He might have scared the shit outta everyone else, but if somehow I came to the conclusion that Abi was going to be mine, no one was going to stop me. Not even him.
“Right.” Robert’s disgust followed me out as I walked into the bright sunny afternoon and made my way over to my bike. I was grateful for the decision to bring it over before we left for the trip instead of letting him send a chauffeur to pick me up. The last thing I wanted to do was ride home in the back of a big black limo, feeling like a little boy who’d been punished for misbehaving. I was a fucking man in my thirties.
Abi wanted me, and I gave into her. Plain and simple.
I enjoyed the wind in my hair as I drove to my Mom’s little house on the east side of town, the people there were so much more welcoming and at ease. Poverty did that to people though. When there was no way out of the hole you were in, at times you finally just settled into it and put up some furniture.
My Mom met me at the door as I walked up the stairs. “You’re back early, baby.”
“Hey, Mom.” I pulled her into a quick hug. “I’m happy to see you. It’s a long story.”
“Good. I like stories. I just pulled a pie out of the oven. Tell me all about it.” She smiled and moved back, letting me into the house. The smell of apples and cinnamon filled my nose, and I couldn’t help but think about Abi.
There was no way I could just walk away from her, could I?
“You got a lot on your mind. Take a load off and tell me all about it.” She cut me a piece of pie and sat down, and I opened up my soul and spilled all my shit to my best friend and only remaining family member.
At the end of me being a little too honest about Abi, my Mom blushed and chuckled. “Well, sounds to me like you might be falling in love. Don’t let that go, baby. It doesn't come around too often.”
“You think?” I licked my fork and smiled like a tomcat, feeling more like myself than I had in months. “Her Dad will likely string me up.”
“It’s all part of the fun.” She reached out and patted my arm. “You’re special forces. Figure out a way to make it all happen. It’s part brains, and part strategy. You got both. Use them.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - ABIGAIL
I must have slept for two days straight. By the time I got back up, everyone was gone to church. My Dad would give me hell for missing it, but knowing my Mom, she would take my side and calm everyone down.
After taking a long shower and brushing the tangles from my hair, I walked down to the kitchen and breathed in deeply. Janice, my Dad’s chef, had a pot roast in the crock pot and was singing Bruce Springsteen at the top of her lungs.
I laughed and tapped her on the shoulder.
“Oh hell!” She jumped, turned around and pulled her ear buds out. “Child, you scared the hell out of me!”
I laughed and moved into the warm hug she provided. “See there? No need for church when you can get the hell scared out of you in the kitchen, right?”
“Don’t let your Daddy hear you say that.” She laughed again and released me. “You gave us a big scare, missy. You know you’ll always be the baby around here. You’re the only one we got to raise.”
“I realize that.” I moved around her and picked up an apple before hopping up to sit on the counter beside her cutting board. “I’m not a baby anymore though. I’m a grown woman, and I want to start living my life. It’s stupid that I still have to ask to go places and take a bodyguard with me.”
“Really?” She glanced over at me and put a hand on her portly hip. “Girl, you’re out of your mind. I saw that bodyguard, and I’m telling you this… he can guard my body any time he wants to.”
I chuckled and almost choked on my apple. “He was handsome.” A dreamy feeling raced through me, and I realized how badly I wanted to see him again.
“Your Dad is handsome. This man was F-I-N-E, fine.” She handed me a napkin as juice from the apple ran down my chin. “He and your Daddy had a rough talk though from what I gather.”
“Rough talk?” I tilted my head to the side as my heart sunk in my chest. “Harley saved my life and got me back home safely.”
“And your Dad thinks something happened between the two of you.” She lifted her eyebrow and pressed me with a hard stare. “Now you know I don’t gossip, but did something happen?”
“That I can’t share, Janice.” I hopped off the cabinet and walked toward the front door as the sound of my parents coming into the house filled up the foyer.
“They replaced the twelfth disciple, honey. I’m telling you. It’s in the book.” My Dad turned to face my Mom with his hand on his hip. That was never good.
“No. They didn’t.” My Mom leaned around him. “Hi, baby. You look good.” She moved in front of me and gripped my shoulders. “Are you feeling okay? You slept forever.”
“Two days, Mom. Not forever.” I hugged her and eyed my Dad. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Dad?”
“Yep. In the office.” He turned and walked toward the office, lifting his hand in the air. “And I’m telling you, there was another disciple after Judas. Look it up honey, and then you can let me know that I’m the winner.”