My Demons (The Angel Trilogy #2) (4 page)

I see the gates as we approach the large white house that I grew up in. Butterflies make their way to my tummy.

Home sweet home…

Chapter Four

Abby

Walking in through the doors and seeing that everything’s just as I remember it, takes me back to a time that I
don’t
feel lost in.

The large entrance is tiled in black and white. A large glass chandelier hangs from the twenty foot ceiling. I first smell them and then notice the large, beautiful pink roses situated on the decorative table located in the center of the entrance.

I’m standing in the foyer looking around at how everything is so familiar.

“Gotta get changed,” Amy announces.

“You ok?” My dad wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“Mhmmm.” I nod looking up to his face.

“Good, let’s get you settled in and then we can watch a movie in the theater room?” He nods his head yes, trying to psych me into agreeing with him.

“What movie?” I smile.

That used to be our most favorite thing to do on family night.

“Whatever you want as long as I
also
like it.” He laughs.

“Do you two think I’m letting you pick?” my mom chimes in.

“Ha, well ‘
Lifetime
’ it is.” Amy laughs as she approaches. “This has been a blast and all, but I’m leaving. I’ll be back later.” Amy pulls my hand leading me into the hallway. “Call him doll, he needs you and you need him.”

I nod.

I don’t know that she’s right, but maybe I want her to be.

“Do you think that he’s going to hurt you?” She rolls her eyes.

I shrug.

“Do you honestly believe I’d be pushing this? You know my keen senses can smell. I can sniff out a TDB a mile away, doll. I know he isn’t a TDB.” Amy says referring to the nickname we’ve made for a
‘Total Douche Bag
.’

She sounds so sure. I drop my head. “Amy, I know you mean well, but I have to figure this out on my own, ok?” I nod.

“Mhmmm, I know you do, but he loves you so much. Face it, you know you have feelings for him too. I see the way you look at him.”

“Why are you always defending him?” This is the question I’ve been dying to ask.

She kicks her hips and throws her arms in the air. “I give up.” She sighs loudly. “I’ve explained this to you already, doll.” She grabs me by the shoulders. “He fucking loves you, Abby. Don’t screw up a good thing.” She stares me down. “Just say you’ll give it serious thought.”

I nod again.

“I gotta go.” She looks at her watch. “I’m working till, I don’t know, probably one or so. Call if you need me.” She kisses my forehead. “Abby, I want the fucking world for you. He’ll be that.” She winks.

“Amy?” I ask as she heads toward the entrance.

She turns in her Prada shoes tossing her bag over her shoulder. “I love you.”

“Not more than I love you, doll.” She blows me a kiss.

“Everything ok?” Sue asks.

“Oh my God, it’s so good to see your face.” I attack her with a hug.

“Oh baby, I’m so glad you’re finally here. Your mom is trying to mess in the kitchen, but I’ve saved you and your father from that nightmare.” She holds her hand to her mouth stifling her laugh.

“Thank you for that. She’s becoming all domesticated.”

‘Twilight zone.’

“Oh, I see your father has control of the stereo.”

“I love this song.” I dance in place.

“Yeah, I do too.” She winks as Frank takes over the air in the room blasting out the music.

My father’s obsessed with Frank Sinatra. When he’s home the room is always filled with his music. My most favorite memories in this house are of Addie and me dancing on my father’s shoes to some amazing song as he held our hands.

Memories can be a bitch when they make you want to cry. But this is a good cry because those were the best times. Before the shit disaster it is now.

“Dear, I’ve made up your room… fresh linens, towels, personal products, clothes. Your mother gave me quite a list and it’s all been displayed according to her wishes. I hope you approve.” Sue offers a kind smile.

“You’re the best, Sue. Thank you so much.” I wrap my arms around her arms hugging her again.

“Now let me see that your mother isn’t pretending to know how to use any of the appliances in the kitchen.” She says sarcastically. “Where’s Frank?” He would never allow her in his kitchen, he’s known better since the last kitchen fire. I laugh at the memory. It was a small fire, just on the stove, but the look on Frank’s face is one I’ll never forget. He had refused to speak to her for an entire month afterward.

“Are you kidding? She told him to take the night off.” Her head shakes with disbelief. “He has no idea what her plans are.” Her teeth clamp tight and her eyes are wide. “I’m taking the day off when he finds out.” She laughs.

“Pizza,” we both say in unison and then follow with a hard laugh.

“I’m going to take a soak in the tub, ok?” I reach for the small bag that I’d carried inside.

She nods. “Sounds like an excellent idea dear.” She exits into the hall.

I take a deep breath and smile. I’m actually kind of happy right now.

I head up the stairs to my room, running my hand along the mahogany railing as I do.

I walk down the long hallway toward my room at the end far right coming to the double doors.

I open the door to my room noting how bright it is. The room filled with the same pink roses that I’d seen downstairs. Once again, the aroma fills the air. This brings me back to another time.

I wonder if my mom put these here to trigger the stubborn memories hiding in my mind. Memories
are
being triggered, but not of the past year. No, these memories are of my teenage years and those memories I remember just fine.

I sigh. I tossing my bag to the couch on the left wall and throw myself on top of the large fluffy pink blanket that covers the queen size bed. I laugh out loud as I listen to Frank Sinatra through the speakers that are built into the walls of my spacious room.

I sit up and walk toward the wall monitor muting the sound. I see Addie’s picture on the dresser as I walk by, but I can’t look at it right now.

No, right now I want to be happy. I’ve been attempting to leave the broken girl at the hospital. And for now I think I’m doing a pretty good job of it.

I turn my iPod to Jesse Ware
Say You Love Me
while I’m brushing out my wet hair. I’m singing along to the words and suddenly inner sexy girl pushes me to consider calling Evan.

“Hmmm.” I stand to get my phone from my bag when my head begins its daily pounding episode. I reach for the pain pills instead. I haven’t taken these very often, but I know when it’s going to be a bad migraine and I’m not down for that right now.

I dig for my phone and walk onto the balcony that sit off of my room. The air is cool and very welcoming with this headache. I turn and go back toward my room because, unfortunately, the light’s too much.

Abby:
Can you talk?

I don’t want to assume that he doesn’t have something going on in his life.

Evan:
Of course
.

My phone rings as I sit on the edge of my bed.

I giggle. “Hello.”

“Are you ok?” He’s always so worried about me. It’s really sweet, but I don’t understand it.

“Headache,” I answer knowing he’ll know that I’m dealing with another one.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”

“Comes with the territory. They’re less frequent though. It’s getting better.” I don’t need him to worry. I don’t want anyone to worry.

“Good. Have dinner with me?”

“My parents are planning a welcome home thing,” I answer. I feel the smile curve on my lips and I realize his offer excites me.

“I understand.” He’s silent.

“Did you like the roses?”

What?

“You did that?” I’m completely shocked.

“Yes.”

I stutter.

“I wanted white, but they were sold out so I opted for the next best thing.

“Awe, they’re so beautiful Evan you didn’t have to do that,” I announce holding a smile on my lips as the pink petal touches my nose. “They smell amazing.”

This man has gone above and beyond in everything he’s done for me and I don’t understand why. I couldn’t have been that amazing of a girlfriend to him. I barely even talk to him now.

“Why do you try? I don’t give you anything Evan and yet you never stop. I…” I pause. “I don’t get it.”

“Let’s talk in person. When you’re ready.”

“Ok, when I’m ready.”
What am I waiting for?

“Till then,” he breathes.

“Till then.” I bring the phone to my lap and press the red button.

My phone rings and I expect it to be Evan again, but it’s not. “Hello?”

“Abby, how are you?”

Marco.

My heart bounces, but right away I notice it’s not the same as when it’s Evan on the other end.

“Umm, I’m Ok,” I whisper. I don’t know if I want to speak to him, but I feel like I’m supposed to give him a chance. Guilt maybe?

“I’ve missed you so much. I’m in town and would love to see you.”

I stand from the seat I’d taken only seconds ago and re-approach one of the five vases of baby pink roses that Evan had sent. Reaching for one of the stems, again I bring the enormous flour to my nose and smile.

“What do we have to talk about Marco?”

“I love you, Abby. I think we can fix things. Don’t you want that?”

Do I?

I shrug. “Honestly, I haven’t thought much about it.” Again I dip my nose into the amazing smell the flower holds.

“I’m thinking about it every second of the day,” he adds. A pain shoots through my head sending me to the floor. I scream out in pain I hear Marco calling my name and I pick my phone up from the floor next to me. “I need to go.” I hang up. Lying my head on the plush rug that flows beneath me. “This sucks,” I whisper to myself. I close my eyes as the pain takes over. I know this is normal and eventually
will
subside, but the journey sucks all the same. I wondering why this has all happened. Ok, so I’m feeling sorry for myself, but I think I’m allowed every once in a while.

When I open my eyes, I see the flower lying next to me and notice the stem’s broken. This precious flower that never hurt anyone is broken, just like me. I reach for it pulling it into my chest as I drift into another land.

Chapter Five

Abby