“I’m tired. I want to go to bed but I—”
“Don’t want to do it alone?”
Thank god. He read my mind.
“Yes.” I admit feeling my cheeks starting to overheat. Crap. I don’t wanna blush now.
“Belle, I’m gonna ignore the obvious way you’re affecting me right now because I need to ask you something important.”
“What?”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure about what?”
“It’s your first night home. Your head—are you sure it wouldn’t be easier to sleep alone?”
And he calls me the naïve one? How he can think for a second that sleeping apart from him is easier is beyond me.
“Do you want to sleep alone?”
“Are you kidding me? I want you in my arms all night. I just don’t want it to be uncomfortable or make you feel pressured.”
“Kayden?”
“Yes, sunshine?”
“Will you please sleep with me?”
Pulling me into him without a second’s hesitation, he kisses the top of my head again before pulling back enough to lean in and brush his lips against mine.
“Remember how I said I was affected by you a second ago?”
“Yes.”
“Saying things like that makes it worse.” He whispers and his lips lift until he’s grinning. “I know I’m irresistible and it’s hard keeping your hands off me, but you’re gonna have to do it because we’re going to bed to sleep.”
His grin turns into full on laughter when I lift my hand and smack him in the chest and hearing it, especially after going so long without it, I join him.
“Maybe separate beds is the right move after all. I don’t think there’ll be enough room for me with you already sharing space with that gigantic ego of yours.”
“Ouch.” Clutching his hand to his chest, I laugh and he leans in and kisses me, the laughter draining away as my senses tune into the frequency that is uniquely Kayden. It’s only when we break apart that he says the seven words that have the ability to stop my heart.
“Let me take you to bed, Belle.”
~*~*~
After the routine of going to bed and waking up with him for the last week while I recuperated, waking up alone today, it’s strange even though I know I have nothing to worry about.
He’s going to come back and it’s proven when I finally make my way out the kitchen and see the paper on the bar.
Isabelle,
My air, my reason, my eternal sunshine. I love you.
I energy you.
I guess you know by now that I’m not here, but you’ll see me soon, I promise.
Open the fridge, grab the plate and warm up your breakfast. Eat it because if you don’t, when I see you, I’ll know. When you’re done pick out something pretty to wear (So basically wear anything you own) and when you’ve done meet me out front.
Don’t skip steps either because I’ll know that too. :)
Belle hurry, because I already miss you and I haven’t even left yet. <3
Yes, I was right. He’s up to something and judging from the way he asked me to hurry, it’s something I’ve got another time limit for. Only this time, it’s because the feeling is mutual.
I miss him too.
Kayden
“This has got to be the craziest fucking thing I’ve ever been a part of.” Dillon moans before doing what I need him to and blowing all of his hot air and complaints into the balloons instead of at me.
“Says the guy that asked me to drape a million lights all over the ravine trees. This is tame compared to that shit. Besides, with the amount of shit that spews out of your mouth, you’ve got more than enough air to fill a few balloons.”
Standing to his feet and making his way over to me, he releases the balloon from his mouth and as the air releases, the balloon hits me in the face and he cracks up laughing.
“Asshole.”
“You really need a new insult.”
“How many of these do you want?” Eric calls from the corner where he and Amelia, along with Cadence are all doing the same thing as my irritating best friend and complaining a whole lot less about it.
“Seventeen for the list of words I gave all of you and six separate from that, but I took care of those.”
“You could have just said twenty-three.” He responds, his expression deadpan as always, which just makes Dillon start laughing again.
“I like it when Carmen puts you in your place.”
“Shut up, Dill. Just do what I need you to do. You know, what you’re good at?”
“What’s that?”
Eric and Amelia start to snicker in the corner, catching on quickly and because I feel like being a total dick, I just smile, shrug and make my way over to the window.
As soon as the balloons are taken care of, the six most important ones already blown with the words across them, it’ll be time to put the rest of the plan in motion.
The only thing missing now is the other important piece. The one piece that isn’t Isabelle.
Before I went to visit Isaac, I knew I wanted to do this, but at the time I hadn’t worked it all out in my head. I only had the basic idea and was prepared to run with it. After talking to him, seeing the way he cares about her, I knew I had to make him a part of it. For this to mean as much as I want it to, him being there depends on it.
Watching for any sign of movement across the street where I know by now that she’s gotten my note, I see nothing and turn my attention back to the people in the room as they continue talking, all of them happier than I’ve ever seen them.
This, what I’m about to do, wouldn’t be possible without their help. Eric, Amelia, Cadence and Dillon, they’re as much a part of me as Belle is and I don’t know where I would be without them.
They’re my family and they’re proof that not everyone that loves you leaves. Sometimes, they stay.
Pulling out my phone, I type out a quick text to Isaac, letting him know where and when to meet us and after I see that it’s sent open up another one and type one out to Belle. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done this, but with all of the time I had to kill in the hospital alone, I’ve got more than enough songs to make up for it.
“Miles Away” – Memphis May Fire
When I was in Toronto, this song was on repeat a lot. It reminded me of us and even now that I’m back, it still does. I miss u. <3
“Dude, we’re done. Added to yours we’ve got twenty-three balloons. Other than adding the words.” Dillon calls out and as I turn around to answer him, I realize in the time he spent talking he’s moved and is now directly behind me. “Are you sure about this?”
Understanding why he waited until he was near me to ask, the rest of the people in the room not knowing what I’m about to do, I nod.
“You think it’s the wrong move?”
“No, I don’t. It’s you and Belle. It makes perfect sense.”
He’s right. What I’m about to do might be a lot for other people and it might even piss others off considering how young we are. But they don’t know shit and they definitely don’t know us. This day has been inevitable since the moment I met her. I’m just pissed it took me almost nineteen years to do something about it.
“Thanks.”
“Kay, if you keep it up, you’ll make me cry. Don’t you dare make my mascara run!”
“You’re an idiot.” Returning his laughter with an eye roll, I point over to the table where a massive set of balloons in different colors and sizes are waiting. “Let’s finish this up and get the show on the road, huh?”
We set to work, taking turns with the marker until everything is done. Everyone starts moving around me after it’s completed, getting their jackets and shoes on, the balloons all put together the way I need them to be. I hear my phone go off and looking down, the final piece of the puzzle comes together.
On my way there now.
Isaac’s on board.
Belle
M
ayday Parade – “I Swear This Time I Mean It”
The text comes through after I’ve slipped my jacket on and knowing the song, I’m glad there’s no explanation with it. With as easily as I can pull up the lyrics in my head, it’s another one that’s perfect for us. The new version.
Heading to the bar and grabbing the papers I left there earlier, I slip them into my jacket, more than a little excited to get out the door to where I know Kayden is going to be waiting for me.
It’s only after I’ve made my way out and shut and locked the door that I turn and see who’s leaning against the hood of Kayden’s car and it’s definitely not him.
Dillon. Again.
“Don’t look so happy to see me. You’ll burst.” He laughs when I reach the car.
“I was expecting—”
“Romeo, I know. Sorry to disappoint, but you’re stuck with me.”
Laughing at his joke before opening the door and sliding my body into it, careful to pull the seatbelt over my lap, Dillon does the same and laughs the minute he sees me all buckled in.
“Shit. I’m not that bad of a driver, am I?”
“Is that a joke?”
“It was supposed to be. Wait! Do you really think I’m a bad driver?”
“No, but if you don’t shut up and take me to Kayden, I might start.”
“Who are you and what did you do with Belle?”
“Stop stealing my lines.” I smile remembering the drive to Toronto when I asked him the very same thing.
“Fine. Let’s get the princess to her prince before he turns into a frog or however that story goes.”
He pulls away from the curb and the rest of the ride is driven in silence, but where before it would have been uncomfortable, this time it’s not. It’s relaxing and exactly what I need before whatever it is Kayden’s got planned. A couple minutes after we pull away. I close my eyes and just enjoy the peacefulness of the drive.
“Psst.” Dillon whispers before tapping me on the shoulder. “We’re here.”
Opening my eyes, I take in where here is and his earlier words are true. The ride really wasn’t long and where we are, is exactly where I want to be.
Wexfield Memorial Park.
The place where Kayden kissed me for the first time.
“Oh god, look out! She’s got a dreamy look in her eye! Something pretty big must have happened here.”
“Dillon?”
“Yeah?
“Shut up.”
“Geez. What is with you people?”
“What do you mean?”
“Kayden spent the better part of the day calling me an ass and now you’re telling me to shut up. Are you sure you’re not sharing the same brain? I hear that happens with people that know each other a really long time.”
Ignoring him completely even though what he said does make me smile, I point out the window and look back at him.
“You coming?”
“That’s really none of your business.” He says, his face serious until he cracks and starts laughing. “Come on, Sleeping Beauty. There’s a prince out there that will kill me if I don’t get you to him for the kiss.”
“You know a little too much about Disney princesses, Dillon. If I wasn’t so eager to see Kayden, I’d be worried.”
Slipping out of the car, I start walking across the grass until I can make out Kayden in the distance. Turning back and noticing that Dillon hasn’t made a move to get out and follow, I wave for him to come and that’s when he points and starts saying words I can’t hear but thankfully can still understand.
It’s a party for two. No boys allowed.
Turning and making my way across the grass, I’m thankful that I chose to wear jeans because with as much time as we’ve spent apart, there’s no way I’m wasting another second. I start running and I don’t stop until I’m directly in front of him.
My face is flushed, I’m sure there’s sweat starting to bead at the top of my head, but I’m here and from where I’m standing now, I see what I couldn’t quite make out from the car.
In each of his hands are a bunch of balloons with words on them, some I can make out, but others blocked. It’s confusing, but with the smile on his face, I know it’s not going to take long for him to erase it.
“I didn’t think this through all the way.” He steps forward until he’s directly in front of me and I can feel his breath hot across my face.
“Didn’t think what out?”
“I want to kiss you but I can’t do any of that holding these.” He motions to the balloons and the sad look he gives me, his eyes all soft and lowered, he reminds me of a puppy. He’s being purposely adorable.
“I don’t have any balloons.”
Moving into him, I stretch up onto my toes and press my lips to his, inhaling his scent and the feel of him before coming back down and smiling.
“You always know exactly what to do.”
“It’s a gift.” I grin before pointing at the balloons. “So, what am I missing here?”
“I had an idea.”
Before I can respond, I feel the vibration of my phone in my pocket and it doesn’t take long for the ringtone to kick in right after it.
“You’re gonna wanna read that.” Kayden says and pulling it out, knowing that he’s got something to do with it, but not quite sure how he’s able to text with his hands full, I go into the messages and see why.
It’s not from him. It’s from Eric.
“Better Than I Know Myself” by Adam Lambert
“I really hope you put him up to that because if you didn’t, I’m gonna have to talk to him later.”
“I did. The song is from me, but I filled my hands before I could send it. Another mistake, but a pretty funny one.”
“At least you didn’t make Dillon send it.”
“No way in hell.”
Putting my phone back and turning my attention again to the balloons in his hands, it becomes a game as I try and figure out what all of the words are. Before I can get any more than three, he reaches his left hand out to me.
“These are for you.”
Taking them, he reaches into his jeans and pulls out a pin and hands it over.
“You want me to pop them?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He moves around me until his body comes to rest directly behind mine and leaning down so his lips are near my ear, he starts to explain.
“What you’re holding in your hands is a bunch of negativity. Each balloon is different, but significant. When you read the words, I think you’ll understand, but once you’ve read them, I want you to pop them. When you do that, they’ll go away. I can’t say they won’t pop up again in the future, but for now they’ll cease to exist for us.”
Running my free hand over each balloon, I take in all of the words one by one until all seven balloons have been counted. Memorized.
Anger. Resentment. Jealousy. Rage. Violence. Hate and Fear.
Every single word is something we’ve experienced together during our year as a couple, and what he wants me to do popping them, he’s right. I understand because I want to pop them too. I never want these things to hurt us again.
Taking the pin, I jab it into each balloon until they pop, the pieces hitting the ground below and feeling Kayden’s body becoming more relaxed with each balloon that’s popped. It’s almost as if with each one, it really is disappearing.
It’s amazing.
When the final piece hits the ground, he comes around to face me and this time he takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips, kissing it softly before releasing it to rest at my side again.
“Give me the pin, Belle.”
Handing it over, he smiles before sliding it back in his pocket and focusing his attention back once it’s hidden away.
“We’re going to do something a little different with the next set of balloons.”
“Different how?”
I’m completely mesmerized with what he’s put together h
ere. I have no idea when he came up with this, but the way he looks and how often he smiles at me, doing this is good for him. It’s more than just a beautiful moment he put together. It’s a healing one too.
“This group of balloons are all of the things you’ve brought to my life or taught me since I’ve known you. From the moment we met, you’ve given me these ten things and after you read the words, we’re going to release them into the sky so the rest of the world can experience and learn them too.”
Holding his hand out again, pushing the balloons toward me, I start doing what I did the first time, memorizing all ten words, but before I can react, the effect of what some of these words mean comes and there’s no way for me to stop it.
“Please tell me those are happy tears.”
Nodding, not trusting my voice to get the words out with how moved I am, I untangle the large ribbon that’s wrapped around the bundle. Reaching out for his other hand, I bring it around mine until we’re both holding on to them.
Love. Energy. Hope. Change. Redemption. Friendship. Acceptance. Forgiveness, Understanding and Forever.
One by one, we hold and release the balloons until they’re so high up in the air, all they are is tiny specks. Each one heading out into the world, hopefully making their way to people that need them, just the way he wanted it to when he gave them to me.
This is Kayden’s way of changing the world.
“I love you, Kayden.”
“Not nearly as much as I do you, Belle.”
“Is this a contest?”
“No, because I’d clearly be the winner.” He laughs softly and it’s then that I notice the one single balloon still in his hand even though he’s trying to conceal it behind his back.
“There’s still one more?”
“Yeah, there is, but it won’t make sense yet. It will soon I promise, but before we get to that, there’s something else I need to do.”
“Okay.”
“I want you to do something for me.”
“What’s that?”
Sliding his free hand into his pocket, he brings his phone out and passes it over, his hand lingering a few extra seconds the minute it connects to mine as I take it.
All My Heart (Count On Me Book 4) Page 28
