Reflections, A Love Ever After Series Book 3

by Amber Lacie

  “Wow.” Bryson released a long sigh into the phone. “That’s definitely something. Do you need us to collect her?”

  “Nope. I’m not asking for favors. Just by chance, if you’re in the area of Lakeshore Estates Apartments, you might find a girl, dark hair, pulling two pink suitcases behind her. She’ll most likely be crying.”

  Peeking my head into Jyllyan’s room, I took notice of her bags being zipped shut. “Hey, you know where you’re going yet?”

  “Not a fucking clue. I’ll find my way to Nick I guess. I want an explanation.”

  “That’s fair. If you ever come near her again—”

  “Thanks, but I got the idea.” Jyllyan dragged her suitcase off her bed and toward the front door. Opening the fridge, she grabbed a bottle of water. “One for the road.” And just like that she was leaving Kayla’s apartment and I hoped her life.

  “Bryson, you still there?”

  “Yep. I don’t wait on hold for just anyone.”

  “She said she’s headed to Nick. You know, just in case you happened to have someone out this way.”

  “Yeah, alright. Just in case, my ass. I’ll let this one slide. Next time you call me, it’s you who owes me.”

  “Got it.” Ending the call, I shut the front door to the apartment, making sure to lock it and attach the chain to it. My girl was in her room, most likely broken, and in that moment, I needed her as much as she needed me.

  Stepping into her room, I found Kayla lying on her bed with her face buried in her pillows. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs. Fuck anyone who thinks they can hurt her. Never again. “Baby, come here.” Lying down beside her, I pulled her into my arms, and wiped her tears away with my thumb. “Are you mad at me?”

  “A bit. Did you know?”

  “Yeah. I was on my way over to tell you when you texted me. I got here as quickly as I could. I’m sorry.” We laid together on the bed with her wrapped tightly in my arms. Eventually, her shuddered breaths became slow and smooth. Brushing her hair from her face, I checked to see if she was still awake. “Hey, don’t fall asleep. I need to feed you still.”

  “I don’t want to eat. I don’t want to do anything. Just hold me.”

  “I will hold you for as long as you let me, but only if I can order us some food.”

  She sighed in irritation. That shit wasn’t going to work on me; she needed food. My job was to take care of her, and sometimes that meant doing things she didn’t agree with.

  “You need food, Kayla.”

  “Fine. First, you have to answer a question.”

  “What is it?”

  “Why me? Why stay here when you know how fucked up I am? Why deal with all of this?”

  My fingers followed the curve of her spine as I looked her in the eyes. Being completely honest with her for the first time, I said words I didn’t know I was capable of. “Because I love you.” Her eyes closed, and she buried head in my chest as more tears fell from her big, beautiful eyes. “You make my life worth living.”

  We laid there for a little while longer before we finally agreed on what kind of pizza to order and where to get it. It took a lot for me to admit what I felt for her, and I hoped she’d be able to admit how she felt soon. I knew she loved me, we were made for each other; I just wanted to hear her say it.

  Kayla

  T he alarm on my phone wouldn’t stop blaring. I tried hitting snooze, but my aim must’ve been off. Sitting up, I managed to grab it and silence it before it woke up Evan. It was the first morning I woke up not covered in his sweltering body. Maybe after everything that had happened over the last two weeks he finally felt safe enough to let me breath on my own. It was so hard to envision the craziness that had happened in such a short span of time.

  Four nights ago, I learned my step dad, the man I considered to be my father, was using me to cover his tracks with illegal accounts. My ex fiancé was not only in on it, but he was also actively trying to make me take the fall. Three nights ago, I learned my step dad had a relationship with another woman while he was married to my mom, which produced a daughter. To save his name he hid them from the world and took advantage of them at the same time. Their names were all over the accounts linked to Chandeleer and the offshore bank account. Everything I thought I knew about my family was a lie. I tried reaching out to my mom, but she still wouldn’t return my phone calls. I left her a total of four voicemails. I finally decided that if she didn’t respond, I would have walk away from her as well.

  Two nights ago, my roommate moved out while I spent the day with Eve and her mom, finishing up the final touches for the wedding. I also withdrew the money from my savings account and paid the remaining balance of my rent. The manager was more than happy to give me the key Jyllyan had left him. I guess he didn’t like getting paid in singles either.

  One night ago, Evan packed up everything he had at Theron’s guesthouse and brought it to my apartment. It was an unspoken event. He never asked––he just kind of did it, and I just kind of let him. I loved the way I felt when I was with him, and Evan being in my apartment with me, made it so much better.

  I also learned that I deserve to be loved. I’m not an awful person and I’m far from being damaged. After two weeks with Evan I saw myself through completely different eyes, beautifully dark eyes, which stole my heart. He had even told me he loved me. Not just the one time, no he said it every chance he had gotten since. I knew I loved him back, but saying it out loud was something I hadn’t come to terms with. I was waiting for the right time. I just didn’t know when that was going to be.

  Brushing the crazy curls from my face, I swiped open my phone. Eve had already texted me four times that morning. Tip-toeing quietly from the bedroom, I called her back. “Sorry, I was sleeping. You said nine.”

  “No, I said the car was picking you up at nine.”

  “Shit. Is it here already?”

  “Yeah, and they can’t figure out which building is yours.”

  “Fuck. My bad. I’m grabbing my stuff now. I’ll be right down. Let them know to look for the crazy lady with blonde hair, waving frantically on her porch.”

  “Hurry up. Brix is freaking out.”

  “Shove a donut in her mouth. I’m hurrying.” Ending the phone call, I rushed back into my bedroom, slipped on some pajama pants, and a pair of flip-flops, while pulling a shirt over my head.

  “Are you sneaking out on me?” a gruff voice asked.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m late. I thought I was supposed to get up at nine. The car is already here. I mixed up the times.”

  “Oh, shit. You’re never going to hear the end of that. Do you have everything?”

  Crawling up the bed near Evan, I leaned down planting a soft kiss on his forehead. “Yep. I packed last night. We’re getting ready at Eve’s. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “How about you put those lips on mine?”

  “As sexy as you are in the morning, which is a lot, I can’t. I have to go and your lips will make me stay. See you soon.”

  “Love you.”

  Kissing him softly on his lips, I showed him my feelings in the only way I knew how. His tongue slid along my bottom lip and I opened to him, allowing him to conquer my escape. His hands grasped my face while my fingers deftly knotted in his hair. Breaking the kiss, he held my forehead to his.

  “Better get going. Brix will have your head. See you soon, baby.”

  Pulling myself from his grasp was hard to do. It wasn’t because he held on to me tightly; it was because I didn’t want to let go. Double-checking to make sure I had everything, I slung my bag over my shoulder and raced downstairs. I immediately spotted the silver car circling the parking lot. Waving them down, I quickly hopped in the back when the pulled up. And just like that, I was on my way to Eve’s to get ready for the wedding.

  We were all sitting in Eve’s kitchen while the three women swarmed us. One was taking care of our nails, another was applying our makeup, and the last one was doing our hair when Brix
walked in to join us with her own team of people following in her wake.

  “Do you think it’s too much?” Brix asked, standing in front of us with her hair pinned back into a French twist with soft curls falling loosely from it.

  “I don’t think so at all. You look beautiful.”

  Completely ignoring my comment, she turned to Eve. “What do you think? Is it okay?”

  “I agree with Kayla. She’s better at this girly stuff than me and I trust her taste. You look gorgeous. Don’t be so nervous.”

  “If you say so. Come on ladies, my dress won’t put on itself.” Brix waved to her team of girls motioning for them to follow her back into the private area Eve had set up for her.

  Once she was out of earshot I leaned towards Eve, “Giving her a private space to get ready was the best idea you’ve ever had.”

  “Stop it. I couldn’t handle being by her if she fussed like that all day. Besides, you knew she was going to snub you when you showed up forty minutes late.”

  “Not my fault. The driver got lost.”

  “And conveniently ended up in a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru?”

  “Fate was on my side. What can I say? Besides, mom said it was fine.” Pointing to Eve’s mom, Linda, I lifted my iced coffee. “To private areas and ice-cold coffee.”

  Her mom lifted her cup and said, “Here, here,” before taking a sip of her coffee.

  “Don’t encourage her, Mom. Kayla, did you tell mom what happened yet?”

  “Nope, but I’m pretty sure you told your dad last night at the rehearsal dinner.” Rolling my eyes, I watched as Eve recounted my horror stories of the past two weeks. She did a great job over dramatizing every event, except those parts I spent with Evan. I never told her those. It wasn’t something she ever needed to know. Her hands flew around her head wildly as she explained everything that happened from Paul to Nick to Jyllyan. My life was a Lifetime movie, and Eve was writing the script as she spoke.

  “Kayla, why didn’t you tell us? You know daddy and I would’ve been there for you.”

  I smiled kindly at Linda. She had to be the sweetest person I had ever met. Her family had always accepted me as a part of them without question, and they meant the world to me. “I know. It’s okay. I had Eve and Evan.”

  “I like that Evan. I will never be able repay him for what he and Theron did that day when Eve was taken from us.” She sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye. “He’s a good man. Such a good man.”

  “Oh, Mom, don’t cry. You’ll mess up your makeup.”

  “I can’t help it, Eve. I thought you were gone forever. They fought for you.” Linda sniffed again, this time smearing a bit of her mascara.

  “Damn it. Stop crying. How do I get you to stop crying?” Eve offered her a tissue motioning for the woman doing our makeup to fix her mom’s face.

  An evil grin spread across my face. “I know.”

  Eve’s eyes went wide as she stared me down. “Kayla, you keep your damn mouth shut.”

  “Eve! I expect more from you, especially knowing what she’s been through. Go on, Kayla, spit it out.”

  “Thank you, Linda.” I smiled wide as I looked back at Eve. “Your mom wants me to tell her.”

  “Fine. Go ahead. I know it’s been killing you.” Eve waved a flag of defeat as I spun in my chair to face her mom.

  “Eve is pregnant. Again.” I figured she knew what I meant when I said pregnant, but I tossed the again in there for added effect.

  “Eve, is this true? Four? You’re going to have four babies? You know how that happens, right?” The look of shock on her mom’s face had me reeling with laughter.

  “I asked her the same thing!” My sides began to burn as Linda joined in on the hysterical bout of laughter.

  “Enough. Good lord, you’re grown women. Obviously, I know how they’re made. You don’t need to keep pointing it out.” Eve sniffled a little, and I realized we had pushed her a little too far.

  “Don’t be upset. We’re happy for you guys, honestly. I just like giving you a hard time.”

  “I know you do. It’s not like I’m sitting over here prying in your love life.”

  Taking a deep breath as the woman pinned some of my curls back into a twisted bun, I waved my hand through the air. “Fine––if it makes us even, you get one question.”

  “Oh, this is exciting. Did he really move in with you?” she blurted, as though she had been holding it in for days.

  “I mean…his things are at my place. We didn’t discuss it. My place felt too big with just me in it, and he wanted to be closer, so he just grabbed his stuff from your place.”

  “Kayla, you do realize that’s all he owns, right? He’s always stored his stuff in the guesthouse or the storage unit he has in town. Honey, he’s living with you.”

  Staring blankly out the windows to the side of us, I took a moment to let her words wash over me. I knew he was staying with me, I hadn’t fought him on that, but I also didn’t take the time to think about what it meant. “I like him being there with me. You can’t hold that against me. Have you even seen him? That man is sex on a stick.”

  Laughing, Linda slapped the side of Eve’s chair. “Oh, she’s noticed. Hell, I’ve noticed. We just don’t talk about it. He’s family.”

  “That’s fair,” I admitted. Dropping my voice to a whisper, I continued. “He told me he loved me.”

  Eve gasped. “What? When?”

  “The night Jyllyan came back. That night––and every day and night since. He says it all the time.”

  “Well, do you say it back?”

  “No.” I admitted.

  “Why the hell not? Do you love him?”

  “I do, but it’s only been a few weeks. I don’t want to rush things. Isn’t it too soon?”

  “Kayla!” Eve yelled, “What is wrong with you? That man has been through hell and I was witness to only a small part of it. It destroyed him. Do you know he came back here for you? It wasn’t the wedding. He needed you.”

  “I know,” I whispered.

  “Well, then what the fuck? Say it back.”

  “I will. I want too…I just don’t know when.”

  “You better do it soon, or I’m going to kick your ass. Pregnant or not, I can still take you.”

  Rolling my eyes, I laughed at her ridiculousness. I had plans to tell him, it just wasn’t time yet. Although, I had it all worked out.

  Kayla

  T he wedding went off without any incidents or anyone incurring Brix’s wrath. As much as I disliked her, I loved the way Robert’s eyes lit up when he saw her walk down the aisle, surrounded by their friends and family. Her simple, white, silk gown had a beautiful train, which drifted behind her as she walked across white rose petals sprinkled in front of her. She looked like a princess. It’s hard to admit, but a few tears may have escaped my eyes as I watched the Priest announce them as husband and wife.

  The reason for the migraines we had all suffered, while planning the event, had finally taken place. Robert was married, and his beautiful wife graced his side as they shook hands, thanking their guests for attending the ceremony.

  There was one more thing I had to do, and time was working on my side. Thankfully, the ceremony and reception were both at the clubhouse Theron belonged to, which meant there was an hour between them that was open for the taking.

  Walking into the bar, I scanned the room, quickly finding the person I was looking for. Evan was leaning against the wall with his long legs stretched out in front of him. He had already ditched his suit jacket and his vest; both of which were tucked neatly over his arm. I knew he wouldn’t keep them on for long. To be honest, it worked out in my favor.

  His eyes glanced up and caught me looking at him. Blush rose to my cheeks as he bit his bottom lip, his eyes roaming my body. My breath hitched in my chest as I moved forward with my plans. Slowly walking towards him, I held my hand out for his. “Will you go somewhere with me?”

  “Anything you wish.” His deep timber voice s
pread like wildfire, lighting my nerves with anticipation.

  “Rumor has it, there’s a gazebo outside. I’m told that if we follow the path in the garden it will be really easy to find.”

  “You realize the last time we were in a gazebo, we got really close.”

  “I know.” Grasping his hand and pulling him behind me I walked out of the bar, leading us down the path in the garden. The small red bricks led us to an older, worn-looking gazebo with a bench that wrapped the insides and a swing in the center. For me, it only provided more options.

  Evan followed me up the wooden steps without hesitation. Once we got to the top, his hands wrapped around my waist, spinning me to face him. “You look so fucking sexy in this.” His finger hooked the thin black strap holding my knee-high silk dress up. Originally, Brix had ordered us different dresses, but thankfully they didn’t arrive in time. The black silk dresses were a spur of the moment decision made just two days before the wedding. Everyone was quite relieved with the new choice, and it seemed Evan liked it as well.

  “You like it?”

  “I fucking love it. It gives me easy access to this.”

  A hot breath hissed from my lips as his hand slid between us. Using his fingers, he moved my black lace panties to the side, quickly finding my clit with his thumb. “Fuck.”

  “Is this what you wanted?”

  “No––I mean yes, but I have something to give you first.” I stumbled over my words as his fingers continued to assault my nerves.

  “What is it?” he asked in curiosity.

  “You have to sit first.”

  Arching his brow, he pulled his fingers from me, making me gasp at their absence. I watched with my mouth slightly parted as he popped each finger into his mouth, taking his time to lick each one. Fuck me. Keeping my mind focused solely on him, and not my own pleasure was becoming increasingly harder the longer I stood there watching him as he carefully sat down on the old wooden swing.

  Shaking myself from the current mental state I found myself in, I dropped to my knees. My fingers slowly undid his belt, popped the top button of his suit pants, and pulled the zipper down, freeing his cock from its cage. My hand wrapped around it, slowly stroking up and down. The immense size had caught me slightly off guard. I was used to him, but he had never been in my mouth before, and it was proving to be quite the feat. Lowering my mouth, I wrapped my lips around him as I slid his shaft into my mouth. Using my tongue, I swirled it along the tip of his cock as I moved my head up and down, making sure to suck my cheeks just enough for him to feel it.