by Naomi Niles
My eyes were burning with tears. They were, in part, angry tears. How dare he put me through this and then show up when I’m finally getting on with my life and tell me all of the things I so desperately needed to hear months ago? “Until the next time you decide we should see other people, right?”
He looked down at the floor and swallowed hard before looking back up at me. There were tears in his eyes, too. “I never saw anyone else, Amber. For me, there is no one else. Since the day I realized I could never love Callie the way I love you, I haven’t as much as thought about being with another woman. There’s only you and if I can’t ever be with you again…then I’ll be alone.”
My head was spinning, my heart was aching, and my limbs were shaking so hard my teeth were chattering. “I don’t understand, Kyle. Why are you doing this to me?”
“I’m so sorry, baby. I thought I was doing it for you. The day I went to the doctor and I told you everything was good…and then I told you that made me want to live my life and be with other people, I lied. The tumor was not only back, it was cancer. All I could think about were the nights I held you while you trembled because of what you’d been through with Dylan. At that time, my prognosis was up in the air and I couldn’t ask you to marry me knowing there was a good possibility of leaving you a widow and making you go thorough watching me shrivel up and die…”
“Oh, Kyle… Jesus, you are so stupid.”
He laughed and wiped a tear away that rolled out of his pretty eyes. “I’m not going to argue with that.”
“Kyle, when you love someone, it’s not only about the fun and the good times. Truly loving someone means that you actually want to be there for them when they’re sick or hurt or just having a bad day. Let me ask you a question. Did you enjoy being with me the nights I woke up screaming after I’d had a dream about Dylan?”
He looked like he was thinking about it and then he said, “I don’t think enjoy is the right word, but I was glad I was there, for you.” I looked at him for a long time before I saw it click on his face. “I just love you so much, Amber. I hate the thought of making you unhappy…” That clicked, too, and I let it settle in before I said,
“You did make me unhappy by pushing me away. I’ve never been unhappier than when I wasn’t with you. Oh, Kyle…life is never going to be perfect, but the beauty of it is having someone to share it all with.” I reached up and took off his hat. His hair was growing back in places. It was soft-looking and fuzzy like a baby chick. I ran my fingers through it. “You poor thing… God, I wish that you would have let me be there for you.”
“You’re right. I’m an idiot. The next time I think I’m doing the right thing, I guess I should run it by someone else first. The cancer is gone, for the most part. I have to still do another thirty radiation treatments, but the prognosis is good. Is there any possibility you would consider giving me another chance?”
I sat his hat back on his head and put my hand on his thin face. He was pale and drawn, and his suit looked like he bought it before he lost fifty pounds…but he was still the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. I considered playing hard to get a little bit and making him work for it, but the truth was I know we’re not playing here. This was the most real thing I’d ever felt in my life and I couldn’t even pretend that it wasn’t. “Only if you promise that you’ll always be honest with me…and that you’ll never leave me again.”
The tears were already spilling down my cheeks as he took my hand and said, “I promise to always be honest.” He started to slide down off the chair then to the floor. He was struggling with it and I wanted to help him, but I knew that would only embarrass him. I could hardly see through the tears as I realized what he was doing. Once he was on one knee he continued, “I also promise I will never leave you again. I brought a ring in case you wanted proof of that.” He smiled and blinked his eyes a few times before saying, “Amber Reed Scott, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m sorry that I’m so stupid. I wanted to do this six months ago and I should have. Will you please consider marrying me? After my hair grows back and I can walk right again.” He grinned when he said the last part. He’s fought so hard through all of this and I was so proud of him. I’d gladly walk down the aisle with him, even pushing a wheelchair with him as bald as an eagle. I was not in love with his hair or his ability to walk. I was in love with his soul and it consumed me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and it felt so good to touch him. He put his arms around my upper back and held me there. This was what I missed the most. I never felt safer than when I was in his arms. When I finally got ahold of myself I pulled back and said, “Yes.”
“Yes, you’ll marry me?”
I laughed and wiped at my face. “Yes, I’d love nothing more than to be your wife. I’d marry you right now Kyle – today.” He hugged me again and then he started planting kisses all over my face. When he pulled back, he was smiling. He took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto my left hand. It fit perfectly – just like he and I do. I rested my arms on his shoulders and leaned down so that our lips met. Time and space mean nothing where my feelings for this man are concerned. The kiss was as explosive as the first one we ever shared, even more so when I thought about the fact that I was going to fall asleep and wake up with that kiss on my lips every day for the rest of my life. I looked down at his tux again and said, “Kyle? Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
I giggled. “Did you rent that tux just to ask me to marry you?”
He grinned. “No, but if it helped you say yes, I’m keeping it.”
“You look really handsome in it. Why are you wearing a tux?”
“Greg got married today.”
I pulled my face up and looked at him to see if he was kidding. “Greg? Married?”
Laughing, he said, “Yep…it’s proof.”
“Proof of what?”
“That love really does conquer all. He was my inspiration for coming here today.”
“Well then, now I’m his biggest fan.”
“Do you want to go eat some wedding cake and have a glass of champagne with me?”
I thought about my luggage and the seven hundred dollar airline ticket, but only for half a second before I said, “I’d love to. I’ll drive…”
He struggled to his feet and I handed him his cane and stood up. He took my hand and said, “How about we come back later for your car? I’ve always wanted to make out in a limo…”
I wasn’t sure if he was serious about the limo, but making out with him sounded like heaven. “I love you, Kyle.”
He stopped walking and looked at me and said, “I love you more.” He was wrong, but I could live with letting him think that.
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BLIND LOVE
By Erin Wes
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 Erin Wes
PART 1
Chapter One
Dylan
“Why are these houses so far apart?”
I sighed. If I was going to find the right car to steal, I knew I had to find the right house. So far, no one had left the keys in the car. Maybe rich people never did that. Poor people did because they didn’t expect anyone to take their crappy cars.
Needing a new computer and with my mother getting fired once again, I knew that I had to take desperate measures. With a new computer, I could do my programming homework at home instead of school. The computers at school were crappy, and I could never get enough time on them in class.
I spied a Mercedes. That could get a good price. My cousin boosted cars and h
e’d shown me where I could sell it to get cash. That would be one sweet computer.
My stomach rumbled. Right. I hadn’t had dinner and the low income lunch had been hours ago. The night was turning chilly, and I needed to get this done. I hadn’t brought a jacket because I had no idea where it was. Knowing my mother, she sold it.
I looked around. No one on the street. Being twilight, everyone was probably having dinner. Something I might have to skip tonight – unless I found some ketchup packets in the refrigerator.
I sighed. This life sucks and with that computer, I can make a better one. I didn’t feel bad for stealing the car because they had insurance. They could buy another one.
I thanked my luck that the car was in the driveway instead of the garage. A silver Mercedes E-class. I’d bet it had all the bells and whistles. It would be a sweet ride to the chop shop. The porch light on the McMansion turned on, so I froze standing behind a tree. There was a light on in a front window, but I couldn’t see anyone in the room. No one came out of the house.
I stalked up to the car, then pulled on the handle to the driver’s side door. It was unlocked, but the dome light came on and the car dinged. The key was inside.
Sweet. I hopped in and slumped down. If anyone looked out, they wouldn’t see me. There was no movement, from what I could tell. I had just let out a breath I’d been holding, when the passenger door opened.
My heart raced, but I froze instead of jumping out of the car. A hand clamped onto my arm, which should have energized me, but it didn’t.
I looked up into the stern face of the man who probably owned the car.
“Son, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
My lips moved, but I could form no words. I’d been caught doing petty stuff. My life as a criminal had not been smooth. Ever. Auto theft was big deal – this was real jail time.
“Uh.”
“That’s all you got?” he said.
He’d probably already called the cops, so I’d better run, but the man had a strong grip and I couldn’t pull free. “I’m sorry.”
The man chuckled. He was laughing at me? It wasn’t a maniacal laugh, but it sent chills through me, anyway. “Oh, son. I’m guessing you’ve never done this before.”
I shook my head. Maybe the cops would be lenient on me since it was my first large offense. Never mind that I’d shoplifted and stuff like that.
“No, sir.”
“Sir, huh. Now you get manners? You try to boost my car and you call me sir? How old are you?”
“Eighteen, sir.”
He nodded. “You go to the local high school?”
“Yes, sir.”
The man must be waiting for the cops to arrive. My stomach took that moment to rumble. A loud and long sound that was unmistakable. The man’s face softened. “You hungry?”
“Yes, sir.”
Well, what was I supposed to say? My stomach had just sang a song if its people, so I couldn’t deny it. “What’s your name?”
“Dylan.”
“You got a last name?”
“Cabot.”
I licked my lips. I had no idea how I was getting out of this situation. Fuck. Shit. This had been stupid of me. If my mother was even awake, she was going to be pissed. I bet she’d let me stay in jail all night.
“Dylan Cabot who is hungry and trying to steal my car. Well, Dylan Cabot, it’s your lucky day. I haven’t called the cops and I won’t call the cops if you do me a favor.”
Shit, I’d do anything at this point. “Sure.”
“Let me take you home. I’m sure someone is worried about you.”
I shook my head. “No. No one.”
“We’ll get takeout on the way so you have something to eat. If I let go, are you going to run? Remember, I know your name, now.”
I shook my head, the lure of food pretty strong. If I had enough food, I’d eat all the time. “No.”
He let go of my hand and my better judgement prevailed because I didn’t run.
“Now, let’s switch places, and I’ll take you home,” the man said.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Rob Dean,” he said, holding out his hand.
I shook it then we both climbed out of the car. I looked at him for a moment, unsure if he was joking. I had tried to steal his car and now he was buying me dinner and driving me home. What bizarre world had I stepped into.
“Buckle up,” Mr. Dean said when I climbed back into the car.
I really expected Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me that I’ve been punked.
“It’s okay, son. You care what fast food we stop at?”
“Uh, no sir,” I said.
I’d eat garbage at this point, which was probably what would have happened. I’d have gone dumpster diving behind the burger joint. Now, I was actually getting food from it.
But tomorrow I’d wake up hungry, so I might as well enjoy this meal now.
***
When we got closer to my house, I turned to Mr. Dean. “You can let me out here.”
“No, I’m taking you all of the way. I’m not going to tell your parents what you did.”
I clutched the bag of food he’d bought me while I searched for a way to get him to stop. He didn’t need to see the trailer I lived in. He didn’t need to see my mother in her bathrobe, assuming she was even awake. If she lost her job today, she would be drinking. Among other things.
I couldn’t have been more embarrassed. “No, really. I need to get out here. My driveway is rutted and it’ll do damage to your car.”
“No go, son. I take you all the way there or I take you to the police station.”
Shit. I frowned at him and didn’t say anything until we reached the driveway.
“See. It’s a mess. You don’t need to damage your car.”
Mr. Dean eyed the driveway then pulled off the road. “Then, we’ll walk the rest of the way.”
I looked at his nice pants and dress shoes. It had rained this morning. “You’re going to get muddy.”
“Everything is replaceable.”
Spoken like a man with a big paycheck. I climbed out of the car. At least, I could find a path that wouldn’t be so muddy.
The trailer I lived in was at the end of a long driveway. A rotted car sat to one side of the driveway. My mother said it had been hers, but it broke down and she couldn’t get it fixed. She’d been relying on rides from coworkers and several had let her down. That’s why she was fired. She hadn’t shown up for a few shifts this week.
I would have to apply for food stamps again, posing as her online, but I needed a computer for that. I had figured out how to get internet. A neighbor hadn’t secured their network and I could use it if I stayed at one end of the trailer.
“Is anyone home?”
“I only live here with my mother. She may already be asleep.”
“This early?”
“She works odd hours.”
Or in this case, doesn’t work. Mr. Dean nodded. “Okay, but I’d like to meet her.”
“I’ll see if I can wake her.”
I opened the front door. The smell hit me. She hadn’t cleaned. I hadn’t cleaned. In weeks. I tried to spend as little time here as possible, but I knew that sometimes my mother needed me to take care of her.
My mother was passed out on the couch when I turned on the light. Mr. Dean pulled out his phone. “Go check her. I’ll call an ambulance.”
He was barely inside the house and I could see he was wrinkling up his nose. I checked my mother. She was still breathing. “Mom.”
She didn’t stir. I blinked at her then shook her harder. “Mom.”
Mr. Dean put a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Dylan. The ambulance is on the way.”
The police arrived first, but there was nothing they could do. She wasn’t responding, but she was breathing. Then, the paramedics worked on her.
“Let’s go outside, Dylan,” Mr. Dean said.
He stood with me while the cops
asked me questions. He kept his hand on my shoulder and for that moment, someone had my back. No had ever had my back. Not in my entire life.
“You came here and just found her like this?” the officer asked me.
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Does she drink?”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t look him in the eye. I could tell he was viewing me with pity. I didn’t want anyone’s pity. I wanted a hand out of this place, but that was never going to happen. I was eighteen – too old to be put into the system.
I was on my own having been dealt a shit hand.
“Does she do drugs?”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
Always nice to have one’s life laid out for strangers. I wanted to eat my burger and go to bed. Forget that this all happened. Or figure out another way to get a computer. Anything but stand here while these two men dissected his life.
“Okay. I need to talk to the paramedics. Do you know what drugs she does?”
“No sir. I never paid attention.”
My mother had taught me call all adult males sir. It was probably the only thing good thing she taught me. When I glanced up at him, the officer nodded, but he didn’t look as if he believed me.
I wanted to shout that I had bigger plans for myself than a trailer in the woods. Maybe I’d go into the military or to trade school. I just had to figure out how to get out of high school alive.
The paramedics took my mother out of the house. She still hadn’t woken up yet. If she died, I was going to have to quit school to make money. Otherwise, I’d have no place to live. Shit. Shit. Shit.
I wanted to punch something. Mr. Dean squeezed my shoulder. “Dylan will come home with me.”
“He’s eighteen, he can do what he wants,” the officer said.
The both stared at me. I still had the sack of burgers in my hand. I really just wanted to eat them.