After twenty minutes of being in the chair, I find myself back on the sidewalk in a daze. I’d taken a cab today so that we would only have one car here and could go straight from here to buy my engagement ring, which we’d finally discussed over a romantic dinner together. Now I’m exhausted and just want to lie down and forget about my disaster of a life. But first I have to get home.
Taking my cell out from my purse, I dial Ramon and hope he’s free for a ride.
He answers on the first ring.
“Sabrina, how you doing?”
“Are you free to pick me up?” I ask, getting straight to the point.
“I’m in the car now and just pulling out of the site so where are you?”
“I’m outside the doctor’s office on East Maxwell Street.”
He pauses.
“Isn’t Lucien supposed to be with you?”
I sag against the wall.
“He decided he had something more important to do,” I tell him feeling my heart crack, again.
“Fuck…Don’t move, we’re about five minutes away.”
“I won’t.”
He hangs up as I grip my cell in my hands.
Lucien hasn’t even tried to ring me since. No miscalls or texts. Nothing.
How are we supposed to have a relationship when he goes running to Lily at the slightest thing? Not that I think falling is a small problem. I mean, I’m not a selfish person and I’m truly concerned for my friend. But knowing she was going to be all right and that Michael was with her should have freed him up to get to me. Instead he stayed there. I don’t think he realizes how much his action has hurt me.
Lifting my head to a car horn, I sigh in relief when Ramon pulls up at the sidewalk, but not only does Ramon emerge from the car, but a strange handsome man. I can’t help but stare at him. He’s tall with a muscular build and rocks his jeans and tee shirt. His dark hair is messed up, but it’s his green eyes that sparkle with mirth when I finally meet them that makes him handsome. I blush realizing I’ve been staring.
I get moving and meet Ramon as he comes around the truck. He grins, but I can see the worry for me hovering. After giving me a quick kiss, he smirks and turns to introduce me to the fine man behind me.
“Sabrina, this is my cousin, Eric.”
I hold my hand out to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eric.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he says bringing my hand up to his lips before he places a kiss against my knuckles.
“Eric, knock it off.”
He rolls his eyes. “Ramon, chill. Let’s get this young lady seated. She can sit in the back with me.”
“She can sit in the front with me. You can keep yourself company in the back.”
Ramon lifts me into his truck.
Buckled in, I stare out of the window for our short ride to the apartment building I share with Lucien. I can’t even bring myself to call it home anymore. I know it’s probably killing Ramon, knowing there is something wrong and not knowing what or how to help me. I’m not sure there is anything anyone can do to make me feel better right now. Even Eric has stayed quiet in the back of the truck, which surprises me since he doesn’t seem shy. I must look like a thundercloud.
Ramon walks me up to the apartment and inside before he pulls me into his arms.
“Please talk to me,” he begs. “I can’t leave you like this. Knowing there is something wrong and that you’re upset.”
I pull out of his arms and taking his hand, I pull him towards the sofa. He sits down and drags me close to him with his arm around me for comfort.
Telling him about today gives me someone to ask whether or not I’m being a bitch by being upset.
So after he’s listened to everything, I turn to face him and ask, “Do you think I’m being unreasonable? That I’m upset and angry for nothing?”
Ramon shakes his head and cups my face in his hands. We’re practically nose-to-nose. “You have every right to be pissed. Lily is my sister-in-law and I love her like a sister, but if they’d been told she was okay and Michael was there, then there was no reason for him to stay. He should have been with you.”
Great, big racking sobs over take my body as I feel Ramon pull me against him, and wrap his arms tight around me. He makes me feel safe.
***
It’s been hours since Ramon left and Lucien still isn’t back. I’m not even sure what I’ll say to him when he does appear.
With everything on my mind, I’ve been unable to sleep, but I think part of me is listening for him to open the door. That’s why I find myself making hot milk in the microwave when I spot my purse on the breakfast bar. I’d forgotten I’d dumped it there when Ramon brought me home.
Opening it now, I pull out the baby brochures I’d picked up from the doctor’s office. At the time, I’d still thought Lucien would be there and I’d sat looking through them, but now I don’t care for them and let them drop into the trash beside the sofa as I sit down.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lucien
Exhaustion set in a few hours ago, but pushing into my apartment at one in the morning hadn’t been in my plans. Neither had missing the ultrasound this afternoon or rather yesterday afternoon.