Cost of Freedom: THE CULT, #2

By LEO BROWN

The coming of age tale continues as Nic Patterson finds herself once more facing the epic trials of adolescence as the one she sacrificed it all for is now on the chopping block of being sacrificed himself...A New Year means new beginnings but for Nic, it was the beginning of an end for her relationship with some of the people she once held close to her heart. After a run-in with a masked phantom at a party, Nic finds herself once more pulled between two conflicting paths that she must choose from. One is filled with dark secrets that may ruin not only Nic's life but those around her. The other may cause her more pain than she can bear after losing so much already. The battle for autonomy outside her repressive religion continues as Nic faces the greatest challenge yet...

• Language: English
• Publisher: LEO BROWN
• Release date: Oct 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393621652

Book preview

WARNING

THIS IS A CONTINUATION of the book, The Cult That Raised Me. Unless you like spoilers I recommend reading book 1 first.

Special Dedication to my boys, Jordan and Jason. You boys have been the driving force behind all my effort and I hope one day to make you as proud of me as I am of you.

You don’t have to be profound. Just be interesting.

—Leo Brown

CHAPTER ONE

MYRON AND I STOOD ON the side of the road as the cars zoomed past us. People yelled from their cars as they went around Myron’s car since the back end was poking out on the road. With little warning, he made a decisive maneuver to get to the side of the road before I threw up all over his car.

Are you serious Nic?

Yeah. I don’t know what to say or even know how this happened. I’m so sorry.

What! What are you sorry about. Come here. Myron steps around my various piles of vomit and gives me a tight squeeze. I figured you were pregnant, but I wasn’t sure.

Huh,  why  do  you  say  that?  There  weren’t any expectations to get pregnant after having sex just one time. I even took a test a few days ago, and it said negative.

Nic, I don’t know. Something just didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel well and my mom told me she could look at you and tell.

Oh my God. What! Myron, please don’t tell me you talked to her about us having sex for the first time. I wanted to fall back into my seat but Myron held me up. I felt ashamed as if she was present that night, watching us.

Well, she is my mom Nic. I tell her everything. Before you came to the house no, I didn’t say anything, but she asked me about you after you left.

Lord, what did she want to hear?

She wanted to know if we did anything and if so did we use protection. My parents are aware I’m active, so it’s not an abnormal conversation. I was honest with her and told her I didn’t since at the time you were a virgin. I wasn’t worried about getting anything from you. She made the comment that you looked like you were glowing and since then you been sick. I trusted her opinion and waited to see if it was true.

That damn mother’s intuition.

I wish you would have given me a heads up since you know everything. Thoughts of the night I gave Myron my virginity started to play in my mind. We hadn’t fucked since, but I guess at this point that is a mute observation. I began thinking about Myron and the question he asked me before I let him enter me. I got all flustered and sick at the possibility, but I needed to ask him.

Myron did you get me pregnant on purpose?! I watched his body language for any sign that whatever he said to me was a lie. He stood back and looked me in the eye.

Nichole no. God, no! I would never do that to you. What reason would I have to get you pregnant? God, you’re only 16.

Myron walked off to the front of his car and I saw something bothered him but he didn’t say. I believed him when he said he didn’t get me pregnant on purpose but it was more to it.

Myron I’m sorry but I had to ask. I remember you asking me about my period and things started coming to mind. It made me feel like it was a little premeditated. We discussed you pulling out and now I’m pregnant so it’s a lot to take in.

I go to stand beside him. Cars continued to honk at us as they passed us by.

Nic I promise to God I pulled out. Both times. I’m sure it’s because I came and then we went back to it. That was still enough to get you pregnant. Myron shakes his head in disbelief. I didn’t think. I fucked up.

You didn’t fuck up, I say as I try to comfort him. I go to hug him and he grabs me by the waist and looks down at my belly.

Nic I promise I will take care of you and you won’t ever have to worry about anything. I knew what he was saying was true, but I needed to figure out what else was bothering him.

Myron I’m not worried about any of that because I’m certain you got us. I want to know what’s going on up there. I grab his head with my hands and I kiss him on the forehead. His reaction to my big news is too calm and too expected. I wanted to trust him but something still felt like he tried to get me pregnant that night.

Listen Nic there is something I never got around to tell you. I was hoping I would never have to.

I back away from him and I feel flutters in the pit  of my stomach. It wasn’t the familiar baby illness I was growing accustomed to having.

Myron whatever it is just tell me straight up.

Nic I got someone pregnant last year.

Oh my God! Oh my God! What! I need to sit down or I’m gonna throw up. I can’t... What!

Nic please calm down. Let me finish.

Oh my God, Myron how could you not tell me? Oh my God, you already have a kid? I was walking around in circles uncertain of what to do next. I went from rubbing my head to rubbing my stomach, trying to make sense of it all and comfort myself.

Nic! Please! I’m trying to tell you. I got some random chick I was talking to pregnant, but she decided to terminate it!

So what made her do it? I stopped walking around and came back to stare him in the eye.

Well,  we  didn’t  know  each  other  that  well,  and  I realized all she wanted was money. She had tricked me into sleeping with her and even more so said she was on birth control. I was stupid back then and trusted her. I went to my parents about the situation which they helped me out of so that’s why we talk openly now.

So what did they do to help?

Myron looks at the ground before replying. They offered to pay for her to get an abortion.

Oh my god, Myron that’s horrible! That was worse than him telling me about her being pregnant. Why would he want to abort a child that was a part of him? What if he wanted me to do the same? What would I say or do?

Myron I will never allow you or your family to pay me to kill my child! If this isn’t something you want, then let me know now and I will do this by myself! I was angry with him. I started walking away as if I had somewhere to go. Myron runs behind me and pulls my arm to get me to turn and look at him.

Damn it Nic can you stop running off already  when I’m just trying to explain to you why I trust my parents and why you can too. I want you to have my baby because I love you! I didn’t love that girl let alone even know her. We paid her  to  do  something  she  would do either way. My homeboy Darren told me, later on, he smashed her and the same thing happened to him. His family didn’t pay, but she ended the pregnancy still. This is why I tell you I don’t mess with these sack chasing hoes anymore. I learned my lesson the hard way. It was hard making that decision but see it this way. Would you be with me right now if I had a kid?

Of course.

Lies. You lying Nic and you know it. I would have missed out on the best thing that could have happened to me if I had a baby with that girl. Trust me when I say I will do anything for you and our child. I just felt I had to tell you that because we going to have a family now and I don’t want any secrets.

Myron had a point. I wouldn’t have taken a chance with him if he had a baby when we met. He also made  a better point of being honest with me when he didn’t have to. Whatever happened was in the past before me and he didn’t owe me that explanation. After I thought about it, his experience and the fact that his parents were so understanding comforted me. My mom came to mind and how I just walked out on her yelling behind me when she found out I was pregnant. I never gave her the number to the new phone Myron bought me so there wasn’t any way for her to contact me.

I understand Myron  I  just  wish  I  knew  that from the start. Despite all that I’m still nervous and uncomfortable to talk to your mom. I don’t want your family thinking they need to pay me anything or that I’m pregnant on purpose.

What do I keep telling you Nic? You not  like everyone else and my entire family knows it. They know I will lose it all for you so they accept that and you. My mom is excited about the possibility of being a grandmother.

Myron tries to get me to smile at the image of us having a baby but at the moment I couldn’t find any real joy in being a teenage mom. We get back in the car and head towards Myron’s house. Myron is talking to me about how much he wanted a daughter that resembled me and how he couldn’t wait for our first ultrasound and doctor’s appointments. I was only half-listening when I realized I needed to find a doctor. I had no clue how far along I was or anything. There was a lot on my plate and it was exhausting just thinking about it. It was late evening by the time we got to the mini-mansion and I was sure all of Myron’s family would be there.

The last time I came over I was pregnant  and  didn’t realize it but his mom did.

We walk into the house and to my surprise it was empty. It was a huge house with five bedrooms not counting the loft on the third floor and all the extra offices and dens throughout. I had never seen the entire house, so I had Myron take me on a tour before I took  a minute to rest. After verifying no one else was home, we walk upstairs to Myron’s room.

Are you sure it’s ok that I stay with you? I told you Nic yes!

Ok, but am I staying in your room?

Jesus Nic, Myron rolls his eyes and opens the door to his room. You staying in here with me.

I walk into his room and it’s the same as before. The framed autographed jerseys still lined the walls along with all his family pictures. I noticed someone added a study table and a chair in the corner and an additional dresser.

My dad took this dresser out the other room since no one uses it. You can put your clothes in here and I cleared out one of my closets for you.

Myron was walking around to show me the accommodations he had made for me. It was all overwhelming how welcoming his parents were despite they didn’t know me. I didn’t realize it before but Myron had two walk-in closets where you could  walk  into  one closet by going into the other and then you would continue and end up in the bathroom. I place my bag down in the closet and I go to the bed to lie down. As I’m about to sit, I noticed an envelope with my name on it sitting on top of a pair of silk pajama shorts and a tank top. I look at Myron who shrugs his shoulders as  if he was unaware of the gifts. I open the envelope and inside is a note from his mom Kathy:

‘Nic I know it may not seem like it now but what God has in store for you is bigger than anything we could decide for ourselves. You will always have a home here with us. Love Kathy.’

Myron’s mom is as sweet as the day I met her. I knew she was kind-hearted but not to this extent. I began to cry. It wasn’t from sadness but the fact that my family would have never shown Myron an ounce of hospitality like Myron’s family was showing me. It reminded me of how messed up things would be when I go home and it made me not want to go back. Myron comes over and kneels on his knees so he could look me in the face and hug me.

I told you Nic it thrills my family to have you here. They know you mean a lot to me and they are all willing to help us. You don’t have to worry about dropping out of school or anything. You can stay here and we can do it all together.

It sounded like a fairy tale which made me cry harder because I knew fairy tales didn’t exist. The reality was I would have to go home if my mom requested because I was only sixteen. I couldn’t opt to just up and leave even though I tried fooling myself into believing I did by my actions earlier. I knew I would have to go back. It was that realization that made it harder to enjoy my time with Myron.

Come on Nic why don’t you lay down before dinner. You just threw up everything you ate earlier. I think my mom is out getting dinner but I’ll check.

Ok, I think laying down is the best thing to do.

My body felt heavy as I laid down. So much so I didn’t notice at what point I fell asleep. No thoughts ran through my mind as I closed my eyes and laid my head on Myron’s pillow. He laid with me for a few moments as far as I knew because all I remember after that was just darkness.

When I woke up, I felt like I had been asleep for hours but the reality was I only napped for maybe forty- five minutes. Myron was coming out of the bathroom from taking a shower when he saw I was awake.

Oh, good babe you’re up. I was letting you sleep while I got dressed to give you more time to sleep. Talked to Mama and we going out tonight.

I was still trying to come to.

«Oh ok sounds good. Where are we going so I know what to wear?"

Um, I believe it’s on you haha. They want to take us out to talk and figure things out.

My stomach was in knots at the thought. Why did things have to progress so suddenly?

Myron don’t tell me you talked to them already without me.

What babe? It’s not that serious. Mama came by while you were asleep and I told her you needed to rest and we would talk later.

So you didn’t tell her I’m pregnant?

Myron attempts to feign innocence but his smile gave him away.

What! I’m excited ok, so I told her she was right.

I tried to roll my eyes to show my disapproval but Myron’s smile is so contagious it puts the edge off.

So you know she loves being right, and she’s excited she is right about this, Myron tries to convince me that him telling his mom our  big  news  without  me  isn’t as big a deal as I was making. I trust him since he knows his family best and after all they made all these arrangements for me in their home, no questions asked. I help Myron comb his hair into a bun but it was flopping everywhere.

Babe your hair getting too long for this bun, I tell him.

Yeah, I know. I think I may get it cut off again. "Don’t do that! Just take an inch or two off and keep

the rest."

I loved Myron’s hair, and I didn’t want him to cut  it. I began to imagine what our child would look like.  I only hoped he or she would have Myron’s hair. It’s  like his mom’s with their jet black and wavy hair. With my tights curls, I was certain our child would have a mixture of some curly hair. When I go to take a shower, it occurs to me I hadn’t brushed my teeth since I threw up earlier. It made me wash my hair in case today’s episode of sickness ricocheted and  somehow  got  in  it. I don’t know why but I feel nervous about having dinner with Myron’s parents even though I’ve already met them. Realizing I couldn’t decide on what to eat,   I contemplate on things I was in the mood for while  I was washing. After all that I still couldn’t decide on anything.

Come on baby, what do you want?

I gaze down at my stomach as if expecting it to talk back to me. The idea of being a mother was starting  to grow on me despite the surprise. I must have been in the shower for too long, so Myron comes into the bathroom to check on me.

Hey, babe I’m just making sure you ok. Myron pulls open the clear shower door so I could hear him. I cover my private parts as I forgot he had seen them before since I still wasn’t used to this level of freedom.

I’m OK just trying to decide on what I want.

Ok well let me know when you figure it out. No need to be so shy now haha.

With that Myron closes the shower door as I’m about to splash him with the water because of his comment. He had a point. There wasn’t any need to be shy with the man I’m having a baby with. Myron laid my clothes out for me so I could hurry to get dressed. To my surprise, none of it is the clothing I brought from home.

Babe, what’s this? Where’re my clothes?

I got these for you awhile back and I figured you might want to wear them while you still had the chance. Myron winks at me as he opens the door to his room and walks out. He will keep reminding me I’m pregnant whether or not I liked it I realized. I put on the floral dress he picked out and it fit. At least for the moment.

Well, I better enjoy this while it lasts. In a few months, I’m sure nothing will fit right.

I brush my wet hair into a messy bun to mimic Myron’s and I head out the room to meet up with him. I take a deep breath and prepare myself to once more be the center of everyone’s attention.

CHAPTER TWO

I GO DOWNSTAIRS AND Myron is talking to his dad while waiting by the foyer. Kathy has yet to make it downstairs herself, so I was at ease for not being the last one to be ready.

There she is. Hey Babe! Did you decide what you want?

Myron calls to me as I make my way down the last step and walk over to the Grecian statue that Myron and his dad Mike were standing by. I decided it would be less awkward if I make the first move so I head over and stick out my hand to shake Mike’s.

Good evening, Mr. Mixon it’s nice to see you again. Mike disregards my offer to shake hands and instead welcomes into a big bear