Chapter 24
Brandon
Mary and I lay in bed, in the same position we just made love. I run my fingers up and down her arm, over her hip, grazing the side of her stomach. My baby is in there. I still can’t quite wrap my mind around it. My baby, my future wife.
“Do you know how far along you are?”
“I think maybe six weeks. Not quite two months, I only missed one period.”
“How long have you known?”
She rolls over on her stomach and turns her head, nestling it in the pillow. I can’t keep my hands off her, so I place one on her bare ass and pull her closer.
“Just a couple of days. Listen,” she whispers, “I was on the pill. With the stress of everything that happened with Kelsey, I forgot to take it a couple times. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you dare apologize. This is something I’ve wanted with you since we used to play house. Me sitting in a chair reading the newspaper, while you held a baby in your arms and fed it.”
Her lips tilt up and she nods. “I wanted that, too. Did you really think it would happen though? Even back then?”
“I did. I honestly did. What? You didn’t?”
“No. Well, I mean I did, but it was almost like a fantasy.”
I kiss her hand. “I am kind of fantastic.”
She giggles and licks her lips. “You don’t think it’s too fast?”
“If anything, it’s too slow for me.”
I would have married her and had a baby the first day I saw her again. She’s right in her assessment that everything happens for a reason. It probably would have been too fast. I intend to marry her soon, though. Like tomorrow.
She hums and her eyelids get heavy when I trace the stems of her tattoo.
“Did you go to the doctor yet?”
Her eyes pop open and she shakes her head. “No. I umm . . . well with not having insurance and stuff, I need to sign up for something. I have money saved up, but it will get expen-”
“Fuck. You don’t have health insurance?” I snap. How in the hell did I not realize that?
“No.” She sits up and wraps the sheet around herself.
“I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself that I never thought to ask you. Or even think about it myself.” I don’t want to bring it up, but I wonder what she did for health care in the past. I know she went to the low-income clinic for her pills. The one where, somehow, she was able to get a prescription using a fake name. I don’t even want to know how that happened. But fuck me, it completely crossed my mind to make sure she had insurance now.
“It wasn’t your responsibility to do that. I’m an adult; I should have gotten it myself.”
“Well, don’t worry about it. We’ll get married next week, and I’ll get you on mine right away.”
She gasps. “A week?”
“Yeah. Why not?” I crawl over her and hold her face in my hands. “I want to marry you, babe. I’ve wanted to forever. Please? We’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow. Apply for the license.”
She rolls her eyes and the most beautiful smile spreads across her face. “Okay.”
“Okay?” I ask, shocked she caved this fast.
“Yes. Okay. I want this. I want you. Forever.”
* * *
While Mary takes a shower, I call Travis to tell him the news. He’s, of course, excited, and Charlotte squeals in the background. We’ll go tell Mom and Dad in person tomorrow. He also shared that Charlotte’s pregnant again. Good things are happening to the Parkers. Everything feels right. Our kids will be close in age and hopefully form a bond like I have with my brother.
“Hey, Mary?”
“What?” she yells from the bathroom.
“Do you want to go to a concert tomorrow night?”
Her head pops out of the bathroom door with a toothbrush hanging out of her mouth.
“Whose?”
“Reason to Ruin.”
Her eyes light up and she nods and mumbles yes around a mouth full of toothpaste.
“Yeah, man. You want me to come up and get the tickets?”
“Nah, I’ll bring the baby with me and we’ll stop and see Mom and Dad. Let Char rest for a little bit,” Travis answers.
He and Charlotte were going to go to the concert, but she hasn’t been feeling well lately.
“Thanks. I was going to make dinner reservations and try to do something else to celebrate, but this works out great.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Char’s cousin, Meara, got the tickets for us, and Char didn’t want to hurt her feelings by telling her she didn’t want to go anymore. So it really worked out great that you guys will be using them because either way, she wasn’t going. Not with the way she’s been feeling.”
“Is Meara going, too?” Her boyfriend, Liam, is the drummer for the band.
“Yeah, you couldn’t keep her away if you tried. You’ll be next to her for the concert, but she’s driving herself there. If you can keep an eye on her, that would be appreciated.”
“Of course, man. No problem.” Too many drunk and high assholes. But Reason to Ruin plays some sick music, so it’ll be worth it.
“Cool, I’ll stop by tomorrow and drop them off at Mom and Dad’s so you can pick them up when you tell ’em they’re gonna be grandparents again.”
“Thanks.”
“Congrats, brother. I’m fucking happy as hell for you guys.”
Mary emerges from the bathroom and crawls under the covers. “I’ve always loved that band. I’m really excited. Are Char and Travis going, too?”
“No. He’s giving us the tickets they were going to use. Good seats, too. Meara will be with us for the concert.”
“Awesome. I really liked her at the wedding and stuff. She’s hilarious and has such a funny personality.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun. We can stop by Mom and Dad’s to tell them the news and pick up the tickets then go to dinner first.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
I shut the lights off and lie down next to her, pulling her as close as can be with a renewed sense of peace, knowing she’s going to be mine forever.
* * *
Mary insisted on staying after the concert and me having a drink at one of the bars inside the arena. She says cheese fries are better than alcohol anyway and devoured an entire basket herself. I’ve been nursing a beer for the past two hours.
“Still think that was the best concert I’ve ever been to,” I tell her. The band was awesome. They kept the crowd engaged and the special effects were amazing.
“It was my only, so I’d have to agree with you. Another thing checked off the mental bucket list.”
“We went to concerts.”
“Yeah, but little state fair ones aren’t the same as this huge place. I mean, professional athletes play here.”
“Good point.”
My phone rings, and I get a hollow feeling in my chest when Travis’ number lights up the screen. The first thing I think is something happened to Char, but I answer without giving anything away. I don’t want Mary upset when I don’t even know what’s going on.
“Hey, you still close to the concert?” Panic fills Travis’ voice.
“Yeah. We’re at a bar inside. What’s up?”
“You need to go find Liam. Flash your badge, do whatever the fuck you have to, but you need to get his ass up here to Wisconsin.”
“What’s going on, man?” I’m already standing and throw some cash on the table. Mary puts her hand in mine and follows me silently out of the bar.
“It’s Meara.”
“What happened?”
Mary’s hand squeezes mine and I pull the phone away from my mouth. “Meara,” I tell her. Her eyes widen with the exact thoughts as my own. What in the hell could have happened? She was with us a couple of hours ago and everything was fine. Jumping around and screaming at the top of her lungs.
“I don’t fucking know. We’re all at the hospital. She has a messed up arm and cuts all over her body. The last time we talked to her, she was fine. Somebody found her and called the cops. She won’t talk to anyone. It’s fucking scary as shit, man. We need him here to see if he can get her to talk.”
“Fuck. All right. Let me see if I can find him. I’ll call you back.”
I relay the information to Mary as we make our way back to the stage. The place is deserted except for a cleaning crew. We walk on the stage and toward the back area surrounded by security. It takes me pulling out my badge and a lot of strong language, but we’re finally allowed backstage.
There’s a door with the band’s name on it, and I knock. “Hey, is Liam in there?”
“Nope. In the bus,” a voice yells from inside the room.
I look around for an exit and when one comes into view, I wrap my arm around Mary’s waist and push through the metal door.
A security guard stands just outside, and I explain the situation to him. He talks into an earpiece and nods in the direction of the bus Liam is in.
“Thanks.” I walk as fast as I can with Mary and pound on the door of the bus. “Liam. Open up, man.”
No response, so I try the handle and it swings open. Fuck. I don’t want to bring Mary on here not exactly sure what we’ll see. But I sure as shit am not leaving her outside by herself.
“Come on.” I push her behind me and walk up the two steps.
It’s dark inside, and I feel around for a switch. When the home on wheels lights up inside, I cringe at the sight of Liam. He’s passed out in nothing but his boxers. His body is half on the floor, head inches away from spilled beer. The other half is on the couch cushion, twisted in an abnormal way.
“Gross,” Mary whispers.
“Liam.” I nudge him with my foot, and he groans. “Dammit,” I mutter. I lean down and lift his body, sitting his top half up. I slap his face a couple of times, and his eyes finally roll open.
“Hey,” he mumbles.
His head falls forward along with the rest of his body. I grip his shoulders and prevent him from doing a face plant.
“Watch out.” Mary throws a glass of water on his face, and it wakes him up.
“What the fuck?” he mumbles and wipes the drips off, then glares at both of us, a hint of recognition in his eyes. “I know you?”
“We’ve met. At Charlotte and Travis’ wedding. I’m Brandon Parker, Travis’ brother.”
“Yeah. So, what the fuck?” He stands, stumbles, and rights himself.
“Travis called me. You need to come with us. There’s something wrong with Meara.”
His head snaps up, panic starting to replace the drunk. “What?”
“Let’s go. I’ll drive and tell you more in the car.”
He swallows and his eyes widen. “Is she okay?”
“She’s alive, yes. A messed-up arm and I guess she’s pretty beat up. But we need to go.”
His mouth opens and closes a couple of times, and he finally nods. He takes a step toward the door.
“Why don’t you go get dressed and meet us outside?” Mary suggests.
“Yeah, okay.” He turns and, without any kind of warning, pukes in the kitchen sink.
Mary and I walk off the bus.
“Jesus,” Mary whispers. “He’s wasted.”
I scrub my hands over my head in frustration. “This is gonna be a fun car ride.”
“I’ll sit in back with him.”
“Like fuck you will.”
The door creaks, and Liam emerges. He misses the bottom step and falls on his hands and knees. “It’s all right. I’m fine.” He stands and stumbles forward, almost bumping into Mary.
I step in front of him and wrap his arm around my shoulder, helping him get to the car. Once we arrive, I toss him in the back. “Sleep it off, man. But if you’re gonna puke again, tell me so I can pull over.”
Mary is already in her seat, and I get in and drive away. “I’m so sorry, babe. This isn’t how tonight was supposed to go.”
“It’s fine. I’m really worried, though. The whole situation is messed up.”
“Yeah, it is.”
The drive up to Wisconsin is slow and quiet. I call Travis and let him know we’re on the way. He gives me directions, and an hour and a half later I pull up to the hospital and walk around to open Mary’s door. When I open Liam’s, I reach in and slap him on the back a couple times.
His head pops up, and I toss him a half-empty bottle of water. “Here.”
“Thanks.” He drinks it and steps out of the car.
I prepare for a stumble, but he stands perfectly straight and looks me dead in the eyes. “I’m good now. Years of experience and all that shit. Just needed to puke and sleep it off for a bit.” He shrugs.
We get inside and Liam squints at the bright lights, pulling a baseball cap over his eyes. Travis told me where they were, so I lead the way. Once outside her room, I knock and open the door. I recognize the Kelly family. Pierce, Meara’s brother, and her parents are inside, along with Travis and Charlotte.
“Thank God you’re here.” Char comes forward with Travis right on her heels.
The rest of her family stays put, surrounding her bed. Meara is sitting on the edge, knees bent, one arm in a sling, the other wrapped around her legs. She’s like a statue; she doesn’t even look when Liam says her name.
He walks in front of her and places a hand on her shoulder. She slowly raises her head at an awkward angle, and tears silently roll out of her eyes. Her eyes remain unblinking, frozen. Scratches are all over face and arms, and she looks like she went a round or two in a boxing ring.
“Princess,” he whispers.
Her body snaps up to her feet, and she raises her good arm and slaps Liam across his face. His head jerks to the side, and his mouth hangs open in shock . . . much like the rest of us.
Then, she brings her fist back and punches him in the jaw. When I think she’s going to clock him again, she puts her face on his chest and weakly punches him right next to her head, sobbing.
“Oh, my God.” Charlotte tries to go to her, but Travis grabs her arm and pulls her back.
Liam tries to touch Meara, to soothe her, wrap his arms around her, but as soon as his arms come around her, she pushes away and tries to hit him again.
Pierce holds her arms and forces her to stop. “Shh. Meara, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not!” she screams. Apparently, those were the first words she’s spoken since she’s been here.
Her mom goes to her and tries to draw her daughter close, but Meara shrugs her off. She retreats to her husband and cries in the corner, clearly not sure how to react. Upset at seeing her daughter fall apart but wanting to give her space if that’s what she needs.
“Meara,” Liam says.
“No!” she yells. “Leave. I don’t want you here!” She turns in Pierce’s arms and begins sobbing into them.
Liam stares at her with confusion and touches her shoulder. Her body coils away from him. She pushes out of Pierce’s arms, runs into the bathroom, and slams the door.
Everyone stands there for a moment, shocked beyond words. Liam storms off toward the bathroom door, but Pierce stands in front of him.
“No way. She doesn’t want you here for some reason. You need to leave.” His tone leaves no room for argument.
“I’m not leaving until she talks to me.”
Pierce stands his ground. “She just did. And she said she wants you to leave. The only thing she’s said since she’s been here. And I can only think of a couple of reasons why she’d hate you so much right now, and none of them are leaving me with the warm and fuzzies. I suggest you get out of my face before you do something you’ll regret.”
Liam’s body tenses and Travis looks at me, assuring I understand what’s about to go down. He gives Char a little nudge so she’s standing next to Mary on the other side of the room, and Travis and I slowly walk toward Pierce and Liam.
“Move, Pierce. That’s my woman in there,” Liam growls and points at the door.
“No, Liam. You’re my friend, but she’s my sister. Don’t make me force you out of here. I don’t know what you did, but you’re not going anywhere near her. I’m not telling you again to get outta my face.”
Without hesitation, Liam pushes at Pierce, and his mom gasps. “Boys, stop it!”
“Now is not the time or the place,” Mr. Kelly says.
I reach forward and pull Liam back, while Travis blocks Pierce from doing something stupid. Pierce has more belts in martial arts than I do in my closet; he’s not a guy you want to press, especially when he’s defending his family.
“Let’s go, man.” I grab Liam’s shoulder and he turns and swings at me.
I duck out of the way and twist his arm behind his back, shoving his chest against the wall. His hat bumps the dry erase board and a marker falls off it. “Don’t be stupid.”
He fights me, but I don’t want to make anything worse, so I let him wear himself out. After a minute or two, he finally gives up.
“You done?”
He nods, and I haul him out of the room. I close the door behind me and stand directly in front of it, crossing my arms.
Liam paces, runs his hands over his head, and punches the wall. He finally crouches down and hangs his head, body vibrating with frustration. He pulls his hat lower down on his head and falls to the floor on his butt.
The door opens and Travis and Pierce walk out. “You good?” I ask Pierce.
He nods and looks at Liam, clearly torn between his sister and his friend. “Yeah. We need to get him out of here. Travis and I are gonna take him to his parents’ house.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’m straight, man,” Pierce answers.
Trav huffs out a breath. “Char refuses to leave even though she still feels like shit, so I’ll come back and take her home. I’ve gotta get Caroline from the sitters. You should get Mary back, too. It’s late.”
“’Kay.” They thank me and walk over to Liam, who stands and silently follows them. Shoulders hunched over in defeat.
I go back into the room, nod at her parents, hug Charlotte, and take my fiancée home.
What the fuck just happened?