Chapter 22
Mylah
Reality is a bitch sometimes. This isn’t how I wanted to tell him.
This wasn’t part of my plan. I feel like shit.
I feel sick to my stomach, and he just stands there staring at me.
Tears spill down my cheeks as I try to think of what else to say.
I don’t know what to tell him. I don’t know much more than I’m pregnant.
I haven’t seen a doctor, so I don’t know the dates. I just took a test to confirm.
“You…you’re pregnant.”
“Yeah.”
“And it could be his?” I nod my head, unsure of what to say here. How do I respond to him? What do I even say? I’m at a loss.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” he asks.
“Because I don’t know, Tide. I don’t know dates or how far along. I don’t know anything. And I’m so sorry,” I cry harder now. Tide doesn’t know what to do. He steps back a few steps and runs his hand through his hair before looking back at me.
“It’s mine.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I’m fuckin’ tellin’ you it’s mine!” He roars this time. I flinch a little and jerk back, not expecting him to act like this.
“Why don’t we calm down,” Bane says as he steps up next to me and rests his hand on my shoulder. “You can see the doc, yeah? Let him check you out?”
“Yeah, I can.”
“Then let’s do that. Let’s call Doc and have him come and check you out. Make sure everything is good after what you went through.”
“Are you consolin’ her? You wanna hold her goddamn hand?” Tide growls at Bane.
“Someone has to. This has to be hard for her, Tide. You’re standin’ there actin’ like a fuckin’ madman right now. You need to get your shit together,” Bane tells him.
“She fucked my son and me.”
“And you knew that. She wasn’t with you, Tide. You changed that.”
“Fuck. Fuck!” He roars before he storms across the room and pounds his fist against the wall. Bane lifts me off the workbench and sets me on my feet before grabbing my hand and leading me toward the steps. I listen to the guys talking to Tide, but he’s just screaming and yelling in a fury.
When we make it up the steps, Bane pulls me into a hug.
“I’m sorry you’re dealin’ with this. He’ll come around, though. It’s just all a shock with Beth tellin’ him that.”
“I know it’s a mess, Bane. I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry, darlin’. You didn’t plan on this to happen.”
“I know, but it’s all fucked up. He’s going to hate me if this baby is Christian’s.”
“I don’t think he could hate you, Mylah. That man is so fuckin’ in love with you. We all see it.”
“You do?” I ask, looking up at him.
“Yeah, darlin’. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this before. He needs you.”
“I’m scared,” I tell him. That’s when I feel something brush against my leg, and I look down to see Riley standing next to me. I almost forgot that I brought him along this time. Bane pulls away as I reach down and pet him.
“I still have you, right?” I tell him. Riley licks my hand, and I smile.
“You got a good boy right there,” Bane says.
“I know. He’s a sweet dog but can be a beast if he needs to be.”
“I bet he can. Why don’t you lay down and rest until the doc comes?” I nod my head and walk away from Bane with Riley right beside me. I walk down the hall and into Tide’s room before climbing on the bed. I curl into a ball and let the tears fall as Riley curls up next to me.
It seems like forever when I hear the door open and close. Riley lifts his head but doesn’t bark or move.
“You gonna call off the attack dog?” Tide’s voice floats through the room.
“He’s fine.”
“He’s in my spot.”
“Where is Beth?”
“In the basement where she belongs.”
“Let her go.”
“No. That isn’t up for discussion. If she’s lyin’ to me, she’s dead.”
“You can’t kill everyone, Tide.”
“I can and I will if I have to.”
“She’s Christian’s mom.”
“I’m well aware. You gonna call off the dog or what?”
“He isn’t doing anything.”
“He’s in my spot,” he tells me. I giggle a little and tell Riley to hit the floor. He climbs off the bed and lies on my side on the floor like a good boy. Tide finishes pulling his clothes off before he pulls the blanket back and climbs into bed.
“You’re just going to leave her down there?”
“It’s what she deserves.”
“So what if she’s lying?”
“Then she still deserves what she gets,” he tells me. Tide lies on his back and closes his eyes, letting out a breath as I watch him. I watch him for a long time, thinking he fell asleep.
“Lay on me.”
“What?”
“I want you on top of me.” I don’t move at first, but then he reaches for me, pulling my body on top of his. My head rests in the crook of his neck as he wraps his arms around me. He doesn’t speak and neither do I. We just lie like this until I feel his breathing even out and I know he’s asleep.
Slowly, I climb off of him and slide off the bed. I walk toward the door, careful not to wake him up before sneaking out. When I get to the main room, no one else is awake right now. I blow out a breath of relief as I pull open the basement door and creep down the stairs.
I see Beth with her head hung in the chair. They really did leave her there.
“Get up,” I say loud enough that she can hear me. She lifts her head, and I can see the line of dried blood on her cheek.
“What the hell do you want?”
“Not to see you dead. Get out of here,” I tell her as I grab the knife and cut through the binds that hold her in place. I find the keys to the cuffs on the table and unlock them, setting her free.
“Why are you helping me?” she asks.
“I don’t know. Just…get the hell out of here.” With that, I walk off and back up the steps and straight to the room. I sneak back in and climb back into bed next to Tide, curling into his side. He groans and rolls toward me, holding me against him.
My eyes slowly drift shut when I hear someone banging on the door. Riley barks, waking both Tide and me up.
“What the fuck?” he mumbles as he throws his legs over the edge of the bed and sits up. He stands and walks to the door, throwing it open. I’m too tired, too drowsy to listen to what’s being said until I hear him yell my name.
“Mylah!”