The Path to Finding You

by S M Broad

  The screen goes dark then lights up again as Aayla’s call rings through on FaceTime. I hit the green accept button and try not to cry when I see my best friend’s face.

  “Hi!” she smiles, holding Hensley in her lap. My goddaughter squirms in her mom’s arms, babbling away. Aayla twists the camera so I can see Hensley’s sweet little face better, her light brown hair sticking up in two cute little pigtails.

  “Hi, Hensley!” I coo at my goddaughter, puckering my lips in a kissy face that intensifies her giggle.

  “Say hi to Auntie Leila.” Aayla encourages her to talk.

  “Hi, Weiwa!” Hensley giggles into the phone, leaning in to lick the screen. I can’t help but laugh, and it makes me feel lighter than I have in weeks. She’s getting so big; I can hardly believe she’s almost three already.

  “What are you guys doing up so early?”

  “Hensley is having a growth spurt; she hasn’t been sleeping very well with the pains in her legs.”

  “Awe, poor sweetie. I’m happy I actually get to talk to you, though.”

  “Me too, how have you been?”

  “Okay.” As I answer, Latham and Aayla’s black German Shepherd Boss wanders into the frame. He sniffs the phone, his loud snort making Hensley squeal with delight. Aayla gives him a scratch before he pads away again.

  “I really can't believe her birthday is in just a few days.” I sniffle, keeping in my tears.

  “It’s so crazy. She’s into everything now, constantly on the go. Oh, and get this, Latham wants to start trying for a baby.” Aayla shakes her head, sighing at her husband’s plan. I don’t tell her that it’s an excellent idea, because they make the cutest damn babies in the world. I just laugh at her expression.

  “I miss you so much. I wish you could be here for her party.” We both frown, I wish I could too, but it’s too risky. I can’t take that big of a chance seeing Kohen and causing my heart more damage.

  “He probably won’t come, you know.” She says like she can read my mind. “He hasn’t come around much the past couple of months.” Her expression tells me she wants to say more but just holds it in instead. I want to ask, I really do, but I just can’t get myself to say anything. Deciding to change the subject, I flip to my latest love debacle.

  “So, I broke up with Zack.”

  “Oh, no, why?” Aayla’s tone is distressed, but I shrug nonchalantly because it’s no big deal.

  “I caught him with someone at Vive.”

  “I’m so sorry, Lei.” She gives me a pitiful look, full of sadness.

  “Eh. It wasn’t meant to be.” I wave her off, sitting up on alert when there’s a loud thud in the background.

  “Oh, shoot, hang on.” Aayla puts her phone down when Hensley starts crying.

  “Dada!” Her tiny voice hiccups, and my chest aches. The phone screen wobbles as Aayla moves around, speaking in a quiet, soothing voice to Hensley.

  “Daddy’s asleep. Shh, mama’s here, sweetheart.”

  “Dada! I want my dada!” Hensley cries louder, gripping Aayla’s shirt tightly in her little fists. I hear the faintest creak of a door and feet shuffling on stairs before Latham’s low, groggy whisper rumbles over the phone line.

  “Hey, now. It’s okay, daddy’s here.” I see his bare shoulder come into the frame to pick up his daughter. “Don’t cry, baby girl.”

  “I’m so, so sorry she woke you up.” Aayla’s tone is deeply apologetic.

  “It’s okay, babe.” I see his hand brush her cheek lovingly.

  “Hey, Lei.” His head pops in front of Aayla as he gives me a sleepy smile. I wave and smile back.

  “Hey, Latham.” I love him for loving my best friend. For giving her a beautiful life, fit for a queen. He’s one of the most down to earth, level-headed, devoted and protective men I’ve ever met. She deserves nothing less than a fairytale after the shit she’s been through her whole life. We sit for a while longer, just talking before I glance at my wall clock that reads two a.m.

  “I should go,” I yawn, feeling worn down from the day.

  “Yeah, me too. You’re going to bed as we’re getting up, this feels so weird.” She frowns. Sad that we have to say goodbye.

  “Yeah, it is pretty weird. I’ll call again soon, promise.” I blow her a kiss and hang up, trudging to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I plug my phone into the charger and drop into bed, curling up in the soft cotton sheets. I stare out my window at the moon, thinking of Aayla and Hensley.

  I miss them, Latham, too. I hate being so far away. Every day I continue to regret moving out here. I shouldn’t be missing birthday parties, Sunday dinners, and other happy things in their lives. I turn over and pick up my phone, clicking onto the home screen just as two text messages come in. There’s one from Kohen and a second from my brother. Wanting to avoid the text from Kohen at all costs, I open the one from Kai first.

  Kai: Hey! I’m in town where I have service. No wolves, fortunately. I’m all good, hope you are too. Love you, chicken nugget.

  I can’t help but smile at the nickname he’s been calling me as long as I can remember. I shift to get more comfortable and reluctantly open the other text.

  Kohen: Please talk to me.

  My smile falls.

  Ugh!

  He’s slowly killing me with every text he sends. My inner bitch screams block him, but I ignore her, as usual. Aayla said he wouldn’t show up to Hensley’s birthday party, and I wonder what’s been going on. Am I willing to risk more hurt to myself for a visit with them?

  I know the answer in my heart as I search for airline prices to Georgia. For them, I’d do anything, even sacrifice my own feelings. I find a flight and book my ticket only to realize that in two days I’ll get to hug my best friend.

  The thought brings a giant smile to my face as sleep finds me.

  Chapter 3

  My flight lands right on time. Standing outside the airport terminal, I hail a cab, anxious to get to their house and hug them all. I throw my worn-out duffle bag into the trunk and climb in the back, giving the cabbie the Reed’s address. Twenty minutes later, the cab pulls onto their street, Crystal Beacon.

  My smile grows as their two-story red brick house comes into view at the end of the block. Shortly after Miss Hensley was born, they packed up Latham’s tiny apartment. They moved about ten minutes away from the auto body shop his dad Boone owns where he works with his younger brother, Davis.

  The car rolls to a stop in the cul-de-sac, and I pay the fare. I climb out, and as I’m lifting my duffle bag from the trunk, the front door swings open to Aayla’s eardrum splitting scream.

  “What are you doing here!” The words are more of an exclamation than a question.

  “Oh my gosh!” Her voice grows louder as she nears me. I close the trunk, swinging around just in time to catch my best friend in a warm, cozy hug.

  “Surprise!” I squeeze her tight, never wanting to let her go.

  “I cannot believe this!” Aayla’s voice shakes with emotion, and I have to keep myself in check, so I don’t start bawling as well.

  “No, stop! If you cry, then I’m going to cry. Happy times, happy thoughts, okay?”

  “Right, you’re right,” she sniffs back the waterworks. “Are you real?” She reaches forward and pinches my arm.

  “Ouch! Yes, I’m real.” I pinch her back lightly while laughing. “I had to come, I missed you guys too much.” I squeeze her again as we start up their driveway, arms locked around each other, laughing like no time has passed. The big, black beast- also known as Boss comes bounding toward us, so I stop to pet him for a minute.

  “Hey, big guy.” I scratch his head with a smile, and then I look up to see Latham and Hensley standing in the doorway, their faces lighting up. My heart sings with happiness.

  “Wei!” Hensley yells my nickname, reaching for me. I hoist her out of Latham’s arms after I hug them both.

  “Hi, duck!” She clings to me, so close I can smell that she’s just had a bath. It’s distin
ct, like that lotion, the pink kind that makes baby skin so soft and snuggly. I pull the stuffed duck I bought her from my duffle bag, and she giggles, hugging it tightly.

  “Wov you, Wei!” She plants a big, smacking kiss on my cheek. We head inside, and I throw my bag down in the foyer for the moment heading to the kitchen where something smells sweet and delicious. I come around the corner to see the countertops strewn with cupcakes piled high with hot pink frosting, tiny crowns sticking out the tops. I laugh at the bunch of different colored sprinkles stacked on top of one another. I would be surprised, but Latham will do anything for the two of them. It feels too good to be back with my family.

  Home sweet Grayson.

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “I swear! It just slipped right off him.” Aayla makes a popping noise with her mouth then laughs, sipping her cup of coffee as we catch up, her telling me about Davis’ shop pranks. About an hour ago, Latham, being the great man and dad, he is, put Hensley down for her afternoon nap so we could spend some time together. While we’re talking, I notice Aayla’s orange parrotfish swimming around. It's in a ten-gallon tank in the corner of the kitchen with another parrotfish, other freshwater friends, and colorful coral inserts.

  “I can’t believe Poppy’s still kicking, err…Swimming.” I chuckle at my lame joke. The fish was a gift from Latham that he got for Aayla when they were dating.

  “When we went to the pet store to buy that bigger tank, the lady almost had a coronary when I told her how long I’ve had her. Females apparently don’t live very long without a mate, so that’s why we got the other fish.”

  “She’s a strong, independent woman that doesn’t need a man.” I snap my fingers sassily, both of us laughing at the wisecrack.

  After Aayla makes a list of things she still needs to buy, I tell her that we’ll need to do a little shopping because I couldn’t help but give Hensley her original gift. Because I’m a big ole softy, now I’ve got to buy her a new present.

  She tells Latham about our plans, giving him a sweet kiss goodbye before we leave. I bristle as a pang of jealousy stabs through me. I look away, pushing my ridiculous feelings aside.

  We grab our bags and head out, stopping first at a cute boutique to find the birthday girl a dress for her party. Aayla gets the most perfect outfit, a big puffy pink tulle skirt attached to a glittery top, and some cute barefoot sandals for Hensley to wear. After Aayla checks out, we take the extra ten minutes to drive to the mall; sure, we could avoid a chance run-in with a certain blue-eyed guy I’m hellbent on avoiding.

  As we walk around, we talk some more. Aayla tells me that Kohen has been having a rough time dealing with his dad and brother's deaths, both of which I was around for. Well, sort of. His dad passed away before we met, but after his brother, Kyle, was killed in a car accident, Kohen sort of shut down.

  He’d never been one to go overboard during a night out, but the heavy drinking started after it happened. With my own sperm donor being an alcoholic, that was a deal-breaker for me. I asked him to get help. He told me to get the hell out of his life, so that’s what I did.

  “Things got even worse after you left. He pretty much disappeared.” Aayla’s voice pulls my attention away from the memory. He was so shaken up when he got that phone call, and I didn’t know what to say. All I did was hug him, hold him, and tell him I was here for him. I guess even that wasn’t enough. I remember it so clearly...

  “Wanna dance?”

  “I’ve never seen you dance.”

  “That’s because I’m shit at it.”

  “Well, we don’t have to then.”

  “Get over here.” Kohen tugs me closer, folding me into his embrace. I smile warmly as he sways me back and forth to “You Make It Easy” by Jason Aldean. I lay my head on his chest, between his pecs where my height ends, and breathe in his clean scent.

  I’ve missed his touch and kisses so much that I’m thinking about moving here to Grayson from Alabama to be closer to him. I haven’t mentioned it because I don’t know how he feels about it, and the last thing I want to do is freak him out. It has been on my mind a lot, though, because not only would I get to see him every day, but I’d be closer to Aayla also. It seems like a win-win situation to me. Kohen wraps his arms around my middle, pulling me even closer.

  “So,” I bite my lip, nervously, “how would you feel about me living here?” I look up at him, trying to gauge his thoughts. I get my answer when his face lights up, a broad smile spreading his lips.

  “Lei, I-” Kohen’s words are cut off by his phone ringing. He pulls it from his pocket, tapping the answer button lightly.

  “Mom?” His eyebrows dip, mine raising when I hear her frantic voice come through the line as Kohen’s face turns ghostly white. His panicked gaze swings to me, and I grip his arm in support as I try to make out what his mom is saying. His gaze drops to the ground, along with the happiness that was just shining bright in his eyes.

  “What happened?” His voice questions in disbelief. He says nothing else, hangs up, and looks back to me, his tone solemn when he speaks. “Kyle was in a car accident. He’s...dead.” Kohen is just as shocked as I am. While he remains stoic, I cover my mouth to stifle the sobs.

  “Fuck.” He clears his throat, eyes red from the tears that are building. He rubs them away with the back of his hand, steeling himself. I step into his arms for a hug, squeezing tightly, but it’s not returned. I feel an immediate shift in him, and it worries me, I just hope he lets me in...

  A screaming child brings me out of my flashback. How wrong I turned out to be. Little did I know that was the beginning of the end for us.

  We’re waiting in line at an Aunt Annie’s cart to get a cinnamon pretzel in the food court, when my spine tingles with awareness. Aayla is in the middle of a sentence when she trails off, her brown eyes going wide behind me.

  I know he’s there before I even turn around, and dread settles like a dark coat over me. This was a bad idea, but what were the odds? Slim to none, that’s what we had been betting on. The proximity of his presence is stifling. I’ve lost all the air in my lungs as his tall shadow falls over me, blanketing my back. I stare at Aayla with wide eyes, panic rising within me, but before he can even say a word, I bolt down a long corridor.

  “Leila!” Kohen calls my name, but I force my stumbling feet to keep moving until I’m in the hallway leading to the bathrooms. I plant myself against the wall as my ears strain to hear the conversation between Aayla and Kohen.

  “You have to stop, Kohen.” Her voice is gentle, comforting, but firm.

  “I just want to talk to her.”

  “I know you do, but you have to give her some space. She-” The remaining words are cut off by the same screaming toddler as before. It’s a little boy, probably around two in a stroller. The young kid’s mom rushes down the corridor as fast as her feet can travel while her arms are loaded down with shopping bags and an older girl in tow, eyes glued to the screen of her cell phone.

  I take a breath and find my way to the bathroom for a few minutes to myself. I lock myself in a stall, my breath heaving as I try to pull air into my lungs. I place my hand on my chest to calm my erratic heartbeat and clear my mind. Sinking down to the floor, I drop my head between my knees. I sit there for a few minutes before a soft knock sounds on the door.

  “Leila, are you okay?” Aayla’s quiet voice comes in. I gather myself and stand, unlocking the door and opening it. Her face is drawn in concern, but her eyes show nothing but support and understanding. I can only manage a little nod as she puts her arm around my shoulder, giving me a tight hug.

  We go on about our shopping, splitting off briefly. I stop into the Disney store to pick Hensley out a gift. I can’t decide on a set of princess Barbies or a cute Ariel backpack, so I get her both. She’s my only niece. Besides, spoiling is what aunties are supposed to do, right? I check out and meet Aayla by the vending machines, suddenly exhausted from this shopping trip. She looks up from her phone after sending a text
.

  “Ready?”

  “Let's go.” We make our way to her SUV and drive back to their house, making another quick stop at a party store so she can get a few last-minute decorations for tomorrow. Once we’re back at the house, we decide on dinner, Hensley’s favorite meal of spaghetti and grilled cheese.

  After we eat, I offer to watch Hensley, so Latham and Aayla can go out for a little bit and have some grown-up time. They really deserve it, and I’m happy to spend one on one time with my sweet little niece. I give Hensley a bubble bath, and after she’s dressed in her Ariel jammies, we snuggle up on the couch to watch Tangled.

  She falls asleep about ten minutes into the movie, but I don’t move her, cherishing the cuddles. I decide a little while later that it’s time for bed, so I carry Hensley up to the spare bedroom where I’m sleeping, hoping Aayla won’t mind if she stays with me tonight. I sink down onto the soft, comfortable mattress, thinking about tomorrow.

  Kohen’s mom Karla, his sister Kassie, and his niece Audra will be here for Hensley’s party. I’m excited to see them but also terrified to face them after the way things ended between us. I silently wonder what he told them, or if he’s even talked to them. Tucking the blanket up to my chin, my eyes become heavy as I slip into a slumber.

  Chapter 4

  The bright morning sun billows through the open curtains, and I hear a tiny giggle at my ear.

  “Wei, you not sweeping.” Hensley’s sweet as sugar whisper seeps into my soul, making my heart shine as she pokes my cheek. I peek an open eye at her, making her giggle louder. I sit up and see Aayla leaned against the door jamb, smiling widely at our exchange while she sips some steaming coffee from a mug.

  She looks relaxed, well-rested. It makes me happy to have been able to give her and Latham some time for each other. Hensley bounces on the bed making the springs squeak, shaking a chuckle out of me. Aayla comes in and sits on the edge, rubbing my ankle under the comforter.