All Falls Down

by Morgen, Ayden K.

  I press a kiss to his chest and reach for the knob to turn the water off while he comes down. A sleepy, sated smile plays on his lips. For the moment, we really are the only two people in the world, exactly like his song said.

  "I don't think I ever want to stop feeling this way," I say when he secures a towel around me and reaches for his own.

  "Yeah?" He dries his hair, that crooked grin on his face. The one that makes my heart skip a beat. "What way?"

  "Happy," I say, staring up at him in wonder. "I'm so fucking happy, Jared."

  He opens his arms when moisture wells, teardrops catching in my lashes.

  I step into him, allowing him to wrap me up in his embrace.

  "Beautiful girl," he says, rocking us back and forth. "Don't you know I'd do just about anything to make you happy for the rest of your life? To take care of you and love you like you deserve?"

  I believe him. How can I not?

  "I love you."

  "I love you too, Savannah." He kisses me again, his lips soft and sweet against mine. And then he swats me gently on the bottom and sets me away from him. "We'd better get dressed," he says. "The girls will be home soon."

  I can't help the pout that crosses my face. I'm not ready for the real world to intrude into our bubble again. Jared chuckles at me while slowly pulling his clothes on. I watch him for a few minutes, appreciating the view, before reluctantly doing the same.

  "Hey." He reaches out to grab my hand before I can slip past him to toss our suits in the basket by the door.

  I stop, peering up at him.

  He shoots me that crooked grin again. "I have a surprise for you tonight."

  "You do?"

  "Mmhmm." He nods. "Meet me at sunset?"

  "Where?"

  "On the porch."

  Of course I don't tell him no.

  We're no more dressed and on our way to the mansion when the girls pull up, Chris and Demetri following behind them in Demetri's Explorer. We draw to a stop on the sidewalk, waiting for everyone.

  "I love you," Jared whispers as Madeline and Kit bound from Lexi's sporty red car.

  Maddi's talking a mile a minute, waving her hands in the air. Her blue eyes shine with excitement. Kit listens patiently to whatever she's saying, nodding and smiling. Lexi follows them out more slowly, dragging a handful of shopping bags with her.

  "I love you too," I murmur.

  Lexi freezes for a moment when she spots us, her gaze moving between me and Jared as if she knows what we've been up to all day. A cloud passes through her expression before she schools it again. Part of me wants to duck behind Jared to hide, but I don't. I straighten my shoulders and face her. We've been careful. No one was around to catch us.

  She's in love with him, a little voice whispers to me, reminding me that I still don't know what I'm going to do about that. Should I tell Jared? Should I pretend I don't know? I don't want to hurt her, I really don't… but I don't know what else to do. Even after everything he's said to me, I still can't believe he'd chose me if he knew the truth.

  Why would he when she's so perfect for him?

  "Savannah!" Maddi calls out to me, skipping in my direction.

  I break eye contact with Lexi to glance at her little sister.

  "Hey, kiddo," I say, reaching out to tug on one of her curls. "Did you have fun today?"

  "Chris taught me to surf, and I stood up on my own once!" Her nose is sunburnt and she smells like the ocean. She bounces in front of me, a bright smile on her face. It's been so long since I've seen her eyes light up that I can't help but smile back at her.

  "Congratulations."

  "Don't encourage her," Kit grumbles, though she's smiling, too. She stops beside us, teasing Maddi. "She hasn't stopped talking about it all day."

  "You're just jealous you can't surf." Maddi sticks her tongue out at her sister before skipping off toward the house.

  Lexi strolls toward us, joining our little group as Chris and Demetri climb out of the Explorer. They walk toward us, too, holding hands. They're both happy and relaxed, with big smiles on their faces.

  "Are you feeling better?" Kit asks me.

  "Yeah. I slept the migraine off and then went swimming."

  "You could have joined us at the beach," Chris says.

  "I don't have a car," I remind him quietly.

  Chris shoots me a sheepish grin. "Forgot. Sorry."

  "I'll take you car shopping," Jared offers, shooting me an easy smile.

  Everyone turns to look at me.

  "Ah, you don't have to do that," I mumble, my cheeks flushing.

  "Nonsense," Kit says. "Jared's great with cars. He'll find you something you'll love."

  I flounder, trying to think up an excuse to turn him down. Not because I want to, but because Lexi's gaze is on me and it practically burns. She's not thrilled with this plan. At all. But before I can think up a suitable lie, Jared, Chris, and Kit have decided for me. They're talking options and reliability and I'm left standing there, with no clue how this happened.

  "We'll go Monday when I take you to register for classes," Jared says.

  "Um… Chris said he'd take me."

  Hurt flashes across Jared's face, his eyes boring into mine, before he quickly schools his expression. "Oh. I thought I was supposed to take you."

  He was, but he's been so busy with work, I didn't want to bother him. And now I feel bad. Like I should have asked him for permission before asking Chris to take me. My left eye twitches as if I'm about to cry.

  Kit's eyes flits between me and Jared, and then back again, a thoughtful frown on her face. I avoid her gaze, praying she doesn't start asking questions. She's too perceptive. Too smart.

  "Dude, you can take her to register if you want." Chris shrugs like it's no big deal. But it is though.

  To me, it's a huge step.

  I want Jared to be the one to go with me, but not if it's going to cut into his day. Not if it's going to upset Lexi.

  Why does everything have to be so complicated?

  "We have a board meeting on Monday," Lexi murmurs, her voice remote. She doesn't sound angry. She sounds tired. Defeated. Resigned.

  Jared curses, clearly having forgotten the meeting. He hesitates for a long minute. "I'll take you car shopping afterward, and then we'll go get you enrolled."

  Everyone glance at me again. Kit has that thoughtful frown on her face – as if she's noticed more than she should. Lexi's gaze still burns me – as if she wants me to tell him no. But he looks so hopeful, and Chris and Demetri are smiling at me….

  "Okay," I say. I sound small, meek.

  Dinner is a quiet affair. We all pitch in to get the lasagna and garlic bread someone sent over heated up. The entire mansion smells of Italian food by the time Jared pulls the lasagna out of the oven and carries it to the table. Everyone is too tired and too hungry to say much while we eat. Even Maddi is quiet, having expended all of her energy regaling us with tales of her surfing exploits for the last hour.

  I'm starving, but I only pick at my food, anxious about Jared's surprise and the way Lexi keeps stealing glances at me, disappointment stamped across her face. I excuse myself early and head back to the guesthouse to get ready.

  Jared catches my eye before I slip out. I give him a small smile, letting him know I'm okay.

  My stomach is in knots as I prowl through my closet, trying to decide what to wear. I have no idea what he has in store or if we're even leaving the property… I should have asked for a hint. My clothing options are limited, so I settle on a pair of black pants and a white top with pieces cut out of the sleeves.

  I run a flat iron over my hair, run a mascara wand over my lashes, and gloss my lips. By seven thirty, I'm ready. I prowl around the house, tidying up the living room and bedroom. I consider throwing the sheets in the washer, but Jared's delicious scent is all over them, and I love being surrounded by his smell when he's gone. Instead, I straighten the covers and gather up the few items of clothing we've strewn across the roo
m.

  Ten minutes before eight, I spritz myself with perfume, give myself one last glance in the bathroom mirror, and head toward the porch to wait for Jared. The setting sun is a bright ball on the horizon, bathing the entire property in a brilliant orange glow. I pull the door closed and lean against the railing, watching a pair of squirrels chase one another up and down the oak tree.

  Chris jogs up while I'm standing there.

  "You ready?" he asks me.

  I blink at him. "I thought I was meeting Jared?"

  "You are." He grins at me like he's keeping a huge secret. "But you have to come with me if you want to find him."

  I stare at him for a minute and then shrug and make my way down the steps. He holds his arm out for me to loop mine through like he's escorting me to some formal ball. I hesitate and then shrug again and place my hand on his arm.

  "Where are we going?" I ask when he heads toward his Jeep.

  "You'll see."

  That's the only answer I receive.

  Chris helps me climb in before jogging around to the driver's side. He shoots me another grin before revving the engine. I fasten my seatbelt, and he pulls out, waving to Stewart who inclines his head in our direction before turning around to close the gates behind us.

  We drive for a while, Chris weaving in and out of traffic. Before I know it, we're pulling up in front of the Harbor Court Hotel. The bay stretches across the horizon, thousands of colored lights dancing across the bridge. People flow in and out of the double doors of the hotel in expensive suits and silk.

  I look at Chris and then the hotel and then back to Chris.

  "What?" is the only word I manage to get out.

  I don't know what he sees on my face, but he laughs and reaches into his pocket to pull out a keycard. I still don’t know what's going on, so I just stare at it, confused.

  "Jared's waiting for you," Chris tells me, chuckling.

  "He is?" I eye the hotel again. "Here?"

  Chris throws his head back and laughs so hard he shakes.

  "Yes, here," he says when he catches his breath. "Go, already!"

  And I want to fly out of the Jeep and race inside, but that would be too easy.

  "What about–?" I start.

  "All taken care of," he interrupts.

  "How?" I can't hide the suspicion in my tone.

  Chris chuckles again. "Lexi told the girls that I'm taking you bowling so they can spend some time together. And they think Jared is at the office." He smiles at me. "Now go, Cinderella. Your chariot will return at midnight."

  I don't ask any more questions. Instead, I bolt from the Jeep.

  The doorman murmurs a polite greeting when I hurry into the lobby. The place is massive and absolutely gorgeous. Part of me wants to stop and stare, but I don't. I peer down at the key card trembling in my hand and then head toward the bank of elevators.

  The elevators are so slow. I'm going to vibrate apart while I wait for one to appear, burst into little pieces. When one finally arrives, a group of men and women pour out in suits and evening gowns. Some of the women stare me up and down, making it clear they don't think I fit in here, but I don't even care. I push past them into the elevator and hit the button for the top floor.

  My heart is in my throat. When I catch sight of myself in the elevator mirrors, my eyes are wide. I appear dazed, stunned… and I think I am.

  I stop outside of the penthouse door and smooth my hair down again. Adjust my top. Take a deep breath. The keycard barely touches the metal slot before Jared pulls the door open. He's in jeans and a button down that matches his eyes, the sleeves rolled up his forearms. He looks so good.

  "Hello, beautiful girl." He grins at me, a proud little boy again.

  "Hi," I murmur. I sound breathless. I think I am.

  He holds a hand out for me, pulling me inside.

  There are candles and rose petals everywhere. The lights from the bridge shine in the floor to ceiling windows, reflecting like little fireflies caught in the glass. The candles twinkle there too, the flames dancing. I turn around in a circle, speechless. Literally. I can't think of a single word. All I can do is stare. And stare some more.

  Jared steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. "What do you think?" he whispers, brushing my hair away from my neck so he can nuzzle his face into my shoulder.

  Still unable to find words, I simply shake my head, smiling.

  His lips dance across my skin. "It's all for you, beautiful girl."

  I start crying. I can't help it. So many different emotions run through me in tandem, weaving together in a jumbled knot to overwhelm me. No one has ever done anything so sweet for me before. Not ever. I can't wrap my mind around the fact that Jared has.

  He turns me in his arms and kisses my tears away.

  All I can think is that I really am Cinderella. Except… even after the clock strikes midnight and the magic unravels, I get to keep my prince.

  I've never loved him as much as I do in this moment.

  Chapter Twenty-One: Rain on Me

  By the time midnight rolls around, I feel like an entirely different person. Jared and I linger in the doorway. His lips are gentle against mine as he kisses me over and over again. He can't get enough of me, and I love it.

  My legs are made of Jell-O, and I ache in the most delicious places possible. Images from the night will be seared into my memory forever. The way he stripped me bare, his lips searching across every inch of my skin. The way he hovered over me, whispering that he loved me. How he pulled me apart piece by piece, again and again, and then put me back together.

  I don't want the magic to end.

  "I'll meet you at home," he says, reminding me that this doesn't have to end here. "I love you, beautiful girl."

  I press a final kiss to his lips and then pull away reluctantly.

  I don't turn back around, instead hurrying down the hall. If I look, I'll stop. Go back. And I'll never get home before the girls begin to suspect I'm not out bowling with Chris. While I wait for the elevator, I touch the ring hanging from a chain around my neck. My initials are engraved inside. So is the date Jared and I went on our first date – to the Gardens.

  "Close your eyes," he whispers, holding me tightly against his chest.

  I'm a sticky, sweaty mess. Everything tingles as if the way he just made love to me still lingers, humming along my skin. I instantly obey his soft command.

  Jared pulls me up into a sitting position, his hands gentle vises around my arms. He settles me on his lap, facing him, and brushes my hair to the side. And then something cold falls between my breasts.

  "Open your eyes." He presses kisses into my skin, all over my neck.

  I hum, my eyes fluttering open.

  A ring hangs between my breasts.

  "Oh," I whisper, lifting it up. A beautiful flower adorns the band. Little diamonds dust the petals, causing it to shine and sparkle. My initials are etched on the inside. So is a date.

  "Our first date," Jared whispers. "The day I realized I was already falling in love with you."

  "Oh." I throw my arms around him and kiss him hard. I don't stop kissing him until little spots swim behind my closed lids and we're both gasping for air.

  "I'm going to marry you some day," he whispers when I break our kiss.

  I meet his gaze. See the truth shining in those green pools. He means it.

  One day, he's going to be mine forever.

  A smile dances at my lips the entire way down in the elevator. I'm still smiling when I make my way through the lobby. I want to jump up and down and scream to the world that I get to keep my prince. Instead, I wave to the doorman and step outside.

  The night air is cool, a spring storm preparing to blow in from the Bay.

  I peer up and down the street for Chris, but his Jeep isn't here.

  Pacing up and down the sidewalk to stay warm while I wait for him, I twist the ring between my fingers.

  Five minutes pass. Ten. My smile slips, fading away as worr
y creeps in.

  Twenty minutes later, I'm getting cold and Chris still isn't here. I've left my cellphone at home so I can't call him. Or anyone actually. I turn and start back toward the hotel, hoping Jared hasn't left yet. He can figure out what's taking Chris so long.

  Someone honks.

  I spin around and my heart sinks. I flounder mid-step as Kit's car pulls up to the curb.

  She flings the passenger side door open. Tears make streaks down her face.

  "Get in," she says.

  I stand there for a long moment, hoping if I'm still enough, the situation will change. Kit will magically turn into Chris. But it's after midnight. The magic is over. And Kit isn't going to miraculously morph into Chris just because I want her to. The world – my world – doesn't work that way.

  And I have to find some way to explain to Kit that I'm not sleeping with Jared behind Lexi's back.

  How the hell am I supposed to do that when I've promised I won't tell her the truth?

  I take a deep breath and walk on wooden legs toward her. Climb inside the car.

  Kit stares straight ahead while I fasten my seatbelt.

  When we pull away from the curb and she still hasn't spoken, I can't take the silence anymore.

  "It's not what you think it is," I say. "I'm not sleeping with him behind Lexi's back."

  Kit whips her head in my direction. She opens her mouth, closes it, and then opens it again. No sound comes out. And I realize she didn't know. She had no clue I was here with Jared. I can't take the words back now though. It's far too late for that.

  "You and Jared?" she says. "You're sleeping with Jared?"

  "I–" There's nothing I can say, so I nod.

  Silence hangs between us for so long, I think I'm going to scream.

  "I'm in love with him."

  "Is he in love with you, too?"

  "Yes," I whisper.

  Kit looks so angry, so disgusted. She's never been this mad at me before, and I don't know what to do now that she is. I hate it though. I feel about two inches tall, and there's nothing I can say or do to make her forgive me for this. Even if I tell her the truth… I still lied for weeks. I still started falling for Jared before I knew he wasn't with Lexi. I still let him kiss me and touch me. It doesn't matter that we didn't sleep together until after he told me the truth. That doesn't justify what we've done – what I've done. Because, even after I knew Lexi was in love with him, I kept doing it.