Lost in the Moment (A Savioe Family Novel) (15 page)

He looked down at her and kissed her forehead. “Yes, chèr.”

She perked up and smiled at me. “So you will be staying here?”

“
Just until I find my own place.”

“Good. Now go get your things out of your car and bring them in. If you need any of it washed just place it in the hamper I put in your room.
Breakfast is at seven during the school days, dinner is at six thirty. No later. You will keep up your grades while you are here. I go shopping every Friday, so if you need anything just put it on the list that is on the fridge. And here.” She handed me a small package. “Our numbers are already programed in it. It was Beau’s old one before he wanted to have his own plan. We kept it as a backup in case one of ours broke.”

I opened the small box and saw a smartphone. “I can’t…
.”

“Nonsense. Yes, you can and you will. Use it in case of emergencies or if you need to talk to one of us. There is nothing worse than getting a flat or having any other kind of car trouble and end up having to walk to the nearest house.
Plus if you are going to be late or are staying somewhere else for the night, you can text us to let us know. Now out both of you or the food will get cold.”

             
                                          *****

I closed the door on Grace with my pillowcase full of everything I owned in my hand. I rested my head on th
e cool metal of the roof. This was beyond anything I could have imagined. Staying with a family that actually seemed to give a shit about others had never crossed my mind, not to mention being so close to Marie on a daily basis. That was severely going to test my self-control now that I remembered getting a taste of her, literally. Man, was she sweet, her thighs so soft. I quickly shook my head to clear my mind of the erotic thoughts.
Hands off! I have to keep my hands off her.

I walked into the house and my new bedroom. Clean sheets, a comfy bed and a door that actually close
d. For the first time in almost a year, I felt safe, no worries of overhearing a fight, getting awoken by fists raining down on me or trying to find something to eat. I just needed to make sure I didn’t fuck it up. I pulled out my clothes from the makeshift bag, folded them and placed them inside the small dresser.

My only remaining memento of my family was left at the bottom of the bag. I pulled it out and stared at the faded photo.
My father with his dark hair and classic English features stood behind my mother with a hint of a smile playing at his lips. She had both my brother and I encased in her arms laughing. Both of us children were in our Sunday best kneeling on the floor trying to pet the dog, Barclay. Of course, the dog had other ideas and was in mid-shake trying to dispose of the water he had just trampled through.

I smiled down at it before
sitting on the edge of the bed. “Things are looking up, Mum. I have a place to stay and will be able to eat regularly. I was getting worried about that. It has started to get cold here and sleeping in my car would not have been an option for much longer. I’m very grateful that the Savioes have done this. I think you would have liked them. I know Nicky would have gotten along with the twins.” I sighed placing the photo on the dresser and stood up brushing the tear that slid down my cheek off with the back of my hand. “I miss you. I miss all of you, even that ratty dog. I swear when I can I will go back to visit you.”

             
                                          *****

Marie

I backed away from the door and leaned against the wall. I should have knocked.
Why didn’t I knock? It broke my heart to see him so sad. All I wanted to do was rush in there and hug him until he felt better. I brushed my hair away from my face and took a deep breath. Grabbing hold of the doorknob, I knocked on the door.

“Yes?” He called out.

“Momma asked me to see if you were going to grab something to eat anytime soon.” I kept the door partially shut to give him the privacy he may or may not need. I heard him pad over to the door before it opened. His slate eyes met mine and I ducked my head feeling my cheeks flush.

His fingers grazed my cheek in a soft caress before settling on my chin and lifting my head up. “Why are you so shy today, pet?”

I bit my lip, cheeks reddening more and ducked my head again before taking a step back. “Um…. I’ll just tell her you’ll be in there in a few.” I turned to rush down the hall but was stopped by his hand on my elbow.

I felt him take a step closer to me. His body heat radiated on my back and sent a shiver down my spine. He leaned his head down to my ear. “Sorry, luv I didn’t mean to tease you.” He stepped around me with a slight frown marring his face. “In fact I need to apologize for how I acted last night.
I was not myself as you might have noticed. If I said or did anything untoward I express my humblest regrets.”

Regrets? He regretted what he did to me? My temper flared to ease the hurt in my chest. “Don’ mention it, Shug. I’d figured it was jus’ da alcohol. Ya’d be stupid ta try dat sober. Now if ya
’ll excuse me I hafta go get my food before it gets cold.” I pushed past him and started down the hall.

“Marie.” He called after me.

I stopped by the bathroom and turned around. “Wha’?”

“I was referring to the fight, luv.”

“Oh!” My face turned a bright crimson before I rushed into the dining room with his laughter following me.

             
                                          *****

After brunch,
I went up to my room to avoid him. There was absolutely no way I would be able to play off my embarrassment in front of my brothers. They knew me too well not to have guessed what I was blushing about. I sat on the bed with a fresh coat of nail polish on my toenails when my mother walked in.

“Marie,
Pumpkin, can I talk to you?” She closed the door behind her and crossed over to my bed.

“Yeah.” I hesitantly moved my feet off the bed and made room for her.

“Good. Your father and I decided this morning to let Marcus live in the guest room until things settle down at his place. I can’t tell you the details but you know me I can’t let anyone go on living like he has been without trying to help. Anyway, I noticed that he doesn’t have very many clothes when I went to check his hamper and put his clean stuff away. So I want you to take him to the mall and get him some. I mean everything from the in… out. Coat, jacket, shoes, jeans, shirts, something nice for church and underwear.” She sat on the end of my bed with her credit card held out to me.

“Momma, I don’t think he’ll go for that. He doesn’t seem like the type that would accept this kind of charity.” I took the plastic out of her hand.

“I thought of that already. That’s why I’m asking you to do it. I mean you were raised with five boys. I’m sure you can figure out some way to get him to go along with it. You have your brothers at your beck and call when you want them there. You should have no problem with it.” She patted my hand before getting up to leave. “Oh and take the van. I had your dad purposely park it behind his car early this morning so he couldn’t leave.”

As she closed the door,
I stared down at her Black Amex card in shock. She never lets this thing out of her sight. I know for a fact that she used it to get Luke his bike and Beau his truck. I swallowed hard and fanned my face. Now I get to go shopping with it. I could barely contain my giddiness. All I had to do was get him to come with me. I walked over to my mirror and stared at my appearance. How was I going to get him to agree to this?

             
                                          *****

I walked down the steps in the same boots from yesterday, my other black skirt and a golden blouse that hung off one shoulder. My hair was straighten to perfe
ction and my makeup was simple just the barest hint of lip-gloss and eyeliner to make my eyes pop. Hopefully, I could pull this off without bursting into a blushing mass of incoherent babbling.

I headed down the hall to his room and knocked on the door.
His voice was muffled before he opened it. He stood there with just his jeans on that hung low on his hips showing off the top of his boxers and the defined muscles of his abdomen. I had to quickly advert my eyes to keep from drooling over his obliques. “Hey get your shirt and shoes on. We need to make an appearance out and about together.”

He scratched his head, took a step back in the room grabbing his shirt and sat on his bed to put his shoes on. “Where are we heading?”

“The mall. I need to pick up a few things.” I stepped into the room and looked around it. He needed a stereo and an alarm clock. “So come on lets go.”

“Do you always go to the mall dressed like that?” He pulled his shirt over his head and motioned to my clothes.

“Nope. This is just for you. At least that’s what I want people to think.” I shrugged my bare shoulder at him as nonchalantly as I could. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him take a deep breath and turn away.

“Oh.” His voice sounded strained. I hid m
y smirk before I turned around.

“So are you ready?”

He nodded his head slowly and went to pick up his keys off the dresser.

“Nope, I’m driving today.
Dad blocked you in this morning.” I explained as I sashayed out of the room. I heard a groan from him before he followed. I stopped at the foyer grabbing mom’s keys and yelled out. “Momma, we’re leaving now. If you need us just call.”

“Okay, honey. Just be careful.” She yelled back from the kitchen.

I grabbed his arm, pulled him out the door and walked over to the van. I pressed the key fob to unlock the doors and went to the driver door. He shuffled his feet on his way to the van. I had to turn my head to keep from laughing. “You really don’t like not being able to drive do you?”

He opened the door and took a seat before answering. “It’s fine. Really. I still have a bit of a headache. That’s all.”

I grimaced and started the car. “I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault, pet.” He
put on his seatbelt and ran his hand through his hair.

I put the van in reverse. Hmm, what c
ould I do to get him to accept new clothing? I bit my lip and took the left at the end of the driveway. He shifted in his seat after glancing out the window. I sped down the road like I normally do and noticed that every time I came to a stop or if a car pulled out in front of me his foot would press down on the floorboard in front of him. “You know there are no brakes over there.”

His grip on the door tightened when I turned onto the road leading into town. He mumbled and closed his eyes grimacing when I ran off the shoulder of the road. “That’s a shame.
How long have you been driving?”

“
For a year, but I have only had my license since May. Why?” I glanced over to him just as he tightened his seat belt. “Oh, I’m not that bad.”

“Didn’t say you were, pet.” He glanced over to me and frowned
still keeping his death grip on the door. “Why are you not wearing your seatbelt?”

“Oh shit.” I let go of the wheel and grabbed the seatbelt fumbling to put it on
. I used my knee against the wheel to keep the van on the road. After I snapped the belt in place, I placed my hands on the wheel. “I can’t believe I forgot to put it on.”

“What the hell
! Who taught you how to drive… a blind man? You never take your hands off the wheel. You could have just killed us!” He barked at me while running his hands over his face.

“P
uh-lease, I was in control the entire time. Why a few weeks ago, I ended up getting one of the twin’s ice cream on my shirt and had to change it while driving.”

His face went white as a sheet b
efore he squeezed his eyes shut. “She’s trying to kill me.”

             
                                          *****

Drez

That’s it. I
was never riding with her again when she is behind the wheel. I’d rather cut my balls off and staple them to my forehead. When we finally got to the mall and she shut off the engine, I reached over and snatched the keys away from her. She just looked at me shaking her head.

“So what do you need to get here?” I asked climbing out of the van. I’d never been so thankful to have my feet on the ground as I was at that moment.

She shrugged her shoulder drawing my attention to that flimsy top she had on. Her perky breasts bounced slightly at her movement. Was she wearing a bra? It didn’t look like it. My mouth went dry and balls clenched at that mere thought.

Her voice slid over m
y raw nerves in an almost seductive manner. “Just some clothes.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling, placed her purse over her shoulder and grabbed my hand threading her fingers in between mine. “Come on.”

We entered the mall hand in hand and headed toward
the store that catered to more of the edgier crowd. I raised my eyebrow slightly then looked down at her. “You’re getting your clothes here?”

“I might pick something up here. I don’t know.” She bit her lip and leaned into me. Her hand rested on my chest as the other one played with my shirt over my
jeans pocket. My heart rate picked up as she breathlessly asked. “How bad do you want to drive home?”