Myles (Carter Brother#3)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Kayla, you’re far from those things. Myles would be lucky to have you. The way he looks at you, is the same way you look at him, if not more star struck. He’s had a crush on you for years. Give yourself this, please. Promise me. I need you to promise me,’’ she coughs out again and I turn my worried eyes to her.

  “You’re not getting better are you?’’

  “It’ll be fine,’’ she grumbles, not meeting my eyes. “I’ve just caught a chest infection or something.’’ I can tell by her tone and her not meeting my eyes that there is more to the story than she’s letting on. I let it go, not wanting to upset her more.

  “I love you, Charlie, and I promise. I can’t promise anything will happen, but I promise to start seeing myself differently when I’m with him. Just… promise me you’ll fight. You’ll fight whatever it is happening with everything you have because I can’t lose you,’’ I choke out, tears falling from my eyes.

  “I promise to fight, Kayla, with everything I have in me, I’ll fight, but you need to also be prepared for the worst.’’

  She says it so confidently, so surely, it breaks my heart. I lie down next to her, wrap my arm around her stomach and cuddle up next to her.

  “Nothing could ever prepare me, Charlie. You’re one of a kind,’’ I whisper, then hear her choke out a sob and we both lay there, crying, both of us clinging to each other.

  Her mother walks in not long after telling me it’s time to go home. Her expression is full of pain, sadness, and I can see her eyes watering as she looks down at her sleeping daughter. Charlie exhausted herself from crying, talking to me about all her fears.

  “Will you let her know I said goodbye and I’ll be back soon?’’ I whisper, climbing over a sleeping Charlie.

  “Of course, dear.’’

  She waits until I grab my blazer before following me out of the room and down the stairs.

  “Kayla,’’ she calls as I reach the front door.

  “Yes?’’

  “Thank you.’’

  “For what?’’ I ask her, confused.

  “For being a friend to Charlie, even when you moved away. She hasn’t had a friend like you, one who will bring out the best in her.’’

  “I didn’t do anything, Mrs. Young. Your daughter did it all by herself. She saved me. She’s extraordinary and I promise I’ll be praying each and every night for her,’’ I tell her quietly before opening the door. I hear her sniffles turn into sobs and it takes everything in me not to go back inside and break down with her.

  Chapter Eleven

  KAYLA

  By the time I get home I’ve worked myself up over Charlie. I’m scared for her, but I know I need to be strong for her. Its horrible knowing there is nothing I can do to make her better, to reassure her that everything is going to be okay. I feel like I’m promising the impossible, but I suppose when it comes to the heart, it is.

  I’m about to put my key in the door when my dad answers, both of us startled to find the other.

  “Hey,’’ I say, taking note of his work suit, his briefcase, and his flushed face holding his phone.

  Interesting.

  “Hey, Honey. I was just about to call you. I’ve got to head into work for a bit, but after I’m going round Katie’s when she gets back from her other job.’’

  Oh, so she’s not a gold-digger like my mother. She actually works hard for her money. Another interesting fact I need to add to the list of things I know about her.

  “Okay, I’ll see you in the morning before school.’’

  He smiles, bending down to kiss my forehead, shocking the shit into me. He’s never been this affectionate towards me, but since he left my mother he’s been different. Not just towards me, but towards everyone and everything. Even the way he walks is relaxed. At times it makes me want to ask if mom beat him too, but I don’t think that would go over so well.

  “Bye, Honey…’’ he tells me, walking down the path to his car. Before he opens the door he calls back, stopping me. “Oh, Myles is in your room waiting for you. He said it’s about homework. I told him you wouldn’t be long.’’

  “What?’’ I screech, but it’s too late, he’s in the car and driving off. What the hell? He let Myles into my room? He couldn’t have started the conversation off with that. Oh my God, I look a mess. I’ve been crying, my eyes are swollen, my clothes are crinkled, and I don’t even want to imagine what I look like as a whole.

  Rushing in, I lock the door behind me before jogging off to the downstairs toilet. I groan when I see my puffy face staring back at me in the mirror.

  God, I look a mess.

  After splashing some cold water on my face I dry off before quickly brushing my fingers through my red locks. Most people say I’m ginger, but my hair is too dark, so I always say red. It’s not like I can get away with saying it’s strawberry blonde and as a kid, going to school with a bunch of girls, you can imagine the names I got called.

  Shaking my head of my thoughts, I sigh in disappointment. There’s no taming my hair. It’s sticking out in smooth waves down my back. It looks wild like it’s not been brushed for weeks.

  Leaving my hair is my only option. I don’t even have a bobble to put it up into a ponytail. Making my way up the stairs I cringe when I hear my music playing from my room. I know exactly what he’s watching before I even open the door. It’s my year seven talent show where I sang My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

  “What are you doing?’’ I squeak out, rushing over to the DVD player to turn it off.

  “Oh come on,’’ Myles laughs and I stiffen. “I was really getting into that. Before that I watched you playing piano, and then another of you singing Wannabe by the Spice Girls. I was having fun.’’

  “That is not having fun,’’ I snap, making sure to make a mental note to find a better hiding spot for them. It’s not something I want anyone to see. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the singing part that bothers me, it’s how I look. I had already started going through puberty, my small breasts at the time showing. I had just turned eleven on this video, I think, and had already had my period for a year. Most of the other girls in my year didn’t even know what a period was, while I had to suffer through monthly cramps and mood swings.

  “Lighten up, Kayla; you were brilliant,’’ he says, and I can hear the smile and pride in his voice.

  “What are you doing here?’’ I ask once the disc is safely in its original case.

  “I came by to see you, but also to show you the introduction to the project. Hey, what’s wrong?’’ he asks worriedly when I turn around.

  Dang it!

  I obviously didn’t do a well enough job to hide my swollen, red eyes. Now he’s going to think I’m a Debbie Downer.

  “I’ve been to see Charlie,’’ I tell him. It’s my way of explaining everything. He’s the only one who knows what’s going on with her. I’ve still not told anyone else. Charlie’s mom filled in my dad when she called him that time we never answered the door. The first time Charlie spoke to me about her heart.

  “Is she okay?’’ he asks, bringing me into his arms. It’s weird how easily I melt into him. If this had been anyone else there is no way I would have let them get close to me, let alone hold me tightly in their arms.

  “She’s not doing so well at the minute. She’s been really tired and short of breath a lot. Her mom is really worried about her getting an infection.’’

  “Shit! What have the doctors said? Do you know?’’

  “Nope,’’ I sigh, sadly moving my head back to look up at him. “Now, how the hell have you finished that introduction so fast? I’ve not even finished my research.’’

  “Aw, poor Kayla,’’ he laughs, and I give him a playful glare. “I got bored the other day when I finished all my other homework, so I started up on this. I’ll need you to proofread it because there is no way I’m asking my brothers. They’d make me pay them or some shit, and not even notice the mistakes. The whole process would just be useless.’’


  I laugh at that. The thought of Max helping Myles to do homework is funny as hell. I could see Max pulling some prank, changing words to make a fool out of Myles.

  “Point taken. Did you want to do this now, though? I just want to chill and relax.’’ I hope I don’t offend him. I’m just too tired to look over the introduction right now. Just the thought of it is giving me a headache.

  “Nah, whenever you’re free. Did you want me to go or do want to watch a film?’’

  “You want to watch a film?’’ I swallow nervously. No matter how many times we’ve watched movies together, the thought of being alone with him, snuggled up on my bed, has my skin breaking out in goosebumps. The other part of why I’m nervous is because I’m so shocked he always wants to spend time with me, away from our project.

  “Yeah, I was hoping we could finish watching the one I just started,’’ he teases with a mischievous grin.

  It takes me a few seconds to catch on and when I do I send him another glare, wanting to wrap my fingers around his neck. “No way jose.’’

  “Oh come on,’’ he pleads, picking me up and my body shivers with delight.

  “No,’’ I glare, my lips twitching, especially when he starts to swing me around. My smile breaks out into a full on laugh. “No, Myles. I’ll let you pick any other film, but not that one. I’ve even got Netflix so you can watch Castle.’’

  He laughs and eventually puts me down on my feet by my dresser. “You play dirty, Kayla Martin; you know how much I love that show. Now go get dressed so we can get in two episodes before you start snoring.’’

  “I do not snore,’’ I growl. Yes, growled.

  He laughs, throwing his head back. “No, you don’t. You make these little cute noises that aren’t quite a snore, yet. It’s like listening to a baby cub trying to roar,’’ he laughs, and I give him another glare. I seem to be doing that a lot tonight.

  “I. Do. Not,’’ I frown.

  Myles steps closer to me. Bringing his hand up, he lightly runs his fingers across my frown lines, and down my nose, before giving the tip a tap once with his index finger.

  “Cute,’’ is all he says before turning and walking over to the bed to grab the TV remote.

  I’m standing there, all heavy breathing, my whole body covered in goosebumps while he looks calm and collected. It’s not fair.

  “Kayla. Dressed, now,’’ he reminds me, and I jump from my position to quickly find some pyjamas to wear.

  Walking back into my room, Myles is already glued to the television. His mouth curled up into an amused smirk.

  “What’s so funny?’’

  “Huh?’’ he asks, only now seeming to notice I’ve walked back into the room.

  “You. You’re wearing a smirk, what gives?’’ I ask whilst climbing over him to get to my side of the bed.

  “Oh, I was just remembering your dance moves to Wannabe,” he laughs.

  “You’re such an ass,’’ I scold trying to fight my own smile.

  “We’re watching the frozen episode again, you know the one where she’s dumped and melting all over a construction site?’’

  “We’ve watched this one already. Why do you constantly watch all the old ones? You do realise there are, like, seven seasons or something?’’

  “Yeah, but they’re all new in my head, I know them like I know my brothers,’’ he grins giving me a quick glance before flickering his eyes to the television. “Plus, you fell asleep the last time when we watched this, and I want you to get the full Castle experience.’’

  “That sounds so wrong. I’ll make a deal with you. If I watch this with you, then you have to watch an episode of Veronica Mars.’’

  “You drive a hard bargain.’’ He grins at me and I smile wide. I love his smile. He really is the best looking boy I’ve ever met and there’s no question that he’ll be a handsome man.

  “So is that a deal?’’ I smirk, trying my hardest not to squeal. I’ve been trying to get him to watch Veronica Mars for a few weeks now, but each time he’ll make me watch some other movie. Then we started Castle and it’s been all about that, but I always manage to fall asleep not long into it.

  “Deal.’’

  “Ha, you’re going to be converted, I promise. Once you see how badass cool she is you’re going to want to be her,’’ I giggle and turn my attention to him when he doesn’t reply. He’s laying down on my pillows staring at me with so much depth it scares me a little. “What?’’ my voice coming out as a whisper.

  “I love your laugh, and your smile, but when you giggle like that, it’s just… beautiful.’’

  His face is so serious. He really does believe that. My stomach gets those damn butterflies again and I find my eyes drawn to his full, plump lips. He makes a sound at the back of his throat that has my eyes snapping to meet his. The look has me moving my head back a little. They’re so full of lust and desire it surprises me. Surely he can’t be attracted to me? Am I seriously that dumb that I don’t know the difference? I want to growl at my own experience, but what I do instead is flick my eyes back down to his lips.

  I don’t know who moves first, or if we move together, but I find myself moving closer towards him, his lips only a breath away. My attention moves to his eyes and what I find staring back at me has my stomach doing summersaults. They’ve darkened; his pupils nearly black as we stare into each other’s eyes. That’s when I feel his breath against my lips, then seconds after, the feel of his soft, smooth lips across mine. It’s so soft and gentle it surprises me. I’ve never been kissed, and I know there is no one on this earth I’d rather give my first and last kiss to than Myles.

  He moves in closer, his lips pressing more firmly against mine and when I feel his tongue against my bottom lip, I gasp, giving his tongue entry. At first I’m startled, unsure what to do, but when I feel his tongue massage against mine, I mimic his movements. It’s still slow, sensual, and so soft, and I know it’s more to the fact he doesn’t want to scare me. I never expected it to be this good, to feel the way I do, like I could float on thin air.

  We’re both laying on our sides facing each other, our lips still locked together when I start to move my hand up his strong muscled arm, up to his neck, cheek, and then finally into his thick, unruly hair. It’s soft under my touch, the strands feeling like silk and he growls into my mouth when I run my fingers through it, which spurs me on.

  His hand moves down to my waist and my body stiffens slightly, but when he doesn’t move to go any further I finally relax myself back into the kiss, hoping I’ve got the hang of it.

  When we finally break apart we’re both staring at each other in awe and wonder. His lips look redder, fuller, when I flick my eyes back down to them, missing the feel of them on mine already.

  “God you’re beautiful,’’ he groans, and I feel giddy with excitement that he’s not repulsed or running away from me yet. He seemed to have enjoyed the kiss more than I did, if that’s possible. I just hope it was as good for him.

  “Did I, was that…Oh God,’’ I groan.

  “It was perfect, Kayla,’’ he smiles, moving in to kiss my lips one more time, before kissing the tip of my nose.

  “Now, I think we should finish this episode so we can watch this Ronnie chick who’s meant to be badass.’’

  I grin at him widely, knowing he’s not going to get enough of her, and hopefully he’ll kiss me again. I liked kissing him. No. I loved kissing him.

  *** **** *** **** ***

  Waking up in Myles’ arms will never feel old. No matter how much I’m wrapped up into him, how tight he holds me; the only thing I ever feel is safe.

  He left an hour ago to get showered and changed for school. He texted me not too long ago saying he was on his way, so after quickly rushing to finish off my hair and put on the light bit of makeup I decided to wear, I make my way downstairs. We have a non-uniform day today to help raise money for the new school library, which is why it’s taken me longer than normal to get ready for school.
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  Apart from Myles and his brothers, Denny, Harlow and Charlie, no other kids see me outside of school, so I want to make sure I make a good impression. With the weather so chilly I decided to just put on my black leggings with my brown knit jumper that hangs off the one shoulder. I’ve finished it off with my matching brown boots that reach below my knees.

  I’m wearing my hair down and straight for once, another reason I’m running behind. My hair is thick so it takes ages to straighten. Then there was the whole makeup debatical so I’m rushing down the stairs while zipping up my jacket.

  The door knocks and a big toothy grin escapes me. It’s only been an hour, but I’ve missed him and I’m excited to see him again.

  “What took you so… Mom! What are you doing here?’’ I ask startled, my hands shaking. I look around outside not seeing Myles or my dad’s car. He hasn’t been back since last night which isn’t surprising, but I just wish right now he was here.

  “You little conniving bitch,’’ she snarls, shoving past me and kicking the door shut behind her. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out about your little plan? What have you been telling that psycho doctor of yours?’’

  “What? I don’t… I… I need to go to school,’’ I stammer, trying to sound brave.

  “Like hell you are, Missy. We need to talk and then we’re going back to that office and you’re going to tell them whatever you said was a lie,’’ she snarls and her eyes are bloodshot. I can smell the alcohol on her breath.

  “I haven’t said anything,’’ I cry when her hand lashes out, thumping me in the top of my arm.

  “Liar. He called me asking me a lot of questions, calling your father and asking him questions too. What have you been-”

  “Kayla, come on. We’re going to be late if you don’t get your sweet ass into gear,’’ Myles calls from the other side of the door. I begin to panic, hoping he didn’t hear my mom shouting at me. God. If he finds out I’ve got more baggage, he’ll most likely want me gone. I could barely let his touch go farther than my waist last night, and he didn’t seem to mind, but there’s only so much I can expect him to deal with.