Lost in the Moment (A Savioe Family Novel) (26 page)

“That’s bull shit and you know it.”
He punched my shoulder. “You care for her right? You want to keep her safe and protected.”

I nodded my head
. “Yes, I do.”

He cracked a smile before glancing back over to Grace.
“So quit being a pussy and go for it.”

I stared at him incredulously. “Why the change of heart?”

His smile faded. “It’s not a complete change of heart. If you hurt her, I’m still going to kill you. I just know what it’s like to be kept away from the girl you want.” I raised my brow at him in confusion as he continued. “Last year before I quit the team, I tried to date my best friend’s sister.”

“Scott has a sister?”

He shook his head no and tilted the bottle of water to his lips. “No. Teague did.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “Did?”

His jaw clenched as the muscles on his throat contracted. “She died… last year. Teague blames me for it.”

“Why would he blame you?”

He gave me a sad smile and shook his head tapping his fist against the side of the truck. “Let’s head on to grab some food. Luke told me that she cooked tonight so I’m sure you and Charles want something decent.”

“It wasn’t completely inedible. The garlic bread was good.” I shrugged accepting his blatant change of subject.

“Then you know that mom made that.” He opened his truck door laughing.

             
                                          *****

After we grabbed some food at Waffle House and roused Marie and Charles from their slumber, we headed home.
Charles admitted to Beau that he had a few beers and that he never wanted to do it again. Marie on the other hand had not spoken a word to anyone. She just sat in the backseat staring out the window.

When we arrived at the house, Beau rushed over to help them out
of the passenger door. We decided that we’d better leave her bag in the car just in case their parents were up. Charles stumbled a bit when he stepped away from the car. I caught him before he could fall flat on the driveway. He sniggered and patted my back.

Marie got out, grabbed the door and slammed it. I winced at the force she used and sent a pleading look over to Beau. He slowly shook his head, his eyes wide with apprehension, almost as if he anticipated her to hit something or someone. I snorted at him and placed my arm around her shou
lders to help her in the house.

She elbowed me in the stomach and shoved me away from her grumbling. “Now ya wanna touch me ya cooyon. I don’ tink so. Get off me.”

Beau grabbed her arm before she could take a swing at me and escorted her in the house. Damn I really fucked up. Charles snickered before he staggered into me. “Dog house, man.”

I quickly caught him as he stumbled backward. With my arm up under his, I guided him in the house and up the stairs
one-step at a time. “Keep it down, mate. You don’t want to wake the house.” I scolded as he started chuckling when he missed a step.

“I am quiet, cap. Dere’s no need ta treat me like a child.” He cackled as we reached the top of the stairs.

Their parent’s door opened to reveal Nate. His eyebrow arched at us before he shook his head and grabbed Charles under his other arm. “How much did he have?”

“He admitted to a few, but I seriously think it was more than that.” I admitted as I opened his door.

“Marie?” Nate asked as we steered the now limp Charles through the doorway.

“I tried to keep her from drinking but every time I turned around she had a cup in her hand.” I grunted as we placed him on his bed.

“You?” He started taking Charles’s shoes off.

“Just soda.”

He looked up at me when he finished, covered Charles up with a blanket and placed his hand on my shoulder leading out of the room. With the door closed and me at the top of the stairs, he nodded to me a hint of admiration and respect in his light brown eyes. He held out his hand for me to shake. “You are a man of your word. Thank you.”

I clasped his h
and briefly before he went back to his room. Beau exited Marie’s room quickly shutting the door before something hit it. He let out a long drawled out breath running a hand through his hair as he joined me on the steps. “Yeah, she’s pissed. You may want to steer clear of her for a few days if you value your uh… junk.”

“Great.”

                                                        *****

             
             
Chapter Ten

Marie

My head pounded when I opened my eyes and flinched at the sun shining in my window.
I pulled my pillow over my face and sighed into it. Why did I drink so much? Yeah, that’s right I wanted to lose some of my inhibitions and actually have fun. Well, now I know I turn into an Alco-ho after a few shots and a mean one at that. I still can’t believe I almost had sex last night and that he was the one to stop. What was his problem? Most guys would have jumped at the chance to get laid.

I flexed my sore hand before sitting up glancing at my clock. Ten thirty.
Brunch should be ready. I got out of bed, stumbled to the bathroom, grabbed a quick shower and returned to my room. I walked over to my vanity, grabbed my brush and started the process of getting rid of the tangles in my hair.
How am I going to face him today?
I started to pull my hair back in a bun when I noticed a strawberry red mark on the side of my neck. I pulled the collar of my robe over to inspect it and saw the glimpse of another closer to my breast.

I widened my eyes,
parted my robe and gasped when I saw my chest. I had three damn passion marks and one bite mark on top of a freckle.
That punk!
I stormed over to my dresser and pulled out a sports bra quickly putting it on. I opened another drawer and shoved on a high neck long sleeve shirt then yanked on a pair of baggy jeans.
Just wait until I see him.

I jerked open my door all ready to storm down there and yell at him when I saw my mother trying to carry Remi into her room. I rushed over to her and grabbed his feverish body. “What’s wrong?”

She sighed, the look of total exhaustion overcoming her face. “They both have been sick since three this morning. Stomach flu of some sort.”

I cradled him against me as she opened her bedroom door. “
Poor baby.” I gently laid him down on her bed. “Do you need me to get anything for him or Dev?”

“No,
Pumpkin. Just go on downstairs and get something to eat.” She covered him up and shushed me out of the room.

I bit my lip on the way to the kitchen. I hope it wasn’t from dinner last night. Yeah, we all ate but those two had more than the rest of us. I grabbed a cheese
danish, a cup of coffee and took a bite while I stared out the kitchen window. A good workout session was in order for today. The past few weeks I’ve been slacking on it. To be honest, I think I just needed to beat the crap out of something.

The gate intercom buzzed signaling we had a visitor. I saw Charles rush over to the security system and check to see who it was. He looked taken aback for a second before he pressed the button to let them in. I glanced back out the window and saw a black R8 zip up the driveway. Roxy’s father Daniel Saintshill stepped out looking grim.

Shit, this wasn’t good. I poured out my coffee, tossed my danish in the trash and ran to the garage to get Beau. He met me next to the laundry room on his way in. “I saw. Where are Charles and Luke?”

I shrugged my shoulders
tossing up my hands. “I don’t know where Luke is but Charles is in the foyer.” We rushed through the kitchen just as dad greeted Mr. Saintshill. My father paled when that man whispered something to him. I saw his hand shake as he motioned for Mr. Saintshill to go to his study.

Beau and I looked at each other as a flood of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. “The vent?”

He nodded his head at me. “Yeah. Go make sure Drez is up first. Charles and I will be in there in a few.”

I ran down the hall and jerked open Drez’s door. He shot up in bed startled to see me there. I held my
index finger up to my lips telling him to be quiet and walked over to the dresser. I sat on the floor my back to the wall and opened the vent.

“I have to tell Eva.” I heard my father whisper before he opened the door. “You two go on. This doesn’t concern you.”

Drez looked at me and mouthed,
“What’s going on?”

I whispered. “Roxy’s dad is here and he is not happy.”

Beau and Charles crept in the door slowly closing it behind them. Beau nodded to me silently asking if they had missed anything. I shook my head at him holding my finger to my mouth to make them aware I had the vent open.

We heard the door open and shut. “Lucian will be down here in a few minutes. He is helping Eva put one of the twins to bed.”
The sound of his globe squeaked open and liquid poured before his chair creaked, signaling to us he sat back down. He sighed heavily. “Are you sure, Daniel?”

Mr. Saintshill cleared his throat before unleashing a sad breathe
. “She took a test less than thirty minutes ago.”

“I can arrange all the paperwork if you are still insisting they marry.”

Daniel grunted. “I expect nothing less. I was not raised in a household that accepted unwed mothers. Though I know, there is nothing wrong with it. I just feel like it takes two people to raise a child properly. My mother in her archaic views would disown Roxanne if she doesn’t accept responsibility for her mistakes.”

“I’ll get started on the arrangements Monday.” M
y father sighed in frustration.

The door opened and closed. Luke asked. “Mom said you wanted to see me?”

“Sit down.” The globe opened again followed by the sound of glass clinking. “Drink you’ll need it, lord knows I do.”

My father sighed. “Remember our talk a few weeks ago?”

After a long pause, we heard Mr. Saintshill growl. “If you’re not going to tell him I will. Roxy’s pregnant, boy.”

We all gasped. My stomach dropped and tears welled in my eyes. My hand flew up to my throat
as I bit my lip to keep from crying in empathy.

We heard Luke barely whisper. “How is she?”

“I don’t know she won’t speak to me.” Mr. Saintshill exhaled in frustration. “We had her take a home test this morning. Figured it had been long enough for one of those to read accurately. While we were waiting, we argued over it. Jamie went in and told us the results. Roxy locked herself in her bedroom and will not come out for any of us. Not even Lizzy.”

“What did you argue about?” Dad asked after someone set a glass on a table.

“Everything. What we were going to do if it was positive.” Daniel answered.

“What did you want her to do?” Luke slowly enunciated.

“Stay with my mother until it was born then give it up for adoption.” Daniel said flatly obviously lying in order to provoke the response he wanted from my brother.

“So I was ta have no say?” We could hear the anger building in Luke’s voice.

“No. She is my daughter. I make all the decisions for her.”

“But dat is my child dat ya were tryin’ ta dispose of. By ya own logic dat means I make da decisions where it is concerned.” Luke shouted at him.

“You’re seventeen what do you know about making decisions?” Daniel snapped at him.

“I know enough ta realize dat I need ta accept responsibility fo’ my actions. Ya said a few weeks ago ya would accept nothin’ less dan dat. I am willin’ ta hold up my end of tings. If ya would jus’ let me.”

Dad sighed. “We were just talking about that, son. Daniel and I have agreed that over Thanksgiving break you two will marry.”

I closed the vent in shock and stared at everyone in the room.
Beau sat down on the bed as Charles collapsed in the floor. I bit my lip and sighed trying to make a joke. “Well I always wanted a sister.”

Charles shook his head at me
letting me know it was too early to kid about it. “We are all going to help them right?”

Beau nodded his head. “Of course. That’s what being a Savioe is about.
”

I looked over at Drez with a sudden realization. We weren’t using protection last night. If he hadn’t stopped when he did that could be me.
I let out a long sigh and released some of my anger. I motioned for my brothers to leave the room. “We’ll give Luke a few minutes before we go talk to him. Meet me in ten outside of his room.”

They nodded and left making sure no one was outside of the door. I turned to look at Drez. He still sat in his bed with just a sheet covering him. I closed my eyes for a moment before rambling out. “Than
k you.”

He adjusted the sheet over him
and looked up in confusion. “For what?”

“For stopping when you did last night.
It occurred to me a few moments ago that we weren’t using any type of protection. If things would have progressed well.…” I pointed to the vent. “That could have been our fate. Though I’m still mad at you.” I flashed him a quick smile and left the room.

             
                                          *****

We
knocked on Luke’s door, crowding the small set of stairs that led up to his attic room. He cleared his throat and croaked. “It’s open.”

As we entered, we noticed he was
lying on the bed with a pillow covering his face. Beau closed the door behind us. I walked over to his bed and sat at the end of it taking the pillow off his face. Charles pushed him over so he could sit at the head of the bed. Beau moved the desk chair so he could sit in front of us.

“We heard everything.”
I said quietly.

Charles nodded his head. “We’ve agreed to help you guys out as much as we can.”

“I’m graduating this year. So by the time the baby is born I will have tons of free time. I can watch him during the day so you two can stay in school.” Beau explained.

“Charles and I can take turns watching her during the evenings. That way you two can do homework or just have some
free time with each other.” I touched his arm in a lame attempt to comfort him.

Charles snorted to keep from laughing. “It’s not like none of us don’t know how to change a diaper.”

Luke smiled at that. “True. Gawd, the twins had some nasty ones too.”

Beau tapped Luke’s
knee to get his attention. “You also get to spend as much time with her as you want.”

“Yeah, it’s not like it’s the end of your life. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter of it.” Charles shrugged.

“Then why do I feel like I’m in over my head.” Luke dropped his head in his hands.

“Because you are.” I
chirped. The three of them turned and glared at me like I had lost my mind. “What? Don’t get me wrong I think you two will do fine. I just realize that this is a big deal. Any of us would be in over our heads if we were in your shoes. The only thing though that I think her dad doesn’t recognize. You have us to help you out. No matter what.”

Mom walked in the room smiling. Why
was she smiling? I noticed the tiny hand that rested on her arm. I tapped Beau and pointed toward the door just as Luke stood up and wrapped Roxy in his arms. Mom motioned to the rest of us to leave them alone.

We exited the room and went our separate ways. I went into
my room and turned on my radio plopping on my bed.
Holy shit, I’m going to be an aunt.

             
                                          *****

The rest of the day Saturday and all day
Sunday save going to church, I hibernated in my room still not wanting to see Drez. I know that it was childish of me but I was still hurt over the whole ordeal. The fact that Roxy was pregnant after just one time not using anything really scared me. If we would have gone through with it, that could have been me. We were stupid to even try without protection.

Well, he was stupid. I was drunk, completely not able to use all of my brain functions. He was sober though. He should have known better, considering he’d done that before.
Plus I was still fuming over him marking me the way he did. One I can understand but three hickeys and a damn bite mark. That was overkill in my opinion. Though I know deep down I really didn’t mind when it had happened.

Both
Monday and Tuesday were awkward. I rode in silence to and from school with him. During lunch and in the halls when he saw me he’d come over and hug on me or pull me down on his lap. It felt weird around him. He had seen me like no one else ever had, done things to me that I could never have fathomed. I didn’t know how to act about it at all. So I froze up when he came near me.

After school
, I’d do my homework in the living room and go help mom with the twins. I wouldn’t see him again until dinner. By then the entire family was around so we couldn’t talk. I had managed to avoid him at least until I could figure out how to deal with how I felt about him.

Wednesday morning on our way to school, I stared out the window trying to figure things out.
Mom always told me that I should listen to my heart, to trust my instincts and try to reason things out. But they were warring with each other. At least I think they were.

My
instincts told me to let it go, that he was really a good guy going through a rough patch in his life and he needed someone to help him with his burdens. While my head screamed, I would get hurt by him. That if I allowed myself to fall completely and utterly in love with him I would end up destroyed when he moved on to greener pastures. There was also that tiny voice in my heart whispering it was too late. I feared that it was right.