Page 107 of Fight For Us
“Can’t wait to meet them,” I said sarcastically.
“Oh, they’re a barrel of fun. Go on, tell me about you and Savannah.”
I drove through the lush neighborhood, passing bright tropical flowers and towering palms. It had been a long time since I’d been in this town.
“We started hanging out a lot the summer after graduation, going to parties, fooling around. Little did I know I wasn’t the only guy she was seeing, but that’s beside the point. Toward the end of the summer, she told me she was pregnant. Obviously, I was shocked and scared out of my mind. Her parents didn’treact well. They tried to force her to give Lilly up for adoption, but Sav fought them. I have to give her kudos for that. She had no problem writing her parents out of her life, even when it meant losing their money, too. My parents helped us out and we had a small wedding, moved into an apartment near Sunshine. It didn’t last long. By the time Lilly was born, we’d already broken up and gotten back together twice. It was a mess, toxic as hell. We even got divorced and then got back together for a small amount of time right before the accident.”
“That’s some history you two have,” Olivia said, loosening a breath. “And what happened after the accident?”
I pulled onto Regina’s street, slowing down as we approached the house. “She didn’t come to see me in the hospital, not after the first night. I found out later that she was already seeing someone else before I was even released.”
“That’s vile,” Olivia said. She turned to take in the enormous house in front of us. I spotted a black BMW parked along the road and guessed who it belonged to. She always loved German engineering.
“Ready?” I asked.
“Ready if you are,” Olivia said. We slipped out of the car and walked over to the BMW where Savannah sat waiting for us.
The three of us walked side by side to the front door. I focused my gaze on Olivia for strength while Savannah rang the bell.
“I hope this is quick,” Savannah said. “I can’t stand this house.”
You and I both.
After a few moments, a middle-aged woman opened the door. She seemed to recognize Savannah right away. “Ms.Robinson, so nice to see you.” Her gaze bounced between the three of us and she stepped outside. “This isn’t a good time. Might I suggest you call and get on Mr. and Mrs. Robinson’s schedule?”
“No, Jean, we need to speak with them now. Why don’t you step out and do your daily liquor store run for my father,” Savannah said, sounding bored. “You won’t want to be here for this.”
Jean glanced behind her and then nodded. “I’ll do that.” She scurried inside and turned down a hallway.
Savannah walked inside like she owned the place, which I guess wasn’t too far from the truth. She’d grown up in this museum of a home. “Mother, I’m home!” Her voice echoed throughout the expansive entrance. “Come down here, or I’ll come find you.”
Olivia and I stayed a step behind her, keeping our eyes open for movement. Savannah wandered over to a mirrored table and picked up an expensive looking glass object before slipping it into her purse. As she was about to climb the stairs, I heard footsteps from the hall.
“Mom? Dad? Olivia?” Lilly ran to us, crashing into her mother first. Sav kneeled and wrapped her in a hug. “You guys came for me?”
“Of course,” Sav said. “Where’s your grandmother? I need to speak with her.”
“Right here,” Regina said, coming out of the shadows of the hallway. She looked as prim and proper as ever, not like she’d been a caretaker to a child at all.
“Lilly, come over here,” I said. Olivia and I each wrapped our arms around her shoulder. I craned my neck to whisper in her ear, “Why don’t you go get your stuff? Grab anything you don’t want to leave here.”
She nodded and passed Savannah to run up the stairs.
“Mother, have you lost your mind? You tried to steal my daughter! How dare you forge my name on documents!” Pent up anger poured from my ex, while she continued her tirade against her mother. “There’s a reason Lilly and I only come here once a year. You’re a garbage person but I never pegged you as a criminal.”
Regina finally stepped closer so she was eye to eye with her estranged daughter. “That’s rich coming from you. Someone had to step in and raise the girl right. Clearly, I made mistakes with you.” She glanced at me with hatred in her eyes. “You went and got knocked up at eighteen by this lowlife. He was letting Lilly wander the streets, fail school, get beat up by bullies. Is that how you want your daughter raised? And you, prancing off toEurope like you’re some jet-setter. Which loser are you chasing now?”
I clenched my jaw, listening to her spew her hateful thoughts. “I think I’m entitled to a break, Mother. I left Lilly with Wes because I know he’s a good father. The audacity… I cannot believe you.”
“A good father?” Regina laughed. “That man is a joke. He killed his friend! You think he can keep Lilly al—”
“That’s enough!” Olivia shouted. Both Regina and Sav went silent.
“Who do you think you—” Regina began.
“I won’t stand here and let you talk about my husband that way. You’re an evil woman and I don’t care if you’re Lilly’s blood, I’ll make it my life’s goal to keep you and your husband away from my family for the rest of our lives.”
Regina’s nostrils flared and she stepped back as if she were struck. Savannah laughed, but the sound was humorless. “I can agree to that. Like Olivia said, you’re done. Try and be a part of our lives and I’ll go to a lawyer with this little stunt you pulled.”
