Chapter 14

“Oh my God! Teghan!” Annabelle rushed over and put her arm around Teghan’s shoulders. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Teghan buried her face in Annabelle’s arms and sobbed. “No,” she choked. “Donnie…he…and Alex…”

“Okay, take a deep breath.”

“It hurts so much, Annie. Oh God, why’s it hurt so much?” Teghan cried.

Annabelle hugged her. “Shh. Tell me what happened.”

Teghan took several deep breaths, sat up straight, and wiped her eyes. “Alex knows,” she said. “Donnie told him.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Annabelle whispered.

***

The first week had been pure hell. She cried all the time, and obsessively checked her cell phone for text messages or calls from Donnie that never came. And the bruises on her hip from where he’d grabbed her were a painful reminder of their last encounter.

Teghan sat at a table in the corner of the dining hall with Annabelle, Logan, and Harmonie. Her food sat on her tray, untouched. Her bottle of water, unopened.

“If I had known he was there to break your heart, I never would’ve left you alone with him,” Logan said.

Teghan smiled weakly and thanked him, like she’d done every other time he’d said that to her. The insincere apologies and looks of pity were getting old.

“The OTP Halloween party is this weekend,” Harmonie said. “We should go.”

“Thanks, but I’m really not in a partying mood.”

“Too bad,” Annabelle said. “You’re going. It’ll be fun, and it’ll get your mind off Donnie.”

“Whatever,” Teghan grumbled.

***

The second week had been harder. She constantly wondered if he was hurting as much as she was. Occasionally, the thought would creep into her mind that he had gotten involved with someone else, but she refused to let it blossom into a full-fledged idea. The emptiness she felt was unbearable and the loneliness was devastating. Whoever said that time heals all wounds was a fucking idiot.

Teghan sat crossed-legged on her bed, her cell phone in her hand. She dialed Donnie’s number and her finger hovered above the send button, but she couldn’t bring herself to actually push it. She flipped her phone closed and tossed it on the bed next to her. Clutching her head in her hands, she fought back another round of tears, as the sound of her phone ringing startled her. She sniffled and wiped her face. “Hello?”

“Teghan? Is that you?”

“Hey, Alex. What’s up?”

“You okay? You sound…um, strange.”

“I’m fine,” she lied. It was the first time she’d heard Alex’s voice since he’d left her that message. He sounded nervous.

“Look, Teeg, I’m sorry. I never should’ve…”

“Never should’ve what, Alex? Bet me? Lied to me? Tell me about it on my voicemail?” She wasn’t sure why she was yelling at him, but it made her feel better, took her mind off the gnawing pain in her chest.

“Yes,” he said. “In my defense, we were drinking. A lot. And I barely remember it.”

“Doesn’t make it right,” Teghan said.

“I know. And at the risk of putting myself higher on your shit list, you’re not exactly innocent. You did lie to me about seeing Donnie.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry, Alex.”

“Me too.”

Teghan sat silently, chewing on her pinky nail. Why did things have to be so awkward? Well, let’s see, you broke his heart, scolded him for getting close to Beth, lied to him about fucking his roommate…Oh, shut the hell up!

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Alex asked. “You’ll probably never speak to me afterwards, but…”

“Just tell me.” She highly doubted anything he said could make her ever stop talking to him.

“That night of the party, when Donnie and I got into a fight.” He paused and sighed heavily. “When Annabelle came to talk to me, I kissed her.”

“What?” she whispered.

“Don’t be mad at her, Teghan. It was all me. I was so pissed at Donnie, and I felt betrayed by you that I—"

“Alex,” Teghan said, trying to wrap her mind around this revelation. She didn’t know how she felt about Alex kissing Annabelle. It was a shock. “Knowing what I know now, I understand why you were pissed at Donnie. But you had no reason to feel that way about me. We haven’t been together in months. You have to let go.”

“I know,” Alex said. “I just didn’t expect seeing you with someone else to hurt so much.”

Teghan closed her eyes and hesitated. “So are you and Annie?”

“No. It was just that one time and she made it very clear it wouldn’t happen again.” Alex laughed. “Are we okay, Teghan?”

She paused. “I need you to be my friend, Alex. Nothing else.”

“I am,” he said. “I give you my word I’ll never act like this again.”

“Me either,” she said with a short laugh.

***

“Teghan,” Annabelle whispered. “Put the damn phone away.”

If the professor caught Teghan with her phone, she would get an automatic F on her exam, but she just couldn’t stop herself. What if Donnie called or texted? Teghan rolled her eyes and did as Annabelle said. She could go forty-five minutes without looking at her phone. Maybe.

Somehow, she managed. The moment class was over, her phone was firmly clutched in her hand again as she and Annabelle headed towards the dining hall.

“Still no Donnie?” Annabelle asked.

“No,” Teghan said.

“Why don’t you just call him?”

Teghan grunted. “Yeah, right.”

“Don’t be so damn stubborn. You know he’s waiting for you.”

“If he’s willing to wait, then why isn’t he willing to call? It was him who betrayed me, him who broke a promise, and he owes me an apology.”

“Yes, he does owe you an apology. Betting on you like that was immature and a real dick thing to do. And trust me, when I see Alex, he’s going to get a piece of my mind too. But all that aside, I don’t blame Donnie for not calling you. Every time he’s tried to get close to you, you’ve pushed him away.”

“Whose side are you on?” Teghan asked.

Annabelle stopped, grabbed Teghan’s elbow, and spun her so they were facing each other. “Jesus, Teghan. Think for a minute, will ya? Donnie is crazy about you. He loves you! Everyone who’s been in the same room as you two can see it. Alex can see it for Christ’s sake. Why can’t you?”

Teghan yanked out of Annabelle’s grasp. She chewed on her bottom lip and refused to meet her friend’s gaze.

“Donnie’s right. You’ve lived your entire life doing what you knew was going to make other people happy. The only time you’ve ever done what you wanted was when you broke up with Alex.”

“And look how that worked out for me.”

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Teghan. Grow some damn balls and do whatever it is you need to do to get what you want.” Annabelle poked her in the chest.

***

Donnie kicked the corner of his bed and cursed. It was going on four weeks now since he’d last seen or talked to Teghan. She really wasn’t going to call. He couldn’t believe it. How could he have been so wrong about her?

“Take it easy on the furniture, man,” Alex said.

“Sorry,” Donnie mumbled.

“I talked to Teghan a few days ago.”

Donnie stopped pacing the room. “You did?” Alex nodded. “How is she?”

“Miserable,” Alex said.

Donnie plopped down on his bed, elbows on his knees, head hung with his fingers bunched in his hair. He didn’t think it was possible for his heart to break anymore. If she was so miserable, they why doesn’t she just call? He’d go to her with a moment’s notice. He loved her, and nothing mattered but Teghan. “Man, I really fucked things up,” Donnie groaned.

“Look, I know her better than you do. Let me help you.”

“Now why in the hell would you want to help me? It’s your fault I’m in this mess.” Donnie looked at Alex. “If anything, you should be happy about this.”

“Let’s get something straight. I love Teghan. I always have and I always will. For that reason and that reason alone, I will do whatever it takes to make her happy. Even if that means helping you get back in her good graces.” Alex stood up and pointed at Donnie. “It’s taken me a long damn time to get to this point so I suggest you shut the hell up, and take my help before I change my mind.”

Donnie’s jaw dropped. “Okay,” he said after a pause.

***

“C’mon, Teghan,” Annabelle whined. “Classes are officially over for the semester. We survived. Let’s go celebrate. Have some fun.”

“I’m not in the mood, Annie.”

Annabelle threw her hands in the air. “I’ve had it with your moping. It’s been six damn weeks. Call him already.”

Teghan shook her head. “I’m not calling him.”

“Suit yourself,” Annabelle said. “But I can’t sit around here anymore and watch you cry.”

“I know. It’s okay. Go. Have fun.”

“You sure you don’t wanna come?”

“Nah. I’m tired and not really feeling so well. Gonna call it an early night.” Teghan waited for Annabelle to leave before curling up on her bed and closing her eyes. She was physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

***

“Sure you don’t wanna play?” Jake asked.

Donnie sat in the basement drinking beer, watching his old high school buddy shoot pool. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

“You’ve been such a downer since you’ve gotten home. What’s up, man?”

“I’m dropping out of college,” Donnie said, flipping his cell phone around in his hands. He’d been toying with the idea since he left CIT, but it wasn’t until Christmas came and went without a call from Teghan that he’d finally made up his mind.

“Dude, you can’t be serious.” Jake tossed his pool stick on the table and sat next to Donnie.

Donnie rubbed his forehead. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m serious.”

“Your uncle would kick your ass if he heard you talking like this.”

“Leave him out of this.” Donnie’s face became hot with anger. “I just can’t go back there.”

“Why the fuck not? CIT was your ticket out of this hell hole, man. What happened to all that talk about getting an education and a job so you could have a better life? You were gonna conquer the world one chick at a time.” Jake laughed. “Until you found the one, that is. Then you were gonna get married and have babies. I swear, you sound like such a vagina at times.”

“It was just talk.”

“Oh, so that’s what your pissy attitude is all about. You found her didn’t you? Tell me.”

Donnie flashed him a dirty look. “There’s nothing to tell.” He got up off the couch, tossed his beer can on the counter and headed for the stairs. “Just drop it, Jake.”

***

“I can’t believe you!” Teghan screamed. “You promised.”

“Calm down, Teghan. I’m not breaking my promise, I’m simply asking you to wait,” her father said.

“So if you’re asking that means I have a choice in the matter?” She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot in irritation.

“No,” Rob said.

“God, I hate you!” Teghan stomped out of her father’s den, slamming the door hard enough to make the photos on the wall rattle. Her father had only required her to get a 3.8 GPA and he’d let her go wherever she wanted for a week. She finished the semester with a 3.98 GPA. It shouldn’t surprise her that he was backing out on his deal.

“Teghan!” Her father came out of the den. “Get back in here right now, young lady.”

She stomped back through the foyer and into her father’s den. Her arms were tightly folded over her chest, her eyes were tiny slits and her lips were pursed in a scowl.

“Are you on drugs?” Rob asked, closing the door behind him.

“What? No!” Teghan shook her head. “Why would you ask me something like that?”

“You’ve got all the classic signs of being a drug addict. You’re barely sleeping. You don’t eat. And your moods. One moment you seem fine and the next you’re either crying or snapping at people. So if it isn’t drugs, then what is it?”

“I’m not on drugs, Dad.” Teghan glanced towards the door. She wanted out of the room. It was suffocating her, and the stench of old cigar smoke hung in the air.

“When was the last time you went out with your friends?”

Teghan bit her bottom lip in an effort to stop her tears. The night Donnie had shown up at her dorm. “I don’t know,” she mumbled.

“I’m taking your mother to New York to visit her sister for New Year’s Eve. You should be with your friends, Teghan. Stop moping around in your bedroom.”

“I don’t want to go out.”

Her father, like usual, ignored her and continued to make plans. “I’ve already made all the arrangements. You can have a small gathering here at the house, a handful of friends. Alex and Annabelle are working on the guest list. Nicole will be here to supervise.”

Teghan stomped her foot. “Damn it, Dad!” She cupped her hand over her mouth, her eyes widened with fear. Swearing at her father was something she’d never done before.

“Watch your mouth!” His booming voice made Teghan cringe.

“Sorry,” she said. “I just…Dad, please just respect my wishes this one time. I don’t want to have a party and I don’t want to go out with my friends. I just want to be left alone.”

“You don’t have a choice in the matter.”

“What else is new?” she muttered.

“Excuse me?” Rob said.

Teghan grit her teeth and slowly counted to ten before speaking. “Fine. I’ll go.”

“Good.” He smiled.

“On one condition.”

“You have conditions? This should be interesting.” Her father pulled a cigar from the end table drawer and put it in his mouth.

“I’ll even concede on waiting for the trip, but there’s something I want from you in return.” Teghan tucked her shaking hands into her pockets. She watched him light the cigar and take several short puffs on it.

“Go on,” he said.

Teghan took a deep breath and swallowed the nervousness from her voice. “I want you to let me bring some friends with me on the trip.”

He continued to puff on his cigar. “Which friends?”

She cleared her throat. “Annabelle, Alex, and…Donnie.” Why the hell had she asked for Donnie? You know why. Who knows if Donnie will even want to see her again after she tells him? That thought alone was more heartbreaking than the entire two and a half months she’s been without him.

“Take Trevor in Donnie’s place and you’ve got a deal.”

“No.” Teghan shook her head. “This is my condition, Dad. It’s non-negotiable. Besides, I want to go on a cruise and Trevor hates boats. He gets seasick.”

“I don’t want you getting involved with Donnie.”

“Why not?”

“He’s not good enough for you, Teghan.”

She took her hands out of her pockets and balled them into fists by her side. “How could you possibly know that?” Teghan glared at her father from across the room. “You didn’t. Dad! Not again.”

Rob sat down and crossed his legs. “I’m not about to apologize for doing what’s necessary to keep you safe.”

“Doing a background check on any guy that shows interest in me isn’t for my safety. It’s so you can keep tabs on me and control me.”

“He comes from a broken home. What kind of stability do you think he’s going to be able to offer you?”

Never, had she felt the urge to slap her father. Until now. The way he sat there, puffing on his cigar, acting like he knew what was best for her, was trying her patience. “Is that the best you got, Dad?”

“Okay.” He set his cigar in the ashtray and stood up, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Do you know he spent three months in a juvenile detention center for assaulting a teacher?”

Fuck! Leave it to her father to have information like that at his disposal. “So what?” She shrugged.

“He’s a delinquent and I won’t have you getting involved with him.”

“Let me get this straight. It’s not okay for me to get involved with Donnie because he has a juvie record, but it is okay for Tayla to marry an ex-arms dealer?”

“Two completely different situations, Teghan.”

“You’re a hypocrite!” she shouted.

“This isn’t open for discussion.”

“You’re right,” Teghan said. “It’s not. If I want to date Donnie, I will.” Once again, she walked out of the den, slamming the door behind her. She came face to face with Annabelle and Alex, who’d been waiting in the foyer. “What’re you smiling at?” she asked Annabelle.

“Looks like you’ve grown some balls,” Annabelle said.

“Damn right I did.” Teghan could feel the intoxication of rebellion ooze through her body. It was empowering. She walked with a determination that had been missing for far too long.

***

Donnie awoke in the living room chair and glanced at the clock. It was just after midnight. “Ouch.” He tried to rub the stiffness from his neck. His cell phone vibrated on the coffee table. Picking it up, he checked the display. How the hell had he missed three calls?

“Donnie? Are you still up?”

“Yeah, Ma. I’m in the living room.” His mother came in and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Are you just getting home?” he asked.

“Yes. The ER was packed tonight and we were short a nurse.”

Donnie yawned. “You look tired.”

She laughed. “So do you. Go to bed, honey. I’ll clean up in the morning.”

He looked around at the empty soda cans, food wrappers, and dirty dishes that littered the living room and frowned. “Sorry, Mom.” Donnie gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before heading to his room. Once he got settled into his bed he listened to his messages.

“Donnie, its Jake. Look, man, I’m sorry about the other day. Well, whatever dude. Give me a call.” Donnie chuckled and deleted the message.

“Yo! Dickhead! This is Trevor. Teghan’s brother.” Donnie sat up straight. Why the hell was Trevor calling him? “I don’t know what the fuck happened between you two but she’s been in serious bitch mode lately. Man up and make this right before I have to fly across the country and beat some sense into your bitch ass!” He held the phone out in front of him and looked at it with disbelief. Saving the message he tried to prepare himself for the third one.

“Donnie, it’s Teghan. I’m pregnant. And before you ask, yes, it’s yours.”