Judged By You (Judge Me Series) Read online

  “Don’t answer just yet, think about it.” He said kissing my forehead and walking to the fridge to get three beers out for the remainder of them at the table.

  Nicole entered the kitchen and went straight for the coffee machine. If there was one thing she was craving right now, it was coffee. I couldn’t function without coffee and Nicole was worse than that. I swear her heart wouldn’t beat without it. I grabbed two cups out of the cupboard and placed them on the counter. I asked the others if they would like coffee, but they all held up their beers to show “no, we are alcoholics.”

  Dessert was to die for. Chocolate and pecan pie, homemade. With homemade ice-cream and white chocolate sauce.

  “You’re the best fucking cook Nic.” Derek said rubbing his belly.

  “Very enjoyable Nicole. You will make someone extremely happy one day.” Damon said wiping his mouth with a napkin.

  Nicole just shot me a look, and I shrugged. I could see the pain in her eyes, but only she could help herself truly. Angel stood and pulled down her “not covering too much” dress and went outside.

  Derek leaned over and whispered “I’m worried about Stephen.”

  “What! You only tell me this now.” I all but yelled at him.

  “Hey, I didn’t want to ruin our evening,” he said looking around. And then nodding towards Damon sitting staring at me. “He’s in trouble inside I think.”

  “What kind of trouble Derek.” I knew it. He had got a hold of something inside.

  “I’ll find out okay, just…. Keep your hair on.” He said rubbing my shoulder.

  I immediately shrugged it away. I couldn’t believe this. Stephen always talks to Derek but never me. I was just as much there if not more than Derek was. Why he didn’t trust me was something I would never know.

  “You’re unbelievable Derek. You better hurry in figuring it out.” I whispered harshly.

  I made sure to get right in his face. He knew better than to piss me off. He just nodded and took another swig of his beer. I excused myself and starting stacking the empty bowls. I walked to the kitchen bench and intrinsically threw them in the sink. “Fuck” escaped my mouth.

  “Is there something I can do Savannah?” Damon said from behind me.

  “No, everything’s… wonderful.” I put all my enthusiasm into “wonderful” when I said it.

  “Everything’s not wonderful. And if I can help, I will. You just have to tell me what to do.” He sounded sincere when he spoke to me.

  I turned to face him. I took his head in my hands and pulled him down to me. I searched his eyes and saw those beautiful eyes and all that calm he played.

  “Really it’s okay, but thanks.” I kissed his lips. He tasted bitter from the beer, but his mouth on mine felt so good I didn’t care. He put one of his hands around my back and the other at the base of my neck. His touch was intoxicating. It made me want to rip his clothes off right now.

  “Excuse me gorgeous,” Angel just had to ruin that moment. I broke away and looked at her. “Can we get a lift home babe?” Angel asked, batting her fake eye lashes at me.

  “Oh, yeah I will take you.” I said moving out of Damon’s hold.

  “No, is okay. I will take them. I have to go anyway.” Damon said grabbing my hand so I wouldn’t move to far away.

  “Oh thanks sweetie.” Angel said, with a smile I didn’t like at all.

  She was flirting with Damon, just what I needed. Not…….

  “You stay here, I will take them home. I will call you tomorrow.” Damon kissed me again. I really wanted to ask him what we were. But I had other shit to worry about right now. Nicole was back in the bathroom by the sounds of it, and Stephen was in front of my mind also.

  “Thanks Nicole.” Damon and Derek yelled to Nicole who was spewing her guts up… again.

  “Thanks Sav.” Derek said kissing my cheeks.

  Angel said a little “see you,” In a high pitched voice. She sounded I thought her pants were too tight.

  “Thank you for the invite beautiful. Talk to you soon okay.” He was so sweet even when he tasted bitter.

  “Your most welcome, thank you for coming.” I got on my tip toes and kissed him once more before he left.

  I waved to them as they left and then shut the door. I was so tired, I didn’t know how much longer I could stay awake for. I quickly cleaned up and went in search of Nicole. Poor girl was hung over the toilet bowel, again. I pulled two blankets from the linen cupboard and handed one to her. She looked at me and smiled. I sat beside her and held her hand. For now I wouldn’t lecture her, I needed to be her strength until she figured everything out.

  “Stan rang.” She said

  “And.” I searched her face for a sign of anything she was thinking. But come up with nothing.

  “He said that we are going to his parents for two weeks instead of one. What am I going to do; I’m getting fat already. Look,” She pulled up her shirt to reveal her flat stomach. “How am I supposed to wear a bikini like this”? She said with regard.

  I laughed, I couldn’t do anything else but.

  “Just tell him. Stop worrying so much and tell him the truth. And….. You’re not fat.” I said smacking her hand.

  She just smiled and leaned her head back against the wall. For the rest of the night, I held her hair back while she vomited. It came in intermittent intervals. When she wasn’t doing that we were sleeping on the tiles. I knew I would be sore by morning, but she needed me. And I needed to be there for her.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  I woke with a jolt. I said upright and rubbed my neck. “Holy shit, that hurts.” I said out loud. I was stiff and could barely move. I realised that the home phone was ringing. I got to my feet and raced to the kitchen.

  “Hello,”

  “Good morning beautiful.” Damon said

  “What’s so good about it.” I said rubbing my neck than stretching side to side.

  “Rough night?”

  “You could say that. So what do I owe for the pleasure of your call?” I was curious. I looked at the clock, and it was only eight forty five.

  “Well, I wondered if I could cook you dinner tonight. At my apartment.” He sounded as beautiful as he looked.

  Right now I felt like sleep. In a comfortable bed. Oh and coffee, I walked over to the coffee machine and turned it on.

  “Ummm.” I managed, the thought of being alone at his place made me antsy.

  “Ummm yes or Ummm no.” He said mockingly. He did owe me a date, and I needed to get out.

  “Umm yes okay. If you insist.” I said pulling cups out of the cupboard and putting them on the bench.

  “I do insist, I will pick you up at six?”

  I could hear a knock at the door through the phone.

  “Okay. See you then.” I hung up and turned to find Nicole dragging herself out of the bathroom. Her hair was all messy and in knots. She looked dreadful, and she smelt. I pinched my nose and pointed to the bathroom.

  “Let’s go, you’re having a shower.” I said half pushing her.

  “Bitch.” She said half laughing, half sobbing playfully.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  After Nicole showered and I soaked my poor aching body in a hot bath, we decided to go shopping. I had been busy studying the past few days and needed to find something to wear to dinner tonight.

  “So, tonight you’re going to his place hey.” Nicole said with a wink.

  I didn’t know if jeans and a sweater would be appropriate, so I decided I at least should dress up a little. We looked through various shops and everything we looked at was too much, or just not my style.

  “You could always ask Angel for a loan.” Nicole snickered.

  “Yeah right, that would be like pretty women in real life,” I had to join in Nicole’s hysterical laughter. “Seriously, we can’t keep judging her. She is probably really nice. If we got to know her a little better, she might surprise us.”

  “I just have this bad feeling about h
er, you know. I’m a pretty good judge of character and something doesn’t sit right with me, when it comes to Angel.” Nicole’s tone turned serious. Funny thing was I felt the same way, there was something about her that always raised flags for me, but I couldn’t put my finger on what……

  I picked up a black and white ottoman dress. It was below my knees, it was business-like, and had short sleeves. I liked it. Nicole felt I was going to a job interview. Which reminded me,

  “Damon asked me if I wanted an internship with his law firm last night.” I said to her

  “That’s genial of him; it’s a good opportunity Savannah. I hope you didn’t turn it down”. She said putting black high heels in front of my feet to accompany the dress.

  “I said I would think about it. But…. I just, you know.”

  “No, I don’t know.” Nicole stood up and eyed me curiously.

  “I don’t know what this is, and If it is something then I don’t want to ruin it.” I felt I had to explain my feelings, or she would never leave it alone.

  “You need to work it out Savannah. How old are you!” Nicole snapped as she walked away. I shook my hand and headed for the register. I was happy with my fashion purchase today.

  Those mood swings of Nicole’s were certainly not pleasant. I only hoped they got better, but I preferred the cranky Nicole, to the crying over forgetting to put the washing on Nicole. Seeing her lately, I was never having kids. We stopped into a baby boutique on the way to the car. Did you know babies can have the latest fashion from David Lawrence, Dolce and Gabanna and all those top designers? It was sad, but way to cute.

  I could see Nicole becoming hugely broke if we continued to come back here to shop, but I mentally took notes to what she was looking at, I had to buy her a gift or two, or more. I hadn’t been around babies much, and Stephen had no kids it was mainly younger cousins when I was little. As long as they didn’t cry or poop on me, it was fun.

  We arrived home to find Derek sitting on the porch swinging on the old swing Stephen had made when he was younger. It needed to be repainted but was still secure, and it wasn’t going to fall anytime soon.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked suspiciously. After our talk, last night, I was upset that he didn’t tell me his concerns right away.

  “I just thought I’d come by. Is that ok?” He snapped. What was with everyone today?

  “Whatever.” I unlocked the door and held it open. He walked past patting me on the head like a dog on the way through. Fuck I hated when he did that, Cameron used to do it to me…… After coffee was made Derek decided the grass outside was way too long and the mower man needed to be fired. So he went to the barn and pulled out the tractor. Derek was always too happy to help, but last time we needed it done, he was out of town. We hired a contractor who did a remarkably poor job of it. But he was enjoyable to look at. Nicole and I sat on the porch swing staring at him, like love sick teenagers. Until Stan dropped in and almost slipped on our drool. That put an end to that.

  I sat on the porch watching Derek. He had a look of determination on his face, but I could see he was pondering something. It was a little worrying. It was Saturday, and I knew tomorrow I would be seeing Stephen. I hoped that our visit would go a lot better than last weekend. I thought about asking Derek to come too, I don’t know when he last saw him. I knew he visited but not sure how often.

  “Hey Sav, I’m going to see Stan.” Nicole interrupted my thoughts.

  “Okay, will you be home before I go this afternoon?” I seriously needed help with my hair and makeup. If I did it alone, I would probably look like a clown.

  “Should be. I… I just, you know…. Miss him.” Nicole stuttered.

  I stood from the swing and went to her. I threw my arms around her and hugged her tight. She needed it I could tell. She was tense to begin with, but she weakened as she returned my hug.

  “Have fun.” I said before kissing her on the cheek. She nodded and walked down the stairs to her car. I looked in the direction of the barn and saw my Dodge sitting nose out. I didn’t get the chance to bath her last week, so I went inside and got the keys and headed for the barn. I ran my fingers along the straight guard from head light to the tip of the mirror. “I miss you dad.” Those words escaped my mouth with so much meaning behind them.

  “I know you do.” I turned and found Derek leaning against the barn doors.

  “It’s still doesn’t feel. Even after all these years.” I placed my hand on the handle and didn’t know whether I wanted to get inside or not.

  “Come on, get in.” Derek walked to the passenger side and got in.

  “What are you doing?” I said opening the driver’s door and sitting in the seat.

  “We are going for a rumble. You need to get rid of some of that tension.” He clipped his belt in and looked at me.

  I turned the ignition on and took a deep breath. I gripped the steering wheel and looked at Derek. “Okay.” She went into gear smoothly and away we went.

  The open high way. Love it!

  “You know Damon was right.” Derek said with a smile.

  “About what?” I had to ask.

  “You’re fucking driving like a granny!” He all but shouted at me.

  I burst out laughing. I was so glad Derek shut up when he did about my trouble with the law. I was defiantly guilty. Derek, Cameron, Stephen and I had gone to get some take away. We pulled up at a set of lights and a man in an Audi R8 had asked us for a race, my first instinct was to piss my pants, but the boys thought it was funny. Being the rebel that I was deep down, I did race that car. I lost and lost my licence for twelve months! Along with my dignity. I freaked when I saw the red and blue and kept going. Apparently that’s not what you do when you’re intercepted by police!

  “You’re so thinking about that time you ran from the police. Aren’t you?” I glanced at Derek who was trying not to laugh at the thought of me getting in the back of the police car in cuffs.”

  “Shut up, if it wasn’t for you trouble makers.” Had to place the blame on someone else. It was funny now. But not then. The police had asked if it was me being rebellious to my parent’s death. If only they would have believed me when I told them that’s what was happening to Stephen, and his behaviour. He went off the rails when they died. I shook the thought of the past and turned onto a back road which dad used to take the car for a test drive to turn the motor.

  I stopped still and looked at Derek. He nodded. I gripped the wheel and smacked the throttle. Smoke bellowed out from the tires melting to the road base. The smell of rubber filled my nostrils and sent my pulse higher. I could feel my heart beating in my chest.

  “WoooHooo.” Derek yelled.

  The dodge launched forwards after traction broke, quarter mile in less than 9 seconds. For those 9 seconds, nothing mattered but me and the road. And that’s why dad liked racing. What a way to relieve stress. The adrenaline had kicked in, and it felt so good. It was almost better than sex.

  “You still got it girl.” Derek squeezed my hand; he could tell I was pondering.

  “They would be so proud of you Savannah. Don’t ever forget that.” I had to look away before I cried. We turned around, and I headed home. I needed to get ready for my date tonight. Which I hadn’t honestly thought about all day. I was looking forward to it more than anything. Being in Damon's company and seeing how he lived compared to my old fashion house on acreage. Plus I had high hopes he was a better cook than I was.

  We pulled back into the barn, and Derek locked the barn doors. He told me he would come over tomorrow and finish the job he started on the yard. I explained I was going to Damon's for dinner, and got the “be home by curfew look,” I just laughed and went inside. I showered and dressed. I still hadn’t heard from Nicole, so I called her phone.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “Hey, you coming home soon?” I honestly hoped she was.

  “I will be home at about six. What time are you going out?” I could hear Stan talking in the
back ground. Something about flights to Vegas. He was getting quite loud, and I had troubles hearing Nicole over his demands to whoever was on the other end on the phone.

  “Damon will be here at six. Are you going somewhere?” I hoped I was wrong.

  “Umm……,” Nicole went silent.

  “NICOLE!” I yelled down the phone.

  “You heard that hey.” I could tell she was hiding something from me.

  “You are not going to Vegas to get married!” Shame on her.

  “I have to go, I will ring you later.” Nicole said before hanging up.

  What was happening here? Nicole had more sense than that, so I thought anyway. Her parents would kill her, that’s if I didn’t do it first.

  “Unfucking. Believable.” I said out loud.

  “How beautiful you look.” I turned to find Damon standing in the door way.

  I smiled at his handsome features. He took my breath away. He was wearing black dress pants, white button up shirt, and his black polished shoes. He had obviously been working this morning.

  “Hey, give me a minute. I just have to grab my bag.” I put the phone down and ran upstairs to finish my hair and makeup in double time. I went with a little foundation and eye liner and pale pink lip gloss I didn’t have the time or the energy to dress up any more than that. I puckered my lips in the mirror to make sure every millimetre of my lips had gloss covering it. Once satisfied I headed down stairs.

  “I’m ready now. Thanks for waiting.” I said walking to the front door.

  “You truly look incredible Savannah.” Damon kissed my cheek before we walked to the Aston. He opened the passenger door, and I climbed in. His car smelt as sexy as he did. But nowhere near as roomy as my Dodge. You could have a party in it.

  We drove through the middle of town, it was Saturday, and the town was coming alive with party goers. The night life was never dull, I hated going out, the smell of bars and clubs made me feel sick. However, I did enjoy myself last time. I remembered meeting Damon in the private room for a drink and how I was then compared to finally feeling a little less anxious and more comfortable now. I still didn’t know a lot about him, but more than enough to know he’s is not a serial killer and won't attack me in my sleep. Our drive over was silent. Damon held my hand and squeezed it occasionally. I would return his gesture with a smile.