His eyes, red from crying, shot up. His cheek was slightly cut and a few drops of blood were rolling down. His left arm and leg were a little skinned. He stood up at once and ran into Savannah's arms at the speed of light.
Elio froze, feeling as if someone had hit him with a brick.
Chapter Fourteen
She had a kid.
She had a fucking kid and he had no idea about it.
And finally, everything became this one, complete puzzle as he was watching a young boy holding onto Savannah for dear life. His face was hidden in the crook of her neck, soft sobs escaping his lips. The girl was stroking his hair, whispering in his ear words that were supposed to calm him down. Whether they worked or not, it was still to be determined.
That's what Elio thought at least.
He was standing there, completely shocked. He wasn't sure what he ought to have done at this point. His mind rummaged to come up with an answer. Looking at the girl, who Elio learned was named Kate, she was feeling just as awkward. Probably terrified, too, since the boy got hurt under her supervision. She was young so there was no wonder that she got scared and didn't know what to do, other than call Savannah. It was pretty obvious that the boy needed her at the moment and no one else.
Were there thoughts about running away? Literally, getting into his car and driving off? Yes. Elio never in his wildest dreams would have figured out that what was holding Savannah back was the little human in her arms. Probably much more than the fact he was a part of the underworld. And he simply wasn't ready for that.
For as long as he remembered, he hadn’t been an overly responsible person. He could take care of things, do his job and handle people that did him wrong, but it all sounded so shallow right now when he realized that Savannah was way ahead of him as far as responsibility was concerned. Nothing that he had ever done could be even remotely compatible with her life.
And to think that he believed her to be somewhat similar to his mother. He felt foolish to even accuse her of that. Whether it was only in his head or said out loud didn't fucking matter. As the coward that he started to think he was, he debated leaving.
Too much, too soon.
Nothing had even started and she was one step from ending it.
He shifted his weight to the other leg, itching to do as he said, even though it would be considered the cruelest and most dickhead-like thing.
As if Savannah had heard his thoughts, she glanced up, meeting his eyes. There was worry in hers, just as there was confusion in Elio's. She sent him a knowing look, the corner of her lips moving up slightly in a not-totally-existing smile.
"It's alright, Elio. You don't have to stay," she said. She could simply mean this moment, but with her expression, she was surely thinking about never seeing him again.
Maybe it was exactly what she’d wanted from the start.
She was prepared for what could come; her reaction was a mix of relief and sadness. Relief because she didn't want Elio around Aiden. That was the main reason why she’d been holding back. Sadness, because as ridiculous as it was she’d felt the connection forming between them and wasn't certain that it was the best way for her, and her alone.
But she understood. If anything, she saw her own reaction in Elio's expression. However, unlike him, she didn't have a choice. Yes, she could just give up Aiden, let someone adopt him; but it wasn't something she considered for longer than a couple of minutes, either.
Savannah gave Elio a way out before it got more complicated. She opened the door, waiting for him to leave before she would be forced to kick him out. Because that was the right fucking thing to do.
"Can we go home?" asked Aiden, wiping the tears in his t-shirt.
"Of course, buddy.
Elio cleared his throat. ”I will give you a ride back,” he found himself saying, which earned him a surprised look from Savannah. She didn’t expect him to do anything other than leave. Once and for all be done with her.
But no one was more surprised than Elio. Being responsible wasn’t a totally new concept for him, but there was a difference when he had to think about someone else, rather than himself. Being only twenty-one hadn't prepared him for anything like this. Getting married and building a family hadn’t been on his radar. At least not until his father would get on his case, possibly looking for a match. Which he wasn’t required to do, but loving being in control, Elio couldn’t exclude such an option.
Here Savannah, who was even younger than him, had already stepped into adulthood. And it has happened at least five years before, too.
He nodded, backing up his words.
”Thank you,” she whispered just as Aiden’s attention drew to him. He frowned and said something in the girl’s ear. She chuckled but didn’t say anything.
Kate stepped closer. "Savannah, I'm so sorry. I turned around for a split second and," she started rumbling.
"It's alright, Kate. I'm not mad. Do you know how many times it happens to children? It's how they learn to be more careful. Perhaps Aiden will now remember that, too," she calmed her down and looked at the boy. Ashamed, he only smiled lightly to his babysitter, reassuring her that nothing happened. As if he had realized that half of what happened was his own fault.
Savannah said goodbye to Kate and simply opened the car door. Aiden got into the backseat as the girl buckled him up, then got into the passenger's seat herself.
The ride was quiet with occasional questions from Aiden.
