CHAPTER FOUR
1438 Words
Lily
I LEANED OVER the bucket and puked for the umpteenth time, groaning at the pain in my stomach as I sat back in the hospital bed. I was on day three of my five-day chemo regimen, and it sucked. Dad was at Church; I didn’t know how he was keeping all of this from his “brothers,” but he’d made me a promise not to breathe a word. And when Dad made a promise, he kept it.
I’d had no contact with Maverick over the past few weeks. I’d roped Brad (who was very, very gay) into posing as my boyfriend for social media purposes because I knew Maverick would see the pics and rage. I also knew, because of said rage, he wouldn’t delve into it too much further because he didn’t really know anyone at my school. Maverick didn’t text me, and I didn’t text him, so Liverick was officially over.
His mom, Cassidy, was a problem, however. Admittedly, I didn’t plan that part out well. Cassidy was my dance instructor and, although the ballet session hadn’t started yet, she still gave me private lessons. I’d had to “break up” with her as well, and that was almost as hard as breaking up with Maverick. She’d been sweet, and I knew she wanted to know why—the real reason—but she didn’t press, and I loved her more for it.
Poppy was a trooper, as I knew she would be. She didn’t talk about it with any of our other friends at the club; she just played dumb. She wasn’t a liar, so she just directed people to ask me if they wanted to know anything. I, on the other hand, just stayed away.
Mom settled a cool washcloth on my forehead and handed me a clean vomit bag.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“I’m going to get you some stronger nausea stuff. I’ll be right back.” She left the room, returning quickly with Martha, my day nurse, who plunged a needle into my IV. My stomach calmed, and I took a ragged breath.
“Better?” Martha asked.
“Yes. Thanks,” I said.
“Good. Don’t be a hero, honey, okay? You need more, you let me know.” Martha patted my arm. “I’ll get you some Sprite.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. I couldn’t help myself from thinking back to Thanksgiving. Maverick didn’t come home, and I’d been both sad and relieved. His parents said he’d had a big game, so they went to him, but I knew his schedule, and knew that wasn’t true. That was okay, though, since it meant I didn’t have to pretend to be happy and healthy, but at the same time, I ached to see him. I wanted to make sure he was okay.
We’d spent the holiday with Mom’s parents, and we made the choice not to tell the family until after the holiday was over. I was glad because Thanksgiving was always so fun with all the cousins, and I really didn’t want it ruined. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through Christmas, but for now, at least, I had one happy holiday to help sustain me for a few weeks.
“How’s my girl?”
I opened my eyes to see my grandma, and I gave her a tired smile. “I’m good, Grams.”
“How’s my other one?” She hugged my mom.
“I’m okay, Mom.”
Grandma leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Only you could go through chemo and still look like a supermodel.”
I giggled. “Thanks, Grams.”
That was my grandma to a T. Always positive. She looked like a supermodel herself. She was in her sixties and looked more Christie Brinkley than typical grandma. Granddad called her his G.I.L.F. (Grandma I’d like to... well, you get the picture). It was both sweet and gross at the same time.
“Boys okay?” Mom asked.
Hunter and Case were with Granddad for the day.
“All good, honey. Your dad took them fishing after school.” Grandma sat on the chair beside Mom’s and set her purse on the counter. “They’ll be exhausted by the time he drops them home.”
“Perfect.”
“How’s Hawk holding up?” Grandma asked.
“He’s doing okay,” Mom lied.
“No, he’s not,” I countered, keeping my eyes closed. The light hurt, and I was tired, but I couldn’t quite sleep yet.
“No, he’s not,” Mom agreed. “He wasn’t going to go to Church tonight, but he’s got to keep up appearances for the moment, so he’ll be here in a few hours.”
“All this deception over a boy,” Grandma mused.
“Grams, he’s not just any boy.” I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice, but I didn’t think I succeeded.
“I get it, honey,” she said, but I wasn’t sure she really did.
“You should try and rest, Lil,” Mom said. “Grams and I’ll just hang out and be quiet while you do.”
I felt like she was saying that as more of a warning to my grandmother than anything, but I appreciated it just the same. Now that the nausea had subsided, I was able to fall into a dream-filled sleep.
* * *
Twelve years ago...
“Ow!” I cried out. Ethan Walker was squeezing my arm really hard. He kept trying to kiss me, but I didn’t want him to... He was gross. I was in kindergarten, and Maverick and I were at the same after-school program, but we hadn’t been here long. So far, I didn’t really like it very much, but at least, Maverick was with me. I had just turned five, and he said he was there to protect me.
“Let go of her!” Maverick demanded and rushed up to him.
Ethan squeezed harder.
“Stop!” I screamed. My arm burned.
Maverick hit him, but Ethan wouldn’t let go. Even though Ethan had a bloody nose, he just held me tighter.
“Maverick,” I begged with a whimper.
Maverick wrapped his arm around Ethan’s throat and held him until Ethan let go of my arm. I wiped the tears out of my eyes and watched as Maverick dropped Ethan on the floor. He was asleep.
Maverick pulled me in for a hug. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, Mav,” I whispered.
Ethan groaned and slowly sat up.
“What’s going on?” Ms. Smith demanded. “Maverick! What did you do?”
“He was hurting Lily,” Maverick said with a scowl. “He wouldn’t let her go.”
“All of you, come with me.”
After Ms. Smith had made sure Ethan was okay, she led all three of us down to the director’s office where they promptly called our parents.
“You go sit over there.” Maverick shoved Ethan into the chair by the window then came and sat next to me, keeping himself between Ethan and me.
Our parents arrived, and my dad looked really mad. Madder than I’d ever seen him. The lady who ran the daycare left Maverick and me with Ethan while she took our parents into her office.
“What the hell happened to your face?” an angry man’s voice growled.
I peered around Maverick to see Ethan staring up at a big old fat guy. The fat guy scowled at Maverick. “Did you do this?”
I squeezed my eyes shut because the man looked like he was going to hit Maverick, but then I heard a grunt, and I opened my eyes to see the man on the floor. Maverick was standing in front of me, and my dad was yanking Ethan away.
Maverick faced me and took my hand. “No one will touch you again, Lil.”
Mom and Cassidy took us out to the car, but before I got in, Maverick laid his hands on my upper arms and asked, “Hey, you okay?”
“I’m okay, Mav.” I smiled at him because I thought he was the biggest hero on the planet, and I was pretty sure I was in love with him. “Thanks for helping me.”
He kissed my forehead and gave me a hug and then Mom drove me home. I remembered thinking that I’d never love anyone more than Maverick.
- Writer
