A Mermaid's Kiss
Page 25
I reluctantly agreed. None of us had slept in over twenty-four hours and were exhausted. We walked the block to the hotel and checked into one room. Karma agreed to share a bed with Bodie. Not one sexual remark was said. That showed how tired we all were.
We got up to the room. I turned on the TV and took off my shoes and jeans. Bodie and Karma did the same and we all crawled into bed. Karma made sure her phone was turned all the way up, so one of us should hear it when Kayleigh’s nana called. I closed my eyes and sent up a thanks to whoever was listening that Kayleigh had been found safe.
Chapter 61
Kayleigh
The first sound I heard was beeping. I opened my eyes to see a white ceiling. I turned my head to see Nana asleep in a chair next to the hospital bed.
“Nana,” I said. It didn’t come out very loud so I tried again. “Nana.”
I saw her eyes open and then the tears started, from both of us. She came over and hugged me the best she could without pulling out any tubes.
“Oh honey,” she said, “you have no idea how good it is to see you.”
“I think I might have some idea. Do you know everything that happened?”
“I know what Karma and the police told me. I’m so sorry about what happened to you, my darling girl.”
“Is Wes really dead?”
“Yes. They told me he pulled out a gun and they weren’t going to take any chances so they shot him.”
“I think I should feel bad about that but I don’t.”
“You feel however you want to feel.”
“Where are Karma and Major?”
“I sent them to a hotel across the street to get some rest a few hours ago. They hadn’t slept since they figured out you were missing. I’ll call them right now and tell them you’re awake.”
Nana made a quick call to Karma then went to tell the nurse I was awake. I started to determine how I was feeling and how my body was doing. I moved everything I could and was glad when it all moved how I wanted it. Nana was back with a smiling nurse in bright blue scrubs.
“Nice to see you’re awake Kayleigh,” she said. “I’m just going to check a few things and then call the doctor.”
She checked my blood pressure, heart rate, and a couple of other things.
“Everything looks good. The doctor will be in shortly.”
“Thank you,” Nana told her, then turned her attention to me. “Before your friends get here I need you to tell me how you’re feeling. Really feeling.”
“I think I’m okay. That might change an hour from now but I’m just happy to be awake and away from Wes. How did they find me?”
“I think that’s a story for your friend Major to tell you.”
A small smile formed on my lips at hearing his name.
“I think that boy has it bad for you. I haven’t met him officially, but he’s the reason I’m here. He got me a plane ticket so I could get here as quickly as possible.”
“That sounds like something he would do.”
It was as if talking about him made him appear. Karma, Bodie, and Major came through the door. Karma was the first one to me and hugged me so hard it almost hurt.
“You scared the shit out of me girl. Don’t ever do that again.”
I had to smile at her. “Trust me, I don’t plan on repeating that experience.”
“Hey Kayleigh,” Bodie said from just inside the doorway. “Nice to see you’re okay.”
Major was next. Once Karma moved he had his arms around me. “I was so scared,” he whispered in my ear. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“It’s okay, Major, I’m here and I’m alright.”
“Excuse me,” a voice said from the door. “I’m Dr. Moore. I need to speak to Miss Mills alone for a few minutes.”
“I’ll be right outside the door,” Major said, as the four of them left the room.
“Miss Mills, your vital signs are all good and physically your body is okay. We ran the rape kit as ordered by the police. It was negative. There was no sign of recent sexual activity.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
“We are going to keep you overnight. You were slightly dehydrated when you arrived, so we want to get more fluids in you. A nurse will be in to help you start moving around. You can even take a shower if you want. I’ll make sure some food is brought to you as well. I’ve informed the police that you’re awake and was told an officer will be by later to take your official statement. If you need anything just push the call button.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
When he left everyone came back in. I told them what the doctor said. When I mentioned the rape kit, I saw Major’s fists clench, but he didn’t say anything.
It was Karma who asked what had happened after she left me at the pool. I told them everything I could remember. I know it was hard for them to hear, but I felt I owed them the absolute truth.”
“I’m so sorry, Kayleigh,” Karma said. “I should have never left you alone.”
“If you had been there Wes would have taken you or hurt you to get to me. None of this is your fault. There’s only one person to blame and he’s dead. Now, I need someone to tell me how I was found and who I have to thank.”
They told me about figuring out the text, searching for me and then about Bodie’s dad. I decided that I would find a way to pay back Bodie and his dad for everything they’d done for me.
Eventually, the nurse came in and helped me walk around. She was able to stop the IV long enough for me to have a shower. I think it was the best shower I’d ever had. When I got out of the shower the lady police officer from last night was waiting for me. Once again, everyone had to leave the room while I gave her my statement. She suggested that I see a therapist on campus. Even if I thought I was fine, she said it was possible I could have some issues in the coming weeks. She gave me her card and told me to call her anytime I needed to.
The rest of the evening was spent with Nana, Karma, Major, and Bodie in the hospital room. Coach Cross even stopped in to check on me. He told me to take as much time as I needed to recover, but I planned to get back in the pool as soon as I got out of the hospital.
I sent everyone back to the hotel to get some sleep. They didn’t want to leave me alone but I finally convinced them I would be fine surrounded by the doctors and nurses. When I closed my eyes that night, I was incredibly thankful to be alive and whole.
I was cleared to leave the next morning. We all loaded into Major’s truck and he drove us back to Bay State. I was excused from classes for the rest of the week. But the day after we got back, I went to the pool during morning practice. Nana came with me to watch. My teammates were happy to see me and told me they were glad I was okay.
Nana left the next Saturday. Major and I drove her back to the airport in San Francisco. I was sad to see her go but Major promised me he would fly her back out for Thanksgiving.
Instead of going back to the university Major took me out to dinner. While we were waiting to order he looked nervous.
“Are you alright?” I asked him after the waitress took our drink order.
“Yeah, I’m good. Do you know what you want to eat?”
I took another look at the menu and decided on the grilled chicken and walnut salad. The waitress came back with our drinks and we ordered.
“Major, I can tell something’s on your mind. Please tell me.”
We were in one of those u-shaped booths and he slid over so that he was right next to me.
“I do have something I need to tell you.” He swallowed hard and took my hands in his. “I want you to know that I figured out what I’m about to tell you before what happened last weekend. Actually, it was the kiss we shared that morning that made me realize it. A mermaid’s kiss changed my life.” He grinned and I smiled back. “Kayleigh, I love you. Knowing you has made me a better person and I’ll be forever grateful that we met that first day on the beach.”
My smile turned into a full face grin. “I love you
too Major. I think I have for a while now but I was afraid to admit it. You have helped me so much and I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“You repay me every day just by being you. I have something for you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small box and handed it to me.
I opened it and a tear escaped my eye. It was a beautiful mermaid necklace. I don’t know how there were so many colors in the gold but the tail shone just like a real mermaid would have.
“Major, it’s beautiful. I love it. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Can you put it on me?”
“Of course.” He took it out of the box and clasped it on my neck.
I hugged him. “How did I get so lucky?”
“It was fate. You were just in the right place at the right time to meet all this fabulousness,” he said gesturing to his whole body.
I snorted out a laugh but I couldn’t disagree.
We finished dinner and drove back to the university. Major held my hand the whole way back. I didn’t think the night could get any better until I walked into our dorm room. There was soft music playing and candles everywhere.
“Karma?” I questioned.
“Yeah. She’s a lifesaver. Dance with me?”
I nodded. We swayed to the music and everything felt so right. Major kissed me and the gentle kiss quickly became so much more. We spent the rest of the night exploring each other’s bodies. It was sexy and sensual and hot. It was a night I’d never forget.
“I love you,” Major said, as he covered us with the blanket.
I laid my head on his chest and put my arm over him. “I love you, too.” I closed my eyes with a sense of happiness I felt would last forever.
Epilogue
Kayleigh
It had been almost a month since Wes had kidnapped me. I’d decided to see a therapist after all and she was helping me a lot. I hadn’t realized at the time how much that event would affect me afterward.
Major and I were still doing great. He’d been spending so much time at our dorm that he’d gotten us a bigger bed. It was probably against the rules, but then Major Davenport wasn’t exactly a fan of rules.
It was Thanksgiving Day and we were at Major’s parent's place. He’d kept his word and flown Nana in for the weekend. I had been nervous to meet his parents but it turned out I had nothing to worry about. I liked them immediately and they seemed thrilled to meet the woman who’d made such a difference in their son’s life. Karma was her usual charming self and won them over in a matter of minutes.
As we were sitting around the dinner table I took a moment to appreciate the positive things in my life and I was grateful for each and every one of them. I was thankful for having a wonderful Nana to raise me and for meeting Karma when I was just a shy kid. I was thankful for the ability and opportunity to swim which had led me to move halfway across the country to Bay State University. Finally, I was thankful for giving Major a chance. He had helped more than he’d ever know and I would never forget the feeling of thinking I’d never see him again. I was going to live my life to the fullest and be grateful for being alive every day.
I leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“What was that for?” he asked smiling.
“Just for being you.”
He gave me a quick kiss back. “If you’d asked me a few months ago if mermaids existed, I’d have said no. But a kiss from one changed my life so I know they are real. I’ll believe in mermaids for the rest of my life.”
He had a way with words that made my heart flutter. “I love you,” I told him.
“I love you too.”
I smiled at him and glanced around the table. I knew I could handle anything with the support of the people sitting here with me. I looked forward to seeing where life would take me and I welcomed the future with open arms.
The End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving me a review at your favorite retailer.
Thank you!
Katie Holland
Please look for more books in the Bay State University series coming soon!
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Extras
Other Books by Katie Holland
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The Nykara Series
Nykara
Chosen One
Chaos
Adult Romance
Trapped in a Castle (A Slightly Strange Romance)
Table of Contents
Copyright
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Extras