November Foxtrot (Rhythm of the Heart Book 2) by Scarlett Jade Read Free Book Online

her hand, smearing the saline as she went. “I don't deserve that.”
    “Says who? Your daddy? That boy who hurt you? Who gives a damn what they say? Calvin is a good man; we raised him up to take care of those he loves. And honey, he loves you.” Grams leaned back in her chair. “We all love you. You're family.”
    Zoe leaned forward in the chair, clamping her arms around her waist as she wept. Grams' weathered hand rubbed up and down her back and Pops murmured, “You need to stop that mess, now. You have that baby to take care of. Don't go getting your nerves all torn up over something you can't do a damn thing about. Straighten up girl and eat your dinner before you get it all salty with your blubbering and can't eat it.”
    She sniffled and wiped at her face again before nodding. “Thank you.”
    “Well,” Pops groaned as he got up from the chair, his hips grating as he came up. “Now that that's over and done with, I'm heading on out of here to watch some Matlock.”
    Zoe inhaled the bowl of chicken and dumplings and Grams moved quickly to refill it. “Eat.”
    “Thanks Grams. I remember Calvin bringing these to me before.” Zoe was taken back to the couch in her little house, crying over her father and her stomach twisted. The baby responded in kind, rolling and fluttering in protest.
    “Good old comfort food.” Grams’ mouth pursed for a moment and she blew out a breath. “I talked to Layla. That girl had no right sending Derek up after you. Too much stress for you and the baby. I gave her a good talking to. She's in her room pouting it off. It'd be good if you and her talked, I think. She's the one feeling the sting more than the rest of us. She feels as though it's some kind of betrayal and I can't get it through her thick head that it's not. She got so excited when Calvin came home and she hoped they could really rekindle their relationship, you know. Then came you and he was wrapped all up in you...and now you're pregnant. Layla is for lack of a better word, jealous. The girl would be green if she wasn't so damn brown. What she don't get is that just because Calvin loves you it don't mean his love is limited. Love is limitless. But she's seventeen and what are you gonna do? She lost her parents and Calvin all at the same time. I can't get through to her. She's so damn hard headed.”
    Zoe nodded. “I understand in a way, I guess. I can understand losing parents. I'll try to talk to her.”
    “She doesn't understand why Calvin would be okay with it. She's different than he is, honey. Got a different temperament.”
    “I can understand that. I didn't know how y'all would react. I feel like trash...” Her shoulders slumped and she sighed.
    “Nah, no such thing. It was what it was.”
    “I'm going to go talk to her. Thanks for the food, Grams.”
    “Of course, baby.”
    Zoe smiled as she walked through the living room. Pops was already asleep in his easy chair, Matlock was blaring at full blast. As she shuffled down the hallway, the sound of music came to her ears and she sighed, awaiting the confrontation she was sure to find. Her knuckles rapped against the door. “Layla? Can I come in?”
    No response. She knocked a little louder. No response.
    With a sigh she turned and moved down the hall, peeking her head into the living room, where Grams had abducted the remote control and was watching Food Network. “She's not answering.”
    Grams' mouth pursed and she stood from the couch. “Oh, I don't think so. I didn't raise no rude ingrate.” She pushed past Zoe and marched down the hall, her knuckles firm against the door. “You open this door Layla Marie, you hear me?”
    No response.
    Grams twisted the knob and let herself into the room. “Well, I'll be damned!” she spluttered. “She's gone!”
    “Gone? Where could she have gone?” Zoe's stomach clenched.
    “I don't know, but that girl knows she's not to walk the streets without letting me know. I'm getting ready to go upside her head