"Hi Lindsay."
She pouted, running her finger down my arm.
"I want to talk to Kyle."
He made a buzzing sound, making an 'X' with his meaty arms.
"Sorry, Kyle can't come to his phone right now. But I'd be more than happy to take a message."
I watched as Lindsay considered her options. Then she smiled and crooked her finger. Louis waved to us as she pulled him out of the bar.
Ben shook his head.
"I used to envy guys like that."
I slapped his shoulder.
"I don't envy him. I envy you."
He laughed as I slung back my drink.
"At least you know where your woman is."
It was late, but I checked my phone anyway. And because I couldn't help myself, I pecked out another text. I was going out of my head with worry. And jealousy. And anger.
Basically, I was a basket case.
Dammit B where are you???
I stared at the phone for another couple of minutes, willing it to beep. Then I went back to my drink to drown my sorrows. It was going to take a lot of booze to quiet the voices in my head, but I was willing to go the distance.
Like I said, I wasn't a quitter.
Belinda
I stared at the wall, willing myself to think of a way out of this. I literally couldn't get out of my room, or tell anyone what was happening. I knew Kyle must be going out of his mind. But I couldn't do a thing about it. My parents hadn't just locked me in here. They'd taken my laptop and cell phone first.
My meals were brought to me. My mother would not even look at my face when she brought the food, let alone speak to me. She just carried my tray in while my father stood in the hallway, blocking the door. Then when it was time for the next meal, she'd take the tray out again. Other than that, it was like I was completely shut off from the world.
I knew they couldn't keep me in here forever, but it was starting to feel like they would. I was starting to run out of escape plans. Most of them involved bum rushing my mom when she opened the door but I didn't want to hurt her, or risk hurting the baby. I was out of ideas.
So far, I'd only been allowed out to go to the bathroom. Sadly, that window was locked from the outside too. I'd stared at it sadly, wondering if I could use a flashlight to signal my neighbors with morse code.
Unfortunately, I didn't know morse code.
This was insanity. My own parents had kidnapped me. Put me on lockdown. In solitary confinement.
Basically, they had gone off the rails. I could not see a way out of it, other than hand-to-hand combat with my own flesh and blood. I couldn't stay in here. I needed to see the ob/gyn. I needed prenatal vitamins.
I needed air.
There was no other way around it.
I was going to have to make a run for it.
Every night I heard them arguing. This morning too. My mother wanted to make the best out of the situation. My father was trying to calm down.
They were both freaked out and upset and worried.
But more than that, they were pissed.
Well, so was I.
I felt bad that they were upset, but they had no right to lock me up like this. This was my life. I had made my own mistake. I hadn't wanted a baby.
But now I did.
It might just be the hormones talking. Or the crazy way I felt about Kyle. But I wanted this baby, body and soul. I would do anything to protect it. I wanted Kyle too.
That part was going to be a little trickier.
I heard soft footsteps outside in the hallway. There was no other sound except my breathing. Then I heard it. It sounded like she was crying.
"Mom? You have to let me out of here. Please mom."
"Just tell him who the father is sweetheart. He'll let you out."
"Mom. I can't. He'll kill him."
Silence.
"Do you love him?"
I nodded, even though she couldn't hear me.
"Yes. So help me god, I do."
I heard the sound of the latches being undone. The doorknob turned and my mother stood there, with red eyes and swollen cheeks. She opened her arms. I ran into them.
We stood in the hallway crying our eyes out.
"Come on, let's get you packed. But Bellie?"
I looked at her.
"Don't tell me where you are going. I don't want to have to lie to your father."
Chapter Sixteen Kyle
"Man, Coach Carmichael is in a bad mood."
We were talking low, under our breath as we waited our turn for yet another set of fucking drills. This was worse than try-outs. We hadn't stopped working at full blast since the first whistle blew. We were beat.
"He's been like that all week. You just didn't get the extra drills till today. He was saving them all for second string."
"Any idea why? I mean, we've been winning. He should be happy."
Dennis nodded.
"For realz."
Louis was staring at us like he knew something we didn't know. I groaned, stretching my hammies.
"Oh man, you didn't hear?"
"His daughter, man."
Louis was grinning as he leaned in. My stomach tightened painfully. Did this have something to do with Bellie?
"What about her?"