Lost Her (Lost #1) (12 page)

I look Ryan straight in the eye, “Wrong Rye, he was you through and through. Even your mother was so proud of him all the time. She told me over and over again, just like Ryan when he was young. Another thing she said too, I hope this one stays powerful and does not become weakened by a woman like his father did. She said that right in front of me in our home. I was shocked.”

Ryan
wraps his arm around me whispering in my ear, “I am sorry for what my mother said to you. I wish you would have said something to me. I guess everyone is right; Briar was me all over again. I was in denial with his always fighting and being aggressive. Yes, that was me.”

I kiss Ryan on the lips trying to lighten up the conversation, “You would never have listened to me and you know it. But I know something I think you do not know. On a happy note, your daughter is still a virgin, but I think she may be into some guy. When she was here she told me about her ten year birth control implant. So, we do not have to worry about accidentally becoming grandparents for the next ten years.”

Ryan looks at me straight in the eye speaking firmly, “That is because Katie wasn’t sure if she liked girls or boys while in school. I just assumed it was a phase and it was. But tell me how effective birth control is nowadays. Remember our accident?”

I look back away from h
is stare, “Birth control is much better now. You knew she was experimenting?”

He looks at me, “Just recently found
Noelia and her on the couch,” shaking his head to get the image out of his head, “I questioned her about it later and she said she was still unsure. I sent her and Noelia here for you to try and deal with it.”

I place my hand over my mouth, “You sent the girls here?”

Ryan looks at me, “When we learned that you contacted her. I offered to pay for her and a friend to come see you. So, the next call is when you told her to come down. She reported back to your father and me all about your new life. I needed to decide how to proceed.”

I just shake my head taking in all that he just said, “I guess I did really worry everyone but I was not ready to be divorced add
ing to my pain. Well, so I ran off to Chris’s in California until I came here.” 

He looks away, “I knew where you were and I was not worried when I knew that Chris had you. I was
still working out my demons. Chris said you could stay with his as long as needed or until we came to an agreement. It was after you left with a damn note to Chris is when we all started to freak out.”

I look at him smugly with a proud sense of always being loved by him, “You all were behind it keeping me safe, huh?” We laugh together hear
ing my father calling my name. We grab the coolers walking to the Land Cruiser. Daddy comes out to join us smiling at me. I call out to them both as I walk back in the house, “I have to change in to my bathing suit and get bug spray for Rye.” I put a very loosely hanging down tank top over my bikini and pull on shorts. I grab everything I need including my car charger for my cell phone. I walk out the door pulling it closed behind me. Ryan is staring angrily at my top shaking his head from side to side. I hand him the bug spray and say to him, “Get over it. I am not changing.”

My father laughs out, “In more ways than one.” I glance at him to behave. We all get into the truck and drive down to the Cantina.

Ryan
- I pull up to the Cantina. We see Rosalie standing on the step with her hands on her hips glaring at us, “You are late and I was getting worried.” Her expression changes to a large grinning smile when Henry gets out of the truck. She walks over to the truck, “They left about 20 minutes ago and they took my Jeep. Let us get the food into the cooler and head up there. The way Ryan drives, we will beat them there.” I laugh at Rosalie while I pull out the coolers out of the Land Cruiser.

We load in the food and beers. Henry and I carry them back outside placing them in the truck. Rosalie and Livi come back outside. Henry opens the door for Rosalie to climb in to the back with him. I just shake my head at Livi as we climb into the truck. Rosalie speaks up, “So why were you so late?”

Henry chuckles, “The kids got lost under the house somewhere for about twenty minutes.”

I speak up, “Livi and I had a very emotional conversation about Briar. We were discussing things I never realized ever before.” I reach over placing my hand on Livi’s thigh giving her a wink.

Rosalie leans forward, “That was good,
and with small steps you will get there.”

I speak slowly so Rosalie knows that I understand the method she thinks I should be approaching Livi. “It was enlightening for both of us. I always blamed Livi for the spoiled monster that Briar was
thinking he was just like her brothers, wild and crazy. That is why I stayed at work for her to deal with him.”

Henry speaking
out boldly, “No son, Briar was all you. My boys would never be condescending and act over privileged to people. Briar was just as arrogant as you.”

I glance at Livi seeing her face had that pained look, “I know that now, and I did not know my mother was adding fuel to his fire either. I am so sorry.” I can see Henry nodding in the backseat through the rearview mirror. He seems pleased with my admissions.

Rosalie leans forward again, “Ryan, were you ever disciplined as a child?”

I look up not really shocked by her question, “No, never. I rarely every got in trouble. My father slapped my hand once for touching something in a store. My mother laid in to him and told him to never touch me again.”

Livi speaks up, “Ryan never laid a hand on his own children either. He was a yeller, but Katie respected him. Briar walked all over both of us. I slapped him a few times, but as he got bigger, he began to laugh at my punishment. Daddy smacked him a few times for being nasty to me or Katie when Briar did it in his presence.”

I shift in my seat not liking what I was hearing about my son being slapped. I felt myself turn red with angry. Livi continues to speak, “When he was 10 he started pushing me and hitting me back. He even spit on me a few times, which he learned that from your Mother.” I feel the blood drain
ing from my face as the angry just left me when I heard Livi’s agony. I knew I needed to say something but I had no words.

Henry taps his hand
on my shoulder, “It is alright Son. Many of us had turned a blind eye on Briar’s behavior hoping he would grow out of it. The one thing I could not understand for the life of me was why did you always allow your Mother to disrespect Livi in front of her own children?”

I look from side to side realizing that Henry knew so much more than I with what was happening within my own family. I think to myself for another few seconds before I speak, “My mother had been like that to everyone but my sister and I. She treated my father like he was a failure. There were some mishaps that I was not aware of, that I learned of, that my mother did to Livi without me present, but when I was present, mom just seemed normal to me.”

Henry laughs, “Your mother is not normal; a bitter hag, yes. Ryan, at your rehearsal dinner she had the balls to say to me that I should have forced Olivia to get an abortion and that she has just ruined your life forever.” I see in the corner of my eye Livi’s hand come up to cover her mouth in shock.

Rosalie was shaking her head, “Henry, what did you say to her in response?”

“That I was happy to be gaining a son which I provided him with an educational scholarship. I gave him the tools to be his own man. I invested in his future and now he is going to be my son. You lost him,” Henry continues, “then she said the most twisted thing since she put it together that I was the McGraw in the State Attorney McGraw Scholarship. She said I paid off Ryan with an education to date Olivia. That was the funniest thing I ever heard.”

I move around in my seat to try to relax, “I think it was fate that we met at school. I am not going to lie though, when I learned that day who Livi’s father
was, who was my idol and mentor.  I felt like it kind of sealed the deal and all the pieces fell in place. I was so honored by the scholarships. I was so honored that you allowed me to date Livi. You awestruck me and I wanted to make you proud of me. So if anyone was digging for a better life, it was me.” Henry taps me on the shoulder again showing me that he cares how I feel.

Henry takes his hand back, “Want to hear something really funny? The two of you met in high school, I bet you did not know that? I think twice that you met, if I remember correctly. I would have my scouts for the scholarship look around for promising students. Then provide them with the letter of how to apply. They always narrow it down to 3 students for me, where I would watch video footage of their sports or academic achievements. Well, I guess Ryan did not have video footage of himself. So I personally had to sit in on your high school hockey game, but I never got to see you play soccer until you were already in college dating Olivia. Then you sealed your fate at the Legal Advisement Panel Debate Club Championships held at Princeton University. You debated against Olivia and beat her little ass. She never fails. Then after that you got notice to come to my office for an interview. You were made to wait outside my office when Olivia had come to my office to tell me the unthinkable. We were arguing, but she made her case. I asked her to let you into the office when she was leaving.”

I hit the brakes on the truck to look at him and Livi whips her head around to look at Henry. Livi looks at me, “Huh that was you? You were the one I hated. You made me look so bad. I honestly did not put it together though that you were the boy in the office awaiting his interview or I would have made it go all wrong for you. I guess I did not look at you. All I can say is wow,” she laughs.

Rosalie look at us both with a sweet smile, “So, you both have been battling before this relationship. How beautiful!”

I turn my head forward to continue driving. I glance over to Livi again placing my hand on her thigh. I speak trying to be humorous, “So that day, what were you arguing about with your father? Not wanting to be hooked up with a stud like me? Just joking, honey.”

“No, I was there to tell him that I decided that I did not want to attend Princeton. I did not want to live there. I was young and I was already taking college classes close to home while in high school. I did not want to leave my friends. I was not ready since I just got my ass handed to me at the debate championships. I lost my legal confidence that day and felt I was not worthy to go to Princeton,” her voice fading off.

I am still trying to lighten the mood, “I had no clue you were accepted to Princeton. You never told me that and you were awesome that day, but I was just better. We were the top two for the championship; you should have never felt not worthy with that accomplishment. That was a dumb move on your part, but I still won. I won by you attending my school. I am telling you we were meant to be together.”

Henry chimes in, “Crazy thing, I knew how much she hated you too. When she brought you home that Thanksgiving, I thought it was some sick joke to get back at you. I was more than sure she was going to have her brother rough you up, but she seemed to really like you. I brought up the debate a few days later to see what I could get out of her about that boy. I guess she never caught your name or looked at you. She was still fuming mad at the boy that beat her. She never caught on either that you were that year’s boy for the scholarship. That has been my internal chuckle for about 25 years.”

Livi shifts in her seat looking out towards the jungle and speaks in a mellow tone voice, “I had slept with the enemy. I was so intimidated by that boy and his confidence just made me nervous. I could not think straight at all.”

Rosalie lets out a bellowing laugh, “That was because you liked the sense of him. It sound like to me that his presence just brought you to your knees.” The three of us laugh at Livi and she rolls her eyes at us.

As Rosalie predicted, we caught up to her Jeep. So I followed them up the rest of the way. I see a dark thi
n woman waving at us from the other vehicle. Parker pulls off the road to park. I pull right alongside him. Parker greets us as we get out of the Land Cruiser. He gives Rosalie a hug and Rosalie introduces Henry to him. They express pleasant hand shake. Then Parker turns to Livi taking her in to a big hug that seems to last a little too long. I hear Livi say happy birthday to him as she places her hands on his shoulders standing on her tippy toes pulling him down to give him a kiss. Looks to me like she was aiming for his check when he turned his head to meet her lips. I flashed red putting the cooler down.

Henry grabs my arm tight
giving me a jerk, “Down son, it is just a birthday kiss.” I whip my head around to look at him nodding that I understand. Parker then calls his friends over and the introductions are made. Parker introduces the dark woman as his half older sister, Maribel. Maribel’s boyfriend Tomas and Parker’s best friend Marcus. Everyone shakes and greets.

Livi walks away back to the truck. She pulls out the bug spray wiggling her index finger for me to come over to her. “Take off your shirt,” she demands.

I look right into her eyes speak
ing while I pull my shirt over my head, “Yes ma’am.” I turn for her to spray my back and the back of my legs. She pokes me with her finger to signal me to turn around. She bends over to spray my legs and I notice Parker’s buddy Marcus is checking her out. Livi moves up to my chest then sprays my face. I start coughing.

Then she says to me, “That is what you get for not being nice to me in high school,” she ends laughing. I am still damp with bug spray lean in, bear hugging her tightly. She is letting out a playful scream wiggling to get out of my arms.

Then I hear Henry’s voice calling over to us, “Best to make those phone calls before you get all liquored up.” Livi waves in acknowledgement and pulls out her phone to dial.

She speaks in to the phone kind of yelling, “Chris is that you. Hi sweetie, I miss you and love you,” she turns walking away from me and I remain still listening while she continues talking, “Yes I know Daddy told me. I am really excited. No, no, but I am working on that. It takes time you know. Wow, really, sure. I can’t wait. I will see you then. I love you too Chris.” She ends her call and I see Parker standing away from his friends. It is apparent to me that he was eavesdropping too.

Livi begins another phone call, “Katie, it is mommy. Yes, yes, Daddy is right here. Yes, Parker too. We are all at the park today for Parker’s birthday. No Katie, it does not work that way. Please stop with that nonsense. You are only hurting us when you say things like that.” Livi turns away walking further away from us for more privacy.

Livi turns walking back to me and she hands me the phone. I take the phone and put it to my ear. I listen to Katie chatter away and then she asks to speak with her mother again. Livi takes the phone back and listens for a moment. Livi then walks to Parker handing him the phone. Livi turns to me and shrugs.

I move closer to hear what Parker is saying, “Yes, thank you. Younger huh, well thank you. Yes, I do not think that is going to fly. Nope, I hit a road block. It is more than just a bump. Okay, Okay, I will work harder. Thank you again and bye bye.” Parker ends the call hand
ing the phone back to Livi saying to her, “That daughter of your is a piece of work. She is non-stop.” Livi turns nodding at him. Marcus’s head keeps going from Livi to Parker like he was missing something. Parker turns to him shrugging his shoulders.

As Livi was putting the phone back in the truck, I walked up behind her wrapping my arms around her. I place my chin on her shoulder to whisper into her ear, “Today, you are going to talk to him about your mistaken kiss and leading him on.”

I feel Livi tense up
as she turns to look at me, “Do not kill my mood right now. I am as happy as I can be after talking to Chris and no, not today. I am not that cruel to do that to him on his birthday.”

She pushes away from me walking over to the group. Parker and Tomas carry one cooler together and Henry and I carry the other. Parker leads the way up the path, “It is only about a half mile, but it will seem further with the rocks and all.” We get to a rocky spot where Marcus is helping the ladies navigate through the stones. He takes Livi’s hand to pull her across and I notice that his gaze is on her breasts, not her face or feet. He helps her another two times with his eyes on the same spot on her body.

I begin to tense when Parker announces that the rock is right around the corner. We walk through some thick brush then my breath is taken away by the beautiful waterfall with a crystal blue pool at the bottom of it. The pool reminds me of Livi’s eyes. We place down all the coolers and belongings. I walk up behind Livi who is engrossed in the view. I am feeling overly romantic wrapping my arms around her, holding her so tightly. I speak softly in her ear, “Do you know what this pool reminds me of?” She shakes her head no.  “The first time I held Katie in my arms in the hospital when she opened her eyes looking up at me with those large crystal blues eyes. Just like the eyes I loved so much on her mommy.” Livi tilts her head to give me access to her neck and I place a few soft kisses. Then I turn her to me taking her lips with mine for a deep passionate kiss. We break our kiss when we hear the water splash. Parker’s sister and boyfriend, Tomas jumped into the water with Parker and Marcus following. They are swimming around and frolicking.