That's What You Get

Chapter 10

Chapter 10



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I looked myself into the steamy shower mirror. I wasn’t ready for this, at all. And I still haven’t told Luke. For all I know he could be naked under the bed sheets. Finally I noticed I was chewing on my thumb, I sighed and slipped over my t-shirt, and slide into my plaid pajamas pants.

“Oh.” I suddenly remember I had to go to the room my mom was staying in, she was suppose to bathe Natalie. Tousling my damp hair, I did one last check in the mirror to see if I looked alright, and headed out the door.

Or more like snuck out. I’m pretty sure if anyone saw me, I looked like I was trying to be a ninja.  Or a cat burglar in training. Which was not working, since I was wearing plaid pants against a blinding white door.

I open the door slightly, and peaked out, and looked straight towards bed, but I didn’t see anybody in it. I sighed with relief, he must of went downstairs, or I’m hoping he did.

I hurried to the other door, and went straight to my mom room, or tried to. Turning one corner I smacked into someone’s bare chest.

Rubbing my nose I apologized. “I‘m so sor-” I cut short once I saw who I ran into.

Riley gave me a cheeky smile. “Why, hello-”

“You.” I poked him hard on his chest.

“Ow, come on. I‘m sensitive.” He rubbed his chest.

I pointed to myself now. “I was going to tell him,” I poked him. “my,” Once more. “way.” Last time. I knew it was hurting him, since his skin was getting slightly pink.

“Which would have been what?” he pretended to think. “Oh right, never. I did you a favor Michelle.” he flicked my nose slightly.

With my fast ‘mom’ reflexes, I swatted his hand away as soon as he was done flicking my nose. “I suppose I should say thank you?” I sighed slightly, my cheeks puffed out.

“Really?” he batted his eyelashes.

“Thank you.” I exaggerated a little.

“You’re welcome!” he chimed, and pulled me in for a bear hug, even lifting me off the ground.

“Your bare chest…” I paused. “I don‘t like that shit on my face.” I laughed.

“Sorry,” he dropped me down. “Well, I‘m going to sleep, you guys talked too much during the car ride here.”

I squinted my eyes at him, and was about to smack him when he decided to dash away.

“Knew it was coming.” he smiled. “Good night, Michelle.” He gave a slight wave, and headed around the corner.

“Night.” I said back quietly, pretty sure he didn’t hear it either, but at least he didn’t nag me about it.

Sighing to myself, I took a deep breath and turned around, bumping into another bare chest. I rolled my eyes, and looked up to see who it was.

“Are you okay?” Miles smile was small.

Did he think I rolled my eyes at him? Nice going Michelle. “Sorry.” I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. “Kind of cliché running into peoples chest, that‘s all.” I opened my eyes to see he was sporting a bare chest too.

He looked down to see what I was looking at, and slightly laughed. ”Guess so, if you ran into another chest?”

More of a question. “Yeah,” I sighed. “Riley.”

“Did you kill him?” he gasped.

“Quite the opposite actually.” I pointed out smiling.
 
“No shock there, you honestly couldn‘t be mean to anyone.” he stated, pinching one of my cheeks softly.

I jutted my bottom lip out. “It‘s not my fault.”

“Of course not.” he smiled letting go. “Natalie just went into your moms room, if you‘re wondering.”

“Okay thanks, I‘ll see you tomorrow.” I started to walk off. “Night!” I called out.

I don’t know if he answered back, but I’m pretty sure he did, all I wanted to do was get out of sight. I was literally hiding from Luke, shame on me. After what felt like forever in this ocean of a house, I reached my moms room, whose door was cracked slightly.

“Hey mom.” I made my way inside, to see her in a white bathrobe, and a towel on her head. “Where‘s Natalie?”

I didn’t see her anywhere, but I did see he Hello Kitty backpack on the floor, at least I knew she came in here.

My mom looked at me confused. “I thought she was with you?”

My eyes widened, “You lost track of her?” I almost yelled out, she could be anywhere in this hotel of a house. Honestly, what did they think when they bought it, ‘Lets just buy it, ‘cause I’d love to have a hotel for a house.’ My lord.

She waved it away, trying not to seem panicked. “She has to be around here somewhere.”

“Well, where?” I lifted my arms in the air dramatically. “And what were you doing?”

“I took a shower.” She sighed. “I just earned the worst grandma award today.” She sighed yet again. “She might be with Everett though, she took a liking to him quite fast.”

Ignoring her, I went back out in the hall. So much for staying out of sight.

I walked down the hall in a fast pace, turned one corner, and another. No sign of her yet. I slowed down once I heard a voice, or rather voices, Riley and Luke were somewhere, and they sounded close.

Quickly I decided to head back to my mom room, but once I entered, I noticed Natalie’s backpack was gone. “She came back?” I asked, slightly out of breath.

“Are you hiding from someone?” She slightly smirked in her nightgown. “Back on topic, she did, awhile ago, she grabbed her backpack and left. I pointed to the bathtub, but she shook her head, told me bye, and ran back to wherever she came.”

I frowned at her, I paid not attention to the first part of her sentence at all, my concern was with Natalie, and that she should have grabbed her when she first saw her. “You do get the worst grandma award today.” I walked out of her room again, to see Natalie down the hall, and walk straight into someones room that wasn’t mine.

Swiftly, I made my way down the hall, the door was open ajar, allowing me to look inside. I noticed Natalie climbed on a familiar looking bed.

“Ah!” I glanced back at Natalie to see her calling me over. Hesitantly, I made my way over to her, and instantly I noticed her wet hair, and her pajamas. She smiled at me, and continued to rummage through her backpack.

“Oh, hey.” Out of my peripheral vision I saw him without a shirt on, but at least he intended to put one on since he had one in his hands. And those low riding pajama bottoms weren’t helping, he probably had one of the sexiest v-cuts ever, for a guy.

“I‘m sorry.” I apologized, and for what? “Did you bathe her?”

He chuckled slightly. “She saw my bathtub, and told me ‘bath‘. I told her no, and she started to cry. I couldn‘t say no again. She had her clothes, and even a diaper in her arms, it was honestly adorable.” He laughed.

I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to hide my laugh. “I‘m sorry.” Natalie forced him to give her a bath, I would literally die of laughter right now, I mean come on, he even had to change his first diaper. Priceless.

“No, it was fun actually. She enjoyed the bubble bath.” he smiled at her. “She has beautiful curls too.” He smile widen, almost to a grin. 

“Thanks for doing that. Well, we better get out of your way. Come on, Natalie.” I noticed he even but on her hearing aids, how about that.

She shook her head, and pointed to Everett, and then patted next to her on the bed asking  for me to sit there. “Looks like she wants you to stay.” he chuckled.

Shaking my head, I grabbed her. “Come on, tell daddy, bye.” Which wasn’t going to happen since she started crying instantly. She lifted her arms in the air towards, Everett. What has happened to my baby? It’s like she knows who Everett actually is.

“Up.” She said to him, and that’s when it happened. “Daddy, up.” She said it so clearly, so perfect.

I looked toward Everett, he stood there shocked, so still like a statue. Not knowing what to do. But I did see him swallow hard.

Setting Natalie down, she went straight to him, arms up, waiting for him to react. I saw his eyes glisten, so much love filled his eyes, as if Natalie completed him in so many ways.

He smiled so warmly at her, picking her up. “Yeah, Princess, you can stay.” he kissed her forehead, as she settled into his chest. This is the side that I loved most about him.

“Uh.” Was all that came out of my mouth, I guess I didn’t know what to think either. I mean, Natalie would probably love spending quality time with her dad.

He placed her back on the bed, and tucked her under the covers. ”You don’t mind, do you Michelle?” he asked.

“No-”

“I mean, you did keep her from me.” He voice was flat.

“How long are you going to stay mad at me?” Anger rose in my voice, I thought we talked about this already.

He kissed her forehead once again, and removed her hearing aids, placing them on the nightstand next to her.

“I don‘t know.”

I looked at Natalie to see her baby blue eyes looking at us, “We talked about this.”

“You‘re right, sorry.” he sighed heavily, sitting on the edge of his side of the bed. “You should go, lover boy‘s probably waiting for you.”

Probably, but I didn’t want to leave.

“Unless, you‘re brave enough to sleep with us.” he turned towards me, and gave me the biggest smirk ever. One I wish I could just slap off.

“You don‘t think I am?” I shifted my weight to one foot, and folded my arms.

“No, Michelle, I don‘t think so.” he threw his head back, and laughed.

“Honestly.” I bit my lower lip. “I don‘t want to go back there.”

“Why?” he cocked his head sideways. “Did he want sex?”

“Thank for being straight up.” I mumbled.

His face turned serious all of a sudden, I guess he knew I wasn‘t kidding. “You don‘t have to do anything you‘re not comfortable with, Michelle.”

“I know, but-”

“No buts. Do you even love him Michelle?”

“Yes-” He interrupted my yet again.

“Honestly?”

“I-I don‘t know.” I stammered, looking over at Natalie to sleep her drifting to sleep, something about her was calming, instead of looking into Everett’s intense stare.

But while doing that I gave time for Everett to maneuver around the bed, and to find a place infront of me. “You love him, but not the way you love me.”

I snatched away my hand he subconsciously grabbed. “Who said I loved you?”

“You don‘t have to. I can just tell. By the way you act, you get so nervous.” I looked anywhere but him, I felt my cheeks burn, and I knew he saw that. “And the fact that you can‘t look me in the eye.”

“Just stop.” I whispered.

“Fine.” he sighed stepping away from me. “Don‘t go back over there, I‘ll sleep on the floor, and you can sleep on the bed. Deal?”

I shook my head. “I‘ll be fine.” I trailed off, looking over at the door.

“Get in the bed, or I‘ll throw you in it.” He threatened, ’causing me to stare at him, biting the inside of my cheek. He would do it, he didn’t care, and he’d enjoy ever little bit of it.

“Fine.” I sigh, and hesitantly lifted the comforter, trying not to wake Natalie, but of course, she woke up.

“Ma.” She smiled, then she lifted up her hands. “Da?”

I pointed to the floor since she didn‘t have her hearing aids on. She crawled out of the sheets, and over to the edge of the bed.

“Da?” She turned back to me, and shrugged her shoulders. “Ba.” I guess he wasn’t down there, maybe he went to the bathroom. I was kind of out of it, and I finally realized how extremely tired I was.

I shrugged my shoulders back, and waved her to come back. “Sleepy time.” She crawled back under, and right up next to me.

As soon as I closed my eyes, I started patting her on the back in a rhythm, so she could fall asleep faster, but I was the only one with my eyes closed, and drifting to sleep. Natalie was waiting for Everett. I wouldn’t have realized he went out of the room if I didn’t see him come back in. He looked angry for some reason, until he saw us, he smiled brightly, along with his eyes. Whatever reason he was angry for, it just disappeared.

“Da, up.” Natalie patted the other side of the bed.

“What‘s wrong.” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

He glanced my way, forehead creased. “Nothing.” He had a blanket in one of his hands, along with a pillow, guess that’s what he went to go get.

“Really?” I rolled my eyes.

“Just go to sleep, okay? Tomorrow might be a rough day.”

“Rough day?” I sat up, nervousness building inside me.

“Yeah.” He sighed.

“Da, up!” He switched his gaze to Natalie.

Sighing, he closed his eyes, turning away. “She‘s going to cry, Michelle.”

Confused, I looked down at her, and there they were, little tears building up in her eyes.

“Please, make her stop, it hurts seeing her cry.” He pleaded.

I nodded, while tapping Natalie on the shoulder. “What?” I asked lifting my arm, but then finally realizing she didn’t have her hearing aids on.

“Da, up.” She sniffled. I shook my head, and gave her a smile, and finally one of her tears slid down her cheek. “Da, up.” She crawled out from the sheets, and towards Everett.

“Everett, she‘s coming to you.” I warned him, so he could watch out in case she slid off the bed.

Grabbing her from the foot of the bed, he carried her back to me. He tucked her back in again, and that was it, the tears just started falling.

”Michelle..” he trailed off.

I felt my forehead crease. “What do you expect me to do?”

Hurt filled his eyes. “I don‘t know. Just..”

And I knew what he was going to say, and suggest. “Fine. Get in, but stay on your side.”

He smirked. “I can‘t promise the last part.”

“Shut up, and get in, before I change my mind, idiot.”

Turning off the lights first, except for the bathroom light, which he keep the door cracked, so the light would light up the room some, he climbed into bed, Natalie snuggled right up next to him. Not going to lie, I was a little jealous. Natalie always snuggled up next to Luke too, unless he wasn‘t there. I was like her last option, how sad and funny at the same time. 

“Goodnight, princess.” He whispered, and kissed her forehead. He smirked at me, and I was ready for what was coming. “Goodnight, gorgeous.” Yep. I was ready.

And there I was, my heart racing. “’Night.” I whispered to both of them. Leaning over I placed a kiss on Natalie’s head.

“Can I have one?” I looked up to see him, with that damn cute smirk.

It‘s my turn to get his heart beat racing. “’Night.” I whispered in his ear, letting my lips trail down his jaw line. I could hear him take a sharp intake of breath.

I stared into his eyes, to see a hint of lust in his. What the hell was I doing?

As I was about to turn away he grabbed the back of my head, and pulled me towards him. “If you won‘t do it on your own, I‘ll just have to make you.” He whispered.

He crashed his lips into mine, I felt my heart beat spike dramatically.

I pulled away, or at least tried. “Asshole. Stop kissing me.”

“Whatever.” he smirked. “You know you loved it.”

He was right. Shame on me.

Luke, when he kissed me, it felt good, don’t get me wrong. But he never made me feel that spark, or made my heart race like this idiot next to me.

I love Luke, but maybe not the way I thought I did. I guess he was right, I’m not over Everett yet.

I turned over, facing away from both of them. Trying to keep as much distance from him as possible, but just enough so I could feel Natalie hands grasp my shirt.

“Michelle, I need to tell you something.”

I snorted. “What now?”

“He left, Michelle.” He whispered.

I sat up quickly. “What did you say?” Staring at him I waited, he lifted one of his arms, to cover his eyes.

“That‘s what was wrong early. I didn’t want to tell you, but I guess I just did. He left you, Michelle.”

Swiftly, I jumped out of the bed, and ran out of the room, trying to find my way back to my damn room. As soon as I found it, I swung the door open. Nothing that was his was there. He suitcase was gone, he clothes that he laid out to change into weren‘t on the bed anymore. It was like he was never in this room.

“Oh my god.” I whispered, my heart ached, and instantly knew it was my fault. I ran him off.

Looking towards the bed, I saw a folded up piece of paper. My name was written in cursive on the front. I picked it up with a shaky hand, and unfolded it slowly.

Swallowing hard, I began to read.

Dear Michelle,

I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stay.
It’s not me you want, and maybe you don’t realize it now, but you will. I think everybody could tell, that it wasn’t me, but I still had some kind of hope, that you’d pick me.
Knowing you, you’re going to blame yourself for my leaving, but don’t. It was my choice, and you didn’t do anything, I promise. You’ve been nothing, but amazing to me.
I hope you get everything you ever wanted, and more, because Natalie and you deserve it.
I love you, and Natalie to the moon and back.

Always.

Love, Luke.

I felt myself drop to the floor. The tear came pouring down, like two waterfalls. I didn’t know what to do, or say, or anything. I just sat there, on the floor, staring blankly at the paper.

Even though I didn’t love him the way he loved me, he was like a best friend to me. We hardly fought, and I enjoyed his company more than he will ever know. He cared for Natalie like she was his own, changing diapers, getting up in the middle of the night, feeding her, and he never asked for anything in return. He took care of me when I had gotten sick, even skipping his photography sessions just to take care of me. He drove me all the way down here, and for what? To just go all the way back. To get his heart broken.

I felt sick to my stomach, suddenly clutching my abdomen.

“Michelle?” I heard Everett whisper from the doorway.

“I don‘t feel good.” I spoke above a whisper.

“Mentally or physically?”

“Both.” I swallowed. “I didn‘t mean for him to get hurt.” I glanced up at him with my teary eyes.

“I know.” I heard him sigh.

Suddenly breaking the silence was my phone. I was too numb to move, so I heard Everett walk over to the nightstand to grab it.

“Hello?” he answered. “Yeah, hold on.” he walked over to me. “It‘s him.” he held the phone towards me.

I stared at it, but finally grabbed it. “Hello?” My voice was so shaky.

“Michelle.” he whispered. “I‘m sorry. I should have talked to you face to face, but I couldn‘t.” I could hear his turn signal ticking in the background.

“I should be the one who’s sorry.” I sniffled. Awesome, now he knows I was bawling like a baby. What happen to my tough skin?

“Don‘t cry. Please?” he asked. “I think I left for both of us.”

“I guess.” I whispered.

“You‘re going to be happy Michelle, I can feel it.” I could almost see his smile.

“I just want you to know I cared for you. I honestly did.”

“I know.” he chuckled,

“And I never meant to hurt you.” My voice cracked.

“Hey, shh, stop. I know, you couldn‘t hurt anyone if you tried.”

“I‘m so sorry.” I hiccupped.

“Stop, Michelle. Just remember, I love Natalie and you, to the moon and back.” he whispered. I could hear the hurt in his voice.

My voice was so small, almost inaudible. “Always?”

He chuckled a little. “Always. We‘ll see each other soon. I promise.”

“Okay.” I answered.

“Bye, Michelle.” And then he hung up. Quick and simple.


The numb feeling was back, as I let my hand slump to the floor, right next to the paper. “I want to go to bed.” I sniffled loudly.

He lifted me up with ease. “Come on then.” I instantly snuggled into his chest, I couldn’t stop myself.

We reached his room in no time, Natalie was comfortable asleep in the middle of the bed. Her mouth was slightly open, little snores left her lips peacefully. That cheered me up a little. She always did.

He placed me on the bed, tucking me in. “Are you sure you‘re okay?”

“I don‘t know.” I sighed, facing Natalie combing through her hair softly.

“If I did anything, I‘m sorry-”

“Stop.” It was my turn to interrupt him, for once.

Was he actually apologizing? Now that’s shocking.

“It‘s not your fault, and it‘s not mine. Like he said it was his choice.” I didn’t notice the anger that slipped into my voice. “I‘m sorry.”

“Just go to sleep.” he started stroking my hair, and any other time I would have stopped him, but not tonight.

I closed my eyes, holding my hands close to my chest. If there was anything Everett knew about me, it was that I loved having my hair stroked, more than anything. It helped my get to sleep faster, and stay asleep longer. I’m a little surprised he still remember.

After awhile, I guess he figured I was asleep, but I wasn‘t. I was barely drifting. “I love you.” I heard him whisper.

And what scared me the most was that, even after everything Everett has put me through, I still loved him back.




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A/N: How about that? I actually uploaded. It’s going to rain cats, I swear!
I love you all, so much! And I’m extremely sorry for the grueling long way, omg.

Especially for the end of this chapter.. Don’t hate me! I loved Luke too, WAH.

Sort of felt rushed, but in a way it was coming.

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~Steph.