Left Behind: Left Behind Series #1 (26 page)

After
lifting her up, I place one knee on the bed and gently lay her head on the
pillows. For a while, I worship her. Every fucking delicious part of her. I
admire every muscle in her body and every damn noise that comes out of her
mouth I commit to memory. More light is starting to trickle into the small
room, helping me to see the look in her eyes. Just when I think she’s going to
let go, Kacie sits up and twists to get me underneath of her.

“What
are you doing? You were just going to…” She cuts me off, but I knew she would.
Kacie is as foulmouthed as they come, but she gets embarrassed as hell when I
talk about this shit. Any other time, it would be hilarious.

“Not
without you,” she whispers as her hair falls in my face. “Now just shut up and
deal with it.”

I
want to tell her no and finish what I started, but I keep my mouth closed and
surrender control. She probably needs to do this the same way I did. The only
problem is, I will never last as long as she did. When I’m as close as I’m
willing to let myself get, I stop her from torturing me and search for my bag
that I had kicked down the steps on our way in here. Something told me to throw
the box of condoms from my room in there. Thank goodness I did. Before long, we
are both sweaty, out of breath, and spent. Kacie nuzzles into my side and lays
her head on my chest. I pull the light blanket over her, then wrap my arm
around her back as I kiss the top of her head.

“That
is more like how our first time should have been,” I say into her hair.

She
tilts her head back to look at me. I don’t like the expression on her face.
“Don’t say that. I absolutely loved our first time and would never change
anything about how it happened.”

“Kacie…”

“Don’t
you Kacie me. You didn’t like it?”

“You’re
totally misunderstanding me,” I explain, rubbing the tips of my fingers along
her bare back. “It was fucking amazing and I’ll end up trying to follow you
every time you go shopping to repeat it, but you deserve better than that.”

“Just
worry about what I like and not about what you think I deserve,” she mumbles,
settling back next to me.

I
start chuckling. “Will you ever stop shocking the shit out of me?”

“You’d
get bored if I did.”

“You’re
probably right,” I admit.

“Are
you still going to fish?” she wonders, yawning.

“No.
You wore me out. How about we just take a nap instead?”

“You
know we could have had the same outcome back at the house, right?”

“Yeah,
but the next time you go to get on a boat, you won’t be thinking about being
seasick.”

She
giggles. “No, I won’t.”

When
we get up, it’s late morning. “I really need to eat something,” I announce,
realizing I haven’t eaten a damn thing since sometime last night. Remembering
my aunt and uncle are home, I know where to go. This way, I’ll get a home
cooked meal and they can meet Kacie. Perfect. “Will you go somewhere with me?”

“It’s
not another boat, is it?”

“No.”
I roll my eyes. “Meg told me her parents are home and I should stop by. They
can’t wait to meet you.”

She
sits up, unfortunately holding the blanket over the front of her chest. “You
want me to meet your aunt and uncle? Right now?”

“Why
wouldn’t I want you to meet them?”

“I’m
a mess. I can’t meet them looking like this.”

“What
are you talking about? You’re beautiful.”

“Evan,
if you want me to meet your family, you need to take me home and let me shower
first.”

“Take
a shower here,” I offer.

“I
don’t have the stuff to wash or fix my hair with me.”

“Fine,”
I give in, getting out of bed to get dressed. “We don’t have to go there today,
but will you please come with me to meet them soon?”

Kacie
visibly relaxes. Why would she stress so bad over meeting my family? “Yes, I
would love to meet them.”

***

The
last few days have pretty much gone the same way. I wake up earlier than I
should to go spend the day with Kacie until it’s time to go to work. There’s
absolutely nothing else I’d rather be doing. I don’t see any way this could
possibly get old, either. The only problem I have is that tomorrow is Kacie’s
birthday and Jade still hasn’t told her about the party. She says there hasn’t
been a good time yet and not to worry. I’m hoping she knows what the hell she’s
doing. Kacie hasn’t even so much as mentioned her birthday.

As
much as I don’t want to bring it up, I have to. She has to know I haven’t
forgotten. We are sitting on her front step, cooling down from our morning run,
when I finally get the courage to say something. “Did you decide what you want
to do tomorrow?”

Kacie
looks up at me. “No, actually, I haven’t even thought about it. I’m sorry.”

“No
big deal,” I blow it off. If Jade drags me under the bus with her for this, I
will be sure to make the rest of her life a living hell.

“Were
you able to get someone to work for you?”

“My
uncle’s back. I don’t have to worry so much anymore,” I tell her, looking down
at the water bottle in my hand. “Besides, he’s so grateful that I ran the club
and kept Meg in line while he was away, he’d probably give me off for the next
two months if I asked.”

This
makes Kacie smile. “Meg’s not that bad.”

“She
can be. Don’t let her sweet face fool you.”

Kacie
stands up. “I’m going to swim a few laps. Want to come in with me?”

I
follow her lead and walk into the house. Before she goes up the stairs to change,
I stop her. “What’s wrong?” She’s obviously down about something today. It’s
hard seeing her this way. “Is it because of spending tomorrow without Gram?”

“It
is. I’m sorry. I guess it seems pretty ridiculous.” She diverts her eyes to the
floor, but I lift up her chin.

“It’s
not ridiculous at all. I understand exactly how you feel. I’ve spent my last
six birthdays doing the same thing. It feels wrong to be happy knowing Ethan
should be here celebrating with me.”

“He
was way too young. It must be so much worse for you.”

“Their
ages don’t matter, Kacie. We loved them more than we loved ourselves. It hurts
just the same.”

We
are interrupted by the sound of Kacie’s phone ringing from the table by the
front door. She goes over to answer it. “Who the hell is this?” she questions,
but answers it anyway. “Hello?” Whoever it is, she clearly isn’t thrilled to be
speaking to them. “What do you want?” I watch as she squeezes her eyes closed
with a look of stress and rubs her head. “Fine. What time will you pick me up?”
Her phone gets tossed back on the table without a goodbye.

“Who
was that?”

“Sean.”

Anger
immediately begins to roll through me. “Why’s he calling you?”

“This
Saturday is the gala I told you about. I completely forgot.”

“You’re
not going.” Now I’m imagining my girl going on a date with this fucker and I’m
going to lose it.

“Evan,
I don’t have a choice. My parents need to see me there with him. I don’t like
it any more than you do. Trust me.”

“You’re
not going anywhere with him. End of story,” I growl.

“Excuse
me?” she snaps.

“I
told you we would deal with this together. You don’t have to play this little
game of theirs. We’ll find a way.”

“You
think this is some kind of game?!” she yells. How the hell did this become an
argument between the two of us?

“To
them, it
is
a fucking game, Kacie! You’re just another pawn they get to
move around and do whatever the fuck they want with!”

“This
is not a game to me! This house is not a game!”

“This
house gives them control over you. Either let them have it and move the hell
on, or fight for it!”

“What
did you just say?” She’s taken back by the outburst that I didn’t mean. I’m too
worked up to apologize, even though that’s exactly what I should be doing.

“What
have you done for yourself?” She doesn’t answer. “I’ve told you how I’m willing
to help you and, yet, you still haven’t done a damn thing other than whatever
the fuck your parents want you to do. Why is that, Kacie? What about what
I
want? Do I mean anything to you? Or do I not treat you shitty enough to
matter?”

“That’s
not fair,” she says, stunned.

“Not
fair? How fair is it that you want me to sit back and do nothing while some
douche bag takes you to whatever the fuck this thing is?”

“You
are overthinking it!” She’s back to yelling. “I’ll be there and back before you
even make your first trip around the club!”

“No!”

“You
don’t get to tell me what to do!”

“Oh,
that’s right. Only Sean and your parents get to do that!” My heart is telling
me to shut the fuck up and beg for her forgiveness, but that’s not what my ego
insists on doing. I rush by her and out the front door, slamming it behind me.
The worst part is, I don’t even look back.

Kacie

Happy
birthday to me!

Seriously?
What the hell is so fucking happy about it? Absolutely nothing, that’s what.
Not only is Gram not here to celebrate with me, but neither is Evan. Honestly,
I’m not sure I even want him around right now. At least part of me would rather
not see him after the way he pissed me off yesterday. Who does he think he is,
yelling and carrying on, then walking out on me? He has no idea how to deal
with my parents, nor does he have any fucking idea what I’d do to keep this
house. I specifically remember telling him that we couldn’t be together because
I’d never be able to give him all of me until this problem was resolved. The
real kick in the ass is that we’ve only known each other for two weeks. Two
damn weeks! Does he really expect me to throw away the only thing connecting me
to my grandmother, who has been a huge part of my life since the day I was
born?

On
the other hand, in only two weeks’ time, Evan Pierce has broken down every
wall, every safeguard I’ve held in place to keep people out. How the hell was
he able to do that? Even as a kid, it took months before I felt comfortable
enough to let Jade in. With Jake, it was more like years. Nate…well, I never
really let him in. But Evan broke right through and I never even realized it
was happening. Not until he left my house, slamming the door in my face as I
tried to stop him from walking away from me. A pain tore through my chest while
I sat there for an hour or so, waiting for him to come back. He never did. No
text. No phone call. Nothing. He was just gone.

Waves
of guilt, anger, and sorrow have been rolling through me since all this
happened. During one of my stints with guilt, I called and left a message for
Sean, which he still hasn’t returned. I’ve decided not to go to the gala this
weekend. The repercussions of such a decision will most likely be along the
lines of starting an all-out war, complete with bloodshed, heavy artillery, and
many casualties. Half of the reason is Evan but, at this point, that may not
even matter. The other half is simply because I hate Sean. If my parents want a
battle with me, they’re going to have to use something better than Dr. Douche
Bag.

All
morning, I stayed busy to keep my mind off of this shit. My run was about
double what I normally do. When I got back, I jumped in the pool for more than
a few laps. After that, I showered and started tearing apart my bedroom closet.
I filled three bags of clothes to take to the women’s shelter where Gram and I
used to volunteer. The goal was to remain preoccupied so I wouldn’t notice when
the time was eleven after ten. Every year at the time I was born, Gram would
wish me a happy birthday, whether in person or over the phone. Last year, she
knocked on my apartment door at college while I held the phone in my hand,
waiting for it to ring. She flew over a thousand miles to spend a couple of
days with me. I was just thankful I was alone that morning. It would have been
bad if I had to sneak out some random guy.

Unfortunately,
when I look down at my phone, it reads 10:10. Shit! If it had only been two
more minutes, I would have been okay. Now, I’m stuck staring at it, dreading
the change, but unable to look away. Every time the phone begins to fade, I hit
the button to bring it back to the home screen. Then the zero changes to a one.
If there was one minute out of the whole year I could erase, it would be this
one. My lungs refuse to function while time seems to freeze. I can hear her
voice, although sometimes it’s hard to remember exactly what it sounded like,
wishing me happiness for another year of wonderful things to come. I’m begging
for time to move on and release me from the agony. Before it has the chance,
I’m startled by a text breaking through the stillness of my room.

Happy
birthday! Didn’t want you to think I forgot
.

Without
even knowing it, Evan turned an awful moment in time into a tolerable one. I
don’t text him back right away. I’m not in the right frame of mind for that.
Besides, I don’t want him thinking I’m sitting around, waiting for him to call.

A
half-hour later, I’m getting ready to go out to the garden with a book when my
phone rings. Seeing it’s Jade, I answer. “Hey.”

“Happy
birthday!” my best friend practically sings.

“Thank
you,” I respond, perhaps sounding a little glum.

“None
of that,” she tells me. “We talked about this last night. Evan will realize he
was being an ass, and come crawling back on his hands and knees. You will make
him grovel for a long ass while and then, and only then, will you live happily
ever after. So knock your shit off. Right now.” Last night, Jade came over
after work and I told her what happened. She immediately took my side but, in
her subtle way, pointed out what I had already concluded. That I should have
considered Evan’s feelings when I didn’t even hesitate to say I’d be going to
the stupid gala.

“We’ll
see. It’s just a rough day, all the way around.”

“I
know. That’s why I’m calling. I want you to come to the office and have lunch
with me.”

“I
don’t know, Jade…” I begin to tell her.

“I
wasn’t really asking, in case you didn’t notice. The food will be here by
11:30. Don’t be late or I will be forced to come get you.” She disconnects
without saying goodbye. That’s her way of having the last word. Instead of
going out into the yard, I hike myself back up the stairs to change my clothes.
I settle for a light blue sundress and sandals before making my way over to
Jade’s office.

The
two-story brick building is pretty old, but very well-maintained with beautiful
landscaping. It has been the home of Spencer and Spencer law firm for decades.
Mary and her husband were the original partners, but after his passing, their
oldest son joined the practice. Last I heard, her grandson also joined the
family business.

After
parking my car in the visitors section of the lot, I enter the office through
the front glass doors. The waiting area is decorated with comfortable chairs
for clients, a television, potted plants, and the desk of my best friend. She
stands up and comes over to greet me as I walk in.

“There’s
the birthday girl and, lucky for her, she’s early,” Jade says, as chipper as
ever.

I
return her hug and smile. “Today isn’t the day to be getting in trouble,” I
reply.

“No,
it’s not,” she agrees. “Have a seat. Lunch should be here soon.” I walk over to
the chair next to her desk. Jade has a few pictures displayed. There’s a photo
of her and I from one of the many visits she made to Pennsylvania, one of her
and her brother, as well as one of the three of us from high school graduation.

“What?
No picture of Kyle?” I wonder.

“He
just might make it to my collection if he keeps playing his cards right.” She
points to the vase of roses on the corner of her desk. “They came yesterday. He
told me not to take them home because he wanted me to think of him while I was
at work. When I got home from your house last night, an identical bouquet was
sent there.”

“I
think I’m going to puke,” I tease her.

“Well,
go do it now before your lunch gets here. I ordered from Mario’s just for your
special day. You don’t want that to go to waste.” Mario’s is a popular Italian
restaurant around the corner. She opens the bottom drawer of her desk and pulls
out a small box wrapped in silver paper. “From me to you,” she announces.

“Thank
you,” I say, taking it from her. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“I
know, but I did anyway. Open it.” I undo the paper to find a white box from a
local jewelry store. When I open it, I find a princess cut aquamarine ring,
diamonds running along both sides of it. It’s very similar to the one I got her
for her birthday back in February, only with an amethyst as the center stone.
My favorite gem will now forever remind me of the one person in this world who
has ever found his way into my heart.

“Jade,
it’s beautiful! I absolutely love it!” I exclaim.

“Something
told me you would,” she gloats. I slide it onto my right ring finger and admire
it. The ringing of the bell that hangs on the back of the entryway door gains
our attention. A very cute delivery boy enters carrying two bags of yummy
smelling food. He has dark hair, dark eyes, and a gorgeous smile. He’s wearing
his white baseball cap backwards and a red shirt with the restaurant name on
the front of it. “The other reason you’re getting Mario’s today,” Jade
whispers, standing up to collect our lunch.

“Hi,
Jade,” he says. “Haven’t been here in a while. What’s it been? Two days or so?”
I suppose my sneaky best friend must order from Mario’s a lot.

“Today
is a special occasion. My best friend’s birthday,” she reveals. “Sal, Kacie.
Kacie, Sal.”

“Very
nice to meet you. Happy birthday!” he says politely.

“Thank
you,” I reply, not at all stunned by my friend’s behavior.

“Ladies,
enjoy your lunch,” he says, turning to exit.

“‘Bye,
Sal,” Jade says, watching him leave.

“Um…do
you remember someone named Kyle?” I bring her focus back to me.

“Please,”
she rolls her eyes. “I don’t even think Sal is legal age. You’d think I’d be
ashamed for looking, but I’m not. Let’s eat in the conference room. The chairs
are more comfortable.”

I
follow behind her, laughing. “Wipe the damn drool off of your face before it
gets all over your food.” She winks at me over her shoulder. That’s my Jade!

For
almost an hour, Jade and I have a nice time. She tells me about some of the
cases they are currently working on. We get to talking about Kyle for a bit and
how he wants to take Jade away for a long weekend. Neither one of us mention
Evan or anything else that would bring me down. When we start to clean up our
mess, the bell chimes again. Jade leans her head back from where she’s standing
to see who it is.

“It’s
just me,” a familiar voice calls out.

“Hi,
Mary,” Jade responds. “Come see who the cat dragged in off the street today.”

The
last of our lunch gets shoved into the bags it came in and I walk over to meet
Mary just inside the doorway to the conference room. “There’s my girl,” Mary
says, smiling and stretching both arms out to me. I immediately fall into the
embrace of my grandmother’s dearest friend. She still looks the same. Thin
frame, hair done as if she just walked out of the salon, perfect makeup, and
dressed as if she were going to kick ass in court. “Happy birthday, Kacie.”

“Thank
you. I was hoping you’d be here today,” I tell her. “How are you?”

“I’m
wonderful, dear,” she says, pulling back to look at me. “You get prettier every
time I see you.”

“You’re
biased. You’ve known me forever,” I claim.

“That’s
not why,” she laughs. “Not to interrupt your lunch, but I have something I need
you to look at while you’re here.”

“Of
course,” I say, suddenly concerned. “We were just finishing up.”

“Perfect.
Jade, are the calls still being forwarded to the answering service?”

“Yes.
I’ll go take them off.”

“Actually,
I want you to leave it how it is and stay in here with us. Would you mind
getting me the file I spoke to you about this morning?”

“Sure,”
Jade tells her, avoiding eye contact with me.

“Please,
have a seat,” Mary directs me. I do as she asks. Once Jade returns and without
saying a word, she hands Mary an accordion-type folder and comes to my side of
the table to sit in the chair next to mine. Mary opens up the folder and pulls
out a pale pink envelope. “I was asked to give you this on your birthday,” Mary
states, trying not to get choked up. I accept it from her and recognize the
neat handwriting my name is scrolled in across the front of it. No one writes
the way Gram did. My fingers brush over the pen strokes as if it would somehow
bring me closer to her. Jade places her hand at my elbow encouragingly. Mary
lowers herself into the seat on my other side. No one rushes me to open the
envelope.

Careful
not to rip it more than necessary, I get it unsealed and slide out a card that
reads, “Happy Birthday, Granddaughter”. There will be no hiding the tears that
have begun to flow. Jade reaches back behind her, then places a box of tissues in
front of me. They both take a few and Mary offers one to me. A piece of paper
is folded up inside the card.

My Dearest Kacie,

Writing this letter is
one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It’s second only to leaving you,
something I know will be happening very soon. There are no words to express how
deeply sorry I am for that. Please know, I tried everything in my power to
delay the inevitable for as long as possible.

I wanted to make sure you
received one last birthday gift from me, so I enlisted Mary’s help and she
promised to see it through the way I requested. You are the sole owner of the
house you and I have shared. It has always been your home. Your grandfather and
I decided we would leave it to you long before you even considered moving your
things in. The way you would light up when you walked through the door was
undeniable. It’s where you belong. It’s where you have always belonged. Please
accept it and spend the rest of your life happy, healthy, and content knowing
how delighted I am to be able to do this for you. Also, you will now take my
place as part owner of Shining Stars. Dr. Kelly assured me he would make
certain to assist until you are confident enough to handle it on your own. This
may seem like a little too much all at once, but I know everything will work
out. Mary has all the details.