“You’re leaving, I take it?”
“Just for a little while. I need to think and spend some time with Kylee. I really miss her. How much of that did you hear?” I ask, hoping it’s not that much.
“Pretty much everything. You know you’re going to break his heart, don’t you?”
“You know you’re breaking mine,” I say, turning to the door to leave. I can’t get out of here fast enough. By the time I hit the car, the dam has broken and I’m a sobbing mess. I try to catch my breath, but it’s not working. Kylee starts rubbing my back in small circles while I hyperventilate in the front seat of her car.
“Mira, honey, what’s going on?”
“Just get me out of here, please, Kylee.”
“Okay, we’re going,” Kylee says, pulling out of the driveway.
What am I going to do?
CHAPTER SIX
Mira
We pull up to the apartment that I share with Kylee in record time. As she puts the car in park, she turns toward me and the look in her eyes is killing me. Kylee and her fucking looks. This one says, “I’m going to ask you what’s wrong and you’re going to tell me the truth or I will cut you.”
“Just ask the question, Ky.”
“What’s going on, Mi? Please let me in. I’m your best friend and I’ve never seen you this upset. Something’s really wrong.”
I take a deep breath. I’m mentally prepared to talk about this all over again with her and the time has come to pay the piper. “Okay. When I was in the coma, I dreamed a lot about Skylar. Danny died and Sky was who I ended up with. He was my boyfriend and I was so happy. I loved him so much. I woke up and felt the exact same way as I did in my dream, but Danny’s alive, I’m engaged and I don’t know what to do.”
“I already know this, hun. Sky told me. But the real question is, what do you want to do? Does Danny know? Have you talked to Sky?” Kylee takes me by complete surprise. I don’t usually get to see the sympathetic side of her, and I must say this is refreshing. I was prepared to have a war of wits. Now I just feel silly.
“I don’t know.” I pull my legs up to my chest and rest my forehead on my knees, “I don’t know what to do. I tell Sky and he pulls away from me, not even being friendly with me anymore. I tell Danny and he acts like I’m a terrible person. I can’t help the way I feel. I didn’t ask for this. One day everything is perfect and the next it’s a clusterfuck. What do I do, Ky? Please help me.”
Just when the tears subside, they start all over again. At this point, I know I have to look terrible. I can feel the lids of my eyes swelling and they sting when I try to wipe them. This won’t last forever, right?
“Let’s get you in the house, huh? You need some rest and some girl time. Movies and junk food?”
“Just when I think my life is as miserable as it can be, you always come through and remind me how lucky I am to have a best friend like you,” I say, wiping the last of the tears I will allow myself to cry. I hug Kylee before I grab my bag from the floor board of the front seat and walk into the apartment.
Everything here seems pretty much the same, only a little dirtier. I was always the clean freak, where Kylee could strip naked in the living room and her clothes would be in the same spot for days until I picked them up to do laundry. Our home is comforting and I can feel the stress being lifted off my shoulders every minute I spend here. Maybe I won’t go back to Danny and Skylar’s house.
Kylee orders a pizza and pulls out the collection of girly movies we’ve collected over the years. When in doubt, always watch a sappy romance. And of all the romances you can watch, Kylee puts in the one that she knows will cheer me up. This has been my go to movie for years. There is nothing better than watching Baby and Johnny strut their stuff. And that lift at the end; that brings a smile to my face every damn time.
“We’re going to do that dance one day. Find us some guys that have some skills and tear it the hell up,” Kylee jokes as she puts our dishes in the kitchen. She brings back a couple of blankets and throws one over my legs.
“This was exactly what I needed. Thanks, Ky.” I lean back into the couch and feel more relaxed than I have since I woke up.
“So, what now? What do you feel like doing?”
“Tell me about Jacoby. He seems nice, from the little bit of him I’ve seen.”
“Ohhh Emmmm Geeee, girl. Let me tell you. That boy, wow! He’s amazing.” Kylee can’t contain the smile that’s spreading across her face. Either he’s really good in bed or she’s completely in love. Maybe both.
“Are you guys serious?” I inquire. Kylee’s never really had a serious boyfriend. She’s always been the heartbreaker. She’s breathtakingly beautiful and the boys come running. She takes what she –can—not like money or –anything—just companionship, and then kicks them to the curb. I can’t even begin to tell the tales of all the boys who would call all day and night, trying to figure out what happened and asking how they could “date” Kylee. You can only say, “I’m sorry, Kylee isn’t the dating type,” so many times, before you consider changing the answering machine greeting to save you the breath.
“No, we’re not serious. I met him right after the accident at a place where I interviewed. I ended up not getting the job, but we went on a date or two and it just progressed from there. We’re just having a good time,” Kylee explains, looking a little sad.
“Is he a keeper?”
“Who knows? We agreed to just be friends with a few benefits on the side. I don’t want to rock the boat. He could be the one, but who knows. We’re just having fun.”
I used to think that Danny was my ‘one’ but Kylee’s right. Who knows anymore? I know I don’t. I really wish I did, though. I’m so torn, and watching my best friend being able to be carefree and have fun makes me a little jealous. There have been only a handful of times I look back and think of something my mom told me, and I finally get it.
“Mi, don’t ride your bike with no hands, you’re going to fall.” And sure enough, I fell. It hurt and I have the scars on my knees to prove it.
“Sweetheart, if you make a commitment, you honor it. You’ll end up regretting it if you don’t.” When I quit the swim team my freshman year of high school, I did regret it. I would go back and change it if I could.
And then there are the newest revelations, which I can apply to my current situation. Damn you, Mom, for always being right!
“Mira, don’t get too serious with any boys in college. You’re going to want to experience everything.”
“I love that you have met someone so special to you, but you’re going to look back one day and wish you had experienced something else.”
“Aren’t you too young to be thinking about marriage?”
“Baby girl, people change the most between eighteen and twenty-five.”
I know that none of this really reflects my situation, but if I had listened, I wouldn’t be having such conflicting feelings. I love Danny but I love Skylar, too.
“Mira, get outta your head. You’re here so you can just be you, without that drama. There’s plenty of time to figure it out, let’s enjoy our night. It’s just us!”
“You’re right.” Kylee always knows exactly what to say and I really am grateful for her. She’s kind of the other half to my soul. Sometimes I think you aren’t going to find a boy that’s your soul mate, most of the time it’s going to be your best friend.
The rest of the night we talk about boys, things that happened while I was in the hospital and funny memories from our past. These are the times I will remember most when I’m old and gray. This is the kind of friendship I want my kids to experience.
We basically do the same thing for the next two days. Danny or Skylar haven’t tried to call me. When I start to feel sad and depressed, I remember this is what I asked for. I wanted time to think and be with Kylee. It’s really helping. The time away hasn’t changed my feelings for Skylar. I almost broke down and called him a few times, but I hold strong.
&nbs
p; Falling asleep is the hardest thing for me. The same dream repeats in my head over and over again.
“Mira, I love you so fucking much,” Skylar says, taking my bottom lip between his teeth and slightly biting.
“I love you most.” I return the kiss with just as much passion.
Skylar strips all the clothing from my body, our mouths never breaking contact. He kisses every inch of my body, worshiping me.
Just when he’s about to enter me, I wake up in a cold sweat and my heart beating out of control. It’s almost too much to bear and I wish it would stop—or continue—fuck, who knows what I want? I never have these dreams about Danny, though.
I’ve been tossing thoughts around every single day. If I want Skylar, he’s not going to be with me. He’s too close to Danny to hurt him like that. If I want Danny, it’s going to break Skylar’s heart. Someone’s getting hurt here, but who’s going to end up with a happily ever after? Maybe I should just choose me and spare the boys the time of fighting. I can let them hurt for a little while, but eventually both of them would get over me and my issues. I would hurt for a lifetime, but they would be free. It’s worth a second thought.
While I’m deep in thought, trying to plan the rest of my life, Kylee busts through my bedroom door.
“So, I found this new band on Facebook called Rebel Walking. I want you to listen to one of their songs.”
“Okay …” I’m beyond confused. Did she really just come through the door, like the Kool Aid Man, to ask me to listen to a song?
The look on her face is priceless. She looks like a teenage girl who’s heard a boy-band for the first time ever. I guess I can entertain her and listen. Not too bad.
We spend the rest of the day gabbing about bands we love and listening to old songs on YouTube. Kylee even broke out the New Edition dance right here in my bedroom. We end up sitting on my bed with our laptops and try to see who can pick the best song. It’s bouncing from TuPac to NSync and then back to Vanilla Ice and New Kids on the Block.
Kylee ultimately wins when she plays “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton.
Yup, hit the nail right on the head, didn’t ya, Ky?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Mira
Kylee went back to work this morning after our long girls’ weekend. Watching her get ready this morning kind of broke my heart. What I wouldn’t give to be normal and have a job. Granted, I’m feeling much better; the pains in my legs are almost nonexistent and I have stopped taking the pain medication the doctors gave me.
When my mom took me to physical therapy this morning, they were in awe. I have worked really hard to gain back full control of my body. My brain is another story all together. They’ve attributed my quick recovery to my young, healthy body and have cleared me from their care. I still have to continue seeing my primary doctor but I’m all good to get back to living life.
First step, get a job.
I’m sitting on the couch, day three with no contact from either guy, watching the nail polish on my fingers dry when my phone goes off.
“I miss you,” the voice whispers. I get goose bumps all over my body. I’d know that voice anywhere.
“Sky.”
“I miss you,” he slurs. Drunk at five o’clock?
“Have you been drinking?”
“Maybe a little. Okay, maybe a lot. I just wanted you to know I missed you.” Even if I think about trying to figure this mess out, this is what’s going to do me in. I need the distance but it’s killing my spirit to not be around all my friends.
“I really fucking miss you, Sweets.”
“Sky, I miss you, too.”
“I gotta go. I shouldn’t have called.”
“No, Sky, wait.” But he doesn’t wait. He hangs up without saying goodbye. I’m about to break apart completely just as Kylee walks through the front door.
“Mira, you’ll never guess what happened,” Kylee says as she bounces up and down on the couch.
“What’s up? What did I miss?” Captain of the random team much?
“So you know that band I’m totally obsessed with?”
“The one with the twins?” I ask, remembering our conversation from last night.
“Yes, the one with the twins, Rebel Walking. Okay, so I messaged the singer twin, Taron, on Facebook and asked about their upcoming shows and he messaged me back!” Kylee squeals.
“Okay, calm down some. They’re just a band. He’s just a guy,” I say rolling my eyes. Kylee is in total fangirl mode and I might have just hit a nerve.
“Just a guy? Here, look, he’s fucking hot,” Kylee says, pulling her phone out to show me a Facebook picture of this Taron guy. He really is hot as hell, like hot damn hot.
“Okay, what about his shows? Are they coming here?” I ask.
“They’re at The Fillmore this weekend and he’s leaving us tickets at will call. He really seems into me, Mira. I have always wanted to bag a rock star.”
The last time I checked, Kylee has a man. Are Kylee and Jacoby not doing well?
“Ky, what about Jacoby?”
“Taron Walker is on my free pass list. If I get the chance to hook up with him, I’m taking it.”
What the fuck is a free pass list?
Kylee rolls her eyes at me this time and blows out a deep breath, “You know, a free pass list. It’s just a list where you put dudes you would sleep with that you usually wouldn’t get the chance to in real life. Like celebrities and shit.”
“Okay, I get it. So is this a girls’ night? There’s enough drama in my life that I could use a night out, just us.”
“That’s the plan babe. Shopping and salon tomorrow, love. If I’m going to get me a rock star, I gotta look my best, not that I’m not amazingly sexy right now.”
God, I love her confidence. If I could bottle her self esteem and sell it, I could make a killing. It’s times like this that I’m so damn happy this girl is my best friend. Anyone else acting this cocky would piss me off. Kylee just makes me laugh. She’s beyond amazing.
As expected, Kylee spends the rest of the night and the entire next morning talking about Mr. Rockstar and the seven ways to Sunday she is going to screw him. Jacoby really does seem like a good guy and I don’t want him to get hurt, but who am I to stand in my girl’s way? If Sawyer Beckett from Embrace by S.E. Hall suddenly comes to life and pops up in my town, looking to give some love to a random girl, you better bet your sweet ass I’m first in that line.
Shopping with Kylee is always an experience; one that I loathe. The girl has impeccable taste but it seems like we have to hit twenty stores before she finds the perfect outfit. I don’t understand the point to finding something so perfect when she plans on taking it off as soon as she can.
As Kylee spins in the mirror, checking herself out, I try to get her to pick a new skirt. She has the longest, sexiest legs I’ve ever seen. If I liked the ladies, I would totally be all up on her. This skirt is about two inches below her ass, so it’s typical Kylee fashion, but it’s the boots that kill me. She pairs her little black skirt with a pair of five inch stiletto thigh high boots. If I didn’t know the girl, I would peg her as an 8 Mile street walker. When she picks the skimpy halter top with a neckline that is almost nonexistent, I try to draw the line.
“Kylee, you don’t have to dress like a slut to be hit on. Have you looked in the mirror lately? You might be the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Mira, I’m not dumb. Do you see the kinds of girls that hang around bands? They are always smoking hot and easy. Trust me. Taron is going to give me what I want before he gets off. This little number right here,” she says spinning in a circle showing off her assets, “is going to guarantee that I’m the only one on his mind. I mean, really, look at me. This is posh pussy right here.”
“Okay kitten, let’s pay for this and get going. I really want to grab something to eat before we’re stuck in the hair salon. I’ve been thinking. I’m ready for something different; something drastic. I feel like I’m trying
to be what Danny wants me to be and I’m ready to be what I want to be. I might just let you pick out what Stephen does to my hair.”
“Hell yeah. Let’s go,” Kylee says, dancing back into the dressing room. She’s been trying for years to get me to do something with my hair. I’ve never even had my hair dyed. Kylee has been going to Stephen for years and just recently got me to go to him for a trim.
As soon as we get to the salon, Stephen comes running in our direction.
“Angels, there you are. I’ve been waiting. What do you want Feisty to do to you today?”
Stephen is the sweetest gay man I have ever met. He always takes good care of his customers and he is memorable. This is why, I think, so many people come back to him. It might also have to do with the fact that he refers to himself as Feisty, which I adore.
“Feisty, babe, Mira is letting me have my way with her hair. I have an idea,” Kylee says, stepping toward Stephen, whispering in his ear. This is not going to end well; I can feel it in the pit of my stomach.
An hour later, I’m finished. Stephen spins me around in the chair and I’m shocked. He didn’t take me too far over the edge, but just far enough that I am not about to freak out. Stephen has taken my long brown wavy locks and cut them to about my shoulders, throwing in blonde highlights and flat ironing the hell out of it. My hair is about as straight has Kylee’s. I really thought I was going to look a hot mess, but this works and I feel sexier than I have in a very long time.
I turn to face Kylee and she’s in awe, too. She pulls out her phone and takes a picture. When she starts fidgeting with the screen, I start to worry.
“What did you do?” It can’t be good since that devious look is in her eye.
“I sent a picture of you to Danny and Skylar.” That innocent voice won’t work on me, girl.
“What?!?” The other patrons in the salon turn to stare at me in the midst of my freak out. How the hell could she do that? As freaked out as I am, it turns even worse when her phone chimes not once, but twice.
“What, Kylee?” She’s staring at her phone with a grin. I know one of them texted back and I want to know what they said.
Awakening (Book 2) (The Destined Series) Page 5
