Judged By You (Judge Me Series) (22 page)

Conversation started again in no time.
Mostly angel asking Nicole about baby names, and asking questions about birth. Angel shared her “my friend told me” stories and the look on Nicole’s face was priceless. It was almost like Nicole just remembered she has to bring a child into the world via her vagina. Derek and Damon turned into the kitchen bitches and served dessert. Damon placed mine in front of me, and I pushed it away. I was not eating anymore, I did not want to vomit in the morning, and I felt if I ate that I would most defiantly have my head stuck in the bowel.

I excused myself from the table while everyone else ate, I passed my apple pie and ice-cream to Nicole, she was more than willing to eat it.

“Are you okay?” Damon asked, standing the same time as me.

“Yes, just got to use the bathroom
.”

“
You’re going to puke aren’t you?” Derek said laughing. He stopped when angel elbowed him in the ribs.

“No
, I’m not.” I said a little harsher than expected.

Everybody started laughing as I walked …. No, stumbled away. I was grateful when I made it to the bathroom; I did my business than sat on the floor. The floor seemed the better spot since whilst I was on the toilet I felt like I was falling off. I started laughing, I had no idea why……
, but It was full blown laughter. I have no idea how long I laughed for, but it finally stopped. I gathered the energy to get up off the floor; I looked at myself in the mirror I defiantly looked drunk. My skin was pale, I had black rings around my eyes, but my reflection was a bit blurry. I needed another drink. I headed back into the dining room were Derek and angel sat talking. No arguing about children.

“I don’t want kids just yet
.” Derek all but shouted.

“Please just one now.
We can have another one later.” Angel tried to reason with Derek.

“No, the answer is no
, Angel.” Derek crossed his arms over his chest. This typically meant discussion over.

“Have it your way
.” Angel said, and stormed off the way I came… to the bathroom.

“You’re so mean Derek…. She wants babies
.” I said starting to laugh again. He gave me a look that could kill before standing and following angel calling her name. I heard the bathroom door slam and more shouting.

I couldn’t see Nicole or Damon anywhere. I walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water; I drank it and refilled the glass. I heard Nicole’s contagious laughter, and knew th
en that they would be sitting outside. I headed towards the porch, but the couch looked a lot more advertising, so I took a seat. Sleep… that’s what I needed.

Chapter 8

My head hurt. Why did my head hurt? Last night’s dinner came to mind and I remembered drinking a few too many glasses of wine. My stomach churned, this was not going to end well. I wanted to open my eyes but couldn’t bring myself to do it, I knew as soon as I did I was going to regret it. But I did anyway. My familiar surroundings came into view, my duchess, computer table, and photos of my family hanging on the walls in old wooden frames. The house seemed quiet, I tried to piece  the last memories of last night together………….

In the distance
, I heard laughing, Nicole’s laugh. She had this laugh that made you laugh kind of sounded like a seal dying……, but it was darned cute and funny as hell. I slowly sat on the side of the bed hanging my feet over the edge, I eyes hurt, and my stomach did not agree with me. I needed coffee, and a shower. I stood and almost fell, I had to reach out and grab onto my cupboard to steady myself, I am never drinking again I repeated in my mind. Once I felt stable enough, I headed to the bathroom. The laughing grew louder as everyone came into view, Derek, Angel, Nicole, Damon…. Shit….. Damon was still here? They were all sitting around the table with mugs in their hands, and they all looked every much awake, I wondered what time it was.

“Good morning sleepy head
.” Derek all but shouted.

“You look sick
.” Nicole said laughing.

“She does not
.” Angel said with a grin.

Damon just smiled his devilishly handsome smile. I couldn’t even deliver one; I was going to be sick. My hand went straight to my mouth, and my legs moved a little faster. I just made it to the bathroom and got the toilet lid up before I vomited. This why I hated drinking, vomiting was the worst thing ever, that feeling that your stomach was trying to make
it's way out of your mouth was something that I tried to avoid at every cost. I don’t know how Nicole could stand to be pregnant, morning sickness looked horrible, even though one day I would like to have children seeing her like that actually turned me off.

Since
the content of my stomach was empty, I got up off the floor and turned on the shower. The feel of water on my body was magnificent, beautiful and hot. I considered sinking to the ground, but decided that I shouldn’t. Because if I did, I wasn’t sure If would get out of the shower today. And today was Sunday, I had to go and see Stephen. And Stephen would get a good laugh out of seeing me like this I knew it.

I washed as fast as I could and got out. I forgot my clothes
, which meant, I had to find the biggest towel to wrap around my body. I opened the door and kept my head down as I walked past the table, conversation came to a holt as soon as I walked through and I felt every pair of eyes burning into me, but I didn’t look up I just kept heading for the bedroom.

Jeans and a singlet seemed the most comfortable option to me, I couldn’t be bothered dressing up today. I pulled my hair into a neat bun and slipped on my flat strappy shoes. It was good enough for me, I had no one to impress. I headed back down stairs to join the over noisy guests. Damon was standing in the kitchen by the coffee machine having a conversation with Derek when I strolled in. Damon was wearing different cloth
es; maybe he didn’t stay after all.

“You passed out last night Sav! Reminds me of that night we got hammered on Tequila
.” Derek stated laughing. I remembered that night, but I tried so hard to ignore.

“That’s why I hate drinking with you Derek. I made sure this morning that I didn’t have a dick drawn on my face
.” I snarled at him.

Derek stopped laughing; maybe he remembered how I handled that situation
. It wasn’t my finest hour, but pay backs a bitch.

“Good morning
.” Damon came to me wrapping his arms around my waist. I threw my arms around his neck, leaning in to kiss him. His lips were soft, and gentle, his touch was warming.

“Morning
.” I whispered as I pulled back to look at his perfect face.

“Coffee’s hot
.” Nicole called from behind me.

I turned to see her sitting on the chair with one hand on her cup and the other gently rubbing her slightly swollen bump. She winked at me, and I smiled. She was glowing and beautiful as always. I turned back to Damon who still had his arms around my waist “what are you
r plans today?” I asked.

“I have a stack of paperwork to take care of, and a suit fitting for the ball on Wednesday night
.” He said kissing the corner of my mouth.

“Oh
.” I felt a little disappointed.

“Here’s your coffee
.” Derek said handing me a cup.

I stepped back, and Damon let me go. Taking the cup from Derek, I took a sip. It was just what I needed. I grabbed Damon’s free hand and walked to the table to join Angel and Nicole, they were talking about a mutual friend who was getting married next weekend. I remembered that Stan was the best man to the event.

“Have you found a dress yet Nic?” I asked.

“I don’t think I will go
.” Nicole said in a quiet voice. I thought maybe I didn’t hear her right.

“You’re not going
?”

“I don’t know
, I don’t actually want to anymore.” She said in a semi harsh manner. I didn’t want to argue with her, but I couldn’t leave it alone.

She and Stan hadn’t been seeing much of each other lately, and I wondered what was going on. Nicole didn’t
actually talk about him like she used to which is unusual, they were going to be parents soon.

“Why don’t you want to go? I me
an, Stan is the best man and he’s your boyfriend.” I looked for some sort of reaction in her face. But she all she did was shrug and get up from the table. Without another word, Nicole walked to the kitchen.

I turned to
Angel for answers; she looked towards Derek who was taking a seat at the table to join us. I shook my head and looked at Damon; he also looked away from me. What did I miss? I opened my mouth to speak, but a knock on the door halted my thoughts.

“I’ll get it
.” Nicole said walking to the door.

Damon grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles, lifting his brow as he did so. I leaned forward as he dropped my hand and kissed the corner of his mouth before brushing my lips gently along his.

“Carter somebody-a-rather is at the door.” Nicole said suddenly standing next to me.

“Oh shit
.” I jumped up from the table.

“Who is he Savannah
?” Nicole asked with a worried look on her face.

“Lawyer
.” I mouthed at her walking towards the door.

I opened the door to see Carter standing outside. I was taken aback by how handsome he looked; he was in grey suit pants and a white button up shirt.

“Good morning Savannah.” He extended his hand towards me.

“Good morning Carter
.” I took his hand in mind and shook it gently.

“Are you ready to go
?” He asked with a smile.

“I forgot all about you coming, but let me just say good bye to my friends. Please come in
.” I said opening up the door and gesturing towards to the open door.

He smiled and gestured for me to go first; I walked in to find everyone’s eyes on me. Carter came in and started to take his shoes off.

“Oh leave them on it's fine,” I said walking towards the kitchen. “Would you like a coffee?”

I didn’t receive a response at first, but then he said “no thank you”.

“Who’s the outfit Sav?” Derek yelled out. Carter was standing right there, and I’m sure he wasn’t deaf.

“This is carter Graham. He is taking care of Rob’s business while he is gone. Carter this is Nicole my housemate, Derek; Stephens best friend, angel is Derek’s girlfriend and Damon….
My…. Friend.” I pointed to everyone as I introduced them. Damon had a concerned look on his face. Nicole and angel just waved and said “hi” in response.

I looked back at
Carter, his manner was exactly the same. Before I could ask what was going on, Derek got up from the table and came to shake hands with Carter.

“I’m Derek. I hope you’re good at your job
.” Derek said in a bitter tone.

“I am good at my job, and I know the case extremely well. I have done my research
.” Carter said in an all but professional approach. Derek grunted and walked away.

“Carter
.” Damon said in mostly a protest.

“Damon
.” carter said in the same tone. Must be a lawyer rival thing I thought to myself.

“I will just get my bag, and we can go
.” I said to carter. I walked towards the stairs, and I caught Damon’s eye. I leaned my head towards the bedroom to signal “follow me” he caught my drift because he got up from the table and followed me.

“I’m sorry I forgot to tell you about carter. He is coming with me this morning to meet Stephen and ask him a few questions, it totally slipped my mind
.” I said wrapping my arms around his neck. He grabbed my waist and leaned in to give me a hasty kiss on the lips.

“That’s fine. I have to run to the office anyway, but I would like to see you this evening. I will come and get you…. Say around five
?”

“Looking forward to it
.” I said leaning in to kiss his soft luscious lips.

My tongue coaxed his, and before I knew we were moving towards the bed. Damon sat on the edge of the bed, and I straddled his hips. I knew now was not the time, but I couldn’t stop myself, I wanted him. I kissed his neck, throat and mouth while my hands worked his buttons of his shirt undone. I looked at his bare chest; it was hard and hot under my hands.

“We really shouldn’t be doing this. You have someone waiting for you.” Damon said between passionate kisses.