Finding Ever After

by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

  “Stop. I do trust you and I couldn’t ask for a better friend, even when you drive me crazy. I don’t want you any other way. I like the crazy.” I grinned and she laughed “None of this is your fault. The only person to blame for anything is Connor.”

  “And your father, for ever letting him within a hundred feet of you.” Yeah, it was no secret he was never going to win any father of the year awards. “You sure you’re okay?” She was eyeing the same red marks Kyden had. I slid my jacket back on.

  “I’m fine, just a few bruises that will heal in a couple of days. You guys were here and everything turned out alright. I’d really like to forget tonight even happened.”

  “Yeah, well I’m never letting you go anywhere by yourself again. I don’t even want to consider what would have happened if he had gotten you outside before anyone noticed.”

  “Me neither.” Just the thought of it sent a chill over me.

  “Wouldn’t have happened Princess.” The low voice sounded softly from behind me and provided comfort. I didn’t understand why he made me feel so safe. There was nothing safe about him. In fact the word ‘Danger’ should be stamped on his forehead and probably other places too. I turned around and even a warning label wouldn’t have done me any good with him so close and looking at me so intently. I was completely disarmed.

  “I saw him put his hands on you, but I didn’t realize it was unwanted, until you turned around and I saw the look on your face. You were scared. Then you tried to knee him and I was already moving. I just couldn’t get to you before he slammed you into that wall.” His eyes darkened again into angry black pools. The rest of his face remained impassive, but his eyes were so expressive. Then Chris came to stand next to us, and just as quickly the anger appeared it was gone and the look he wore was unreadable.

  “You came to my rescue and got him off of me. Thank you for that. I should’ve said that earlier.”

  “Don’t thank me Princess. I’m not your hero.” I was taken aback. It felt like he was warning me. Before I could tell him not to bother, I knew exactly what he was, Chris interrupted.

  “What do you want to do now Tink?”

  “I just want to go home and sleep off this crazy night.” I sighed.

  “Bas texted and told me to make sure you didn’t go home by yourself.”

  “I’ll stay with her tonight.” Vi offered, and I was grateful. As much as I wanted to be strong, I didn’t want to be alone tonight.

  “I’m not sure if I like the idea of it being just the two of you there.”

  “It will be fine Chris. We’ll lock up, and your Dad is right next door.”

  “Let me call him and make sure he’s not on call tonight, and he should know to keep an eye on you.” Chris stepped away to make the call. Vi wrapped her hand around mine and leaned her head on my shoulder. Kyden moved to my other side and reached his hand into my jacket pocket. I was startled at first until I saw him pull my cell phone out. He slid his fingers over the screen for a minute, before returning it to my pocket.

  “You’ve got my number now, use it if you need to Princess.” He reached up and brushed a lock of hair out of my face. His fingers lingered on my cheek a second longer than necessary, just long enough to cause goose bumps to spread over my skin.

  Chris returned, having spoken to his dad, and confirmed it was okay for us to go back to my place. After hugging Chris and saying goodnight to him and Kyden, Vi turned to get the bartenders attention so she could close out her tab. I stood and watched the two guys move through the thinning crowd toward the back entrance. I presumed the rest of the band was already waiting outside.

  Halfway there, a gorgeous girl with a red pixie cut attached herself to Kyden’s side. She had on tiniest dress I’d ever seen. It hugged her ample curves like it was nothing but spandex. Kyden wrapped an arm around her waist and led her out the back with them.

  I had to tell myself that I wasn’t jealous, that it didn’t matter who he took home because I wasn’t interested. Not even a little bit.

  Chapter 7

  Sunday was spent hanging around the house with Vi. We vegged out and watched romantic comedies all day. I was frustrated with myself at how many times my thoughts went to Kyden and the night before. Nothing like watching love stories to keep your mind on the guy you’re trying not to think about. It had been way too long since we’d had a girly day though, so I sat through chick flick after chick flick, feeling better with each happily ever after. Deep down I’ll always be that little girl in love with the idea of true love, who can’t resist a good fairytale, even though I was starting to doubt that I’d ever find it myself.

  Mr. Cross checked in on us a couple times and Bas called to apologize for bailing the night before and to make sure I wasn’t upset. I reassured him that I understood he had to take care of his relationship with Lissa and he finally let it go and stopped apologizing. I had to make him the same promises I did Chris and their dad. I had to keep the doors and windows locked, my cell phone on me and not go anywhere by myself. I felt like I did the first time my mom and Bas’ dad let us stay home by ourselves while they went to the store when we were ten. I was waiting for them to remind me not to answer the door for strangers.

  The rest of the week passed uneventfully. Vi spent most afternoons with me, watching movies, finishing the scrapbook, talking about every little detail of our lives that we hadn’t shared for the last few years, and her personal favorite pastime; shopping. It’s her form of exercise and after a day of trying to keep up with her I remembered just how exhausting it could be.

  Nights she traded off staying with me and Jake since I insisted she not give up all of her time with him. Thursday night He was actually free from intern duties and hung out with the two of us at my place. After four hours of being ganged up on at board games by the two of us, he crashed on the couch and Vi slept upstairs with me like she had been doing on nights that she stayed.

  When she wasn’t there Chris or his dad was. Things were still tense with Lissa, so even though Bas called every day and was constantly texting me, he stayed away. I hoped everything with her would blow over soon. I could take a guess at some of her issues with me but she wasn’t giving me the chance to show her just how far off she was. I worried if she and Bas didn’t work it out soon, their relationship would be in trouble. It would hurt him to have to choose between the two of us, but he would if we forced him to. I didn’t want it to come to that.

  On Friday Vi had a sorority commitment and on Saturday some function she was expected to attend with her parents. I was invited to join her but it sounded about as appealing to me as having oral surgery. I’ve never been a social butterfly, unlike Vi, who could work a crowd and make everyone fall in love with her charming and vivacious personality. I didn’t feel like partying with her sorority sisters and a bunch of frat guys, and as much as I loved her parents, the idea of spending an evening with their stuffy politician friends wasn’t one I relished so I declined her invites.

  I tried convincing them that I didn’t need twenty four hour supervision, but they wouldn’t listen. A part of me was thankful they didn’t. If I was being honest with myself, I was still shaken up. Connor was obsessive and psychotic; three years and he still hadn’t let me go. He wasn’t going to just walk away now that I was back. I was glad that when Friday evening came around Mr. Cross cooked a family dinner and I found myself seated around his dining room table with Bas and Chris, just like old times. Lissa was unable to be there so it was just the four of us. I didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. I think I was a little of both.

  It felt really good to be part of a family again and joke and laugh over a great meal. The connection we all shared was something that had never been present in my father’s house. It was more real than anything between my dad and brothers and sister. Even though they shared my blood, they would never be as much my family as the people in this room. I wondered if Shane and I would ever get to this place. I’d talked to him several times si
nce being back, but I hadn’t seen him yet.

  Just as we finished eating, Mr. Cross got called in to operate on an eight year old girl who had fallen out of a two story window. He was one of the best pediatric surgeons in the state, and that often meant he was called away for emergencies.

  After the three of us cleaned up and put away leftovers we sat out on the front porch to enjoy a few more minutes together before we split for the night. Lissa was throwing a party for her sister’s birthday, and of course I hadn’t snagged an invite, which was fine with me. Bas said I could tag along regardless, but showing up uninvited wouldn’t help my cause with her. I just didn’t feel up to going out after the catastrophe of last weekend anyway. Danny had a family thing in Connecticut, so the band wasn’t playing over the weekend but Chris had managed to find himself a date. Ace had offered to be my chaperone tonight, so we were just waiting on him to show up.

  It seemed that ‘Operation Bodyguard’ included everyone now. Pretty soon they would have charts and be handing out duty assignments. They were going a little overboard and I felt like I didn’t have any time to myself. I put my foot down when Bas had tried to accompany me to the mailbox earlier. I was certain I could manage to make it the fifty feet from my front door to the box and back without getting attacked.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t have to go tonight, Liss and her sister will be so busy getting drunk they probably wouldn’t even notice if I was missing.”

  “You and I both know that’s not true. She would definitely notice.” And hate me more than she already does.

  “So what if she does? She’ll get over it. We can have a Tony Jaa marathon and pig out on junk food. It will be just like old times when you were a lame teenager and I stayed home on the weekends because I felt sorry for you.”

  “You were just as lame as I was, and we can be lame together again. But not tonight. Tonight you’re going to party with your girlfriend. Tony Jaa can wait until she doesn’t hate me.” I had missed our movie nights but I wasn’t going to be the reason for any more fighting between those two. Before I could argue with him any further, a voice that definitely belong to Ace, spoke up behind us.

  “I’ll have a movie night with you Princess. I love Tony Jaa.” We snapped our heads around, surprised to see Kyden standing on the walkway leading up to the porch. Well Chris didn’t seem all that surprised. I smelled a set-up. Kyden grinned up at us, not at all discouraged by the daggers I was shooting at him with my eyes. “So you guys can take off now I’ve got this handled. I even come bearing gifts.” He held up a sack in his hand and opened it to reveal Spicy Nacho Doritos and Nutter Butters. My junk food kryptonite. Yep, this was definitely a set up.

  Bas and I both turned to face a guilty looking Christian. “I thought you said Ace was going to stay with her tonight?”

  “Did I? I’m pretty certain I said Kyden. Ace had that family thing to go to with Danny.” It’d been a long time since I witnessed a wrestling match between the two brothers, but with the look Bas was giving Chris, there was a good chance I was about to see one. “Okay, okay I might’ve said Ace but only because I knew if I said Kyden you’d flip your shit.”

  “Damn right I would. I’m not leaving her with him.”

  “Relax, I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise I won’t touch her … unless she begs me to.” Kyden winked at me. Bas moved to take a step toward him, but Chris reached out and stopped him.

  “Let it go. He’s just kidding. He really did promise not to pull anything.”

  “Right, and you believe him?” I frowned. I didn’t like the way Bas was implying that leaving me with Kyden practically guaranteed something was going to happen between us.

  “Hey, I’m standing right here and I’m perfectly capable of resisting him.” Kyden snorted clearly finding the mere idea of that to be hilarious. Now I was going to have to let him stay just to prove a point. He needed to be knocked down a peg or twelve.

  “That’s not what I meant Jazz. I don’t trust him.”

  “Well then trust me when I say nothing, absolutely nothing will happen between him and I. There will be snow in Africa before it does.” Kyden snorted again and I narrowed my eyes at him. He was only making it easier for me, but Bas still looked unsure. It was Chris who made the convincing argument.

  “Look man, you and I both know that if Connor showed up, he’s her best chance.” Bas considered his words and regarded Kyden intently.

  “I’d never let him touch her.” All trace of humor gone from his face and even I believed the conviction behind his words. Bas nodded in resignation. Clearly there was some truth to Kyden being able to handle himself in a fight.

  “I still don’t like it.” Bas sighed, still torn.

  “Just go. It will be fine. Have a good night, please. You can all text or call me as many times as you want to check up on me.” This seemed to appease him, but he remained hesitant even though I knew he’d already given in.

  “Seriously Bas, if you don’t leave now I’m going to have to punch you for being stupid and blowing it with the one girl who seems to want to put up with your crap.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m going. Just be careful.” He finally relented.

  “I will.”

  “Love you Jazz.”

  “You too.”

  He issued one more warning look at Kyden before he and Chris climbed in their cars and pulled away from the house. I looked at Kyden, who was wearing a sly smile, and I just sighed. “Follow me.”

  I led him over through my driveway and up the steps to my front door, but before I opened it to him I spun around and gave him my “you better listen up buddy because I mean business face,” along with a warning.

  “Don’t touch anything. No flirting or dirty jokes. In fact you should probably just not say anything at all.” The infuriating grin on his face only got bigger, but he kept his mouth shut. I unlocked the door and held it open to allow him inside, but as he brushed past me I reached out and snatched the bag he was still holding. “I’ll take these.”

  “Hey, I bought them.” He protested.

  “And you’ll get some. Maybe. If you’re nice.” I shut and locked the door behind us and moved into the kitchen with my confiscated snacks. Kyden followed behind me slowly. I turned to see him taking in his surroundings and stopping to look at all of the pictures lining the walls. “Just you and your mom Princess?”

  “Mmhmm.” I wasn’t sure how much Sebastian or Chris told any of them about me so I wasn’t sure what was going through his head as he looked around. I left him standing in the hallway and set the bag down on the kitchen counter.

  “Oh sweet baby ninja turtles you got spicy queso and strawberry milk!” He leaned in the doorway of the kitchen and chuckled softly. “And peanut butter M&M’s!” I knew what he was up to as I pulled all of my favorites from the sack. He thought he could win me over with junk food, and damn it if it wasn’t working. I might be in more trouble than I thought. Stupid, stupid backstabbing, traitorous Christian!

  “Wow you really weren’t kidding about not sharing.” He muttered when I smacked his hand away from the bag of M&M’s. He sprawled out on the couch in the living room and we spread the junk food across the coffee table.

  “You’re welcome the chips and Twizzlers. I might even let you have some of the cookies, but the M&M’s are mine.” I told him as I walked over to my DVD collection and selected one. After putting it in I joined him on the couch. I peeled a Twizzler rope and popped a piece into my mouth.

  When the movie ended, Kyden got up and picked the next one. He’d been surprisingly tolerable, even almost pleasant. It made me uneasy. I wondered how long he could keep it up. Throughout the movie I kept sneaking glances at him until he caught me. I looked away quickly but I knew he would be able to see the pink spreading over my cheeks. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him smiling. I kept my eyes on the screen for the rest of the movie, but there were times when I felt him watching me.

  When that movie ended
neither of us got up to put in another. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the back of the couch. I enjoyed the quiet and wondered how long I could ignore him before he would speak up.

  “I’ll play you for them.” About thirty seconds.

  “What?” I looked over at him confused.

  “Do you have a deck of cards?”

  “Yes.” I eyed him quizzically, trying to figure out what he had in mind.

  “Go get them.” He still didn’t provide an explanation, but I was curious, so I got up to retrieve the cards. When I returned with the deck of cards he took them from me and began shuffling them. Then he dealt them out, splitting the deck between us. “Do you know how to play poker?”

  “We’re not playing strip poker.” He laughed.

  “That’s not what I was going to suggest, but I like your idea better.” I glared at him. “Fine, no strip poker, but you still haven’t answered my question. Do you know how to play?” I shook my head and he thought about it for a minute. “Okay then, we’ll play war for the M&M’s.” We’d made a considerable dent in the snacks but the giant bag of my favorite candy was still pretty full.

  “War? That could take forever to win.”

  “Here’s how we’re gonna play, every time there’s a war, whoever wins gets the number of M&M’s on the card they won with.” Hmmm … I didn’t like the idea of giving up any of them. “Are you scared of losing to me?” A cocky grin took over his face and he knew he had me. I’d known him a week and he’d already figured out I didn’t back down from a challenge.

  “Fine. You’re on.” We went back and forth laying down cards, and I was quickly amassing a large stack. Then we both played sevens.

  “Ready to say goodbye to your precious M&M’s?” He taunted.

  “Not a chance, lay ‘em down.” We both laid three cards face down and then played one face up. “Ha!” My king beat his nine so I took my M&M’s and both piles of cards. I had most of the deck in my pile. This was working out quite nicely for me I thought as I popped the candies into my mouth and savored them a little dramatically to gloat.