Inflame

Chapter 20

Lucy

IT’S BEEN five days since we got back from Alabama, and as I get out of the shower, I smile as I recall the time spent there. The rest of the weekend with Kale’s family was comfortable as I got to know them better, and Kalli didn’t let me leave without agreeing to let them throw a small baby shower in the spring before the baby’s born. She was so excited, practically bouncing off the walls at the idea of being aunt, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her no, especially since Mom lives only any hour away and would be able to make it.

Kaylie was slightly standoffish all weekend, and I just figured she was the more reserved of the twins. I could tell she’s the protective one of the bunch, whereas Ginger and Kalli both wear their hearts on their sleeves and love easily. She wasn’t rude or impolite, but I caught her watching me, listening to the conversations rather than participating in them, almost like she was trying to get a good read on me. Normally I’d feel uneasy, but I know how I’d feel if Marisa—in ten years, of course—showed up at home with a stranger and announced that she was pregnant. I decided not to let it bother me and chose just to be grateful that Kale has someone who loves him that much to watch his back. I just hope I left her with a good impression. She did chime in and ask to help with the shower, so that’s hopefully a step in the right direction.

Warm hands slide around my waist and underneath my t-shirt, breaking me out of my thoughts. Kale’s hot breath is tickling my ear, and I can’t help the shiver that runs down my spine.

“You look gorgeous, babe,” he whispers as I watch him in the mirror behind me.

“You’re crazy. I just got out of the shower and haven’t done anything except get dressed.”

“Exactly. I like you just like this. Freshly showered, barefoot, in my bathroom.”

I turn in his arms so that I’m parallel to the mirror. Pulling my t-shirt up, I rub my belly, trying to tell if there’s a small bump there or if I just ate too much at lunch. At twelve weeks, I feel like I should be seeing the changes, but Ginger assured me that every woman has a different experience and it’s normal that I’m not quite showing yet.

“Yeah, you say that now, but just wait until I look like I have a beach ball under my shirt.”

“I’ll still think the same thing, babe. No matter how big Sprout grows, you’ll always be the most beautiful girl in the world to me.”

I blush at his words, and even though we’ve officially adopted Sprout as the baby’s nickname, my heart still flip-flops every time I hear him use it. Like each time the word is spoken, it becomes a little more real. While I may tease Kale about my impending growing belly, I can’t wait to have the physical evidence of the child growing inside me. My pants have been getting harder to button, but I guess I’m just anxious for a real bump to rest my hands on.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realize we’re running behind. “Okay, sweet talker, get out of here. If you wanna hear this baby’s heartbeat, I’ve got five minutes to get ready and out the door or else we’re going to be late.”

A huge grin spreads over Kale’s face and he’s out the door without another word, causing me to laugh behind him. His excitement is contagious, and I quickly throw on a little mascara and lip gloss before slipping into comfortable yoga pants and a sweatshirt before I walk down the hall, where I find Kale waiting by the door, anxious as ever. Ginger asked about an ultrasound, and I swear he paled before she could even finish the question. When I stepped in and told her that the appointment was this week, he looked at me with wide eyes, pulling me into a hug. Over my head, he promised his mom a copy of it as soon as possible. This, combined with the way Kaylie reacted when she found out about the baby, has me wondering if he’s hiding something, but he’s always been an open book. I shrug it off, assuming it’s just nerves.

When we get in the car, he tosses me a bottle of water, and I look at him quizzically.

“What’s this for?” I ask.

“Mom may have called earlier to tell me to have you drink a bottle of water before you go to the appointment. Something about how the water will help lift uterus away from the pelvis and it can help get a clear look at the baby.” He must see the weird look on my face because he’s quick to continue. “Hey, she had three healthy kids, and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure this ultrasound’s a success.”

I open the bottle and start drinking from it. “Whatever she says. That’s three more than I’ve had, so I’ll trust her advice. I guess it’s time we start reading those baby books that are stacked on the coffee table.”

He grins at me as he pulls out of the driveway. “Better late than never, baby.”

ONCE I’M situated on the bed in the doctor’s office, Kale begins pacing the room, causing my nerves to grow increasingly with each back and forth movement. I’m about to ask him what the hell is going on when the door opens and Dr. Foster walks in, greeting us both. Kale finally settles into a seat against the wall as the doctor begins her exam. I’m trying to focus on what she’s saying, but I can’t stop looking at him out of the corner of my eye. His leg’s bouncing up and down and his fingers are drumming nervously against his knee. He’s staring at Dr. Foster, hanging on to every word. I guess that’s a good thing since I’m too busy watching him, wondering why he seems so nervous now after he’s been the calm one from the very beginning.

Finally, the doctor interrupts my thoughts and I tear my gaze away from him. “Okay, Lucy, are you ready to hear your baby’s heartbeat?” she asks, and my own heart flutters. I’m a bundle of nerves, but I nod accordingly, absentmindedly holding my hand out for Kale. He’s by my side in a flash.

She begins to rub a jellylike substance over my belly, and I shiver as the cold liquid spreads. “This is used to get a better connection between the transducer of the machine and your womb. I know it’s cold, but I promise, you’ll get used to it,” she reassures me. Bringing the transducer to my stomach, she begins the process. “Okay, let’s see what we have here. Sometimes these little guys can be stubborn and it’ll take a minute to find the heartbeat.”

“Kale’s mom told me to drink water to lift my uterus,” I blurt out, hoping that it’ll make me sound prepared.

Dr. Foster gives Kale a smile then turns to me. “There actually have been studies conducted that have shown that drinking water before an ultrasound can do just that, so she wasn’t off base with her advice. Let’s see if your little one agrees.”

I’m holding my breath and squeezing Kale’s hand tightly as I watch her move the wand around on my stomach while she stares at the screen beside her. It feel like forever until the most beautiful sound fills the room. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Tears prick my eyes, and I turn to look at Kale, who’s smiling down at me, his own eyes shining.

“You hear that, baby? It’s Sprout,” he whispers almost reverently.

My breath catches as I watch the realization that our baby is real spread over his face in a look of both shock and awe, and I know exactly how he feels. I haven’t questioned for a second that I—that we—are having a baby, but it isn’t until this moment that I really, truly feel the parental connection between us. Right now, all I see is him, and the heartbeat filling the room is all I can hear. My own starts racing in time with Sprout’s beats as it sinks in that we did this. We created this child. And whether we knew it or not, I now am certain without a doubt that he was created out of love. Ginger was right. We might not be ready to voice it, but there’s no denying what’s between us, and suddenly I know I don’t want to any longer.

Dr. Foster clears her throat, and I struggle to tear my eyes away from Kale. When I look at her, I see that she’s turned the screen towards us, and he squeezes my hand while bracing himself on the bed with his other one. My eyes are transfixed on the grainy image, and my heart’s caught in my throat as I look at my baby for the first time.

“We got lucky with this one. He—not saying it’s a boy, but for all intents and purposes, we’ll stick with he for now—was apparently ready make his on-screen debut. From what I can tell, everything looks great and he’s developing exactly as he should be.”

Relief flows through me, and Kale leans over the bed to look at the screen, eyes dancing. “Is he…is he lounging?” he asks incredulously, and I get up on my elbows to get a closer look, careful not to move too much.

“It sure looks like it,” she agrees with him and begins to point out Sprout on the screen. “It appears as if his arms are behind his neck, and his legs are propped up on the uterine wall in front of him. If you can see the way he’s lying there, it almost looks like he’s relaxing on a hammock or a lawn chair. All in all, he looks like a very comfortable fetus. Let’s hope he stays that way.”

She goes through a bit more information, but I barely register her words. I can’t take my eyes off him, and it isn’t until she turns the machine off that I realize the appointment is over. Kale gently wipes the gel off my skin and helps me sit up as Dr. Foster closes my chart.

“Okay, Lucy, like I said, you look like you’re developing right on schedule, and everything looks great with the baby. Do you have any questions for me?”

I’m about to tell her no when Kale interjects even though he’s been unusually quiet during the whole appointment. “What do I need to look out for to ensure that Lucy and the baby stay healthy? Are there any warning signs of complications that I can be alert to so I know if she needs to seek medical attention?”

Dr. Foster rummages through a cabinet beside the bed and pulls out a thick booklet. “Read up on this material and it’ll answer any question that you have. If for some reason you still have concerns, let me know. Do me a favor and don’t go play Dr. Web MD, okay?” she offers with a smile.

“Thanks,” he replies. “I just get worried that I might miss something, and I want to ensure Lucy and the baby are healthy throughout the entire pregnancy.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, Kale. Most first-time parents have the same nerves you do, but I assure you, at this point, Lucy and the baby are perfectly healthy. In fact, unless you’re adamant on a sixteen-week appointment, we can meet back here in eight weeks at the halfway mark. If you want to know the gender, we’ll be able to know that day without a doubt, especially if the fetus is as relaxed as he was today.”

I hate the way she calls Sprout a fetus, but at the same time, I don’t want to share his name with anyone else. He’s so much more than just a fetus. He’s my baby, my sprout, the love of my life, and I can still hear the echo of his heartbeat in my head.

Turning my attention back to the doctor, I nod my head. “That’s fine. It’s going to be hell, but I can wait. I don’t think my insurance covers another visit until then anyway.”

Dr. Foster smiles and pushes back from her chair. “I’ll see you in eight weeks, then. Go ahead and make an appointment with the receptionist, and I’ll have the CD with the ultrasound photos out to you in a just a moment. If you have any questions or concerns over the next eight weeks, please don’t hesitate to call the office. Have a great weekend, you two.”

We echo her sentiments and watch as she leaves the room. I’m about to hop down from the bed when Kale gets between my legs and pulls me into his arms. My head rests against his chest and I can feel his heart beating wildly. He holds me tight, squeezing almost too much.

“Kale, are you okay?” I ask, wondering what the hell is going through his mind.

He pulls back from me, cups my cheeks with both hands, and brings his forehead to mine. “I’ve never been more freaking okay in my life, Lucy Beth,” he says, using the nickname he must’ve overheard Mom calling me, and my heart melts. “All along, I’ve know this is real, but it wasn’t until I heard that heartbeat that it all really settled in. He’s real. Our baby is growing inside you—a part of me, a part of you. And I hafta say, if that first ultrasound is any indication, I have a feeling he’s going to take after his old man. Laid back and relaxed. But seriously, baby, that was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. Our baby. Wow. I don’t even know what to say other than that.”

“Wow’s a pretty darn good way to describe it,” I agree and press my lips to his, ready to top this perfect day off with a kiss. “Now let’s go get the CD so I can get some copies before we go out tonight.”

He groans at the reminder that we both have plans that night. “Come on. We should be celebrating alone tonight, not going off in separate directions,” he whines, and he’s so cute that I’m almost tempted to agree.

“As good as that sounds, I promised Charlie and Lexi a girls’ night out. We haven’t had a chance to all hang out since Lexi got back from their honeymoon. Plus, this way you get a night out with the guys. It’s a total win-win. Tomorrow, though, will be all about you and me, okay?” I whisper seductively, letting my fingers run down his chest and over the bulge in his jeans.

He swallows hard then hauls me up off the bed. “The way I see it, you’re still mine for a few hours. We’ll start our celebration early then put it on hold until tomorrow. Come on, beautiful. Let’s get out of here.”

More than ready to get home and commemorate this day, we head out of the room with just a quick stop by reception to make the next appointment and to get the ultrasound CD. I secretly make plans to get copies for him before our night out tonight, and I can’t wait to hold the real photo in my hand. Little does Kale know, I don’t plan on spending all night with the girls, and I can’t wait to crawl in his bed later tonight, ready to continue the celebration.

Kale

“WHOA, DUDE. Slow the fuck down,” Knox tells me after I down my third shot. “What the hell’s gotten into you tonight?”

Jace laughs beside him and just slaps me on the back. “Lexi told me about the doctor’s appointment today. I’m guessing it didn’t go so well?”

I look back and forth between the two of them and almost have to laugh at their opposing facial expressions. Jace is grinning like it’s the best thing in the world, whereas Knox looks like he’s ready to tell that waitress to cut me off. In the background, I see Xavier, but I have to look away because all I see on his face is concern. If anyone understands the turmoil that’s rolling through my mind, it’s him, and the last thing I want to do is talk about it.

The bartender takes that moment to come back around, and under Knox’s watchful eye, I order a beer and water. I’m not trying to get wasted. I just really need to take the fucking edge off. The one I haven’t been able to get rid of since leaving the doctor’s office.

“Women talk too much,” I inform Jace, and he just laughs again.

“Man, I know you’re new to this whole relationship thing, but you might as well get used to that fact. Women always like to accuse us of locker room talk, yet they’re even worse than we are. I don’t know how many times I’ve walked into the room with Lexi on the phone with Charlie and she has to start whispering. And the truth is, I don’t want to know. The things I’ve overheard? Let’s just say I don’t ever plan on riding in Knox’s car ever again.”

“Dude, what?” I ask.

Knox just shrugs and smiles into his beer. “Charlie has a thing for cars. Who am I to deny her when she wants a piece of Evelyn?”

“God dammit, Wellington. I rode in your car yesterday on the way to get lunch!”

“Yeah, and Charlie rode in it the night before.”

Jace just shakes his head.

Knox rolls his eyes. “I know how to wash my damn car, Montgomery. Come on. It’s not like you’ve never had car sex, so get off it.”

I can’t argue with him there, so I just tip my beer to him. “Touché. I’ve got nothin’ there.”

Jace starts coughing at my admission then stands up from his barstool. “Okay, if I stay here any longer, I’ll end up never riding in anyone’s car again, so how ‘bout a game of pool? Any takers?”

Knox rises and agrees to join him. “Don’t be such a prude, McAllister. You’ve got that massive truck. I know it’s gotten some action.”

Jace just grins back at him, and I can barely make out his words as they walk away. “A true gentleman never fucks and tells. Plus, that’s my wife you’re talking about, so shut the hell up before I ram a pool stick up your ass.”

Knox just laughs it off, and I shake my head at them. I can’t believe that it was only a short while ago that they were giving me crap, telling me I was going to be loved up like them. Even though I had feelings for Lucy at the time, I never thought I’d get the chance to act on it, and I tried to deny that love was ever in the cards for me. They told me that I was wrong, and well, hell, they were right.

Xavier moves over to the stool next to me and watches as I pick at the label on my beer. “Wanna talk about it?”

Letting out a deep breath, I turn to look at him. “Would you let me get away with it if I said no?” He looks at me pointedly without saying a word. “Yeah, I didn’t think so.”

“Come on, Kale. You were there for me in my darkest times, especially when Lily was a baby. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through those days if you weren’t there to have my back, to have Lily’s back. You’re a part of our family, and you always will be. The same goes for Lucy and your baby now, too, so let me be here for you. Let me have your back for once.”

Shaking my head, I give him a sorrowful look. “You know it wasn’t just one-sided back then, Z. I was going through my own personal hell at the time, and Lily was my saving grace. You think you couldn’t have done it without me? There’s no way in fucking hell I would’ve gotten through those first couple of years without the two of you. Hell, man, we were in boot camp for the same damn reason. That’s part of how we became so close.” I pause, needing a second to regroup before I start bawling like a fucking baby in the middle of the bar as all the memories rise to the surface. “And look at us now, at just how differently our lives have turned out. It’s so fucked up, man, but you have no idea how many times over the years I’ve looked at Lily and wondered what life would be like if she were mine. Not trying to sound like a fucking creep or anything. You’re the best dad that girl could have. It’s just… I love her like she’s my own, but as much as I love her, she’s a reminder of everything I lost. I don’t know. I used to find myself watching her and wondering, you know? What it would’ve been like? How different my life could’ve been?”

Xavier’s eyes watch me as I spill out every single word, and he signals the bartender. “A couple of whiskeys neat,” he orders then looks back at me. “Dude, if we’re going there, I need something stronger than beer, and I have a feeling you do, too.”

I nod in agreement, waiting until I have a fresh drink in front of me. Then I take a sip, enjoying the smooth burn that flows through my chest, making this whole heart-pouring session a little easier.

“It wasn’t until you made me her godfather that things started to finally look up. I threw myself into that role and tried to forget all the pain, all the things I was missing, all because you let me be a part of it with Lily. I’ll never forget that, man. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t had that to keep myself occupied. If I hadn’t had someone who was depending on me. I just don’t fucking know.”

“Hey, come on. You know I needed the help just as much. When Angela walked out on us, I was a fucking wreck. Here I was with a four-week-old and I didn’t have a single clue how to raise a baby, let alone a little girl. You stepped right up to the plate and were a fucking natural,” he reminds me. “We were a couple of kids back then, and you could’ve gone off with all the other guys partying on the weekends and living it up. Instead, you had my back, and ever since then, I’ve had yours. So tell me what the hell’s going on. You’ve been wanting to be with Lucy for as long as I remember, and now you are. Why are you sittin’ in this bar, downing shots looking like someone just ripped your heart out of your chest when you should be out celebrating?”

I know he’s right. I should be having a grand old time, happy as can be, and I am. It’s just that life’s messy and the things I thought were long buried have begun to resurface. I’m beginning to feel like I’m drowning with all the unresolved grief that’s threatening to pour out.

“We had the first ultrasound today. When I heard the baby’s heartbeat, it felt like someone had ripped my heart out of my chest and placed it inside this small little blip on the screen. It was so fucking beautiful, man, and took everything in me not to break down right there. I think part of me never thought I’d hear that sound again, and when the thumps hit my ears, it was almost more than I could bear. It was so surreal, and part of me couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I was awestruck.” I stop to take a quick drink as I remember the way the sound filled the room. “You remember what that was like. And then it went by way too quickly, and before I knew it, the sound vanished. And that’s when the fear started seeping in. I don’t even know to describe it. My chest got tight and I felt like I could barely breathe. It was just like the nightmares from all those years ago, except instead of Tara, it was Lucy, and for some reason, this time it hurt so much more. I felt desperate as the memories started to flood back in, and while I knew it wasn’t another goddamn dream, I was still terrified as hell. I need to hear that sound again with my own two ears. I need to know it’s not the last time I’m going to hear it. I know it’s fucking crazy, but part of me wants to lock Lucy up until June, just to make sure that she and the baby are safe.”

Stopping to take a long swig of my drink, I’m thankful that I’m able to talk to about this with Xavier. He’s the only person besides my mom and sisters who has any idea about it, and while it’s been forever since it’s been brought up, I need to get this off my chest, no matter how much more it burns than any amount of whiskey ever could.

“I can’t go through that again, Xavier. I don’t know if I could come out on the other side unscathed.”

He shakes his head and looks at me in disbelief, as if it’s the craziest thing anyone’s ever said. “The two situations aren’t even comparable. I don’t know why you’re getting yourself so worked up over it. Things with you and Lucy are good, right?” I nod, and before I can say anything, he continues. “You can sit around and worry about this for the next six to seven months, Kale, but it’s not going to do you or Lucy any good. If you care about her, then you need to trust that she feels the same and that she’s not going to repeat any of the mistakes from your past. That doesn’t mean everything’s going to be easy, but you can’t spend the pregnancy looking over your shoulder or continuously expecting the ball to drop. It’s going to be stressful enough as it is.

“It’s been ten years, man. I’m not saying you’ve got to forget about it or anything, but you need to find a way to deal with your grief or else you’re never going to be able to move on completely. Trust me, I learned the hard way, and I almost fell back into Angela’s trap. If it weren’t for the fact that I have Lily to look out for, I might have. I took a step back and realized that I had to let go of the past or I was never going to be able to move to the future. Sure, I’m not hopping around hoping to find a new mother for Lily any time soon, but I’m more open to it than I was a year ago. If you want this to work with Lucy, you’ve got to work through your shit.”

His words are piercing, and although I know he’s probably right, I’m just not sure how I’m supposed to just let it go when I’ve buried it so deep. Maybe if I’d properly grieved back then, I wouldn’t be dealing with this now, but at the time, there was no way I was in a place to even begin to understand how to start the healing process.

Maybe Xavier’s right. I have a second chance at a family, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s unfair to Lucy—and to Sprout—if I don’t go into this wholeheartedly, and I decide then and there that I owe them more than just part of me. As hard as it’s going to be, I do need to let it all out, to finally grieve once and for all.

“Thanks, man. I know you’re right. It’s just been so long, and I never expected to have it all come up again, you know? I guess I thought I’d locked it away, but I tell you, when I saw him on the screen, the reality of it hit me, and I guess I panicked. I’ll deal with it. We don’t have another appointment for eight weeks. I don’t want to feel like this again or have Lucy see me this way.”

Xavier finishes his drink and signals the bartender for the tab. When he turns back to me, his eyebrows are raised. “Let me guess. Lucy has no freaking clue about any of this, does she?”

I grimace, knowing that I’m about to get another lecture, and even though Xavier’s obviously ready to leave, I motion for one last shot to down quickly before he can load me into a cab and send me on my way. I know what I have to do tonight, and at the same time, I know there’s no way I’m going to get through it without a little liquid courage pumping through my veins. When I look at him, I try to pretend that I don’t see the disappointment on his face.

“Look, I’m going to tell her. I swear to it. But dammit, Z, a month ago she wasn’t even my girlfriend. When was I supposed to tell her my sob story? Before or after we were done fooling around? It wasn’t exactly pillow talk and our relationship wasn’t like that. She was just Lucy. My best friend. She didn’t need to know.”

Xavier starts laughing at me, and I try to ignore him as I take the shot once it’s set in front of me.

“What the hell’s so funny?”

“You, man. I swear to Christ, you have a funny definition of best friends. Do you have any idea how many times since last summer Lily’s asked me when Ms. Lucy and Uncle Kale are going to get married? You may have done a good job keeping it hidden from everyone else, but when you were around us, even my eight-year-old knew you two were made for each other. Not to mention, even if you were just ‘best friends,’” he says, and I scowl at his use of finger quotations, “isn’t that the kind of thing best friends share? Who better to talk to about that shit than your best friend? Someone who knows you better than anyone else and won’t judge you no matter what? Someone who’ll be your shoulder to cry, who you can lean on for support? Isn’t Lucy that person for you?”

“No, she’s not. She’s so much more than that, and that’s why I couldn’t tell her. I didn’t want her sympathy, and I didn’t want to bring a black cloud over what we had. If I’d opened up about all that, I’d have been in the permanent friend zone, and as far as she’s concerned, that’s a place I’ve wanted to avoid since the moment I realized I had true feelings for her. She wouldn’t have looked at me the same. I know it. Instead, I just stayed fun, playful, carefree, the-world-is-sunshine Kale Montgomery. She didn’t need to know about what happened before.”

Sighing, he stands up and gives me a knowing look. “I don’t think you’re giving Lucy, or yourself, enough credit. She can handle it, and knowing what I do of her, she’ll be with you every step of the way while you grieve—if, and only if, you’ll let her. It may not have seemed appropriate before, but Kale, this is something you can’t keep from her, and the longer you wait, the harder the fall’s going to be when it all comes out.” He grabs my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “That being said, I love you, man, and I’m here for you whenever you need me. Day or night, okay?”

As much as I love my sisters, I grew up asking the Lord for a brother to help combat all the estrogen around me, but Mom claimed she was done having kids and I was shit out of luck. Those prayers were finally answered the day I met Xavier Cruz, and I’ve been blessed with his friendship, his brotherhood ever since.

“I know. Thanks, man. It means a lot. And don’t worry. I’ll get my shit sorted. Once I do, I’ll talk with Lucy. I appreciate ya talking some sense into me. Hey, not to change the subject or anything, but Mom wanted me to let you know you guys are more than welcome to come down to Christmas this year. She loved having you all there last year and wanted to extend the invitation again. She’s always had a soft spot for you. Sometimes I think she’d rather have you be her son,” I joke, happy to lighten the mood.

Xavier’s been going home to Alabama with me whenever he could, and his mom and mine became fast friends all those years ago at our boot camp graduation. Both of our moms are single parents, and our families just kind of blended at the time. The twins have loved Lily since she was a baby, and they even made special trips up to visit her when Xavier’s been away. Although, Kalli’s also made sure to visit when he’s home, but I figure that’s just her trying to feed her childhood crush on him. As far as I know, he’s never given her the time of day, but my sister’s nothing if not persistent. Unfortunately for her, he was pining after Angela, Lily’s mom, for the longest time and wouldn’t ever look at another woman, and I think she finally got the hint. I wonder, though, now that Angela’s long gone, if he’d ever look at Kalli as anything other than a sister, but I shake the thought out of my head, knowing that those two would never be compatible.

“Sounds good. I’ll talk to Ma about it, but I’m sure she’ll say yes. Lily will be excited to see her Aunt Ginger. Okay, you ready to get outta here? Ma’s out and I told the babysitter I’d be back by eleven.”

Throwing enough bills on the bar to cover the check and the tip, I stand up, stumbling just a little as I realize that the booze is affecting a little more than I thought. Ignoring it, I nod and throw a passing wave to Jace and Knox before heading out. I’m ready to get home, but I’m not ready at all for what awaits me.