Savor (9 page)

Dean laughs at a text message from beside me in the car; the grin on his face indicates it’s from a girl.

I just hope she’s wearing clothes in it.

“Kid, if that’s a dirty text message, you need to learn to be more subtle about it,” I nag at him, turning on my blinker.

“It just said happy birthday.” He looks up at me while sliding it into his pocket.

“In body glitter?” My remark makes him throw his head back in laughter. Shaking my head I say, “You can have all the text sex you want later during your party and after, but could you please put your digital love life on hold while we visit your grandparents?”

Dean smiles widely at me.

“Stop picturing it!” I fuss at him again, parking the car by the curb.

A sharp pain hits my stomach, and I try to fight it off.

Was that hunger?

“I wasn’t.” He shakes head. “I was just thinking…” The sentence lingers and he looks away briefly before looking back. “I was just thinking last year on my birthday I spent it trying to keep warm in the tunnel of a park playground because the old man had come home so drunk and violent. I just needed a few hours to hide while I waited for him to pass out. No friends. Nothing to eat. Basically, no family. And now I have grandparents…” His smile comes back full force, and he gives me half a shoulder shrug, “And parents. And an aunt and uncles. Lots of uncles. And food. And a school. And friends. And chicks. Hot chicks at that. It’s just…I don’t know. It’s weird. And I’m really lucky.”

Fighting the urge to cry, I lean over and plant a kiss on his forehead.

Leave it to the 16 year old to push my hormones into overdrive.

I try to lighten the mood. “I’m not giving you a car, even for a speech like that.”

“Eh, it was worth a shot.” His wink gets him a playful slug in the shoulder.

Another cramp makes me tense up, this time he notices.

“You okay?”

“I think so. Probably just my body retaliating for denying it those chili cheese fries I wanted.”

Surprise I know, that I am following the health regime given to me by the one and only Nurse Nazi, but I want a healthy baby.

The two of us get out and head towards my aunt and uncle’s house. After a couple knocks, I open the front door and let us in. Strolling through to the living room, I’m not surprised to see Aunt Caroline watching a Spanish soap opera.

“Good afternoon, Aunt Caroline,” I say grabbing her attention.

“Mi amor!” she exclaims hopping up and covering me in a hug before hugging Dean too. “Mi amor!”

“So cool you speak Spanish. Will you teach me how to say ‘all the ladies love me’?” Dean’s joke gets him an elbow from me, and she pinches his cheek.

“Nieto. I don’t think that has to be said.”

“Don’t make his ego bigger, please,” I playfully discourage.

“It’s his birthday!” she counters wrapping her arms around his. “He should be as happy as he wants. And have tons of presents.”

“Agreed, Mimi,” he says cockily. “Tons of presents.”

I roll my eyes and sigh, “I’m sure you’ll have tons at your party.”

“Well let’s give you the ones from Mimi and Pops.” She pulls him away towards the kitchen.

My mouth goes to object when Uncle Mike cuts me off, “Just let it go, Short Stack.”

Turning to face him, I shake my head. “How bad did you two spoil him?”

“About as bad as we’re gonna spoil this one.” He places a hand on my stomach.

I will say I was a little nervous telling them about it, but Aunt Caroline flipped with joy that she was going to be a grandma again, and Uncle Mike was more concerned with whether or not Logan was gonna marry me. I didn’t have the heart to tell him at the time that we weren’t on speaking terms. But, needless to say, when I did call him that Monday, after Logan had left, to tell him that he’d asked, Uncle Mike felt better about the whole thing. Especially since Logan had come to him that day to ask for permission.

“How you feeling?”

“Chubby.”

“Want a cupcake?” He smiles. “Always makes you feel better.”

“I would say yes, but Luke is on this whole monitor my levels like he works for the NSA ‘Don’t let Maxx Eat Sweets Division’.” The words make him laugh and I sigh, “Let’s just say the last time I snuck something somehow he knew within the hour. I swear he has food low jack on me.”

Uncle Mike laughs and says, “I’m glad someone’s watching out for you when Logan’s away.”

Logan would let me have all the cupcakes in the world right now. Anything that makes me happy. He felt so bad about having to go back to work a few weeks ago that he logged onto my Amazon wish list and ordered me 10 new books. 5 for my e-reader and 5 paperbacks. I think he’s afraid he’s gonna have to see me cry, and he doesn’t like that. He’s been all panicky when the hormones hit. Don’t ask me if I screw with him sometimes just for a laugh…that would be mean. What? I’m not smiling.

“This came for you in the mail.” He hands me an envelope.

My attention reads my mother’s name in the left hand corner. Immediately, I hand it back. “Return to sender.”

“You’re not curious?”

“No.” After a beat I shake my head. “I’m annoyed. I told her to fuck off, and I meant it. She’s been stalking me from fake social media accounts, and it’s gonna get to a point where I’ll have a lawyer help me file a restraining order.”

See. Knowing C.J.’s secret is a great thing!

“Do what you gotta do.” He shrugs. “Just be 100 percent sure that’s what you want.” I open my mouth and he holds up a hand. “I’m behind you on this, Short Stack. Believe me. I don’t like the woman either, but you’re about to have a baby and if you want it to know its grandparents—”

“It will. Mimi and Pops.” I rub my tummy.

He cocks a grin and says, “Come with me. I wanna give you something.”

“On the Kid’s birthday? He might have a heart attack.”

Uncle Mike chuckles and leads me up the stairs. “How’s he doing with everything? A lot of changes all at once.”

“He seems happy.”

“Grades?”

“Good enough to keep letting him play ball.”

“Saw his last game. He’s really good.”

“He is.”

“And girls?” The question is followed with him opening the spare bedroom door to the right of the stairs. “Caught him sneaking any girls in through his window?”

Giggling at his jab at Logan and me, I flop on the edge of the bed. “I don’t think they’re brave enough to climb to the second story.”

He smirks and grabs a box from the closet shelf. Sitting down next to me, a serious face replaces the playful one. “You know, Maxx, we don’t talk much about your dad—”

“Uncle Mike—”

“Let me finish. I know we don’t talk much about him. And I’ll never push you to. But I want you to know if you change your mind, we can. I can only imagine growing up here with us wasn’t ideal, but I hope you know we always did our best for you. We weren’t expecting a child. Let alone a ten year old whose mother had abandoned her. You weren’t always easy, but we always loved you. And we’ve always been thankful that we’ve had you.”

Is it everyone’s goal to make me cry today?

“When your mom split, she didn’t even go through the stuff in your house. She hired people to chunk everything, so before they did, we grabbed some stuff we thought you might want someday alongside what I wanted. Photos mostly. But I knew you would want this someday.”

He transfers the box from his grip to mine. Confused, I take the lid off and remove the picture and the pink and blue square checkered blanket.

It reminds me of my painted wall.

I cradle the soft blanket closer and stare at the photo through teary eyes.

“It was the only blanket Matt would put you in. Your mother hated it. Thought it was hideous, but he swore up and down it was your favorite. So anytime he brought you to see us as a baby, this was with you.” The picture shows my father holding me tightly in his arm with Uncle Mike on the other side, putting me right between them. “Someday, I hope you’ll tell the little one inside you that I may be her Pops, always, but this would’ve been her grandfather. And he would’ve loved her just as much as I do.”

Sniffling, I drop the blanket in my lap. “How do you know it’s a girl?”

“Because the world cannot handle Logan having two mini mes.”

I try to giggle through the tears. “God, isn’t that the truth?” Resting my head on his shoulder, I let him wrap an arm around me, cuddling the blanket close to my face again, swearing I can still smell the Calvin Klein cologne he always wore.

No. I don’t wanna talk about him. I wanna leave him in the past and move onto my future. But I will say this. I’ve never once questioned that he loved me, unlike my mother. And I know if he were around today, he would be proud of the woman I’m becoming and that’s all that really matters.

***

Dean tucks his new Xbox games away under the seat of my car as we drive through the country club gates.

You know damn well the only kind of club I belong to is one that involves books. But I bet you can figure out without thinking too hard who is a member.

“How much did they give you in that card?” I ask watching him tuck it into the glove compartment.

“That’s just not polite to ask.”

“Dean Kellar.”

“Two hundred bucks.”

“Are you kidding me?” I shriek and he tries to hide a smirk. “Plus those video games? That’s over 300 hundred dollars.”

“I promise to write a thank you card.” His comment causes me to shake my head.

Pulling into the parking lot, I ignore the cramps that are back and excruciatingly painful. “You’re gonna do more than write them a thank you card. We’re going over for dinner every two weeks from now until I feel your debt has been paid.”

He shrugs, not objecting, and I realize that family dinners aren’t a punishment when you’re thankful for your family.

“Cell phone free,” I add on.

“Aw man.” He rolls his eyes.

There. I feel better. Except these cramps are getting worse. That’s normal, right?

We get out of the car and are greeted by Luke, who has his arms folded across his chest, the annoyance of the fact we’re late on his face. Before I have a chance to explain, he grumps, “Do not ever leave me alone that long with that many teenage boys again.”

Stuart strolls up and says, “He’s being over dramatic.”

“Uncle Luke? Never.” Dean’s sarcasm causes us all, outside of Luke, to snicker.

“Shut it, Kid. I didn’t have to rent out that whole thing for you and your loud mouth friends who, by the way, are shoving an absurd amount of pizza in their mouths in between splashing around in the heated pool.”

“It’s heated?” His eyes widen.

“Yeah. And movies along with the gaming system are set up in the media room,” Stuart fills in the answer.

“Did you do it?” Dean asks as I try to hide the amount of pain I’m in. “Because Uncle Luke knows like nothing when it comes to video games.”

“I can read instructions on how to hook one up.” He sounds offended. The three of us give him a sarcastic look and he admits, “Fine. Stuart did it.”

Dean smiles. “Thanks, Uncle Stuart.”

“My pleasure. Now get in there and enjoy the girls in their bikinis while you can,” he encourages.

He gets ready to rush away but stops, turns, and kisses me on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”

“And what am I? Chopped liver?” Luke tosses his hands in the air.

“Thanks, Uncle Luke,” he says jogging off.

Once he’s out of sight, I clutch my stomach in pain, doubling over from the severity.

What the hell is that?

“You okay?” Stuart asks as Luke tries to help me stand.

“Maxx,” Luke’s voice sounds almost like it’s faint.

Why is he suddenly whispering?

“Maxx,” his voice says again sounding further away than it did before.

I try to stand back up and can’t.

Why am I so dizzy?

The pain takes over and my eyes shut.

“I tried her three times,” Si Si says from behind her clipboard as I try to gain my composure. “She’s not answering, Kellar.”

I run my fingers through my hair, staring at my assistant with a very pissed off expression.

Of course I got a new assistant. You didn’t really think I’d be dumb enough to keep the other one after her stunt almost cost me my fiancé, did you? Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not
that
stupid.

“I don’t know what you want me to do.” She tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder and clutches her clipboard to her chest, her wedding band catching my eye.

“Did you try anyone else?”

“I tried everyone else,” her voice meekly informs me. “Your son included.”

Shaking my head, I rub my chin. “Something’s not right. Maxx and I promised to speak right before and right after my fights—”

“Maybe something came up.” I glare at her and she snaps, “Stop giving me dirty looks, Kellar! I’m not the one who’s not picking up her goddamn phone.”

Where could she possibly be? I know it’s the Kid’s birthday today and he was having a party, but she knew I was gonna call. Besides, with everyone there but me to help with the party, it should’ve been no problem for her to step away to wish me luck.

Frustrated, I turn around and push against the wall, stretching my arms, and taking deep breaths.

I have to clear my fucking head, but how can I do that when I know something is wrong? I mean, I don’t know something is wrong, but I do. Fuck. I’m not making any goddamn sense, am I? What’s that thing called deep in your gut?

“I’m not saying ignore your intuition—”

Is that what that’s called?

“I’m just saying focus on getting through this fight, and I will spend that entire time trying to find out where Maxx is, okay?”

My eyes land on Si Si briefly before the door cracks open and it’s show time. I run my fingers through my hair again and walk by her, making sure to mumble, “Find her.”

Stepping into the ring has always been a peaceful thing. A way to blank my mind. Channel all the hate and misfortune that’s ever come my way. It’s always felt right. Like I belong there. Like I rule there. Never have I ever had a nervous feeling like I do in the pit of my stomach right now. I need to know where my girl is.

The crowd cheers when they see me in the ring ready to take on my opponent who calls himself Twinkle Toes.

Don’t look at me. I didn’t fucking name him.

Twinkle Toes is stout, slightly taller, and packing a helluva devilish look for a dude with angel wings tattooed on his back.

When the fight finally starts, I am expecting for it to be as easy as the others have been. A few quick hitting combos and for him to fall, but I’m wrong. Twinkle Toes manages to land blows in my face and chest before I have a chance to brace myself. My feet aren’t moving as quickly as usual. My dodges are a few seconds later, landing me more hits than I’ve ever fucking taken in my life in the ring. The sound of the crowd, unhappy with me losing, filters into my mind and I stumble, my back landing against the wall. Twinkle Toes takes the opportunity to throw his fist at my face, his hazel eyes gleaming in the bright lights. The punch takes me back to the first time Oliver ever took a swing at me, which taught me a very valuable lesson. Don’t be the one to ever take the punch if you think your life is worth fighting for. Twinkle Toes goes to hit me again when I block and counter full force. Taken off guard, he stumbles and I lay into him, blow after blow, each packing more heat than the last until he’s the one barely able to stand. He tries to attack and falls back to his knees leading him to tap out, declaring me the winner.

The crowd cheers and the feeling of my throbbing face is in sync with the throbbing of my heart. I know I need to see the doc and start getting my face healed, but the only thing on my mind is finding out why the people worth fighting for won’t answer their fucking phones.

What’s the point of having a cell phone if you’re not gonna fucking use it?

Out of the ring, I’m immediately greeted by the security team, who usher me to my back room away from the cameras, photographers, and journalists. Once we’re in the private hall, I see Si Si and the look on her face says it all.

Jogging my body towards hers right past the medical assistance, I demand, “Tell me.”

She wets her lips and braces herself for my wrath. “Call Luke. Call him now.”

“Si Si—”

“No.” She hands me my phone. “But I’m right here.”

My fingers pound against the keys as the doctor tries to look at my face that’s swelling. It rings twice before he picks up. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Maxx,” Luke’s voice whispers out.

Feeling my chest constrict, I shut my eyes bracing myself for something I know I’m not gonna be able to handle.

“She’s in the hospital.”

“What?” my voice booms knocking the doctor back. “Why?”

“The baby—”

“Is my baby okay?”

“Kellar—” his voice tries.

“Is it?”

“I don’t know.”

He doesn’t know? How the fuck doesn’t know? He’s a goddamn nurse! He’s probably slept with her doctor before! He should know something! He should fucking know something!

“I’ll keep you posted.”

My eyes pop back open. “No you fucking won’t! I’m coming home—”

“Kellar, it could be nothing—”

“I don’t give a fuck, Luke! My girl is in the hospital. My baby is in the hospital! I’m coming home.” And with that, I hang up and get ready to throw my phone when Si Si interferes snatching it from me.

“You’re gonna need that,” she fusses. Before I can chew her out, she says, “I looked into flights. I got you booked for the last one out tonight.”

“Nothing sooner?” I bark.

“I’m sorry I—”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jake slithers into the conversation.

“Home.” I inform him shrugging away the doctor who wants to attend to the cut under my eye that I don’t give a shit about.

I’ll give both my eyes right now to know Maxx is okay.

“You can’t go home,” Jake states. “And let him fix that cut.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“And I wasn’t suggesting.” Jake steps closer to me.

Not smart. Not right now. No fucking way.

“You’re not going anywhere but back to your hotel room for the night.” His grin looks more deceptive than normal.

This is a fucking power play for him? Hope he’s prepared to fucking lose.

I grab Jake by the collar of his suit and shove him against the wall, his personal security guard comes up quickly. Looking over my shoulder, I state to him, “I wouldn’t move another fucking step closer or I will drop you next.” The guard stops, and I look back at Jake who doesn’t look as nervous as he should. Jake gives the guard a look to stand down. “Let me be crystal clear
for you
, Jake. I’m getting my ass on a plane tonight and flying to Texas to be with my fucking fiancé who is in the fucking hospital. And there’s nothing you can do to fucking stop me. You wanna cut my contract? Do it. You wanna try to stand between me and my girl again, and I’ll have my lawyer find a fucking loophole to free me and you’ll be out a fighter. And if you don’t think he can possibly pull enough strings to do it, I will throw every fight you put me until I make you the laughing stock of the fucking country.”

Jake nods and I let go of his jacket. “Si Si cancel his flight.” My fist balls to react when he says, “You can take my private jet. I’ll have Miranda arrange everything. Si Si. Call her.”

“Yes, sir.” She pulls her phone out and struts away.

His face tightens, and he nods at me again. “At least let medical fix you up while Si Si gets everything settled. What good are you gonna be to your girl if you can’t see?”

I nod and allow medical to come back over. Jake looks on as the guy, whose name I can never remember, breaks out that shit that stings to clean the cut. Shutting my eyes, I start to do something I realize I haven’t done since I was 10. I pray.

When I was 10, I stopped praying because I figured my prayers had been answered. I’d asked for someone to save me from all the beatings, and I’d met Maxx. She saved me then. She saved me when she told me to get in the ring. She saved me when she put on that Ring Side Girl outfit. She’s always been the one saving me. I pray I get there in time to save her. Can you pray with me? I mean it may not be your thing but…I need all the help I can get right now.