Fight for Love (16 page)

I didn’t move right away. “Thanks.” I murmured.

“You’re welcome. Now have a nice evening.” She turned and walked around the corner of the desk. “Oh and Luke, I’m really glad to hear you’ve been happy these last two weeks. It’s nice to see you enjoying life.”

“Dr. Greenberg?” My voice cracked like I was going through puberty again.
 

“Yes, Luke.”

“Why doesn’t she leave? Why doesn’t she love me anymore? Did I do something? Is that why she forced me to come here?”

“Your mom?” She asked. But I think she knew the answer.

I nodded, but couldn’t answer past the lump now stuck in my throat.
 

Dr. Greenberg walked from around her desk back to me. “She loves you. And you didn’t do anything wrong. You have to understand what your mom felt after losing your father. His death, in my guess, was harder on her than you can imagine. Losing a loved one, more especially a spouse, is one of the most difficult things to deal with. The only thing worse is losing a child, in my opinion.”

“But most of the time it feels like I’ve lost both her and my dad. You know, not once has she checked on me after Dave beat me bloody.”
Shit
. I just revealed the one thing I kept from everyone. Dr. Greenberg didn’t say anything though. I appreciated that. I had to take one thing at a time.
 

Dr. Greenberg sat in her chair next to the couch. “I can’t begin to understand why she’d do that, but in my professional experience, she’s not willing to acknowledge what’s going on because she doesn’t know how to change. Not just change herself, but change what’s going on with you and Dave. So it becomes easier to act like it’s not there. Out of sight out of mind I suppose.”

I rubbed the temples on each side of my face. “Every night I worry about her before I fall asleep. I know I should go back home, but I can’t face Dave right now. And I’m not sure I could handle her reprimand. Do you know how many times she’s scolded me for yelling at Dave? She makes excuses for him hitting her. That pisses me off more than anything in this world. I can’t stand to see a girl talked down to, hit, or threatened because of what
he’s
done to her. And yet, she stands up for him.”

Dr. Greenberg placed her hand over mine. I couldn’t stop talking; my heart had taken over and shoved my brain to the back. The only role it played right then was making the words come out. “Luke, this is the hardest part about my job. I can’t possibly tell you anything that will explain your mother’s actions. What I can tell you is that it’s normal. At some point something will happen and she’ll see the light. As far as going home, you’ll know when the time is right. If you have doubts right now, then don’t go. You’re safe where you are. You aren’t responsible for your mother.”

“I wish it was that easy. I think I’m developing an ulcer.” With those thoughts off my shoulders I began to feel better. Pretty soon, I’d tell her about Dave and go into details. For now, I thought a good night’s sleep without worry was in my immediate future. After dinner with Stacey, of course.

That earned a chuckle. “I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine. Now go home and get some rest. We’ll talk again tomorrow.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Stacey stepped through the door and let her purse drop onto the table in the entryway.
 

“You still up for going out?”

She jumped and her eyes went wide. “Oh. Sorry. Yeah, I’m up for it. Let me just change out of this skirt and heels.”

Ten minutes later she stepped back into the living room in tight jeans and a red top that accentuated every single one of the curves I loved. The contrast from her day-to-day work clothes to this took my breath away. Images of our kiss the night before flashed behind my eyes and I couldn’t resist. We met halfway and she melted into my arms. Before I changed my mind and decided we should just order take out and chill on the couch I towed her to the door. I swiped my keys from the key ring on our way out.
 

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises. You have to tell me something.”

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel in tune to the music. For the first time today since I’d left school, my nerves weren’t strung tight and anger didn’t curse through my veins. I grinned at Stacey and she growled in response.
 

“Luke.”

“Stace.” I mocked her tone.

“Please.”

“I dunno. It might ruin the fun.”

She crossed her arms. “If you don’t tell me, I guarantee it’ll ruin the fun because as soon as we stop I’ll get out of this car and walk home.”

“The hell you will.”

“Try me.” she retorted.

Best to give her a hint. Clearly, she didn’t like surprises. “I won’t tell you everything, but I will tell you we’re headed to San Antonio.”

“Why?”

“You really don’t like surprises do you?”

Stacey leaned her head against the seat. “No, not particularly. I’ve been hurt too many times by secrets. So a word of warning; if you get me a present, don’t tell me.”

I couldn’t keep myself from laughing. I hated that Stacey had been hurt, but her ferocity was charming and heartwarming. Keeping my eyes on the road I reached over the armrest and rubbed the top of her leg. “No secrets then.” She wrapped her hand over the top of mine. I lifted it to my mouth and kissed her knuckles before letting go. “I thought we could eat out on the River Walk and enjoy the night.” I didn’t tell her I knew which restaurant I wanted to eat at, but she’d just said the way to get around her with secrets was to not tell her. Was it really a secret if I omitted part of the information? Yeah probably, but it didn’t change anything.

She brushed her hand against my thigh, sending chills down my leg. “That sounds like a great plan. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For caring.”

The rest of the drive both of us stayed quiet. I messed with the radio a couple of times. Stacey kept her focus on the passing road. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, more of a time for both of us to process the change in our relationship. I could say without a doubt she was the first friend I’d ever taken things further with.
 

Hell, the Florida girls weren’t friends, just girlfriends. They hung together, we hung together. It was simple. Stacey wasn’t simple. To some degree that scared the shit out of me. I wasn’t exactly sure I could handle complicated. There were enough complications in my life. To add another one could be considered insanity by some. Then again, if I could manage to date Stacey then the possibility of me learning to control this rage problem of mine was real. That small flutter of hope caused my stomach to toss and turn.
 

“What?” Stacey asked.

“Huh?” I took my eyes off the road for a second to look over at her.
 

“You groaned. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I’d done that. Nothing’s wrong.”

“Yes, there is. I know that groan. You do it when you’re working on homework; just before you slam the book shut and go to bed.”

Wow. She knew my habits and groans. Where had I been these last few weeks while she studied my every move?
 

“You’re frustrated about something.” Stacey reached across the car and pulled my hand off the steering wheel. Her hand wrapped around mine. “I wish you’d talk to me about something. It doesn’t have to be whatever happened today, even though you know I’ll listen without judgment.”

“I dunno why you always want to hear my sob stories, but whatever. To answer your question, I’m frustrated with myself. Today I told Dr. Greenberg that I agree Dave is a large part of my problem. Anything that reminds me of him pisses me off beyond belief.”

“God, I’m sorry. I knew Dave was a problem, I didn’t…” Stacey gasped. “That’s why you don’t like anyone calling you his last name.”

“Yep.”

“That makes sense. Okay, I may be out of line here. But I’m going to ask anyway. Does sitting here talking about Dave get you worked up?”

I pondered that for a minute. “No. I’m fine right now.”

“You said earlier that Dave stopped by the school. Did something happen with him? Is that why you and the wall became such good friends?”
 

“I thought you said you wouldn’t push the issue.”

Stacey squeezed my hand. “I did, and I won’t push. But what you said to me about not caring hurt. I care about you Luke, more than I probably should. Not that that’s stopping me. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.”

“Not right now. I promise I’ll tell you later. Tonight I just want to spend time with you. I want to take you on a date and not worry about Dave or whether or not you’ll have to bail my ass out of jail.”

“Fair enough.”

I weaved through a parking garage until we found an empty spot. To show Stacey what a gentleman I could be I raced around the backside of the car and made it to her door before she got out. A shocked glint showed in her eyes. I held out my hand to help her out of the car. “Come on. I know the perfect place to eat. Somewhere we can forget all the shit going on right now and just have fun.”

“And where might that be?”

Damn it, this no secrets thing would kill me. It was too easy to give her half information in hopes of surprising her with the rest. I hesitated answering. There had to be some way around her rules. That’s when the light bulb clicked on.
 

“I’ll give you a hint.”

She bumped my hip with hers. “Okay. I can play along.”

“It sits on the river walk.”

“Oh that narrows it down. Keep going.”

I flashed a wink in Stacey’s direction. “We can sit inside or out.”

“Out. I’m in the mood for people watching. Next.”

“They make funny hats for you to wear with some maybe not so nice sayings on them.”

She shook her head. “Oh no we aren’t. I’m not going to Dick’s Last Resort. The last time I was there some group of dumbasses started throwing napkins all over the restaurant. My best friend had one land in her beer. She was pissed.”

We both laughed at the image of a napkin landing in a cup full of beer. I wanted to hear her laugh more often. That was part of the reason this restaurant was perfect. The servers were intentionally rude and curt with the customers.
 

My friends and I took a trip to San Antonio one year for summer and stumbled upon the restaurant. Our server didn’t know what to do when we snapped back at his remarks. He threw a marker at us and told us to write down our drink orders. So we did. One drink on each placemat and come to find out he wanted us to write all of the drinks on one piece. Too bad he wasn’t more specific.
 

I pointed to the Riverwalk. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Get your mind off work and school for a little while.”

Stacey snuggled up to me as we wound our way around to Dick’s. “Okay. We can go there. But I really do want to sit outside.”

“Whatever you want.”

During dinner we talked about school, and work, about tons of things and nothing at all. The conversation was easy and didn’t require a lot of thinking. I appreciated that. Not that I didn’t like to think, but it wasn’t high on my list for the night. While Stacey talked I watched her. When the moonlight hit just right, her blue eyes turned translucent, and the happiness she felt reflected through them.
 

Someone in one of her classes kept antagonizing her. They’d both been assigned to the same group for some project. He wanted everyone else to do the work while he took credit. Stacey fought back, but it wore on her. As she retold the story of the latest incident her shoulders straightened and she raised her chin in a defiant manner. Whoever this guy was, he better hope he never crossed my path. I didn’t like anyone that made her feel like she had to go on the defensive just talking about him.
 

We laughed, ate, and walked the river for hours before heading back home. No sooner than I started the car and backed out of the parking lot, Stacey rested her head against the window and fell asleep. Occasionally my eyes left the road to glance at her. She fidgeted in her sleep almost as much as she did awake. It was cute. Her hands were so small and tiny, but I knew her soul wasn’t. Stacey was fierce and full of fire.
 

I tapped her on the shoulder when we pulled in front of the apartment. She jumped and hit her head on the window.
 

“Ouch,” she cried.
 

“Ahh, that had to hurt. Here let me kiss it and make it better.”
 

Her forehead crinkled and she punched me in the shoulder. “Be nice. It hurt.”

“Sweetheart, I am being nice. You’ve been snoring since we pulled out from the parking garage. It’s my right to pick on you. Now are you going to let me kiss it and make it better, or not?”

“Not,” she pouted.

“Why? It’s just a simple kiss on the top of your head.”

“Ha.” She flattened her palm against my chest and pushed back. “Nothing with you is ever simple, Luke. In fact, I’m not sure you know the definition of simple.” Stacey pulled away and got out of the car. I enjoyed the view from behind as she ran up the stairs giggling.
 

I was hot on her heels and shimmied through the door just as she slammed it shut and locked the deadbolt. Stacey squealed when I caught her around the waist and planted a series of kisses on her temple.

“Sometimes simple is boring.” Goosebumps spread across the back of her neck when I whispered in her ear. “I had fun tonight. Sweet dreams.” With a swift brush against her lips I stepped back and urged her past me.
 

Stacey caught my arm and pulled me to her. The kiss she hit me with sent more electricity through my body than a live electric fence would have. Our lips collided, tongues danced, and hands explored. She took a step forward pushing me back. When she kept walking I knew she didn’t intend on stopping at the couch.
 

“Whoa,” I panted. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, Luke. I’m a grown woman. I think I know what I’m doing.”

I laughed. “Hey, I’m not going to argue with that.”