Stolen Moments (And Then Came Love Book 2) (4 page)

Trevor nodded. “What did you do at fifteen to get your kicked out of the house?”

Arianna looked down at her lap. “I got pregnant.”

“That’s what she kicked you out of the house for? What the hell were you supposed to do live on the streets?” Trevor held his hands up and shook his head.
What the fuck was her mother thinking? All the stuff that his brothers and sisters had pulled as kids and not once had his parents even threatened to throw them out.

“She thought so. She told me having a child ruined her life and she wasn’t going to let having a grandchild ruin it further.” Arianna scratched at a spot on her desk.

“No offense, but what a bitch. What did you do? Did anyone take care of you? What about the father? My mother would have had a shit fit if one of us boys got a girl pregnant and didn’t take care of her.” Trevor fired off questions like a pistol.

Arianna picked up a picture off her desk and handed it to him. “That’s us last year.”

“Pretty.” He leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “Her mom’s prettier though.”

Her ears turned red.

“How old is she?”

“She’s fifteen.”

“And her father?” .

“Scott and I were dating. When his parents found out what my mother did, they took me in, no questions asked.”

“That’s good.”
Wait, was she married?
Trevor’s mind reeled. “You’re not married are you?”

Arianna laughed. “No.” Her eyes clouded and she looked away. “He was on the basketball team at our high school. They were on their way back from an away game when a semi crashed into their bus. Scott was one of the people killed.”

“That’s a hard way to lose a loved one.”

She smiled at him. “His family was wonderful enough to keep taking care of us. Our daughter was the only link they had to their son.”

“And then you moved away?”

“They passed away this last year. We had nothing in Nebraska keeping us there, so I started applying for jobs. I didn’t know much about Indiana when I took the job offer from your sister, but so far I like it.”

“If you’re interested in finding your family, I could help you. Maybe even get in touch with your Dad.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to look, what if they’ve changed names? What if he’s not in the military anymore?”

“It should be easy enough to find out. I have friends still in the military. I can make some calls see if I can come up with something for you.”

Arianna nodded. “I guess if you want too. A part of me wants to see my family again. And then the other part remembers they pretty much abandoned me, so why would I want to see them.”

“I get you there.” Trevor nodded. “Not the abandoning me part, but the not wanting to see your family.”

“But your family is great. They want to be part of your life and you ignore them. I grew up being cast out, I don’t understand your reasoning.”

“I’ve had my issues with my family. My Dad and I didn’t always get along.”

“Why not? I’ve never met your father.”

“Stupid kid things, I guess.” He shifted and readjusted the coat under his knee. God it hurt. “I’m embarrassed by some of my behavior before I left.”

“That doesn’t tell me anything. If it’s stupid kid stuff, and you’re embarrassed, then why are you holding it against your Dad?”

“When you pry, you pry, don’t you?” Trevor rubbed his hands against his pants.

She leaned back in her chair. “Sorry, I’m not trying—”

“It’s all right.” Trevor stared at the walls.
How did he answer the question?
“I was a very independent kid. If I wanted something done, I tended to do it. Sometimes, I think my parents took advantage of that.”

“You don’t think they were there for you enough?”

“Looking back on it as someone who’s been away for so long? I can see it both ways. Were they there for me enough? No, but would they have been if I asked them? Yes.”

“Then why are you avoiding them?”

“Because I’m not the same person.” Trevor slammed his hand down on the desk.

Arianna jumped.

“Sorry.” He held up his hands. “It’s just sometimes, we do things we’re not proud of.”

“Like getting pregnant at fifteen?” Arianna cocked her head. “I love my daughter, she’s my world and I wouldn’t change her. However, being pregnant at fifteen wasn’t my finest hour.”

Trevor smiled. “I guess you may understand a little more than I care to admit.”

“So what’d you do?” Arianna sat back in her chair. “What aren’t you proud of?”

Trevor opened his mouth. “I made my final decision to go into the army because I was pissed off at my parents for something that wasn’t in their control.”

“I’ve only known you for a short period of time, but that doesn’t sound like something you’d do.”

“I was young and stupid. I blamed my dad for stress that my mother was going through, he missed a couple of events I thought he should have been at, and then my brother Drew was in a car accident the day of my graduation. They spent that day at the hospital instead of being there to see me graduate.” Trevor shook his head. “And I was selfish and believed that they cared more about Drew than they did me. I’d been throwing around the idea of joining the army for years, but it was in that moment I made my decision and went and signed up first thing Monday morning.”

“No one in your family showed up?”

“My grandparents, Pops, and Blake were there. I had other relatives as well, but the bulk of my immediate family was at the hospital.” Trevor shook his head. “I was pissed at the time, but after looking over that moment for the last twelve years, dealing with people dying all around me in a war, yeah it’s easy to look back and say, I was selfish.” His hands went limp and he stared at the floor.

“Okay, but I still don’t see why you don’t want to go back to see your family?”

“Who wants to go back to see their family when they did something like that? I was mad at my brother for having a drunk driver slam into him the day of my graduation. To me it was one more nail to prove they didn’t care about me.”

“There has to be more than that? It sounds like you and your brother had more than that issue.”

“It’s a long story, maybe I’ll tell you about it sometime.”

“Maybe?”

Trevor shook his head and glanced at his watch. “We don’t have time for it today.”

A nurse stuck her head into Arianna’s office. “We had a young woman come in and she said she’s having some bleeding. Are you available?”

Arianna smiled at Trevor. “Work calls.”

He nodded.

She looked at the nurse. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“She’s in room two.”

“Thanks.” Arianna packed up the lunch items.

“I’ll get that.” Trevor took them from her and put them back in the bag. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Unfortunately, I have plans tonight.”

“You had plans last night too.”

“They’re having a parent-teacher night at the high school.” Arianna smiled.

“Which school does she go too?” He gave a half-smile.

“Vitalli High School.” Arianna pursed her lips. “That wouldn’t be—”

Trevor nodded. “Yep, the same Vitalli’s I belong too.”

Arianna laughed. “It’s a small world after all.”

“It’s a large world, but in this town, you tend to find my last name on a lot of things.” Trevor shook his head. “Sometimes, I wonder if I should have planted myself somewhere in Minnesota where no one knows me.”

“Wait, wasn’t that friend of your grandfather’s from Minnesota?” Arianna smiled.

“Figures, I would pick a place that someone would know me.” Trevor stood up. “I guess I should let you get to your patient.”

“When’s your next therapy session?”

“Friday at noon.”

“Mine too and I have Friday afternoon off, why don’t we plan on doing something after that?” She came around the desk and stood in front of him.

“Sounds like a plan to me.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. “I’ll see you Friday.”

Arianna smiled. “Bye.” She waved at him as he walked out the door.

Chapter Four

March 23rd

Arianna walked into the PT room.

Trevor pushed himself through one more rep.

Lisa, his PT, smiled at him. “You’re coming along good. Wednesday was a bit of a setback, but you recovered nicely.”

“Wednesday was partly my fault.” Arianna joined them.

“He’s still a little stiff. Walking is going to be the best thing for him. And if you’re going to be there, make sure he slows it down. No jogging or walking four miles an hour. Walk at a slow pace.”

“I’ll make sure of that.” Arianna smiled. “In fact, if you’re up for a walk, my place is about three quarters of a mile from here.”

“I can handle that.” He wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel.

Lisa made a note on his chart. “Remember to take it slow. No more coming in stiff as a board. And where your brace.”

“I’ll slow him down.”

“Good.” Lisa stood up from her stool. “You’re all scheduled for next week, so I’ll see you Monday.”

“See you then.”

Arianna held her hand out to Trevor to help him stand.

“I’ve got it.” He unassed the table. “We’re walking to your place, huh?”

She shrugged. “She told me you should walk more. Do you think you’re up for it?”

“Of course.”

“Dr. Halsey.” Patty raced out into the hallway. “They’re letting school out early because of the snow. They called.”

“Snow?” Arianna glanced outside to see it heavily snowing. She glanced at Trevor. “It was seventy yesterday?”

“Welcome to Indiana.” Trevor shrugged. “Want me to meet you at your house?”

“Could you drive me to the school? I walked in this morning.”

“No problem. I guess that means I get to meet your daughter.” Trevor opened the door for her.

“I guess so.” Arianna smiled. “Remember she’s a teenager and can be moody.”

“I’m sure she can be.” Trevor chuckled. “So what are we doing for the weekend?”

Arianna bit her lip. “I’m going to be gone for the next two weeks.”

Trevor glanced over at her as they walked to his truck. “So no contact for the next two weeks?”

“Well, there can be contact. We do have phones.” Arianna shivered. “I should have brought a coat.”

Trevor opened the door to his truck, grabbed his coat, and handed it to her. “Where are you spending the next two weeks?”

“Omaha.” Arianna slipped the coat over her shoulders. “It’s spring break here and Mina’s going to a swimming workshop with an Olympic Coach and I get to finish dealing with her Dad’s parent’s estate.” She climbed into the truck.

Trevor shut the door and came around to the driver’s side. “What a great Spring Break.”

Arianna rolled her eyes. “When I’m not sorting through crap, I get to deal with other parents of children who have swimmer kids.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Trevor started the truck. “I have a friend on my team who lives in Omaha, maybe I’ll visit him.”

“That would be nice.”

“That sounded strange. Kind of feels like I may be stalking you.”

“Well, when you say it like that.” Arianna laughed. “I would not be opposed to a visit from you, sometime during my trip.”

“I’ll see what I can arrange.” Trevor pulled onto the highway.

“Maybe you can take us to the airport tonight and then if you show up toward the end of the trip you can drive us home that night?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Trevor glanced over at her. “Do you think your daughter will like me?”

“Ha. She’s fifteen. I don’t think she’s capable of liking any adult.” Arianna rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t like me half the time.”

The driver in front of them fishtailed and hit their brakes hard.

Arianna grabbed the door.

Trevor stayed calm and slowed to a stop.

The driver got the car under control and took off again.

“Idiot.” Trevor shook his head and then glanced at Arianna. “I was always in the shadows of my siblings, I had to like an adult or I was left behind.”

“By fifteen most of your siblings had left the house, right?” She glanced out the window.

A man dashed across a side street, his light coat pulled tight around him. A couple kids threw snowballs at each other.

“I have a late birthday, so for less than a month five of us were in High School together. My sophomore year there were still four of us in High School.”

Arianna shook her head. “I can’t imagine what it’s like going to school with siblings. Part of me is totally jealous, I always wanted them.” The snow fell in large flakes. Bigger than she’d ever seen.

“It was cool in some regards, but in others, not so much. There was always someone to watch your back, but they picked on you at the same time.” Trevor chuckled. “And when you put my brothers together, we’re a handful.”

“Oh I’m sure you weren’t Mr. Innocent.”

“I wasn’t terrible. Nothing like my school skipping, drug taking, troublemaking brothers.”

“Like your mother would have allowed that to go on in her house.”

“Maybe I should introduce you to the rest of my family. Believe me, we all have our problems.”

“All your brothers were troublemakers then?”

“Not all of them and not all the time, I was exaggerating. Blake was the best of all of us.”

“Better then you?” Arianna gave a playful grin.

Trevor chuckled. “No one is better than me.”

Arianna burst out in laughter. “If I didn’t know you better that cockiness might be annoying.”

Trevor shrugged. “What’s your daughter’s name?”

“Mina.”

“Dracula?”

Arianna cleared her throat. “I had a phase where I was really into Gothic romances. Byron, Shelley, Stoker.”

“Around the same time as your daughter was born, I’m guess.” Trevor chuckled. “What’s she like, besides being a normal teenager? Good at school?”

“She’s a good student.” Arianna looked at her hands. “She thinks I’m being overbearing lately.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because she just turned fifteen in January and I’m freaking out about her being the age I was when I got pregnant.”

“You have to give her a little leeway.”

“I let her stay at a friend’s house for the first time since her birthday.” Arianna tugged on her ear.

“Have you talked to her about sex?” Trevor cringed.

“Do scare tactics count? I’ve told her how much it hurts the first time.”

Trevor laughed. “You’re an OB.” He pulled into the parking lot of the school.

“You can park along here. I’ll flag her down when I see her.”

“That won’t be embarrassing for her.” Trevor smiled.

“You have a better idea?”

“No.”

“Smartass.”

“I know.”

Trevor stared at the door.

A teenager with long brown hair stepped out of the building. She was wearing jean capris, a black sweater, with a white button up shirt underneath.

“That’s her.” Arianna motioned to the teenager at the door.

“Why don’t I drive up there and you can roll the window down and act all nonchalant?”

“We can try.” Arianna laughed.

He drove the car over toward the door.

Arianna rolled down the window. “Mina.”

“That was real inconspicuous.”

She smacked him in the arm.

Mina caught sight of her mother and hurried over to the truck. “Who’s ...” She glanced over at Trevor.

“Get in, I’ll explain on the way.”

Mina climbed into the vehicle.

“Mina, this is Trevor Vitalli, I’ve been ...”

“Seeing me?” Trevor displayed a wide grin. “I may even go as far as we’ve been on a date or two.”

“Shut up.” Arianna chuckled and turned back to her daughter. “I’ve been seeing him for the last week.”

“And you decided today was a great time for me to meet him?” She frowned and waved her hand as if dismissing him. “How are we going to get to Omaha for the swimming workshop?”

“That was a quick change of subject.” Trevor glanced in the rear view mirror and then turned his attention back to driving.

Arianna shook her head. “I thought Trevor could drive us to the airport.”

“As long as we’re still going, I don’t care who drives us.” Mina opened her book bag and pulled out a book.

“I figured you’d be full of questions for Trevor.”

“Why?” Mina shrugged, a sad look in her eyes. She dropped to gaze to her lap.

Arianna sucked in a sharp breath and her eyes widened.
What was her daughter about to say?

“Most of them don’t stay long enough for me to get to know them. I usually break the deal.” Mina turned her head to look out the window.

Arianna closed her eyes.
How embarrassing.
She opened her mouth to say something, but Trevor spoke first.

“Ouch.” Trevor glanced over at her.

She averted her eyes. “She’s not all together wrong.”

Trevor glanced in the rear view mirror at Mina and then looked over at Arianna. “I can guarantee if you and I ever break up, it will have nothing to do with your daughter.”

“What?” Arianna stared at him.
Was he serious?

He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m not going to leave you, just because you have a daughter.”

She took a deep breath, a tear crept into the corner of her eye, and she smiled. “Thank you.” Perhaps there were good guys out there after all.

*****

March 30th

The days passed slowly for Arianna. Her patience for the other mothers was getting slim.

She sat high in the bleachers and pulled out her phone. Clicking the Facebook app, she logged in. The friend request button was red. She clicked to see Trevor added her.

Arianna smiled and approved the request. She clicked on his name and scanned his page.

His relationship status changed to it’s complicated. She chuckled and sent him a message.

A: Why is your relationship ‘it’s complicated’?”

T: Because we’re still not telling my family.

A: Come on it, can’t be that bad.

Arianna looked around the room two of the mothers looked backed at her. One of them laughed. She glanced back down at her phone.

T: Did you check out the comments under my relationship status?

A: Checking.

She clicked on the status and saw there were five comments.

Julian: It’s complicated? Is that your way of coming out?

Drew: No, it means he’s met someone and doesn’t want to tell us about her.

Julian: Why are you afraid we’ll steal her from you?

Julian: You do realize I have a girlfriend, right?

Drew: I think it’s funny he’s been home for two weeks, hasn’t set foot in Mom and Dad’s house, but has a girlfriend.

Arianna laughed.

A: I guess your brothers can be a handful.

T: It only gets worse from there. Those are the twins, by the way.

A: For the moment, it’s complicated does work for our relationship.

T: If it weren’t for my family insisting on meeting you and dragging me to Sunday brunch. I’d change it to in a relationship and tag you.

A: One of these days I’m going to talk you into going to Sunday brunch.

T: I have a better idea, I’ll change my relationship status and then send you and Mina to Sunday brunch. They’ll be so excited to find out about you and Mina, they won’t even know I’m not there. I was invisible half the time growing up anyway.

A: Not a chance!

T: It was worth a try.

A: Are you still planning on coming to Omaha?

T: I talked to my friend, we’re supposed to meet Saturday morning.

A: Cool, we’re leaving Saturday night. I wanted to give Mina a day at home to get back into things before she had to go back to school.

T: Give me your flight information and I’ll make sure I get on the same plane at least.

A: No problem.

Mina came up the bleachers and plopped down beside her. “It’s time for lunch.”

Arianna sent Trevor a final message.

A: Gotta go, kid thinks she needs to eat.

T: How awful? Must suck being a parent. LOL. Later.

A: Later.