Unexpected Series: Box Set Read online

  Jayden

  Feeling the baby move was just as surreal the second time as it was the first. We started to have a “moment” and what do I do? I run. Not like she doesn’t have enough going on now and I go and add my shit to it. I need to get it together. I don’t need to show how much she affects me by just being around her. How much I already care and I’ve barely known her a few days. If you can even call what this is knowing someone.

  I pick up the phone and mindlessly order some Chinese to be delivered. Over the past couple days, my mind keeps taking me back to the gas station and what I saw that night. I can’t even imagine what she went through. It seems like she is in denial about it all, just going on about her day like nothing ever happened. She’s been acting weird towards everyone since she found out that I was the one that found her. That saw her being raped. How would I react if I were in her shoes? I don’t even know.

  I walk over to the sofa and sit down. The whirlwind that has consumed my life doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop anytime soon, either. I have a baby due in just a few months. I found his mom being raped, while still pregnant. I just hope she’ll let me in to help. I just want to make things easier on her. Help her work through what’s going on inside her head.

  Apparently, I’ve been sitting here for a while because I hear the doorbell go off. I jump up and rush to the door to get the food so I can get it upstairs to Annie. I get our food on a plate and start towards the stairs. I get about halfway up and I realize I can hear her crying in her room. Rushing to her room, I go in and see her curled up in a ball on her bed. Now, I mean this is in the nicest way possible, but she looks like a cute little blob. With her belly she can’t really curl into a ball. I will never admit that out loud though.

  I sit the plates down on her dresser and slowly walk over to her, I don’t want to scare her since she’s so lost to her grief. I inch my way onto the bed, and spoon myself against her. As soon as her back touches my front, her whole body stiffens. I start murmuring that’ll it be ok and that I’m here for her. Tell her that my whole family is here for her. Just trying to offer her any type of support that I can.

  I don’t know how long we lay like that. Her back to my front. This is the most relaxed I’ve been for a long time. What a horrible situation for me to finally get some much needed R&R. I talked to my Commanding Officer and made him aware of the situation. I still have to go back to work in a couple days. But at least if something happens, they all know about her and vaguely what had happened.

  After what seems like forever, she finally starts to stir in my arms. She starts to sit up, but has a hard time getting up, so I give her a gentle push on her back. She gets up off the bed and turns to face me. The look on her face is one of resolve. I don’t think I’m going to like where this is going.

  “I’m so sorry you had to see that.” She says, while her eyes keep darting around the room.

  “It’s ok. I think that after what happened, you’re entitled to a breakdown.” She can’t be serious can she?

  “No, I’m a strong person. I don’t breakdown, I keep it together. And I do it well,” it’s like she’s building a brick wall around her as she speaks, “I don’t give situations the opportunity to break me. That’s not how I operate.”

  “Okay, that’s alright. You can do what you need to protect yourself. For now.” I tell her.

  After I say that, she turns and goes to her bathroom and slams the door behind her. I’m going to have to get it through her pretty little skull that I’m going to try to help her in any way I can. She’s my family now, like it or not. She needs to just keep it movin’ and deal with me. And how things are going to be from now on. I’m sure Jonah didn’t let her get away with much while I was away.

  I stay on the bed for a few more minutes, trying to gather myself after all that. My life is going to change drastically too, not just hers. I’m willing to change myself completely for her and my son. I’m willing to do whatever, be whatever she needs. Just as I stand up from the bed, I hear my phone go off.

  Jonah: Hey man, how’s it goin’?

  Me: Well, from when you left, I ordered her Chinese, and then by the time it got here she was sobbing on her bed.

  Jonah: How did you react? Did you comfort her?

  Me: I did what I could, I’m trying to not be too intrusive. Jesus, I barely know her and I was lying on her bed with her trying to comfort her.

  Jonah: ;) That was fast work, bro.

  Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This kid. If he were here I’d hit him upside the head.

  Me: Nice man, but no. I’m not that much of an asshole.

  Jonah: LOL, I know. I’m kidding. But with Annie you need to joke about things for her to feel better about the situation. Anything that can upset her, she will put a front up and make jokes like she’s fine. And that’s how she wants you to react. She doesn’t want sympathy. That’ll only make her walls worse.

  I really hate that this fucker knows more about her than I do. He would’ve been able to comfort her more than what I did. This is it. From here on out I am going to do whatever it takes to get to know her. I’m going to make this my most important mission ever. I’m going to call it Operation Love Child. We can even throw one of those hashtags in front of it to make it “Facebook official”. I’m going to need to get Jonah in on this with me.

  Annie

  This asshole. How dare he talk to me that way? I cannot believe he had the balls to tell me that this was how I handle things for now. What does that even mean? He needs to get over himself. He isn’t my superman, he isn’t just going to swoop in and make everything better. Life is constantly throwing me curveballs, and if I didn’t break after my parents died then I think that I can survive just about anything. Except if something happened to the baby, I wouldn’t come back from that. That would be life’s ultimate fuck you. That alone has the most power to break me.

  I’m in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet. Where I’ve been since I pulled myself together. An hour ago. I’m starting to get really hungry. Apparently my mental breakdown decided to happen right when food got here. Damn my hormones for getting the best of me at the worst time. I should have grabbed my phone when I came in here, at least then I would have had some entertainment. Something to take my mind off what happened. I could have pulled up a book, the ultimate escape.

  Sitting here another few minutes, I decide to pull up my big girl panties and get out of the bathroom. Hunger is outweighing my need to stay locked in here away from him. With any luck, he’ll be nowhere in sight and he left my food in my room for me.

  I slowly pull the door open, peering around it before I open it all the way. Fabulous! He isn’t in here. Walking over to my dresser I grab my phone, and notice my plate of food. Chinese! Yummy that sounds so good right now! Walking towards my bed, I bring the plate with me. Easing myself onto my bed, I try to get all relaxed again. I’m still really sore from the attack. My hoohoo has never been this sore in my life. That dickhead really tore me up, and not in a good way. Everyone has asked me what happened during, like if he hit me while he was raping me. But since I checked out, I can’t give them the answers they want. I’m just so thankful that they caught the guy, and he can’t do that to anyone else. We’re waiting to hear from the cops to see what’s going to happen from here. Jayden mentioned in the hospital that he’s hopeful with the rape kit I won’t have to testify. I’m really praying for that to be the case. No way do I ever want to lay eyes on him again.

  All these thoughts are running through my head as I continually shove huge spoonful’s of beef fried rice into my face. And it’s not until I notice that there is no more to shove that that’s what I was doing. Oops. And I’m still hungry. Fuck my life. I guess it’s time to brave the kitchen. I could go for something to drink too.

  I hobble out of my room and downstairs, sneaking glances every which way to look for Jayden because he wasn’t in the guest room. I get to the bottom of the stairs and turn towards the kitchen. And there he is
. With no shirt. God damn these boys, they need to keep their clothes on! With all of his naked skin, I didn’t even notice that he is cleaning my kitchen. Jesus, I know military people are very neat people but I can clean my own kitchen, thank you!

  “What exactly are you doing?” I inquire of him.

  “I’m sure you really don’t need the answer to that.” And I’m sure that I hear a smile in his voice.

  “Okay, smartass. You’re cleaning my kitchen. But, why?” I’m not so sure why I’m arguing, I hate cleaning. I’ve even threatened to get a cleaning lady to come once a week. I absolutely loathe cleaning with all of my being.

  “With what just happened to you, I honestly don’t think it’s in your best interest to do anything to strenuous. I know the doctor isn’t worried about you or the baby at the point, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not.” He turns as he says that last part. He has no cocky smile and no condescending look. He looks as if he truly wants to help me.

  I just stand there and stare at him. Contemplating on whether I could let him in. I truly want to let him past my walls. Somehow his sneaky ass brother got through. But I don’t think anyone could ever deny Jonah anything that he wanted. And Jayden has these dimples, he doesn’t even have to be smiling and you can see them plain as day. He can talk and all you see are these huge indents on either side of his lips.

  And good golly, those lips. I could spend all night just describing the things I want from those lips, but that’s definitely not what I need from him right now. I need my baby’s father to be there for us, not in a romantic way whatsoever. After being attacked like I was, I’m not searching to hop into bed with another guy. I don’t need that to give myself a positive memory, like so many other women. I know this wasn’t my fault, it doesn’t make it any easier to get over though. This is something I’ll carry with me for a long time. But maybe, just maybe, Jayden and I can work our way to a relationship. That is if he wants one.

  “Alright, pretty boy. What is it you want? You want to be my friend? Fine by me. But please, don’t rush me or push me. If you push, I will push back. And neither of us want or need that right now.” All that comes out sounding snottier than what I intended, but at least he’ll get my point.

  “Pretty boy, huh?” He grins, this huge grin, dimples on display. What was that no rushing policy I instated again? Gah.

  “Out of all that, you would catch that part wouldn’t you?” Shaking my head, “Listen, I’m serious. No pushing. And no smiling. You have to keep your dimples away from me and my hormones.” What the hell, I really just said that to him? Lord, help me now.

  Not that it should be possible, but his grin gets bigger. And the dimples are more on display. I take up interest in anything in the kitchen, but him. My shiny granite countertops, my stainless steel stove, and my shiny tile floor. Anything is better than staring at his face any longer.

  “Sweetheart, I think you gave yourself away without meaning to. But don’t worry; I’ll keep your secret. It’s okay that you find me sexy…” Whoa, whoa, whoa.

  “Now wait a minute! Sexy did not come out of my mouth at all! Just because you know how hot you are doesn’t mean you should flaunt it and use it to your advantage.” I say haughtily.

  He lets out a booming laugh. “I got you! You just called me hot!” And he’s still laughing.

  This douche. I should be pissed, but why am I fighting to hide my smile? Hopefully this isn’t all an act, and that this is his real personality. If he can keep me laughing like this daily, I’ll fall for him. I know I will. Wait, speaking of daily.

  “Just how long will you be here for? Like I told you both already, I’m fine. I don’t need a constant babysitter.” Part of me wants him to tell me he’ll stay here forever, but Jesus that would be jumping eight thousand miles ahead of the starting slow line.

  “For however long you need me here.” I’m gifted with another smile.

  “What about work? You do have to go back to work soon, right?”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me, sweetheart?” Smile. Dimple. Swoon.

  “No, that’s not it. I don’t need you here to babysit me, but if it will make you feel better staying here a couple nights. To reassure yourself that I’m indeed as fine as I say.” Telling him, again.

  “Listen, sweetheart, let me tell you a little something about me. I’m a man of my word, for one. And when momma tells me to do something, usually I listen. You don’t disobey momma. I take care of what’s mine. You may not be mine, but that baby currently taking up residence inside your stomach is. And until further notice, I will do whatever it takes to make you happy. So come to terms with it now. Get used to the idea of me being here a lot. If you kick me out and don’t let me stay here then I will be here daily. Even after I go back to work.” Such pretty words, now if he can stand behind them.

  “I don’t think you need to stay here all the time, you do have your own place. But if you want to come over and hang out that’s fine.” I concede.

  “You can keep pretending that you have the control over what happens here.” Huh?

  “Um, okay then? I’ve never given up control over anything, and the first time I do won’t be to you!” With that, I turn and head back upstairs. I need to get some sleep. Not thrilled with how the past couple days have went. Nothing turned out how I thought they would, but maybe this was the way they were supposed to be? What a shitty way of getting me here, assholes.

  Climbing under the covers, I reach over and snag my Kindle by bedside table. I had bought a new book before everything, and I’ve been dying to read it. The blogs that I follow on Facebook all rave about it. I’ve read Mia Sheridan’s other books, but I’m told that Archer’s Voice is one of the best books I’ll ever read. Who am I to deny myself the chance to read greatness? Exactly.

  Snuggling down into my blankets, this is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I have a family standing behind me, which is something I’ve missed terribly. I’ve missed knowing that I have someone that I can count on no matter what. I have a pseudo brother in Jonah, he’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. And now I have Jayden, as something. I’m not sure at this point what we would call ourselves, but there is something there. I just hope it’s not one sided. I can’t take anymore devastation in my life.

  Trying to put all of that out of my mind, forgetting the past couple days. I open up Archer, to follow his struggles and fall in love with him like so many other women in the book world.

  A couple days later, we seem to have fallen into a routine. But that routine is about to be broken. Jayden is going back to work tomorrow. He’s only been in my life for a couple days, but damn it I’m not ready for our little bubble to burst. I had nightmares my first night home. Jayden came bursting into my room on a mission. I was sobbing into my pillow, having to relive what happened in vivid color is horrible. Every time I close my eyes, I see him.

  Jayden stayed with me that night and just held me. Once I fell back asleep, the nightmares didn’t come back. Thank God. I’m downstairs making breakfast, after leaving Jayden in bed. Yeah, he just starting staying in my bed with me so he can comfort me when I start to get restless. Don’t judge me, damnit. But if you had a sexy ass Marine in your house, you would do it too.

  I haven’t figured out what I’m going to do with myself while he’s at work. I can always read, but if I sit and read every day while he’s working, I’m going to go broke. But what a great way to spend all my money, I laugh at myself.

  “What’s so funny, sweetheart?” I jump.

  “What the fuck, man? You can’t just sneak up on people like that!” I yell at him.

  He chuckles. “I wasn’t trying to sneak. I just came down the steps and heard you laughing, and I just wondered what was so funny.”

  “Just sit down and shut up. I made breakfast if you’re hungry.” I grumble to him.

  “Look at you being all domesticated and what not.” I whip my head around and am met with a pair of dimples and shiny green eyes. If I
want to be mad at him, I shouldn’t look at him.

  “Do you want food or not? Because I can easily throw it outside if you’d like.”

  “No, no. Don’t waste perfectly good food. Besides you’ll need your energy. We’re taking a field trip today.” He shoves a bite of food into his mouth after that.

  I scrunch my face up in confusion, “What do you mean a field trip? Don’t you have to get things around to go back to work tomorrow?”

  “Yes, and I will. First I need to take you somewhere. So eat your food and go get ready.” He dismisses me after that, continuing to eat. He finishes fast and then gets up. To go get ready I presume.

  So I do as he says, and it’s hard for me not to argue. But my curiosity is getting the best of me. I finish my food and place the dishes in the sink for later. I rush, well waddle and limp, up the stairs. I need to get a shower, but as I get to the top of the steps Jayden comes out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist. I don’t know what he’s playing at but this shit has got to stop!

  “Don’t you people ever wear clothes? It’s like you were raised in a nudist colony. Jesus!” Turning my head in the other direction, I storm to my room and slam the door.

  “Don’t worry, I said your secret was safe with me. No one needs to know you find me sexy.” He laughs. Loud.

  “Go away, asshole! I do NOT find you sexy!” Screaming that last part through the door at him. I stomp around my room, gathering my clothes to get my shower. I turn the shower on to let it heat up, I hope he didn’t use all the hot water. I strip out of my clothes and look at myself in the mirror.

  The bruises are starting to fade, which is amazing. Those last little physical reminders disappearing, but the mental ones still plaguing my mind. I rub my bump a little bit and then walk towards my shower. The water feels amazing. I lather my poof up and start to wash my body; I run it over my breasts. The rough material from the poof scratching my nipple, causing it to go hard. I feel a twinge in my lower belly. Could I really do this? So soon after the attack, and with Jayden in the same house? I don’t need him knowing what’s going on in here.