Here Comes the Light (Cambrooke #1) (22 page)

“We just came from a wedding.”

“Oh,’ the old lady says with a smile. “Congratulations.”

“Not u…”

“Thank you.” He interrupts me correcting her.

“She thinks we got married,” I laugh.

“I know.” He says as his arms tighten and he kisses my bare shoulder. “It is you.”

“What?” I laugh.

“The one God told me I was going to marry. It’s you.” He says softly.

Now I laugh nervously.
“Why me?”

“Because you’re perfect for me,
” he says in a low murmur before kissing my cheek. Even his cheek kisses send a volcanic explosion inside of me; the real fireworks begin in the sky, and there just as many going off in my stomach. I try to digest the words he just said to me. I don’t know if I love him more than I did Hudson, but I do love him differently.  My mind and my heart are in a battle right now, my mind is overwhelmed with fear that this night and everything is just going to disappear in the morning, but with every kiss, every touch from him, my heart tells my mind to shut up.

I notice a hand waving in the air when my eyes travel to it I notice it is Nova her smile is wide as she drags Hudson who is attached t
o her hand. “Miley!” she says all excited like. Yeah I told her I was over him but that doesn’t mean I want to see it. “When did you two get together?” she asks with excitement in her voice.

“A little overdressed?” Hudson mumbles.

“Yeah, what’s the occasion?” Nova chimes tilting her head.

“My dad got married today.”

“Oh.” She gasps as she covers her mouth. “I’m so sorry I totally forgot.” Nova is the only friend besides Declan I invited. I didn’t expect her to show when I invited her anyway.

“It’s alright.” I reply.
I just had the best night of my life without either of them
.

“Nova, come on slow
poke.” I hear a familiar annoying voice in the distance I look toward it to see Jess with some guy his arm draped around her shoulders.

“The queen calls.” I nod towards Jess.

“I’m sorry, Miley. We came here with them.” Nova explains even though she doesn’t have to. Not like any of the rest of us in this foursome wants to hang out. Even if my ex wasn’t attached to Nova I still wouldn’t want her over here. I want Declan all to myself.  I watch as Hudson and Nova make their way towards Jess, my old life. The life I don’t miss one bit.

“You alright?”
Declan asks in my ear, his arms tighten.

“It is a little weird seeing them together, but I am glad it is you I am here with.” I relax my head back onto his chest.

“I’m glad you’re here with me too.” He says before kissing my cheek again.

Chapter 20

I
am still reeling in the events of last night as I root through the fridge for something to eat. There are plenty of leftovers from the wedding but they aren’t breakfast foods. With Dad and Penelope gone for the week I am not one bit worried about being lonely. I have Declan. Good thing he eats like a horse so we can make a dent in these leftovers maybe his brothers can come over and help with it as well. “Good morning Miley.” I jump at the sound of the other voice and hit my head on the top of the refrigerator.  I rub the back of my hair and turn to see my Aunt Kate, my mom’s younger sister.  She is in her mid-twenties. With her long blond hair and hazel eyes she looks more like my sister than my aunt.

“Aunt Kate, you scared the crap out of me.” I gush.

“Good to see you too.” She leans against the counter

“I just thought I was alone” I laugh.  “I am excited to see you.” I squeal as I hug her. “What are you doing?”

“Your dad wanted me to stay with you while he was gone.”

“What?” I shake my head as I open my bottled water.
“He has never worried about me being alone before.”

“I’ll make us breakfast.” She offers.

“Why does my dad think I need a baby-sitter? I am seventeen.” I climb up on the barstool.

“What does it matter you get to hang out with Aunt Kate this week.” She says as she takes a pan out of the cabinet.

“So when did you get here anyway?” I ask her.

“About five in this morning.” she throws some butter in the pan a
nd starts the stove up. The doorbell chimes and Aunt Kate looks up at me. I don’t move. “Well it is your house, go get the door.” She says shooing me away.

I can’t believe what I see when I open the door. There is Hudson with his puppy dog face. “What are you doing here?” I step outside and shut the door behind me.

“I can’t stop thinking about you.” He says as he rubs the back of his neck. “And after I saw you last night, it just made it worse.” I cross my arms and glare at him. Less than twenty four hours ago
Declan stood in this exact spot professing his love for me.

“What about Nova?” I snap.

“Nova and I aren’t in love.” He says.

“And you think you are in love with me? And it is alright for you to cheat?”

“I didn’t cheat on you.” He says quickly shaking his head. His hands slide into the pockets of his crisp jeans. “I wish you would believe me,” he steps towards me and I take a step backwards not allowing him to close the distance between us. “Jess she like drugged me or something. I can barely remember that night, just you leaving me.”

“So you wait a month to tell me this?” I lower my eyebrows.

“I tried that next morning to tell you. When I showed up he was here. You moved on, I know. He is not the guy for you.”

“Why is he not the guy for me, because he is good to me?” I snap.

“No, Miley, that isn’t what I meant by that.  I know we belong together.”

Anger rises in me. “You know what this is really about?” I say swinging my head to the side. “You saw me with another guy last night, happy and you can’t stand the fact
that it wasn’t  you.” He flinches when I say this. I stab him in the middle of his chest with my finger. “You were fine when you thought I was alone. You moved on, but I am not allowed to? You think you have some kind of claim to me because we were together for so long, well you don’t.” I huff his eyes are wide and his jaw tense.

“Miley, that isn’t true! I tried to move on, but I can’t.”

“Well you are not dumping Nova for me and I am definitely not dumping Declan to get back with you.” I take a step back and reach for the door handle I am done with this conversation.

“Miley I’
m sorry.”

I whip my head back towards him I now have t
he front door open and stop mid-step. “Why can’t you understand that I’m sorry is not good enough?” I reply coolly before I slam the door in his face.

My backyard was transformed back into its normal state just as quickly as it was turned into a fairytale wedding. Aunt Kate went out with friends and Declan and Isaac are on their way over any minute. I am in my bikini laying poolside while sipping on my frozen lemonade.

“Cannon
ball!” I see a blur fly past me before splashing into the water. I squeal when the cool liquid flies up on me.

“What was that?” Declan is laughing. “Sounded like some kind of an animal. You part cat or something.”

“I did not sound like a cat.” My voice squeaks.

“Is the water cold, Isaac?” Declan asks when Isaac pops his head out of the water.

“It’s not cold.” Isaac says shaking out his wet hair.

“It is too cold.” I protest.

“I guess I am going to have to find out for myself.” He says pulling his shirt over his head. I try not to stare, for someone who looks so scrawny in his baggie close his abs are defined and though his arms are not big they are sculpted. I look back at Isaac not at the shirtless Declan right beside me.  He runs and jumps in right in front of me, shaking his head out when he pops out of the water.

“It’s not cold.” He tells me then looks at Isaac. “Did she squeal again?” he says with a laugh while pointing at me. Isaac shakes his head with a big smile.
“Darn.” Declan smacks his hand against the water, splashing me again. I hold my arm in front of my face trying to shield myself from the cold water.

“Stop it,
” I giggle, “stop it.”

“Alright, I’ll stop.” He holds his hands up.
“If you get in here with me.”

“I will, I just need t
o get used to it first.”  I tiptoe to the edge of the pool and stick my big toe in.

“
Awe come on now. This water is warmer than the water hose.” He says teasingly.

I glare at him. “I don’t like being cold.” I say as I lower myself down on the edge of the pool. Both my legs are now immersed in the chilly water.

“Miley, quit being a wimp it only takes a second to get used to.” He says swimming towards me. Before I can react he jumps out of the water like a shark after its prey. He wraps his arms around me and brings me down under.

I feel like a drowned rat when I pop back up and wet hair clings to my face. “You butt!” I yell at
him as I jump on his back and pull him under. I swim away before he pops his head back up out of the water.

“This is war!’ he shouts, I am laughing so hard I don’t know how I am swimming right now. “You better be on my side this time little brother.” He shouts back at Isaac as he gains on me.

“No, I am staying out of this one.” Isaac laughs just as I pull him under. I keep going though. I can’t let Declan catch up with me.

“Alright
Miley, you asked for it!” Isaac shouts now joining Declan in the chase.

I keep swimming away when Declan emerges in front of me. I scream then hold my breath and close my e
yes waiting to go under as he wraps his arms around me. Instead of water hitting my face like I expect, his lips crash into mine, this is a nice surprise. I slip my hands around his neck and pull him closer.

“You guys are gross.” Isaac’s voice interrupts us. Declan pulls his lips away from mine, but doesn’t let go of me. He looks at Isaac and laughs.

“I almost forgot he was here.” He whispers in my ear. Isaac splashes us as he swims away.

“Me too.”
I reply.

Declan leans his forehead against mine. “It is probably a g
ood thing I brought him with me,” he says all huskily.

I know I am wearing the same goofy smile I was wearing last night, but the corners of my mouth have their own mind when he is around me. He lets go of me all too soon and swims towards Isaac.

“How can you possibly be cold in this heat?” Declan says as he wraps a towel around my shoulders.

“It’s a little chilly when wet.” I shiver. “I’ll be fine once I dry.” I lower myself down on the lounge chair and he slides in beside me his arms slide around my waist and holds me tight.

“You need to toughen up.” He laughs before he kisses the top of my head. I watch as Isaac swims laps back and forth in the pool.

“I wish I had a little brother.” I sigh.

“I’ll sell him to you.” He says with a chuckle. I have to laugh at this I look up at him his sparkling blue eyes and d
amp blond hair. He is a complete contrast to Hudson. That reminds me of this morning.

“Hudson came by earlier.” I say softly not sure if I should be telling him this or not. Will it make him mad? He doesn’t say anything at first he keeps his eyes on his brother. I think I did make him mad.

“What did he want?” he says softly. I didn’t expect that I expected a harsh reply.

“He
was a little jealous when he saw us together.” I tell him, just waiting for him to flip out now.  I keep my eyes on the pool, not him.

“So does he think if he can’t have you nobody can?” his voice is still soft as he begins to run his hand up and down my arm.

“Pretty much.” I finally turn to look at him once I realize he isn’t going to go all crazy- jealous-boyfriend on me. “You know you’re the only boyfriend I’ve had besides him.”

“I didn’t know that.” His arms tighten around me as he smiles.  “Boyfriend, I like that title.”

“I like calling you that, Boyfriend.” I giggle.

Isaac cl
imbs out of the pool and cannonballs back in right in front of us. I squeal again.

“Isaac!” Declan shouts. Isaac holds his hands out.

“What it’s a pool?” he says all innocently

“Just want to give you heads up; there are more people on Sunday mornings than there are in the middle of the week. We have youth group this morning, so when we are done singing we go upstairs to the youth room with Nate and Lexi.” I can’t believe I am letting him take me to church again. It was Isaac’s idea yesterday before they left he asked me to come.