Finding Peace (Finding Series Book 1)

by Love, K. J.

  “Kayla!” Tessa shouts.

  I get the car back under control. “I’ve got it Tessa. Calm down. You’re making me nervous.”

  “Sorry, but this whole situation is making me nervous. I swear I’m going to kill him. Get me to my house so I can go inside and get my gun.”

  That makes me chuckle a little. The girl can shoot, she taught me how. I turn onto our road and the car following us tries to pull up alongside of us.

  “Tessa what do I do. I can’t breathe.” My chest is hurting, I’m not sure if it’s from adrenaline or a panic attack coming on.

  “Floor the damn thing. If you blow it up, you blow it up.”

  I glance at the car beside us. The windows are so dark I can’t see who is inside. I floor it, the wheels spin a little before they get traction on the wet road. I can see the house in the distance. The car drops back a little before it speeds up again.

  “Go! Kayla! Go!”

  “I’m going!” I think I see Troy standing outside of the garage. He’s getting something out of the car. I put the pedal to the floor, the drive is coming up, there’s no way I’ll make the turn into the driveway at this speed. Troy looks up, he must recognize my car because he starts running into the front yard.

  “I can’t make the turn into the driveway at this speed.”

  “Kayla, you have to. They aren’t backing down.”

  Chapter 29Kayla

  I slam on the brakes just as we come up on the driveway the car vibrates and the tires squeal. I’m losing control. Don’t wreck please don’t wreck. God, please help us. The car passes and keeps speeding down the road. I let off of the brake some and let the car slow down. I back up and pull into the driveway.

  “Get in the house and call 911 and don’t come back out. Tell Lisa to bring me my gun. Do it now!” Troy shouts at us.

  We do exactly what he says. Lisa runs outside. I hear Troy start his truck while Tessa is on the phone with 911. I run to the window. Troy pulls out of the driveway and in the direction that the other car sped off in.

  My tongue feels like it’s twice its normal size. It’s hard to swallow and breathe. My head is pounding and so is my heart. The adrenaline that is pumping through my veins is making me super hyper.

  Troy’s truck finally pulls back into the driveway right when the police pull in. We go down and give our statements, including the information about David at the school the other day and today. Troy is furious with us and he has every right to be. The police say they will set up extra patrols in this area and will question David.

  We go back into the house and Troy lets us have it.

  “You are both grounded. Nothing but school for you. You will not keep anything else from us pertaining to this situation. That was dangerous girls. Anything could have happened to you. Go to bed. I’m so mad at you right now I can’t think straight.”

  Lisa speaks up. “Troy, I know you’re upset with them and you should be. While I agree with the grounded them to school only, I think they should still be able to have visitors here. Blake is supposed to come and see Kayla Friday. Don’t take that from her.”

  I’m crying now the adrenaline is long gone. I’m tired and very upset not only with myself, but with the possibility of not being able to see Blake. Troy looks at me and his eyes soften some. He hugs me and kisses the top of my head. These people really do love me.

  “Okay. To school and nowhere else. You can have your friends come here. You are not to keep anything else from me. It’s my job to protect you and I can’t do that if you are lying to me.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He grabs Tessa, too, and hugs us as we both sob into his chest.

  “I’d die if anything happened to either one of you.” He is getting choked up and that makes me cry even harder. “I love you girls and I just want you to be safe. Seeing that tonight almost caused me to have a heart attack right there. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.” We both say together.

  “Go to bed girls.”

  Lisa comes and hugs us when Troy lets us go. I whisper in her ear. “Thank you for that.” She just winks at me.

  “Love you girls. Listen to your dad and go to bed.”

  We walk toward our rooms. I stop and turn around to face both of them. “I love y’all so much. Thank you for everything.” I say through my tears. I continue to my room, feeling grateful to be alive right now.

  Walking into my room, I see a white envelope lying on top of my comforter. I run and jump on my bed quickly drawing my legs in to sit with them crisscrossed. Everything bad that has happened today, completely fades away in this moment. Feeling giddy and nervous, as my stomach does flips I pick up the letter.

  Blake touched this, it’s his handwriting on the front, I recognize it from the first letter he sent me. Running my finger under the flap to break the seal, I carefully open the letter. In my excitement I bounce up and down a little on the bed. The only thing that would make me happier is if Blake himself were here in person.

  Taking the letter out I gently unfold it and run my fingers over the words he has written. Lifting the letter up to my nose I inhale, it smells like him, causing my senses to overload. In my mind, I’m right back there with him sitting on our bench.

  I need his shirt on me as I read this. Carefully I lay the letter on the bed and skip over to my dresser. I keep his shirt in my pajama drawer, which is really nothing but a bunch of oversized shirts. Taking the shirt out I sit it on top of my dresser as I remove my clothes leaving me only in my underwear. Picking up the shirt I pull it on over my head. It feels amazing against my skin, it’s like getting a big hug from Blake.

  Turning, I practically leap across the room and land back on my bed. Talk to me Blake. Be here with me if only for a few precious moments.

  Kayla,

  Hi beautiful lady. I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together this past weekend, although it wasn’t nearly enough. I dream of one day spending every day with you. I worry about you sweetheart. Every day I want you here so that I know you are safe and happy.

  I’ve been working on our house. It’s coming along fine, just slow because I want it done right. I plan to raise a family there one day, so I want it to be perfect for them. I can’t wait for you to see it and to be able to share all the ideas I have for it with you. Your opinion matters to me more than you know.

  Kayla, I don’t know how I got the opportunity to meet you, but I am so glad that I did. You are a very sweet and beautiful person, inside and out. I don’t care whether it was fate, divine intervention, or pure chance that you have come into my life, but I’m never going to let you go. I feel beyond blessed to be able to spend time with you; you are all that matters now. I’m going to prove that to you and to everyone. You just have to give me that chance.

  I care about you more than I have ever cared about anyone. I hope that we can build a relationship that will last FOREVER!

  Forever yours,

  Blake McGinnis

  P.S. Write Back Soon.

  My smile is so big, I’m sure I must look ridiculous. Tears are streaming down my face, but unlike when I read his first letter these are happy tears. Reading it again, I lay down on my bed and place the letter over my heart. He feels blessed to spend time with me. I’m the one who is blessed. He deserves so much better than me. I close my eyes and imagine his face. Every part of me aches to be with him. How can someone I barely know already own me completely?

  Feeling the bed dip beside me, I open my eyes, thinking it’s going to be Tessa sitting there, however, it’s Lisa.

  “He’s the one, isn’t he? Your other half. When you meet the other half of your soul, the one you are meant to be with your soul instinctively knows it. And no matter how hard you try to deny it you can’t.”

  She reaches up and wipes the tears from my face as tears of her own appear in her eyes.

  “You deserve this sweet girl. You’ve never had it easy. You’ve been through so much in your short life. We love you like y
ou are our own, I hope you know that. Kayla, if this, if he makes you happy, grab onto him honey with both hands and don’t let go. It may not always be easy, but if it’s real it will be worth it.”

  Sitting up I throw both of my arms around her neck and hug her to me. “Thank you, Lisa. I love you too.”

  She releases me and stands up. I lay back down, clinging to my letter. She pulls my covers over me and gently strokes my hair.

  “Get some sleep sweet girl. Good night.”

  “Good night, Lisa.” She turns off the lamp that is on my bedside table, then turns and leaves my room to walk into Tessa’s. I hope I will one day be half the mother that she is.

  After saying my prayers, thanking God for keeping us safe tonight and every night and asking him to do the same for Blake, wherever he may be. I drift off to sleep draped in Blake’s shirt and with his letter still in my hand. Tonight, I have hope for that future that God has promised me.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Blake

  It’s Friday morning and I have my bags packed and ready to go. I’ve actually had them packed for a couple of days. I can’t wait to see Kayla.

  I’m ready for work early today, which never happens. I just couldn’t sleep any longer. Picking up the letter I received from Kayla on Thursday, I just have to read it one more time before I leave. This is probably like the twentieth time I’ve read it.

  Dearest Blake,

  Just thinking of you makes me smile. Coming to find you was the best decision I’ve ever made. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t been able to see you again.

  I’ve been counting down the days impatiently waiting for Friday to arrive. Tessa and Asher have a date so it will just be the two of us. I want to rest my head on your chest while you hold me, it’s my favorite place to be. You make me feel safe, that’s something I haven’t had a lot of lately.

  I’ve been imagining us sitting on the dock watching the sun set and talking late into the night. I want to know everything there is to know about you. Your likes and dislikes.

  I wear your shirt to bed every night just like I promised I would. The smell has faded some, so you must fix that when you get here. With it on, you’re the last thing I think about when I close my eyes and the first thing I think of when I open them. The smell brings back only sweet memories of you.

  I know that you have to get back Sunday, but I hope you’ll be able to go to Church with me and have Sunday lunch with us. It’s a lot of food and oh, so good.

  Prom is soon; I wanted to ask you if you would like to take me. I know you’re past the high school stuff, but there’s no one else I’d rather have take me. Just think about it, please.

  Until Friday, thinking of you always.

  XOXOXO

  Kayla Jameson

  P.S. Write Back Soon

  Prom, that’s a big thing for a girl her senior year. I’m not crazy about putting on a monkey suit, but I’m less crazy about some other punk taking my girl and putting his hands on her while they dance. And Heaven help him if he were to get any ideas about something happening after prom. So, of course, I’ll take her. I’ll make a night for her to remember, renting a limo, dinner at an upscale restaurant and dancing with her so everyone will know that she belongs to me. I just need to get the dates as soon as possible to get everything lined up. There’s another surprise, which I’m planning next weekend, for her birthday. Some people will say I’m crazy, hell I might be a little. This, however, is what I want. I know it is right and I’m not going to let her leave, then regret it for the rest of my life.

  Grabbing my stuff I head for the door. Mom is making coffee and hands me a thermos. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll see you Sunday.”

  “Okay, son. Please be careful. Don’t drive crazy. She’ll be there when you get there. Love you.” She says with a smile.

  I laugh. “You know me too well. I’ll be careful. I promise.”

  Work is dragging and I’m ready to leave. I busted my thumb and it feels like it’s ten times its normal size. I’ve cleaned it up and wrapped it with a bandage. It’s the perils of working in construction.

  Finally, it’s time to leave. I have to stop by the game room on my way out of town though. Max called me last night and said he’s in a bind. He owes some guys some money. Apparently, he challenged them to a game of pool and the hustler got hustled. I feel bad because if I had been with him that wouldn’t have happened.

  I walk in and immediately see Max. The usual shouts of ‘hello’ flood my ears. I stop and speak to a few people. I’m not interested in chit chat. I’m ready to get on the road to see my girl.

  I shout over the crowd. “Maxwell!” He raises his head that he has buried in some girl’s neck. I shake my head. I’m glad this isn’t my life anymore. Did I really just say I’m glad I’m not hooking up with random girls now? Wow, never thought that’d be me.

  “Hey man. Come on over here and party with us.”

  I’m getting frustrated with him. From the looks of it, he’s drunk. I’d like to kick whosever’s ass that got it for him. He’s only fifteen and he’s hanging out with the wrong crowd. I’ve warned him, but he never listens.

  “Get over here, Maxwell. I need to get on the road. I’ve got a two hour drive ahead of me. If you don’t need my help, I’ll leave.”

  He holds his finger up, while he says something to the girl whose neck he was just sucking on. I hear her before I see her.

  “Blake, baby. You’re here. I’m so glad you came.” She is giggling like crazy. I notice as she tries to make it across the room to me she keeps stumbling. She’s obviously drunk. Drama with a capital D.

  Max is now standing with me as we watch her try to make her way toward us a couple of guys grab her groping her. She attempts to slap them but she misses. Damn it, I don’t need this tonight. I make my way over to her. I wrap my arm around her waist to help her stand without falling over.

  “Blake, always the knight in shining armor. I knew I could count on you. I love you, you know. More than anything.”

  This is a disaster. “Max help me get her to the truck. If her parents catch her like this they will kill her.”

  Max walks over and stands on the other side of her. We walk outside and the owner’s son, Adam, walks up to us.

  “Good thing you got here. My mom was getting ready to call her parents. You know they don’t allow drinking here. Max, you need to leave too. Blake, can you take them both? He doesn’t need to be driving either.”

  Well, great just great. “Yeah, sure. Come on, my juvenile delinquents. I’ve still got the key to Scott’s apartment. I’ll call him when we get there to make sure it’s okay.”

  “You said you were going out of town. Where were you going?” Max asks.

  Jessica is now completely draped all over me. She is kissing my neck and running her hands up and down my body. “Stop it, Jessica! I’m not playing with you.” I push her hands off of me.

  My stomach turns at the thought of Kayla seeing this. She wouldn’t understand, I just know it. I can’t leave her here, though. Anything could happen to her in this state. Someone could easily take advantage of her. Just because she is my ex, doesn’t mean I want her to ever get hurt. She never did anything wrong, we just didn’t work out. Besides, even if she had, she is still a human being. I would do the same for anyone.

  “Aww, Blake baby, you know you want me. I can make you feel so good. I know what you like.”

  Thank God, we have finally made it to the truck. I open my door and pick her up and sit her down on the seat. “Get in Max.”

  “Man, I ain’t leavin. I’m partying. Looks like you don’t need company anyway. I think Jessica wants to have a little fun.” He laughs and loses his balance. I grab his arm to keep him from falling.

  “Nothing is happening with me and Jessica I can promise you that. Now, get your ass in the truck.”

  He climbs inside and I shut the door.

  What am I doing? I’m supposed to be on the road going to
see the girl I’m head over heels in love with, even though that scares the crap out of me. How am I going to explain this? She is expecting me. It’s going to crush her when I don’t show up. I’ll call her as soon as I get to Scott’s. I walk back and forth in front of the truck. Why didn’t I just go straight to her? Get it together. Focus on the job at hand. I’ll make it up to her somehow. I pray to God she’ll understand and forgive me.

  I get in the truck and start it. Jessica leans over and runs her hand up my thigh, stopping at my crotch. I throw her hand off of me.

  “Don’t touch me like that again. Do you understand me, Jessica? None of your games tonight. I’m helping you because you were stupid enough to get yourself in this position and I don’t want anything to happen to you. If I left you like this and something bad happened to you I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

  “Blake you love me and you know it. You just need me to remind you how good we are together.”

  “Jessica, we had sex, it was never anything more than that. It took me finding someone that I have such a deep connection with to realize that there is some much more too making love than just having sex with someone.”

  She is laughing now. Max is passed out and I’m trying my best to get us to the apartment in one piece.

  “You’re talking about that little girl that was here. She can never love you like I do. She can never satisfy you like I do. Blake we were made for each other. We both like the same things. Baby, let me show you.”

  I cringe and have to swallow down the bile in my throat. She could never compare with Kayla. Kayla could never be the type of girl that Jessica is. Kayla is sweet and loving. Jessica is out just for herself. She uses sex to get what she wants, Kayla would never stoop that low. How was I ever that guy? He seems so far removed from who I am now and who I want to be. God, please don’t let me lose Kayla over this.