Scarlet Awakening (Sweet Secrets #2) (13 page)

Chapter 23

Thankfully when we arrived the diner wasn’t full of its usual crowd. Instead, there were only two families inside sitting down for dinner. My stomach rumbled at the smell of the food, but Grandma was making dinner at home. When I called to tell her that we would be home late because we were going to grab some shakes from the diner, she was worried that we were going to spoil our dinner. The only reason she didn’t make such a big deal about it was because I told her that we needed some time to talk.

Across from me, Ella swirled her straw around in her strawberry shake, mixing the whip cream into it. “Thanks for the milkshake,” she said, smiling at me before she leaned in to take a long sip from the tall glass.

I smiled back at her. “You’re welcome. I think we need the sugar high.” I slurped my Oreo shake up through the straw. It was creamy and delicious.

“I think we need to skip the sugar and go straight to the high.” She winked at me, laughing when my mouth fell open. “Kidding, kidding.”

I scowled at her. “You better be.”

Ella tucked her hair behind her ears on both sides as she leaned back in the booth. Thanks to the few people, I had gotten my regular booth. “I miss Dad,” she said suddenly, giving me a sad look.

I stirred my shake with my straw, watching it as the chunks of cookie disappeared in and out of the vanilla ice cream. “Yeah,” I replied. “You’ll miss him even more if you don’t go back at the end of summer.” I looked up at her, meeting her eyes.

She looked away. “Let’s not talk about that now.” Her eyes focused on the entrance to the diner as the doors pushed open and a bell chimed.

I followed her gaze, smiling as I saw Carter and Shane walk in. Carter was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and a black T-shirt that was tight enough to hint at the muscles underneath.

“I can see why you didn’t get over him,” Ella said, staring the boys down. “Though if I were you, I would have gone after Shane.” I didn’t even ask how she knew who he was. Every girl around here knew who Shane Quinn was. She had probably seen him every now and then at school when we lived here, but I had never actually introduced her to him. Shane wasn’t the type of guy you wanted to introduce to your naïve younger sister.

I fake gagged, earning a scowl from her.

“What?” she demanded.

“Shane is a pretty boy.”

Ella shrugged and stared back in the direction of the two guys. “Shane is literal perfection,” she added, sighing. There was a dreamy look in her eyes as she checked him out.

As if they had felt the heavy weight of our stares, the boys turned to face our table, meeting our gazes. Carter smiled widely, while a smirk slipped onto Shane’s face. They headed our way.

“Mind if we join you two?” Carter asked for them both.

I shook my head, while Ella said, “Not at all.” We both slid over to make room for them.

When Carter sat next to me, he leaned over and placed a light kiss on my cheek. “Gabby, I mean Ella,” he corrected himself. “Do you remember Shane?” I was still unsure about them getting to know each other, but everyone learns at some point that they can’t control everything, so I just sat and watched silently as the two became acquainted.

Ella nodded, turning on the charm. She batted her eyelashes at Shane. “I prefer to go by Ella.”

Shane raised an eyebrow and held his hand out to her. When she placed hers in his, he lowered his head and kissed the back of it, maintaining eye contact the entire time. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Ella.” The way he said her name all throaty and sexual made me want to gag. Then he let her hand go and directed a question at us both. “What brings you two lovely ladies here? The shakes?”

Ella and I nodded simultaneously as Carter said, “Hey, keep your charm and hormones on that side of the table.”

Shane rolled his eyes. “What’s wrong, man? Are you feeling threatened?”

Carter scoffed. “Yeah, right. I’m just trying to protect you from imminent heartbreak. Maybe you should avoid Ella too. She’s probably a heartbreaker like her sister.”

Ella laughed, her hair falling from its position behind her ear.

Shane noticed and raised his hand to tuck it back, staring into Ella’s eyes as he did so. “I wouldn’t doubt it.”

Ella’s pale cheeks flamed red.

Damn, he was good. He had lots of practice. Usually Ella was the one doing the wooing, while the guys were panting at her feet. Now it was her turn to melt into a puddle under that smoldering gaze he was giving her.

I leaned forward and sipped my shake again, offering some to Carter. He looked like I had just offered him a million dollars. When he finished taking a sip, he slid the glass back to me. “What did you two do today?”

“Let’s not talk about it,” Ella answered quickly, looking away from Carter and frowning instantly.

Carter and Shane raised their eyebrows. “Wow, who ran over your puppy?” Shane asked, looking seriously concerned as he looked at Ella’s face. She looked sad and slightly annoyed.

“John Symmes, that’s who,” she replied. She sipped some more of her milkshake before pushing it away from her. “I’m full. Grandma’s going to be pissed.”

Carter glanced at me, then at Ella. He ignored her comment and asked, “Seriously, what’s wrong? Did something happen with your mom?” He looked worried.

“No,” I said, pressing my leg against his under the table. “It’s more like what
didn’t
happen with her than what did happen.”

Shane looked lost. I wondered if he knew anything about what was going on with my family. Probably not, unless April told him. Carter wasn’t the type to tell other people’s business.

“Explain more,” Carter ordered, going in for another sip of my shake. His hair fell into his eyes as he tilted his head down.

Ella sighed. “Really, let’s not talk about it.” Her eyes were pleading. “I just want to be distracted from Mom and her problems for a bit. I know that’s selfish, but I just need to clear my head for a second.”

“Do you want to go for a walk or something?” Shane offered, gazing into her green eyes.

Ella smiled softly. “Yeah, actually. That’d be nice.”

Shane smiled, sliding out of the booth. “Let’s go then,” he said to Ella.

She looked across the table at me. “Do you mind?”

I looked from her to Shane, then back. “No, just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” I winked, and she rolled her eyes before sliding out of the booth.

“Thanks,” she said happily, practically bouncing on her toes as she joined Shane.

“I’ll catch up with you later, man,” Shane said to Carter. Then he tossed an arm over Ella’s shoulders and they went to leave. As they walked away, I heard Shane say something about wanting to get to know her better.

Carter slid out of the booth and into the one that the pair had just vacated so we could see each other better. Once he was seated, I rolled my eyes saucily. “You know they’re really just going to find some place to make out, right?”

Carter raised an eyebrow. His eyes twinkled as he said, “Maybe we should follow their lead.”

I laughed lightly, effectively turning down his suggestion. “I thought you wanted to know what happened today?”

He nodded, leaning forward and opening his hands, allowing me to place mine in his. “I’m all ears.”

I didn’t know where to begin, so I just started with Ella’s idea of trying to get John and my mom back together. He listened without interrupting me once, squeezing my hand when I mentioned John making us leave and not wanting to try again with my mom. When I finished, he looked thoughtful for a moment before he offered advice.

“Is there anything you want me to do?”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure what you could do. You don’t know John, so it’s not like you could go and ask him to reconsider.”

He nodded, then said, “Maybe you should give him a few days to mull over the conversation you had with him, and then go back to see him. I’d even go with you if you want.”

I smiled at him, wanting to hug and kiss him for being so sweet. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. You may not have realized this yet, but I’m always going to be here for you when you need me.”

I raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. “Oh really?”

He nodded fervently. “Really.”

I pulled a few dollars from my pocket and left them on the table as a tip as I slid out of the booth. Carter followed suit and stood beside me. I intertwined my hands in his, and pulled him toward the door. “Maybe we can go find some place to make out after all.” I winked at him as we weaved through tables.

Carter grinned like the Cheshire cat.

Chapter 24

My knuckles rapped against the front door as I knocked again, waiting for someone to answer. I knew that John was home because his car was parked in the driveway. Also, I had looked up his name in the yellow pages again and called to see if it was all right if I came to see Taylor and Cameron. I had been nervous that he would say no after our conversation from two days ago, but he didn’t. Instead he had given me a good time to come, and said that I was more than welcome to come visit. Ella was too. I didn’t tell him that I hadn’t included Ella on my plans of coming to visit. I didn’t want her to be disappointed again if John didn’t change his mind.

I tapped my foot on the ground impatiently.
Where is he?
I thought, sliding my phone from my pocket and checking the time. He had told me to come at six, and now it was nearly ten minutes past the hour. Just as I put my phone back into my pocket, the front door opened. John stood in the doorway wearing a scowl on his face, and a large throw up stain on his shirt.

“Sorry,” he apologized as he beckoned me inside. “I was holding Taylor when the bell rang, and then he vomited all over me.” He looked down at his shirt in disgust, pulling it away from his body.

I laughed lightly. I figured baby vomit was something that you got used to over time. Apparently not. “It’s fine. Is he feeling all right?”

John nodded. “Yeah, I think he just bounced around too much after he ate.” He curled his upper lip up in disgust again. “You can go to the playroom. The twins are in there with my mom. I’m going to run and change really quick.” He pushed the door shut and headed up the stairs, leaving me to journey down the hall and into the playroom.

As soon as I entered, John’s mom smiled at me. “Lena, sweetheart, how are you?” She was sitting in the chair with Taylor on her lap. He still had vomit on his chin. It was refreshing that John’s mom was even nice to me. I would think that she would be much less welcoming toward the daughter of the woman who had broken her son’s heart, but she had been nothing but kind to both Ella and I.

“I’m good,” I answered. “Nice to see you again.”

“Would you help me out for a second?” I nodded. “Can you grab a diaper wipe from that bag for me? It should be in the side.” She pointed at a blue baby bag that sat on the floor against the wall. It was next to a pink one that had to belong to Cammie.

I went to the bag, reaching into the side pocket and pulling out a thin container of diaper wipes before handing them to her. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, dear,” she said, skillfully holding Taylor while she opened the container of wipes and used one to wipe the throw up from his chin and corners of his mouth.

“You’re welcome,” I said, before sitting down and regarding the little baby that sat on the floor at her feet. Cameron was wearing a purple bow on her head that was held on by a thick purple strap. Her thin brown hair had been brushed down smoothly, hiding her bald spots where she had yet to grow any hair. She had on a matching purple onesie, and was playing with her toes. She had managing to pull off one tiny sock and was now trying to lean over and put her foot in her mouth. I smiled down at her. “Hi Cammie,” I cooed, causing her to bounce her head up and look at me with her wide, blue eyes. Drool dripped down her chin and onto her little foot. “Don’t eat your toes,” I said in a baby voice. “That’s yucky.”

As if I had said something funny, Cammie began to crack up laughing. She let go of her foot and pumped her arms up and down.

“That’s your big sister, Cammie,” John said as he entered the room, smiling at us all. He came over to his mom and scooped Taylor out of her arms. “Hey messy man,” he said, holding Taylor up at eye level. Taylor kicked his feet powerfully. John just shook his head and took a seat on the ground not far from me. He sat Taylor down in front of me and I smiled.

“Hi Taylor,” I cooed, poking him in his belly with my finger. “Did you throw up?”

He babbled something and swayed sideways. His fat thighs had little creases all over them and his little toes were adorable. He had on a blue onesie that matched his eyes.

“You two are so cute,” I said, smiling at them both. I reached a hand out toward each of them, letting them wrap their hands around my fingers. Cammie’s fingers were wet with drool. It was grossly adorable.

John was watching them with complete love and adoration in his eyes, and I felt bad that my mom hadn’t been able to see them grow up to this age. I wanted that for her, and I wanted that for the twins as well. Noticing that I was looking at him, John glanced up and met my gaze. He smiled.

I smiled back then looked down at the twins and bit my lip in thought. I was nervous about bringing my mom up again, especially with his mom here, but I knew I needed to. I looked back up at John, and said, “Did you think more about what Ella and I came to talk to you about the other day?” I hoped he did. He’d had two days to mull over our proposal.

John furrowed his brows and then frowned, shaking his head slowly.

“
I
think he should give her another chance,” his mom interjected. I hadn’t anticipated that she would know what I was referring to. He must have spoken to her after we left. She looked down at me from her position on the couch. “He was completely smitten with your mother. He was heartbroken when she left, and I get that, but she was in a rough situation before.”

John shook his head. “So that makes it okay? Because she was between a rock and a hard place?”

His mom shook her head no. “That’s not what I’m saying, John. You do have to realize though that
you
were the one who put her into that hard place. She may have been having marriage troubles, and she shouldn’t have looked outside of her marriage for comfort, but it takes two to tango.” She leaned down and rubbed her hand over Cameron’s head lovingly.

John looked from Taylor to Cammie, and I wondered what he was thinking. He looked like he was in the middle of an emotional war within himself.

I focused on him as I asked, “What are you afraid of?”

John raised his gaze to meet mine. “Of what she might say,” he answered honestly. “What if I tell her how I feel, and she just laughs in my face?”

I scoffed. “That wouldn’t happen at all. I know that she still has feelings for you. She wouldn’t have left my father if she didn’t. She’s still in love with you. I know she is.”

John looked down at his hands that he was twisting together in his lap. He was nervous. He truly still loved Mom, but he was afraid of being hurt again. I felt bad for him.

“She hasn’t contacted me since she’s been back,” he said. It was more of an observation that he stated, rather than a question as to why she hadn’t.

I answered it like it was a question though. “She didn’t want to just show up and intrude on the life that you started without her. She didn’t know if you had moved on or not, and she didn’t want to come back and ruin everything for you.”

John regarded me for a moment, then sighed. “I don’t know.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the only noises coming from Cammie and Taylor, who didn’t realize or care that we were having a conversation that could possibly alter their futures. They were blissfully ignorant to the conversation going on around them. I kind of envied them for that.

Mrs. Symmes cleared her throat, gaining our attention. “Tell her the other reason why you’re so nervous.” She stared at her son with a knowing look on her weathered face.

John scratched his head and looked at the wall. He was silent for a second before he said, “I thought that Christine was going to end her marriage for me, and I had planned on proposing to her when she did.”

My eyes widened instantly at his confession.

John looked at me as he said, “I even bought her a ring. Then she told me that she wasn’t going to leave your father.”

I felt a twinge of sadness for him, and for my mom.

“That was then,” I murmured. “Things have changed.” I looked from Cammie to Taylor. “The only thing you can do now is move on from the past, and try to make the future how you want it to be.”

“She’s right,” his mom encouraged.

“If you want my mom to be in your and the twins’ lives, then you have to do what you can to make that your future.”