Sebastian #2
Dani wrapped an arm around me as I watched Seb drive away.
She squeezed my shoulder and we turned to head inside.
Walking into her room we dropped our stuff and looked over at the bed, the pregnancy test still lay there, upside down.
As we sat down, she grabbed my hand and reached out to turn it over.
Two pink lines. She gasps and her eyes filled with tears.
Gathering her into a hug, we sit rocking together in silence. I was leaving in less than a week. I had to say something, but what? What could I say that would help? I want nothing more than to say I would stay, but I can’t. It’s too dangerous for me to stay. It’s time for me to be selfish.
“Dani? Jason’s the father, isn’t he?” I finally ask, not that I really have to, they’re as on and off again as me and Seb.
Tearfully she nods, “Yeah, well, that changes a few things. My mom’s gonna kill me and I’ll probably hafta marry him.”
I shook my head, “Don’t do it. Don’t marry him just because there’s a baby. Promise me!?” I plead, at her nod I continue, “I have a favor to ask. And I need you to do this for me.”
Dani wiped her eyes, “Okay, what do you need?”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was letting Seb go, but I also needed to make sure he had someone to lean on. “I ended things with Seb tonight for good. I’m letting him go. I need you to be there for him. Hell, it was never right for us, maybe?”
Dani laughed, “Girl, your timin’.” Shaking her head she continues, “Ya can’t just give him to me like a purse. And what do I even say? So as a going away gift, Mel gave us permission to see where we could go, BUT I’m havin’ another man’s baby. So, do ya wanna maybe be together?”
I face-palmed, “Daniella, not like that. I meant, fuck I’m screwin’ this up,” I say, shaking my head as I try again.
“With all that’s goin’ on with Kai and fuck, I just need to know that someone I trust is there for him if he needs a shoulder while dealing with all of this.
A friend. And you could definitely use one.
You guys are already close. That’s all I meant.
And if it happens, it fuckin’ happens, and I’ll be okay with that,” I explain.
Dani rubbed her temple, giving me an awkward smile before saying, “Yeah, okay. I get it. Now, it’s late and we need to get some sleep. You have a lot to do tomorrow. Plus, we gotta go see Kai.”
I nodded as we got ready for bed and laid down. In the darkness, Dani spoke softly, “You know that they’ll understand, no one will be mad at you for leavin’ and if they are, they’re just dumb.”
I snort before speaking, “I know, but it still sucks. I wanna be here for him, but it’s not safe for me to stay here. Not without one of them.”
Drifting off to sleep, I think about Kai and wonder how he’ll take it.
∞∞∞
The next morning, I pass two cops leaving his room as I walked in. Kai was laid back on the pillow and looking away from the door.
“Hey,” I say, getting his attention as I pull a chair closer to the bed.
He turned to look at me with a smile and grimaced, rubbing his forehead.
“Hey yourself. How ya doin’?” Kai asked, softly.
“I’m good, but shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I reply as I get settled in the chair.
“I mean, I’ve been better, but all things considered, I guess I’m okay,” Kai tells me. I watch his face get serious, “I have to get word to Dax and I need to call Zak.”
I notice that there’s no mention of me leaving or West Point. ‘I don’t wanna do this, maybe I should stay. With the baby on the way, Dani needs me. Seb would be okay with me bein’ around and we could possibly talk this…’ Kai squeezes my hand, I look up at him, there are tears in my eyes.
“Mel, you’re goin’. You have to. You know that right?” Kai says in a soft whisper.
“But what if I wanna stay? Dani just got some news last night. You’re gonna need help. Dax’ll be mad if I abandon you…” I start and notice he is shifting on the bed. He points at the spot he made.
I stand and walk around the bed, crawling into the spot and curling up against him carefully. He kisses the top of my head, “Melo, you gotta do this. One of us has to get out. You’re leavin’ this weekend.”
My breath catches at the nickname Kai hasn’t called me since sixth grade. “But what about you?” I ask.
Kai points at his leg, “This changes everything. Doc said it’s at least nine months before I’d be healed enough and then there’s the medical waiver process for West Point, which could take another six to nine months. Please don’t do this.”
“What if I just wait till closer to school starting? Call the Jackson’s and turn down the job? I mean, that’d be okay, right?” I was so sure of leaving last night, but now, sitting here in the daylight and looking at my best friend, I was having second thoughts.
“You can’t do that, it’s too short notice, they’re depending on you,” He says with a knowing look.
He has a point, but they could find another nanny, I can’t find another best friend.
The silence stretches out, and then, “Mel, I have a question for you and I need an honest answer,” Kai says as I look up at him.
‘Oh shit, does he know about the letters? Dax wouldn’t have told him, would he?
Would Kai hold on to it this long before asking about it?
FUCK, get it together Mel, he’s waiting for you to answer.
’ I think, internally panicking as I take a deep breath and with as much courage as I can muster, “Okay, hit me with it.” I say, hoping the nervousness doesn’t show in my voice.
“Why did Maddox think I was sleeping around on him when he was in juvie?” Kai asked, his green eyes set.
Kai
Watching Mel’s eyes go wide, I knew I hit a nerve. She sits up slowly, not looking at me, “What’d you just ask me?”
“You heard me. You’re the only one who knew what I was up to after that phone call. So why?” I ask again. I know where her mind was headed a few minutes ago and the only way to ensure she goes is to piss her off.
“Maybe because there was always a new flavor of the week. The clothes, the homework. You barebacked him and didn’t even consider that you could have given him something.” Her chest is heaving and that resting bitch face is strong. ‘Bingo!’ I definitely hit a nerve.
“What if I told you, it was all a front? That there was never anyone else? That I just made it look that way?” I ask, watching the information sink in as she moves off the bed. She paces the room, glancing at me from time to time until she stops mid-room, turning to look at me.
“So you never actually did anything? Why the fuck are you tellin’ me now? Why are you doin’ this now?” The confusion she feels showing on her face.
Pain radiates my leg and I hit the button on the morphine, looking at her, “There was a couple blow jobs. They blew me, not the other way around. I’m tellin’ you this because I need you to know, it has and will always be Dax.
Mel, I’ve got him. It may be hard for a while, but we’ll be okay.
You need to go. Getting out was always your dream. Don’t delay yours because of me.”
“But it makes no sense, you had all the gifts and shit…make it make sense Kai. How do these two things relate?” She asks, crawling back on the bed.
I go to shake my head, but end up grimacing at the throbbing pain as I explain.
“Okay let me put it this way. I’ll find a way to get what I need to get through this healing process,” I say, waving at my leg.
“You don’t need to worry about me and Dax.
We’ll be okay and make it work. Just like I made it easier on me while Dax was gone the first time. ”
I watched a grin spread across her face, “So you're gonna pretend to whore yourself out and it’ll speed up the healing process?”
I rub the center of my forehead, a pained smile on my face, “Yeah, no whorin’. Pretend or real. As soon as I can, I’ll find a job. I’ll keep up with what I can, and as soon as I’m cleared I’ll re-apply to West Point. And then Dax and I will join you in New York,” I say with a chuckle.
She smiles, laying back down and snuggling into me. Wrapping my arm around her was almost like holding Dax, but not really. “Ya know this week’s gonna be busy for me? I may not make it back till Friday to see you,” she mutters into my chest.
I scrunch my nose, “Yeah, I know. I don’t like it, but I get it,” I mumble, laying my head on hers. “Hey, you mentioned Dani getting some news last night. What was it?”
Shaking her head, she says, “Not my story to tell.”
I tickle her and she squeals as she says, “Nope, she’ll tell you when she’s ready. Now cut it out, Jackass!”
With a huff, I mutter petulantly, “Of course you pick now, when I am laid up, dyin’ for something to keep me busy, to stop sharin’ everyone’s stuff.”
I feel her shift to get up, “I’ve stirred enough pots and licked enough spoons to last a lifetime. Startin’ now I only share what’s mine to share without permission,” she explains as she leans in to kiss my forehead. “I’ll see you Friday before I go.”
I grab her hand, “See you then. Make sure you stay as far away from Mack as possible. Okay? Please, Mel, promise me!”
“I promise. Now, I gotta run. I’ll call you later.” She says as she walks towards the door.
As she leaves, I flop back against my pillows and lay there staring at the ceiling feeling horrible for what I had just done.
I hated lying to her, but the doc told me that West Point is a long shot even after I healed.
I couldn’t let her know that or she’d never leave.
‘Mel needs to get out and this is the best way for it to happen.’ sighing to myself, my thoughts drift to the other person in this, ‘I still have to tell Dax. Where the fuck is Zak?’
Melody