Текст книги "In Pieces"

Автор книги: Gia Riley

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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

MOM’S GOING ON and on about the pumpkin pie at the club, and how it’s the best it’s been in years. She’s been trying, since she woke up, to get me to go to the social this afternoon. I already told her I wasn’t interested in putting on a suit to eat pie with stuck up people.

Her response? “Then wear a sweater.”

She’s never going to understand that just because she’s living this life, I don’t have to do the same. It was fun when I was a kid, going to huge houses, and parties at the kids’ club, but now, it’s just one big stage for the wealthiest in town to show off.

“You’ll be missing out on a fun time.”

“That’s okay,” I tell her. Luckily, my phone rings, saving me from this never-ending conversation.

“Becca?”

She’s breathing heavy into the phone like she’s been running or something. “Are you at the gym?”

“No, Rhett. I’m just getting to the hospital.”

As soon as she says the words, I start to sweat. I sit down on the couch, preparing myself for what’s coming next. “What happened?”

Before she can explain, she breaks down, sobbing into the phone. “She had an accident on the four wheeler, Rhett. She wrecked and she hit her head. Carson carried her back to the cabin and then we called 911.

“Fuck! I’m on my way.” I hang up my phone, running to my room, grabbing the first pair of pants and shirt I can find.

“Rhett, honey. What is it?”

“Kinsley’s been in an accident. I think it’s bad, Mom.”

She covers her mouth. “The baby.”

“I have to get to her.”

“You can’t drive like this. Let me take you. Your father’s in the garage. We’ll all go.”

My hands are shaking so bad I can barely hang onto my keys. I hand them to her, like she’s going to take my truck instead of her Mercedes. She doesn’t say anything though, only tucking them into her purse.

I message Becca back as soon as I’m sitting in the car, praying she has good news for me.

Rhett: Is she okay?

Becca: I don’t know. They won’t let us see her yet.

I throw my phone on the seat beside me, tipping my head back against the head rest. I spend the next hour and a half reciting every prayer I can think of. I’ve prayed more on the car ride to the hospital than I’ve ever prayed in my life. But I make sure to say each prayer twice—once for Kinsley and once for my baby.

Dad pulls up to the ER and lets me out of the car before going to find a place to park. Once I’m inside, I search for Becca, and I find her cuddled on Wyatt’s lap. “Where is she?”

Kate stands up, walking toward me. “I just left her room. They were prepping her for stitches.”

“Stitches?”

“She hit her head and she has a gash above her eye.”

Becca stands up and hugs me, tears still falling from her eyes. “Go see her, Rhett. She needs you.”

Kate takes my hand, and walks me toward Kinsley. “She can only have one visitor at a time. They’re doing some labs and some tests, but they said it’s okay to sit with her through it all.”

“She’s alone?”

She swallows before shaking her head. “Carson’s with her.”

I take a deep breath before I walk in her room. Carson’s sitting in the chair next to her, holding her hand. Her eyes are closed, but they flutter open as soon as I’m near her. “Rhett,” she whispers.

Carson’s head swings around and I grab him by the back of his preppy sweater, physically removing him from the chair he’s sitting in. It’s my chair. Next to my girl. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“I don’t have to do a damn thing you tell me to do.” He’s about to come at me when Kinsley starts to cry.

“Carson, I need to talk to Rhett. Alone.”

“Sure. I’ll be in the hallway if you need me.” He glares at me before leaving the room with his head hanging. I can’t stand him.

Once I dry Kinsley’s tears, I hold both of her hands, warming them up. She’s so cold she’s practically shivering. “I was so scared. I thought I lost you.”

“The baby, Rhett.”

“What do you mean?” I knew it was a possibility, but I didn’t let myself go there on the ride here. I told myself that if she was okay, the baby would be okay, too.

“I’m bleeding. I-I could lose the baby.” She sobs harder and harder as she says each word. Saying it makes it real, and I know it’s not easy for her to do. Not when the mere thought of losing either one of them was enough to bring me to my knees.

I pull back her blankets, careful not to sit on any of her wires, or mess with the IV in her hand. “It’s in God’s hands now, Sunny. But you’re going to be okay.”

“My baby,” she says. “I need my baby to be okay.”

“Our baby is strong, Sunny. Just like you.”

Before I can give her anymore words of encouragement, the doctor strolls in with a clipboard in hand. Only he doesn’t look like we’re feeling. In fact, he smiles when he sees the two of us together in her bed. “You must be Rhett.”

“I am.” I hold out my hand, and he shakes it.

“I’d say luck was on your side today. The baby is doing well, the labs all came back perfect, and your x-rays were clear. No broken bones. Other than the soreness, and the stitches on your forehead, you’re doing very well considering.”

“What about the blood?” she asks him.

“It may or may not have been caused by the accident. Your placenta is low lying, and this could simply be the beginning signs of placenta previa. It’s a fancy word meaning part of your placenta is blocking the cervix. It gradually moves upward during pregnancy, but if yours stays low, it might be cause for concern. You could possibly need a C-section during delivery. We’ll know more with time.”

“She’s not from this area. Will her doctor get all this?”

“Absolutely. We’ll do another pelvic exam in a couple hours and we’ll continue to monitor the baby. If all goes well, we’ll discharge you tomorrow and you can follow-up with your physician.”

I need a little more clarification after he rattled all that off so fast. “The baby is okay though, right?”

“Yes, perfectly fine.”

We both sigh with relief. “See, Sunny. The baby is strong.”

The doctor jots down a few of her vitals before leaving the room. As soon as we’re alone, Kinsley reaches for me and I hold her tighter than I ever have before. I rest my hand on her stomach, gently stroking her skin.

“I love you, Rhett.”

“You have no idea how much I love you, Kinsley West.” She sniffles again, and I reach for a tissue on the tray near her bed.

“Thank you,” she says, as she takes it from my hand. “I’m so sorry Carson lied to you last night. He told me what he said to you, and I was so upset. I took the four wheeler so I could get back to the cabin to call you. I was so scared you would think I didn’t want you.”

She wrecked and almost lost our baby because of Carson. “I get that you care about him, but I don’t want Carson anywhere near you or the baby anymore.”

“Okay.”

That was too easy, so I say it a second time in case she thinks I’m not serious. “I mean it. Even if you have to move.”

“Rhett, I kissed him,” she says in a rush.

As if this day couldn’t get any worse, another bomb’s dropped on me. The thought of her lips coming anywhere near his, makes me want to break things. A lot of things—everything. “Did you sleep with him?”

She lifts her head off my chest, shaking her head. “No, I could never do that. I don’t even know why I kissed him. I regretted it before it was even over. My head was so mixed up about losing you.”

“You didn’t lose me, Sunny. You left.”

“I know. I regret that, too.”

“All you have to do is come back.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

I’m so mad at her for leaving me in the first place, but after what she’s been through, I’m more thankful to have her than anything. “Sunny, it would be a whole lot easier to marry you someday, if you were my girl.”

She giggles, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve heard in a really long time. I lean in to kiss her, wanting and needing to remove Carson from her memory. All I want her to think about is my kisses—my lips claiming hers.

I hear someone clear their throat, and I know we’re not alone anymore. But I don’t expect it to be my mother.

“Mrs. Taylor, I wanted to—”

Mom holds up her hand, shushing Kinsley. “No, let me first. I spoke to the doctor for myself. He couldn’t give me specifics, but he said the baby is okay.”

“Yes.”

“Until today, Rhett has always been my baby. I’ve coddled him more than I should. I put up with more than I needed to, but I love him more than anything in this world. Sometimes, I lose sight of the important things. For that, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I threw you out of my home. I’m sorry I called you names a mother should never speak of. I’m ashamed of the way I’ve behaved and I can only ask for your forgiveness.”

Kinsley’s eyes are watery when she looks at me, but she doesn’t need me to save her this time. This time, she can handle my mom all on her own. “Mrs. Taylor, I love your son, and I love this baby.”

“I know you do, sweet girl. The thought of losing either one of you would destroy my son. I didn’t realize until this afternoon how much it would destroy me, too. Life is precious and we’re only given one chance to get it right. I’ve messed up so many times, but I’d like a chance to love this baby. I’d like a chance to love you.”

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“That’s all we’ve ever wanted,” I add.

My mother walks to Kinsley’s bedside, and leans down to hug her. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to have two of the most important people in my life getting along. Today was pretty awful, and could have ended up tragic, but every new beginning comes from a beginning’s end.

Today was the end of the feud.

Today was the first day of our happily-ever-after because I don’t plan on losing my girl ever again. Not when I have it all.

Two weeks later . . .

I WAKE UP with a sense of urgency. The need to see Rhett so strong I can hardly stand it. Even if it’s going to be hard to listen to the whispering, I’m excited to go back to school to see both him and Becca.

After the rest of Thanksgiving break was spent in the hospital and on bed rest, I’ve been going a little crazy being cooped up inside my bedroom. Now that I’m allowed to be on my feet, I rush around, making sure I leave on time so I’m not late for photography class.

Wyatt’s back at school and while Carson’s still living here, we haven’t been on speaking terms. Still, he leaves me toast on the counter each morning. It’s either his way of apologizing for what he did, or because he’s desperate to stay connected to me in one way or another. Rhett wants him gone, and I can’t blame him for the way he feels, but Kate and I can’t bring ourselves to kick him to the curb until he makes arrangements. Even then, I’m not sure how hard he’s trying to find something else.

But I forget all about Carson as soon as I’m at school—even if I am running a little bit late.

“I wasn’t sure you were coming,” Rhett says, as he clears his papers off my spot at the table.

“I was planning on meeting you at your locker.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Yeah? What stopped you?”

“I got sick.”

Before he has a chance to respond, Mr. Jasper starts class by announcing we have the entire period to work on our final portfolio. With as many classes as I’ve missed, I’m farther behind than most everyone else in the class. I was planning on doing my project as a gift for Rhett. Since I found out we’re having a baby, my plan’s changed a little bit. I’m shifting the focus from us as a couple, to me and the baby. I’m hoping to give him one of the pictures as an early Christmas gift.

As soon as we’re set free for the period, I stand up from my stool, hoping to snag one of the tripods before they’re all taken. Rhett reaches for my waist when I walk by him, stopping me. He looks directly in my eyes, and I swear my heart rate is beating double time from one simple look. “You got sick? Are you okay?”

“I’m better now.” His thumbs rub back and forth over my hip bones, and all I want is for him to pull me closer to kiss me. I can’t stop staring at his lips, and he knows it.

“Hey,” he says with a laugh. “Focus.”

“Sorry.”

“Tell me if you need something—anything. I’ll get it for you.”

“I need a tripod.”

He stands up, grabbing one off the higher hooks most of us can’t reach. “Where are you taking it?” Rhett asks, curiously.

“Um, I’m not sure yet. I have to think about it some more.” I already know the only place I can take the kind of picture I’m looking for is someplace private. I cleared it with the nurse already, and she gave me permission to use one of the curtained rooms in her office.

“I guess I’ll see you when you’re done then.”

At first it’s a little weird posing in front of the camera when I’m so used to being behind it. Once I try a couple different poses, and get the hang of the timer on the camera, I get into my usual rhythm.

Even though I haven’t seen it yet, I already know the third shot is going to be my favorite. I’m so excited about it, I want to hurry back to the room to develop it, so I can give it to Rhett by the end of the day. He deserves something special after taking such good care of me.

It’s complete dejavu once I get back to the classroom. Being the first two done, Rhett and I are alone in the darkroom like we were the very first day of school.

“How’d it go?” he asks, when I lean into him for a hug.

“Perfect.”

I’m trying to tie my apron when Rhett sneaks up behind me, taking the strings out of my hands. “I got it,” he whispers, against my neck, as he wraps the strings around my back and to the front of my stomach where he ties them in a bow.

His fingers linger over my growing bump, and like he always does, he rubs his fingers back and forth on my belly. “I think it’s a little bigger today.”

“That’s because she’s always hungry.”

I grab some photo paper off the shelf, and while I could work beside Rhett like we’ve done so many times, I need a little space—mostly to keep my surprise hidden.

He glances out of the corner of his eye, no doubt wondering why I moved to a different table.

“Do I smell or something?”

“Nope, you’re wearing my favorite cologne, but you can’t see what I’m working on yet.”

“Hmm,” is all he says, when he shrugs his shoulders and continues working on his own project. He doesn’t say anything else until he’s cleaning up his space. He’s so much faster at this than I am. “Do you need anything before I go?”

Looking up from my tray, I blow a piece of hair out of my eye. “You’re so good at this.”

“Nah, but I’ll wait for you if you want.”

“No, it’s okay. Go ahead. I’ll be done in a couple minutes.”

He nods his head, but is still hesitant to leave. “Are you going to sit with me at lunch?”

I’m actually dreading lunch. I need to eat, and if I don’t, I’ll probably throw up, but the thought of everyone watching me do it makes me want to run the other way. Everyone’s going to be wondering how much the pregnant girl’s going to eat.

“You’re nervous about it, aren’t you?” Rhett asks, reading me like a book.

“A little.”

“Meet me at the table. I’ll bring your food out with mine.”

I dig into my pocket for some money, but he stops me. “I’ve got it, Sunny.”

“Thank you.” He has no idea how much I missed hearing him call me that when we weren’t talking. I haven’t felt much like sunshine these past few weeks, but when I’m with him, it’s all a little easier. The idea of becoming a mother in a couple months doesn’t consume me the way it did when I thought I lost him. I would do it by myself if I had to, but with Rhett by my side, the entire experience isn’t as scary. He makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world—even when I know I’m gaining weight by the day, and my body’s doing things I never knew were possible.

Rhett’s waiting for me at the lunch table when I get there, just as he promised. I slide behind a couple chairs, making my way down the row. I suck in my stomach, but Mandi takes it as the perfect opportunity to sling an insult at me. “Look out, the heifer’s coming through.”

Her stuck up groupies all giggle, but Rhett’s already flexing his fists, waiting to pounce. If she says one more thing, I know he’s going to lose his mind.

He pulls out my chair for me, and I sit down next to him. “Relax,” he whispers, as he sets my sandwich, banana, and crackers in front of me. “I got you apple juice and milk, too.”

“Aww, they’re playing house already. How cute.”

Without thinking, I know he didn’t because he would never hit a girl, he picks up one of his mandarin oranges and chucks it at Mandi’s head. Luckily, it only grazes her shoulder, but she grabs it off the table, and chucks it back at him.

He catches it before it has a chance to hit either of us, but she holds her shoulder in pain, like she was just hit with a brick, and not a tiny piece of fruit. The cafeteria proctor walks over to talk to us, shaking her head at the childish behavior she witnessed. “Is everyone okay?” she asks.

Mandi puts on one of her more impressive displays, trying to earn sympathy from those around her. “Rhett should get detention. Did you see what he did?”

She nods her head. “I did. I could also give you a detention for bullying and throwing produce. It’s your call though.”

“I’m fine,” she mumbles. “It doesn’t hurt that much.”

“I don’t want to see or hear another negative thing from this table or you’ll all go to detention. Understood?”

“Yes,” we all reply like robots.

Rhett rests his hand on my thigh while we finish eating. He makes sure I’m full before he lets me leave the table. If he’s this protective with me, I can only imagine what it will be like once our baby is born.

“I have to get to the auditorium, but I’ll walk you to your next class.” The entire end of the day is reserved for the winter talent show. Rhett’s performing with a couple of his friends. It should be a complete disaster.

“Break a leg.”

He smiles, a mischievous gleam in his eye. I can only imagine what they have planned. Rumor has it, they’re doing a dance routine to a medley of One Direction and Taylor Swift songs. If that alone isn’t enough to pique curiosity, I don’t know what is.

Funny this is, some of the participants actually take their performances seriously—because they have actual talent. But it’s the over-the-top, outrageous acts the student body goes wild for—and Rhett knows it.

I meet up with Becca after Rhett goes backstage to get ready. “Lets sit up front. I can’t see back here,” she says, as she yanks on my arm until we end up in the sixth row on the right side of the stage.

“Since when do you care so much about the talent show?”

“Since Rhett and Jake are performing,” she says, with excitement.

“It is going to be pretty epic isn’t it?” I snort, imagining the dance moves they’re going to come up with.

“Grayson, Brady, and Kyler are all in it, too. And we already know Grayson has zero rhythm.”

She’s right, the kid can’t dance for shit. Even the organizer must know how outrageous their performance is considering they’re scheduled to take the stage dead last. It makes sitting through all the other acts that much harder.

Once they do finally take the stage, the roar from the packed auditorium is the loudest it’s been the entire show. Even the teachers seem excited for what’s about to happen.

They begin with a couple snippets from One Direction songs, even managing to get lights from the drama department, a fog machine, and costumes. The entire audience is going completely crazy, hanging on every lyric blaring from the speakers, but they manage to kick it up a notch. Just when I was sure it couldn’t get any better than it already was, Jake runs onto the stage dressed like Taylor Swift in a silver sequin leotard that’s blinding when the light reflects off it. “Shake it Off” takes on a whole new meaning with Jake dancing front and center.

Becca snorts, doubling over in laughter. “Can you believe I kissed that thing?”

“Strangely, I can.” They’re not together anymore, and I don’t get to talk to Jake the way I used to when they were seeing each other, but I’ve forgiven him for hitting me. Even Rhett’s worked on repairing their friendship. Love makes you do stupid things, and Jake did his fair share of them while he was fighting for Becca.

“Ohmigod, if he shakes it any harder, that costume is going to rip in half. Are you seeing this?” She elbows me in the side she’s so worked up, and then gasps, realizing she just hit my stomach. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine, but you’re telling Rhett.” She blanches, sliding down lower in her seat. “I’m kidding. It’s not a big deal. You didn’t hit me that hard.”

As soon as the last note is sung, the auditorium is on their feet, whistling and clapping. Jake curtsey’s in his sequins, and another round of laughter pours from the crowd. It was everything I expected and then some.

After a final bow, they file off the stage—well everyone except for Rhett. He walks over to the microphone stand like he’s about to announce the next performance. And he does.

“We’re the final act, but I have one more performance for you. This next act will be a solo gig. I’m not the best singer, at all, but there are two pretty amazing girls in the audience I’d like to sing a special song to. She knows who she is, but Sunny, I love you.”

Ever since I called our baby a girl, he’s believed we’re having one.

“Holy shit,” Becca mumbles, in complete surprise.

The school chorus teacher takes her place behind the piano and although Rhett looks more uncomfortable than I’ve ever seen him, my heart melts into a puddle of mush when the he starts singing “You Are My Sunshine” to me and the baby.

I can feel hundreds of eyes boring into the side of my head as he sings, but I could honestly care less. The guy I’m completely, head-over-heels in love with, is singing his first nursery rhyme to our baby. Whether it’s a little girl or a little boy, it doesn’t really matter. It will be loved all the same.

Tears stream down my face, and by the time the very last syllable is sung, I’m crying so hard I can barely hold it together. He doesn’t take a bow like he did with the guys performance, he blows me a kiss, and walks off the stage like he didn’t just completely pull the most romantic move I’ve ever seen.

“Did you know about that?” I ask Becca, as I dry my eyes with my sleeve.

She shakes her head. “He told me to make sure you sat down here, but he didn’t say why. I figured he wanted you to have a front row seat for his ridiculous performance.”

The school principal leaves us with a few parting words and instructions for dismissal. We’re free to go for the day. I need to get up, but my body’s still shaking.

“Are you coming, Kins?” Becca asks, as she files into a long line of students all trying to leave the auditorium through the same four doors.

“I need a bathroom.”

Naturally, she assumes I have to throw up. Lord knows she’s been with me enough times while I did. “There’s a trash can over there.”

“I can’t pee in a trash can, Becca.”

“Oh! Crap. The hallways are all jammed up. How can we get you out of here?”

She’s right, the hallways aren’t moving, but I have to pee so bad I can’t wait any longer. “I’ll call you later,” is all I say, before I climb the stairs to the stage, and scoot out the crew exit. I’m pretty sure I pass Rhett in the darkened corner, but I can’t stop.

When I walk into the closest bathroom, all eyes are on me again. Girls whisper back and forth like I can’t hear them. Only this time, they don’t seem to be gossiping the way they usually are. In fact, they’re actually a little jealous Rhett wasn’t singing to them.

I want to thank Rhett for the song, but when I weave back through the hallways, I can’t find him anywhere. He’s not at my locker, or his. I try the lobby one more time before giving up and walking to my car.