Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2)

by Alyne Roberts

  After we drove back down the mountain, we all agreed to meet at the pool. We were going to spend the day lounging, and then have dinner. I knew tomorrow would be another story. I changed into a bikini that I bought just for the trip. It was white with silver rings holding the sides on the bottoms together. It was simple, but I thought showed enough skin for Ryder.

  Although, my problem was not getting him to want me. He did and wasn't hiding that anymore. I wanted more. I wanted what we had before I left town and screwed it all up. I wanted him to love me again. Being with him would be so easy, but knowing he had once loved me and didn't anymore… that would be impossible to get over.

  I put on a light cover-up and wandered through the resort. I gasped with I reached the pool. The infinity pool looked like it dropped off into the ocean. A waterfall was falling into the pool near the steps and plushy lounge chairs surrounded the entire pool. Large plants gave us privacy from the rest of the resort and a hot tub was secluded down a few steps, close to the beach. Scarlett and Adam were sitting on the ledge, looking out into the ocean.

  The sun was beating down on me, so I slipped the cover off and stepped down into the water. I heard the laughter of the guys coming down the path and watched as they took in the view like I had moments before. Logan and Caleb wasted no time and jumped in the pool from where they left our stuff. Ryder took the steps and swam the short distance to me. Water dripped off his hair and down his face and coated his wide chest and shoulders.

  "You look sexy," he said as he pulled my hips to him. I flowed with the water into his body.

  "Thank you," I kissed him quickly.

  Logan swam under the water to Scarlett and Adam and pulled her in by her feet. She shrieked when she emerged and then started a splashing war with him. Adam soon joined in, trying to recuse his bride. Caleb used me as a human shield, and it didn't take long for hotel staff to come and give us a glare. We giggled like little kids when they left.

  I was floating in the water on my back. As I floated by Scarlett and Adam, I heard him tell her he loved her. My stomach clenched. She was either going to be so heartbroken or incredibly happy. He sounded so sincere when he said it, and I tried to remember the last time someone said it to me, other than my mom. Ryder has yet to say it since I've been back, yet mysterious Adam can say it?

  Sure, Ryder can kiss me and take me any time he wants, but he hasn't put his heart in yet. I was never good at keeping mine closed off, so mine always belonged to him. I was spending all this time trying to protect Scarlett from getting her heart broken by someone who didn’t even love her, but I’d forgotten to protect myself. Maybe I'm just bitter. Maybe because no one loves me, I can't possibly conceive that Adam could love Scarlett.

  I pushed my feet down in the water and started to swim for the steps. I needed to think and get my head back on. I always had a plan, and now I think I'm starting to abandon mine. I'm done trying to take away what Scarlett has, and I'm going to worry about myself. We have four more days on the trip, and then I will need a plan as to where I am going after.

  Ryder stops in my path before I can reach the steps. "Come here," he said as he floated me over to the edge of the pool.

  "I need to go," I told him, trying to break free. Having him in my space was clouding my thoughts.

  "I have something for you. Real quick," he said as he lifted his towel off the ledge and pulled out a black box. "I thought you would want wear it for the wedding."

  I stared at him in confusion. I had something we picked out for the wedding, and he should know better than to get me jewelry. That was something I was too opinionated about and also immune to. I glanced at the box then back to his face. He was waiting with nervousness. The confidence and arrogance he usually had was long gone.

  Curious, I pulled the black lid off the box and gasped. Turquoise stones set in silver. It was the vintage set I spotted at Marie's and went back for only to find out someone else had purchased it before me. The blue and gold flecks sparkled in the sunlight, contrasting with the tarnished and dark silver framing it. It was perfectly imperfect, which is why I loved it in the first place.

  "You bought it," I whispered, my eyes tearing over. I'd been begging Marie to tell me who bought the set since I came back to town.

  "Yes," he nodded.

  "Thank you." I stared into his eyes. He bought this when I first came back, even though he barely wanted to speak to me back then. Why would he buy this for me if he didn't care? Ryder looked like he wanted to say something, so I waited. No words came out of his mouth, so I moved around him.

  "Where are you going? Are you crying?" He quickly caught up to me on the steps and spun me to face him.

  "The room. Yes."

  "Why? I thought you would like it," he said, looking hurt.

  "It's not the gift. I love it," I explained.

  "Then why are you crying?"

  "Why did you get it for me?"

  "Because you wanted it," he said stepping closer. "I was afraid someone would get it before you could go back."

  "There's other things I want," I threw at him. "What the fuck do I have to do to prove to you that I want you?"

  "I know you do," he smirked, and it pissed me off.

  "Is it always about sex with you? I want more," I almost shouted. "I want it all or nothing."

  His face froze. I was giving him an ultimatum and I hated to do it, but I had to. I was already set up to have a broken heart again.

  "What do I have to do to show you that I'm still that girl? I'm sorry I left. I never should have, but I never stopped loving you," I said, tears falling down my face. I was well aware that I was causing a scene and our friends were watching us like a soap opera.

  "You're not that girl," he shook his head.

  "Yes, I am! I changed that day I showed up in that bar. I changed when I lost my boyfriend and left home. I changed when I fell in love with you and experienced things I never had before." Why didn't he see that? I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand to stop me.

  "No, you’ve changed. You showed up hurt and broken, looking to find something you lost or never had. The girl standing here now is different. You're stronger, Kallie. You aren't lost or afraid or confused anymore. You're right, you changed when I met you, but you didn't stop there."

  He wiped the tears from my cheeks and moved closer. "This is the girl I'm in love with."

  My heart stopped, then turned into a sprint. "What?"

  "I do love you, Kallie. I never stopped. Every day you were away killed me. I never want to lose you, but I want you to stay for any other reason than just because you love me. I want you to be happy with me. With us."

  I kissed him. I couldn't hold back the tears and the emotions breaking in my chest. His strong arms wrapped around my waist and my body crushed to his. He kissed me back with force and passion that he didn't give me before, because he was holding back. I felt myself relaxing into his embrace, feeling the pain and loneliness melt away.

  He cupped my face and broke the kiss, resting his forehead on mine. Cheers sounded behind us, but I didn't look back at them. Right now, we were the only two people in the world. "I love you, Kallie. I love the girl that ended up in a hole in the wall bar. I love the girl that broke from her comfort zone and opened herself up. The girl that forgave me for the biggest mistake of my life."

  "I'm sorry I left."

  "No, don't be. You wouldn't be you if you left your family when they needed you. I'm sorry you hated going back there and I'm sorry I was angry with you. I thought you realized that that was the life you wanted to live. You can have anything you want in life, you don't need to settle with me."

  "I'm not settling," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. "You make me happy. I feel when I'm with you."

  "I feel when I'm with you, too." His lips crashed to mine again.

  Ryder lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. We ignored the clapping and whistles as he carried me back to the room. He pressed my back to the w
ood door as he wiggled the room key from his pocket. We stumbled into the room and Ryder kicked the door closed before laying me on the soft bed.

  "All or nothing?" he whispered as he nipped my ear.

  "All or nothing," I moaned.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Ryder

  I didn't think I would ever say this, but I honestly don’t know if I can have any more sex. Women have it easy; they can keep going, each time only becoming easier to make come. Men, we have to rebuild and replenish. It's really not fair. I spent the entire evening with Kallie, in the bed, shower, bathtub, and on the balcony. I am fairly positive Caleb and Logan may have switched rooms to get further away from us. I couldn't feel bad; I had lost time to make up for.

  I woke up with my legs entwined with hers and her head cutting off circulation to my arm. The morning tropical breeze was blowing in the open doors with the sound of waves washing up on the beach. My phone was vibrating on the nightstand, and Kallie was starting to wake up.

  "Morning," I said in her ear.

  "Hmm. Morning." I reached over her and checked my phone. Three missed calls from my mother. She hadn’t called me in years.

  "She's probably landed," Kallie explained, looking at my screen.

  I moaned. I didn't want to leave this bed. Ever. Kallie was able to drag me down to dinner last night in the courtyard, but even then I protested. The entire resort was built and decorated to relax and soothe. The room was no different. It was calming, and I felt perfectly content under the covers naked with Kallie.

  "I don't wanna get up," I whined. She laughed and smacked my shoulder.

  "You have to. We have to make an appearance today," she teased, and then slipped out from under the covers. I reached for her hand, but she scurried to the bathroom before I could catch her.

  I threw the covers off and pulled on some boxers. I started the tiny coffee maker in the room and made Kallie a cup. When she came out, freshly showered, she smiled and took it. She was wearing only a pink lacy bra and matching panties. I had to force myself into the bathroom to keep from tossing her back on the bed.

  I showered, shaved, and dressed before coming out. Kallie, thankfully, was dressed in a pink halter dress and had her hair pulled up into a neat bun. The way the sunlight hit her was perfect. I pulled out my phone and took her picture while she was gazing out over the ocean. She looked beautiful. I couldn't believe she really thought I didn't love her anymore.

  "Busy day?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

  "A little," she sighed. "We're doing a spa treatment this morning with your mom. Then we have a boat ride this afternoon. I need to check the setup to make sure it's ready for the morning. Then there is the rehearsal dinner tonight."

  "What should I do while you're at the spa?"

  "Keep the boys in line," she laughed. "I need them all in one piece in the morning. You guys can take the Jeeps out?"

  "Fine," I huffed, like I wasn't already thinking about the trails in the mountains.

  "And try to be nice to Adam," she said as she turned in my arms to face me.

  I gave her a look. "I'm not his biggest fan."

  "Well, maybe we were wrong about him. My investigator didn't give me any info, and he seems like he might actually care about her."

  "I'll try. For you," I kissed her nose. I hated telling her no, but I really didn't want to play nice with the prick.

  "Thank you. Now, let's go."

  We met with my mom down in the lobby. "Hey," I said when we approached. Her eyes were red like she had already been crying. Scarlett rolled her eyes behind her.

  "Hey, baby," she said as she wrapped me up in a hug. I stiffened momentarily until Kallie glared at me and I returned the hug. This woman was making me be nice to everyone today. "I can't believe this is happening. My baby girl is getting married."

  "Mom," Scarlett whined.

  My mom turned to Kallie. "Thank you for all of this," she said to her, tearing up again.

  "My pleasure, Mrs. Brooks. I love your kids very much." My mom wrapped her up in a vice grip hug, and I laughed at her from behind my mom's back.

  "You ladies go and get pampered, now. We got shit to do," Caleb said as he started to shove them down the hall.

  "Caleb, watch your mouth," my mom scolded. It may have been years since she's seen him, but I guess the mother in her never left.

  "Sorry, ma'am," he muttered.

  Once the girls were out of sight, we took off in a sprint out the front doors. We were without a doubt the rowdiest and loudest guests in the resort. The receptionist laughed and shook her head as we flew by her and raced to get to the Jeeps. Logan and I both were first in a driver's seats.

  "You're with me," I pointed to Adam. I was pretty sure Logan would throw him from the moving vehicle. He nodded and climbed in before we took off.

  We drove up the road and turned on to a dirt path that was part of a national forest. We drove by it on the way to the coffee plantation but didn't have time to play. The path was up hill, covered with nasty rocks and deep holes. Logan pulled to the side and let me lead the way. I maneuvered around the boulders and inched the Jeep up the hill. Adam gripped the roll cage like his life depended on it.

  "You hurt her, I will kill you," I told him when we reached some smooth land.

  "I won't," he assured me as he rubbed his aching hands. His knuckles were actually white.

  I spotted some smoke rolling through the tall pines we were surrounded by. I continued on the path before we came to a clearing in the forest. The ground was covered in black rock and smoke. I parked and Logan pulled up next to me.

  "Volcano!" he shouted over to me, pointing to the sign. I saw a brochure for it in the lobby but didn't realize we were so close.

  We all got out of the cars and followed the walking paths around the area. The air smelled sweet and smoky. Smoke and steam rolled of the rocks. We walked around, following the railing to a platform, looking over the volcano. It was gigantic and surreal to actually see a volcano. It was something I had only seen in movies.

  I would need to bring Kallie up here. We had two days after the wedding before we left and we figured Adam and Scarlett would be locked away together. I looked at my phone and realized we should head back to meet up with the girls. Adam was quiet as usual on the walk back to the Jeeps. I wondered if he felt left out because we had all been friends growing up. He was missing out on a lot of inside jokes and history.

  "So, do you have any family coming in today?" I asked on the drive down the mountain.

  "Um, no," he shrugged. "I don't have any family left and no friends good enough to make the trip. Scarlett is the closest person to me."

  "Oh, I'm sorry," I said. I was trying not to think it had anything to do with him being a liar.

  We made the rest of the drive in silence. Logan got stuck once and I had to push him out of the hole. I debated telling him we knew about the gambling. It was obviously a problem if he felt the need to lie about it. It wasn't as if Scarlett would see gambling as morally wrong. There wasn't much she would frown on. But lying was one she would. He would know that if he really knew her.

  We pulled up to the hotel and parked the Jeeps before heading in. My mom and Scarlett were sitting at a small table drinking coffee. Scarlett jumped up and ran into Adam's arms when she saw him. He picked her up and spun her around as Logan glared at them. I wasn't sure why he had such an issue with Adam when he still didn't know what Kallie and I knew.

  "Everything is all set," Kallie announced as she joined us.

  I grabbed her and pulled her into me. "Missed you," I said before deeply kissing her.

  "You too," she whispered as she slowly pulled away. "I was thinking we could walk the beach before dinner."

  I instantly pictured her naked on the sand beneath me. "We'll meet you guys later," I called to anyone that would listen, never taking my eyes off hers. I started to tug her out the back doors behind Adam and Scarlett, who were heading to the pool with my mo
m.

  "Jacob Scott?" someone called behind us.

  Adam stopped dead in his tracks, making Kallie run into his back. I reached out to balance her and looked back at the speaker. Two men dressed in back suits stood in the lobby with a confused looking hotel manager. Adam slowly turned to face them.

  "Mr. Scott, please come with us."

  "What are you doing?" Scarlett asked him. "They aren't talking to you."

  Adam's eyes closed tightly as he took a step away from her. Her eyes went wide as she stared at him in hurt and confusion. Kallie and the guys were watching the scene, looking as clueless as I felt. The two men were approaching us, and Adam had yet to say anything.

  "You have the wrong person," Scarlett started to say. "This is Adam, not Jacob. Right?" She looked at Adam with begging eyes.

  "I'm sorry. This is Jacob Scott. Adam Night is an alias, along with several other identities he stole. He is wanted for identity theft, embezzlement, credit card fraud, and laundering," the man explained as he flashed an FBI badge at us.

  "No," my sister whispered. Kallie wrapped her arms around her before her knees went weak.

  "I'm sorry," he whispered as he turned to the men to cuff him.

  I heard the crack before I saw what was happening. Adam hit the floor with his hands to a bloody nose and the officers backed away as Caleb started to pull Logan off Adam.

  "You mother fucker!" Logan yelled as he tried to break free. I stood in front of Logan and pushed him back. As much as I wanted to break the guys face, we couldn’t start a scene here. I didn’t want us to be kicked out of the hotel.

  "Was everything a lie?" Scarlett asked in tears from where she sat on the floor with Kallie.

  "I'm afraid so, ma'am," one of the men nodded. "This man is a con artist. He assumes new identities and lives, and then gets a job where he embezzles the money and leaves them bankrupt. Unfortunately, you were part of his facade to look like a normal guy, with a normal family. Did he tell you he owned a fast food franchise?"