“He’s beaten her up before–“
“As she said, there’s no record aside from the one hospital visit and those pictures apparently never got logged,” Harrison says.
I pick my guitar up and put the strap over my head. I plug the lead into the amp and start tuning. I don’t know if there’s anything I can do for her, but I’m going to give it a try. No one should have to fear for their lives and if it means I have to be a permanent fixture at Whimsicality then so be it.
I’M happy to be back at work even if it means I’m looking over my shoulder. Damien is gone, at least that’s what Paul says, but I know he’ll be back. Nothing about him goes quietly into the night. He doesn’t like to lose and I know him well enough to know that he’s pissed off and will seek revenge. Sadly, I’m his target.
My mom is currently yapping it up with Jimmy. He’s been sitting at the same table since we opened. The first few days I found it odd, until Harrison spilled the beans that Jimmy is currently seeking a full-time job as my babysitter. The guys are overprotective, but it’s nice to know that when Damien does return, they’ll be around to protect me. I’m just afraid they’ll get hurt. Liam assures me that they can and will take care of themselves and the people that they love.
Each time the door chimes, my body turns cold. I hate living with fear. I’ve grown so accustomed to being free that this constant sense of dread washing over me is getting to be too much. I could be free if I left Beaumont, but something tells me I wouldn’t get very far.
I smile at Nick when he walks in. He’s dressed in his usual dark slacks and white button-down shirt. He’s here to see Aubrey for lunch. He does this every day that she works. It’s sickeningly sweet, but gives me the tiniest bit of hope that someday I’ll find my Prince Charming.
Nick always chooses to come into the flower shop before going to the café and each time it’s because he’s buying his wife a single flower. Today he’s buying a red sunflower. I like how he’s still supporting Josie after everything that went down. I know what happened was for the best though. Nick never smiled like this until he came home with Aubrey.
“Busy today?”
“Not really. The sun is out so I think most everyone is enjoying it before it rains. How’s the office?” I ask, wrapping Aubrey’s flower in paper and tying it with a ribbon.
“Same ole skinned knees, bumps and the perpetual cough,” Nick says, handing me his payment.
“But you treat them all the same and with a smile, right?”
“Of course,” he says, smiling. “Aubrey and I want to have you over for dinner soon.”
“Thank you, I’d like that.”
“Have you told everyone yet?”
I shake my head.
Nick caught me going into the obstetrician’s office. I couldn’t hide my elation and he guessed. He and Aubrey both know, but haven’t said anything and they both know I appreciate them keeping my confidence. Nick will be the baby’s doctor, if I decide to stay in Beaumont.
“I’m telling Josie and Liam tonight.”
“And the baby’s dad?”
“No, not yet. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Nick leans forward and lowers his voice. “Please rethink not telling him, Jenna. Even if he’s not around, it’s important that he know he has a child out there. Besides, he might surprise you and want to be around.”
“I don’t think so. Having a baby would ruin his life. It’s best that I just keep his identity a secret.”
He nods, even though I know he doesn’t agree with me.
Nick picks up Aubrey’s flower and gives me a small wave before turning toward the café. I watch as she meets him on the side, squealing in delight because he brought her a flower. She does this every time. I can’t imagine how happy she’d be if he brought her a bouquet or jewelry. Aubrey loves Nick dearly. You can see it in the way she looks at him.
I used to love Damien that way, even after the abuse started. I thought that if I loved him harder, that if I loved him more, he’d stop. I thought that he’d see how much he was hurting me and realize my pain was because of his fist, but it never stopped. I realized
, albeit too late, that he loved hitting me more than I loved taking it.
I pull out the chair across from Josie and Liam. Tonight’s the night. The truth, well most of it, will come out. They look at me expectantly and I want to laugh at how absurd this has all been, but I needed to wait, at least for me, before telling them.
I fold my hands in front of me and take a deep breath. I smile, hoping to convey that, yes everything is okay, even if it might not be.
“What’s up?” Liam asks, breaking the ice. I know he’s busy and I’m probably keeping him from something important.
I look away, down at my hands and say, “I’m pregnant.”