The Saintwood Series

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Houston, we have one hell of a problem

Carrington

Attempting to see Gloria was impossible with the Frazier boys lurking around. Then I discovered that dear old brother Mason made a damn ceasefire with the Santiagos, shooting my plan in the ass.

I had to wait to meet with Gloria when Maurice left town, and that wasn’t often. It turns out Maurice saw the light and got sober in prison. Now, he’s the doting husband. Note the sarcasm because he’s as attentive as my d**k is.

The good thing was I took some courses over the summer, which meant I’d graduate earlier than expected, like around Christmas next year. Gloria and I could leave and not look back. Now, I had to settle for senseless comedies, junk food, and my damn hand.

I rented some movies, then headed to a corner store and picked up snacks. Chips, pop, candy, and anything else I could fill my arms. The clerk gave me a strange expression as I rolled my eyes. There’s no need for judgment.

The clerk rang me up. I paid for my junk food, then left the store. One day, you will understand my pain, buddy.

I returned and set the bags down, along with the movies. I started with Miss Congeniality. Who doesn’t like a good Sandra Bullock movie?

I settle in with my snacks on the couch, cracking open a Coke. I watched the movie and laughed my ass off with the beauty pageant scene. Now, that’s how all beauty pageants should be in real life. Did you ever watch one? They’re boring as s**t. Everyone wants to save the world and the children. Then after the pageant, both seem to fall by the wayside. Those sad children will grow up in a forgotten world.

After the movie, I headed upstairs to use the bathroom, not realizing Christine was here. I opened the door, and Christine’s head snapped in my direction as she looked in shock. Then I noticed something in her hands.

I walked over to Christine as she held a pregnancy test. The best part was it was positive, and Christine had the look of a deer caught in headlights.

“I’m guessing that was a pleasant surprise.” I pointed at the pregnancy test.

Christine’s face contorted in horror.

“Or not.”

Here’s where Christine and I differed from each other. While she will rat me out to Mason, I wouldn’t do that. She’s a big girl and understands the consequences.

“I guess you’ll call Mason and inform him that I’m pregnant.” Christine stared at the test. “I deserve it for telling him about your dalliances, and Mason will make me get rid of it. A child out of wedlock is a scandal.” Christine sniffled.

I furrowed my brows.

“Troy doesn’t want a baby since we haven’t discussed a family or marriage. If Mason cuts me off, I’ll ask Kate for a job. I can finish school and raise a baby alone since many single parents do it every day.” Christine looked at me with tear-streaked cheeks.

My sister had a terrified expression. So, I hugged her. She wrapped her arms around me and buried her head into me as she sobbed. I offered her comfort. No matter our differences, Christine is still my sister.

“How do you know Troy doesn’t want the baby? Did you talk to him?”

“We never discussed kids or marriage.”

I pulled back from Christine. “Now, you should decide together. If it were Gloria, I would want to know.”I didn’t realize what I said until the words left my mouth.

Christine stared at me, shocked. I cursed myself. I let go of her as she gave me an incredulous expression. Yeah, that wasn’t good.

I pursed my lips, avoiding eye contact.

“Do you love Gloria?”

I nodded. Christine gave me a compassionate expression.

“It’s not something I planned on happening, but it did. Most people would consider it a fling, but I don’t.”

“It’s because it involves the heart. Carri, carrying on a relationship with a married woman doesn’t end well. A married person rarely leaves their spouse, and you’ll get your heart broken.”

“It’s the chance I’m willing to take because I love her.”

I know people don’t understand, but when you fall in love with someone, you can’t help it. There’s an issue with that scenario. When you should listen to people, your heart doesn’t. It would be a hard truth that I would learn for myself.

Later, Christine called Troy over to tell him the news while Elliot and I spied on them. Yeah, we have no shame.

“This is utterly ridiculous,” Elliot whispered.

“Shh, I can’t hear.” I shushed him, peering through an opening through the kitchen door. I told you that we had no shame.

Troy quietly sat there as Christine told him about the pregnancy.

“Now, if you don’t want the baby, I understand. I can raise the baby alone. I’ll get a job, find a daycare, and finish school. I won’t ask for any financial help, and you won’t have to see us. I’ll tell Mason, and he’ll cut me off financially.”

I shook my head. Leave it to our sister to ramble, although Troy didn’t help with sitting there and not saying anything. Say something, you i***t. Our sister is dying right now.

“So, that is it. You’re off the hook.”

I facepalmed myself.

“Are you finished?” Troy stood up. “I resent that you let me off the hook when it’s my baby, too.”

Wait. What? That is a new development.

“What?”

“It’s my baby, too, and we’ll get married and raise the baby together.”

“But we didn’t discuss marriage or kids.”

“What’s there to discuss? I planned to marry you when we graduate and have kids.” Troy shrugged. “It’ll happen sooner than expected. If Mason disowns you, then so be it. I’ll support us.”

Well, Troy has balls. He didn’t even argue or throw a hissy fit, making me like him more and more every day.

“Tell the two eavesdroppers that we’re getting married.”

Elliot and I fell through the kitchen door and landed on the floor. We looked up to find Christine and Troy looking at us.

“What are you doing?” Christine asked us.

“We’re trying to be stealth, like ninjas, but we suck at it,” I said.

Elliot stood up and left me on the floor. “This i***t on the floor wanted to eavesdrop and dragged me along for the ride.”

I stood up. “No one said you had to agree. That was your choice.”

Elliot glared at me. Nice try, little brother. But if I’m going down, so are you.

*****

The next day, we traveled to City Hall, and Christine and Troy got married. The ceremony was short and sweet because Troy barely said anything. Out of my sisters’ boyfriends, both said a few words. How did they manage a relationship for years? You talk to your significant other, except for Grant and Troy, because they’re monks.

Elliot and I were witnesses to the union, signing the marriage license. After the quickie wedding, Christine called Mason, and his response was less than favorable. Mason yelled the word f**k more times than I could count, and he wasn’t on speakerphone.

After Mason’s tirade, he didn’t disown Christine, which was a plus. Christine was moving out and moving in with Troy, leaving me alone with Elliot, which wasn’t a plus.

How did I get stuck with my psycho brother? Pure dumb luck, I guess. Now I had to contend with Elliot while waiting to meet Gloria, and the Frazier boys had to leave town soon before I lost my s**t.