Forbidden Love

Chapter 7

 When I get home I go straight to my room and throw my phone on the charger. I dial the number with reluctance but I call anyway "Hello?" Alexis answers the phone; I haven't talked to my big sister in a month or two. She usually calls me at the end of every week but she texted me saying she was busy one Sunday and I haven't heard from her since. "Hey Lex." I perk up "What's up, I'm busy Licia." She replies, but she sounds far away. "Nothing really, I just missed you; I haven't heard from you in a minute. How's school?" I ask "It's good. Can I call you later, I need to study?" She says "Yeah, yeah sure." I answer nervously "Alright bye." She hangs up before I can say it back. Whenever she has a big test coming up she gets real short when talking on the phone. "Alicia." James knocks on the door. I roll my eyes "Yes?" I say dryly "We're going out to eat." He says sitting on my bed "Is this a business thing? Why didn't mom tell me?" I ask "Because it's not a business thing and it's just going to be you and I." He smiles "I'm good." I shake my head "I know things have been rocky between us, but-." "No. Rocky, would be us arguing because I'm mad I couldn't go to a party, or me being grounded or me being hurt that I'm not getting as much attention as Brian. You and the slutty bitch are beyond rocky." I roll my eyes and open a text from Kayla. "You heard that?" He looks at the floor ashamed "Yeah, I did." I spit "Meet me down stairs in five minutes. We're going to Olive Garden." He says walking out of my room before I have a chance to argue.

Are you okay? I text Joey. I wait ten minutes before taking my phone off the charger and going down stairs. "You ready to go?" He asks as I walk into the living room. "Yeah." I shrug walking to the front door as he follows. The drive there is awkward, he tries multiple times to strike up a conversation and each time I shoot him down. Eventually he just gives up and we drive in silence. When we get there we park at the building next door since the parking lot at the restaurant is full. "What are you thinking about getting?" He asks as we walk into Olive Garden. "I don't know." I shrug and he sighs "Table for two?" The hostess asks grabbing two menus. "Yes." James nods and smiles "Lucky you, a table just cleared up not to long ago." She says ushering us to our table "Everyone with a larger party is having to wait so long. Friday's are our busiest night." She laughs "You must be exhausted." I say taking my seat and she nods. I used to be a waitress at Red Lobster, so I understand the struggle. "Your server tonight will be Carlos and he should be with you shortly." She smiles walking away "So you can talk." James jokes and I roll my eyes looking down at my phone. I see Joey texted me back and I smile.

I'm managing. Are you? He replied to my text from earlier.

Idk, I'm out with James currently... I answer. "Alicia, can you put your phone down for a second?" He sighs defeated. "When you didn't come home that night your mom and I were scared to death. So when you walked in without a scratch I blew up. I was wrong for the things I've said and putting my hands on you was way out of line. I wish I could take it back, but I can't." He frowns "I get being concerned, but you went too far." I roll my eyes "Hello I'm Carlos, I'll be your server for the night. Can I start you off with something to drink?" A guy with long black hair interrupts walking up to our table. "Water." I smile "Okay, water for the beautiful lady. And you?" Carlos asks James still looking at me "I think I'll have what my daughter is having as well as a glass of coke." James clears his throat and Carlos nods looking away from me "Yes sir, coming right up." He says walking away "How do I make things right?" James asks "I don't know." I sigh "I've always wanted a daughter," James starts "Don't get me wrong I love Brian, but I was always a little disappointed he wasn't a girl. Then a year ago my wife and I go to Detroit to stay at The Marriott for business and I see this 16-year-old girl checking herself in. I look at Sarah and I say: "No way that girl is as young as she looks." Then I see this man walk up to the girl and is all over her and I just knew she had to be over 18." He tears at his napkin and I look away "Sarah and I go on about our night but something just kept bothering me about the girl and that man. Something didn't feel right. But I dismiss the thought. Then as Sarah and I are trying to sleep I hear moaning coming from the next room." He recalls "Stop." I say shyly "I go next door to ask if the people could quiet down and the girl answers. Something just kept urging me to do so, so I asked her age and she lies. I could tell she was lying. She wanted me to know she was lying, so I tell Sarah, I say: "That girl we saw earlier, I think she's in trouble." I go back next door and I knock again, this time the guy answers. I try to glance in the room and I don't see her. But I do see blood. Turns out the girl was pimping herself out to men, trying to get money to leave home." A tear falls down his face and I close my eyes "That was her first time doing it. And the guy wouldn't let her leave, so she slit her wrist; she said she thought he'd rape her and she'd rather die than have that happen. I took her to the hospital and I stayed all night. Sarah and I stayed there for two weeks waiting for the girl to get out of this mental institution. Just to make sure she was okay and when we saw her again. We couldn't leave her." He reaches across the table for my hand and I pull away "Why are you telling me this? I lived it, I don't need you to." I wipe my face and look at the floor, not wanting all of these people to see me cry. "I fell in love with you when I saw you walk out of that building. The way you stopped and looked at me when you saw me, you running up to me wrapping your arms around me. I felt an instant connection. Then you, my wife and I we started spending time together. I started seeing you as a daughter." He admits "The day the adoption was finalized; I was so happy. My wish came true; I finally had a baby girl. I still love you Alicia, and I still care about you. I took things way too far and I can't change it I know that. But I just want my daughter back." He says and I smile "It's okay dad." I give in and he sighs in relief. "I love you." "I love you too dad." I wipe my face again and he smiles at me. The rest of the dinner with him was pleasant. The awkwardness didn't fade at first but after a few minutes we were back to normal. We sit in a comfortable silence on the drive back to the house. "Alicia, before we go in there's something we have to talk about." He says seriously "Okay?" I look at him skeptically "I know about you and Brian." He says and I bite my lip "What about-." "Don't try to lie." He cuts me off "I know you two had sex. Now, I'm not as upset as I would be had you two been related by blood. But still, it's not okay. Foster brother or not, he is still your brother; so don't let it happen again." He says sternly and I nod "Does mom know?" I ask and he shakes his head "And there'll be no need for her to find out, unless you disobey me and do it again." He says and I nod again getting out of the car. I walk into the house and up to my room. When I walk in there I see Brian is sitting there waiting for me "What happened?" He asks "It was fine. We're good now." I say setting a to-go box on my dresser. "What's in the box?" He smirks and I roll my eyes "Fried Calamari, it's yours." I shrug flopping down on my bed. "Thanks." Brian says flipping the lid open and stuffing some in his mouth "So just like that, you guys are good?" He asks mouth full of food "I guess yeah." I nod "Well, at least you two aren't fighting anymore." He says cramming two more pieces of Calamari in his mouth "How do you not almost choke to death with every meal?" I laugh "Practice." He says grabbing the box and walking out of my room.