Revelations #4
I woke up and looked around. I jumped out of bed and did a victory lap with my hands in the air. I got on my knees, “I’m not really religious. So, whatever god or deity out there let me sleep through the night without having any sort of family bomb dropped on me, thank you.”
I turned and snuggled back into Keaton’s embrace. My eyes widened on his neck. When did he get a tattoo? He had a small music note with the letters OSC by it. He’d even put a crown over the O. Tears filled my eyes as this sense of being important to someone filled me.
Keaton got a tattoo for me? I wondered why he put a crown above my initial.
I couldn’t stop myself from touching it.
It was small, but I loved it. Keaton started purring.
I snickered. Weren’t tattoos supposed to be covered and sensitive right after you got them?
Did he get this while he was getting Melanie’s Xander’s wife back?
Gosh, I should probably stop mentally referring to the man as Melanie’s Xander since he got married.
That is NOT the point right now, Odette. Focus on what is in front of your face.
How did I not notice this tattoo before? Keaton’s eyes opened and his deep timber greeted me, “Good morning.” I shivered because that morning voice my man had was something. I replied, “Good morning, Mr. Sneaky.”
Keaton titled his head, “Huh?” I laughed, “You got a tattoo. I can’t believe I didn’t notice.
A music note and OSC. That’s sweet. A little crazy since we haven’t been together that long, but I’m oddly ok with it.
Maybe I’ll get a note with a K on my hip.
” Keaton seemed to be trying to think of what to say.
I asked, “Why did you get a crown put above my initial? And what do the S and C stand for?” Keaton was literally blinking a mile a minute. Someone banged on my door. I laughed, “To be continued.” I opened the door and found May, Immy, Keith, and Bryce on the other side.
May held up a bag announcing, “Keaton forgot some things.” She threw it at him, “You’re welcome, Keaton Daniels. I’ve saved the day again. Oh, look at your tattoo! Isn’t it the sweetest, Katie?” I agreed, “It is. We were just talking about it.”
May smiled, “I think it’s so cute.” I laughed, “I was asking Key what it stood for.” Oh crap. Keaton put an O there so they wouldn’t think it was for me. They would think it should be a K, but May thought it was cute.
I blurted out, “My name is actually Odette. So. that’s why it’s an O.
” They all stared at me. Keith snorted, “Thank god. Does that mean we can stop calling her not Katie?” I asked, “Not Katie?” Keith said, “You’ve started to say Odette so many times we figured out Katie wasn’t your real name. OdKatie is a weird name.”
I whispered, “If you could still call me Katie around other people at school that….” Immy quickly cut me off, “Of course we will. We’ll keep it private that we call you Odette.
” May acknowledged, “Well that makes so much sense now. It’s Odette’s Song Call.
I knew the S was for song. I don’t get why he added call, but men.
What can you do? Like Keith said, I figured your name started with O. ”
Odette’s song call, that was cute. Sassy was happily humming in my head. I asked, “So why the crown?” May giggled, “You’re Keaton’s Queen of course.” I teased Keaton, “You explained the tattoo to them so well. Why were you so nervous to tell me? I can’t believe I didn’t notice it until today.”
Because it wasn’t there. I rubbed my temples as my head began to pound.
Of course, the tattoo had been there before now.
I just didn’t notice. Except Keaton would’ve had it covered, but I never saw any gauze on his neck.
Nor was my boyfriend’s skin ever red or irritated. Am I really this unobservant?
Immy said, “It’s really pretty. Let’s just keep some concealer on hand since we don’t want certain exes to see it.” I snorted, “Yeah, Lisa would probably show up here again to yell at me.” Keith snorted, “I don’t think so. Emmett was unhappy with her visit here.”
I asked, “Can Emmett get her an unlimited supply of tissues for her purse, so Lisa stops trying to use Key as her personal handkerchief?” Ok, so I was bitter about that part.
Really bitter. Everyone just stared at me.
What? Lisa did try to use him as a snot rag.
It was annoying and I’d brought it up multiple times.
Everyone came into my apartment. Immy asked me an odd question, “Were you ever in gymnastics?” I smiled, “Yes, when I was four. My brother bought my leotard and paid for it himself. Actually, he paid for a lot of things. Like when he wasn’t with me, my brother paid the neighbor lady to take me.
I actually think he was using his allowance from his dad to have her watch me when he wasn’t there. ”
Immy frowned, “Your mom didn’t watch you?” I admitted, “Until the custody trial for my brother, I didn’t see my mom regularly. She would stop by sometimes and stalk to the fridge before my brother’s dad got custody.”
I paused then said, “I don’t know how I could remember being a baby, but I’m pretty sure my brother or some nurse watched me. I don’t remember seeing my mom consistently until I was five. I’m pretty sure I only knew she was my mom because of the pictures around the apartment.”
May frowned, “Of her and your brother?” I snorted, “Oh, no. There were no pictures of them anywhere. Mom was always alone or with a boyfriend. They were pictures from her travels. My brother mentioned she was our mom.”
I continued, “I remember I was shocked when mom came home and stayed. I actually introduced myself to her. I guess I really can’t blame my brother for wanting to live with his dad.
I would too. Thinking back, he was spending so much time and money raising me.
I don’t know how he did it. I’m pretty sure his dad is rich, but for all the things he must have sacrificed a lot for me. ”
Maybe it’s why Lux left and never came back. Because my brother resented me. The thought actually hurt. Keaton took my hands, “I would do anything for my siblings, and I would never blame them for our parents actions. I can help you find your brother when you’re ready.”
I snorted, “You look like you want to punch him.” Keaton kissed the top of my head and muttered, “I just might.” I winced, “Please don’t. I don’t even know if it’s safe to find my brother anymore.” With all the mob ties surrounded our family it might not be.
Immy jumped back in, “This is a depressing topic, back to my questions. You’ve had gymnastics lessons. Have you ever been rock climbing?” I laughed, “I can’t say that I have. Basically, if your questions revolve around doing fun things, I can tell you that I did not do them.”
Immy sighed, “You don’t even have a favorite kind of cake.
” I gasped, “Hey! I loved that cake we had the first time we met.” My friend clapped, “YES! You do like cake. What about cookies? Or cupcakes?” I said, “I liked the milkshake I got with Key. I’ve never had a cookie or a cupcake.
” Melanie talked about those evil cookies her family ate so peanut butter cookies were permanently off my list.
Immy yelled, “THAT’S A TRAVESTY! Hold on.” My friend walked outside and came back ten minutes later. I asked, “Did you rob a bakery store?” Immy had cookies, fudge, cupcakes, pies, and a smattering of other things.
Immy snorted, “No, May’s mom is the best gourmet chef around who also bakes. May’s older siblings, Kalen and Kylie, who before you ask are twins, were baking up a storm today. They gave me samples.” I said, “I thought May was an only child.”
May laughed, “Not even slightly. I have six siblings.” I asked, “Are you the youngest?” May laughed, “No, Trey and Gwen are younger than me.” I asked, “Are they twins?” May shook her head, “Nope the only twins are Kalen and Kylie. Some might say a bit of magic came into play with their conception.”
I wondered if they used IVF or something. What magic could cause twins? The whole group in my apartment was smirking though. Maybe there was a tradition of having sex outside in the area or something and they believed twins were the result.
I loved everything Immy had brought up for me to eat. I teased, “May, your family can’t cook for me all the time or I’d waddle to my death.” May laughed, “Kalen’s cake balls are TO DIE for.” I agreed because those cake ball things he made were chocolate deliciousness.
Immy slapped my ass, “I think I just saw your ass get bigger and Keaton’s shorts get smaller. What an interesting phenomenon.” I blushed. Keaton turned, smirked, and pulled me onto his lap. I didn’t know if Immy was right about my ass, but she was definitely right about Keaton’s shorts.
My friends stayed for a few hours just hanging out and asking random questions. I wondered if this was what I had been missing out on, moving from place to place. All I had after all those years was Luke, and we never had this much fun.
I hadn’t had anything like this since I’d left Nashville. These guys were way more relaxed than Melanie and her friends though. They carried the weight of the world and argued with Melanie a lot. I didn’t understand why they bothered when Melanie was far too smart for that.
I didn’t want anything to change about my life now. I loved having friends. That actually made me wonder if I should contact Roxie. I don’t know how I would, but maybe I could google her name. Her dad seemed important so I could try that.
Roxie deserved to know I was ok now and that I’d made friends.
We were never close, but Roxie was trying to help me those last few days I was there.
Heck, she saved me from being unconscious in a forest, and from Luke.
I definitely owed her a google search to see if I could find a way to contact her.