by Gia Riley
“Stop it! Carson, it wasn’t Rhett’s fault,” I plead.
“Don’t make excuses for him, Kins. He screwed up the second he put his hands on you.”
That’s all it takes for Rhett to see red. A look of pure rage erupts on his face the moment he realizes Carson thinks he hit me. The second brawl of the night breaks out. It wasn’t enough for Jake and Wyatt to go after each other over Becca, now I have Rhett and Carson fighting over me. Only this time, I don’t try to get in between them—I run for my brother instead.
“Wyatt,” I yell down the hall. “Wyatt!”
His bedroom door flies open, and he runs toward me in a panic, wondering why I’m screaming for him. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
I point toward my room. “Stop them, please!”
Punches fly all around us, but Wyatt jumps in to break up the fight. He yanks Carson by the back of his shirt, practically throwing him against the closet door. Rhett backs off on his own, and doesn’t need to be stopped. This was all Carson’s doing. He’s the one with an agenda—not Rhett.
Rhett wipes some blood off the corner of his mouth, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tries to catch his breath. I grab a tissue from the box on my desk, handing it to him. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. What’s his problem?”
“My problem?” Carson questions, like a total smartass. “You’re the one banging around your girlfriend,” he spits back.
It’s like a game of tennis, my head bouncing from side to side as they volley insults back and forth. Carson has this all wrong, but I’m afraid to say anything until he calms down.
Thankfully, my brother steps up, setting the record straight. “Carson, chill man. I got in a fight with Jake, she caught an elbow trying to break us up. It wasn’t Rhett’s fault.”
Carson gapes at him like he’s lost his mind. For a minute it looks like he’s about to charge my brother to give him the same attention he just showed Rhett, but Wyatt shakes his head, letting him know it would be the wrong move to make.
I step forward now that everyone’s under control. Reaching for Carson’s hand, I ask, “Can I talk to you in your room for a minute?”
His eyes finally soften when he hears my voice. With a small nod of his head, he says, “Sure,” but he doesn’t leave the room peacefully. Even though Wyatt already made a point of saying Rhett wasn’t responsible, it doesn’t stop Carson from nudging his shoulder as he walks by him—only pissing Rhett off more.
“That wasn’t necessary,” I whisper to him. When I look over my shoulder, hurt momentarily flashes through Rhett’s eyes as he watches me leave the room with Carson. The last thing I want is for him to be upset with me, but I need to have this conversation whether he’s okay with it or not.
Carson sits on the bed beside me, cracking his knuckles and flexing his fingers. “What’s going on, Kins?”
“Please don’t ever do that again. Tonight’s been one giant mess since we got home from the game.”
“Fine,” he responds, stubbornly.
“Carson, if I was in trouble, if Rhett ever hurt me, you’re the one I would run to.”
“What about Wyatt?”
“My brother would always support me, but he’s living his own life at school. You took his place because he felt like you’d handle the job of protector. That’s what you were doing tonight when you fought Rhett—protecting me. Even though you had the facts wrong.”
“You’re not mad I punched your boyfriend?”
“Yes, but you did it with the right intentions. I can’t get mad at you for trying to keep me safe.”
“You’re mad, but you’re not. Makes complete sense.”
We may have a weird connection that has been building for years, all on its own, but I know the moment I say the words, Carson would do anything for me. He proven tonight what he’s capable of and I didn’t even have to ask. But then again, if anyone ever hurt him, I’d do the same. I’d stand up for him, no questions asked. “I’m pretty sure you know what I mean.”
“I get it. I am here for a reason. And I’d do anything for you.”
“I know and I’m grateful you gave up living in an apartment of your own to help Kate and I with the bills, but you don’t have to be superman all the time. I want you to be happy, and lately, I get the impression you’re not.”
“I’m happy.”
“Are you lying?”
“I’m good, I promise. I’d be better with you, but I’m respecting your decision—even if I don’t understand what you see in him that you don’t see with me.”
I think about his words for a minute. There’s no easy way to describe the difference between them. Besides the obvious age difference, the fact that Rhett and I are in the same school, and that we love each other, there’s more to it than that. I care about Carson, but he’s just not Rhett. Still, I try to come up with a way to make Carson understand. “Sometimes Rhett treats me like I’m breakable. Like if he’s not careful, I’ll slip through his fingers or crumble.”
“That’s what you want?”
“It’s what I need. I’ve never had that kind of connection with anyone—that together we’re stronger than if we were apart. I’ve felt so alone for so long, but I finally have a guy in my life that wants to stick around—that isn’t leaving. I need that, Carson.”
“And you don’t think I’d treat you the same way? If not better?”
I turn to face him, wishing he wouldn’t doubt how amazing he is. “Carson, you’d treat me like a princess. That I’m sure of.”
“I get it, Kins. You don’t have to say another word.”
I reach for his hand, squeezing it. “Yes, I do because it doesn’t mean I care about you less. You’re important to me whether I’m with Rhett or not.”
He doesn’t respond, only staring at my hand resting on top of his. His fingers twitch ever so slightly, like he wants to wrap his fingers around mine, but he doesn’t. He stays completely still. I take it as my cue to leave—to give him some space.
As I stand up he says, “I hope it works out. You deserve it.”
“You’ll find your person, Carson. I know you will.”
His warm brown eyes pierce through me as he says, “I thought I did.”
I should tell him I’m not the one for him. That there’s so many more out there for him, but before I realize what’s happening, he leans closer. I turn my head at the last second and his mouth connects with my cheek. “Carson, this can’t happen.”
I move away from the bed, guilt flooding through my body, even though I managed to stop him before he took things too far. Still, before I’m gone, I hear one last plea. “Just remember, if it doesn’t work out, you know where to find me.”
“I’ll remember.”
I STAYED WITH Kinsley until one in the morning before climbing out of her bed, and driving home. I told my parents twelve at the latest, but I couldn’t leave her. She was still in so much pain from the fight, and all I wanted to do was watch over her while she slept in my arms. But after getting a warning text from my dad that my mom was about to come drag me home, I knew it was time to go. I’m eighteen. Kinsley and I are both adults by law, but while I’m living under their roof, I have to play by their rules.
Knowing it’s going to be another late night, I slept half the day away before asking my mom to iron my dress shirt for the homecoming dance. Yeah, so much for being a grown adult. Turns out I still need my mom unless I want to do it myself and risk setting the house on fire.
“Mom, do you have my shirt? I have to leave.”
She hurries up the stairs, handing me a crisp, white button down that’s ironed to perfection. “Do you want me to help you?”
I laugh at her, she’s never going to stop treating me like I’m five. “I can dress myself, you know.”
“I know honey, but this is my last year with you. Soon you’ll be graduating, and moving away, and you’ll have a family of your own. You could end up anywhere in the world—I’ll
lose my baby forever.”
“Whoa, slow down, Mom. I’m going to homecoming, not getting married.”
“It all happens to fast, Rhett. Slow down a little, please. And I don’t want you staying out all night again.”
“Mom, it’s senior year. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
“You’re spending too much time with this Kinsley girl. What about your friends? They’ll all be going in different directions soon. Trust me, you’ll want your friends when you’re all alone in a new place.”
“I do hang out with my friends, but I love Kinsley. She’s going to be with me whether I’m with friends or not.”
“You don’t know what love is yet. What you’re feeling is all puppy love—the kind that comes and goes and ends up a silly thing of the past.”
“That’s not how it feels at all. It’s real.”
“It may seem like that now, but once you’re older, you’ll see this was just something to help pass the time. That’s all she is, sweetie—a distraction.”
“Well, I don’t see it that way. I’m not sure I ever will.”
“Just promise me you’ll be smart. Don’t let her bring you down. She’s not like us, Rhett. She comes from a different place.”
I finish buttoning my shirt, and adjust my tie, all while doing my best not to yell at my own mother. How can she be so close-minded? I’ve never seen her be anything but nice to my friends, but when it comes to Kinsley, she wants her gone. “She’s a good person. You’d see that if you gave her a chance.” I grab my jacket and sling it over my shoulder, ending our conversation.
“I love you, honey. I do. I’m just worried,” she yells down to the foyer from atop the landing. I’m already halfway out the door. Nothing she can say will convince me she’s right. I love Kinsley—and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
And that love only grows when I get to her apartment to pick her up, and she’s waiting for me in the living room. The dress. Wow. All I can do is stand and stare at the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen in my life. I can’t blink for fear she’s going to disappear because there’s no way I could be lucky enough to have her as my own.
“Rhett?”
I hear my name. It sounds like perfection coming from her painted red lips, but still, all I can do is stare. Her hair’s curled just the way I like it with a sparkly feather tucked behind her ear. The things I want to do with that feather.
But I don’t stay fixated on it for long. I can’t. Not when the heels she’s wearing are calling for attention. They make her a few inches taller, and the closer I get to her, I realize I won’t have to bend down quite as far to kiss her tonight. All put together, she looks like an angel in white, with more sparkles covering her body, and legs for days.
I motion with my finger for her to spin around so I can get the full effect. She fidgets nervously, obviously unsure if I like what I’m seeing. She’ll know when I’m finished looking.
Little by little I admire every inch of her, and hell if it isn’t absolute perfection. “Sunny, you look—you’re so beautiful. God, I’m so damn lucky.”
“You like it? Really?”
“I love it, and I love you. But we need to leave.” We need to leave before I push her into her bedroom and never let her leave.
“I’m ready,” she whispers in her most innocent voice while I’m busy thinking all kinds of dirty thoughts.
I take her hand, and link my fingers with hers. With more pride than I’ve ever had, I walk out of the house with Kinsley on my arm, and once I get my girl safely in my truck, I’m ready to get this night started.
I glance at her as I back out of the driveway. “How’s your eye?”
“It’s not as puffy. I tried covering up the bruise with make-up. Can you still see it?”
“Barely, and only because I know it’s there. I still can’t believe you got hit.”
“Have you talked to Jake?”
“Nope.” I almost called him, but each time I tried, I got more pissed off. Even a text would have been a string of useless curses. He had no right coming to Kinsley’s last night.
She sighs, and I know I’m in for an earful—that I won’t like. “You can’t be mad at him forever. It’s over and done with. He’s your best friend.”
“He hit you in the face, Kinsley. My best friend showed up at my girlfriend’s house, even after I told him to stay away, and hurt you. That’s not something I’m going to get over or take lightly.”
“But I’m fine. I don’t want you two being pissed at each other because of me.”
This isn’t an argument I’m going to win, so until we get to the dance, I keep my mouth closed before I say something I’ll end up regretting. She takes my silence as anger, and crosses her arms over her chest. “This is ridiculous,” she mumbles.
Maybe it is, but it doesn’t change the way I feel.
Almost everyone’s already inside the gym by the time we get to the high school. It’s my fault we’re running a little late. Between the conversation with my mom, and then ogling Kinsley a little too long in the living room, we could have been here twenty minutes ago.
“Do you think Becca still came with Jake?” I ask her, unsure if she’s spoken with Becca since she ran last night. Wyatt told us he found her a couple blocks away from the apartment, swinging on a swing at the playground. She shouldn’t have been out so late by herself, but at least he found her before anything else happened.
“I’m not sure what she decided. She was with Wyatt until early this morning. He left at some ungodly hour to go back to school—said he wanted to get some sleep before the game tonight.” She glances at the time on her cell phone. “The game starts in ten minutes.”
“Sorry you’re missing it.”
“What? Are you serious right now? I’m pretty excited to go to my first dance with a date if you haven’t noticed.”
“Another first.”
She smiles shyly, her cheeks turning the slightest bit of pink, as we walk hand in hand through the gym doors. Heads turn toward us, and Kinsley grips my hand a little tighter. She hates when people stare at her, but looking like she does tonight, there’s no way they can’t. She’s the prettiest girl in the entire room.
“Dance with me?” I ask her even though she has no choice. I’ve been waiting for this all day.
“Sure.”
We find a spot on the floor, and I pull her close. One Direction’s, “Eighteen,” plays in the background. People continue to stare, as I kiss her lips while slowly swaying our bodies from side to side, but I couldn’t care less. All I see is my Sunny.
Just as the song ends, we almost bump right into Becca and Jake. “Come on, Kinsley.” I have nothing to say to Jake. Not yet anyway.
But she tugs on my arm, pulling me back to where we were standing a moment ago. “Rhett, please. Talk to Jake.” Her eyes are pained and I can tell it’s eating her up inside to have come between the two of us. She doesn’t get it though. I’d put her first no matter who touched her.
“Rhett, come on man. This is stupid.”
And once again, I’m in his face. “Stupid? You think showing up at my girlfriend’s apartment completely wasted and picking fights is stupid?”
“No, I think you being this pissed about it is stupid. I didn’t try to hit her. I’d never lay a hand on a girl and you know that.”
“He’s right, Rhett. He’s not a bad person just because he made one mistake.”
I whip my head toward the girl I love more than anything. Even she’s on Jake’s side. “That one mistake could have knocked you out, Kinsley. He shouldn’t have even been there!”
“But he was. It’s in the past.”
“Pfft, maybe for you.”
Kinsley pulls me aside, and grabs my face between her hands. “Listen to me. He’s been your best friend for years. Don’t throw away a friendship because of me. He needs his best friend right now.”
I glance at Jake and for the first time I notice he looks pretty miserable. Part of me
wants to stay mad, but when I see how much it means to Kinsley to talk to him, I know I have to. There’s no way I’ll ever forgive him for hurting her, but I can at least try to have a conversation. “I can’t pretend I’m not pissed, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you. I’ll take Becca. Find out what’s going on.”
Once the girls are gone, I have no choice but to work things out with Jake. “Lets go sit down.”
“Dude, this is probably the shittiest homecoming ever.”
“Why?”
“Because I fucked up. I can’t lose my best friend and my girlfriend in the same weekend. That’s serious loser status.”
I follow Kinsley with my eyes until I see where they’re going. They stop on the other side of the room near the bleachers. Becca’s talking a mile a minute like she normally does, and Kinsley’s listening to her every word. “I’m still your friend, Jake. But I swear to god if you ever touch her again I will kick your ass—accident or no accident. And lay off the alcohol.”
“Done. I don’t care if I ever touch it again. Not after last night.” Everything happens for a reason and maybe Kinsley getting hurt is enough for Jake to realize there’s more to life than getting drunk every free chance he has. He’s getting to the point that if he doesn’t slow down now, he’ll surely kill himself by the time he goes to college.
“Are you and Becca still together?”
“Hell if I know. She’s barely talking to me and when she does, it’s not like it used to be. Whatever Wyatt put into her head last night worked. I feel like she’s already with him and we’re not even officially broken up.”
“Have some confidence, then. Maybe she doesn’t want to break up. You’re all uptight about losing her, but you still have her. Make her want to stay.” Jake’s finally looking a little more optimistic, but now Kinsley has the same look he had a couple minutes ago.
“What’s wrong, Sunny?”
“Do you mind if we go back to my apartment?”
