Kinzleigh and Breyson,
Brooks and I thought the six of you might like a fourteen day vacation together before you all take off for college in different locations or the same, whatever you all choose. Call it a break in paradise if you will, in your transition from high school to college. We love you all and are very proud of each and every one of you as you become adults. Enclosed you will find everything you need for room and board and flight information. The cards are to get you everything you need prior to leaving. Please use it to your liking, it is part of your gift. You will get your spending money for the trip the day of graduation so please do not keep the cards for the trip. This is something we chose to do. Each card is loaded with one thousand dollars for clothes, etc. Merry Christmas!
With love,
Mom and dad
I don't even know what to say. I'm completely stunned. Never in a million years would I have thought they would send the six of us on a completely paid vacation, all the way down to new clothes before we left. Not that Kinzleigh's parents are lacking in the financial department, but the thought of them caring that much makes me forever indebted to them. I go to stand and Kinzleigh beats me to it in a full on run in the direction of my parents. She hugs my mom first and by the closeness, I can tell it's a genuine hug. Mom looks at me over her shoulder and winks with a loving smile. I mouth, thank you and make my way to hug them myself as she changes to my dad.
"I don't know what to say other than thank you. I'm completely speechless. You are amazing parents and I'm so fortunate to know you both, thanks to Breyson." I thought she was going to give my dad a sideways awkward hug, but I was wrong. She hugged him the way I've seen her hug her own dad.
"You're so welcome, sweetie. Just make sure you keep that boy of mine happy and in line, will you?" He says it low but still loud enough for me to hear. Knowing that my parents love her as much as I do makes me ecstatic; overfilled with joy. So many guys have to deal with their girlfriends parents hating them or vice versa and I have been blessed to be excluded from that group of people. My parents love her and hers love me, as well as getting along with each other. It leaves me so much hope that this is just the beginning of an epic adventure with her. I just hope the road on the journey we're about to embark on is long and has forever at the end because she is the main character in my story.
***
We pull up at Pops' ranch. I look over at her and she has one of those sleep masks on I borrowed from my sister's room. Before we left the house, I made her put it on so she didn't know where we were going until I took it off. It's too easy to put two and two together. As the truck comes to a halt and I shut down the engine, she looks over at me. Well, she turns her head; her eyes are covered and it makes me laugh. "Can I take this thing off now? I definitely won't take advantage of my sight after this ride. Not being able to see if brutal. Of course, you have to get a material that is completely opaque!"
"Not a chance. I'll be the one to take things off, beautiful; on all counts. I'm coming around to get you. Don't you dare take off that mask. If you do there will be consequences, understood?" Her face turns the shade of a crimson rose and she nods. I still have to thank Adalynn for the time we've had since her little dirty dream. Who would have known underneath all that innocence lies a little kink in the bed? We have tried a few things, but nothing major. I have been researching though and have plans in the very near future. I still prefer making love to her, but I would be worried I had lost my balls if I said I didn't thoroughly enjoy the wild stuff too. It does make me feel like I can give her something in return for her virginity to me, by doing things I never have before with other girls. I've had wild sex because I was never interested in sweet stuff before her, but my wild then and the wild I've discovered with her is two totally different things. What can I say; teenagers don't know what they are doing in the bedroom most of the time. Teenage boys only care about themselves. I can say that because I was one of them, but not anymore. It's all about her. Now it's time to become adults, leaving all the other stuff behind.
Pulling open the door, I lift her out and carry her to the barn. "Breyson I can walk, you know. I'm not helpless. I already promised not to peek." I kiss her on the lips to hush her. It always works when she starts her cute rambling. The truth is, I like to do for her. Sometimes I just have to override her independence to do it.
Looking down at the small present she has in her hand for me, floods me with relief that it is nothing compared to what I got her. She has already gotten me way too much stuff. I swear I told her one gift but of course she doesn't listen to a damn thing I say half the time. If I didn't love her so much, she would drive me insane.
Setting her down on her two feet in front of the stall, I turn to Hendrix and place my index finger over my lips for him to be quiet. It may sound crazy, but I would bet on anything the horse knows what I mean. Just like that he remains quiet, instead of his usual greetings of excitement when he sees me. I place my thumb underneath the edge of the mask, over her cheek and place my lips just outside her ear. "Merry Christmas baby." I remove the mask and when she sees it she gasps.
"Breyson!" She squeals and tears begin streaming down her face. "It's beautiful! Oh my gosh, it's too much!" Turning in my arms, she wraps her arms around me, squeezing me so hard I can barely breathe.
"She is yours. Now we can ride together." I will never tell her how much I spent on this horse because she would probably kill me, bring me back to life and kill me again. She's a solid black Arabian horse. Her coat looks like a spun silk. "Look at her. Name her. Bond with her. We will ride in a bit after I show you your saddle."
"She's stunning Breyson. What kind of horse is this?" Walking towards the stall, she holds out her hand towards the horse.
"She's Arabian, a top end horse." I hope and pray she has no idea this is an expensive breed. I will always buy the best for her; she just doesn't have to know the details. "Do you have a name?"
"Divinity." The way she says it is almost in reverence. "She is the most beautiful creature God has ever created. I will never forget this moment." She walks closer to the gate and opens it. I'm slightly nervous since they just met, but try to let it go. "Hey gorgeous. Come here girl." The horse stands still and neighs in excitement. Yeah she has that affect on people doesn't she girl. I feel that way too. "We're going to be best friends." She begins rubbing her nose with the palm of her hand and then lays her cheek against the flat bridge of the horse's nose and rubs her hand up and down the neck of the horse.
It's unbelievable how the horse just stands there breathing, totally relaxed. It's said that animals have an extra sense that humans lack. They can tell if they are in danger or not just from being around it. I just watch her interact with her horse. This is what she does to me though. She pulls me in and holds me to her; never wanting to look away.
Her blonde hair against the shiny black coat is stunning. This is exactly why I went with a black horse. The contrasts of her light and the horse's dark makes her stand out and in turn, they both are beautiful without washing with each other. She is standing here whispering to the horse. She is conversing? It's so low, I can't make out what she's saying. Walking closer, I reach out and pet Divinity. "You want to see your saddle?"
She finally lifts her head, but continues to rub the horse's coat. "I would love too. Can she come see it too?"
I've already fitted the saddle on her and ridden her myself to make sure she was safe to ride being in a new place. I wasn't about to put my precious cargo on her back without knowing how she rides, but who am I to ruin her day and tell her that. I've never told her no and I'm not about to start now. "Sure baby, bring her out. I closed the main gate. If she decides to run there isn't many places she can go."
She follows behind me to the tack room and I open the door. On a saddle stand sits her zebra print saddle blanket and her hot pink and and tan leather saddle with zebra print edging to match the blanket and trimmed with crystal accents. She throws her hands over her mouth
as she takes it all in. "This is for me? It's perfect!"
I nod and she jumps up and down in an excited binge. My girl is all American princess; a fashionista and shopping addict. I had to get something that matched her personality and style. Divinity sticks her head in the door beside her. I guess she wanted to see what all the excitement was about. "Isn't it beautiful girl?" Divinity neighs in response. "When can we saddle her up?"
"Now if you want. I'm yours for the rest of the day, beautiful. Do you want to try to ride by yourself or do you want me to ride with you? It's your choice." She takes on a mischievous look.
"You ready to show him what we got girl," she asks Divinity as she scratches her neck lightly. Divinity stomps her foot and huffs. "Alone," she says as she looks back at me. "I need to learn how to ride her without you. I might want to ride when you're busy." She winks and blows me a kiss.
Hearing her wanting to do something on her own stings a little, but I know she needs her independence. It's what makes her thrive. If I take that away from her, I take away a vital piece of her; a part that makes her the girl I fell in love with. I will never be that guy to her.
Kinzleigh
Taking off, I feel the wind against my face as Divinity runs through the field towards the back trails Breyson showed me. His grandfather lives in the town of Sumrall, which is more in the country than where we live. I love this horse. She is fast and it's exhilarating. Breyson is behind us, closing in on Hendrix. "Come on girl, let's show them how fast you are." I heel her just enough to tell her to speed up and hold onto the reigns and saddle horn tightly as she increases speed.
There is a freedom that comes with riding like this that I've never known before. Thinking back on how I judged this place before I moved here actually makes me feel like a horrible person. Most of the people I have met have been amazing and there is a beauty and serenity to the nature that surrounds us, that makes me love this place. Maybe deep down I was meant to be a country girl after all. Coming to a stop in front of a small creek, Breyson finally catches up to me. He looks a little worried at first, but as soon as he sees the smile across my face it melts away. "She's amazing isn't she? And fast! That was incredible!"
He dismounts from Hendrix and walks over to me, taking me by the hand. I extend my hand, holding the small box that contains his present. "Come down. Let's allow them to get a little water and rest for a minute."
Once he takes the box from me, I get off of Divinity. There is a large oak tree off to the side of the running creek. Pulling me over towards the tree, he stops just in front of it and sits on the grass, pulling me between his legs. "What made you stop here?"
He kisses me in the crook of my neck and it sends chills down my body. "I just thought it was beautiful. It's wide open, but completely lined with trees keeping it private from the outside world. I love this big tree."
"This is my favorite place. I used to come here all the time as a kid. I would come here to think or to just be alone for a while. Not far from here is a pond that I haven't showed you yet. I used to fish in it for catfish or bass. I've never brought anyone else back here. This is my haven like the pier back in California was yours. One day I'm going to build a house back here. Hopefully to be a retreat from being on the road if I make it to the NFL, but either way I will have it." I love when he decides to let a little bit of himself out, baring his soul a little.
California seems like so many ages ago. It's funny how things work out. My heart doesn't hold the same love for California that it used to. Being here feels more like home. Maybe my desires are altering slightly. I still want to be a professional cheerleader, but maybe it could be somewhere else. It seems a little dull if I have to experience it without the one I love. I turn in his arms and straddle him as he sits, leaned against the tree. "What if that's not my haven anymore? What if I said I found a new one? What if I said I want this to be my haven? Would you share?"
He grabs me by each side of my face and pulls me closer. "Do you mean that? I don't want you to say anything to make me happy. I understand that California is where you want to be and I'm okay with that. I accepted it when I accepted the fact that I fell in love with a California girl." He closes his eyes for some reason.
"Will you look at me?" He opens them and they are glossy. "I've never meant anything more. I still want us to follow our dreams, but for the first time I want to make sure it's together. I'm willing to compromise now. I always wanted to cheer for the San Diego Chargers, but the want is not as strong anymore. As long as I get to have that dream and it's with you, I'll be happy. My future doesn't look so bright and sunny if I have to do it without you. Maybe there is a way we can be with the same team in college and for our career." One tear escapes his duct and like he's done before, I catch it with my tongue and devour the saltiness that is his. "Merry Christmas baby. I love you, forever and always. Open your gift."
He unwraps the gift and removes the contents from the box. As he reads the tickets, he looks up at me with so much love it's overwhelming. "You did this for me? I get to go to the Superbowl? No one has ever done something like this for me."
"I did because I love you and I want you to be happy in a way that you've made me happy. You've taught me happiness is so many things: give and take, compromise, selflessness, love, trust and respect among other things. You've compromised your dreams to keep me in your life and I want to compromise my dreams to keep you in mine. I will always do everything I can to see you smile like you're smiling right now. It does things to my heart that I can't give up. I've already arranged everything. Ryland will meet you there. This whole thing started because of him. If he hadn't moved to Laguna Beach, then you wouldn't have come to visit and in turn wouldn't have met me. I wouldn't be living the amazing life I'm living. This is just a minor way I could say thank you that he brought us together; unconsciously or not."
"You're amazing." He crashes his lips with mine and the rest is utter perfection. I will never forget that tree for as long as I live. It was a cornerstone for me; a turning of the page. I no longer thought about my own happiness first but, about his as well. We made beautiful memories at the base of that tree; more than once and then he marked it permanently with his pocket knife. A carving of a circle with our names in it and todays date, December twenty fifth, two thousand and thirteen. I asked why a circle and not a heart. His response being that a heart has start and stopping points, but a circle never ends just like our love.
My amazing man. I'm so glad he never let up in his chase for my heart. When I finally let love in, I was amazed at the transformation. I'm a happier person because of him. It's a tragedy to think of someone going through life without feeling this for another. Living doesn't scare me like it used to; really living that is. Before I was just going through the motions, but not enjoying the view. This time, I'm going enjoy every. last. second. It's time to write my story.
CHAPTER 25
Kinzleigh
Tonight is the New Years Eve masked ball. Everyone who is anyone will be there. Presley, Adalynn, Londyn, and I went shopping for our dresses right after Christmas. Adalynn and Londyn have plastered themselves in my spacious room with me and Presley. I used to be weird about so much girl time because I kept to myself most of the time or was just with Presley, but now I wouldn't have it any other way. I think it has amazed Presley that I'm so open with other girls now. I'm almost positive she would kiss Breyson in thanks if need be.
Removing the protective plastic from over the dress, I pull my dress off the hanger. My dress is a floor length silver satin. The material is so thin, a bra is not an option. The V neckline turns into wide satin straps that run over my shoulders, cross in the center of my back and then connect back with the front material on my ribcage. The entire back is open and forms the point of a diamond right above my butt. It's solid with no accents or pattern because the design alone is enough to make it a bombshell. It has the slightest train in the back. My shoes are a tall pump stiletto also in the same silver. My hair is tied i
n a knot beneath my right ear, stuck with crystal accent bobby pins.
I pull the thin material over my body, letting it fall into place. "Dayuum. You really have a way at putting the rest of us to shame," Adalynn says as she takes in my sexy little number. I don't usually wear anything this revealing, but it's the start of a new year. Some things can change. Like she has any room to talk in her thigh length strapless black dress dusted with glitter and silver stiletto pumps similar to mine. Her hair is swept over her right shoulder in a bundle and in the back from her left ear to where the hair flows is pinned inward and lined with black satin flowers. It's a good thing the guys are on the taller side. The way Adalynn looks, her modeling career is going to take off, it's just a matter of time.
"I second that," Presley says. They do this every time we get together and they are stunning. They really know how to make a girl feel like Cinderella. Presley's dress consists of a glittery gold piece that has a sweetheart strapless neckline and is fitted until it hits the bottom of her butt. On the left side, the fabric splits at her thigh forming a knot with the fabric and reveals the rest of her left leg in its entirety. From the split, the fabric continues downward in an angle towards her right leg and hits the floor at her right foot. She makes a statement with her dark red bootie pumps that matches the stain of her lips. Her dark hair is in a elegant bun on the crown of her head.
"She always looks amazing. I wish I had that body. These girls can't go anywhere without a bra." This feels like Londyn on Halloween all over again. The girl has a rockin' body. I still don't get her comments about wanting mine. She has on a champagne colored halter neckline dress also dusted in a shimmer. Her dress fits snugly down her body and fans out like a mermaid's tail at her knees. She has her silky black hair is a classic twist on the back of her head, lined with a hairpiece that matches the colors in the dress. Her shoes are covered by the bottom hem of the dress, keeping the design hidden. I've never been to a masquerade ball and our face pieces are amazing, accentuating the dresses accordingly. We all went with major eyes and lips of makeup since half of our face will be covered.
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