Sea Breeze 02 - Because of Low

and saw her standing there with Willow’s warm body pressed against my back. But I hadn’t. Nothing. No ache at the sight of her. Absolutely nothing. Righteous anger at my father and the hell he was putting my mom and sister through, yes, I’d felt that. Worry for Amanda, yes, I’d felt that. But nothing for Sadie. My immediate response was to protect Willow. Not sure what I was protecting her from but none the less that had been my goal.
    Sadie opened the door and Amanda sat curled up in the corner sniffling like a little girl. My heart broke. It was like I’d stepped back in time and the little sister I loved and protected needed me to fight off the monsters under her bed again. But this time the damn monster was our father. He was ripping us apart for a twenty year old whore. Or however old she was. She was young. That’s all I knew.
    “He didn’t come home last night and Mama won’t come out of her room. She’s screaming and packing her things. She’s running away.” A choked sob escaped her and she buried her face in her hands again. My spoiled sweet little sister hadn’t ever had to deal with life’s shit. She’d been given everything she wanted. Her life had been cake and ice cream, until now.
    “Come on baby, I’m going to talk to Mama and I’ll get her calmed down. She isn’t going to run away. I promise.”
    “She can stay with me if you need her too. We’ve already missed an hour of school. Might as well make it a day.”
    I glanced over at Sadie and nodded. That was probably a good idea. What I had to say to Mama probably didn’t need to be heard by Amanda.
    “You want to stay with Sadie while I go handle Mama?”
    She nodded slowly looking up at me with a tear streaked face.
    I leaned inside and hugged her, “It’s going to be okay sis. I’m here and no matter what, I will fix this mess.”
    “K,” she muttered against my chest.
    I knew I was making a promise I might not be able to keep but I said it anyway.
    “Thanks Sadie,” I said letting go of Amanda and stepping back so she could climb inside the Hummer. Jax supplied a Hummer and a chauffeur for Sadie complete with black privacy windows. Since the world found out Sadie White was Jax Stone’s girlfriend she’d become a celebrity. Paparazzi actually came to Alabama to get pictures of her. People treated her differently when she went out in public. Jax didn’t like being away from her and left her with several things that made him feel she was safe. The Hummer and chauffeur/body guard was just two of them. Why the dude didn’t just get her a private tutor and take her with him was beyond me. Something about not wanting to take away her high school experience or some crazy shit. Only from a guy who never lived through high school would feel like he was robbing someone of the experience. Sadie would leave in a heartbeat if he’d let her.
    “I’m glad I can help. Anything y’all need from me, I’m more than willing to help out. I hate this is happening. Amanda’s tears are breaking my heart.”
    Sweet, kind Sadie. I expected nothing less. One of the reasons I fell head over heels for her after only minutes in her presence last summer. She was gorgeous sure but the girl was a sweetheart. However, I had to admit standing here talking to her and feeling nothing but gratitude was pretty damn freeing.
    “You’re an awesome friend Sadie,” I said nodding and then left as she climbed inside beside my sister.
    I needed to go deal with my mother.

    The Mercedes CLS63 my dad had given my mother as an anniversary present four months ago was still sitting in the garage. This was a good thing. She hadn’t taken flight yet. I headed inside the three story beach front stucco home I’d lived in my entire life. “Mom,” I called out as I headed for the stairs leading to her room.
    “Marcus,” she called back followed by a loud wail. The little boy in me took off running up the stairs scared of what I might find. She was my Mom. I didn’t want her hurt. As my foot hit the top stair she flung herself out of her bedroom and threw herself into my arms.
    “You’re here,” she sobbed out.
    I stroked her blond hair gently hoping to calm her down. How many times had she held me while I cried in her arms? I couldn’t even begin to count. Now, here I stood holding her.
    “He didn’t come home last night,” she sobbed, “he didn’t even call.”
    I hated him. At this moment with my mother sobbing pitifully in my arms I knew