Текст книги "Saved"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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I couldn’t pull my eyes away from them. Rebecca had yet to see me. I was pretty sure that once she did, she’d run out the door screaming.

“Ari? Are you okay?” Brad asked.

I looked back at Brad and tried to smile.

“Ah, it’s a really long story, Brad. Jeff hooked up with this girl before we got together, and he just found out last week that she’s expecting, um…she’s having a,…um.”

I turned back to look at Jeff and Rebecca. That bitch was smiling at me. She leaned up and whispered something to Jeff. Then, he glanced at me, frowning. What the fuck?

“She’s having his baby, Ari. Is that what you’re trying to say?” Brad said.

“Jeff is having a baby, Ari?” Matthew asked. Then, he saw Jeff and yelled,

“Jeff!”

Reaching across, I grabbed Matt and pulled him back to me.

“No, buddy, we can’t talk to Jeff right now. He’s with…he’s with a friend right now, Matt. So, can you sit back down like a good boy and finish up your shake? We need to leave, buddy.”

I looked at Brad. He looked confused as hell. He kept looking at Jeff and then back at me.

“Ari, is there anything I can do to help out? I mean…shit. If you just need someone to talk to… you know, if you need a friend or something.”

“She has all the friends she needs, dude.” Jeff interrupted.

I looked up and saw Jeff standing there. giving Brad a go-to-hell look. Matt jumped up and ran toward Jeff. He bent down and gave Matt a big hug.

I felt the tears building in my eyes again, but then I looked over at Rebecca, who was glaring at me. My sadness was quickly replaced with anger. Bitch.

“Hey, buddy! I didn’t know you were having lunch with Ari today.” Jeff looked over at me and tried to smile.

“He called me earlier this morning and asked if we could have lunch today, ” I explained.

Jeff stood back up and walked Matt back over to his chair.

“So how’d you meet up with your friend here?”

Jeff asked me as he looked at Brad.

Brad stood up and introduced himself.

“Hi, I think we might have met last year. I’m Brad Smith.”

Jeff reached out and shook his hand. “Yeah…I remember you.”

“I just happened to run into Ari.”

“I asked him if he wanted to join Matt and me for lunch.” I looked back to where Rebecca was standing at another table. The look she was giving me made me sick to my stomach.

I swear to God the moment she has the baby I am going to beat the shit out of her.

“Looks like Rebecca’s waiting for you, Jeff,” I said with a faint smile.

Jeff just looked at me. Without another word, he turned around to walk toward Rebecca.

Fuck! Out of all the places they had to go to lunch, why did they come here?

***

By the time I got back to my parents’ house, the last thing I wanted to do was talk to my mom, but she was waiting outside, so I couldn’t avoid her. I helped Matt out of the car, and walked up to the house.

“Did you have fun with your sister today, honey?”

“Yep! And we had lunch with Brad. He is Ari’s friend, but Jeff didn’t like him.”

My mother looked up at me, and I gave her a don’t ask look.

“Run along inside, Matt. Your daddy is waiting in the living room for you. Ari, I have to talk to you for a few minutes.”

I gave Matt a kiss and hug good-bye. Watching him run into the house, I couldn’t help but smile. The fact that he picked up on Jeff not liking Brad made me laugh.

I sat down on the porch step and waited for my mom to join me.

“So, I take it you ran into Jeff? And who is Brad?” she asked.

“Brad Smith. We ran into him on graduation night, remember? I dated him for a bit in high school.”

“Yes, I do remember him now. And Jeff?”

I let out a gruff laugh. “Oh, yeah. Well, I guess Jeff and his baby mama had a hankering for a burger. I didn’t know they were going to be there. Jeff came up to the table, and I guess he wasn’t too pleased to see Brad sitting with Matt and me.”

“Wait. What was Jeff doing with Rebecca?”

“Oh, well, he was playing the good Daddy, Mom. You know, he’s painting the baby room, putting up the crib. Playin’ house, and all.”

My mother shook her head and looked at me. “Now, Ari, don’t be bitter. It’s not becoming for a young lady.”

I just looked at her. “I’m not bitter, Mom. I’m pissed! I’d bet you my inheritance that she is further along than she says. I’m going to find out, too, you just watch and see.”

“Oh dear Lord, I don’t even want to know what you have up your sleeve, Arianna. Just please don’t break any laws and embarrass your father.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence there, Mom. I won’t break any laws…at least not on purpose!” I said with a wink.

We both laughed, and then my mother took my hand in hers. Here we go.

“Ari, don’t be scared tomorrow, sweetheart. Let me know the moment you leave if they can tell how far along you are. Get your prescription for your prenatal vitamins filled as soon as you leave. Take them every day. It’s all going to be okay, Ari. Even if you are a carrier, there’s a chance that you won’t pass it along. Chin up, my dear. Now, tell me why you’re not telling Jeff that you’re pregnant.”

I put my head down on my knees, I tried to take a few deep breaths. As I felt my Mom’s hands moving up and down my back, I instantly felt calm.

“Mom, I can’t tell him… at least not for a few more weeks anyway. He’s going with Rebecca to an appointment next week. If she truly lets him go, then I have no doubt in my mind that she’s telling the truth about the baby being his. What if he doesn’t want the responsibility of having two kid’s mom? He’s going to be so overwhelmed. What if…what if her baby is healthy...and mine.”

“Arianna Peterson! You did not just start to say that. Look at your brother. He is one of the best things that has ever happened to this family. He is a blessing. You see how much Jeff loves him and how good Jeff is with him. Even if this child does end up with Fragile X, you know it’s not the end of the world, Ari. I’m shocked at your thinking.”

I looked at my mother with tears filling my eyes. “Mom, I’m not you. I’m not strong like you. What if I can’t do this? What if Jeff ends up falling in love with Rebecca’s baby? He won’t want to live two hours away from him. Did I tell you that she’s having a boy mom?” Then, I completely lost it and just started crying.

My mother pulled me into her arms and rocked me back and forth. Shit. This whole crying thing was starting to piss me off! We sat there for a good fifteen minutes. We didn’t talk as my mom just held me, letting me get it all out. I cried so much that I was sure we were both going to need to change our shirts from my water-works.

Just then, I heard a car coming up the driveway. I felt my mother tense up. I looked up and saw Jeff pulling up. I jumped up and ran into the house, leaving my mother alone to fend for herself.

I went into the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water. Then, I heard a knock on the door. Shit! Why would she let him come in? I slowly opened the door and peeked out to see my father looking at me. Fuck me. I can’t handle any more today.

“You okay, princess? Do I need to kick his ass? I’ll do it, baby girl. Just give me the word, and I’ll hire a really big guy to kick his ass.”

I started laughing uncontrollably. I laughed so hard that I had to lean my hands on my knees as I tried onto catch my breath. Just then, Jeff and my mom walked up.

“What did you say to her Mark?” my mom asked.

“Ah…nothing. I um, just offered to, um…take care of something for her. She just lost it.”

Jeff started to laugh and then both my parents did.

“Well, whatever you said, thank you. I’ve been missing that laugh,” Jeff said as he smiled at me.

***

After my laughter episode, I said good-bye to Matthew and my parents. Jeff walked out with me to my Jeep. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug.

“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I figured you were here, so I took a chance at coming over,” he said.

I tried to breathe in the smell of him, but all I could smell was perfume…and not my perfume.

I pushed away from him and covered my mouth. I instantly felt sick.

“Ari, what’s wrong? Is your stomach still upset?”

“All I smell is her perfume on you! Why do I smell her perfume on you?”

Jeff looked confused, and then he shook his head. “Um…well um…maybe because she broke down when we finished up painting. She started crying, I just gave her a hug, to um...well I don’t know…make her feel better, I guess.”

Son of a bitch. “I’m heading back out to the ranch. Are you done?”

“No, I just had to run out and buy a screwdriver, I didn’t have the right one in my truck, and Rebecca doesn’t have any. I needed it to put the crib together.”

I just stood there and looked at him. I didn’t even know how I should be feeling right now.

“I have to go.”

“Ari, wait! The hug didn’t mean a damn thing. How do you think I felt when I walked in to see you having lunch with an old boyfriend?”

I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him.

“What? Are you fucking kidding me, Jeff? I ran into him while I was having lunch with my brother. What’s your excuse for your little lunch date with your baby mama? You two looked awfully cozy together. I can see how painful it is for you to be with her. I’m heading back to Mason. I guess I’ll see you when you’re done playing house.”

“Jesus Christ, Ari can we just stop doing this?” Jeff shouted.

I jumped back for a second shocked that he raised his voice so loud.

Without another word, I walked to the driver side of my Jeep and got in.

***

The two-and-a-half hour drive back to Mason was the longest drive of my life. I did nothing but cry, think, and cry some more.

I pulled up to Garrett and Emma’s house to see Ellie and Heather sitting on the porch. I smiled at the sight of my two best friends. I was so glad that Ellie was back. She looked so happy with huge smile on her face. I did my best to act normal, but it was so hard when all I was doing was dying inside.

I took a deep breath and got out of the Jeep. Ellie and Heather both stood up and started to walk toward me. The moment we reached each other, Ellie took me into her arms.

Heather hugged both of us. She whispered into my ear.

“Let it go, Ari. We’re here, baby. Just let it go.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

JEFF

I sat outside Rebecca’s place, trying to decide if I should go in or just head home to Ari. I slammed my hand down on the steering wheel. God, I’m such stupid asshole! I couldn’t believe that I’d gotten upset with Ari just because she ran into someone.

I’d almost fallen I saw her sitting there with Matt. Then, I’d noticed that jerk sitting there with her, and I had almost lost it. I could have killed Rebecca the second we’d walked in. She’d said she was going to make us lunch. When she suggested going out because she was craving a hamburger, I had thought it would be okay. I’d never fucking dreamed that Ari would be sitting there when we’d walked in.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the Home Depot bag and made my way to Rebecca’s apartment. I knocked and then opened the door. I walked in to see her was standing there with a cold beer in her hand.

“I thought you might like a beer, you know, just to take the edge off or whatever.”

Shit, I actually could use one. When I reached for it, she placed her hand on my arm, caressing her fingers up and down. I instantly took a step back away from her, and she gave me a frown.

“Jeff, I’m just trying to be appreciative. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there? I really don’t know how I would have done this without you. So, we’re pretty much done painting the room. Do you like the color?”

I walked into the small bedroom, I looked around at the pale blue walls. Rebecca walked into the room and started talking about all the things she was going to hang up on the walls.

I started to picture Ari, standing where Rebecca was, with a seven month pregnant belly. I bet she would look beautiful pregnant. Beyond beautiful. I dreamed of the day when Ari told me she was having our baby. What would she want? A boy? I bet she would want a girl. Then, I thought of Matt and Ari’s appointment on Monday. My smiled faded for a second until I looked at Rebecca.

She was still talking away about decorating the baby’s room. I took a good look at her. She had that glow; the kind people say pregnant woman get. Her skin really did look beautiful. Her blonde hair had grown longer falling past her shoulders. She was probably an inch or two shorter than Ari. I smiled at how her hands were moving wildly. She was really getting into the description of the letters she wanted to put on the wall. I looked down at her stomach, and a strange feeling came over me. I walked up to her and placed my hands on her belly.

She instantly stopped talking. Just then, I felt the baby move. It felt like he was doing a somersault in her stomach. I smiled, making Rebecca laugh.

The next thing I knew, she was reaching up to my face down to hers. She stared kissing me lips, and for one brief second, I pictured myself kissing a pregnant Ari. The moment Rebecca let out a moan, I was snapped back to reality.

Pulling back, I placed my hands on Rebecca’s shoulders, moving her a step away from me.

“What the fuck, Rebecca? You can’t do shit like that to me!”

I glanced down at Rebecca’s chest that was moving up down, fast and hard. I looked back up and caught her eyes.

“Jeff, I don’t know why you keep fighting this connection we feel for each other. We’re having a baby, It’s normal to be attracted to each other.”

Oh shit. “Rebecca, I was just feeling the baby. It had nothing to do with how I feel for you. Let me remind you again that we are just friends. I love Ari. I’m going to marry Ari.”

She let out a laugh and turned to walk out of the bedroom. “Please, Jeff. If Ari is so in love with you, then why is she making this so hard for you? She should be more supportive. She shouldn’t be having lunch with some other guy.”

“She would be more supportive, Bek, if you dropped the damn restraining order. What’s going to happen when he’s born? I’m going to want Ari to be in his life whether you like it or not.”

Rebecca placed her hands on her stomach and then leaned up against the wall. She almost looked like she was in pain.

“Rebecca, what’s wrong? Is something wrong with the baby?” My heart started to race, and I instantly felt sick. Fuck me. If I caused this, I would never forgive myself.

I helped her over to the sofa where she sat down and started to take deep breaths.

“Do you need something? A glass of water? Your phone to call the doctor? Just tell me!”

She let out a giggle and looked up at me. “Jeff, calm down. It’s okay. I think it’s just Braxton Hicks contractions. They’re just really uncomfortable.”

“Contractions! You’re not far along enough to have contractions,” I practically shouted.

“They’re not true labor contractions, Jeff. Christ, calm down or you’ll get me upset again. This is why I can’t stress about things. I can’t go into labor early. It’ll be bad for the baby.”

Shit. I ran my hands through my hair as I sat down on the sofa next to her. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. This is just so hard for me. Ari and I waited so long to be together, and now, I feel like we’re just drifting apart so damn fast.”

Rebecca started rubbing her hand up and down my back.

“Jeff, this is my fault. I’m so sorry that I dropped this pregnancy thing on you like this. I really thought that I’d be able to handle it by myself, but I just felt so guilty not telling you about the baby. The whole restraining order…I’ll drop it first thing Monday morning. I guess I was being silly with that.”

I turned to look at Rebecca who, was giving me a big smile. I reached over and hugged her. “Jesus, Rebecca that would be awesome if you could do that. I’m sure it would put Ari’s mind at ease!”

Pulling back, I placed a kiss on the side of her check. I felt like a ton of weights had just been lifted from my shoulders. I jumped up and grabbed the Home Depot bag and took the screwdriver out.

I jumped up and grabbed the Home Depot bag, taking out the screwdriver.

“What do you say we build ourselves a crib?” I said.

Rebecca started laughing as she stood up.

“That sounds great! Let’s do this.”

***

I heard Ari moving around in the kitchen. Fuck, why is she up so damn early? She barely spoke two words to me Saturday night after I got back from Rebecca’s. Yesterday, Gunner and I pretty much worked all day in the stables, so I hadn’t really talked to her in a couple of days.

Mr. Reynolds was coming tomorrow to check out everything. If I could work out a deal with him to breed our horses with a few of his stallions, then we would have the start we needed.

I heard Ari talking to someone on the phone. I walked into the kitchen and just stood there, watching her.

“Heather, goddamn it, just wear it. I don’t have time to argue with you about this. Ellie isn’t arguing. She’s being a good friend. Just do this for me! Yes! Okay, sweets. See you in a few.”

Then, she put her ear plugs back in and started up her iPod. Just barely, I could hear Wil.I.Am’s “Scream and Shout.” Ari started dancing, and I couldn’t help but smile at her. Damn, this girl can move. I’m a lucky son of a bitch. Then, she started singing. How does this girl make my knees weak just by dancing around and singing in a kitchen?

She was standing at the sink, cutting up vegetables and fruit.

I walked up behind her, putting my arms around her. I started to kiss her neck. Damn, she feels so good in my arms.

She spun around and gave me that beautiful smile of hers. She looked breath taking. I couldn’t really place it, but she just seemed so different to me lately.

She pulled her earphones out and reached up and gave me a kiss. I pulled her in closer, deepening the kiss. She let out a small moan that went right through my body. I picked her up, so she could wrap her legs around me. I turned her around and set her down on the kitchen island.

She was dressed in baby blue lace panties and a white T-shirt. Shit. She wasn’t even wearing a bra. Through her shirt, I saw when her nipples instantly got hard. Reaching up, I grabbed some of her hair and pulled her head back, exposing her neck to me. I started to kiss from one side of her neck to the other. I could practically feel her coming apart in my hands. Slowly, I started to lift up her shirt. I broke our kiss only to pull her T-shirt up and over her head.

After another five minutes of just kissing the woman I loved, I started to unbutton my pants. Ari smiled against my lips, and I swore that I could hear my heart beating in my ears.

“Babe, I’m gonna make love to you on our kitchen island,” I whispered in her ear.

“I think that’s how we should start our day every day!” Ari said with a giggle.

Just then, my fucking cell phone rang. I ignored it. I pulled Ari closer to me. I just was about to enter her when the phone went off again. I closed my eyes, praying that it would stop.

We sat there for a second to see if it would ring again. When it didn’t, we both smiled, and Ari wiggled her eye brows up and down.

Then, someone knocked on the door. Motherfucker! All I wanted to do was slam my fist into a wall. Ari pushed me back and jumped off the island.

“Who the hell is here so early?” she asked.

“Well, I guess the only way to find out is for you to go answer the door in those sweet-ass panties and white T-shirt.”

“Fuck you, Jeff. There’s no way I’m going to the door half-naked. I thought we could walk around our home naked if we wanted to. Isn’t this the country for fuck’s sake?”

Ari stormed off into the bedroom, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. I loved it when she was spit and fire. I think it turned me on even more.

I pulled open the front door to see Josh standing there. He looked…well, honestly, he looked like shit.

“Dude, what the fuck happened to you?” I asked.

Josh just gave me a smile and pushed his way into the house. He walked over and sat down on the sofa, Putting his head down in his hands, he said,

“Jeff, I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m at a total loss with Heather. I want to say that I would sit here and wait forever for her, but I’m not sure she’s ever going to change her mind about me. I’m not sure if I even want her to.”

“What the hell does that mean? If you want her to? I thought you really liked her.”

Josh sat back and let out a sigh.

“I do. I mean, I’ve never felt this way for anyone in my life. A part of me just wants to take her and lock her in a room with me until she talks to me. The other part wants to push her as far away from me as I can. She deserves someone better than a damn man whore.”

Shit. I was having a déjà vu big time.

“Listen, Josh, if I can offer one piece of advice, it would be to fight for her. Don’t let your past stand in the way of what could be a really great thing. I’ve seen Heather look at you. I’m pretty damn sure that girl has feelings for you. Maybe it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her. From what Ellie and Ari have told me, Heather pretty much put up a wall when her mom and dad died. Maybe she’s just afraid to let anyone in for fear of losing them. You need to talk to her and let her know your feelings, so she can let you know hers.”

Josh turned and looked at me. He was giving me a strange-ass look.

“What the hell has happened to you and Gunner? He said the same damn thing to me yesterday. Fuck, I just need to get screwed.”

“Well, there’s the Josh we all know and don’t love,”Ari said from behind us.

I turned to see her standing there, wearing a pair of capri jean’s and a black t-shirt that said “Dear Math, I’m not a therapist. Solve your own problems.”

“Yeah, hello to you, too, Ari. Are you going to see Heather today by any chance?” Josh asked.

I noticed when Ari tensed up. I knew she was worried about this appointment and it was killing me she wouldn’t let me go with her.

“Yep, she’s going with me to a doctor’s appointment. Do you want me to remind her of how much of an ass-wipe you are or something?” Ari said with a wicked smile on her face.

Josh jumped and turned to face Ari. “Are you telling her that?”

I thought Josh was about to cry. Pussy.

Ari let out a laugh and shook her head. “Calm down before you break down and start crying, you big pussy. No, I’m not telling her that shit. I’m not really sure what that girl sees in you, Josh, but I do think she is smitten with you.”

Josh let a small smile play across his face. Then he shook his head. “I asked her to be my date to Garrett and Emma’s anniversary party, and she said no. I don’t know what else to do. Every time I ask her out, she just flat turns me down. I don’t get it.”

Ari walked over and gave Josh a hug. It somewhat surprised me, but I think it shocked the hell out of Josh.

“Let me talk to her, Josh. I really think the issue is more than just your man-whoring ways sweets.” Ari let out a laugh before she, turned to walk into the kitchen.

I started to laugh as I slapped Josh on the back. “Don’t worry, dude. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, Gunner needs help feeding the cows and repairing the fence in the south pasture. You in?”

“Sounds good. Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll meet y’all at Garrett’s place.”

I watched as Josh drove off in his pussy truck. Damn, why did that boy get a Dodge gas truck? I turned to walk back in as Ari was heading out.

“Wait. You don’t want to finish what we started, baby?” I said.

I grabbed her and pulled her into a kiss. She pulled back and laughed.

“As much as I would love to do that, babe, I really have to go. Ellie and Heather are waiting for me at Emma and Garrett’s place.”

“Let me grab my hat, and I’ll ride with you. I have to meet Gunner and Josh at the house anyway.”

***

One the way over to the ranch house, Ari barely spoke two words to me. When she did talk, she was a nervous wreck. I really hated that she wouldn’t let me go with her.

I watched as Ari drove off with Ellie and Heather. The moment she saw Ellie, I could see her relax. Emma hugged her and whispered something into her ear while Gunner just stood there and stared at me. I felt like the fucking black sheep of the herd. I was part of it, yet I was also an outcast because I was trying to do the right thing by Rebecca.

The rest of the morning, all I could do was think about Ari. I kept checking my phone to see if I might have missed a call. I silently said a prayer for her tests results that she wasn’t a carrier of the Fragile X gene. Ari was so stressed over it. It wasn’t that I wouldn’t love any child we had together because I would. I adored Matthew with all my heart.

I walked over to the Jeep and pulled out a bottle water from of the ice cooler. I took a long drink, pulled out my cell again and hit dial.

It was time for me to make plans with my little buddy to go fishing. The moment Susan put Matt on the phone, my heart swelled up with love.

Yeah, it really didn’t matter. I just wanted kids with Ari, I just wanted our home to filled with laughter.