“Kyle, can you stop? It’s starting to hurt!”
He hopped off of me. “I’m sorry!”
I gathered myself as I sat up. “Now, if I find bruises on me I’m going to bruise you.”
He stood up and began to dance a silly dance as he sang, “You can’t touch this! No way! You’re too slow to touch this!” He laughed.
I giggled as I got up and chased after him. No matter how fast I tried to run I just couldn’t catch him! I soon stopped running as I tried to get my breath back.
“I told you, you couldn’t touch this”
“What do you want? An award!”
He smiled. “You know what! That would be great; then I could let everyone know I was right and you were wrong!”
“Ha-ha! You’re so funny you make me want to barf!” I pretended to gag.
“Oh, man! That’s hurts my heart.” He held his hand to his heart as he smiled.
“Come on! I’ve had enough of this; I want to play a game of basketball with you.”
“You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into!” He said as we walked toward the court.
“You’re no challenge to me.” I grinned. “Race you!” I started running toward the court.
“No fair! You’re cheating!” He yelled to me as he began to run after me.
At the end of the game Kyle was about to take the winning shot so I tempted to block the shot, but I was too late he had tossed the ball into the air. It was flying toward the hoop and just before it went through the net Kaden grabbed it and made the winning shot for me.
“I won!” I screamed.
“You only won because your fiancé cheated for you,” Kyle smiled.
“No he didn’t! You’re just imagining things!” I replied.
“You should get your eyes checked, Kyle. It’s not good for you to be seeing things that aren’t real,” Kaden joked.
“I know what I saw,” Kyle grinned as he tossed the ball at Kaden.
“Oh, it’s going to be like that, huh?” Kaden asked as he threw the ball back.
I stepped off of the court fearing they were either going to run each other over to make a shot or start beating each other up. Next thing I know Kaden’s running toward Kyle bouncing the ball. Kyle tries to block him as he goes to smack the ball from Kaden. But Kaden swiftly dodges Kyle without any effort at all and tosses the ball into the net making a goal.
“Now that was not cheating!” Kaden told Kyle as he walked off the court towards me.
I smiled widely as I opened my arms for a hug. He hugged me then he kissed me.
“So, Kaden. I’ve yet to ask you how you like Coopersville.” Kyle asked.
I sat on the edge of the basketball court with my feet planted on the grass as Kyle and Kaden sat on the grass near me.
“Well, Sara and I have our own home and we’re starting an asthmatic club for kids,” Kaden responded.
What an awesome idea for a club! Where is it going to be?” Kyle asked.
“We’re building it in our back yard,” Kaden smiled.
Kyle slightly laughed. “You’re joking right?”
“I wish,” I said.
“I take it; you don’t like this?” Kyle asked.
“I like the idea of the club, but not the idea of having to give my home up,” I replied.
“Either way we’ll have to give up the house,” Kaden informed me.
“Not really. We could use it for a vacation home,” I smiled.
“I figured a vacation home would be a beach house or a lake house. Having a house in your home town is not a vacation home in my eyes,” Kaden replied bluntly.
I sat there in silence as Kaden began talking to Kyle like nothing was wrong with the way he spoke to me. I felt tears brewing in my eyes so I got up and ran past Kyle and Kaden to the barn where I hopped onto Mackenzie’s back and rode as fast as I could through the trails until I got to the field of flowers. I pulled Mackenzie to a stop as I sat there staring at the beautiful flowers wishing I were one of them so my feelings wouldn’t get hurt especially by someone that I loved.
I heard the sound of hooves approaching fast! I turned my head in the direction the hooves were coming from; ready to make a break for it if it were Kaden. I was not in the best mood right now to talk to him. But to my surprise it was Kyle.
“I thought you’d be here,” Kyle smiled as he came to a stop.
“I thought you were Kaden,” I replied.
He slightly laughed. “I can tell because you’re so tense.”
I realized I’d been gripping the reins of the horse. I let go of the reins as I stared at the flowers. “I was just wishing I were a flower so my feelings would never hurt.”
He chuckled. “Oh, but you’re wrong!” He jumped off his horse; walked over to me and held his hand out for me to take. I took it as he helped me off Mackenzie. He kept hold of my hand until we walked a short distance into the flowers. That’s when he let go; knelt down and picked a flower. The flower was an eye-catching white and blue columbine flower. “How do you think this flower feels now that it’s been plucked from the ground; where it gets its water and growth from?”
“Are we seriously going to talk about this?” I eyed him mysteriously.
“Just hear me out!”
I sighed. “Alright.”
“So how do you think it feels?”
“It probably feels like it has nothing to live for now, obviously; since it’s no longer able to grow.”
Kyle seemed satisfied with my answer. “Now how do you think it feels when I do this?” Kyle plucked the petals from the flower leaving the bud and steam.
“Well, now it probably feels like its identity was taken away and that there’s nothing left, but its naked shadow.”
Kyle seemed satisfied with my second answer. “Now lastly, how do you think it feels when I do this?” He plucked the bud off and snapped the steam in half.
“Well.” I was silent for a few moments feeling sorry for the flower. “I think the flower feels nothing now since you practically killed it.”
Kyle smiled. “See my point?”
I grinned. “I do. I wish we could put the poor flower back together.”
“We could burry it and say a few words.”
I laughed outrageously. “Kyle, you’ve gone too far! I’m ready to get away from you, you crazy fool!” I hopped onto my horse. He did the same.
When we got back to the barn Kaden was there sulking. I hopped off my horse, handed my reins to Kyle and ran into Kaden’s arms.
“I’m so sorry, Baby!” Kaden kissed me.
“You really hurt my feelings,” I replied.
“I don’t know what got into me! I am really sorry though. Do you believe me?”
“I do.” We kissed again.
“The two of you sure do make-up fast!” Kyle said.
“It’s called love,” I grinned. Kyle’s head dropped as he put the horses into their stalls. I realized what I just said. “I’m sorry, Kyle. I didn’t mean-”
“I know you didn’t say it on purpose,” Kyle smiled.
“Kyle had a really good point as to flowers having feelings,” I told Kaden.
“That’s new to me,” Kaden laughed.
“Don’t laugh it was a really good scenario.” I defended Kyle.
“I’m sorry. I just never heard of flowers having feelings.”
“I didn’t either until Kyle made his point. He did take it a little too far by wanting to give it a funeral.”
Kaden busted into laughter. “Now, that I have to laugh about!”
“You two are so mean! I thought since I plucked the life out of it, it could have a proper burial.”
“If it will make you feel better you can go back and b
ury the flower yourself,” I said.
“No. I’m fine,” Kyle replies.
After we hung out in the barn for a while we ate a delicious dinner. Then Kaden and I bid Kyle good night as we went to our room to dress in our pajamas and cuddle under the covers with the pugs at the foot of the bed as we watched a movie.
Can you believe we only have one day left to spend here?” I asked.
“No, I can’t! I’ve had a truly amazing time here with you,” Kaden replied.
“I wouldn’t go calling it amazing.” I joked.
“What else would it be?”
“Just a nice, fun trip.”
“Well, by all means shoot my spirit down!”
I giggled. “I’m only playing, Babe.”
“Oh, that’s sexy!”
“Babe.” He said more sweetly.
“I just want to eat you up!”
I laughed as he growled and softly bit me on my arm which made the pugs attack him. “You better watch yourself around my guard dogs! They’ll eat you alive!”
He shooed the pugs back to the foot of the bed then he leaned over and we pleasantly kissed. I got lost in the kiss so much that I forgot everything that surrounded me.
My last day in Rome started out by Kaden treating me to breakfast in bed.
“This is a treat!” I grinned as Kaden set the tray on my lap.
“I thought you deserved a last treat before we leave,” Kaden replied.
“I wish we didn’t have to go so soon! I want to spend my whole summer here.”
He smiled. “Eat up! I have something to show you!”
I hurriedly ate and dressed then Kaden took me to Kyle’s art studio.
“What are we doing here?” I quizzed as we entered the room finding Kyle hard at work on his drawings.
Kaden took me over to an easel covered with a small white sheet. “Remember when I claimed I missed a meeting with my mom?”
“How could I forget?”
“Well, I didn’t go. I came here and drew this.” He yanked off the sheet and revealed a lovely pictured with gorgeous color. It was a drawing of a couple in the evening light with their backs facing you as they both held a flower.
“Wow! This is really pretty!”
“This is supposed to be you and me.”
“I love it, Kaden!”
He smiled. “I tried to the best that I could considering I haven’t drew for years!”
I grinned widely. “Don’t fret! You did an amazing job!”
We kissed. “So, how are the two of you going to spend your last day in Rome?” Kyle quizzed.
“I think I’m going to take Sara on a tour of Rome. Showing her our high school and the many places you and I hung out at with our friends,” Kaden replied.
Kyle smiled. “That’s a great idea!”
“Do you want to come with us?” I asked Kyle.
“I’ve got some drawings to complete, remember?” Kyle replied.
“Oh, duh!” I laughed.
“Well, we’ll see you tonight,” Kaden told Kyle.
“Bye, you guys. Have a good time,” Kyle smiled.
I smiled. “We will. See you later,” I said.
“Would you two go already? You’re wasting away the day!” Kyle smiled.
Kaden and I laughed as we left. I was really excited to see what Kaden had to show me! I was even more excited to see what school he attended before he moved to Coopersville.
25
Trip Home
Kaden gave me a tour of St. Stephen’s; his high school, then he took me to places where he would hang out after school and on the weekends. The next place he took me to was called Ostia Antica; it is the ruins of ancient Rome port of Ostia Antica. It was a huge complex that you could easily spend several hours wandering around the old streets, shops, and houses.
Half our day was gone after we saw Ostia Antica, but Kaden had one final place he wanted to take me to. After riding a train for about thirty-five minutes we stopped at a beach.
“Wow! This is a nice place to end our day,” I smiled as we walked hand in hand on the beach near the water’s edge.
“This is called Ostia beach! The kids from school would hang out here on Friday nights,” Kaden informed me.
“Every Friday night?”
He chuckled. “Just about.”
“You guys must not have had anything better to do.”
“This was the place to be when I was in school. I have a surprise for you.”
I followed him to a small changing booth. When we went inside there were two bathing suites hanging from two separate hooks on the wall.
“Was this style bathing suite just made?” I asked as I picked up my bathing suite.
“Yeah, it was. I made it,” Kaden smiled as he took off his shirt.
I stood there watching him as he changed into his suite; mesmerized by his amazing abs. The way his body moved drew me in like a bug attracted to light.
“Are you going to put your bathing suit on, or stand there and stare at me?”
I smiled. “I think I’ll stand here and stare.”
He grinned. “I’ll wait on the beach for you.”
Once I changed into my swimsuit I ran over to Kaden; almost knocking him onto the sand which made him swoop me into his arms and take me into the water until it was up to our waist and tossed me in. When I got out of the water I chased him, but I unsuccessfully managed to catch him. I gave up and fell onto the sand. Kaden was laughing as he sat beside me.
“Well, at least you tried to catch me,” Kaden smiled as he patted my shoulder.
“I would have caught you, but my foot is broke so I couldn’t run as fast as I usually can,” I joked.
He looked at me like I was being ridiculous. “Sara, if your foot was broke you wouldn’t be walking on it.”
I smiled shyly. “Dang it!”
He kissed me then he stood up. “I bet I can beat you to that big rock over there.” Kaden gestured to a huge rock not too far from where we stood.
I grinned as I hopped up. “You’re on! But wait we have to stand side by side to have a fair shot.” As Kaden went to position himself beside me I took off running to the rock. I heard Kaden yelling, “Hey” at me. Kaden caught up to me though, right before I reached the rock. “Darn!” I stated happily.
He chuckled. “Try to trick me, huh?” Kaden asked as he picked me up and twirled me around. I laughed. “Now you know not to trick me, you’ll lose!”
“One day I might win.” He winked at me as he sat me down and grabbed my hand leading me around the rock to find that there was a small cave beside the rock. Kaden lead me inside. “Wow, this is amazing!” I exclaimed looking around in awe. The light from outside was just enough to shine through the cave. The walls had water running down them; and it was just so romantic. I saw why Kaden brought me here.
“Nice, huh?” Kaden quizzed as he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“It seems so soothing.”
“I came here to just lie down and listen to the water running down the walls. It puts me to sleep.” He gestured me to lay down with him. I laid my head on his chest looking up towards the ceiling of the cave. We closed our eyes and listened. I heard the trickle of the water. It was quite soothing, but what soothed me the most was the beat of Kaden’s heart. I felt myself falling asleep so I sat up and glanced down at Kaden who still had his eyes closed. He looked so handsome and peaceful. “Something wrong, Sara?” Kaden asked keeping his eyes closed.
“I felt myself falling asleep.”
“That’s what you’re meant to do.”
I giggled. “I know, but I don’t want to go to sleep.”
He propped himself on his arm. “Then what do you want to do?”
“I would like to take you home, feed you dinner, bathe you and put you to bed.”
I grinned as I felt my cheeks blush. “Are you going to stay true to your word?”
“Why don’t I take you home and show you?”
When we arrived at the castle Kaden did everything he said he would do except for giving me a bath; that I most definitely declined.
“You’re looking mighty gorgeous in your pajamas,” Kaden complimented me.
I smiled. “Don’t get any ideas!” I replied as I pointed my finger at him.
“Do you feel like you’re ready to leave Rome now after what occurred tonight?”
“I think I would still like to stay the whole summer, but I know when we go back home we’ll find things to do to make the rest of the summer over the top!”
He grinned. “Are you excited about your last year of school?”
“I can’t wait to graduate!”
“We’ll have to throw you an out of the park graduation party!”
I smiled as I leaned in to kiss him but stopped inches before our lips made contact. “Yes we will.” Then I let my lips meet his.
When we pulled away from each other Kaden smiled as he licked his lips. “Can I have another?”
I giggled. “Don’t get greedy now.”
“It’s so hard not to want more!”
“Well, you don’t have to worry. These lips will be here forever!”
He grinned. “Will you miss Kyle when we leave?”
“I will miss him. He was so much fun to hang out with! I now put him in my friend pocket.” I grinned as I put my hand into my pocket.
He chuckled. “I think you and Kyle make great friends because you both act crazy!”
“Life would be so boring if you didn’t let your crazy side out. I know you’ve got one; you showed me it at the beach when we got out of the limo.”
He smiled. “Okay, I guess I’m in the crazy group with you and Kyle.”
I smiled, but then I quickly dropped my smile into a frown. “I hope Kyle fills the whole in his heart.”
“He will one day. He does a great job pushing his loss to the side.”
Love Goes On Page 24