Текст книги "Deliver Her from Evil "
Автор книги: M. L. Steinbrunn
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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 14 страниц)
Two Weeks Later
Campbell
Lying by omission is still lying.
That’s what I’ve been told at least. But there is no malice or deceit in my omission; it has been a necessity. The girls can’t know I’m married, and so far Lakin and I have done an impressive job at hiding it. Everyone is still adjusting to the idea of he and I being in a relationship, so I don’t think the news of our marriage would be well received.
While I spend a great deal of my days with the bands or the kids at the foundation, my nights are devoted to my husband. For now, I’ve maintained my own apartment, but I’m not really living there; Lakin’s apartment is my home. The secrecy of our situation has been something I have found comforting. It’s special and it’s mine.
My only other focus right now is someone I see as a younger version of myself…Leah. Carly agreed to show up at the foundation today to meet her. If they click, then she will look into moving forward with getting approval as a foster parent.
Carly steps into Vivian’s office fifteen minutes earlier than I am expecting. She looks apprehensive and timid, and I completely understand. She’s preparing to possibly step across hot coals, and is hopeful she doesn’t end up scorched. I wish I could reassure her that she’ll safely make it to the other side, but that’s not a promise I can make.
“Hey,” she says. “I just got back from my lawyer’s office and I didn’t have time to go home, so I thought early was better than late.”
I stand up from the couch to greet her and offer as much support as I can. “It’s no problem; Leah is here already. She’s talking to some kids in one of the conference rooms.”
Carly fidgets, each of her hands wrestling the other. “What should we do, wait here for her or should I go out to the commons area? I guess I’m not sure what to do.”
“Car, you need to relax and breathe a bit, girl,” I tell her. “Leah is wearing some cut off jean shorts, a purple tank, and has a bright pink backpack. You can’t miss her. Go out to the activities area and hang out with the kids; when she comes out, I’ll find you and introduce you.”
She nods, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. “I’m just worried,” she finally says.
I tilt my head, looking for further clarification. Nervous, anxious, yes, but worried? I can’t imagine what she would be worried about.
“I don’t want to mess it up,” she explains. “If she needs a home and I’m a good fit, then I want to help. What if she doesn’t like me? What if I’m not strong enough to pull this off?”
“How could anyone not like you? You are the most selfless, most compassionate person I know. Leah, isn’t going to like you; she’s going to love you, just like I do.”
I mean every word I tell her, and apparently they provide the courage she needs because she smiles and turns to leave the room.
I’m tempted to go with her, be her bridge, her crutch to meet the kids at the foundation, but I know better. She needs to gather her own bravery, otherwise the kids will see right through her and she will be of no use to any of them, including Leah.
I force myself to wait fifteen minutes, when I know the group discussion will be minutes from concluding, before stepping into the hallway. I’m hoping to catch Leah in the hall as she exits the conference room, but when I arrive, Carly is standing outside, the door to the room wide open.
I step around her to see Leah is still talking with the group, and I know exactly what she is telling them, the stories Carly just heard. How she would purposely wet her pants because she thought no one would want her so they would have to send her back to her mother. How her mother would leave her home alone with no food for days at a time when she was on a bender. How by the time she finally realized her mother couldn’t be a real mother for her, her likelihood of finding a permanent home was slim to none. She was destined to be a statistic, and she hoped she would beat the odds. Carly heard every gut-wrenching word of Leah’s story, and for the first time, I was scared Carly would walk away from her.
I see the mascara is running down her cheeks, and I ask her if she is okay. She ignores the question and hastily brushes the tears away from her face.
“Tell me what I need to do,” she says, her voice shaking with emotion.
Initially, I’m perplexed by her question. “To do what, Car? Be a foster parent?” I ask.
She looks back into the room where Leah is now gathering up her backpack, clears her throat, and then squares her shoulders toward me.
“No,” she says confidently. “To adopt her.”
Carly
I haven’t seen Royce since Vegas, but I haven’t been able to get that kiss out of my mind. We have texted back and forth a few times, but he has been busy recording and I have been wrapped up in work and getting to know Leah.
I must be half insane to travel down the adoption road, but there was just something about her that spoke to me and I couldn’t turn my back on her.
It’s like I see Campbell in her. I want to give this girl a life that my friend had to make for herself. I may not even be approved to adopt Leah, but I can’t help but want to try.
Needless to say, this dinner tonight was not high on my priority list. I wanted to go home after work, curl up on the couch with Liv, and watch Disney movies to her heart’s content.
This group dinner was Jen’s idea. The wedding is just around the corner and she feels the need to bring us together as much as possible to turn bridezilla loose.
Trying to be a good friend, we agreed to come over anyways.
Liv and I unload out of the car and make our way up the steps to Casen and Jen’s massive house. Bright, beautiful flowers line the walkway to the front porch, most of which I have to rescue before Liv gets her hands on them.
Spotting us through the drapes, Jen answers the door before we have a chance to knock and pulls us both into the house.
I look around at baby gate central and I can’t help but laugh. Jen is the most free-spirited, adventurous person I know, yet Ryker’s birth has somehow transformed her into that helicopter momma bear we all joke about.
“My goodness, Jen,” I laugh. “We are going to have to step over a baby gate to get in any room or hallway in this house.” I look to the wall next to me, which has outlet covers in the holes, and continue my teasing. “Ryker isn’t even two feet tall, how is he going to reach an outlet that’s halfway up the wall? Is he part of the Incredibles’ cast and you just haven’t told us?”
“Shush, you can never be too careful, and if I’m being honest, Casen was in charge of the baby proofing; he just got a little carried away.”
I nod, knowing she is absolutely lying through her teeth. Yes, Casen is extremely protective of his son and their daughter Abby, but this is the workings of Jen. She just doesn’t want to come under fire for it, so she instead opts to throw her fiancé under the bus. We’ve all done it a million times; I’m just surprised Jen wouldn’t fess up to it.
Liv runs through the house in search of Emma and Grace, while Jen grabs my hand and leads me down a back hallway. I hear laughter and glasses clinking together in the opposite direction, so I offer my best ‘what the heck’ look to Jen as she passes by the direction of the noise and crowd.
“The party’s that way. Am I missing something here, or did I do something wrong that deserves a private lashing?” The latter is entirely possible. Jen’s stress level is out of hand as the wedding approaches. We are all covering our asses, hoping the days fly by. November can’t get here quick enough.
She looks around my shoulder and ducks back into her bedroom. “No, this isn’t wedding related.”
“Okaaayyy,” I draw out.
“I know you and Royce shared some gross, sloppy kiss in Vegas–”
“Hey,” I cut her off. “It was a nice kiss. He and I have been talking. I really think you would like him if you gave him a chance.”
“Yeah, well, Casen just told me Royce is coming tonight and he’s bringing a girl. I wanted to give you the heads up.”
“What!” I screech. I had no idea he would be here and, therefore didn’t do a decent or even adequate job with my appearance, and then to hear he’s bringing someone…dagger to the stomach. I should be looking top notch; make him regret his decision to ever flaunt another woman in front of me. “Darn it, Jen. What a jerk!”
“Darn it, really?” she says, narrowing her eyes at me. “I think this deserves a little more profanity, a good old ‘fuck that douchbag’ fits the situation. I warned you what kind of guy he is.”
“Well, what do I do?” I ask, my frustration reflected in my voice. “I don’t want to be the poor sap they laugh about when they leave. I’m so embarrassed.”
How could I have been so stupid? Of course, Royce would be bringing a date, probably some hot twenty-year-old with tits under her chin and legs for days. I could never compete. I don’t know why I thought I could. Still, that is so rude to bring her here in front of me without bothering to tell me he wasn’t interested in me. Jen’s right, he’s an asshole.
“I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. We’re going to doll you up, you’re going to ignore him, and he’ll be sorry he ever played with your delicate feelings.”
I exhale loudly. While I would like to fix myself up a bit, I have no intentions of ignoring him. Nope, I’ll call him out and be super nice to the tart he brings. I can be the bigger person, and that will be more powerful than any silent treatment can be. I won’t let him get under my skin. I won’t let myself be hurt by this. Jack’s done enough of that to last a lifetime.
Jen has already left my side and is rummaging through her closet. With her job, she gets samples in every size and she tucks them away as gifts for us. I always thought it was not all that thoughtful of her to re-gift hand-me-downs that she doesn’t want, but in this moment, my goodness, I’m super thankful for something decent in my size in her closet. Lord knows I couldn’t borrow anything of hers, and the drab outfit I’m sporting isn’t going to make the cut.
“Here, try this,” she says, throwing a cute strappy dress at me before heading back into her closet. “I think I have some boots that will match.”
I undress and throw on the outfit, and when the boots come flying at me, I grab those and slide my feet into them as well. Jen finally reappears and examines me closely.
“Head to my bathroom; we need to touch up your makeup and hair a bit,” she demands.
I follow her into her expansive bathroom fit for a queen. She scrambles around me, gathering makeup in my perfect shades, turning on a hair straightener, and assembling a barrage of brushes.
She pulls the ponytail holder from my hair and feverously runs the strands between the steam of the flat iron. Once every piece is in place, she begins working on my makeup.
“I can’t wait to make him suffer,” she says under her breath, a comment that makes me pause. I grab her hand, pushing it down by her side.
“Are you doing this to make me feel better about myself or to hurt Royce?” I ask. “You didn’t want me with him anyways.”
She moves the blush brush back up to my cheek and shrugs her shoulder. “Same difference,” she says nonchalantly.
I take the brush from her hand and step away. “I appreciate what you’re doing, but I think I’ll be fine. I’m just going to go out there. I don’t need to waste my time on a guy who had no intention of pursuing anything anyway.”
Her nose scrunches in misunderstanding. “What are you talking about? I thought you wanted to make him wish he were never born.”
“It’s his loss, but thanks.”
I hand her the blush brush and walk past her. I hear her throw it on the bathroom counter and she quickly follows behind me. Soon as we are walking toward the deck where the rest of our adult party-goers are. In the kitchen, we are met with warm welcomes, and of course, hugs from Vivian.
“Where have you been, ladies?” Casen asks before offering us both a beer.
“Oh, you know, just girl talk,” I say, accepting the cold bottle and taking a swig, trying to fade into the crowd. He gives Jen a knowing look and huffs with a smile. Jen narrows her eyes at him and shoos him away. Casen picks Ryker up from his high chair and takes him outside, leading the others to the back deck. When the doors open, I can hear the chatter and laughter of the kids playing in the backyard.
I turn my feet to follow the crowd when the doorbell rings. I look around the girls, and Jen states exactly what I’m thinking. “The douche patrol is here.” Well, not exactly what I’m thinking.
She briskly walks to the door and hastily pulls it open. “Welcome, come on in. The guys are out back,” she says, overly unenthusiastic and monotone. She immediately turns and leaves Royce and his guest on the steps.
“Well, thank you for that warm welcome, Jen,” I hear Royce say. “I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the day without seeing your friendly face.” The sarcasm drips from his voice.
He and his guest finally step into the house and my heart sinks. He is just as gorgeous as I remember him, and she is the perfect arm candy, adorable and tiny enough to fit in my pocket. Her brunette curls bounce just above her shoulders and her smile is bright and cheery. My jealousy spikes when I see him put his hand on her back to guide her further into the space, but I try to taper it down.
Jen notices my discomfort and grabs my arm, pulling me toward her. “I would offer to kick her in the cooch but I’m afraid I would lose a shoe, and I’m fairly attached to my strappy sandals,” Jen whispers in my ear.
“Stop it,” I hush back at her. “She looks really nice, like someone we would hang out with if the situation were different.”
Vivian rushes forward to offer a better greeting, shaking their hands and walking with them to our little group.
“Hi Royce, good to see you again,” I say when they finally reach us. I try my hardest to be pleasant, and when Royce returns my smile, I know I’ve pulled off the ruse.
“This is Hannah,” he says as she offers a shy wave.
“Sorry, I’m a little nervous meeting you all. Royce speaks so highly of everyone. I didn’t want to disappoint,” Hannah says.
Don’t I feel like a shit? I should be angry at Royce for never saying he was dating someone, not this poor girl who was just as clueless as I was.
“I thought you guys would get along wonderfully. I guess I didn’t take into account the Jen monster.” He points his thumb toward Jen.
I smile and, thankfully, Campbell steps in and offers Hannah a drink. Vivian folds an arm through hers and together they pull the sweet girl to the deck where the others are.
“Let’s go, Jen,” Campbell shouts from the kitchen.
“I’m watching you,” she tells Royce, backpedaling into the kitchen. “One wrong move and I’ll have you out on your ass.”
Royce doesn’t answer; he simply salutes her before bringing his attention back to me.
“What’s all this about?” he asks, waving his hands around my face. “You look…different. Good,” he stutters, “just different.”
“I made the mistake of allowing Jen to do my makeup,” I explain with an embarrassed smile. “Hannah seems nice,” I add, trying to change the subject.
He laughs and scratches the facial hair that lines his chin. “She’s a bit of a pain in my ass, but I’m kind of stuck with her,” he finally says. He pulls me close to him and rubs my cheek where Jen went a little wild with the blush. “I like Carly just the way she is, no additives needed,” he whispers in my ear before moving past me to meet the others outside.
What in the ever-loving hell?
We hit it off, hang out, and even kiss in Vegas. We’ve been texting and talking since we got back, then bam! He shows up with a date, but then tells me he likes plain old me.
No thank you, I’m too old to play games. High school love triangles lost their appeal in high school. I’m happy to be his friend, and if one day he was capable, maybe more. For right now, I don’t need what he’s offering in my life. I have enough complication and crazy for the whole group without groupie girl drama added to the mix.
I take another drink of my beer and follow the same path as the others to the backyard. My friends have made a circle in the grass and the guys have stationed themselves around the barbecue grill. The older kids are playing on the swing set while the babies crawl in the grass and play with a small pile of toys. This is what group get-togethers always look like. There’s only one major difference today; Royce and Hannah have joined us.
Instead of immediately joining my circle of girls, I hang back on the deck. Even though I’ve placed Royce in the friend column, I can’t help but still watch his interaction with Hannah. The two of them are friendly and close, but not touchy feely, not how I would imagine Royce would be with a girlfriend. I’ve had years of half-assed affection from Jack, I guess I dodged a bullet by not pursuing anything with Royce.
Then suddenly, Jen’s screams for Casen break through my stalking moment and all attention is focused on Jen’s panic as she picks up Ryker from the grass. Tears stream down her face as fear paralyzes her. The guys rush to them, Casen leading the pack, and as I get closer, I see what the commotion is about…Ryker is choking. His little eyes are watering from trying to expel whatever is stuck in his throat, and his red face is strained from the lack of oxygen.
Before Casen even has the opportunity do anything for Ryker, Royce grabs him from Jen’s arms. He turns the baby on his arm and pats hard on his back. I cringe watching, idle, useless to help. It feels like forever, but within seconds, Royce pulls him back up and swipes a finger through Ryker’s mouth.
There are gasps all around when Ryker’s cries pierce the silence of the moment. Royce then pulls the baby close and tenderly pats him on the back, whispering to him.
He hands him back to Jen who grabs ahold of him tightly and caresses his little head as she rocks him. He turns to Casen and hands him the small pebble that had been wedged in Ryker’s throat. Everyone’s jaws are hanging open in surprise. This was an extremely tense moment, and the last person anyone expected to save the day was Royce.
Casen shakes his hand. “Thank you, man,” he says. He pauses, looking down at the rock in his hand. “I don’t know what to say,” he stammers, emotion filling his voice. “Thank you.”
“I have a nephew who we lovingly refer to as the vacuum. From the age of six months to eighteen months, if it was on the floor, that kid was putting it in his mouth. My poor sister was constantly scanning the floor for anything he could get his hands on, but it didn’t matter; he would find it and choke on it.” Royce tries to make light of the situation, easing the tension. We all know, though, if he had not acted as fast as he had, this could have ended very badly.
Ryker’s cries have softened to nothing more than ragged breaths, and Jen paces around with him as Vivian follows behind offering motherly support. She is paying no attention to Royce’s family stories or his reasoning for how he knew what to do. She is focusing on her child.
My heart aches for her. Liv has never had more than an ear infection or a scraped knee; the possibility of losing her would bring me to my knees. I love all of these people so much; their pain is my pain.
Royce is still rambling on about his sisters and their kids when Jen marches up to him and bear hugs him. Ryker is smashed between the two, but she continues to hold tight to Royce’s neck.
“I’ll never be able to show you how thankful I am for what you did for us today,” she tells him. Her voice breaks, but unlike Casen, she allows her emotion to show. “I’m so sorry for every mean thing I said to or about you.”
He soothingly rubs her back before pulling way to stroke Ryker’s head. “It was no big deal, really,” he says before turning his attention to me. “I’m sure I’ll think of something, though,” he adds with a wink.
Carly
“Hurry, Liv, we are so late!” I shout from my bathroom. “Grab your shoes and jacket, and meet me at the door.”
My voice echoes down the hallway, and I know the lack of response means I will find a child with neither shoes nor jacket when I finally emerge from my room. I’m supposed to be at work in thirty minutes, and I still have to take Olivia to Vivian’s. I hate being late, and I think this day will prove to be one big smelly fart ready to crop dust me at every turn.
Brushing and curling the last segment of my hair, which looks like a whole colony of mice could live in, the door bells rings, distracting me from my styling mess. “Great,” I mutter, throwing the brush onto the counter.
I grab my shoes and teeter back and forth from foot to foot, cinching them on. “Hurry, Liv,” I shout once more as I race down the hall and through the living room to the entry door.
“Look, Jack, now’s not a good time. I’m running late this morning,” I say as I swing open the door and bend down to finish buckling my sandals.
“Um, sorry, wrong guy,” my visitor smoothly responds, forcing my head up to meet him.
Well, crap on a cracker…Royce.
“Sorry,” I say, standing and holding the door open for him. “He’s been calling and showing up a lot lately now that the divorce is in full swing and getting closer to being finalized. I just assumed it would be him here to bother me.”
He steps through the door, and I catch a whiff of his cologne as he passes. It’s enticing enough that I find myself leaning in momentarily to take in just a little more of the inebriating smell. Sweet baby Jesus, he’s delicious.
It’s early morning; yet, he has this look that says, ‘I’m a rock star, and I don’t keep hours. Besides, I look good no matter the time.’ I don’t think he even tries to be sexy, he just is. His beard, tousled hair that can be pulled into a knot, and tattoos are the qualities that Jen, or even Campbell, would drool over, not me. However, here Royce is, and I can’t seem to help myself. I want to just lick him up.
I pat my hair down and adjust my clothing, feeling somewhat self-conscious in his presence. I then give him a sideways glance that suggests an explanation for his early morning visit.
“I was recording last night with the guys and Casen said Liv left her favorite stuffed animal at their house. I volunteered to bring it over,” he says nervously as he offers her elephant to me and moves further into the house. “So you’re late for work, huh?” he asks, leaving me behind.
“Ugh, yes,” I groan, throwing the stuffed animal on the couch and following him. “I still have to get Liv to Vivian’s house. She’s staying over there tonight since I have a meeting after work with the county about adopting Leah.”
“If you want, I can watch her and drop her off at Vivian’s house later,” he suggests nonchalantly with a shrug.
I stop suddenly, contemplating his offer. “Have you ever even been around kids all by yourself?” I ask, dumbfounded that he would even offer.
He turns to look at me, a confused expression smeared across his face. “Seriously?” he asks. “I love kids. I have about a million nieces and nephews that I babysit all the time.
“You do?” I say, stunned that he is that involved with his family.
“Yeah, apparently my sisters are competing for the steel vagina award or something. I swear, as soon as one announces they’re pregnant, another pipes up and tries to steal her thunder with a similar announcement. We are a family of one-uppers.”
“Wow, lots of warm and fuzzies. I bet Christmases are super special,” I tease.
“Really, though, I don’t have anything going on today. I would be happy to help.”
I look down at my watch and bite my lip as we walk into the kitchen. I don’t look up until I hear Royce chuckling next to me.
“Oh, my God,” I gasp as I stare down at my child who is supposed to be ready to walk out the door. Instead of her shoes and jacket on, she’s standing in the middle of the kitchen with her favorite Disney princess dress and tiara on drinking from the maple syrup bottle. When she notices us, she hides the bottle behind her back and smiles a goopy grin at us.
Royce wipes the smile from his face and slowly approaches her. “You know what’s cool about being a grown up, little miss?” he asks as he takes the bottle from her hands and sits down cross-legged next to her. She immediately feels at ease and takes a place next to him on the kitchen floor as she shakes her head.
I tilt my head in awe of what I’m witnessing, my little girl and this tough rocker bonding over maple syrup.
He leans in like he has a secret, and she leans in to hear it. “You don’t have to hide the bottle from anyone,” he tells her with a smile before taking a big chug of the syrup.
They both giggle at his playfulness, while I nearly throw up. “I can’t believe you just did that!” I say incredulously. “Not even taking into account how unsanitary that was, it was just, well, gross,” I add with a body shiver.
They both laugh even more at my obvious discomfort. “Go. I’ll take care of her. I’ll even swing back by this evening and bring dinner and a movie over.”
I look back and forth between the two of them and then down at my watch. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely! We’ll make pancakes and have a princess rock concert before we go. Just leave me a car seat, please.”
“Pancakes,” Olivia squeals. “I need a fok n’ knife,” she adds, entirely leaving out the r in fork.
“Dear God, did she just say fucking knife?” he asks with a snort. “I’m not a parent, but I’m pretty sure a four-year-old with a potty mouth is frowned upon in most social circles.”
“She’s a little Dutchy,” I defend. “Those R’s get left out a lot. She is saying she needs a fork and knife.”
He holds up his hand for Liv to high-five and smiles at her. “Either way, you’re one kickass little munchkin. Let’s get our pancake on.” My heart melts a little watching the two interact together. Royce barely knows me, let alone my daughter, yet here he is stepping in to play babysitter. I’m appreciative and impressed all in one.
Liv hops up to give me a hug. “Bye, Momma,” she says, wrapping her sticky hands around my legs. I reach down and kiss the top of her head before she runs back to Royce.
Royce looks to me and throws his hand up in surrender. “Bye, Mom,” he chuckles and waves.
I exhale loudly. “Okay, but please be safe.”
I turn my attention to Olivia who has found herself enamored by this tatted man on our kitchen hardwood. “Liv, this is Mommy’s friend Royce. He’s going to take you over to Grace and Emma’s house,” I tell her, bending down to her eye level to get her full attention. “Is that okay with you?” I ask, hoping it works out because I now have fifteen minute to get to work and it would take at least that to get to Vivian’s. Royce is actually a lifesaver showing up here this morning, even if it was unexpected.
“You bet, Mom. I’m gonna be a rock chick!” she exclaims.
I roll my eyes and Royce laughs. “You,” I say pointing my finger at him. “Don’t corrupt my child in the brief time she’s in your care.”
“What!” he feigns insult. “I’m the coolest person she’ll ever meet. Anything I do will only catapult her awesome rocker status at preschool next year.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I add with a hint of smile.
“Aren’t you late?” he asks, tapping his thick buckle watch.
“Oh cheese and crackers, yes,” I huff, standing to grab my purse off the kitchen counter. “I’ll call Vivian and let her know the slight change in plan. Have a good day you guys. Love you, Liv.”
I hear her shout her goodbyes and love back to me as I race into the living room and out the front door. Echoes of giggling and snorting noises reverberate through the house as I close the door shut and sprint to my car.
I turn the key in the ignition and take one last look at the house. “I must be crazy,” I mumble shaking my head before putting the car into reverse and heading to work.
