Page 29 of Need You To Choose Me

“There is a guest room downstairs. I’ll just use that until I figure things out.” Those blue eyes find mine. “You should probably go home. Levi is there alone.”

“Daniel is also home.” At her quizzical look, I explain. “My other son. He’s sixteen.”

“Oh…” Her lips part, and the initial surprise on her face is replaced by uncertainty. She ducks her head, a strand of hair falling from the bun and shielding her from me. “I didn’t realize you had two sons.”

“Yeah, it’s just the three of us. Well, and Mrs. Maxwell. She’s going to be around occasionally. She helps me around the house and takes care of the boys when I travel.”

Tucking the runaway strand behind her ear, she nods. “I should get to work. I have to at least clean up a little bit and settle in.”

She was dismissing me.

I wanted to tell her I could help and convince her that it would be best for everybody involved if she would just move in with us, but I could see the determination on her face mixed with exhaustion.

“Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.”

“No problem.” I start for the door and exit the house. “Our earlier conversation isn’t done, Blondie. I was serious when I said I wanted to ma?—”

“And what about your kids, Blake?” Savannah interrupts me.

My mouth falls open. I close it as I turn around to face her.

Her lips are pressed into a tight line, her expression unyielding. “How are you going to explain an unfamiliar woman in their home, huh?”

She had me, and she knew it. Daniel and Levi didn’t know about what happened. God only knew how they’d react once they found out Savannah was pregnant. They’ve gone through so many changes in the last year, and they were still processing it. We all were.

I run my hand over my face and through my hair.

“I thought so.” She grabs the door. “I have nothing to think about, Blake. My answer will stay no.”

With that, she shuts her front door in my face and turns the lock for good measure.

Fucking hell.

CHAPTER SIX

SAVANNAH

“You’re such a brat, Savvy. Did you seriously have to go to the school nurse?” Mom mutters as she pushes me into our apartment—or, better said, her boyfriend’s apartment.

“I didn’t go,” I protest and stumble forward, grabbing the table and steadying myself. Barely. “My teacher sent me when I threw up.”

“Noisy little bitch.” Mom’s eyes meet mine, and I can see anger shining in them. “You’re a fucking responsibility I never should have had. I should have gotten rid of you when I had the chance so you wouldn’t drag me down. But did I do it? No. Of course not. I thought you’d be useful and your daddy would take care of us, but what a fucking joke that was. He knew how big of a nuisance you’d be even before you were born, so he left. Go to your room. I don’t want to get whatever stomach bug you have. Rick won’t appreciate it.”

With that, she pushes me into the closet that is dubbed as my room and slams the door, the loudbangmaking the wall rattle.

I suck in a sharp breath, my eyes flying open. My breathing is ragged as I look around the room, and it takes me a moment to realize where I am.

Grams’ house.

I came to Grams’ house since my cottage was flooded. I was in her guest room, one of the rare rooms I managed to make habitable after everything that happened yesterday, and then I crashed. But apparently, even utter exhaustion couldn’t stop the past from coming back to haunt me.

I run my hand over my face. My shirt clings to my body as I look at the old-fashioned alarm clock and check the time. It was barely after six. I still had a little time before I had to get up.

Sighing, I start to lower back into bed when I hear it.

Bang-bang-bang.

“What in the ever?—”

---