“Did I?” She wondered if it stung.
Already shaking his head. “I wanted to; you know for the longest time.” He starts to explain why he kissed her.
Part of her was glad he did.
“I'm not sure what's going on between the two of you.” Michael referred to Ethan and her.
And she wasn't either, to be honest.
“But, I'm done fighting, I'm done hiding my feelings. There was something from the moment we met, after that kiss, I know it now, more than ever you felt it too.”
“Oh boy…” She thought to herself and inhaled a few deep breaths to keep her focus.
“Whatever you decide when you are ready, I'll accept either way. But I'm glad you know where I stand,” he told her the truth. He was glad to finally expose it out loud. His mind raced as Eileen cleaned the cut up. Where does his and Ethan's relationship stand because of this?
“Everybody decent?” Ethan joked of course.
They rolled their eyes at his comment. He handed Michael his ice for his knee.
“Thanks,” as it started to feel better after he gave him aspirin on top of it.
“How's our patient?”
Eileen smiled as she placed two small bandages on his forehead. “He's going to be fine as long as he tones down the bar fights.”
Michael chuckled as he felt his eyes starting to close.
《***》
They walk towards the kitchen trying not to disturb him.
“You need me to?” She wondered if he needed some patching up to do?
Ethan shook his head. “Nah, I'll tough it out. I'm the least one out of the three rarely hurt anyway. How are you doing?” Ethan could tell she was still flustered by that kiss he planted moments ago.
“I, uh might need to get back to you on that,” she glimpsed over her shoulder and saw he was sleeping. “You going to be okay with him here?” She didn't mind staying.
Ethan reassured her he'll be fine. He walks her out. She stops as they were by the front door and she hugged him.
He groans as he felt some bruises on his abs after she released the hold. “Hey, everything's okay,” Ethan rubbed her back.
She nodded and was grateful both of them were not too injured.
Ethan decided to walk her home as he didn’t want her to walk home late. “You don't need to say anything you know?” Ethan finally spoke after a few minutes of silence.
She knew she'd have to make a decision soon.
“Just trust what your gut is telling you. That's what I did and I'm not sorry about it, only sorry it took me this long to realize what a wonderful girl you really are.”
‘See you're making me choose? Ugh’! They shared another hug as she arrived home.
“Get some sleep okay?” Ethan knows she won’t, but it was worth a shot. After he heard the door close, he turned around heading back to his place.
“Hey mom,” said an exhausted Eileen. Soon as she saw the sun come up, as she went to visit her mom at the cemetery. They only had another week left of Christmas break before they head back to school. And she still doesn’t know what to do. Why did she assume talking to her mother would help? “I miss you so much.” She lets out a heavy-hearted sigh. “Not sure if you know what's been going lately. But it's not the same without you here.” She lowered her head. This was silly, her mother can't talk back. No matter how much she wanted it to happen.
“She knows what's going on.” A male voice frightened her.
Eileen turned around and saw an old man standing in front of her. “Oh.”
He breathed out a laugh of cold air. She smiles.
“I see we had the same idea?” Part of him hoped his son would have been here. He hasn't been in contact with him in a few days.
“I guess we did. This is my mom, Angela.”
He lowered his head at her grave. “You have a beautiful daughter Angela. She may not be able to see it yet, but you are watching over her.”
Eileen smiles at his warm-hearted suggestion. She wants to believe him, with everything going on, she has high hopes.
“How is he?” He finally asked her as he tried to break the unrelaxed silence between the two. He can see why his son was smitten by her beauty.
She knew there was no beating around the bush. As she heard the sorriness in his tone. “A little banged up, but he'll be okay.”
Collin breathed out a sigh of relief. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he does care about him. Even if he gives him a hard time. Collin knew he was in good hands one way or another, from the way she reassured him.
“I'll let him know you were looking for him.” Eileen knew he would like that very much.
He figured he overstayed his welcome. “I took too much of your time already. Angela, it was nice to finally meet you, Eileen, nice to meet you too.” Collin sent his condolences and sauntered away to leave her be.
She glanced back at her mother's grave before she turned around and watched him. Eileen said goodbye to her mother and felt herself running up towards his direction.
“Oh, did you forget something?” Or did he? He doubled checks for everything.
She giggles in between catching her breath. “I, uh, had something I wanted to ask you.”
They started walking out of the cemetery together side by side.
“Not sure if I could be an assistant but what is it?”
“How do you know you found the right one?”
He assumed she was talking about someone personal here. Collin blushed a bit thinking to himself. He finally did it huh? Pretty proud of his son for making the first move. “Well, at your age you're starting out you have plenty of time to find the right one.”
“But, if you know right away, how would you reveal it to someone? And how to let another person down that you care about?” She gave him a hint about something.
Collin sniffed as he bundled his coat closer towards his body. “Ah, you have two suitors at your beck and call huh?”
“Something like that. They are both compassionate, dedicated, alluring guys. I care about both of them. I'm afraid if I hurt one, I'll lose the other in the process.” She admitted to him.
Collin can see the dilemma she's in. “I'm taking a stab in the dark here, one of those suitors you've mentioned is my son?” Flat out meddling.
“Yes,” she told him, blushing a bit. “And please don't say I need to follow my gut or my heart.”
He laughs. That seems to be a common reply. “Guess you heard it before?”
She nods her head.
“Then the only piece of advice I can give you, is who do you picture a life with? It might be hard at your age with you being young and not understanding what true love is yet. Who'll love you unconditionally. If you can figure that out. Then you know you made the right choice.” Collin meant that wholehearted.
“Is that how you knew your wife was the one?” Eileen hoped she didn't cross the line.
Collin knew she was straight to the point. Another thing she had in common with her. He couldn't help but give her a half-smile. “Something like that. She changed me for the better, that's for sure. If I had a chance to do it all over again?” He began to ponder about it. “I wished I had been a bit more loving and compassionate to her, and to be more of a role model to my sons over the years.” He pauses knowing he won't get another chance. After the divorce, she went to live with Patrick, her eldest. “We should get you out of this cold before you get sick.” Collin gave her some useful advice.
She realized they were back at Heagertigh's house.
He lived on the opposite side of the park. He began to walk up the stairs. Stopping himself and turning to give her some final piece of advice. “Eileen?” He got her attention as she turned around. “My son would be a moron if he doesn't pick you. I know he has a longing affection for you. Just don't take it for granted whatever you choose okay?” Collin closed the door behind him.
She nods taking everything
he said to heart. Eileen heads home to think about everything.
《***》
Torrie checked on Kasper's injuries.
“I'm okay Angel,” Kasper saw the uneasiness in her eyes.
She intertwined her hand with his and felt her handshake.
“You alright over there?” Kasper noticed Torrie's inscrutable expression.
Kasper's back twinged in pain. On top of his massive headache. He tried to take the jacket off while having some issues. Everything was sore.
“Y—yeah,” Torrie said half lying. She helped him take the jacket off.
He was nervous as she was. Luckily tonight was not their night. He was in severe pain to even consider it.
“You sure you are okay?” Torrie wondered if she should clean up his wounds.
“F—fine I'm ...” All he needed was a good night's sleep. He wasn't going to show his weakness around her. He was about to lay down until he winces in pain. He felt a sharp pain on his back.
Torrie felt distressed she couldn't help ease his pain. She turned the light back on in her room. He was in sheer agony, she needed to soothe him. “Be right back,” she whispered heading to the bathroom.
A halfhearted sigh escaped Kasper's mouth. Using whatever strength he had left he was able to lift his shirt off and tossed it on the floor. Torrie returned with the same idea Ethan had minutes ago. “I told you I don't—” Kasper being stubborn again.
Torrie rolled her eyes and picked up the broken glass as she threw it in the trash. “Does it look like I care?”
“Something you like?” Kasper smirked seeing her drool a bit.
She blushed and ignored his comment. She wasn't going to argue with him. “Take these, it'll relax you and try not to be a big baby.”
He obeyed her command as he swallowed the painkillers then took a sip of water. He felt her hands on his chest. Seeing where to start. “Oww!” He felt the spray that stung a bit.
“Oh, quit your whining, you big baby. I didn't even get the backside.”
He showed a few visible marks on his chest. The rest were on his back. She sat behind him on the bed and noticed the scratches, her eyes scanned the red visible marks on his back. Torrie traced one of her fingers gently on his back. After she examined his back as she moved her eyes upward and checked the rest of his body.
With his eyes closed, he felt her shaky breath breathing down his back and neck. Despite the red tenderness on his back, her touch was so silky and smooth she wasn't hurting him. She brushes his hair to the side making sure there were no other pieces. He closed his eyes swallowed hard not wanting her fonding to end. Not paying attention until she noticed his eyes stared back at her. The moonlight reflected from the windows peered into the bedroom.
Her gaze did not move. She felt herself leaning in to kiss him. Finding the urge to stop herself when she spots the scratches of blood on his arm. He saw what she was doing, as she pushed him away. No matter how much he wanted that kiss to happen. “How's the aspirin holding up for you?”
Kasper winced in pain once again. With Torrie cleaning the wounded arm, before she wrapped him up with a bandage. “Not too bad now. Thanks for letting me stay the night by the way.”
“Yeah, no problem, welcome anytime. I figured you didn't want to ask any questions so I brought you here.” She did the final touches. “All set, from what I can tell at least. Kasper?” She smiles her eyes heavenward up at him.
He was sleeping already on the bed. She covered him up as she gave him a kiss goodnight on the forehead. Torrie tried to put everything back without disturbing him.
“Morning sleepy,” Kasper finally spoke unsure what time it was after the second time he woke up today.
Torrie groaned as she tilted her head away from the sun and buried her face in his chest. “Do we have to?” She mumbled whining like a little kid.
His laugh turned into a groan in pain.
“How are you feeling?” Torrie asked if he needed anything.
“A bit better after I slept in. Back hurts, but I'm grateful for my nurse.” Kasper kissed her forehead.
Torrie couldn't help but smile. “I'm glad you didn't bail after last night.” She hoped they don't need to have a certain conversation.
“I couldn't even if I wanted to.” Kasper tried to erase what he knew about last night's events. Not the battle with Avery. That was a long time coming. About his shocking realization that Kelli set a hit on him. He's been debating to reveal what he found out, but he needs more information first.
Torrie noticed the furtive look upon his face. “Something you want to talk about?”
He shook his head. Much as he wanted too. He couldn't. “Not in the mood yet.”
She understood. That trust thing they were talking about earlier. It was still a factor. “Just know I'm here if you want to talk or vent.”
He appreciated the offer. as he slowly sat up with Torrie’s help, so he won't strain himself. As she was curious about what he was doing. “Where are you going?”
Kasper laughs steadily. “Is there a problem why I can't take a shower? Unless you want to join me?” Kasper teased her as he walked towards the door.
She couldn't say anything as he left knowing he won that round. He grins. She decided to change while he showered. The warmth of the shower hits his body. Kasper had a lot to think about. Was he ready to confront his sister after knowing what he found out? Could he even look at her in the eyes? Why the hell did she do this in the first place? He had so many unanswered questions swimming inside his head. Kasper was fuming with rage, afflicted by what to do, he became hoodwinked by Kelli for the final time. Having no time to prepare for what to say when they see each other again. The water turned off as Torrie came in after knocking. He pulled the shower curtain back.
“Not sure if these will fit until your old ones dry—” She lost her focus as Kasper was dripping wet. When he came out of the shower wearing nothing but a towel. “I, uh,” her words turned into babbles now. Damn. She forced herself to play it cool, and not drool in front of him. Cause let’s face it; her mouth was watering as we speak.
Kasper grinned and knew he won this round. He nods his head as he steps out of the tub. “Thanks, I'll give them a shot.”
Torrie took one last glance which should hold her a bit as she quickly left him alone and closed the door behind her.
Your move Angel. He thought to himself, wondering how she was going to top that? He loved these little flirty games they've been playing recently. He got dressed moments later after rejoining her downstairs.
Torrie spotted him coming down. That vision will never go away after she saw him naked. “I see they fit okay?”
Going to play it cool huh? Alright fine, we'll play your way. “Yeah, take it these are Flynn?”
“A bit of everybody yeah. You hungry?” She was making something to eat anyway.
Kasper nods and poured himself a cup of coffee which was lukewarm now. “Have you heard to see how Ethan or Michael were doing since?” Kasper hoped they didn't get too bad of an injury.
“Eileen's on her way over to check on them. She'll text me later to let you know.” That's if he plans on staying a bit longer. “You sure everything is okay? You seem like you want to talk.”
Oh, he wants to but part of him is apprehensive about revealing what he knows without proof. “Just thinking about Kelli,” he noticed she turned her phone off momentarily after getting a text.
“Was that Eileen?” Torrie shook her head.
“Your sister actually. She's been calling me non-stop. Wondering if I'm going to her party for the end of the year.”
Curiosity got to Kasper. Was something going to happen to her at this party? Trying to get inside her sister's mindset. His head hurt too much to figure her out in one day. “Oh, A—are you going to go?” Please say no, please say ...
She shrugs and puts a plate of food in front of him as she took another sip of her coffee. “Not sure
part of me doesn't care, to be honest,”
Good, go with that feeling. He thought hoping she wouldn't go to this party. He starts to eat. “You know my sister wouldn't care either way what you choose to do.” Kasper wished he was right, but this was Kelli, she's a prima donna.
“Then why did she act as she wants us to bond?”
Kasper laughs. “You think my sister would? What? Be nice for a chance? She doesn't even have a nice damn bone in her body. It's not even worth it.” Kelli couldn't be nice if her life depended on it. “If you want to go be my guest but know don't say I didn't warn you.” He took some of his food to go. He had to go see somebody.
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 20
