“Do you ladies mind if I join you for lunch since I’m already here? Or should I give you some privacy?” Luke asks.
“Of course not.” Savannah smiles at him innocently, and he returns the smile with a wink. Damn hooker, you’re married! That four carat diamond on your left ring finger tells him so. And when the hell do you wink, Luke? Oh frig!
Savannah strikes up the conversation about my doctor’s appointment, to which Luke hangs on to every word conversed. I don’t know how much he understands about pregnancies, but he doesn’t comment at all, just listens and nods intently. I tell them my expected due date, again. September 6, 2014; and that Dr. Staton is scheduling the Pre-natal Paternity Test. When I mention that, Luke’s demeanor shifts as angst fills his eyes.
“I can’t believe that Colton hasn’t agreed to have the test yet. I swear he is a damn bastard. If I get my hands on him, Carly, I promise his balls are gonna be twisted up tight in the palm of my hand, and he will pray to God that death will come to him before I let go of my death grip.”
“Okay, slow it down there, Killer. There will be no twisted balls of torture, do you understand? He has every right to be upset with me. I just have to give him time to deal with it in his own way.”
“Do you really believe that load of shit you’re feedin’ yourself right now? He ain’t gotta damn leg to stand on. Did you NOT tell him it was over when you left his hospital room that night? You didn’t cheat. You merely drowned your sorrows in Jack and this sexy specimen right here. Can’t blame ya there.” She shrugs.
“Okay, seriously. Knock off the flirting. It’s creeping me out.” I cringe. “It doesn’t matter. I hurt him. I’m no better than he is.”
“He’ll come around, beauts. And if he don’t, you’ll always have me.” Luke says with a smile that meets his eyes.
“Thanks, Luke. I know you truly mean that, but it will all come out in the wash. And if it don’t I’ll move on in my own time. I’m not hanging on to the past anymore. Only damn thing there is cob-web covered secrets that are better left dead and buried.” Tabby choses this moment to bring our food back to the table. Even she is blushing over the smile Luke greets her with. Hell, he’s cute but put your tongue back in your mouth already. For Heaven’s sake.
No, this ain’t the jealous side of me. Not. At. All.
No sooner than the mixed smells invade my senses, my stomach begins to roll in protest. I curl my nose up at the smells, then shove my plate back out of reach. Luke and Savannah both notice my nausea instantly.
“Is there anything that doesn’t make you sick to your stomach?” Luke as, his voice laced with concern.
“Not much.”
“It will pass, hun. It just takes time for your body to get used to the change.” Savannah says, squeezing my hand in hers. I offer them a weak smile and sip my sweet tea as they begin to eat.
After Luke polishes off his double bacon cheeseburger and fries, the direct reason that my stomach was revolting from the smell of greasy meat, he leaves. Savannah’s eyes follow him out of the restaurant, while her lips part and drool begins to form at the corner of her mouth.
“For real? You’re a grown ass, married woman. Put your damn tongue in your mouth.” I scold her, but her only response is a heavy giggle. “Did you forget about Josh?” As soon as his name is mentioned, she pulls back her laughter and washes her face of all emotion.
“You’re right. Sorry. I just never connected Luke to the biker guy, and I guess I let the excitement get the best of me.”
“Excitement? What’s so exciting?”
“He’s just so sexy, and down to earth. Oh what the hell am I sayin’? He’s your best friend, and I’m married. Check.”
“Savannah, what’s going on with you? I’ve never seen you act so out of character?”
“It’s nothing, really. Back to you. Do you think Colton will come around?”
“No, not back to me. You’ve been acting really strange lately. Spill it.”
“I’m fine, Carly. Just stressed. I’ll be okay. Now, back to your situation. Your appointment for the Paternity testing is in a couple of weeks, right? Are you going to ask Colton to go or not?”
“What the hell is the point, Savannah? If the test concludes that Luke ain’t the father, the only other option is Colton. I’m not discussing this with him anymore. He has made it clear that he doesn’t want to talk to me, so I’m done. When I know the results o
f the paternity, I’ll deal with it all then because there ain’t a damn thing I can change.” I bite back the building tears that are pooling in the corners of my eyes. Savannah knows she has struck a nerve. She places her hand over mine as she begins to speak then releases a low sigh.
“What is it? You’ve not held anything back so far so don’t stop now.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
“Go ahead, Savannah Marie. Let’s hear it. I’m a big girl.”
“It’s just ironic. The men we love and pour our souls into caring for, are the ones who lash at our wounds and beat us when we are down.”
“Yeah, really ironic.” I don’t prod anymore into Savannah’s statement, because my mind can’t possibly process anything else at this very moment. But I commit her statement to memory, so I can ask her about it later. It’s obvious something is bothering her, she is just being a good big sister and focusing on my problems rather than shedding light on her own.