Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets #2) (4 page)

Colton’s coal stained hands are wrapped around my belly. I look up at him, and admire the smile on his face reaching from ear to ear. We’ve found our happiness. Suddenly, he looks up over my shoulder. He looks confused. He rips his hands away and takes a long step backwards. His face is marred in grief stricken heartache, as he looks up at me behind red rimmed eyes. Shaking his head, he walks away. I call out to him, screaming louder and louder, but he never turns back. I feel a hand on my stomach, and through my tears I look up to see Luke smiling down at my rounded belly. Luke grabs my hand, and pulls me away, but I continue to plead for Colton to come back. But he fades into the distance. Luke doesn’t even acknowledge my heart ache and desperation. His focus is on his own happiness…the baby. I try to pull away from him, so that I can chase Colton, but he tightens his grip on my wrist and shakes his head from side to side. I rip my hand from his grip, and turn to run towards Colton. Suddenly I lose my footing and crash against the ground. Blackness and stars fill my vision, as thick heavy screams erupt from Luke’s lungs. I try to force my eyes open, but the darkness pulls at me, holding me captive from my own reality. I can feel Luke’s hands gripping my shoulders, shaking me to wake up, but his touch has no effect on me. When the stars grow thicker in my vision, I give into the fuzzy depths that surround me and fall into the darkness.

I feel steel hands encase my arms, and a soothing deep voice whispering in my ear. “It’s okay darlin’, just wake up. It’s only a dream. I got ya.” He
says, pulling me up into his lap. When I feel the steady beat of his heart vibrating against my ear, the fear from the dream melts away.
I’m safe.

“Bad dream?” Colton says when my eyes spring open and lock onto his.  Unable to find words, I simply nod, and will the tears tickling th
e back of my eyes to stay back. He presses a tender kiss to my temple, and tightens his grip around my waist.

“What’d you do all day?”

“Not much of anything. What time is it? I didn’t expect you to come by.”

“It’s just after noon.
I was worried ‘bout ya. Wanted to see how you’re feelin’. Are ya okay, you seem really shook up?”

Damn he always sees right through me. “I’m fine, just had a bad dream.”

“Did ya get an appointment with an OB/GYN yet?”

“I did. The appointment is in two weeks.”

“Well damn. I know you want to wait to tell everyone, but Heidi Jo’s birthday is in just a few days. We gotta tell her. Can you imagine how excited she’s gonna be to be a big sister. Hell, I still can’t believe it.”

I jerk up out of his arms, horror and dread blanket my face.
“Colton, we ain’t telling anyone yet, do you hear me? You promise me this stays between us until I see the doctor. I’m obviously still really early, and we ain’t jinxing this. So zip your lips. Not a damn word!”

He looks up at me under scrunched eye brows and huffs out a deep pent up breath of air.
“Darlin’, I know you’re scared, but everyone is gonna be happy for us.”

“That’s not what I’
m worried with. Just promise me that this is our secret, and you will wait to share the news with everyone until I say. Please, Colton. I’m a mess of nerves, and just can’t handle everyone’s looks and interrogations right now. Just let me wrap my head around everything, and once we see the baby doctor, we’ll go from there. ‘Kay?”

He scratches his head, looking away from me. He’s upset, but he’s trying to stow his
anger right now. He doesn’t understand the heartache I’m carrying for me, or him. Hopefully he will never have to know. “Fine. But as soon as you see the doctor, we’re makin’ the announcement. I want everyone to know that you’re havin’ my baby.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. I guess that gives me two
weeks to get my ducks in a row and figure out what the hell to do next.

“Deal.”

“Well, I gotta get back to work. Heidi Jo has dance class later this evenin’. If I have time, I’ll stop by to check on ya. If you need anything, call me.” He says as he stands to leave.

“Thanks, Colton. I’ll be fine. Be safe.”

He pulls me into a hard deep kiss, then releases me
quickly with a panting breath. He has a dark hunger in his eyes, but before he lets that hunger consume him, he turns and walks out the door without another word.

W
hen the walls around me begin to close in, suffocating me, I decide to go for a drive. After getting dressed in some jeans, a hoodie, and my favorite Bear Claw boots, I go out into the blustery winter air. I have no destination in mind, I just need out of that damn house. Sliding behind the wheel of the Camaro, I turn the ass warmers on high, crank the stereo to an ear piercing, deafening volume and continue on my descent to wherever the hell I end up.

I drive for what feels
like hours, before I end up at Savannah’s. She has been on my mind all day. Savannah lives about twenty minutes from me, so we’re close enough to be there in a flash in case of an emergency, but far enough away that we aren’t a nuisance in each other’s everyday lives.

I pull up the long, oak lined driveway
that leads to her house. I am always awestruck at the beauty of the property. A white barn fence encases the twelve acre yard. To the left is the horse pasture and barn. Brailee’s pony, Buttercup is running wildly, carefree in the cold winter air. To the left is a small fishing pond, covered with a thin layer of ice. I pull up to the two story white farm house and park in the circle driveway. The porch wraps around the entire exterior and there is a porch swing in all four corners of the house with rocking chairs scattered between. I love Savannah’s home. It emanates a very charming, southern feel.

I ring the doorbell
and wait. The chilly wind causes my eyes to water, and my nose to drip. I hate winter. I tighten my arms around my chest, trying to shield myself from the cold air. The front door swings open wide, and I take a step back quickly. Josh’s angry expression fades, and he musters up a small smirk.

“Savannah
didn’t mention you were visiting today.” He states dryly, leaning against the door jamb.

“Just out for a drive,
thought I’d stop by to check on the kids. She said Braden is sick.”

“Think that’s smart, bringin’ in germs on a sick kid, and carryin’
his out only to make you sick?” He scowls at me behind slit eyes.

“I think I’ll be just fine, Josh. But thanks for your concern.” I say stepping past him. Damn son of a bitch sure ain’t gonna invite anybody in. “So where is Savannah? I need to talk to her.”

“She’s laying down. She told you on the phone today wasn’t a good time for your shit. And I don’t remember inviting you in.” He says crossing his thick arms across his chest.

“You didn’t. I invited myself in. But thank you for the warm welcoming! Now, could ya scoot on up the stairs
, and wake her up? I need to have a little chat with her if ya don’t mind.” I say sweetly, my voice laced with honey.

Josh and I don’t talk, ever. We never have really. He’s always cold and harsh. First class prick if ya
ask me. He scowls at me briefly then stomps up the stairs. I make my way to the kitchen and help myself to a glass of sweet tea. Taking a seat at the bar, I look around the pristine kitchen. Every appliance is in its place, the stainless steel refrigerator shines brightly, free of tiny fingerprints that one would usually expect to see. The pots and pans all hang neatly from the ceiling and the curtains over the sink are each pressed to perfection. Damn, and I thought I had cleaning issues.

I’ve drank about half of the sweet tea in my glass before Savanna
h walks into the kitchen. Her a-line bob frames her apple cheeks. She looks worn and tired. I stand to hug her but she flinches when I wrap my arms around her shoulders. “Glad to see ya, Sis. But I told ya today wasn’t a good day.” She says pouring herself a glass of sweet tea, eyeing Josh who is standing in the door watching us.

“I’m sorry. I j
ust really need to talk to you.” She looks up offering a small smile with a look of fear in her eyes; and that’s when I see it. “Savannah, what the hell? Why is your face bruised up?” I yell.

“What?”
She asks in surprise, rubbing her hand up the side of her face, wincing in pain.

Josh releases a grumble and rolls his eyes before walking away. Savannah drops h
er head, her hair curtaining over her face as she closes her eyes. She’s acting so out of character. She takes a big deep breath, before addressing my question. “Oh that…Braden was vomiting in his bed this morning, and I jumped up too quickly and fell into the dresser. Hurts like a son of a bitch, that’s for sure.” She giggles nervously. “Now, what’s so important?”

I glare at her
nervously and decide spitting it out quickly will be easier. “Know a good OB/GYN?” I ask quietly. She spits her tea on the counter, and stares up at me in shock. Minutes pass before a word is spoken between us. Nervous tension fills the room, as Savannah is purely in shock, and I’m just torn over it all. “Well do ya? I’m under enough pressure as it is. I just need to get seen as quickly as possible.”

“You’re pregnant?” she whispers, tears filling her green eyes to the brim.

“Apparently.” I roll my eyes, huffing loudly.

She bounces around the bar and pulls me into a ti
ght embrace, which sends my lungs pleading for air. Her tears are falling freely now as she sniffs her snot on the shoulder of my hoodie. Thanks for that, Sis. Really. “Carly, I’m so happy for you. Have you told Colton yet? I bet he is just ecstatic!”

“
He was there last night when I took the test. He is thrilled.” I tell her blandly.

“You’re not? Carly what’s wrong? You should be beaming with excitement. Hell, you’re not even glowing! Talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

“I screwed up, Savannah. I royally screwed up and I don’t know if I can fix it.”

“Okay, well, now you’
re scaring me. How did you screw up? You and Colton are gonna make absolutely terrific parents.”

“What if he ain’t the daddy? What then?”

Savannah stills, and just glares at me. I chew on the inside of my lip, until I can taste the blood oozing from the bite. “Wh-what do you mean? Who else is there, Carly?” She mumbles.

“It’s a really long story, Savannah. When I broke things off with Colton after his accident, I didn’t have any other way home. It was late, so I called Luke to pick me up. When he dropped me off I didn’t want to be alone so I asked him to
stay. After we started drinking one thing lead to another. I regretted it as soon as I woke up next to him the following morning.”

“Carly, this is bad. Oh my gosh I can’t even begin to tell you how bad this is!”

“Shit, like I don’t know this already!” I yell, tears falling down my face. Savannah grips my hand in hers and shushes me.

“It’s oka
y. I see Dr. Staton, let me call and see if I can get you an appointment. I’m sure they can work you in.” She tells me as she walks to the other side of the kitchen to get the phone.

“I already have an appointment with Dr. Staton, but they can’t see me for two weeks.”

“That’s okay. That will give you time to let it all sink in. If you can remember the last time you slept with Colton and when you slept with Luke, they may be able to sort out the daddy dilemma when they give your due date. Just don’t panic yet. Have you told Colton about Luke?