Chapter 17
Drew
I push off from the ground from a plie, lift myself, and go into a pirouette.
I focus on breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, while keeping my face relaxed, letting my emotions tell the story of the Nutcracker.
In three weeks, I'll perform with the national Preemie League, a group of dancers who sell out tickets and raise thousands for premature babies.
The nine-year-olds I teach will be involved in the performance this time and were in this morning learning their roles. Now I have to practice mine, which, unfortunately for me, is the lead, meaning I have more pressure on my shoulders.
I exit my spin and land in the perfect fourth position, both my knees bent, and I breathe heavily. I can feel sweat on my forehead, and I know my back is soaked, but I try to ignore it as I stand straight and turn off the music.
I’ve been practicing for nearly two hours, my legs feel wobbly, and my arms ache, but I feel good, like I can do this.
The Nutcracker is one performance I have never done before, and despite the pressure, I’m excited. Thousands have already been raised for the charity and that, by itself is incredible.
I quickly grab my water bottle and take a lengthy sip, before grabbing the towel and I wipe my forehead while I try to catch my breath.
It’s been two days since Drake left town.
..well at least that is the story. Two days since I met Bellamy’s best friend, or one of them anyhow, the man who is supposed to be his VP.
Two days since I had my speeding ticket disappear – thank you, Trick – and two days since I realized I could be pregnant.
I want to think the crap with Drake is what has caused the further delay of my period, or that is what I’m trying to make myself believe anyway.
I groan, lower my head, and rest my palm on my stomach.
It feels bigger, like I’m bloated, but again, I have been dancing a lot lately for this show, add in the teaching…
“This is all your fault!” is screamed across my dance studio, and I jump out of my skin, dropping my towel in shock as I turn towards the scream, only to roll my eyes at my sister looking a mess.
Tears trail her cheeks, her hair is a mess, and she’s wearing Drake's clothes that seem to fit her better than they fit him.
I want to laugh, I really do, but with how she looks right now, would it be appropriate?
I swallow my snort as she wipes her eye, causing mascara to spread, and I ask calmly, “And what, pray tell, is my fault now, little sister? Did you break a nail? Did you decide that Mom giving birth early was now down to me? Did Drake cheat on you?”
Her nostrils flare as she storms my way and shoves me. What is it with people coming in here and getting aggressive?
“Drake left me! He left town, and you are to blame!” she accuses, and I raise a brow at her.
Actually, he’s dead, but I can’t tell her that, instead I point to my lip, the only thing makeup couldn’t cover from his attack and I state, “I haven’t seen my ex-boyfriend since he did this two days ago.
Why don’t you turn your spoiled little ass around and get out before I finally do something I have wanted to ever since you decided the world owed you everything! ”
Her nostrils flare, and she screeches loudly just as I hear Dad demand, “What the hell is your problem now, Elizabeth?” just as she throws a punch my way.
"Drew!" I hear Cage growl and I quickly duck, unwilling to get another bruise. My sister stumbles from her missed punch and she gasps in shock.
Using Trick’s techniques—he taught me to punch, to Bellamy’s amusement—I plant my feet, keep my thumb outside my fist, twist my body slightly, and throw my weight behind my punch. I hear and feel a crack as my knuckles hit her nose.
She screams out a cry as she falls to the floor, and I curse, “Dammit, crap, shit, Trick didn’t say it would hurt me too,” as I shake my hand.
“Fuck’s sake, Trick,” Bellamy says, but I hear the chuckle in his voice while my dad outright laughs.
“I wonder how long Drew has wanted to hit her?” I hear my mom's question as Bell takes my fist and inspects it. Everyone ignores my screaming sister, who is holding her nose.
“She hit me, I’m going to press charges!” she claims, and I snort, “Sure, but just know I have cameras all over this place, so what I did was self-defense, and it’ll be you who will be locked up!”
Elizabeth's eyes widen with fear, blood coating her hand as she holds her nose while Dad says, “I think the first time I really saw Drew wanting to hit El was when you allowed her to tear Drew’s first tutu that she had hung on her wall. El was ten, and you told her no for the first time after she wanted to go shopping because Drew had a performance. That was her retaliation, and instead of scolding her when she cried, you took her shopping and let Drew down.”
I flinch at the memory and Bell’s jaw ticks, as Mom whispers, “I really didn’t need that reminder, Joel. I’m already aware that I was a shitty mother to Drew.”
“Sorry, darling,” Dad replies before he sighs, “Elizabeth, get up!”
“She broke my nose,” my sister cries, and I roll my eyes and remind her, “And you went to break mine, stop with the double standard, Elizabeth.”
“Your sister is right, she only defended herself, and honestly, your hatred of Drew whenever she gets just a snippet of attention is fucking pathetic. You need to grow up,” Dad says, and Elizabeth gasps as she stands, her nose completely forgotten as she snaps, “Daddy!” and places her bloodied hands on her hips.
Bellamy snorts as he kisses my knuckles, and I smile up at him, causing him to smile back. He tries to wrap his arm around me, but I quickly move and admit, “I’m sweaty,” but he just shakes his head as he puts his arm around my back and holds me close.
I sigh with contentment and lay my head against his heart, where my name is, and watch as Dad finally tells his youngest some hard truths.
“You’ve been a nasty, spoiled little girl, Elizabeth,” Dad snaps while Mom stands back and allows him to finally discipline their daughter after he gives her a warning look, “You treat your sister like shit. You decided to screw her ex-boyfriend, who you knew wanted to hurt her, in a classroom, and who stood by you until we got to the school? The person you continued to treat like dirt, all because Drake wanted her and not you! She held your hand. She ensured you didn’t get arrested, she covered for you, time and time again, when you snuck out, and even kept you in her room when you were high! ”
Elizabeth looks down in shame, but he isn’t finished, no, he decides to shock not just her but me too as he growls, “You took advantage of your mother's grief and guilt, you took advantage of the worst and best time of her fucking life after having your sister and marrying me! Did you know she lost your brother?”
I freeze before looking up, and Dad's face is full of anger while Mom's eyes tear up.
“What?” Elizabeth whispers.
“You were a twin, that is why your mother overcompensated with you. You took advantage, causing her to neglect her oldest child, who never complained. You continuously brought up that you were born early but never seemed to consider the pain you were putting your mother through if you never got your own way, and I’ve had enough!
” Dad shouts the last bit, and even I flinch, not used to him getting this angry.
Bellamy growls, gaining Dad's attention, and he winces and says, “Sorry, sweetheart,” realizing his shout made me jump, and he commands gently, “You and Cage go to Dante’s with your mother, I’ll meet you there in a moment.
I swallow hard as my sister's sobs echo. I nod as Bellamy gently pulls me to where my mother is, whose tears stain her cheeks.
“Come on, Mom, I’m craving a bolognaise,” I say, and Mom lets out a watery chuckle and reminds me, “You always crave a bolognaise,” and I just shrug with a smile as I link my arm through hers and gently pull her away from the scene before me.
“That was a really good punch though, sweetheart, you’ll have to teach me how to do it,” Mom says, and I laugh while Bellamy groans, “Fucking Trick…”
***
A few hours later I bite my bottom lip as I gently run the needle along Bellamy’s chest, ensuring the outline of the rose he kindly set on his chest underneath my name, is perfect.
We’ve been here for about half an hour after spending time with my parents. After I took Mom to Dante’s when she finally settled down, she finally explained about my baby brother.
His body was malnourished. Apparently, my sister took everything in the womb, so basically, she’s always been greedy. My mom actually laughed when I joked about it, and he was buried next to my granny.
Mom struggled at first with Elizabeth. She couldn’t bond with her because she felt guilty that my brother, Ethan, had died.
When she finally got that bond, she really did overcompensate.
Honestly, throughout my childhood, I can’t remember one good thing about my mom, and it's sad, especially since Elizabeth knew how to play with her.
Dad joined us after half an hour and didn’t mention my sister. He asked how Trick could teach me how to punch when he was in Hill Crest, and I just laughed at the scowl Bellamy had.
Turns out he wasn’t expecting to see his friend a few days ago.
Humming from the tattoo gun echoes, and I quickly dip it for more ink.
Randomly he says, “I’m in awe of you and your kindness, your ability to forgive and I fucking love you…”
I smile softly and lean down before pressing my lips against his, giving him a soft kiss before I pull away and whisper, “I love you too, and wherever you go, Bell, I will follow.”
He nods in understanding. If he wants to go home and begin the role he trained for, then I will follow him. I’ll be by his side.
I kiss him again before I continue my work and allow the peace to wash over us while he goes back to rubbing my thighs. Everything feels right, everything but that nagging feeling that my period is definitely not coming, and true fear washes over me.
I think I’m pregnant.