by K. C. Lynn
Having no words, I let my expression say it all.
“You motherfucker!” A hard fist lands across my face, sending pain to explode through my head.
I take the hit, knowing I deserve it, and stumble back.
“My little sister, are you fucking kidding me?” he seethes, his voice thick with betrayal.
“Listen, man, it’s not what you think. She’s different.”
He comes at me again, landing another blow. I decide that’s the last one. I spit out the blood that fills my mouth and rub at my tender jaw. “That was your last free one. Next time I hit back.”
We are close to the same height and build, this would be a scary match at who would come out on top, one I don’t want to find out.
A bitter laugh escapes him. “You are unfuckingbelievable. Just how long have you been screwing her?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t. This was the first time and—”
“And that makes it better?”
“No! I just… Fuck! I don’t know.” I run my hand through my hair, gripping the strands in frustration. It’s a shitty explanation but I don’t have the answers he’s looking for. No matter what I tell him it won’t make a damn bit of difference.
“You know how she feels about you. You are supposed to help me protect her. Or maybe that was your plan all along. Be friends, act like you care about her so you could take what you want from her.”
My jaw locks down at the accusation. “That’s a goddamn lie and you know it. I was protecting her by pulling her out of that fucking party tonight. Where the hell were you? Huh?” I step closer and notice his eyes wild with rage and something else, something that has my temper erupting. “What the fuck are you on?”
“Nothing. Don’t turn this around on me.”
With quick precision I grab him by the shirt and throw him against the house. “Don’t fucking lie to me. You’ve been messed up for months now and because of it I am the one who had to get her tonight. I’m leaving, man. I’m not always going to be here. You’re all she has to rely on and she can’t when you’re fucked up.”
“You’re leaving?” he asks, focusing on my reveal rather than the issue at hand.
I release him and step back. “I’ve been accepted at Quantico to train with the FBI.”
He stares back at me, violence still rages in his bloodshot eyes but so does surprise. “A fucking fed?” I remain silent and ignore the way that word drips with disdain. “Does Kate know?”
“No. I just found out.”
He shakes his head. “So that’s why you did it. Took what you wanted before you left.”
His comment takes my anger up another notch. “No. I told you that’s not what happened, but you’re too fucked up to even listen to me right now. You need to pull your head out of your ass, Slade, and stop whatever it is you’ve gotten yourself into. You’re spiraling fast. I don’t even fucking know you anymore.”
“Are you serious? You’re going to judge me about how fucked up I am? This coming from the guy whose mom was a fucking junkie and left his ass when—”
I don’t let him finish, my fist plows through the air with swift precision, clipping him in the jaw with a force that has his head snapping back. He stumbles but rights himself quickly, expecting me to come at him again, but I’m done. I’m done with it all. I don’t need this bullshit. He knows the line he just crossed, but I’ve also crossed some of my own.
There’s no going back.
I begin walking away but turn back to him, saying one last thing. “You had a goal to get both of you the hell out of here when she graduates. Do it. Keep your promise to her and protect her. You’re all she has and you know it.”
I don’t wait for his response. Instead, I walk away from the only best friend I’ve ever had. As I head back to my car resolution settles over me, knowing what I have to do. My chest burns like a motherfucker as dark chocolate eyes assault my mind. It’s a pain I’ve only ever felt one other time in my life, and I’m pissed I let it get to that point. That I let myself be vulnerable.
Never again.
CHAPTER FOUR
Katelyn
I weave through the heavy crowd and out of the school’s main doors with a slight dance in my step from the song blaring on the speakers. As I make it to the street I falter when I see Kolan waiting for me across the road, leaning against his truck. Three girls surround him, all of them with their chests out and rubbing against him.
Typical.
Kolan is always the center of attention, whether it’s with the girls in town vying for his attention or the adults looking down their noses at him. He’s always being noticed. He uses some of it to his advantage but mostly he likes his privacy. Something the girls in this town don’t understand. Actually, it surprises me how many approach him, because even though my brother may have been graced with some incredibly good looks, he’s also very intimidating. With tattoos marking up his muscular body, and dark eyes—with an even darker expression—he looks like one scary dude. He can be pretty frightening when he wants to be, too. But as hard as my brother appears, deep down he has a courageous and honorable heart. More than anyone could ever know. I’ve been on the receiving end of it my whole life. Between both him and Nick, they are a force to be reckoned with, and it’s the reason I’ve lasted in this town as long as I have.
A swarm of butterflies take root inside of me at the thought of Nick. It’s been three days since the most amazing night of my life. When I woke up to his hoodie lying next to me I knew I’d been busted, but him letting me keep it has left a permanent smile on my face. I haven’t seen him but figure I will today since it’s my birthday. I’m assuming that’s why Kolan is here. However, the closer I get, I see no sign of him.
Maybe we’re meeting up with him.
Once Kolan notices me he pushes through the girls, dismissing them instantly. His usual black ball cap is pulled low, shielding half of his face. But it does nothing to conceal the small smirk that’s reserved just for me. No one else gets to see it, except sometimes Faith.
“There’s the birthday girl,” he softly muses, affection loud and clear in his deep voice. Wrapping his arms around me, he lifts me off my feet, giving me a bear hug that almost squeezes the life out of me.
“Hello, big brother.” I greet him with a loud smooch on the cheek, making sure to be careful of his swollen jaw. My heart hurts every time I see it, but I’m used to seeing him with bruises. It comes with all the fighting he does. I hate it but he loves it and makes good money doing it. It’s how he has supported us since getting us out of our parent’s house when I was sixteen. “What are you doing here?” I ask.
He places me back on my feet. “I’m here to take you out for your birthday. I know Aunt Linda is having a supper for you, but I was thinking of hitting up Frozen Sweets before you go,” he says, talking about my favorite ice cream parlor in town. I’m assuming that means he’s not joining us for supper. Not something I’m surprised about, but I wish he would. He doesn’t associate with family.
Ever.
“Sure. Is Nick meeting us?”
Something passes over his expression but it’s so quick it makes me wonder if I imagined it. “No. Not today.”
“Oh,” I mumble, disappointment striking me deep.
“Does that mean you don’t want to go then?” he asks with a clenched jaw, his clipped tone catching me off guard.
“Of course not. I was just curious.” Some of the tension eases from him, raising my suspicion. “What’s going on, Kolan? Is everything okay?”
Does he know about the other night? My stomach sinks at the thought. No, surely he would have said something.
He slings an arm around my neck. “Yeah, Kate, everything’s fine. Come on. Let’s get out of here, and I’ll give you your birthday gift.”
“Oooh, what is it, what is it?”
He chuckles. “You’ll see.”
We arrive at the ice cream shop ten minutes later. Kolan orders me my favorite bubbleg
um ice cream and a soda for him before we take a seat at an outside table. I dig into my ice cream right away, moaning at the creamy bliss. I swear I could live off of this stuff. Hearing Kolan chuckle, I look up to see him watching me with amusement.
I smile back. “Thanks for taking me out. It made my day when I walked outside to see you there. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” He’s been out later than usual lately. I’m always asleep when he gets home and he’s still asleep when I get up for school.
“I know. I’m sorry I haven’t been around much.”
I wave away his guilt. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve been busy working. I’m a big girl. You don’t need to take care of me.”
“You’re my baby sister, I’ll always take care of you.”
My throat tightens at his sincere words. Reaching over I cover his large hand with mine, and wince when I feel the rough scabs marring his knuckles. “I know. You’ve always taken good care of me.”
He shakes his head. “I haven’t done a good job of it lately. I’ve been caught up in shit, but I promise, no more.”
I frown, wondering where all of this is coming from. The last thing he should ever feel is guilt when it comes to me.
He reaches into his back pocket and hands me an envelope.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Your birthday gift.”
I open it with a smile that vanishes when I see what it is. A one-way ticket to Columbia, South Carolina. My eyes snap to Kolan in shock. “What’s going on? What is this?”
“A new beginning,” he responds quietly. “For both of us.” I stare at him, unable to wrap my head around what he’s saying. He releases a heavy breath and leans forward. “Look, I made a promise to you, Kate, and I’m keeping that promise. I told you when I was old enough I would get us the fuck out of here. I have an opportunity to make a professional career out of fighting and the opportunity lies there.” He points to the plane ticket. “I want to take it. This is our chance; this is what we’ve waited for our whole lives. A place where we can start fresh, far away from here where no one will know who we came from. We can get out from under the curse of being Lorraine and Keith’s kids and be whoever the fuck we want.”
My gaze falls to the ticket in my hand. The thought of a new start sounds amazing yet still incredibly terrifying.
“You don’t want to go,” he remarks, sitting back in his chair.
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what? You look like I just killed your dreams.”
I shake my head. “The idea sounds wonderful, you know how much I hate it here, but it’s scary, too. This is all we know.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
A sad smile takes over my face. “I know you won’t. It’s not that. It’s just…” I trail off, not knowing how to explain it.
“I’ll be making good money. I’ll be able to afford to put you through that beauty school shit you want to take and it sounds like they have a really good one there. This is our chance, Kate. Let’s take it.”
“What about the people we love? Faith and…Nick,” I whisper.
Oh god, I can’t move away from him. No way.
“Forget about him,” he snaps, his expression turning stone cold.
I stare back at him like he’s crazy. “Why on earth would I forget about him? Why would you? He’s—”
“He’s gone.”
I flinch, the harsh words hitting me like a slap to the face. “What are you talking about? He’s not gone. I just saw him the other day.”
He shakes his head, rage darkening his eyes to a shade I’ve never seen. “He left for Virginia, to train with the FBI.”
Dread pounds through my body and rushes in my ears, swearing I heard him wrong. “No.” I shake my head. “No, you’re lying. He wouldn’t leave. Not without saying good-bye.”
Through blurry vision I see Kolan’s expression soften. He leans forward and grabs my hand. “Kate, listen.”
“No!” I rip away from him and stand. “You’re lying. He wouldn’t do this.” My breath hitches as I try to pull in air but can’t. My heart is squeezing so painfully in my chest that I can’t breathe.
“Would you calm down!” he spits out.
“No, I’m not listening to any more of this.” I take off, running faster than I ever have in my life. I hear Kolan yell for me, but I don’t stop. I push myself harder, fear and panic fueling me with a speed I didn’t know I possessed. I run though parks, jumping over playground equipment as I take shortcuts to the country.
To Nick.
Please, God. Please, God.
He wouldn’t do this. He wouldn’t leave me. A sob rips from me at the thought, the burn in my legs and heart doing nothing to dull the pain lancing through me. I reach the ranch in record time and bang on the door.
Pop answers with the phone to his ear, his eyes concerned at my state of turmoil. “It’s all right, son, she’s here,” he says to who I’m assuming is Kolan. “Yes, no problem.”
“Where’s Nick?” I ask as he hangs up, my words winded and filled with urgency. “I need to see him, Pop. It’s important.”
His shoulders slump and regret washes over his face, unveiling my worst fear. A new fear grips my chest; it’s instant and heart-stopping. I shake my head in denial. “Please tell me it’s not true,” I plead with a whisper. “Please don’t tell me he’s gone. That he left me.”
With a curse he pulls me against him, his strong arms holding me tight. “It will be okay, Katelyn girl. He didn’t leave you. He left for himself. It’s a good thing for him, darlin’. A good opportunity. It was a decision he didn’t make lightly.”
This can’t be happening. He can’t be saying this to me.
“He didn’t even say good-bye.” A pain unlike I’ve ever known strikes deep, tearing another soul-destroying sob from me.
“He never wanted to hurt you, honey. It killed him, too. I saw it.” That has me crying harder. Pop holds me closer, his worn hand rubbing up and down my back. “He left something for you. Let me go get it.”
As he walks into the kitchen I wrap my arms around myself, feeling cold and empty. He comes back a moment later with a small wrapped gift and an envelope. I take it from him hesitantly, unsure if I want to know what’s inside.
“Why don’t you come sit down at the table to open it?”
I shake my head. “No, but thanks,” I choke out through my raw throat. “If you don’t mind I’m going to the creek. I need to be alone right now.”
“Absolutely, it’s fine. Just promise me you won’t walk back to town. Come here first and I’ll drive you.”
With a nod I walk out the door and numbly make my way to the fresh water that runs at the far back of the property. About a five-minute walk. It’s a place where you’re surrounded by nothing but nature. It’s a place where I’ve always felt safe. One where I’ve laughed, cried, and created some of the most beautiful memories. It was our place.
Nick’s and mine.
Taking a seat on the lush green grass I listen to the sound of rushing water but it brings no peace like it usually does. I stare down at the gift in my hands for a long time, unsure if I can handle what’s inside, but my curiosity ends up getting the best of me. With a deep breath that I can’t fully inhale, I swipe at my wet cheeks and open the envelope first, the words blurry as my burning eyes try to focus.
Katelyn,
I know this is a shitty good-bye. I’m sorry. I worried if I did it in person I wouldn’t have been able to leave, and this is for the best, especially for you. Things will work out though, you’ll see. Your hardheaded brother will take good care of you, or maybe it will be the other way around.
A laugh escapes me but it immediately turns into a sob.
You’re strong, Kate, stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’re going to do great things, and not because you need to prove yourself but because you are more. You are everything.
I’ll never forget our night together. I’ll never forget a moment of my time with you.
Happy birthday.
Nick.
I suck in sharp, painful breaths, trying to control my breathing, but the pain slicing through me makes it impossible. With sobs locked in my chest and clogging my throat, I tear at the paper, unveiling a small pink cardboard box with a blue bow. My hands shake as I lift the top off to see what’s inside, and the agony I’ve been holding in my chest breaks free. I fall back on the hard earth and clutch the pink, hollow, heart-shaped stone that’s engraved with the words, You are more, close to my chest.
The beautiful gift takes me back to a moment from the past that started out heartbreaking but ended beautifully. It was a day I fell even more in love with Nick Stone.
Two years ago
Sitting at the creek I hug my knees close to my chest, and cry out all of my humiliation and hurt feelings. My tears soak my expensive red silk dress that Kolan saved up to buy for me, all for this stupid dance. A dance that I was supposed to attend with Tommy Powers, the most popular guy in school, only to find out it was a cruel joke. A bet.
I should have known better.
You would think I was hurt because I have feelings for him but that’s far from the truth. I never have had those kind of feelings toward him. However, when the most popular boy in school asked me to go with him to homecoming, I felt…important. For the first time in my life I thought I might just fit in after all. That maybe the kids who always shunned me for who my parents were, grew up and saw I was nothing like them. Maybe I was being given a chance.
Ha! No, that wasn’t the case and I was dumb to think so. Although, Tommy was pretty damn convincing. He even asked me with a bouquet of flowers. The only ones I’ve ever received, all in the name of some stupid bet.
The rules were simple, get me to the dance, fuck Kolan Slade’s sister, and he would get a hundred dollars. No one believed he was brave enough to do it.
He was.
When I walked up and overheard him talking with his buddies about it, joking with them about how he was going to do it, humiliation had struck deep and a little piece of me died. Once he realized I was behind him, he didn’t even have the decency to seem remorseful. He only gave me a cocky smirk and shrugged.
