NATALIE POV
Ryan opens the car door for me like a true gentleman, and I slide into the seat while blushing. I began to panic as he rounds the back of the car. What if I do something embarrassing? How do you even act on a date?Once Ryan gets in the car, I am relieved to see that he is just as nervous as me. He keeps having to wipe his palms on his pants, which is definitely one of his habits when he is nervous. I smile while looking at my lap. Okay, say something, Natalie, be brave."I am excited about Mexican Food," I say quickly before smiling at him."This isn't true Mexican food," Ryan says with a smirk.There's my best friend."Okay, okay, I'm excited for this chain restaurant food that passes for Mexican food. Because it is delicious," I state dramatically, and Ryan laughs.
I love that we could slip into an easy conversation. I know if I were going on my first date with someone that wasn't my bestRYAN POV I open Nat's door and hold her hand as we walk up the porch steps. Since we live together, I don't know if I should try for the good night kiss now or walk her to her room. I must have frozen at the front door while I was weighing my options because Nat pulls and squeezes my hand a little. "Ryan, are you okay," Nat asks with concern in her voice. I feel my ears flame up for the hundredth time tonight as I try to look calm. I keep repeating to myself that I've already kissed her before, but that does nothing for my nerves. "Umm, yeah, I'm fine. I was just going to ask if I could kissyouugoodnight," I ask with the last part coming out fast and high-pitched. I clear my throat to repeat my question slowly and clearly, "I was wondering if I could kiss you goodnight?" "Sure," Nat says, blushing a little bit. I place both my hands on the sides of her face and lean down while staring into he
RYAN POV She kissed me. She kissed ME!! I slowly unfreeze as a smile consumes my face. I immediately start doing a happy dance. Giggles interrupt my glee, and I freeze all over again. "What are you doing, Ryan," Stacy asks from behind me. "Celebrating my date with Nat," I say while my ears go red, and I turn to look at my little sister. "You are so funny, Ryan. Lacy and I are waiting for you to tell us goodnight. Hurry. Hurry," Stacy says, grabbing my hand and dragging me to their room. After telling the girls goodnight and giving them their "special big brother hugs," I head to my room. Stacy has called my bedtime hugs that since we were super little. It has become a family tradition, and to be honest, I don't think I could sleep without hugging my sisters. I launch myself onto my bed and smile into my pillow. I can't believe how perfect today went. I have kissed my dream girl three times. I am dating my dream girl. And my parents
RYAN POV "Natalie saw me naked" keeps repeatedly replaying in my head. I feel like mom and dad secretly know, maybe even the girls. I'm frozen sitting next to Nat while the girls are behind us. Mom and dad are talking to each other happy, but I can't hear anything over the blood rushing in my ears. Natalie just glanced at me as we pulled into the parking lot. I feel my ears getting redder. She looks stunning. She looks like spring in the middle of winter. A little drop of sunshine in a yellow dress with her hair up showing off her gorgeous neck. All the sudden I feel Nat grab my hand. I look at her with my eyes wide. She smiles a little. "I'm embarrassed too. But I'm really nervous so pull it together tough guy," Nat whispers with her eyes pleading. I realize her face screams nervous. She has the hand I'm not holding clinched and her forehead has sweat even though the car isnt warm at all. I feel like a bad boyfriend. I know big bu
4 MONTHS LATER DAY OF PROM NATALIE POV Ryan and I just celebrated our four-month anniversary. I feel so much better about everything. I am back to playing soccer even though it is the off-season. The grieving group has helped me so much. Cynthia is now one of my best friends. Even my grades are excellent. Ryan and I accepted scholarships to Texas Christian University. Which is close to home, so we won't have to travel or stay on campus. Ryan wants to work in ministry while I am going to pursue my nursing plan. He will play on their football team, but he says it's for fun, not his dream career. I plan on trying out for the soccer team, but I won't be upset if I don't make it. I'm scared of the amount of homework I will be receiving. And soccer could stress me out and ruin my 3.5 GPA plan. Tonight the love of my life is taking me to prom. Ryan has been my rock. He has led me through my worst and best days. I couldn't imagine my life without him by my si
We pick back up twenty years down the road. Enjoy Awesome Readers.DYLAN POV Pg 13"SHIT," I mumble as mom softly knocks on my door.I shove my hard dick under the covers along with my phone, that's playing a super hot video of girl on girl."Yeah mom. I'm up," I say so she doesn't open the door."Okay baby. Remember Curt's car is in the shop so you are driving him and Colt," she calls as she heads away from my door."Fuck," I mumble. My hard on is long gone. I have to drive my geek ass brothers today.For some reason my parents thought it was a great idea to have kids back to back. So although I am the oldest, there is only 11 months between Curt and I. Curt and Colt are the closest at 10 months apart and then the baby is Ian. Who is 18 months younger then Colt.I hate it. They surround me all the time, making me feel claustrophobic. Curt learned long ago to stay out of my
HAILEY POV I whistle as I throw my hair up into it's usual loose ponytail. I don't care too much about looking dolled up or fake. If I went over board on my hair and makeup, my hand me down clothes would look even older. I skip down the hall as I hear my dad's familiar whistle. "Hey daddy, pour me some," I say giving his cheek a quick kiss. "I don't even think you need the extra energy. You are bouncing around like crazy," my dad laughs as he takes my favorite mug down from the cabinet to give me my share of our morning coffee. I laugh. Dad takes the coffees to the table while I make our cereal. He smiles as he watches me before chuckling again. "I have to be the luckiest parent around. I hear horror story after horror story about cranky teenage daughters but then I hang out with mine. Are you an alien," dad asks laughing as I stick my tongue out at him.
DYLAN POV For three days I have watched, little miss no name. And for three days the only times she has ever looked unhappy was when her eyes met mine. She is literally always smiling. She is constantly consoling or giving advice to her little friend group. And my annoying little brother is always close to her looking proud. I hate comparing her to the sluts I sit with. The girls at my lunch table do nothing but whine. It never annoyed me before but now..... my teeth grit everytime one of them opens their mouth. Shopping. Hair. Makeup. Guys. Parties. Nothing beneficial is ever said. And the guys aren't any better. Bradley open degrades Cassie, who is in love with him. Eric just talks about scoring which breaks little Jasmine's heart and makes her wear more makeup everyday. And Zane, well the guy is flipping out because he thinks he knocked someone up. I like feeling cool. I like that everyone in th
Hailey POV I bite my nails and twirl my hair in anxiety. Curt has been trying to calm me all morning but it isn't working. Waiting for Marla is killing me. I have to warn her about her secret being out and apologize for telling Captian Douche. Finally when my nails have been bitten down so far they hurt, she walks up. Curt scurried away and I take a deep breathe. "Marla I need to talk to you," I whisper at her puzzled face. "Okay," Marla says acting like I am creeping her out. I grab her hand and tow her to the restroom. I head to the back wall while checking the stalls. I sigh when I find the room to be empty. "Hailey, whats wrong," she asks sounding nervous. "Yesterday Dylan came over to our table at lunch. He asked if I had seen you, I said yes but you had to leave due to an emergency. My face must have shown I was uneasy because he automatically made a joke about you. He guessed correctly on why you went home and I got upset. I told him it was a normal bodil
IAN POV. (5 yrs later) "Gayle, let me hold her," Alastair playfully grunts before stealing our new daughter from her grandmother. Chloe rolls her eyes at the exchange, but even though the air is lighthearted and filled with love, I can't relax. Ever since we adopted Li Mei from China, I have been a nervous wreck. Even though I know, she is safe with her grandparents; I can't help but picture them accidentally dropping her....or squeezing her too tight. I mean, Alastair is a huge man. "Love, come sit down. Mei is fine," Chloe whispers as she passes me to sit on the couch. I just shake my head, and she sighs. Chloe and I tried for a baby for two years before we discovered she couldn't get pregnant. And ever since that discovery, I have been a little bit of a mess. I have always wanted a family, a child of my own...Now that I have it and considering the long journey we took to get her... Nope, not calming down...
IAN POVToday is the day. I am excited but also extremely nervous. Chloe has been acting strange all week. She goes from clingy to distant constantly, and it has me worried that she knows... That she knows and doesn't want to get engaged. When I spoke to Susan about how Chloe was acting, Susan agreed. Apparently, during their workout, Chloe had drilled her about how our sessions were going. Susan felt she was digging for information on me, but she knows everything about me. We have stayed up all hours of the night talking about our thoughts. There is nothing left to learn. "Ian, I'm going to head out back to start the party set up...I know you probably won't, but if you need me, I will be in the backyard," Mom calls from down the hall, and I grin. "Okay," I reply loud enough for her to hear. My legs have gotten so strong that I don't even use the walker for short distance walks..like around
CHLOE POVI grunt as the wheels on my suitcase hit another crack in the sidewalk. Stress and irritation have my temper flaring. Every second of this trip has been terrible. From the airport to the classes, everything has been mediocre and disorganized.The only happy thought I keep focusing on is seeing Ian. I have missed him so much. Before being with him, I was used to my solitude. I was used to my quiet life filled with workouts and rehabilitation sessions. I didn't need many friends. My Bible study group and Susan were the only people I conversed with, but not now. I am so used to turning to him to share my thoughts that I spoke out loud to the air several times.My phone rings just as I get to my car, and I grin when I read the caller ID."Hey, Dad," I answer while placing my phone on my shoulder.I unlock my trunk and get my suitcase in quickly."Hello, Sweetie. How was your trip," Dad asks, and I laugh?&n
IAN POV (two months later)"I can do this. I can do this," I chant over and over in my head as I stare straight ahead. My hands are on the support bars, and my legs are underneath me, but my brain is miles, no years away.The future I want is playing over and over in my mind as I encourage myself to take my first unassisted steps. My first steps without a harness or Susan supporting some of my weight. My leg muscles are protesting, but that's expected."Come on, Ian. Walk to the walker! You can do it," Susan cheerleads, and a smile breaks across my face at my enthusiastic friend.Thank the Lord for Susan. She has been a massive factor in my progress.....and I believe she is a robot disguised as a human. I have never seen her down. I have never seen her upset or sad. Her moods range from happy to joyful to crazy excited, in that order. There is no off button when it comes to Susan. She enjoys her job and makes our sessions easy.
IAN POVChloe closes the door behind Mrs. Rivas, and I softly grab her hand as she turns back to me. So much weight has been lifted off of me, and it's all because of her."Thanks, Chloe.....I would have said no if you had told me, so thank you for making it a surprise. I still can't believe she forgives me," I say while rubbing my thumb against her baby soft hands."You're welcome... You needed the push, and the mental abuse you were raining down on yourself isn't healthy," Chloe replies as I pull her into my lap.I grin as she makes herself comfortable. I brush her hair behind her shoulders while my brain tries to process my feelings and how to say them."Chloe, I think I'm in love with you," I whisper, and she freezes."What," Chloe squeaks, and my nerves jump, but the words are already out."I'm in love with you...You are gorgeous inside and out. I can't picture my life without you in it anymore
CHLOE POV "Hello." "Hello, my name is Chloe Shaw. I am trying to reach the parents of Raymond Rivas," I reply nervously while twirling a pen at my desk. "This is his mother...What's this about," Mrs. Rivas replies. "Oh umm..hi. I was calling to speak to you about Ian Wilson. I understand if you don't want to, I just had a few questions," I quickly blurt and wait. She only takes a moment before responding. "Umm. Sure, I don't know much about him. He was on my son's football team and was the driver of the vehicle the night my son died.....I, well, he wrote me a letter after the accident," Mrs. Rivas answers hesitantly, and I smile. "I was wondering how you feel about him.....like if you are still angry or upset with him over what happened," I ask timidly."No, I wish it didn't happen. I miss my son. But I'm not upset. His lette
CHLOE POV (two months later)"Come on, Ian. You got this," Susan says from across the workout room.I look over my knee replacement patient to see what my boyfriend is having issues with, and the frustration on his face makes me want to cry. The last few weeks have been hard on him. He has made progress, but he feels as if he hasn't made enough."This is stupid! I'm never getting out of this chair," Ian yells, and even my patient looks over at him."Mr. Hughes, excuse me for a moment," I whisper, and my patient nods.Susan is rubbing her forehead as I approach, and I know the feeling she is experiencing all too well. Ian isn't an easy patient. He isn't one of our older patients who is here to help adjust after surgery. He is young and hot-headed.Sometimes he acts like a completely different person when he gets down. He is never violent towards anyone but himself, but it is still terrifying. His depression medic
IAN POVI watch Chloe's eyes widen as we listen to her father announce himself at my parent's front door."What does he want," I whisper, and Chloe shrugs as she stands to her feet.I unlock the brakes on my chair and follow her into the living room. I try to hide my surprise when I glance at Chloe's father, but I am positive he saw the slight shock on my face.The man is a massive version of his daughter. Alastair Shaw is Chloe on steroids."Dad, how did you find me here," Chloe asks as she folds her arms and tries to hide her discomfort."The Wilsons aren't that hard to find, sweetie...We need to talk, and giving the last conversation, you had with your mother it couldn't wait.........I want you to know that when you spoke to your mom, she wasn't speaking for me. She was only speaking for herself. I don't blame you for that punk kid's mistakes. There wasn't anything you could do," Chloe's dad says, and Chloe's
ALASTAIR POV ( CHLOE'S DAD) "ALASTAIR, GET DOWN HERE," Gayle screeches, and I groan externally. I throw down my golfing magazine and push my burly frame from my chair. Every year it seems as if this colossal house shrinks. The halls used to be filled with my children's laughs, but now all that echoes through the empty halls is her screams. I miss my children so much. I've never been the most emotional guy. I've never really learned how to hug and express my love, but I came from a home filled with nannies. Love and sharing love is as foreign to me as being broke. At least I won that battle with my demon-incarnated wife when she suggested it. No Nannies."What is the matter now," I mumble as I make my way into the kitchen. The one room in the entire house that we speak to each other in. I've had a separate room for years. Because while my upbringing frowns upon divorce, I st