Chapter 35.
The movie rolled around to an end, and the girls were happy and full of love and warmth. A certain sappiness sticking to them as the movie rubbed off on them and lingered in their eyes--especially Kaitlyn's, she just knew her nose was pink from the sniffles.
"Wow, that one was so cute." Hannah commented, and Kaitlyn could only nod in agreement as Olivia began setting out the piles of nail polish.
Kaitlyn sunk down to the floor to join her in the circle of colors,
Hannah joined soon after.
"Spencer will never admit it, so don't tell him I told you, but he loves to do my nails for me," her voice fond as she plucked up a bright blue bottle.
Olivia plucked it from her pale hands. "Here, let me do it." She set to work on painting Hannah's nails, and Kaitlyn was pleased to see how well they got along. "By the way, how did you and Spencer meet?" Olivia asked while she began covering her nails with the
Chapter 36. "But, I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't... want ... to. Jackson is amazing. He's a great person and he's handsome and charming. I always want him near me, and honestly, the thought of losing him kills me." Kaitlyn admitted, wondering if the alcohol made her feel braver. "Everytime I feel like I want to bridge that gap though, I remember Randy. If I go for it, what makes me different than him?" Hannah looked confused, and she furrowed her brows. "Kaitlyn, if I got the full story.... you're way different than him, whether you like Jackson or not. Randy cheated on you for who knows how long. You're single, and at the end of the day he left you. You can do whatever you want and you don't owe Randy a single damn thing. You don't owe anyone anything, except yourself. You've been loyal to someone who didn't deserve it. Why don't you finally let that go?" Hannah's words struck a chord in her. But as she glanced at the ring that still
Chapter 37"There something wrong with my face? You're looking at me like you're gonna hurl, Princess."Jackson's teased words met her ears in earnest. And as he stepped further into the house, with a whistle being placed between his lips, she grimaced. His lithe hands setting down the delicious smelling boxes before he cocked a brow at her.He looked so confused, and against her best judgment, she grumbled."Your face gave me a heart attack..." The words were so soft, they barely formed a sound.And as Jackson straightened up from his pizza delivery, he only looked more puzzled as Kaitlyn stared up at him."Hm? What was that?"Her brows knitted and her gaze fell down to her lap."Oh--it's nothing. I just said that I wasn't expecting to see you tonight."The excuse came bumbling past her lips and the girl winced at her lie. She prayed to whoever was listening that he couldn
Chapter 38 "I'll see you all later!" Kaitlyn called out with a wave as she stepped out of the brightly lit elevator, all smiles and cheer as the group by the front counter waved back with enthusiasm.The bounce to her step noticeable as Olivia shared a smile with her from across the counter, her blue eyes falling on the yellow flower the brunette kept close to her person like a guarded secret. Kaitlyn smiled to herself, deciding not to voice who she thought it was from. "See you later, K! Enjoy your day off!" Olivia chirped back and Bob gave her a stern look before nodding his head goodbye to her as well."I will!" She replied.Then she was walking out the glass doors, a smile lighting her lips as she recalled how Jackson had threatened the man not so long ago. The idea was insane to her, feeling as if the event was from another lifetime by now.Everything had changed since then.Two text messages sho
Chapter 39“Ta-da!” Kaitlyn’s melodic voice announced as she twirled in front of the building in front of them, all flirtatious smiles and hypnotic eyes as she held his gaze with her own. “Here we are, Jackson! What do you think?” She asked, her voice shy despite her cheerful actions.And Jackson had half a mind to ask her if she knew exactly what she was doing to him. Her feminine glances leaving his throat dry as he watched her.Want coursing in his veins every time her pretty pink lips so much as spoke his name.“Hm, what do I think? Let me see…” He purposefully drew out the words, knowing all too well how to get under her skin by this point. He crossed his arms, pretending to be puzzled as the little redhead in front of him damn near lost her mind. Her red hair was straight as a pencil today, long and flaring out beneath her knitted hat.It was undeniably cute.But not
Chapter 40"Thanks, princess." Jackson's soft reply was music to her ears. A steady beat to her otherwise rampaging pulse.She loved seeing him like this, happy and content. It reflected how he made her feel so often.She smiled down at the table between them, elated to be appreciated for her hard work at planning their date. She couldn't help but recall when she had planned an elaborate date for her and Randy once upon a time. She had picked out a movie, the snacks, and had planned to see a lightshow with him after.The man had smiled, but he had said he was too tired, and had simply regifted the tickets to Olivia so she wouldn't be alone. It had burned her inside.It was so different to have someone actually like her efforts.To care.The smile didn't leave her face, even as they both gave their orders to the waiter.But it wasn't until after the orders were delivered and their casual
Chapter 41Kaitlyn was breathless by the time he pulled away, his gaze full of shadows and promise as his pants of air fanned over her lips.It was hypnotic, enticing even, as she found herself trailing kisses over his strong jaw, shivering when those rough and needy hands all but encompassed her waist.The touch causing her breath to hitch when he squeezed."How's that for kissing you?" The words were heavy when he whispered them against her ear, and she shuddered when he suddenly rolled his hips up into hers.Against her best intentions, Kaitlyn moaned, her hips having a mind of their own as they dropped down against the swell in his slacks. They rolled in petite circles, heat and friction building up beneath the length of her skirt and stockings as she supported herself on her hands that were knitted firmly in his shirt. The rhythm of his heartbeat matched the pulse between her legs."Jesus, Pri
Chapter 42The date lingered in the back of her mind, when they had left the hotel that morning, they had been different than when they first arrived. The events from last night not only leaving marks on her body, but also on her heart.Everytime his name even popped up in her phone, she found herself smiling. Eager to go home to see him again.And that was why when her day at work reached the end, Kaitlyn was elated."All done!" Kaitlyn cheered from her desk, her back stretching with a loud pop as her hands reached for the ceiling.She'd just finished her last task and was officially on holiday break. It was about a week early, but she was more than happy to use the vacation time to start packing for her and Jackson's visit to her aunt's house.The giddy feelings alive in her system as she began to pack her messenger bag for the day.When she was done, she eagerly bounced up from her
Chapter 43Not regretting it was too much to hope for apparently.Sitting across the man she once saw a future with was horrible, a painful reminder of her shortcomings.No matter how much she loved the new direction her life was going, she couldn't help but reflect on where her life had dismantled to begin with.And it was the much harder to face when the cause of her heartache was Sitting directly across from her--with an innocent grin that she was starting to loathe.It didn't help that the establishment, despite the bitter weather--was mostly empty. The baristas inside scarce as well as they looked like they wanted to be anywhere else.It felt her feeling uncomfortable. With a frown, she sunk a bit into her scarf."I'll buy you whatever you want," Randy offered after a moment, his smile not wavering despite her obvious reluctance."No thanks. I'll buy myself a drink, thank you
Epligue ( 77 ): It was everything she had ever wanted. Kaitlyn had never known she could be so happy. Kaitlyn breathed in. Her world coming together as she held her chin high.She was dressed to the nines, gliding in time with the music as her mermaid style dress flowed around her. It was white with pink lace, and she still wore the red heart necklace over the open V-Shaped bodice. She felt like a real princess then, the audience gaping at her as her curled red hair spilled from her pink diamond rose clip. Her arm was laced with Joshua, who was prepared to walk her down to the alter. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sure you wish your father or uncle could've been the one to.." He started, but Kailtyn smiled. Cutting him off. "No, this is perfect. You're exactly who I wanted to be here." Joshua quieted down then. And then, to both of their nerves, the music started. Josh began walking beside her as he tried to hide the flustered crinkle to his eye
Chapter 76:When she finally sat down at home, it was like everything had suddenly caught up to her, snagging her down by her ankles.Tears had fell from her eyes, and she had held onto Jackson, desperately. The harsh images she had seen, the violate relationship brought back unwanted memories.She wondered, if that broken scene she'd witness between Randy and Natalie, had been how Jackson had viewed her and Randy? Was it as heartbreaking to watch?She hadn't asked that though, no matter how much she wanted to. Because as he cuddled her close, and she wrapped herself up in the scent she had come to love, she knew it just didn't matter anymore.And this time? She truly felt that way. It was like the sound of a chapter closing, and all the new pages were just of Jackson. And she couldn't help but be grateful for that.Randy was gone.Natalie was gone.So, too, would Josh. She had no
Chapter 75: "She wasn't happy that I left." "When is she ever happy with you?"Natalie countered with a sigh. They were sitting together in her apartment, her body snuggled close to him. He froze at her words, as if they struck him like a brisk slap. Those delicate fingers twirled around in her hair. "You could give your life for her and she'd still find something to nag you about. It's kind of sad..." Her whispered words were so sweet despite their message. "S-She didn't nag me," Randy defended, trying to understand why Natalie would say something so cruel about his fiance. Randy knew Kaitlyn wasn't like that. She was the most patient woman he knew. She was always putting up with his absences and long work hours without complaint. Her smile always on her face whenever he came through the door. Well... except lately. It felt like every time he came home, there was a fight.
Chapter 74:Lies and truths had melded into one, and he didn't know how to make his way out.He could see the three of them standing there, but it felt blurred and surreal. Like his grip on reality was slipping.Randy had never felt like such a failure before as he stood in nothing but his boxers and t-shirt. It was one Kaitlyn had bought him years ago.He felt dirty and filthy, as he sat beneath their stares. They all knew what he had done.It wasn't supposed to be like this.Natalie was supposed to make him feel better. She was supposed to love him.But right now, he felt so fucking cold.Josh's angry words splattered all over his ears, but he couldn't make sense of any of them. He couldn't make sense of why everyone was so angry, couldn't make sense of why he had gone back to the same woman he swore to never contact again.He glanced at her now, and her blue
Chapter 73:He had seen her cry, so many times.Yet somehow, as she stood in the center of the decaying lawn, looking lonely and tired, watching her eyes swell seemed even more painful. Her red curls were hanging over her shoulders in wild abandon, her lips set in a furious scowl that didn't suit her gentle features.At least, Jackson didn't think they suited her. But then again, Kaitlyn was like his own special brand of sunshine, and she was always smiling with him.So to see her eyes look so cold, it unnerved him. But that coldness faded away when her blue eyes met his.And then, she looked so vulnerable. Standing there with her dirty jeans and cardigan that hung off her shoulder. Her bottom lip had started trembling when she spotted him."Jackson..." She said his name again, and he wasted no time. He hopped the fence, not giving a fuck whose property it was. He crossed the space in no time to pull her i
Chapter 72: Branches scraped her knees, reaching out for her ankles like a warning to stay away. Yet, Kaitlyn didn't listen.She kept walking in the trees that were so large that they blocked out the sun above, her hands coming up to rub her arms. It was eerie, being alone in the woods. But she swallowed up her nerves and pressed forward. Randy's lies were twisting her insides, and she fought hard to hold onto anything that proved her suspicions wrong. She realized that once again that she wanted to believe the best in him. Yet for some reason, those hopes never went far. That hope was dwindling again, when she finally came across an old, worn down house. Kaitlyn faltered as she eyed the odd looking home, feeling out of place as she stepped past the fence. The lawn was torn up, and the abandoned atmosphere made her think twice about entering. Her mind conjured up the worst possibilities. Was Randy in danger? Was th
Chapter 71:Leaving the house had been harder than she thought. She was nervous the whole way, her fingers clenching and unclenching on her keys as she traversed through town. It was hard to enjoy her walk when she couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching her.Maybe, she was paranoid. But with everything happening, it was hard to tell. She knew she should tell someone, but it felt childish. Like a prank or maybe she was trying to downplay it because she didn't want to believe it was happening.She had finally caved and called Randy, and he had sounded skittish the entire time he was on the phone. It had done nothing to calm her nerves. She had sweetly asked him if he had happened to send her something in the mail, and he asked no why, sounding horribly confused. That had been answer enough.It wasn't him.She frowned. She should've known better, each envelope had no return address. It was clear they were being manuall
Chapter 70:The drawings had unnerved her for days, her moods fluctuating as she gathered her apartment together.It was hard to keep them a secret by this point, Josh and Jackson both noting her odd behavior as she drew into herself the last few weeks.It made starting over hard, as she tried to keep on a brave face in Jackson's presence. A part of her wanted to tell him about the weird drawings that kept winding up on her doorstep and mailbox, but given their recent reconciliation, she didn't want to do anything to hurt their relationship. She had a feeling the drawings had something to do with Randy, as he was featured in most of them.But she knew he wasn't capable of drawing at all. She also couldn't see him doing something like this--no matter how manupliative he could be, it didn't seem like him.So who?She didn't really know, but she was growing increasingly worried. Every picture was a moment she
Chapter 69: Jackson's warmth enveloped her. The feel of his arms causing her to freeze in place. He was so warm, and it was a jolt inside her veins. Slowly, her fingers came up to clutch at his clothes. Sandalwood. Home. The smell invaded her senses, and without even thinking, she burrowed her face into his neck. The little strands of his hair tickling her eyelids as she breathed in the scent of his shampoo. Jackson was finally home. She didn't dare say a word, afraid that she'd start crying again if she did. Or that he'd move away. But it seemed her fears were for nothing. Because his arms were pulling her closer, tugging at her body like he was afraid she'd disappear. She blinked once, realizing then that she could feel his heartbeat along the side of his neck. His heart was racing. The knowledge made her face grow warm, her chest tight. "Don't cry because I'm fucking stu