up at the counter and saw the stick still sitting there. With uneasy fingers, I took hold of it and checked it again. I shook my head. The results hadn’t changed. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

  I was pregnant, and it was Dodger’s. My life was about to be flipped upside down.

  This book is for you, Nichole. You were my rock.

  And B, thanks for the new vocabulary.

  Prologue

  (the night that knocked me out and up)

  I GIGGLED HARD AS MY foot hit something, sending it crashing to the ground. Loud clattering rang in my ears and a hand covered my mouth. “Shhh . . .”

  “Was that a lamp?”

  “I dunno.” There was only enough light filtering in from the patio and festivities outside that I could barely make out Dodger’s face, let along anything in the room.

  “My mom is going to kick my ass for that one.”

  I sat up from the couch and gave him a playful smile. Grabbing his tie, I pulled him down until his lips were almost touching mine. “I’ll buy her a new one.”

  “You’re impossible.”

  I stuck my tongue out so quickly he didn’t know I’d done it until it swiped his lips. “Whatever. Impossible is me when I’m not drunk.”

  Watching him while he sucked in his lower lip as if to taste me, I clamped my thighs shut. It turned me on.

  “Challenging, is more like it.”

  “I’m not a challenge.”

  He smirked. “If you say so.”

  Dodger tried to push into me so he could get over the arm of the couch. We were playing a little game of back and forth. I gave him a little room then pushed him away. It was something I’d always done with him from the moment I’d met him.

  “I do say so.”

  He pushed harder and came over the top of me on the couch. Backwards was the only way I could go. Lying down, I spread my legs to accommodate him, as he settled onto me. Dodger’s soft lips crushed mine in a furious kiss that told me he was ravenous for me. Good, that’s how I liked him. My teasing was going to break him soon if I didn’t give a little. And I would cave. I always did. He knew this. I actually questioned whether it was me teasing him, or the other way around. Either way, we both were getting what we wanted tonight. Actually, I was getting what I needed.