“Thanks for coming,” Michael said breaking the silence between them as they walked through the park.
“It's not like I had a choice. Torrie literally pushed me out of the house.”
Michael chortled finding it funny.
She did not. Guess she couldn't beat around the bush anymore. “What's going on? You sounded pretty urgent before.” She recalled his nervousness.
He nods remembering the reason for this rendezvous. Getting side-track for a brief second. “Oh, right I wanted to talk,”
She remains silent. To her, he has already made up his mind. Why bother talking about this problem any longer?
“I know you overheard me telling Ethan about football.”
She needed to catch her breath. Spotting a bench nearby as they sit down.
He follows close behind not to lose her again. Letting Michael continue. “It's not like I'm not happy about it. I-I am but—”
She had her own theory. “You're worried about me?” Eileen asked without staring at him. More like if another guy asked her out without him around. They weren't exactly a couple yet. She had a question for him, and without realizing it she blurted out. “What does that mean for us?”
That took his breath away. He needed to collect himself. At least she thought about it right? “Uh, us?” He felt his heart rise up a bit as wasn't expecting that, to say the least.
Why did she blurt out how she felt? Feeling humiliated all over again. She knew he wasn't ready. “Sorry forget I even brought it up, it was stupid, I-I didn't—”
He needed to think and to stop her from running away. The next thing she knew his soft lips touched hers. Boy, do I want to be more than a dream. Letting their touch linger a few more minutes, and he pulls away. As he rested his forehead on top of hers. “You babble a lot you know that?”
She chuckles blushing a bit. “I've been told yeah,”
He smiles releasing his grip. She knew he wanted to talk. “I would love to have something happen between us.” Here comes that big disappointment bombshell. “But I don't know if I can make promises I won't be able to keep. I never even thought about playing football again after my injury. Can we talk after practice tryouts?” Michael hated to let her down if there was just a glimpse of another opportunity. “I am glad you even considered us as a long-term commitment.”
She bewildered herself. “I was too. But I'll always support you in whatever you do. Just one thing, don't make me try out for cheerleading again.” They laugh. Kelli would flip her lid if she rejoined the team.
He took her hand in his squeezing it. “Well, I'm glad to have the prettiest girl in my corner.” He made her blush. He meant it though. Michael was glad to have this opportunity to start over again. It was a risk after hearing the doctor telling him his dreams were crushed that night. “Thanks, Eileen, I'm going to need all the support I can get.” He started to have butterflies in his stomach thinking about it again.
“How'd Ethan take the news?”
He shrugs as he couldn't get a good read on him. “I'm not sure, to be honest. I hope this won't drift us further apart.” He kids lightening the mood as they stand up. “By the way, your brothers apologized to me about everything they did.”
She raised her brow. Partly staggered they decided to own up to their actions. Maybe they're growing up after all? “Really? Did you forgive them?” Eileen wondered what his response was.
“Told them I'd think about it,” he will forgive them in time. She smiles that he gave them a second chance. “It was Avery who bossed them around. They had to obey a command.” Michael was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. “They made a few bad decisions. We all have at one point. Have you forgiven them yet?” He was curious about her response.
“Yeah, they're my brothers, of course, I forgive them. I wasn't fond of their actions lately, but they seem to be back on track.” She hoped at least right? As they continue to walk, enjoying their time together.
《***》
As for another couple trying to figure out their feelings was Torrie who was early waiting for Kasper. Where the hell are you? Looking around beginning to think she got stood up, as she checked her phone for the time.
“Sorry I’m late,” Kasper said, making her breathe a sigh of relief.
Took your sweet ass time. Not that she was worried or anything.
“Mom's coming back had to do some last-minute—” Kasper tried to explain his lateness.
She cuts him off with a sarcastic reply. “Last minute kissing up?” She smirks making him grin.
You never miss a beat, do you? One of the things he loves about her. “You know I can do whatever I want right? You agreed to this date.”
She saw how close he was as he teases her back. She folds her arms across her chest. In an almost daring tone. “Oh, yeah? What exactly do you have in mind?” She wasn't scared of taking a dare.
He became tempted to get her off guard.
《***》
“Kate—” Flynn said finally breaking the silence after an hour.
She kept putting it off. The longer she neglected Flynn, the more she was missing her bonding time with Caden. “Flynn, we can't—” Kate stretched her legs as she got up from the table with him following. She sits down on the couch. Ignoring the confrontation.
He wasn't going to budge. “Kate, we need to be okay.”
His brother's voice woke Caden, who was sleeping on and off. As he heard Kate's voice from downstairs.
“No, we don't. Tonight will be the final time we'll have to see each other.”
Caden couldn't care less if they stop all communication together. Flynn wasn't good enough for Kate.
He knew she didn't mean that. She's terrified of what might happen. Hell, he's scared too, but not knowing how she felt was petrified. Flynn saunters with her and knelt down in front of her. “Please tell me you didn't feel anything that night.”
Kate remained silent a bit. Caden heard bits and pieces from Kate what transpired that night.
Flynn placed his hand on her knee as she stared at her glistening eyes. “Kate, I wish I could say no. That kiss between us, I can't stop thinking about it.”
Kate got up, sauntering towards the front door. That was not the answer she wanted to hear from him. Caden hopes they won't see him sitting there. As he heard the voices increase to where he was sitting.
Flynn arrived at the door reaching for her hand to stop her. “Kate! What's wrong?” Flynn chased after her again.
Pushing his hand away. “What's wrong? You slept with Tiffani that night after our disastrous date. You still have the gall to tell me you have feelings for me.”
Flynn was curious about how she knew. Then he figured Tiffani must have gloated about them. Kate lashed out all her feelings she's been holding in since the start. He had enough and took charge. She fought as long as she could before caving in defeat. Flynn's lips melted on top of hers. Dab smack in the middle was Caden watching the whole thing. Watching in fear for his relationship with Kate dying away, and rage in his eyes due to his brother's actions.
《***》
“Okay, this is getting ridiculous now ... I can't see!” An impatient Torrie told him. Stepping on his feet the whole way here.
Kasper guides Torrie to a place where their first date will be. He removed the blindfold off as she blinked a few times, refocusing her eyes.
“You brought me to the park?” The same place where Michael and Eileen were earlier tonight.
He nods, walking over towards the picnic table that was set up beforehand. She follows as she was impressed thus far. He took a basket out from under the table. Watching him take food out of the basket which was still warm.
“Takeout food huh?” Torrie teased him.
He breathed out a laugh. “My specialty ...” Like mother, like son. Joking as they dig in. “I followed you from the park to the club that night. I didn't think you'd remember our first encounter.” H
e started to say as they began to eat. As he took their drinks out as well. “I didn't want you to be alone, so I waited until Flynn came to pick you up.”
She took a sip of her drink and a grin appeared on her face. “Most people would call that stalking, and if I recall you still owe me a drink.”
He laughs swallowing his food down. “Uh, you borrowed my drink, nice try toots.” They started to enjoy each other's company as the night turns darker.
“So, I take it, you were smitten by me from day one huh?” Her shoulder brushed against his. Curiosity got to her as she stared at him. Darkness does suit him best. He blushed admitting defeat.
“Guess you could say that. I'm glad you and I met Angel.” He was about to kiss her and she pulled away.
She leaned in to whisper something in his ear. “You want me? Try to catch me.” Torrie teased him with a kiss. She started to run around on the playground nearby.
He watches her for a few minutes. Laughing as he shook his head. “Oh, you don't want me to catch you, Angel, if I do I'll never let you go.” He said to her.
She sits on top of the slide staring at him from the table. “Maybe I don't want you to.” She stuck her tongue at him. She slides down like a little kid.
He laughs getting ready to tackle her down. She screams laughing surprised he is actually doing it. Kasper who finally caught Torrie would lay down on the grass with him on top, as she smiles, he brushed some hair away.
“What?” Torrie gazed into those dark eyes of his. Seeing a twinkle in his eye.
“Just that I caught you is all.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. She grins. “Maybe I wanted you to.” Torrie pulled Kasper closer as they kissed a little longer.
《***》
Breaking free from the confused kiss, for some reason, something was telling Kate to look up at the stairs. Glancing upwards, seeing a shadow figure glaring at the two of them. She closed her eyes pleading to herself. Please don't let it be ... “Caden,” Kate breathed out.
Flynn followed to see what was going on and groaned out of frustration. Spotting his woebegone brother standing there. His blanched face expressed everything he was feeling. Trying to unsee that image inside his head. From every possible nightmare, he had of the two of them. This was ten times worse.
“Caden, please,” Flynn knew pleading with him wasn't going to work. He screwed up tonight.
He couldn't see them anymore. Caden needed to get out of that house, away from anyone he knew. Turning around, heading upstairs, slamming the door behind him.
“Great … just—” Flynn kicking himself knowing there is no way he'll try to fix this relationship.
“You want me to—”
Flynn knew Kate was trying to help. He can only deal with one problem at a time. “Come on. I'll take you home. I'll deal with him when I come back.” Not feeling too optimistic about it. Staring at the directions from the stairs one last time. Wishing there was something she could do.
She didn't mean to cause trouble. Maybe after a few days, she'll be able to talk to him again? The long silence filled the drive home.
Flynn stopped the car in front of the apartment building. Both of them are trying to speak at the same time. “K-Kate,” she lets him go first. “Whether Caden accepts it or not. I like you. I know you might feel the same way back, but I want to see where this goes.” Flynn puts everything out there. He never has done that until now.
She wants to believe him so much, but how can she? “Flynn, how do I know you won't sleep with some girl when you get tired of me?” Already knowing what he was going to say.
His hesitant look on his face said it all. He can't commit. She knew it was hopeless to change him. She exits out of the car, he follows in pursuit.
“Kate, wait!” Flynn walked into the building not looking back. He follows. Scared to lose her forever. “Look I know I'm a lot of things. I'm not going to lie on that. I know I can't be trusted. But I can't help how I feel about you.”
She smiles, touching his cheek after he paused his thoughts. All he's saying are words. “Flynn right now, you need to focus on your brother, we just can't ... I'm sorry.” She entered inside before the hot tears came pouring down. Kate leaned on the other side of the door.
He touches the door, as he wanted to change her mind. Maybe she's right? He gives up and heads back to the car.
《***》
Another couple who has been having a very good time was Eileen and Michael. They arrived back at her doorstep kissing. Michael pulls out with a smile.
“I had a great time tonight.” Eileen smiles nodding in agreement. Wishing they could stay like this a bit longer.
“I did too,”
Footsteps approached the beaming couple who got interrupted by a familiar voice. “You going to introduce me, sweetheart?” The male voice flabbergasted both of them.
Torrie who returned home from her date with Kasper saw the older gentleman confronting her sister, who became perplexed as she was. “D-dad?”
The older guy turned around smiling seeing his daughters. “Hello, Torrance, see I was gone far too long.” The older gentleman glanced at his youngest.
Michael started to feel cringeworthy standing there. “I should go, call you soon?” Michael whispered making her nod still in shock. “Nice to meet you Mr. Rubey.” He excused himself.
Eileen watches him leave. Both sisters turn their undivided attention to their father.
Author Notes
I know what you all are thinking. And yeah, I hate cliffhangers as well. But that's the joy of writing. You'll never know how the outcome of this book will go until you achieve the ending process. And quite frankly, I finished my first trilogy set back in July of 2018, after starting it in May of 2017. I grew up with most of these characters and to finally have them out in the universe, to share with all of you. I cannot wait to see where this crazy journey takes us. I have a few people I would like to thank. Wattpad, first of all, for allowing me to jumpstart my career. It pushed me into finishing this wonderful story. And it also introduced me to a few allies along the way for turning this book into a reality. Thank you to those for contributing their time and effort into helping my dream come true. The Wattpad editors, El, Britt,CeCe Centre, Infonation 23, SssaHALE,(FYH) Lindsay Shaw,(CoF) Write mind, Mistuna Airi, Cheride Tournesol(UEA) and Countrygrl101 for my amazing Wattpad covers. Without you this dream wouldn't have been possible.My Fiverr editor Jhon, and Oliviaprodesigns on making a beautiful cover.
This might sound like an odd request, but thank you to the WWE and the wrestling universe. Because if it wasn't for wrestling none of these characters would've been possible to exist.
To my friends and family, thank you for everything and supporting me. I hope you'll enjoy reading this as much as I had fun writing it.
My wonderful amazing husband, Patrick. Without him most of my characters wouldn't have had significant others. But thank you for going on this adventure with me. And I cannot wait to find out where life takes us next.
Lastly but certainly not least, I want to thank you, guys. Whether you support me or not. I just wanted to take a moment and hope you'll give the True Love trilogy saga a chance. This writing process pushed me into believing in myself. Just because it's my first rodeo. Doesn't It doesn't mean I'm done writing. I have more stories to share, and I'm only getting started. This is only the beginning of what's to come.
-Love Melissa
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 31
