Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
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Silent
LOVE
PART 1
Kenadee Bryant
SILENT LOVE
Copyright © 2018 by Kenadee Bryant.
All rights reserved.
First Print Edition: February 2018
Limitless Publishing, LLC
Kailua, HI 96734
www.limitlesspublishing.com
Formatting: Limitless Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1-64034-316-0
ISBN-10: 1-64034-316-4
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.
Dedication
To all you amazing readers!
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
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Chapter One
Carter
“Mom, I’ll be fine. I’m only thirty minutes away,” I said as my mom wrapped me in a tight hug for the hundredth time in just an hour.
“I know, sweetie, but I am going to miss you so much.” She cried into my shoulder, her embrace tightening.
“Can’t breathe,” I choked out.
“Honey, you can let her go now,” my dad said, reaching for my mom and prying her off me.
“I’m sorry.” She wiped her cheeks and took a step away from me, into my father’s embrace. I smiled watching as my dad kissed my mom’s cheek. My parents were definitely relationship goals. My father, Ashton Miller, met my mom when he was twenty-five at some club, and she later became his assistant. My mother, Layla Miller, always says she didn’t fall for him so easily but I don’t believe it. Now, twenty-two years later, they are still very happy and just like teenagers—all over each other. It got gross sometimes.
“Carter, remember there are no boys allowed here with you and Macey. Keep up on your homework and studies.”
“Yes, Dad, I will,” I said, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “No boys.” I’ve heard this speech so many times in the last few weeks I could recite it from memory.
“Come and visit often and keep in touch. Luke and Ethan also agreed to watch over the both of you,” my dad said. At the mention of my brother and his best friend I groaned inwardly. When I applied to Columbia, I didn’t even think about my brother and Ethan going to school here as well. If it hadn’t been for a full-ride scholarship, I would be at NYU. And the fact that both my parents attended that school.
I wanted to get away from my father’s legacy as much as I could, and going there would be the opposite of what I wanted. Everywhere I go I get asked if the famous CEO Ashton Miller is my father; or if Layla Miller the famous writer is my mother; and of course, if Luke the football prodigy was my brother. Everyone in my family was known for something, but then you had me—the boring, nerdy one. Not that I minded being called that, nor did I mind being asked if I was related to the people in my family. I loved them and was proud I had such a great family. It just got tiring being asked the same thing over and over again, or being compared to your outgoing, popular, smart, and amazing football player brother.
“If you or Macey need anything, don’t forget to call us or Kacey and Nick. You can even call Nenna and Liam as well.” At the thought of Macey, my best friend from birth, I knew she was getting the same speech on the way here with Aunt Kay and Uncle Nick.
Calling Kacey and Nick my aunt and uncle confused people; they’d ask me if Macey was my cousin, but she wasn’t. With Aunt Kacey being my mom’s best friend all through high school and college and her always being over at my house, it was only fitting I called her my aunt. The same thing applied to Nick; he had been my father’s best friend for years. They were practically like my parents, acting like teenagers thinking no one was watching them. Nenna and Liam were both Macey and I’s aunt and uncle as well, but we didn’t see them as often since they were busy with their own lives. My real aunt and uncle, Ariel and Alex, were currently overseas doing something with business.
“Luke and Ethan are only a few buildings down, so if you need them just go over there or call them.” The way my father was talking to me you would think I didn’t know any of this, but I did. The only reason my father let me stay on campus instead of living at home with them and making the commute was because my brother lived only a few feet away so he could always keep an eye on me.
It had taken a lot to convince my dad to let me live on campus—I even had to get my mom’s help. He agreed, but only if I stayed in the brand-new building that was more like an apartment building rather than a dorm. Plus, it helped that Macey would be with me. He loved her like his own daughter as well. I was about to answer with an “okay” when our apartment door opened and in walked Macey with Aunt Kay and Uncle Nick behind her.
Immediately Macey was by my side sending me a look that begged for help. I sent her the exact same look as my parents talked with Kay and Nick. It was four in the afternoon and classes began in two days, so Macey and I were ready for our parents to leave so we could settle in. Our “dorm room” had two separate bedrooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen, and a little living room. It was basically an apartment.
“Okay, we better get going. We’ll let you guys get settled,” Uncle Nick said after a few minutes of talking with my parents. After a series of hugs from everyone, my mom crying once again, and the reminder to call them later tonight, my parents and Macey’s finally left. The moment the door shut behind them, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. When I turned to Macey, we both let out a squeal and hugged each other while jumping around.
“Finally! We are officially freshmen!” Macey squealed, pulling away from me.
“Yes, we are.” I grinned back at her. Looking around the room, I smiled happily. I was finally free, on my own and with my best friend. What more could I want? I knew I was going to miss home and my parents, even though I was only thirty minutes away from both. My parents are the greatest, and growing up I always had what I needed. They made sure to raise Luke and I in a way where we needed to work for what we wanted, and they always encouraged us to follow our dreams.
Macey and I both went to our rooms to put our things away before we decided to do anything else. The place already had beds, desks, and dressers in the rooms. Because both of our parents wanted the place to be a little homey for us, they worked t
ogether and bought us a couch and a tv as college gifts. I knew it was extravagant, but I wasn’t going to say no and make my mom cry again. I turned on some Maroon 5 as I got to work putting my room together.
The room was smaller than mine back home, but I loved it. I was really looking forward to being on my own and going to school. Yes, I was one of those people who liked school. Actually, the word “liked” was used a little too loosely. School was just okay. I always liked the first and the last day the best, like every other student. But going to college was a whole different story than high school. Here you are in charge of getting up on time to go to class, and you have to feed yourself and make sure you actually do your homework. The idea was scary but thrilling at the same time.
Grabbing my easel, I placed it in the corner of my room along with my bag full of pencils, markers, paints, erasers, and other tools. I decided I wanted to be an artist in my sophomore year of high school. There was no better feeling after sitting in a chair for hours and seeing something I drew come to life. After my parents realized how serious I was about drawing, they got me my first easel and pencils. Over the years I had built quite the collection of drawing and painting utensils—enough to last me a lifetime. While my brother got the knack for math and sports from my father, I got the art skill from my mom. He was here studying business and math, which I completely hated and failed at. The only things I was good at were drawing and photography. Probably not the best thing to go into when there weren’t many job openings.
After an hour passed I stepped back, looking at my room with my hands on my hips. I nodded in approval. My bed had my blue and white bedspread and my favorite stuffed animal I’ve had since I was a kid. No one was ever too old for a toy going into college; it was like a security blanket. The desk had my laptop, folders, pencils/pens, and a framed photo of me with my parents and Luke from our family vacation last year. Next to that one was another framed photo of Macey and me at graduation a few months ago, and one of us when we were little kids, grinning at the camera with only a few teeth and in bathing suits. My huge Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera sat near my laptop. And in front of my desk was a rolling chair. My closet and chest drawers were filled with all my clothes. I still needed to put up some posters or pictures on the walls, but for now it looked good. Smiling, I grabbed my phone, turned off my music, and left my room heading to Macey’s to see how she was doing in her room.
“How’s it going in here?” I asked Macey right before I stepped into her room. While mine looked brighter and had more light colors, Macey had a dark purple bedcover with black pillows. Her desk was set up like mine with her laptop, binders, and a few photos scattered about. While my closet and chest drawers fit my clothes perfectly, hers was overflowing. Right now, it looked organized, but give it a day and her closet would be a mess, as would the floor of her room.
Macey and I were like two peas in a pod. Even though our parents were already friends, I think we would have been friends in school anyway. Her bubbly personality and gorgeous looks made everyone love her instantly. Her brown hair was cut shorter than she’d had it previously, as she wanted “something new to start the year off,” according to her. Her eyes differed from hazel to green depending on her mood or outfits. Although she was short, you didn’t want to underestimate her strength. She could easily beat a man at arm wrestling. She was also very smart, and she had to be; she was studying to be a chemical engineer. My girl was a smart cookie.
“All done!” she announced coming to stand beside me and looked around. “So, with our rooms done, should we get something to eat then see what is going on around campus?” she asked. My stomach decided to answer with a rumble. “That must be a yes. Want me to text Amy and see if she wants to meet us somewhere?”
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Amy Manson was our other friend who also attended Columbia University. She transferred to our high school junior year, and since she didn’t have anyone to hang out with, Macey and I brought her into our group. Now we were all inseparable. Unfortunately, Amy got stuck in another room with someone else while Macey and I were able to be together. She was everything every guy wanted and girls hated—being captain of the cheer team all through high school left her with a great toned body; blonde hair reached her lower back; and she had a pair of baby blue eyes that made guys fall to their knees.
“I think I saw a café sort of thing earlier, just a block away on campus. Want to try it out?” Macey asked.
“Yeah let’s go there. Just let me throw on some shoes.” Leaving her room, I went back to mine, grabbing my black Converse and slipping them on. There was no way I was dressing up just to go grab something to eat. I was more than fine wearing a pair of old ripped blue jeans and a graphic t-shirt that said I don’t wanna TACO about it. My brown hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. I was not one to dress up unless it was for a reason, like an event my parents forced me to attend. Everyone always told me that I looked exactly like my mom, with our matching brown hair and oval face. I had my father’s blue eyes while my brother had my mom’s grey ones. Luke and I were the perfect mix of our parents.
Thankfully Macey was like me in some ways. She didn’t always have to dress up and look pretty every chance she got. But when parties came into the picture, she was different than me. Macey always wanted to go out to party and dress up while I would rather stay home and read a book or watch Netflix. Out of all of us Amy was the one who cared the most about her appearance. She never went anywhere without making sure her makeup was on point and her outfit hugged her body.
Macey and I left our apartment a few minutes later, leaving the dorm building and heading in the direction of the café. The word “campus” was not really the right word to describe Columbia University. It was like its own little town or private island. The main building was designed to look like the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., while other school buildings surrounded it, almost in a rectangle. It was so beautiful with a big lawn in the center of it all. Tables and benches sat underneath big trees providing shade. Behind the main building was the huge football stadium, and off to the left the baseball fields. The campus here was definitely one of the best in the country.
As we walked we passed groups of girls already dressed in short dresses and huge heels. It wasn’t even six p.m. and people were already gearing up to party. At least it was the end of August and it was still warm, or they would be freezing their asses off. The moment we stepped into the cute little café called 95 Degrees, I knew this was going to be a place Macey and I were going to visit all the time. Off in the corner was a big couch and a few comfy chairs, and tables lined the sides of the café. Almost all the tables were filled except one, over by a window.
“Let’s hurry and get that table then order,” I said at the same time as Macey. Smiling, we quickly made our way to the empty table to snag it. I glanced around trying to see if I knew anyone. It seemed most people we went to school with stayed around here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were at the same college as us. Even though school didn’t start until Monday—which was two days away—there were people on their laptops doing what looked like school work, and football players seated at tables a few away from us were in their jerseys already. I silently prayed my brother and his best friend wouldn’t show up.
“You stay here and wait for Amy. I’m going to go order. What do you want?” Macey asked, standing next to the table.
“Can you get me a hazelnut latte and whatever you’re getting to eat?” It helped that Macey and I liked the same foods; we just ordered for each other.
“Sounds good.” As she went to go order, I looked around waiting for Amy to show up. Of course, the moment she walked in I knew. Practically every guy in the place stopped and turned to look at her. Her small shorts showed off her long tan legs. She wore a tank top that showed her belly button ring and lean stomach. Of course, her blonde hair was curled to perfection and her makeup was on point.
“Carter!” She squealed when she spotted me and ran ove
r to me. Don’t ask me how she could run in those heels. I stood up just in time to be pulled into a hug. My forehead hit her shoulder, but I was used to it. She stood taller than me at five-foot-ten, and with her heels she towered over me.
“Amy,” I said, grinning at her. I didn’t see much her of this summer and was surprised to hear she was also attending Columbia.
“Where’s Mace?” she asked but her eyes were on the football guys a few tables over.
“Getting food. You may want to go get in line before it gets any longer,” I said gesturing with my head toward the line. She nodded but I don’t think she really heard me. Thankfully Macey walked over, done ordering.
“Macey!” Amy greeted her once she saw her making her way toward us. While they said hi to one another, I looked around the place. The café was a cute little place that I bet did great business during school. I’m definitely going to come here and do homework. The scraping of a chair brought my gaze back to our table just in time to see Amy prance toward the counter.
“Wow, she should have just worn her underwear instead of those shorts. They cover the same amount.” Macey snorted.
“You’re right about that,” I muttered as she headed back our way. Just as she sat down, a cute guy came to our table with our food on a tray.
“Here are your two grande hazelnut lattes and hamburgers,” he said setting them in front of the two of us. I grinned at Macey’s choice and sent her a thankful smile. After moving in, I was beyond starving. I was not one of those girls who watched their weight/calories and only ate salads. Screw that. Give me a pizza or hamburger.
“Thank you,” I said, already grabbing two fries and stuffing them in my mouth.
“I cannot believe you are eating that,” Amy said, wrinkling her nose at us.
Silent Love Page 1
