November Sky (Hardest Mistakes Book 2)

by Wicks, Dannielle

  I pull the bowls down and place them on the counter beside her. She turns to me with a smile. “Thank you for coming over last night.”

  “What are friends for?” I answer flatly. She rolls her eyes and moves closer, holding my gaze. I gulp at the distance between us, or lack of. She tilts her head to the side slightly and lifts her hand up to lightly touch the stitches on my head. This is too intimate, I feel like I’m suffocating. I shake my head and turn away, taking a step toward the door.

  “I should go.” I swipe my keys off her counter and head for the door, looking over my shoulder as I step through it. She’s frowning, confused. “I’ll see you later.” She nods slowly and I close the door behind me, starting the long walk home in bare feet.

  ***

  JESSICA

  Kristian’s keys rattle in the door and it opens slowly. He can’t see me; I doubt he even realizes I’m here. I need to tell him about the old lady. The blackouts have started, just like she said. I’m scared, but maybe he’ll know what to do.

  He walks into the kitchen and sits down at the table, staring off into space. I frown and glide over to him.

  “Where have you been?” I ask quietly.

  Being dead was peaceful, nothing affected me. Since I’ve been back, all I feel is pain.

  He lifts his head and glances around the room, searching for me. His dark hair is messy, like he just woke up. Where did he sleep?

  “Nowhere,” he answers, pulling out the chair beside him so I can sit down. I hesitantly reach out and place my hand on his leg, instantly becoming solid.

  “Where is nowhere?” He turns his face away, looking guilty. I frown, old lady forgotten. He was with her, the evil voice is back. “You were with her…” He’s never been able to lie to me. He nods once and stares down at the table. A choking noise escapes my throat.

  “She’s just a friend, Jess; you’re the only one I love.” He leans closer to me, holding my gaze, his beautiful dark eyes glitter in the morning light. I smile and press my lips to his. The dark thoughts overtake me as I lose myself to his touch. His fingers tangle in my hair and he pulls me closer. He’s mine, and the sooner I can figure out how to keep him with me forever, I will.

  CHAPTER 13

  KRISTIAN

  I kneel down and grasp the edges of the desk, grunting softly as I lift it back into the right position. The news station wasn’t badly damaged, but all the furniture was toppled over. Paper and other debris litter the floor. I glance around the large office at all our staff, cleaning and sorting through furniture. This is going to take a while. My gaze stops on Bailey as she leans down with her dustpan to sweep up the pile of broken glass off the ground. She stands and looks over at me, our eyes locking briefly before I turn away, uncomfortable.

  Bailey walks over to me slowly and dumps the glass in the wheelie bin beside me. “Do you want to have lunch?” she asks quietly, almost shyly.

  I nod. “Yeah, let’s go.”

  The diner just down the street from the news station was damaged pretty badly. The owners are making the best of a bad situation, setting the tables up on the sidewalk and serving from a portable kitchen while the inside is fixed up.

  Bailey and I take a seat at one of the smaller tables. I glance around, looking at anything but Bailey. She’s quiet, we’ve made this awkward. I should have just stayed home the other night. What if she thinks there’s something more between us now? Will she be upset and start ignoring me again when she realizes there isn’t anything there?

  I sigh softly.

  My phone rings just as the waiter reaches our table. I quickly order before pulling it from my pocket and answering without looking at the screen. “Hello?”

  “Oh Kristian,” my mother’s sweet voice sounds surprised. “I didn’t know if you would answer.” Damn it, I should have looked at who was calling.

  “I’ve been busy, I’m sorry,” I lie, staring down at the table.

  “Your father and I were just wondering—”

  “No,” I interrupt. I know what she’s going to ask, I’ve listened to the messages she’s left me. She’s been worried about me since the storm. She wants to see me to make sure I’m okay.

  “But you don’t even know what I was going to say,” she answers, her words low with hurt.

  “I’m sorry, Mom, but I’ll be working. Maybe next time.” Lame excuse, I know, but I just don’t want to face them.

  “Okay.” She sounds defeated. I flinch at the pain in her voice.

  “Talk to you later.” I hang up, placing my phone on the table with a frown.

  “That sounded important,” Bailey asks. Her eyebrows are raised in curiosity. She’s fidgeting with the cutlery on the table.

  I shake my head and look away. “It wasn’t. Mom wants me to visit over Thanksgiving.”

  “That’s only a few weeks away.”

  “I know.”

  She tilts her head to the side in question. “Don’t you want to see them?”

  I huff loudly, ignoring her. I don’t have to justify to anyone why I don’t want to see my parents, it’s my business. The waiter places our meals in front of us on the table.

  “You should feel lucky you have family to visit over the holidays,” Bailey says suddenly.

  I frown over at her, confused. “Why?”

  She smiles sadly and looks away, picking up her fork and shifting the food on her plate around.

  Her silence dawns on me, my eyes opening wide in surprise. Her parents are dead or gone, that’s why there aren’t any pictures. “Oh, jeez, Bailey. I’m sorry, you should have said something. I didn’t know.” I reach across the table and touch her hand gently without thinking.

  She glances down at my touch, and I pull my hand away quickly, pretending to cough, uncomfortable.

  “What about Riley?” I ask to cover up my embarrassment.

  “Oh, he usually likes to stay at school over the holidays. I think the holiday hurts too much for him.”

  I nod and pick up my sandwich, thinking. I have an idea.

  “Do you…” I start, unsure. “Do you want to come with me? To see my parents, I mean?” Wait, did I really just say that? Jess is going to kill me when she finds out.

  “Yes!” She grins, excited.

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Can I take it back?

  I watch her closely, her whole demeanor has changed. She’s happy, it’s the first time I’ve seen her like her old self since Jess returned. I can’t just take that away from her. I have to see this through. “I’ll call Mom back after lunch and let her know.” She smiles and pops a piece of cucumber in her mouth. This is going to be interesting.

  ***

  “Are you going home for the holidays?” I nod at Jess’s question and continue packing clothes into my duffel bag. “Why are you being so quiet?”

  I freeze, placing the shirt I was about to stuff in my bag on the bed and turning to where her voice is coming from. “Jess, where have you been?”

  “What do you mean?” her confused voice echoes back at me.

  “I’ve barely seen or heard from you all week.” My eyes roam around the room, trying to pinpoint where her voice is coming from.

  “Wow, has it been that long? I thought I was only gone for maybe a day.” She doesn’t sound worried, almost amused actually. Her attitude annoys me. I swing back to my duffel bag, stuff the shirt in forcefully, and zip it up, my hands shaking in anger.

  “Are you mad?” Her cold touch lands on my arm as I move to the kitchen. I stand still and turn my gaze to the floor, not wanting to see her face. “Kristian, look at me.” I lift my eyes slowly and stare at her, keeping my expression shielded. She doesn’t need to know how much I’ve grown to need her presence.

  She smiles softly and my resolve crumbles. I pull her close to me and wrap my arms around her.

  I park on the curb in front of Bailey’s building just before sunset and jump out to meet her as she exits the doors. She skips over to me with a half-smile.
r />   “I didn’t know you had a car.” She sounds worried and her brow creases.

  I nod and reach for her bag, shoving it in the trunk beside mine. Turning back to her now happy face, I raise my eyebrows. “Ready?”

  She nods slowly and climbs in the passenger side. I take a deep breath before opening my own door. This is going to be a long week.

  Bailey sits stiffly in her seat. She’s smiling, but I can tell it’s fake.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, sorry, nothing.” She shakes her head. “Cars just make me nervous, that’s all. My mom and dad…” she trails off, turning her head to gaze out her window. I nod to myself, understanding. Car accident.

  She’s quiet for a long time. I don’t interrupt her silence. Out of the corner of my eye I see her take a deep breath and unclench her fists, relaxing. I want to ask her about her family, but I also don’t want to hurt her. Was she in the accident with them? Was Riley?

  I reach over and switch the stereo on; the upbeat music filling the car just as the sun finally sets and it becomes dark out.

  What am I going to introduce her as when she meets my parents? I rang Mom to tell her I was coming home, but I couldn’t get a word in edgewise after that, she was too excited about making preparations. Long story short, she doesn’t know I’m bringing a friend.

  Bailey’s soft voice reaches my ears and I quickly peek over at her shadowed face, illuminated only by the dash lights, before turning my attention back to the dark road. She’s singing?

  “What is she doing?” Jess’s breath tickles my ear and I jump in surprise, pulling the steering wheel the wrong way and swerving the car.

  “Kristian!” Bailey cries, bending forward to grip the dash and turning her terrified eyes on me. Her shallow breaths echo around us. I pull to the side of the road and turn the car off.

  “Sorry, I’m sorry,” I apologize, leaning over and placing my hand on her arm. She’s shaking. “It’s okay. We’re okay. Something startled me, that’s all,” I reassure her.

  “Something?” Jess repeats quietly from behind me, annoyed.

  Bailey nods once, and sucks in a heavy breath, slowly letting go of the dash. I pull my hand back and watch her carefully. She smiles and sits back in her seat, adjusting her seat belt. “I’m fine. You just scared me.” I stare at her a moment longer, concerned, then I start the car and pull back onto the highway.

  We arrive in Rocky Falls just after ten. I turn the car onto my parents’ street and glance at the houses as we pass. It’s exactly as I remember, nothing’s changed. Mom is waiting on the front porch when I pull into the driveway. I turn the car off and take a deep breath; Bailey looks at me curiously. I nod once and jump out, grabbing our bags from the trunk as Bailey gets out and meets me at the back of the car.

  “Who’s this?” Mom says, smiling at Bailey.

  “This is Bailey; she’s just a friend from work.” Bailey throws me a small glare and turns back to Mom, whose eyebrows are raised in question. I push past and enter the house as they lean in and hug one another, chattering their greetings.

  Dad is sitting at the table scribbling away at a crossword in the paper. He looks up as I approach him and smiles. He stands and pulls me into a hug.

  “It’s good to see you, son,” he says softly, taking a step back. There’s more grey in his hair, and his face looks tired and drawn.

  I frown. “Are you okay?”

  He smiles again and nods. “I’m great. Want a cold one?” he asks, walking to the kitchen.

  I shake off my suspicions and follow.

  Dad starts talking about work and what he’s been doing since I left for Brokenridge. Mom and Bailey walk in a moment later and join the conversation. Bailey gives me a small smile as she moves to stand next to me. I see my dad’s gaze flick over to her, so I stop him to introduce them.

  “Dad, this is Bailey, my friend from work. Bailey, this is my dad, Alexander.” Bailey smiles and shakes his hand.

  “So very nice to meet you, young lady.” Dad smothers her with charm, holding onto her hand and kissing it. I roll my eyes and glance at Mom; she’s smiling at me smugly like she knows something I don’t.

  “All right, we’re off to bed. I’ve cleaned up and made the bed in your old room for you both,” Mom says, patting my cheek affectionately and turning to head up the stairs.

  “Wait.” I throw Bailey a frown and follow Mom up the stairs. “Mom, we can’t sleep together in the same bed.”

  “Shhh.” She smiles and closes her bedroom door behind her and Dad. Bailey’s footsteps sound from behind me; I spin around to face her.

  “Looks like we’re sharing a room.” I lead her to my old bedroom and stand in the doorway, glancing around at all my stuff. The posters of bands on the walls, my tidy desk, and old out-dated computer. The double bed. “I’ll take the floor,” I mumble and snatch a blanket and pillow off the bed, crouching down and settling myself on the rug at the base of the bed. She gives me a weird look, but doesn’t say a word as she digs through her bag and pulls out some clothes before leaving the room again.

  I’m going to kill Mom for this tomorrow. How could she do this to me?

  By the time Bailey comes back, I’m starting to drift off, my eyes heavy and tired. “Good night, Krissy,” she whispers from on the bed.

  When I wake the next morning, the bed is empty. I hear voices downstairs, so I figure Bailey must already be down there…with my parents. Oh no. I jump up and quickly change my shirt, then dash down the stairs and into the kitchen. They’re all sitting at the table holding steaming mugs of coffee and picking at a large plate of fruit.

  “Good morning, darling, how did you sleep?” Mom smiles serenely, picking up a slice of apple. I narrow my eyes and plunk down into the seat beside Bailey, who is grinning into her mug. “So,” Mom changes the subject. “What are you kids up to today?”

  “I’m going to show Bailey around,” I answer immediately.

  “You are?” Bailey replies surprised. I nod once and pour myself some coffee. The last thing I need is more awkward silence, and weird looks from Mom. This way I don’t have to be within her line of sight until dinner.

  Bailey and I walk down the quiet main street of Rocky Falls.

  “Oh, look at this one, Krissy,” she stops to gaze into the bakery window, pointing at the Thanksgiving-themed sweets. “I can’t believe you grew up in a great place like this and you still turned into a grumpy bum,” she teases, bouncing down the footpath to another window.

  I shake my head and dawdle along behind her.

  We make it home just before dark. Mom is already preparing dinner. “Oh Bailey, could you give me a hand with this?” She twists around, holding up a potato. Bailey glances at me quickly before smiling and following her.

  I stay at the edge of the kitchen, watching them interact before spinning on my heel and walking through the otherwise quiet house, searching for Dad. I open the door to his study and find him leaning over the desk, reading. I enter quietly, trying not to disturb him. He finishes his page and looks up at me.

  “I never got a chance to ask, how is working in the big city treating you?” The wrinkles around his eyes crease as he smiles. I don’t remember him looking so old and run down before I left. I’ve been gone less than a year, he can’t have aged that much, can he?

  “Fine, I’ve been fine. What about you? I mean, you look tired.”

  He nods once and looks back at his desk, shuffling the books and papers in front of him. “Your Mom told me not to worry you, but I think you have a right to know.” He stands up behind the desk and walks around it, stopping in front of me. Okay, now I’m worried. I wait impatiently for him to continue. I can feel the chill of apprehension crawl up my spine, making me uncomfortable. “I—” he pauses again, glancing toward the door. “I have, or rather had, cancer.”

  I take one large step back and throw my hands up in front of me, my eyes widening in shock. “What?”

  “It’s not serious, they c
aught it before it got bad, and I’ve had the treatments. I’ll live.”

  “You’ll live?” I ask, incredulous, my voice rising in anger. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

  “Son.” He reaches out to touch me, to reassure me.

  I snatch my arm away. “No, I can’t believe you guys kept this from me. What if you had died, Dad?” I shake my head in disbelief and storm out of the room, straight past the kitchen, and out the front door.

  I drive; I don’t know where I’m going until I pull into the parking lot at the base of Rocky Falls. I’m such an idiot. Why did I come here? I must like punishing myself over and over.

  I can’t believe they kept something as big as cancer from me.

  Guilt floods me, all those missed phone calls from Mom, what if she tried to tell me and I ignored her? God, what is wrong with me? I slump down on the grass close to the pool at the base of the waterfall. The weak moonlight glints off the tumbling water like it’s made of ice. Maybe I overreacted. I shake my head and rest my forehead on my knees.

  “Krissy?” Bailey’s soft voice calls from behind me. I lift my head and twist to look at her.

  “How did you know where I was?”

  “Your Mom told me she thought you’d be here—guess she was right.” She smiles, still unsure as she moves closer.

  I frown. “How did you get here?”

  “I drove your mom’s car.” She moves closer, she’s standing beside me now. I have to tilt my head up to see her face in the dim light.

  “Wait, you drove? By yourself?”

  She throws me a quick half smile as she sits down next to me, stretching her legs out in front of her. “Only for you, Kristian Reed. And never again.” The silence lasts forever. I open my mouth to say something to break it, but she beats me to it.

  “Are you okay?”

  I look away briefly before telling her. “Dad—he told me he’s been dealing with cancer. He told me he’s all right now, but that’s not the point. What if he had died, Bailey?” My voice cracks on the last few words. I lift my eyes to meet hers, they’re full of unshed tears, but she smiles compassionately anyway.