The Sound of Shooting Stars (21 page)

Before I can ask what the occasion might be she leaves my room gently closing the door behind her. I look back over at my bed wishful thoughts of sleeping all day taunt me, but Marla will never let that happen. She’d be up here every ten minutes until I get up.

Once I’m showered and dressed I make my way to the staircase. My feet falter at the sight of Jamie below. He has just walked in through the front door. I wonder where he’s been.  A deep breath forces air into my chest and I brace myself for his rejection but when my eyes meet his he’s grinning. It takes my breath away that this smile is meant for me. My lips turn up to return his sentiments. I can’t hurt him. I make a quick decision to keep everything from him at least for the moment. I close the distance and walk up to him and place my finger over his lips while telling him, “Don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret.”

His smile seems to widen and he pulls my whole hand to his lips. My heart stops at that moment gazing into the clear green of his eyes that only see me right now. My stomach flips with nerves causing me to back up and walk to the kitchen. He follows closely behind and almost runs into me when I pause at the entrance to the dining room shocked to find Michelle, his case worker, sitting casually with Marla and David.

All three sets of eyes look up. Marla is the first to speak, “Well, we were wondering when you two would join us. Come on then have a seat before the food gets cold.”

She calls out, “Sasha, they are finally here.”

I swiftly move to a seat across from David and look to find Jamie still standing in the doorway. His stare is set on Michelle. I look over at her to find a sort of sympathetic expression on her face. Jamie finally comes forward leaving a chair between us. My middle clenches at this very small implication but then I remind myself that I was the one who just told him to keep it a secret. As Sasha brings the food in Jamie’s expression falters and he looks over at me. It looks as though he is injured somehow but he mouths, ‘I’m sorry’ to me. I look away worried and confused but my eyes land on Michelle’s. She looks away and starts to make small talk with Marla as the bowls of food are passed around the table. I forgo each bowl as it passes me by. My appetite is gone.

Marla pipes up after a sip of coffee, “Michelle, it’s so good of you to join us for breakfast but I have to admit that I was a little surprised at your call this morning and your hurry to come over.”

Michelle sets her fork down beside the plate in front of her and looks over to Jamie and then to David before she explains, “Actually, I wanted to make it over here sooner but this was the best time I could find. I’m here on official business, not to see how Jamie is doing. Unfortunately it’s come to my attention that he has had contact with a, um, a previous foster placement.”

My hand moves to my mouth in shock as to what she is saying hits me. Sam. No, she can’t take him away. I look over at Jamie terrified that what is running through my head is actually happening but his expression mirrors mine exactly. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t told Marla, this wouldn’t be happening. I should have told him last night. I’m such a horrible person.

Michelle continues as if she didn’t just see our exchange but I know she saw it all.

“You see some of the rules state that if a foster child has difficulty at a current placement, he needs to be removed and placed in a new setting. It’s in his best interest.”

I leap out of my chair causing it to topple backward, “But Jamie hasn’t had any problems. He, he likes it here. You can’t take him away.”

Marla looks appalled at my outburst but a small smile splays over Michelle’s lips. She quickly regains her composure as Marla coaxes me back into the chair. Marla berates, “Really Beckett, what has come over you?”

I glare at Michelle as she points out speaking only to me it seems, “I know he hasn’t had any problems and I’m aware that he likes it here. You see the problem isn’t here per say… ” Her voice trails off.

For the first time since entering the room Jamie speaks, “It’s Elizabeth, isn’t it?”

I’m not sure what is happening. What? Who is Elizabeth? I know Michelle is here because I opened my big ass mouth.

Michelle’s expression answers his question but she quips, “I can’t answer that exactly but I can tell you that normally Jamie having contact with any other family that he’s been placed with wouldn’t mean anything. Except that he had such a long placement with one particular family and they had started the adoption process but halted it.”

Jamie’s lips spread in a tight line. I can see the pulse at his temple beating with his anger.

I turn back to Michelle and ask, “When?”

At this question she looks to David and he takes over the conversation.

“Beckett, Jamie, at this moment forth, you are to have nothing to do with Samantha Jamison. I am trying to find a loop hole to keep Jamie with us. So it is imperative that you do not speak to her or even look at her. And I shouldn’t have to say this but don’t go near the Rivers’ house.”

My heart falls at my dad’s orders. There is no way Jamie will be able to stay away from Samantha. She is his best friend. I’ve never had one, well I thought Dani and Trina were close enough but I’ve never had what Jamie has with Sam. I look over at him and reach under the table to his hand but he doesn’t return my gesture. Instead he rises up and asks looking down at Michelle with hurt and anger, “Can I be excused?” All three adults nod.

He turns and leaves. A moment later the front door slams closed. I want so badly to follow him out but I regretted the last time I ran from the room without getting all of the details.

I place my hands on the table to show more strength than I know I have and turn to David and ask, “Is there really a chance Dad, that he can be removed? Can you really find a loop hole?”

He lowers his glasses to the table and nods, “Yes, Beckett, but he must stay away from Samantha. I understand that they have a lot of history but if he doesn’t stay away, Michelle will have to remove him immediately.”

I look over to Michelle and ask, “But why does it matter whether he has contact with a previous placement?”

My dad answers for her, “Beckett, Jared Rivers, Samantha’s step-father has a lot of influence in this county. His development company is regarded as a major contributor to many of the renovations throughout Palm Beach especially. I think Jamie’s situation is unique. His pull in the county can get things done that normally wouldn’t happen.”

Michelle looks down suddenly making her look helpless. I guess in this case, she is pretty helpless.

I blurt out, ”How long does he have if my dad doesn’t find something?”

She looks up apprehensively, “I’d say a week. I won’t be able to stall any longer.”

I sigh as Marla grasps my hand. She smiles warmly and encourages, “Why don’t you go and find him Beckett.”

I lift out of my chair and turn to the doorway but spin back and look at Michelle noticing her steel grey eyes for the first time, “Thank you.”

She nods. I quickly make my way out the door and spot him sitting on the end of the dock looking into the bleak water below. The sky has turned grey with a threat of rain in the distance. Slowly I gather the strength I’ll need for Jamie. The strength I thought I’d need to stand up to Dani but in the face of losing Jamie when I just found him, Dani means nothing.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Jamie Grey

Aquila – the Eagle

The eagle is found guarding the arrow of Eros, which hit Zeus and made him love-struck.

~*~

I still can’t believe this crap that is happening and I have no control over it. I was sure Elizabeth was sorry for sending me away all those years ago. I completely misread her reaction to seeing me again. I feel like I’m losing Steve all over again. This time it’s his daughter and that seems so much worse. Finding Sam brought light back into my life. She’s made everything so much easier to deal with. I don’t think I will be able to exist without her again.

“Jamie?” Beckett’s soft voice calls out behind me.

I don’t answer her. Her footsteps echo through the wooden planks underfoot.

She’s closer, “Jamie, can I sit?”

I look over to find her standing near looking down at me with a questioning expression.

I nod and glance back out to the water. My feet dangle over the waveless liquid. She settles beside me and grabs my hand squeezing it. I take a deep breath and admit, “I can’t stay away from Sam.”

The tone of her voice is strangled, “I know.”

“Sam wouldn’t want this. It’s her mother.”

“I know.”

I look over at her sympathetic expression and ask, “How long did Michelle say I have before I have to leave?”

“A week if my dad can’t find a way for you to stay. But Jamie, my dad is a good lawyer. He’ll find a way.”

I nod not really believing her. This has been the way things have played out my entire life. Why should I expect anything different the last nine months until I gain my freedom? My heart is breaking that Elizabeth, the only person who could have been a mother to me, would do this.

My hand absently squeezes Beckett’s as my blood starts to boil with anger. I have to tell Sam. Maybe she can talk some sense into her mother. Just when the stars start to shine brighter a black cloud blocks them making things unattainable.

Beckett mumbles, “Ah Jamie, my hand.”

I break the connection and quickly rise to my feet, “Sorry. I have to go.”

I turn on my heel and walk briskly off the dock shoving my hands into my pockets. I hear Beckett call out but my pace quickens. She runs up pulling gently on my arm and pleads, “Jamie you can’t go over there. Michelle will take you away from me.”

She stops, her hand leaving my arm and starts crying. Her erratic breathing halts my progress. I look up at the huge shadowed house in front of me and turn back to find her sunken to the ground on her knees. Her face is in her hands with soft whimpering filling the silence. I step over to her and sink to my knees in front of her. My hands pull at her wrists revealing that beautiful face streaked with tears. The freckles dotting her nose are more pronounced with the flush of her face. I move closer as I look into her eyes and ask, “What am I supposed to do? I don’t know anymore.”

She wipes her cheeks and grasps my face, “I don’t know but please don’t go over there. Please just wait.”

“What about Sam? She needs to know.”

Her words come out frantic, “I can go over there. I’ll tell her. I can’t lose you when I just found you.”

I stare into her blue eyes brimming with tears and realize that whatever this connection between us is, I can’t lose it. I don’t want to lose Beckett. I close the distance my lips crushing into hers. This kiss is more fierce and desperate than last night. Her hands weave into the hair at the nape of my neck. A few warm rain drops trickle onto our faces. Beckett leans back to look up at the sky. Her lashes catch tiny droplets in them like a spider web snatching its prey. I watch in awe of her as she blinks them away. A moment later the sky opens up dropping buckets on us drenching our hair and clothes instantly. Beckett looks up into my eyes blinking rapidly through the rain. I see so much fear and all I want to do is comfort her and take it away but I can’t, not when I feel the same. Instead I grab her hand and pull her to her feet. We run up the incline and cross the porch to the overhang. Beckett pulls on my hand forcing me to face her again. She brushes my hair back tenderly and tells me, “I will go and tell Sam as long as you promise to stay away from her, at least for a little while.”

It pains me to hear her words but I nod in agreement. As much as I need to see Sam, I need Beckett too.

We trek into the kitchen to find Sasha prepping food for dinner. She turns to us and warns, “Take your shoes off at the door. I don’t want to have to clean up after you two.”

We oblige but she calls out to us before we leave the room.

“I would also advise you to keep this thing,” She gestures between Beckett and I, “under wraps. You all have enough to deal with without adding more fuel to the fire.”

Beckett brushes her off, “Oh Sasha it’s nothing.”

She shakes her head and turns away. I understand her implication. The last thing I need is Marla kicking me out for taking advantage of her daughter.

I drop Beckett’s hand and whisper into her ear, “Sasha is right, one thing at a time.”

She nods and turns to me, pain and fear still plastered across her face, “Do you promise to stay away Jamie?”

I try to assure her with a small smile and a slight nod. I know I’ve failed miserably though. Her hand darts to my cheek before she turns to leave the room. I watch her go and marvel that within the span of less than a day, my life has once again taken a drastic change. This time though, I intend on controlling the outcome. I won’t stand idly by and lose the two most important people to me,Sam, who I finally have back and Beckett, a new reason for waking up every day.