Deceitful Choices (13 page)

I smiled, because for the first time in the last fifteen minutes I felt a little less stressed. Taylor was a girl on a mission and I knew she wouldn’t let Lindsay or me down.

Haven had no chance against Tay. If she was telling the truth or just using this as a ploy to get me to call her, Taylor would find out. I had to let it go for now and concentrate on my mission.

Chapter 23

Lindsay

A week had passed since I arrived back in Southern Illinois.

Since then, I had done everything I could possibly do to keep myself busy. I cleaned and went through everything in Camden’s room. I shopped for clothes, because he was outgrowing the ones he currently had. When that wasn’t enough, I moved onto the rest of the house.

Grams knew it was due to nerves and I had to stay moving. So she said nothing. I even caught her leaving stuff out that she normally wouldn’t, as if to make sure I had things to keep me busy.

During those hours of organizing and prioritizing, I found a few booklets and papers on a place called
Palm Shades Estates
. It was a retirement community just outside San Diego.

One paper was completely filled out with all of Grams’ information, and copies of her financial statements were included.

I had yet to tell my grandmother of my plans, but something told me she already knew. A happiness set over me as I thought of Grams coming to California too. She would be the one person I would regret leaving behind, and now maybe I didn’t have to.

I tried not to focus on the fact I hadn’t heard from Zack yet. I understood things were different; it wasn’t like he was in California and could just pick up his phone anytime and call.

It didn’t make missing him any easier, though. Hell, I think I would still miss him just as much if I got the chance to talk to him every single day like before. I just wanted to be back in Coronado with him, tucked in bed with Camden between us. For now, I would stay busy with school, Camden, and anything else I could find to occupy myself.

The last couple times I talked to Taylor, I mentioned Camden and I coming for a visit, but both times she pushed the idea off, saying she was so busy with classes that she just wanted to wait until school was out. Then she would change the subject to her visiting me, which completely contradicted her earlier statement.

Something told me she was stalling and for some reason she wanted to keep me away from Roanoke. So instead of letting it get to me, I figured one day soon I would just show up for a visit and she would have no other choice but to welcome us.

If she didn’t, then her mother, Charlotte, would.

I was sitting at the table on Saturday evening studying when my phone rang.

Of course my hope was that it was Zack calling, but when I looked at the screen I felt disappointed. Rita had called twice since I returned home, checking on Camden and me. Not that I didn’t appreciate her concern; I just wished one time it would be Zack so the worry inside of me could be put to rest.

“How did you do it?” I asked her after we exchanged our normal introductions. Most of our conversations were surrounded by all things Camden but this time I needed reassurance from a woman who had been through the same situations on more than one occasion.

“Do what?” she asked.

“How do you keep yourself from going insane with worry?” I asked as I leaned back in the chair. “I’ve tried not to focus on everything he may be going through, but my mind won’t shut off. I even wake up in the middle of the night fearful that something happened. It’s maddening.”

“Oh sweetheart, I worry. I worried every single day my husband was deployed, every day Quinton was gone, and now Zack.” It did make me feel a little less insane to know it was normal to feel this consumed. “You just can’t let it take over your life. You have to build up a thick skin, and know that what Zack is doing is something he was built for since birth. My boys ate, drank, and slept the Navy; it’s their passion. They are strong and they’re doing what they love. We just have to stay strong for them, even if it drives us crazy.”

I could sense her smile.

“I’m trying,” I told her, because I was. I was also terrified.

***

“We’re going to lunch, why don’t you come with us?” Wendy, a friend from school, asked. She was someone I met months ago and after talking one day, we realized our grandmothers had known one another for years. Since then she and I developed a closeness I was thankful for now. She had really helped with the distractions I needed to remain busy.

“I could text Grams and tell her I’ll be another hour or so.” I rarely went out and did anything. It was school, work, home. A little time away from my everyday life would be a nice change.

So for the next hour and half, I got lost in gossip. I was introduced to a couple of other girls, and instantly they accepted me into their little group, without hesitation.

I shared pictures of Camden and in turn pictures of Zack.

“That smile could be dangerous,” Fiona said, with a gleam in her eye as she stared at my phone and a picture of Zack holding Camden close as he smiled that drop-to-your-knees-and-pant grin of his. “And if Camden inherits that grin, watch out, man. You’ll be having little girls beating down your door just for a chance to witness that smile.”

“It is dangerous, and Zack knows it. He uses it to his advantage, I assure you.” Whenever he smiled at me, I found myself being unable to say no, or hell, even think straight. “I have a feeling Camden will be just like him.”

That thought was reassuring. I hoped daily that our son turned out just like his father. Honorable and strong, dedicated and compassionate.

I lost track of time and once I realized it, I rushed home to find Grams baking cupcakes while Camden sat in his highchair gnawing on the rubber spatula covered in icing.

He was a chocolate mess, and it probably wasn’t the best form of a treat, but he seemed to be enjoying it.

“How was your date?” Grams asked.

I looked up at her in confusion as I lifted Camden from his chair, not caring if he covered me in his slobbery mess.

“Not a date, like you’re thinking. Girl date with friends,” she said in correction, only it didn’t sound any better than the first time. “Oh dear lord, you kids and your imaginations,” she huffed as she cocked her hip out and placed her hand on her side. “How was your lunch with friends?”

I laughed this time when she arched her brow, just daring me to question her again.

“It was good,” I assured her, hiding my laughter the best I could. “It felt nice to sit with girls and talk for a while.”

“You don’t do it often enough,” she told me. “You do know that you deserve some time alone too, right? Camden is good here with Grams, every day but every third Tuesday. Granny can’t miss her bingo day.”

I swear she lived for bingo days.

Chapter 24

Zack

“We got you boys some computer time.”

That announcement was seriously the best fucking thing I had heard in the last eleven days.

That’s how long we’d been in this desert. That’s how long it had been since I had seen or heard Lindsay and Camden’s laughter. I knew I had to check my email too, but it could wait. The guys were like vultures as they rushed toward the tent that held the only means of communication we had with the outside world. Each one of them craved the connection with their families just as I did.

I waited; I would like to say patiently, but that would be a fucking lie. The moment it was my turn I sat down so quickly the chair tipped sideways, but I recovered rapidly as a few of my men chuckled at my eagerness. I didn’t give two shits; they could make fun of me later. It was worth it.

My hand literally shook as I opened up the Skype account and logged in. Lindsay’s name in my contacts made my heart race with excitement. I attempted to click and fuck if my finger didn’t slip three times before the call connected.

It was like she had been waiting for me, even though I knew she had no idea when I would actually call. Her eagerness was a match to my own.

“Hey,” she said and she moved around on the screen. “Hi! Oh my god, how are you?” she sounded like she was out of breath.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Better now,” I told her.

She looked like she was outside. “Where are you?”

“I was in class,” she replied. “But the minute I saw a call coming in from you, I ran out.” She looked away from the screen when the situation dawned on her. “I didn’t even grab my bag.”

I tilted my head back and just laughed.

I was just about to say something when I looked back at the screen to see the picture bouncing all over the place. Quickly leaning forward, I tried to figure out what the hell could be happening, but then I heard Lindsay’s deep strained breaths. “Linds, what’s going on?”

“I’m running,” she replied, the screen still bouncing. “Camden is with my friend Wendy for the day because Grams had bingo and I want you to see him.”

“Babe,” I said.

“What?” she sounded out of breath.

“Slow down, let me see your face.” I didn’t want our entire conversation to be me seeing the trees or even the ground.

When she came into focus I could tell she was still moving fast. “I’m almost there. She lives right off campus in an apartment on the first floor.”

I knew there was nothing I could say or do to stop her. Camden seeing me meant something big and I wouldn’t take that away from her. Hell, I wanted to see him too, but I hadn’t imagined being unable to see Lindsay’s pretty face.

I watched in silence until a brick building came into view. “I’m here,” she attempted to speak, and again I couldn’t help but laugh. She was so tired she couldn’t even speak full sentences.

After another couple of minutes and an exchange of conversation between her and the girl she mentioned earlier, my son’s slobbery face filled the screen.

“There’s Daddy, Cam,” Lindsay positioned him on her lap and held her phone out in front of her.

“There he is.” I reached out and touched the screen just when Camden squealed and reached for me as well. He wiggled around, kicking his legs in excitement and Lindsay’s laughter mixed in through his happiness.

That sound took everything we had been through since the moment we stepped foot on foreign soil, and made it fade away. I had seen things in the short time I had been here that would forever be with me. But somehow the sweet smiles of Camden and Lindsay made everything better.

“I miss you two so much,” I said as I leaned in close.

“We miss you too,” Lindsay assured me as she too moved her phone in closer. “I think Grams has the cleanest house in town.” I arched my eyebrow and she smiled. “I had to stay busy so I just kept cleaning.”

We talked for about ten minutes, and when it was time to say goodbye she grew quiet.

“I’ll call again as soon as I can. And if I can’t call, I’ll write,” I assured her. “I promise, sweetheart.”

She nodded as she squared her shoulders and attempted to be strong and secure.

“I don’t want to say goodbye either, baby.”

“I love you,” she whispered, and those three words made me feel as if the hollowness in my stomach was suddenly filled.

“I love you both,” I said in return. “Take lots of pictures and videos. And when I get back, we’ll watch them together and you can tell me the story behind each one.”

“Okay,” she said, and I could hear the sadness she was attempting to hide.

“Bye, sweetheart,” I said first and she smiled. “Bye-bye, buddy, you take care of Mommy.”

It was then I got a smile out of Lindsay, and yet another happy squeal from Camden. I would take that and hold on to it until my next call.

I moved to the side so another guy could make a call to his family, and I used the tablet to check my email.

There was one from Quinton and another from my mother, but I scrolled past them to the one I needed to read most.

Zack,

I did what you asked me to do, I confronted her. Of course she played out the entire thing to the T. She really is a dramatic bitch isn’t she?

Anyway she insisted it was none of my business but I made sure she understood just how much of my business this truly is. After all it is the life of my best friend she is still trying to fuck with.

So that being said she showed me the test she still carries around in her damn purse like it is some form of a trophy. BUT…she refused to take a second one in front of me to help prove the truth behind her so-called pregnancy. So that being said I still do not know for sure if she is pregnant. For all I know she paid someone to take the test so she could use it as leverage.

I will find out, I swear. I just need more time.

Taylor

Something told me this whole thing would get a hell of a lot messier before the truth came out.

***

We were in the middle of one fucked up sandstorm, yet we couldn’t fall back. Rigdon, Cooper and I were camped out on the roof of some building as we watched below for any movement.

We were assigned lookout for anything suspicious, and Cooper was ready to take them out if anyone made the wrong move. Troops were moving from the left, and the mission was simple—get in, rescue the captives, and get out.

There had been several attacks in the area and our target was Jahmir Ahmad, a man who single-handedly raped and killed innocents throughout the small village. He opened fire on our soldiers on several occasions, and now he held a mother and daughter captive.

Cooper was one of the best snipers I’d ever stood beside. He was locked and loaded; all he needed was one word from Rigdon or myself.

Whenever situations like this took place I became focused, tuning out everything else around me. Nothing could interfere with my focus because it could cost us innocent lives.

Things appeared peaceful. There was very little movement on the streets below. Most feared Jahmir, frightened of their own safety. It was like a fucking ghost town, until we heard gun shots in the distance.

Until something impacted my thigh and pain ripped through me.

I instantly dropped to the ground as Rigdon did the same.

We had been safely tucked behind a broken wall, or so we thought. Apparently we weren’t the ones watching; we were the ones being watched.

“Stay down, Z,” Rigdon applied pressure to the wound, and it felt like a hot fucking stake being driven through my legs. Fisting my hands, I bit back the pain and attempted to breathe through it.

I could hear Rigdon on his radio, but I had become so focused on remaining calm that I couldn’t concentrate on his words.

“They’re moving in man, just stay still. We’ll get you out of here.” I knew they would; that was never a doubt.