Hidden Kisses (Love in Sienna Series Book 2), page 2
“Let’s just say that there is a whole list of reasons why I won’t go there, but maybe at the next girls’ night, you can ask Tia.”
Rayna nods and turns her attention back to the field.
Thank God that conversation is over. I just want to watch my team play a great game, not talk about the asshole hottie with the perfect ass.
“I said I wanted chicken tonight!” Dad yells. “What the fuck is this? Pork chops?”
He throws the food on the floor and smacks Mom across the face.
“Stop it!” I scream.
I know better than to get involved when he’s like this, but I can’t let him hit my mom like that.
“Shut the fuck up, you little shit. Say another word, and you won’t be able to sit for a week.”
Mom grabs him. “I’m sorry, honey. We were out of chicken. I thought you wouldn’t mind the pork chops.”
She’s crying, but trying to keep his attention away from me. Mom always protects me. I just wish I was bigger and could protect her. When I’m older, I’ll stand up to him and I’ll save my mom.
I sit up, sweat dripping down my back. The dreams are back. I haven’t had them in years, but they always seem to come back when I’m stressed, and with everything that’s been going on in my life, it’s safe to say I’m stressed.
I grab the glass of water off of the headboard and down it. My childhood was shit, and I try everything in my power not to think about it, but I can’t control what I dream about.
Glancing at my phone, I realize it’s 5 a.m. Today is my day off. Why the fuck couldn’t I sleep in? Knowing there is no way I can fall back asleep, I decide to change into my running clothes and blow off some steam.
The feeling of the pavement under my feet grounds me. My lungs feel heavy as I push myself. Exercise is like my meditation. I feel better when I’m getting sweaty.
I’m starting my cool-down when I spot a petite bombshell. I’ve never seen her in this area before. Her bright pink sports bra and small black shorts hide nothing. If it wasn’t such a warm morning, I would be concerned about her getting cold. Though I could warm her up. She turns my way, and I freeze.
Leah.
I haven’t seen her since the party, and I can’t get her out of my head. I’ve never had to fight for a girl before. No one has ever been worth the extra effort, but I think Leah is.
Pulling off my shirt, I jog over to her. “Never seen you in this neck of the woods before.”
She jumps. I’ve clearly startled her. The second she realizes it’s me, her eyes turn to daggers.
“Leave me the fuck alone,” she growls.
She tries to run away, but she isn’t that fast.
“Oh, come on, sweetheart. I thought maybe you wanted to run into me. This is my neighborhood,” I say.
She rolls her eyes and continues to run, trying to ignore me.
“It’s okay. We can run in silence. I like the strong silent type,” I tell her.
She stops abruptly and I almost lose my footing. Wouldn’t that just be great, to fall and break my nose?
“Enough, Johnny. I’m just trying to get my exercise in. Will you please leave me alone?” she huffs out.
Grabbing her arm, I feel her shiver under my touch. Yeah, I’ve still got it.
“Agree to have dinner with me and I’ll leave you alone,” I try.
“Not happening,” she grumbles.
“Just one date. I promise you’ll regret it if you say no.”
Her face softens for a moment before she puts her guard back. “Johnny, I can’t. I told you over text, you’re an asshole. Just leave me alone.”
“What have I ever done to you? I already told you I’m sorry about breaking Mikey and Tia up, but can you really be that pissed at me when I’ve done nothing to you?”
The anger in her eyes is obvious.
“That was you? That’s what you were sorry about? Don’t ever talk to me again,” she bites out before running off.
I don’t follow this time. I thought she knew it was me. Why else would she hate me?
I don’t chase women, so what is it about Leah that I’m so drawn to? Why do I feel compelled to chase her?
Sitting on a bench and taking a drink of water, my thoughts drift back to Mikey’s party.
I’m grabbing a drink, ready to spend some more quality time with Leah, when Amber waltzes up to me.
“You need to break Tia and Mikey up,” she says without any pretense.
Amber is Mikey’s old…I don’t even know what to call her. Fuck buddy? She’s been obsessed with him for years. She’s always just lurking around the corner, waiting for Mikey to get horny. She’s seriously batshit crazy. I don’t know why Mikey has kept her around so long. She must be good pussy.
“Fuck off, Amber. Mikey seems happy. You know he never loved you. Just let him enjoy his time with Tia.” I turn back to make my drink when she hands me her phone.
I freeze when I see the picture. It’s me at a party last year, doing a line of cocaine.
“How the fuck did you get this?” I demand.
“Oh, Johnny, I was there, remember? And I just thought I’d take a snapshot in case I ever needed it.” She has an evil smile on her face. “Now break them up or this goes to every tabloid and newspaper in Sienna. Your career will be over. Is that what you want? Everyone knows your only love is baseball.”
I take a deep breath so I don’t break her phone. What would be the point? She most definitely has a backup copy somewhere.
“Fine,” I bite out. “Just leave me the fuck alone.”
Smiling and wiggling her fingers at me, she walks off.
I go to find Leah. She can make this night better. Entering the living room, I see her bent over, rifling through her purse. I can’t help but grab her hips.
“I’ve been looking for you. Care to make my night better?” I purr into her ear.
Turning, she gives me a sad smile. “I would love that, but I just got a text. It’s a friend emergency and I have to go.”
I gently press my lips to hers. I’ve never kissed a girl like this before.
“At least say you’ll call me,” I try.
Her lips spread into a perfect smile. “Of course.”
I give her my phone, and she enters her number.
“Call me tomorrow,” she says, placing a soft kiss on my cheek before walking away.
I will definitely be calling her. I’ve never wanted to call a woman before. If I can’t get her in my bed that night, I just move on. But Leah is different. I’m willing to put in a little extra effort if I have to.
Walking outside, I see Mikey lounging by the pool. Fuck. Now I have to do something I don’t want to do. Thankfully, Mikey and Tia haven’t been together long, it won’t hurt either of them too badly. Right? Sitting down on the pool chair next to Mikey, I give him a smile.
“Great party, man.” I look around for Tia. This won’t work if she shows up. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
“She left, so my new lover is this rum and Coke,” he slurs, holding up his cup.
I think back to my conversation with Leah and come up with a story.
“Dude, I didn’t want to say anything, but I think I remember where I know her from.” I pause. Why the fuck do I have to do this? “Remember the night you came out to All That Jazz with me? Well, I’m pretty sure your girl is the girl I fucked that night.”
Mikey’s eyes harden. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“Dude, calm down. I didn’t know you and her were a thing. It was shortly after you left. I saw her dancing and I took her to the bathroom to fuck her. I didn’t get her name and I haven’t seen her since, but I’m sure it was her.”
I know he never wants to sleep with a girl I’ve fucked, so this is the only story I can think of that would make him push her away.
“Are sure it was her? You were drunk. Maybe it was some other blonde,” he says hesitantly.
“I mean, there is always a possibility that it was someone else, but I really think it was her.”
“FUCK!” he yells, throwing his patio chair into the pool.
Tons of people look our way, and I grab the back of my neck. He seems way more pissed off than I thought he would be.
“Is Leah still here?” he asks.
“Nah, man, she left a while ago. She got a text and had to leave. Something about a friend emergency. But I got her number.” I wink at him and slap him on the back. “Sorry for the bad news, man, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You can get all the pussy you want. Don’t let this girl get you down.”
I walk off, feeling like the piece of shit I am.
And that was the last time I talked to my best friend. I never would have thought he would stop talking to me. I’ve done stupid shit before, but he always forgave me. If I’d known he would react like this, I never would have told that stupid lie. He’s my only family.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot off a quick text.
Me: Dude, can we talk? I know you’re pissed at me, but I have something I have to tell you.
For the first time since his birthday, he responds.
Mikey: I’m busy with interviews and have a concert in Vegas tomorrow. We can have beers when I get home.
Feeling excited, I jog back to my place. I’m going to come clean. Amber can eat shit and die. Baseball is my life, but I can’t lose my brother.
I remember the first day we met, all those years ago, like it was yesterday.
I’m pumping my little legs as hard as I can on the swings outside of school, and there’s another boy keeping up next to me.
“Mikey!” a female voice calls, and I turn to see a woman with long brown hair.
“Is that your mom?” I ask, still trying to keep up to Mikey on the swings.
He nods. “Yeah, but I’m so close to beating that jump. If I just a pump a little harder, I’ll be able to make the farthest jump.”
His eyes narrow on the line in the sand that marks where the last kid jumped the farthest.
“Not if I make it even farther than you,” I joke.
He chuckles, then leaps from his swing, landing just past the line.
“I did it!” he yells, throwing his arms in the air.
Dragging his shoe through the sand, he makes a new line. I pump harder, determined to beat the new record.
I leap, hanging in the air for what feels like a full minute. When I hit the ground, on my butt, I look and realize I’ve fallen just short of his line.
I stare at the ground, telling myself not to cry. I’m a tough boy, and boys don’t cry.
“It’s okay.” Mikey reaches for my hand to help me up. “You can try again tomorrow.”
I smile and nod.
“Michael William Ecosta, you know you’re supposed to come when I call you,” his mom says sternly.
He nods, looking sheepish.
“Your middle name is William?” I ask him.
He nods again, looking confused. “Yeah. Why?”
“Mine too!” I beam at him.
Both of our grins are so wide, and even his mom is smiling.
“That must mean we’re meant to be best friends!” he exclaims. “We should start a club or something.”
I nod enthusiastically.
“It’s time to go, Mikey. Say goodbye to your friend.”
Mikey gives me a high five. “See you tomorrow, Johnny.”
We were inseparable from that moment on. I would do anything to get my brother back. I have to make him see the truth and trust me again.
Of all the people to run into. It had to be Johnny fucking Crown.
Note to self: never run outside when I spend the night at Tia’s place.
I’ve been spending a lot of nights at Tia’s house since Mikey broke up with her. I thought their love was strong, but maybe I know nothing about love. It’s not like I’ve had any luck in keeping boyfriends.
I can’t even get my head around what Johnny said. He broke Tia and Mikey up? Why would he do something like that? I already thought he was an asshole for being a massive bully in high school. Now this? Maybe my stupid feelings will take note and move on.
When I enter Tia’s apartment, I can tell she’s still asleep. Walking into her room, I rip the blankets off her.
“Can we just stay in?” She grabs the blanket, trying to cuddle back in.
“I’m taking you to the doctor. This is ridiculous. You’ve been sick for weeks. That’s not normal,” I insist.
I’ve never seen her sick like this before, and it seems to come in waves. I wonder if she’s suffering from depression. She really needs to see someone so we can know what to do next.
Tia nods, and I help her get dressed. I take her to the walk-in clinic and we wait together. I hope they can figure out what is wrong with her, and if she is clinically depressed, that she can get the help she needs.
The nurse calls Tia’s name.
“Do you want me to come in with you or stay in the waiting room?” I ask while holding her hand.
“I’ll be fine. You just wait here,” she whispers.
I decide I can waste some time reading a book, so I pull out my phone. I’ve barely gotten through one chapter when Johnny starts texting me.
Johnny: You look hot when you run.
Johnny: Come on, just one date.
Johnny: You don’t know what you’re missing.
How am I supposed to read when he won’t shut the fuck up? I’m finally sick of his texts, so I respond.
Me: LEAVE ME ALONE!
Johnny: One date.
I ponder it for a minute. Maybe he could explain to me what’s going on? And maybe if I see the asshole that he is in real life, I can finally move on.
Just as I’m about to respond, Tia comes out. Her face is as white as a sheet and she looks like she’s just seen a ghost as she falls into my arms.
“Do you think I’m going to make a good mom?” she asks before breaking out into a full sob.
I hold her for a moment, letting her cry and running what she just said over and over again in my head.
“Are you pregnant?” I ask, flabbergasted by this turn of events.
She nods into my chest, never letting go.
She’s going to have a baby. This is so crazy.
“Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you home,” I murmur.
I’m finally home after a long day with Tia. She’s been trying all day to get a hold of Mikey, but he won’t answer her calls.
I’m pouring myself a glass of wine when my phone rings.
Why the fuck won’t Johnny just leave me alone? I know I shouldn’t answer, but this needs to end.
“Leave me alone,” I spit out.
“Just one night.”
“I’m not in the mood for your bullshit, Johnny. My best friend just found out she’s pregnant, and I’ve spent the day consoling her because her piece of shit ex won’t answer the phone.”
I cover my mouth. Fuck. Did I just say that out loud?
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
Tia is going to kill me.
“Tia’s pregnant?”
“Don’t tell anyone.” My voice is small now.
“Is it Mikey’s?”
“Well, of course it’s Mikey’s. Who else’s would it be?”
“I don’t know,” he mumbles.
“Please don’t tell anyone. She wants to tell him herself.”
“I promise.”
“Please just give me space, Johnny. I have a lot on my plate.”
“Goodbye, Leah.”
I slump against my counter, taking a deep breath. At least I don’t have to worry about Johnny anymore. Life can go back to normal. Well, as normal as my life seems to be.
Mikey gets back from Vegas today. I decide picking him up at the airport is a good way to force him to have this conversation with me.
I pace the baggage area, waiting for him to grab his shit. He doesn’t know I’m here, but we are going to talk. After my conversation with Leah, I know I need to come clean.
I can’t believe Mikey is going to be a dad. This is huge.
I hope he’ll listen to me and let me get everything off my chest. I can’t deal with this lie anymore. He needs to know the truth. That bitch can post those pictures. I can’t lose my best friend. My brother. My only real family.
“So, I guess you really wanted to talk?” Mikey says, walking past me. At least he isn’t fighting this.
“Yeah. Want to hit a bar or just go home?” I ask.
We start walking toward my truck. Mikey has his hand that isn’t holding his bag in his pocket and he’s staring at the ground. Fuck, this might be harder than I thought.
“Home, man. I’ve got beer in the fridge. I’m super fucking tired from last night,” he mutters.
I stare at him for a minute. Is he using again? He told me he gave drugs up for Tia. Damn. I never would have broken them up if I’d realized it would make him start doing coke again. I’m the reason he started in the first place. I just do it occasionally, but Mikey did it all the time. Well, up until Tia came into his life. She was clearly good for him, and I’m the piece of shit that destroyed it.
“Yeah, you look like shit,” I tell him, not bothering to ask.
If he is off the wagon again, it’s my fault. I need to set the record straight.
Once we are in my truck, I pause. Running a hand over my face, I fidget with my key. I need to come clean now. Fuck waiting to get him home.
“Listen, man...”
Mikey raises his hand to cut me off.
I stop. That’s not like him, not at all. He must be back on drugs. I can’t believe one little lie has caused this much of a shitstorm.
“Not now. I need beer first,” he says.
I nod and start the truck. I guess it will have to wait. I need him to be in a fairly decent headspace.
The drive to Mikey’s place is silent, except for the whisper of the radio. I hope this doesn’t turn into a shit show, and that he actually listens to me.
After Mikey grabs his stuff, we head towards his house. I put my hands in my pockets and stare at the ground. I need him to forgive me. To hear me out and go back to how it was. Life is hell without him.
