When Angels Fall (Fallen Angels) (37 page)

Nick held her. “When you’re here, then your house is off-limits. I do see a difference in you when you’re getting ready to come here and when you’re around my family. I see a spark in your eyes and you relax more. When you’re home, you’re tense when they’re around, but when they aren’t, you’re quiet. I loved seeing that spark today, and I’m really sorry I was the one who made you lose it tonight. I can’t explain what happened to me tonight. Something just came over me and I just felt I had to be with you.” He was trying to express his feelings the best he could.

She laid her head on his shoulder. “When I get like that, tell me to come back to you, like you have. When I’m with you, I’m out of that place and I’m trying really hard to stay that way.”

“Then, come back to me now. Let’s forget what happened tonight.”

“How are we going to try again? I’m not going back there.” She was dreading going back out into the cold and really just wanted to go to bed.

He got up and got a blanket. After putting a few cushions on the floor behind him, he pulled her over and had her lean against him. When she did, he put the blanket around them and held her.

“I’m sorry, too. I’m really trying. And it would’ve been nice to be alone someplace warm with you,” she said softly as she relaxed into his arms.

He kissed her cheek. “It’s over now.”

She nestled closer to him and he rested his head on hers. Sometime between the flicker of the lights and the sound of Kevin’s snoring in the other room, they fell asleep.

Chapter Ten

After the van was loaded and ready to go, the only people they were waiting for were their mother and Chloe. He hadn’t seen her since his mother had woken them up at 4:30. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he went back to sleep to dream of her.

“Mom just called. They are down the street,” their father announced. “Mark, you’re going to see her in like four and a half hours, give it a rest.” Kevin watched his older brother type out another text to Claire.

“Jealous much, Kev?” Mark taunted.

“Oh, he is so jealous.” Nick laughed as he himself checked to see if Chloe had texted him.

“Why, because you two have girlfriends? Trust me, I don’t want the hassle,” Kevin said as he leaned against the van.

“Yeah, remember that on New Year’s Eve when we’re kissing our girlfriends and you’re sitting with no one,” Mark shot at him.

“Oh, boo freakin’ woo. Trust me, I won’t be alone.” Kevin gave them a cocky grin.

“Really? Are you seriously thinking you’re going to meet someone at the lodge again?” Nick remembered what happened last year and how Kevin had gotten burned.

“I did last year,” he reminded Nick.

“Was that the blonde who disappeared right after dinner with Rendell Monroe?” Mark looked up from his cell phone.

“I thought it was Ronald she went off with.” Nick piped in.

Kevin’s face got red. “It was Rendell, that spoiled punk ass. ‘Oh, it’s the Allen boys. They let anyone in here.’“he mimicked.”God, I hate them,”

“Every year it is the same thing with those two. ‘What’s a matter, Nick, your parents couldn’t send you to boarding school this year? We have a spot for you on the polo team. Ha-ha.’” Nick added, thinking about the twins and their perfect hair.

“Why do you two let them bother you?” Mark asked.

“Hello? Have you met the twins? ‘We’re stinking rich and love to flaunt it. We have the best of everything and you’re just the mud on our boots,’” Kevin continued to mimic them.

“Let’s lock them in the supply closet like we did when we were little. Ronny was so scared, he peed his pants!” Nick laughed.

“See, little Bro, this is why we’re so in sync with each other. Do you think Chloe can lure them there?” Kevin asked as though hatching a plot.

“Kidnapping is a crime and you both know those two will say that’s what you were doing,” Mark reminded them.

“He’s right. We could put ex-lax in a brownie. That could work,” Kevin suggested.

“Okay, I don’t want to hear anymore, because I’m not going down if you two get caught. Mom’s here, so let’s get ready to go.” Mark put his phone away.

“Chloe, you know what bags are going, so tell the boys and have them load the van,” Gina said as she got out of the car.

“You said you would be home by noon. It is quarter after,” their father asked.

“There was a lot of traffic around the mall. By the way, you now have a daughter. I have adopted Chloe,” Gina said, smiling and patting his cheek.

“Hear that boys? You now have a sister. I expect you to take good care of her.” Their father was laughing as he shook his head.

“Wow, Nick, your dating your sister? That’s kinda creepy.” Kevin laughed as he put his arm around Chloe.

“She was kidding. Chloe, tell them she was kidding,” Nick almost begged her.

“No, she’s serious. She said I was the daughter she always wanted,” she answered.

“Mom, how can Chloe be my sister?” Nick asked her as she came back out.

“You know what?” Gina looked stunned by the entire concept now. “I didn’t think about that, and it was wrong of me on so many levels. Okay, she isn’t your sister. But she is for you two,” she explained as she pointed to her other two sons.

Both Mark and Kevin wore smirking grins.

“Mother, do you ever think about what you say before you say it?” Nick called to her, knowing that they were going to really let him have it now.

Chloe went over to him. “Baby, she was only kidding.”

Nick smiled at her and leaned in to kiss her.

 
Kevin and Mark both jumped in and stopped him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Kevin yelled at him as Mark pulled them apart.

“I was going to kiss my girlfriend, Hello? Since I haven’t seen her sine 4:30 this morning,” Nick explained and tried to break out of Mark’s grasp.

“No, you’re not. This is our baby sister and we’re not going to let some guy we know nothing about to just up and kiss her,” Mark added.

“But, Guys, he is kinda cute.” Chloe was joining in on the fun.

Kevin put his arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, it’s the cute ones you have to watch out for and I’ve heard stories about this one.”

“Are you serious? What do you mean you know nothing about me? I’m your brother and you have known me for seventeen years,” Nick argued.

“Yeah, I’m with Kevin on this one. That’s what really has me concerned. I mean, did you make her cry last night when you got into that fight with her?” Mark questioned him.

“He got into a fight with her? Did he try something with you? I will kick his ass if he did!” Kevin yelled.

Seeing that Nick was getting mad, Chloe had to put a stop to the teasing. “Okay, guys, leave him alone.”

“Mom was only kidding,” Nick said and pouted, putting his arm around her.

“No, she wasn’t and just keep your hands to yourself,” Kevin warned him.

“Yeah, we’re watching you,” Mark added as he crossed his arms and stared Nick down.

“Yeah, watch this.” Nick grabbed Chloe and kissed her hard, letting his hand drift down to her butt. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground and Mark and Kevin were on top of him.

“Boys, let’s go. If you break any bones, you will just have to wait until we get to your uncle’s to go to the hospital,” their mother yelled at them and waited for everyone to load into the car.

After a few hours of traveling, they stopped to fuel up the van and everyone piled out, Nick held back. He’d heard her phone chime, and when he looked at Chloe, he saw that something had unnerved her. “What’s up?”

Chloe had been looking at her phone and slipped it into her pocket. “I just got a text from Shelly. They’re having a wonderful time and wanted to let me know the treatment worked and they’re now expecting. They’re coming home early because she has to be somewhere about a new job this week.”

Nick hugged her, knowing that this was the blow to her ego that she really didn’t need. “Did you text her back?”

“No, why should I? I have this strange feeling that my days are numbered at my house. Kind of like the next room that will need to be cleaned out is mine. I’m not going to let this ruin my time. I had a great morning and I’m really looking forward to New Year’s Eve.” She faked a smile and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I know this will sound crazy, but maybe things will change. If he doesn’t, maybe she will,” Nick suggested. He knew that it wasn’t true, but things happened when people have kids. Maybe Shelly would change her attitude.

“Maybe. Hey, I got this great idea? Let’s not talk about it. That way, I won’t dwell on it and we won’t have any arguments.” She looked up at him and tried to be sarcastic.

“Okay, well, since your ‘brothers’ have left the car, how about we go in and I buy you an Icee?”

“Only if I can mix it with cherry and cola.” She laughed and held on to his unzipped coat.

“If it will make you smile, then sure. Just make sure your ‘brothers’ stay out of my seat when we get back.” He put his arm around her and they went into the store.

*
   
*
   
*
   
*

After fuelling the car and getting snacks, they were on their way to the mountains.

Nick and Kevin got into a heated game over their Game Boys.
 
Max watched movies, and Mark was texting Claire.

Chloe sat back and watched as the trees sped past the car. As hard as she tried, her mind kept going back to the text she received from Shelly, and she thought about the baby. Taking her phone out, she looked at the message again. This was what her father wanted now. He was ready and it was his second chance. She wondered if she would even have the chance to get to know the baby. Or if this was the reason they were waiting for. To finally ask her to leave. It was obvious that she wasn’t wanted there. She was a burden left to them by her dying mother.

The thought crossed her mind about leaving again.
Where would she go? Would she come back? Would her father even care if she was gone?
But she knew that answer. He would be free and never think of her again. B One question came to mind that she hadn’t thought about before.
Could she leave Nick?
Last night, she’d thought about it. When he had come to her and asked to talk, she thought that was it. It hurt to think of him not in her life. But they were still kids and had their whole lives ahead of them. Things could change and he would feel trapped, like her father. It was a fear she would always have no matter who she was with.

 
She looked over at him as he played a game with Kevin. His expression looked so intense as he competed against his older brother.
 
Suddenly, she wished she’d gone with him to her house last night. She missed his touch and the way he held her. Sleeping in his arms last night was heaven. If she could have, she would have gone back to bed with him that morning.

The game was getting pretty intense and Kevin was winning, but not by much. “So, Taylor isn’t going to be there this week, is she?” He’d just slammed Nick’s game car into a wall.

“You’re an ass,” Nick said, recovering and trying to catch up.

Mark didn’t bother looking up and answered, “Actually, she is. Claire said she should be there sometime after we get there. Why?”

“I can’t play your distraction this year. I have Chloe and I don’t think she would like it much if I was hitting on Taylor.” Nick laughed and then looked at her. She was starting to fall asleep. “I’m out, Dude. Chlo, come here, baby,” he said and she was more than happy to fall into his arms and sleep.