All Chapters of Withstanding the Odds: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The ride begins and ends as quickly as it started. Nikki and I laughed the whole time at my attempt to sit upright on the uncomfortable metal bord. I may have done most of the falls on purples to see the woman laugh and smile.We're walking out of the small red and white tent and heading for the next ride when Nikki stops, grabbing my hand and pulling herself closer to my side. She speaks softly, so soft that I have to hold her form tighter to mine and lean my head down to listen. Anyone walking by would assume we are a couple of love birds that can't keep their hands off each other."I know this isn't exactly what you thought I would have in mind for doing something fun, but the truth is, I've embraced this trip as something more. You were right in pushing me. I was afraid of your original words to me because they spoke in volumes of truth.""Nikki…" I start. I hated the cruel words I said to her when I first met her. I wanted to save her, but it wasn't the right way to go about it.

The plane lands swiftly and without any complications. I stand once I see the seatbelt lights flicker off and walk right over towards Nikki.She's been ignoring me all morning and with this being our last city, I know I need to mend things with Nikki, to mend the friendship that I felt growing. I know I need to speak with her about Cassandra, especially with her being home in the next few days, but I've been enjoying our time together so much, I want nothing to ruin that.Nikki's eyes look up at me with a boring expression marring her natural beauty. Her eyes take me in from head to toe, like they often do, only this time when she reaches my eyes, they quickly look away. I understand she's upset, but it seems like so much more than that. Indifference maybe? Whatever it is, I won't allow her to pull away from me. Not when I've done so much work tearing down the massive wall she's put in place of her feelings."We're here." I announce like an absolute tool. Of course, she knows we've lan

My hands pull the opening of my pea coat closer together as the breeze flows through my hair. I'm used to the cold, used to the frigid air being harsh on skin not covered by any type of clothing, but that's not why my body is shivering.My hand comes up and stops mid knock as every fiber of my body stays undecided if it's warm or cold. Shaking my head, riding it of the doubt circling around, I whisper a quick 'f*ck it' and knock three times.I wait.And wait.And wait, but the heavy steal door with wrought iron vines throughout the paneling, mocks me by remaining closed.I turn, shaking my head at the dumb idea of coming here, of even attempting to get a few pieces of my messed-up life, but I stop at the unmistakable sound of the door opening from behind me. I turn, one again, and this time come face to face with the only woman to show me love after my parents died and my aunt and uncle learned how to jump off the face of the Earth."Nicole?" My eyes close instinctively when I recogniz

"I see you have your own entourage." Maggie responds as Landen makes his way over towards me. Rand and Jim are standing near the two large SUV's that are scattered in the middle of the small quiet street. The doors are still open, and the lights are bright, indicating that they haven't turned the cars off.It looks like a damn crime scene."I just feel for your neighbors.""Oh, please honey, people are nosy by nature. Even your presence here earlier probably has them peering out of the windows to see what's happening." I look around instinctively and sure enough there are a few people peering through only to reside back into their homes when they see that I have noticed.My smile quirks up at that."Miss Myers?" I turn to Landen and notice he not only looks like he wants to scream and shout but looks also relieved. He turns his head towards my former foster mother and gives her a curt nod. He looks hysterical with his sunglasses still intact making me cross my arms and roll my eyes."I

The blare of the horn sounds as Rand swerves in and out of the congested traffic. I type a quick message to Bethany at which I get an instant reply from her."Glad to be home?" Nikki asks from beside me and I turn and look over at her smile. Damn this woman is beautiful."Yes, although I hate that we have to get back into a new routine so soon." The trip went longer than I would have liked, not giving us much time to rest before work begins for the both us tomorrow morning.I'm not exactly ready to share her with the world just yet."Well, at least we have the rest of the day to relax." My eyes find hers once again.Nikki has been in a good mood since coming back from her previous foster mother's home. When Rand called me and told me where she went, I felt horrible for making a big deal out of her leaving. I told her she was free to roam and knowing she most likely went to get some kind of clarity, made me feel worse.I want to ask her why she went there, why after all these years did