Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 11: Long for Her

October 10, 2014

Helena, Alabama

When did my life become this?

Sitting home alone on a Friday night, waiting for my girl to call me back.

We were talking, then she had to go because her sister was trying to cook and then Liv started to smell smoke, so... Go figure.

Anthony and Liam left a few hours ago for Birmingham. Liz and Rose left early this morning for another shopping trip; I think this time in Montgomery. Owen's at his AA meeting and Noah... Well, Noah was out barhopping with a few of his dumb-ass, hormone-riddled friends.

The kid worried me; ever since flat out rejection from Abby, Noah had been flying off the handle, sleeping his way through the female population of upper Helena.

Not only that, but his drinking, and his smoking.

Damn, I sounded like his fucking father.

Liam was a shit dad anyways, being gone more often than not, leaving Noah's well-being up to Anthony.

It was bullshit.

I hoped I could be half the father Anthony was one day; he took care of us, always made sure our schoolwork was done, that we had a warm home to live in and clean clothes on our backs, with Aunt Liz's help, of course.

I think Liv and me would make fairly good parents.

Whoa there, buddy.

We hadn't even slept together yet, and I was planning our first family photo.

My phone started to chirp then, breaking me from my thoughts of a little brown-eyed girl that resembled Liv.

Artemis.

"Darlin'." I greet with a smile.

Liv chuckles, "That makes me weak every single time."

"Good. What's up?"

"Nothin' really. Just wanted to hear your voice again."

"Is it that great?" I tease.

"Yeah," She chuckles, "It's deep, and kind of rumbly, like a thunderstorm. It's soothing."

"Soothing?"

"Yeah, soothing, like my own brand of serotonin or somethin'."

I chuckle, "You sound exhausted, Liv."

I look at my watch and see it's just struck 10.

"Yeah... I ain't been sleepin' well."

"You havin' them night terrors again?"

Like clockwork, for the last three nights straight, she woke me at 2 in the morning, only able to catch her breath long enough to tell me Will was going to kill her.

"No, I haven't had any since Wednesday."

"That's good... So, why haven't you been sleeping?"

"I...I miss you." Liv's voice cracked.

I smile, "I miss you, too, darlin'. It's been what... A week?"

"Not even a week."

"Guess we need to rectify that."

"Can't."

"Why?"

"We're enemies, remember?"

I chuckle, "Hardly."