I grab a sweater from my room and rush to the kitchen.
“Who lit a fire under your ass?” Caine calls out from the family room. They’ve been holed up in that room all day, searching for the very man I ache for.
“Just want to sit in the fresh air.” I answer. “Is the backyard okay?”
I watch as Zeke and Cooper look at each other while Caine stares into my face. No one answers and the room falls deathly silent.
“I need to feel close to Mama.” I whisper, hating myself for using my grief as a tool to get my way.
“Ten minutes and then we come check on you.” Caine answers and the other two nod.
“Okay.” I smile.
I hurry outside and begin to panic, I need all of those ten minutes to count… if he’s even here. I run to the gazebo and stop, staring at the blanket of purple petals in front of me. Ten minutes! I try to remind myself but my feet are stuck.
What would I say? Can I really survive another round with Brody?
I have been through worse. So much worse, I can do this.
I close my eyes and step through the vines. I stand still in the entryway, feeling the vines brush my back, and their strong perfume permeates the small place.
Please be here.
I open my eyes and frantically search the small area, my eyes adjusting, and my heart beating. Nothing and no one is here. I sit on the bench and exhale the hope that shouldn’t exist. How did I convince myself of this? Have I truly driven myself crazy?
I drop my head into my hands and here the rustle of the vines as the breeze blows by again. Stupid, stupid, Kailey.
“Took you long enough.” His voice like honey, slowly seeps through me, and settles inside of my soul.
I lift my head and see him sitting across from me on the bench.
“Have you been staying here?” Why am I asking these mundane questions when I care nothing for the answers?
“Yes.” His brow raises and the slight movement has me flying off the bench and straight into his arms.
His legs open and I plow between them, wrapping him up and pressing his head to my chest. His scent, like something musky and unique, floods my nose and I breathe in contentment at its familiarity. His arms come up and slowly wrap around my waist.
“Vibrant and free.” I whisper.
“You always were, Kails.”
“Are you hungry?” I pull back and hold his face between my hands. “Cold?”
“I ate and I’m fine.” He pulls my hands off his face and presses them against my sides.
“Brody, come inside. Please.” I beg him. “They’re looking for you.”
“I can’t.” He shakes his head. “I need you to do me a favor though.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“I need you to remember the pain I caused you. Remember how much I remind you of my brother.” He’s saying all the things I needed to hear, yet they don’t have the effect I was hoping for.
“I can’t.” I shake my head. “I think there’s something wrong with me.”
“I'm letting you near me, touching me, and talking to me because we were once best friends, but don’t take any of this for more than what it is. I pity you because of what you suffered in your life, but that’s it.”
“Keep going.” I feel my heart hardening at his words and a familiar anger covering the despair.
“You deserted me and now I will see you as nothing more than a traitor. I will one day return when all of this is over and kill you.”
“Almost there.” I grit through my teeth.
He stands, looming over me, and sneering at me down his nose. “You’re damaged goods and I would never consider you good enough for the Landry name.”
And that just locked everything into place. I turn on my heel and look at him over my shoulder.
“I would watch your back, Landry.”
Then I’m running across my backyard with tears dripping off my chin and my heart in shambles. This is exactly what I needed, so why does it feel like I was hoping for something different? Something completely impossible?
Brody Landry is dead to me now.
“Boo!” Kimmy squeals and hops a little on the spot. “You look ravishing!”
I look down at the black satin and lace gown, running my hands over the intricate design. Thankfully, hiding the carved initials over my breast that still tingles every now and then.
“So do you, Kimmy.” She’s wearing a golden gown that shimmers in the light.
I still had some bruising on my throat, so I left my hair down, and covered the rest with a heavy foundation. The dress is simple in design but rich in detail. The black lace overlay is heavy and regal. The straps are thin around my shoulders and then the back opens up, hitting just above my ass crack. I am the dress version of business in the front and party in the back.
I paired it with a high stiletto heel in a matte black finish and I’m praying not to die tonight. My hair and makeup is pretty muted since I figured I would be behind a partial mask most of the night. I put on the black lace mask and it fits perfectly with my dress.
“Am I too over the top?” Kimmy does a twirl and I am momentarily stunned by the shimmering fabric.
“No.” I breathe.
Kimmy looks like true royalty. Her gown is a sweetheart neckline that forms a corset top and then the dress blooms out all the way to her feet. This is the golden version of Cinderella’s gown and I am envious that she can pull it off. She tied her hair back with golden clips, letting some of the curls cascade down her back. Her makeup is dramatic, smokey eyes, and a bright red lip, then her mask looks like a golden starburst around her eyes. She looks like a goddess.
I am finally feeling a little like myself today, it’s taken a few days but when I woke up this morning, I took my first full breath. My head has been completely recovered from my temporary lapse in judgment and now my heart has finally caught up.
Brody Landry is now my former best friend and tormentor, he no longer holds any special place inside of me. That boy I once loved, has died along with the hope of ever being anything more. Thanks to him, I can face anything.
“Let’s go shock all your men.” She giggles. “And mine, too.”
Henry was bombarded by Cooper as soon as he came through the door and the two have formed a bond. Both being quarterbacks helps a lot. Caine and Zeke are still trying to locate Brody and I don’t dare tell them he’s in the backyard. Out of sight, out of mind.
Oliver has been texting me and I get late night phone calls from him. He explained his absence and promised me that it’s not for much longer. I miss him and I want him to come home to me. Unfortunately, he can’t come with us tonight.
We make our way down the stairs and sway into the family room. Kimmy’s dress is so large and puffy, she has to push her way through the doorway.
“Ahem.” She clears her throat and all of them look up.
“That’s my baby, y’all.” Henry jumps up off the couch and rushes to Kimmy. “My princess.”