Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2) (32 page)

"Why did you guys let me do this?" she asked me as she tossed an empty box over to the corner.
 

"What do you mean?"
 

"You guys didn't like him, I could tell. I thought it was just the boys being over protective, but you guys knew something was up. Why didn't anyone try to stop me?" She looked up at me with wet eyes.
 

"I'm sorry," I said, kneeling down to the floor next to her. "I didn't think you would listen. I wanted proof, but I also wanted to believe he was right for you."

"You didn't come up with any proof?"

I sighed. "I asked my head of security to look into him, but he never came back with anything. Ryder and I followed him once."

"And?" Her eyes were wide with surprise.

"He said he was going home, but we followed him to a casino. He seemed to be a regular there," I admitted.

"What the actually fuck, Kallie," she scolded as she stood up to glare down at me. "You guys didn't think that you needed to tell me that? He was lying to me, and you guys fucking knew it?"

"I didn't think you would believe us," I defended. "I'm sorry."

"Quit being sorry," she grounded. "I don't want your pity. I looked like a complete idiot! There was a reason I didn't let guys in, and he only cemented that for me. Now, get out of my room."

"What? Scar, I'm sorry," I pleaded.

"Just go," she said softly. "I'll get over it. I'll get over all of it soon, just not this second. I hate being made a fool of and I can't take any more pity from another fucking person. So please, just leave me alone."

"Scarlett," a voice boomed behind me. Ryder stood in the doorway, giving his sister a reprimanding glare.

"Fuck you, too," she snarled. I stood and brushed past him, finding that the guys had left already.

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that," Ryder said behind me after her door slammed closed.
 

"No, I did. She has every right to be pissed," I admitted. "I can understand not wanting the pity. She just needs her space."

Ryder nodded but still looked conflicted. I walked over to my bags and dug around for something to wear. I pulled out a pair of jeans and plain black v-neck shirt. I found my bag with all my makeup and shower stuff and headed to the bathroom off the living room.

"Where you going?" Ryder asked.
 

"To shower," I told him.
 

"I was thinking," he started, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked nervous. "You want to move your stuff into my bathroom? Our bathroom?"

I smiled. "You want my girly stuff taking over?"

"Yeah, I actually do. Unless you changed your mind?"

I shook my head. I was so used to being the guest here. I was always sure to stay out of his space, even before I left for home. I never wanted to push him too far. Ryder was never one for commitment, and I didn't want to intrude on his life. I took my stuff and walked past him and into his bathroom.
 

I took the longest shower possible, trying to wash off the travel. I ran the water until it started to grow cold. I felt guilty for using all the hot water, but it was worth it. I felt refreshed as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped up in a soft towel. When I came out into the bedroom, the rest of my bags were in the bedroom and Ryder was sitting on the edge of the bed.
 

"Will you move in with me?" he asked with his sexy smile.
 

"You already asked me that," I teased.

"Well, I am asking again, without the influence of the ocean or perfect atmosphere. I wanted you know I still want this."

"I do, too," I answered as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. "I have to go home and get some things from my place still," I said against his lips.
 

He nodded and I felt his body tense under me. I knew he hated the thought of me going home, but I was going to prove that he had nothing to worry about. The sound of a door slamming broke us apart and we listened to the sound of footsteps running down the steps. Ryder leaned over and looked out the window as Scarlett's car tore out of the parking lot.
 

"Everyone works through things their own way," I told him, trying to ease the look of concern on his face. "I'm gonna go call my mom."

Ryder let me up and I grabbed my phone from the counter. Once down in the parking lot, I hit my mom's contact and waited to hear her voice on the line.
 

"Hey, Mom," I said once she answered.
 

"How was it? You make it home safe?" she asked immediately.

"It was great. It was so beautiful, I never wanted to leave. And I'm home, safe and sound."

"How was the wedding?" she asked.
 

I sighed and filled her in on the events that lead up to Adam, or Jacob, being escorted away in cuffs. I told her how we still had a party in place of the reception and trashed the dress. She actually laughed when I told her about splashing paint all over the gown. I never thought she would find that sort of behavior funny.
 

"Mom, Ryder asked me to move in with him," I finally said, holding my breath for her response.
 

"You said yes." It wasn't a question. It was a statement. She said it knowingly, without any anger. "You're an adult. I will miss you and I wish it wasn't so far away, but this is your choice to make."

"Really? You don't think I'm moving too fast or making a huge mistake?" Those were the words I expected to hear from her.
 

She laughed softly. "That's something you need to figure out on your own. I can't tell you, you need to learn it and find out for yourself. With great love comes the possibility of great heartbreak. I worry about you and want you to be happy, but you won't hold back because you're scared."

"Thank you," I whispered. I always valued my mother's advice because I was raised to. I was raised to always obey and respect my parents. I never questioned their decisions or rules before Carter's death. At this moment, her words made sense to me and I agreed. Not because I should, but because I believed in it too. "I'll come by tomorrow for my things. Will you talk to daddy for me, please?"

"Yes," she agreed. "He loves you. He will be upset you're leaving, but it's only because you're his little girl."

"I know, Mom. I love you."

We said our goodbyes, and I went back up the apartment. We spent the day unpacking and doing laundry. Ryder would have to work in the morning and I was dangerously low on things to wear. It felt strange hanging things up in his closet. Everything in this apartment always felt like his. I felt like I was intruding, even though he told me repeatedly I was not. I believed him; I could see it in his face how much he really wanted me here. It just didn't make the feeling any less awkward.
 

That evening, Ryder cooked dinner and we watched a movie. I kept waiting for the door to burst open and Scarlett to come barreling through it. It never did. I was worried and she wouldn't answer any of my texts or calls. I am assuming she went back to the pre-Adam Scarlett, staying out all night with strangers. As much as I didn't think that was the best way to handle what she was feeling, there was no way of stopping her. I stayed up late until my eyelids refused to stay open.
 

"Come on, baby. Let's get to bed."

"I'm not tired," I lied. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows at me while I yawned.

"She'll come home. She's an adult, and we can't control her."

I nodded and followed him into his bedroom. Our bedroom. Ryder pulled down the covers and I slipped in next to him, resting my head on his shoulder.
 

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until I'm off to go get your stuff?" he asked for the tenth time.

"Yeah. It's just clothes and stuff," I told him. The place came furnished when I moved in and I didn't want my childhood bedroom set. There was nothing heavy, and if I hurried, we could still have the night together.
 

"Can you take the comforter and sheets from the apartment? They were really soft," he asked.

I laughed. "Of course," I said. I smiled thinking there would be a little bit of me in the bedroom. He wasn't against letting me change things in his place.
 

The next morning, I woke when Ryder's alarm went off. He leaned over to shut it off before placing a soft kiss to my lips. He groaned as he got of the bed and pulled on his jeans and black shirt. I watched the muscles in his wide back move as he moved around the room to get ready. He turned around and caught me staring.

"I could get used to this," he whispered, leaning over me to kiss me again. "I'll make coffee."

I smiled and stretched, still feeling stiff from a day of sitting in planes and airports. It was weird to think that twenty-four hours ago we were in paradise. I was worried that coming back home would change things between us, but I was wrong. Ryder didn't seem to be pushing me away, and I was sure in my decision to move down here.
 

I wasn't sure what I would do for work or anything yet, but I knew I wanted to be with someone who made me happy. I needed to be where I felt alive. I threw on a pair of shorts and tank top before going out to the kitchen. I glanced at Scarlett's door, which was still open.
 

"She didn't come home," he answered my unspoken question.

"Should I be worried?" I asked as I took the travel mug of coffee he was handing me.
 

"No. I'll track her down today. This isn't the first time she’s done this," he told me.

"I know, but I just worry because she was so upset."

"You have a huge heart, Kallie Adams. That's why I love you," he said as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "You sure you don't want me to go with you?"

I looked up in his eyes and saw the concern there. He was either nervous about the long drive alone, or the fact I was going home again. Without him.
 

"Yes. I will text you and call you. I won't take long," I promised, giving him a serious look and trying to chase away the worries he had.
 

I knew my words wouldn't be enough. Words could lie and mislead. We'd both seen enough in the past to know that. Actions were what mattered. What I did proved that I loved him. I knew deep in my heart that I finally knew what I wanted and I was sure of it. I left last summer confused, hurt, and swarming with emotions. I wasn't strong enough to realize that I was miserable without him. I'm strong enough now to know that nothing can keep us apart.
 

Ryder

"Dude, your girl's box is getting a little full over there," Tom pointed out as I clocked in for the day. I looked over and saw he was right. The box of random pieces we were saving for Kallie was overfilling and another one had been setup. It was already half-full.
 

"Thanks. I'll take them home tonight," I told them.
 

I headed to the back office and looked over the list of projects, trying to pick out what I would do for the day.
 

"Sorry about your sister," Travis said, patting me on the shoulder. "If I ever see that guy, I'm gonna remove his teeth with my fist."

"Not if I get to him first," I grumbled. Travis took me in as soon as I left home at eighteen. He gave me a job at the shop and taught me most of what I know about cars. He was always looking out for me, and in turn, my other half. I smiled gratefully and patted him on the back as I walked out to the shop. Our own father didn't even bother to RSVP to the wedding and here was Travis, taking on that fatherly role for us.
 

I checked my phone and saw Kallie texted me that she was heading back north. I told her to be careful and tried to keep busy so I wouldn't worry about her. It was a long drive back to her apartment in the city and her parents' house was a bit of a hike from there as well. I wanted to be with her while she packed up her things. I hated that she had to tell them on her own that she would be leaving home. I felt like it should have been something we did together.
 

Part of me feared she wouldn't come back. I believed her when she said she would be back. I believed that she really thought she would, but she thought that the last time she left. Kallie was loyal and loving. She hated to tell anyone no and would do anything for those she loved. It was my favorite thing about her, but I was worried her parents would ask her to stay and she would cave. I hated myself for thinking that and tried to push those thoughts out of mind. I will see her tonight, and everything will be fine.
 

About an hour before I clocked out, my phone rang. Kallie already texted that she made it to the apartment, so I doubted it would be her. I quickly hit the answer button when I saw Logan's name.

"What's up?" I asked. I hated when he called. He rarely did, and when he did call, it was never good news.
 

"Your sister is here. You need to come pick her up," he told me quietly.