Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2) (31 page)

"Go talk to her," Kallie whispered as we walked from the cab into the lobby.
 

"What am I supposed to say?"

"I don't know, but you guys have a bond that I've never seen before. Maybe you can help," she said, shoving me forward to catch up with my sister.
 

I sighed and knew I couldn't tell her no. I grabbed Scarlett's hand and led her the opposite direction that the group as they headed toward the resort bar. She didn't argue as I pulled her up the stairs to the deck that spanned over the ocean and pool. Once outside, we rested our arms on the railing and watched the waves.

"I'm happy for you," she said, breaking the silence. "I hated seeing you two so unhappy."

"Thank you. I'm mad for you," I admitted. I had to distract myself countless times when I thought about the dickhead that lied to her.
 

"Don't be. Every thing happens for a reason."

Was that true? What was the point of her getting her heart broken? Why was she abandoned a day before the wedding? Why did Kallie leave me and fall into her old ways. "What's the point of this?" I had to ask.
 

"Not sure yet," she admitted. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into me.
 

"You know I'm always here for you," I told her.
 

"I know," she nodded. "So, is she staying with us?"

I smiled. "Yeah. I asked her to move in. Is that okay?" I asked. I really should have talked to her before I asked Kallie.

"Of course. I want you to be happy, and I love her. She is amazing and she's like a sister to me."

I hugged her tightly. My sister may have a hard exterior, but she was always thinking of everyone else before herself. We stood in silence for a while longer. We didn't need words. We rarely did. I felt her pain the moment the cuffs where clicked on his wrists. I felt like my own heart was being torn from my chest. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that she didn't know that. I was always there for her, no matter what. I would love her unconditionally like no one else could.
 

As I walked her back down to the bar, I contemplated her theory of how everything happens for a reason. I cold see the reasoning behind some of things we have been through in the past few years. Why couldn't have Adam proved us wrong and been the guy for her? Why was Carter in that car the same time Logan and I were driving down the road? Why did it rain that night?
 

I fingered the wire harness bracelet that Kallie made me. It seemed like her nervous habit rubbed off on me. I caught sight of Kallie as soon as I stepped foot on the sand surrounding the tiki bar. She was sitting between Caleb and Logan. She was laughing at something Logan was telling her with wild arm gestures. She was glowing and my two best friends were smitten. It was impossible not to be.
 

I watched her as she talked to my friends. Her smile was wide and her eyes sparkled, even in the darkness. Maybe she needed to go home when she did. Maybe she needed to dive back into her old life and realize what she really wanted. As I looked at her now, I knew without a doubt that she would stay with me. I knew she would stay because she wanted to and not because she was lost and I was the one she was clinging to in order to stay afloat.
 

We approached our friends and spent the night laughing and goofing off. Caleb flirted with a local girl, and Logan kept Scarlett in conversation. My mom turned in early, claiming she was too old to keep up with us. Brent and his date shut down the bar with us. I helped Kallie stumble back to our room and tucked her in before she passed out.
 

The next day was our last day in Hawaii. Kallie booked us up with activities. She said it was because she wanted to experience everything, but I think it was too keep Scarlett busy. We enjoyed another breakfast at the hotel and then hustled out to a boat. Before we boarded the boat for a tour of the island, my mom pulled me aside.
 

"You will take care of her, right?" she asked.
 

"Yes. Which one? It doesn't matter, I got them both," I told her.
 

"I just worry about her," she sighed. "I worry about both of you, you know?"

I nodded. "I know."

"Will you come for lunches on Sundays?" she asked me.

I sighed. "I don't know," I said honestly. I wanted to forgive her and move on from the anger I had, but I wasn't sure if it was that easy.
 

"You have every reason to be angry with me. I was a terrible mother. I never should have taken out my hurt on you. You didn't deserve it and not a day goes by that I don't regret it. Please, forgive me?"
 

I turned and looked down into her eyes that were so much like mine and my sister's. They were pleading and full of hurt and guilt. "I'll try, momma," I said. "I can't say that everything will be perfect overnight, but I will try."

She let out a breath and wrapped her arms around me. I stood frozen, not used to the motherly gesture. I gave in and wrapped my arms around her, letting some of the anger go. When I pulled away, my gaze was drawn to my girlfriend. A soft smile graced her face as she watched the exchange.
 

"I like her," my mom said when she followed my line of sight to Kallie.
 

"I do, too," I said before helping my mom step onto the rocking boat.
 

We spent the day cruising the open water. The tour guide took us around the island, pointing out places they filmed movies and spewing out fun facts. The island was beautiful with waterfalls, cliffs, and clear water. None of the sights compared to seeing my girl in a see-through cover up and straw sun hat. My eyes were glued to her more than the island sights.

The boat docked us in a small town of the coast. The streets were filled with people for a music festival. I held Kallie's hand as we weaved through the crowd, listening to the unique string sound you can only find in Hawaii. We tried the local food, and I bought Kallie a shell bracelet handmade by a local from a booth. I knew it was never something she would find in her father's store, so I knew she would love it.
 

"Stay with me," I whispered in her ear as we started to pour into a taxi.
 

She turned and looked at me, confused. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Stay. With. Me." I clarified. "Forever." It wasn't a proposal, but a promise, a question of forever and a future.
 

"Forever," she confirmed before pulling my neck down to kiss me.
 

I cupped her face and held her lips tightly to mine. I breathed in her exhale, swallowed it, and let it reside inside me. I wanted all of her. All of her cries, breaths, and smiles. I would never have enough and I wanted to spend the rest our lives trying to reach the point of fullness. I would take everything she was willing to give and never get sick of it. I knew what it was like to lose her, to fall in love with her and then hate her. My favorite would always be loving her.
 

Kallie

Leaving paradise was harder than I thought it would be. I felt like I was trapped in a blissful bubble on this island, and I didn't want it to pop yet. Of course it was raining when we woke up that morning to pack. It perfectly matched my somber mood. I only smiled when Ryder handed me the two boxes of jewelry. Both meant the world to me and put my life in perspective. I was saddened Scarlett never got to wear my family heirloom.
 

Ryder went to Marie's and bought the turquoise that I wanted the following day. He cared then and I had to believe he always would. He asked me to move in. He wanted to keep me forever. The way he said forever made my heart jump and think he meant more than the words he was saying. I was elated and terrified at the same time.
 

What if he went home and changed his mind? What if he was still angry at me for leaving? I believed him with all my heart; I just hoped he knew what he was asking for. He already had my heart and that never changed. I would never hurt him again, and I never wanted to be without him. I pushed my worries to the back of my mind and left the hotel room with Ryder.
 

He held my hand down to the lobby and put his arm around me in the cab ride. Our group was quiet and subdued in the airport. We lost the excitement we had on the way down here. We were headed back to reality, with work and responsibilities. It dawned on me; I had no work or responsibilities. I had no idea what to do with myself when I returned and moved in with Ryder.
 

"You're thinking too hard, pretty girl," Ryder teased, hugging my shoulder with his while we waited to board the plane.
 

"I'm moving in with you," I said.
 

"I hope so," he started. "Why? Are you changing your mind?" I could see the panic and hurt in his face.

"No, baby," I rushed. He visibly relaxed. "I just don't know what to do after that. Do I work at Minnie's? How do I tell my parents? And -," Ryder cut me off with his lips.
 

"Please stop over thinking this," he whispered on my skin. "You can do whatever you want to do. You want to go back to Minnie's? Then you can. You could live off your bonus money and make your own jewelry if you want. The world is yours to do what you want with, baby. I just want you to be you and be happy."

I closed my eyes tightly and rested my forehead on his. I let his words wash over me and sink in deep. I was waiting forever to hear those words from someone. I just wanted to find my own way and be happy. I ran away and found Ryder in search of that very thing. I found more than I ever thought I would.
 

The flights home were endless. It was pure torture, filled with uncomfortable seats, layovers, and crappy airplane food. There were no sky-high parties like the flight there. It was quiet and depressing. We took turns sitting with Scarlett, but she barely spoke. I think the reality of flying home reminded her that she was flying home alone and with the same last name that she left with.
 

I napped on and off in Ryder's arms. After half a day of flying, my mind started to slow down. His arms were strong around me and his kisses were tender and loving. I knew deep down that everything would be okay. I would tell my parents I was moving in with my boyfriend, and I would make custom pieces to sell in town. It was that easy. I didn't need to overthink it.

I knew from experience that I never wanted to do something I didn't want to ever again. I remembered the empty feeling I had every day I was in Cleveland. I wasn't living. I was existing. It wasn't enough and I learned that the hard way. At least my time away taught me that. I almost lost Ryder in the process, but I leaned a lot about myself, and it's a lesson I wouldn't forget.
 

"Do you want kids?" I asked over the hum of the plane engines.

Ryder tightened his grip around me as we cuddled in the seats. "I don't know, honestly. Never really thought about it. Do you?"

I tilted my head up to look at him. "I don't know. I always assumed I did because that's what you do. Grow up, get married, and have babies. Now, I feel like I have to rethink everything and I get to decide for myself."

"For us," he corrected, and I nodded.
 

"Us." I wove my fingers through his and squeezed.
 

It was dark when we finally landed in Cincinnati. I was exhausted and nauseous from the airplane food and constant movement. Scarlett and I sat on a luggage cart while the guys searched through baggage claim. Both of us refused to move, so Logan pushed us through the airport while Ryder and Caleb carried the bags.

We piled into the school van and greeted Mr. Rhodes with a series of grunts and moans. After dropping off Mrs. Brooks, he took us all back to the apartment. Without speaking, we setup in the living room like we had the night before we left for Hawaii. No one should be driving home this tired. I desperately wanted to shower, but I didn't want to walk all the way to the bathroom.
 

The next morning, voices woke me from my deep slumber. I opened my eyes and found myself alone on the living room floor. The smell of coffee wafted in the room and I sat up to find my boyfriend. Ryder was walking to me with coffee in hand. His hair was messy, sticking up in random directions. I ran my fingers through it, adding to the mess of darkness I loved so much.
 

"Morning," he said in a thick voice. He must not have been up long.
 

"Morning." I smiled and kissed him softly. He reached out his hand and helped me up to my feet.
 

I joined the guys in the kitchen and glanced over to Scarlett's closed door. "She okay?" I asked.

"Hard to tell," Ryder said.

I set my empty cup in the sink and knocked on her door. After she called me in, I opened the door. Scarlett was sitting on the floor, surrounded by boxes. She was pulling out her art supplies and putting them back on the desk. Clothes were strewn around the room and she didn't look up from her task when I came in. She was supposed to be moving tomorrow morning into a house with Adam, which may or may not have existed.