Stay For Me - Megan Smith Page 0,27

I have to for Fallon. I’m all she’s got in this fucked up world we live in. Fallon begins to cry softly. She knows that what happened is bad, that I’m upset because of it. I don’t normally let her see me get upset but every once in a while it happens and I hate it. Hate that she has to see that. She should be worried about where her favorite Barbie doll is or where she left her shoes when she took them off. But at the end of the day we don’t have the same problems like normal kids do.

The only thing I can do is hold her while she cries and I let a few of my own tears escape. What did I do to deserve this life? Was I that horrible of a mistake? Why did she keep me if this is what she planned to do?

Fallon settles down after a bit. I continue running my fingers through her hair soothing her as her eyes grow heavy. “Let’s get you to bed.”

She nods sitting up and rubbing her sleepy eyes. Fallon climbs into bed while I go into the bathroom to change and wash this make-up off my face. I never should have gone out tonight. I should have stayed here like Fallon wanted me to but I didn’t and look what happened.

I lie down on my bed beside Fallon who’s staring up at the ceiling. I hate seeing her like this. I hate to think of her going to bed being sad and upset. I need something for her to look forward to. “Have you decided what you want for your birthday?”

I want her to think about something happy, something that will make her smile, even if it’s just for a second. “Yes.”

“Care to tell me what it is?”

She sits up on her little elbows and glances over at me. “Heather,” her friend from school, “got a new pair of earrings. I want a pair, too.”

That’s easy enough and shouldn’t cost a fortune. “What kind of earrings, little ones, ones that dangle?”

“I don’t know.”

I smile. “Earrings it is.”

She cracks a smile, too.

“Goodnight, squirt.”

“Nite, Layla.”

I may not have money for the rent or the electric but I will find money to buy her a pair of earrings for her birthday. She deserves that much.

Knowing that I want to go to bed with a smile on my face also, I turn over facing the wall and bring my fingers up to my lips, smiling, as I think back to the perfect kiss. Eli is turning into my silver lining in this dark cloud that’s hanging over my head.

Eli

Wednesday night Jaylinn and I decide to test our hands with Cooper. It was time that he dove for home plate or took the out. We’re both banking on the home plate. I knew he would be stopping by Fierce tonight; he hasn’t been there in a few days.

I pull in front of Jaylinn’s mom’s house, turn the car off and then make my way to the door and knock. Ms. McCormick lets me in.

“Hello, Eli.” She smiles.

I lean in and kiss her on the cheek. “How’s my favorite lady doing?”

“I’m doing just fine.” Jaylinn calls from somewhere in the house.

I chuckle. “I wasn’t talking about you. I was asking about your mom.”

Jaylinn steps up to the door looking more tempting then she should. She is seriously trying to kill Cooper. “Such the charmer.”

I shrug. “What can I say, I’m good with the ladies.”

“Oh, dear.” Ms. McCormick snickers.

Jaylinn steps out on to the porch laughing. “Let’s go charm the pants off someone your own age.”

I lean forward again placing another kiss on Ms. McCormick’s cheek. “See you later.”

“Be careful.” She calls out to us as we climb into the car.

Jaylinn and I arrive at Fierce after grabbing a few slices of pizza on the way over. We didn’t want to do dinner in case we missed Cooper. I feel like an ass meddling in his relationship but someone has to do it. I’m tired of his miserable shit.

We walk over to bar and order drinks from Layla.

“I’ll take a Corona and Jay wants a Sex on the Beach.” Layla’s face instantly blushes and I can’t keep the smirk off my face when she keeps glancing at my lips. Layla slides me my beer and then puts the Sex on the Beach down on the bar and spills some because she can’t keep her eyes off me.

“You,” Jaylinn taps her nails