He leads me into the living room when they start clearing the table. He crushes his lips to mine in a fast, hungry movement. "I love you." I mutter against his mouth. A knock at the door separates us from our embrace.
"Are you expecting anyone?" Chloe asks as she collapses onto the couch. He opens the door and a tall voluptuous red head stands there wearing half of a dress and platforms.
"I left my purse here last night." She says pawing at Kellen.
I turn to see his family watching the interaction in confusion. Kellen hasn’t told them that we've been broken up, and from the looks on their faces I can see they pity me. Even though we've been broken up there is still no excuse for this. While I've been miserable, apparently he had a different girl every night to keep him company.
"I threw it out. Don't come back here again." He closes the door in her face.
"It was nice to meet you all," I say, blinking back tears as I turn to run out of the door.
"Audrey! Let me explain," Kellen calls out running to catch up with me.
"I'm listening." I turn to look at him. This should be good.
"We haven't been together. You won't talk to me Audrey. What do you expect me to do, sit at the house and hope you change your mind?"
“Amazing! You managed to make this my fault,” I yell at him.
“I’m fucking miserable and you’re made it clear that you’re done. That girl doesn’t mean anything to me. I don’t even remember her name.” I roll my eyes and start to walk away until I gain the courage to say what’s really bothering me.
"Why did you bring her to your house?" He had told me in the beginning I was the only girl he brought over here. Why is he bringing girls home now?
"What?" He stares at me blankly.
"You said you don't bring girls here so why did you bring her here?" I shout at him.
"I don't know." He lets out a breath and runs his hand through his hair. "I love you, Audrey. That girl doesn’t mean what you mean to me." He watches me, looking for any emotion on my face. "You're it for me, Audrey. I don't want the life baseball gives me I just want you forever. Say the word and it will all end," he pleads with me.
I shake my head and climb in my car before the hot tears spill out onto my face. I turn my cell phone off so he doesn't bother me while I go home and finish packing for New York.
∞
"Audrey, you have someone here to see you!" Olivia calls out from behind my closed door. I know it's not Kellen or there would be yelling and doors being torn down.
"I hope you don't mind me visiting," Lori Reeves says as she comes through the door. I look around my room and cringe at the site of clothes thrown everywhere while I pack.
"I don't mind. I'm just packing up for my trip." She walks over and takes a seat next to me on my bed.
"Kellen told me everything," she starts in giving me an apathetic smile, “I’ve known what he was up to for awhile now. He's just like his uncle was in his twenties," she smiles at me.
"I met him in college but I wouldn't fall for him like every other girl did. After months of me turning him down I finally agreed to one date with him. Partially because I thought he would leave me alone if I agreed to just one date."She smiles at me and continues."It wasn't easy at first, we fought and broke up for the first year but it’s nearly perfect now. I can't see my life being any other way and I see the same thing when I look at you with Kellen."
She came all the way over here to give me advice and check on me. She's the motherly figure I've never had. My mother would throw a party if she knew we’d broken up.
"I’ll call him when I get back from New York."
"One more thing before I go," she stands up and looks down at me, "We didn't beg to meet you tonight like he said. He told us he was inviting you over when he met us at the airport." She smiles brightly at me when she waves and walks out. I reach for my phone to power it on so I can call him.
"Audrey?" He answers on the first ring.
"It's me."
"I'm sorry my aunt dropped by but she said she had some things to tell you." I collapse on the bed and prepare for a long conversation.
"It's fine. I enjoyed her visit."
"Are you okay?" He finally asks me, getting back to the point of our conversation.
"Yeah, can we talk after I get back from my trip?"
"I'll be here waiting." I can almost hear a smile in his voice. "Have you been eating, babe? You were small today."
"Are you implying I'm always big?" I try to sound offended.
"No not at all. You are perfect. You just looked too skinny today."
"Oh so now I'm too skinny? What do you need me to do? Gain or lose weight?" I bite my lip to hold in laughter.
"Right now I need you to tell me what to say to you to get out of this." I burst into laughter. I've missed not knowing what he will say or do next.
"Kellen, I know we haven’t talked about things and we aren't back together yet but please don't invite any girls over while I'm gone."
"If you're in my life I have no need for any other girl. I won't even look at anyone else, Audrey."
"Don't be ridiculous, you have to look at people." I roll my eyes at him.
"I'll poke my eyes out."
"That would be a great way to improve your baseball skills, Reeves," I laugh, "I need to go. I have an early flight."
"Text me when you land. I love you, Audrey." He disconnects the phone before I can tell him I love him also.
Chapter fourteen
"Audrey, we leave in half an hour!" Olivia is beating on my door and yelling at me. What a great way to wake up.
"I'm up."
I force myself from my bed. I didn’t even change last night and am still in what I wore to dinner. Last night couldn't have gone more wrong. Today I will not think about the skank Kellen had at his house. I jump in the shower and begin my morning routine. Fifteen minutes later I'm dressed comfortably, I look presentable and I'm pulling my suitcase out of my room. That was record time for me.
"Ten minutes let's go!" Olivia demands from downstairs. Maybe I'm always running behind but do we always have to have this conversation? I walk down the stairs and spot Olivia in the foyer with three suitcases present.
"Really?" I nod in her direction as we walk through the front door.
"I'm on time. Can you say that about yourself?" She snaps back.
"You're such a bitch in the mornings. Let's take your car." I laugh at her which only makes her scowl deepen.
"How did it go last night?" She asks, oblivious to the scene Kellen and I had in front of his family. I shudder at the thought.
"I fell in love with his family and I thought I wanted to get back together with him," I sigh, not wanting to say this to Olivia since she hates Kellen enough already.
"A girl showed up and said she forgot her purse there last night."
"And?" I whip my head in her direction in search for any indication that she was joking. "You two haven't dated in over three weeks, Audrey. What do you expect him to do? It's not like he cheated on you."
"Whose side are you on?" Hell just froze over.
"Your side Audrey, I'm just saying you two weren't together. Just get back together with him. You're so dramatic, this should've ended weeks ago," Olivia spits out.
"Is something bothering you?" You're being extra bitchy this morning, I want to add.
"Adrian graduates in December and he's thinking about accepting a job in Florida. He wants me to move there in May after my graduation." Olivia is nervously raking her fingers through her gorgeous natural blonde hair with a scowl on her face. I'm not following her problem I'm not sure why she's upset about this. Adrian is committing to her, which is what she's wanted for years.
"So what's the problem?"
"He should wait for me Audrey!" I pull my bottom lip into my mouth to hold in my laughter. Typical Olivia. I love her to death but she brings spoiled to another level.
"He asked you to move half way across the count
ry with him, Liv. He can't wait because the opportunity might not be there at a later time."
Olivia flashes a large grin my direction showing she's satisfied with my answer. If only she could think the way normal people think. I glance over at my friend and realize she's never had to. With her natural pale blonde hair, blue eyes, and heart shaped face no one could possibly say no to her.
"We are here. Let's go, we don't have a lot of time." She shoots a glare in my direction. Yes, I get it. I'm always late.
When we arrive in New York Olivia and I have a good buzz. Its early afternoon and it is Thanksgiving, but you can't pass up free booze in first class. I pull out my phone to send Kellen a text.
Just landed
I finally get the text right and send it to him. IPhone should install an app that detects when you're drunk. Drinking and texting is dangerous. Kellen doesn't respond right away so I push my phone back into my Jean pocket. He's probably enjoying a traditional family dinner where as I'm going to a dinner party with a bunch of snobs. Happy freaking Thanksgiving to me.
I plan on spending a lot of time thinking about what I should do with Kellen. Olivia is right, we weren't dating and he didn't cheat, but he still shouldn't have done it! I probably don't have enough fingers to count how many there has been since we broke up and why did he bring them to his house? I'm literally getting nowhere with this. Today I should focus on getting through the night without fighting with my mother and tomorrow I can think about Kellen.
"What are you thinking about?" Olivia is giving me a strange look. I realize I'm biting my lip and scowling out the window.
"It's not nice to interrupt a panic attack, Olivia." She rolls her eyes but leaves me alone to create a mental pro and con list of Kellen. After a torturously long, traffic filled ride, we pull into Olivia's family home. This is where I will be staying this trip. I'm planning on dragging this out until my mother begs for forgiveness. That'll be the damn day.
"Olivia! Audrey! How was your trip?" I look up to see Olivia's mother, Helen, coming to greet us.
"The champagne helped," Olivia slightly slurred, making her mother roll her eyes. Helen leads us into the house, rambling the entire time about the party tonight. Olivia's dad and younger sister are nowhere in sight as we walk through their large home. Hellen walks over to the grand staircase and stops.
"Guests will arrive in two hours." She opens her mouth but closes it quickly and stalks off.
"I’ll grab a bottle of wine and get ready." Olivia winks at me.
We both need alcohol in our system to deal with the spectacle tonight. Olivia and I have never fit in with our families and their crowd. William and his family, along with my mother, will all be here tonight. This is going to suck. I will not answer any questions about Kellen tonight and I will make sure Olivia won't either.
I wish my mother would accept Kellen the way Olivia's family accepts Adrian. Olivia's family was thrilled when they found out she was dating someone. Probably because they know that she excessively drinks and entertains men, but now that's in the past. Olivia has come a long way with Adrian and despite the fact that she's pissed at him, they are a happy couple. I never thought I would see the day.
Two hours and one bottle of wine later Olivia and I are dressed to impress as we head down the hallway and into the party. "We are late I'll hear about this for an entire year!" Olivia shouts.
"Let's just get this over with. I'm not staying long."
"Agreed." Olivia tugs on my hand to pick up my pace as we walk down the stairs. She has about three inches on me and she's always in a hurry. This is a problem for me.
"Audrey, you look stunning." I hear him before I see him.
"Hello, William."
"May I speak with you alone?" I nod in response I can practically feel Olivia rolling her eyes at me. William leads me with his hand on my back into the study and away from the party.
"I had no idea what Vivian was up to. I wasn't aware you are seeing anyone. She asked me to accompany her to visit you."
"It's fine," I shrug at him. I've been drinking since early afternoon he could tell me the zombie apocalypse was happening and I wouldn't react.
"I was caught off guard when your mother told me on the plane ride and I had no right to say those things to you." He watches me for any emotion to tip off my thoughts before he continues.
"Would you care to have lunch with me tomorrow?"
"Um...”
"Just as friends, of course. We can go into the city and I'll bring you back early." Lunch with an old friend wouldn't be a bad thing I guess. Kellen and I aren’t official I'm sure he wouldn't mind. An imagine of Kellen coming out here to kick William’s ass flashes through my mind. Okay, I just won't tell him.
"Okay." He beams at me, obviously satisfied with my response. He doesn't realize I don't want to go; I just don't want to sit here all day driving myself crazy over Kellen.
"If you will excuse me I'm going up stairs. I don't feel well." I throw out an excuse quickly when I realize I'm about to see my mother in a crowd full of spectators.
I dart up the back stairway before I’m spotted and into Olivia's childhood bedroom to take a shower. I walk into her bathroom and peel my tight cocktail dress off and toss it on the floor. I step into the warm shower and begin scrubbing my make up off.
It's been over three weeks since the break-up and I miss him like crazy. It was a stupid fight gone wrong. I should've called him back immediately but we are both too hard headed to give in. And it looks like we are still in the same position. Have we changed at all? Kellen and I still have a lot of maturing to do before we become very serious. I frown at that thought. I wish I could shut off my mind. I want to dive into a relationship with him without any fears or problems. Is that too much to ask?
When my fingers start to prune I step out of the shower and throw on an old sweatshirt. I jump in the king size bed that's still decorated how Olivia had it in high school and flip through channels on the TV. My phone buzzes from the side table I silently hope it's not my mother looking for me. Kellen Reeves requests facetime. His perfect face takes up my screen when I accept the call.
"Audrey!" He gives me a large dimpled grin that makes my heart ache. Facetime is torture.
"Hey! I was about to call you." I realize I'm wearing a sweatshirt, with no makeup, and I'm in bed. This couldn't be any worse.
"What are you wearing?" His tone changes to low husky one.
"A sweatshirt," I giggle at him.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah." Where is this going?
"You're killing me," he says breathlessly.
"I may come home tomorrow night."
"Why?"
"I don't like coming home since my dad died. My mother is a different person and I hate it here." I swipe the stray tear that falls from my eye.
"My family is staying two more nights. They keep asking when they'll see you again anyway." That brings a smile to my face. I absolutely fell in love with his family and I need nothing more than to spend time with them.
"I take that as a yes?" He laughs at my animated smile.
"Absolutely," I smile.
"Let me know what time you'll be in and I'll pick you up."
"Okay. I'll let you get back to them. I love you, Kellen."
"I love you too." I stare at my phone for several minutes after he hangs up.
Should I go to lunch with William tomorrow? It's completely innocent but I know Kellen would be furious if he found out. I'll go early and leave my phone here and make it a quick lunch. I'll be in and out quickly and tell no one. I'm already eager to get home and make up with Kellen and lunch with William will make the day pass by quickly.
"Audrey, what are you doing up here?" Olivia nearly takes the door down. I can't help but laugh at how dramatic she is.
"I don't feel like being down there."
"She asked about you."
"Until she apologizes and changes things I don't want to hear it." I put my hand up at Olivi
a gesturing how serious I am.
Moments pass while I go back and forth between telling Olivia about tomorrow or not. I moved my flight up before she came in the room. I'm going to eat with William and then get back to California as fast as I can. I can't stress how much I hate it here.
"I'm going back tomorrow." I brace for the conversation ahead of us.
"You have it bad, Audrey." She throws back her head in laughter while she walks into her bathroom.
"I'm going into town for lunch and then leaving for the airport. My flight is at 2." Her body shoots out from the closed door with her hand on her small hip.
"Who are you going to lunch with?" She already knows.
"William."
"And what does Kellen think about this?" She walks over to where I'm sitting to interrogate me. Her pale blue eyes dance around my face.
"I'm going to tell him in the morning." No I'm not.
"You dirty little liar." Her hysterical laughter fills the bedroom. I'm glad she finds my situation amusing.
"Anyway, when are you coming home?"
"I'm staying a few more days. Adrian will be here tomorrow," she squeals. I mask my surprise that she's bringing a boy home to meet the parents.
"Wow." Olivia's family will be accepting and excited to meet Adrian since he's her first boyfriend.
I have a pang of envy towards her right now. I wish my mother would accept Kellen but more than anything I wish my father could have met him. Olivia walks back into her bathroom twirling her blonde hair into a ponytail. I chew my lip hoping she doesn't ever bring up our conversation to Kellen.
The lunch date is an innocent thing but Kellen is the king of overreacting. I broke up with William over the phone three years ago and I've avoided him since then. He deserves for me to come to lunch with him for an explanation and maybe we can put everything behind us. We were childhood friends, after all.
Forever Careless Page 8