A New Journey (Second Chance #3)

by Christina Escue

  “You never know.” Callie said with a grin as she climbed into the passenger seat.

  Conner chuckled and started the car. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the mall parking lot and saw Karla and Elliot just getting out of the car. Conner grinned when he saw a space open right beside her and he pulled into it.

  “Hey.” Elliot said with a grin.

  “Hey, little bro.” Conner responded. “How’s it going?”

  “Karla didn’t kill me with her driving, so it’s going alright.” Elliot teased and Karla scowled at him in mock irritation.

  “Watch it or you’ll be riding the bus to school.” Karla said with a grin.

  “Rylee’s already here.” Callie said and nodded to Rylee’s bright yellow Civic. “She won’t wait in the food court for long before she takes off to find the perfect first-day-of-school outfit.”

  Conner and Elliot looked at each other and rolled their eyes. “Women.” Conner said and Elliot laughed.

  “Yep, women.” Elliot said though a fit of laughter.

  “Come on, Karla. Let’s leave these two loons to their hilarity and get our shopping on.” Callie said as she pulled Karla towards the mall entrance.

  “Hey, wait up.” Conner yelled and he and Elliot jogged to catch up with the girls.

  “Thought you’d change your mind.” Callie said with a grin at her brother. She knew how much he cherished his time with Karla.

  “There you guys are. I have been waiting forever.” Rylee said dramatically when they stopped beside her.

  “Forever is a bit of an exaggeration.” Travis Carpenter said from the other side of her. “It’s been about five minutes.”

  “Well, when you’re wanting to find that perfect outfit five minutes feels like forever.” Rylee retorted with a grin.

  “Women,” Elliot said and rolled his eyes.

  “I heard that, Elliot Matthews.” Malinda said from behind him. “I think it’s time for us women to go shopping and leave these so called men on their own.”

  “I fully agree.” Madison said from beside her. She was still in a wheelchair, but was getting around on crutches some too. “I’m going for dresses and skirts today. I am so tired of wearing stretchy shorts and capris.”

  “I know the perfect place.” Rylee said with a grin as she grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and started pushing Madison in the direction of her favorite clothing store.

  “Of course she does.” Travis said with a roll of his eyes.

  “Conner, man, how do you deal with these three and their shopping habit?” Trevor asked

  “What do you mean?” Conner asked in confusion. He loved spending time with his girls, which is how he saw them all.

  “They come shopping a couple times a month, right?” Trevor asked and Conner nodded. “You almost always come with them, right?” When Conner nodded again Trevor continued. “How do you do it? There is no way I could spend hours at the mall while those three shopped.”

  “Before I answer I have a question. Why are you here?” Conner asked.

  “Because Mallie and Maddie wanted to go shopping and we didn’t want them to go alone in case something happened.” Trevor answered.

  “Exactly. I started coming to the mall with Cal and Ry the summer between eighth and ninth grade because I didn’t want them to come alone. When Karla joined the group I couldn’t not come. Now that we’re older I let them come alone sometimes, but I like to be close in case they need me.”

  “So basically you come with them for their protection.” Trevor stated and Conner nodded. “Do they know you’re here for their protection?”

  “I don’t know and I don’t care if they do know. Even if that tidbit of information were to irritate them, which I don’t think it would, I would still come and hang out here when they were here because I have to know they’re all alright.”

  “Umm.. guys?” Elliot said before Trevor could respond. “They already know that Conner comes with them mostly so he can keep an eye on them and they’re alright with it.”

  “How do you know that?” Trevor asked in a dismissive voice. He really didn’t like Elliot.

  “Karla told me. They figured it out a long time ago, but have never said anything because they know you do it because you care about them.”

  “That I do, little bro. Now, I need some new jeans and Karla expects me to help you pick out some shirts. You are all leaving tomorrow for Texas and she wants you to look nice.”

  “Karla doesn’t want to go.” Elliot said with a note of sadness in his voice. “I understand why she doesn’t though.”

  “Hey, little bro, she may not want to go, but she will because she loves you.” Conner told him.

  “I know she loves me. I love her too and don’t want her to be sad. Being in Texas makes her sad because of the memories and being away from you, Callie and Rylee.”

  “I know, but she would rather be sad than feel like she’s let you down. I promise she will be okay. It’s just for a few days this time.” Conner told him then grinned. “Now, let’s go find you some awesome shirts for your trip and school.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Is it bad that I really don’t want to go to Texas this time?” Karla asked her friends.

  “No,” Callie answered as she stepped out of the fitting room. “Texas holds a lot of memories for you. I wouldn’t want to go back either.”

  “Karla, can I ask you something?” Malinda asked softly.

  “You can ask me anything.”

  “Elliot told me a little about y’all’s mother, but he never knew her and I was wondering about what he told me.”

  “What did he tell you?” Karla asked her. She didn’t mind talking about her past now. That was all behind her.

  “That she was an alcoholic and very mean to you and that she abandoned him when he was just a little baby.”

  “She abandoned us both that day. She was a very mean alcoholic and she never really cared about anyone but herself, but I have forgiven her and moved on. She is in my past, but because of her I am the person you know today. If not for her I would have never learned how not to treat people.”

  “If you’ve forgiven her then why is it so hard to go to Texas?” Madison asked in a quiet voice.

  “Going back to Texas brings up memories of my time before her. Of the times I was happy and loved.”

  “But shouldn’t those be good memories?” Malinda asked in confusion.

  “They are good memories. Until two years ago those good memories had been beaten down by Diane and her boyfriends. When I went back to Texas for the first time last year I was slapped in the face by the memories and wasn’t prepared to handle them. When we went after Christmas we stayed in the house I lived in with my grandparents and I was bombarded by more memories I had long forgotten. Going back this time will be more of the same. I’m going because I would never do anything to upset Elliot, but I’m apprehensive all the same. I don’t know what to expect.”

  “Have you talked to Elliot about how you feel?” Callie asked.

  “No and I’m not going to. I don’t want to upset him.”

  “He already knows you don’t want to go.” Malinda informed her.

  “How?” Karla was stunned by this news. She hadn’t said anything to anyone about it until today.

  “I don’t know how he knows, but he told me yesterday that you didn’t want to go to Texas.” Malinda answered her.

  “I’ll talk to him.” Karla vowed just as Rylee stepped out of the fitting room.

  “I found the perfect first-day-of-school outfit.” She said with a grin and the topic of conversation shifted to clothes.

  Two hours later, when the girls met back up with the guys in the food court for lunch, Karla walked up to Elliot. “Can I talk to you for a minute please?”

  “Sure, sis.” He replied and followed her to a table away from everyone else.

  “Elliot, Malinda told me that you know I don’t want to go to Texas.”

  “I
do know you don’t want to go and I understand why.”

  “It isn’t really that I don’t want to go as much as it’s that I don’t know what to expect when I do go. Both times I have been back to Texas I’ve been bombarded with memories I had long ago buried, memories of Grams and Pops. Diane did her best to beat those memories out of me and she succeeded because I had truly forgotten how happy those times without her were, but when I stepped through the door and into the kitchen of the old house I was instantly swept back to a time when happiness and love were all I knew. It makes me sad and angry knowing that I let someone as vicious as Diane take away something as precious as the memories of that time.”

  When Karla stopped talking they sat there in silence for a few minutes before Elliot touched her shoulder. “You know what Diane did wasn’t your fault and you know that there wasn’t anything you could have done to stop it. You were a little girl and had no control over what she did. You’re a different person now though. You stand up for yourself and your friends and you don’t back down or cower in a corner when faced with confrontation anymore. You are strong and brave and smart, and you are the best big sister in the world.”

  “How did you get to be so smart, little brother?” Karla asked in a teasing voice.

  “I have the smartest big sister in the world, that’s how.” He answered with a grin. “Now, let’s eat.” He added and they walked back to the group to decide what to have for lunch.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The next three days passed quickly. Elliot enjoyed his time in Texas, but each time he went back he missed Tennessee more and more. Tennessee was his home now and although Texas would always be special to him and he would always go back to visit, Tennessee was home.

  “I’m glad to be home.” Elliot said when they walked into the house he had called home for just a little over a year.

  “Really?” Karla asked in awe. She had assumed he would miss Texas.

  “Yes, really. Tennessee is my home now and you, Leslie and Andrew are my family.”

  Karla smiled at her brother and started up the stairs. After she set her suitcase down she pulled out her cell phone and sent a text to Conner. When she got an immediate reply she headed back downstairs. “Mom, Dad, is it alright if I go to the Newberry’s? Conner has some notes from practice that we need to go over.”

  “Sure.” Leslie told her with a grin. “Just be home by nine. School starts tomorrow.”

  “Definitely.” Karla answered before she hugged Leslie, Andrew and Elliot and walked out the door.

  When she got to the Newberry’s, Cain and Abel greeted her at the gate as Conner opened the door and grinned. “I have missed you.” He said as she walked up the steps and stopped in front of him.

  “I have missed you too.” She responded as she stood on her tip-toes and brushed her lips over his. When he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss she sighed.

  “I love you, Karla.” He told her as he pulled away and grabbed her hand.

  “I love you too, Conner.” She replied as they stepped through the door together. She was greeted by silence, which let her know there was no one else home. “Where is everyone?”

  Conner looked at her for a moment before he answered. “Mom and Dad are at the movies and Callie is at the mall with Rylee. I needed a little time alone with you.”

  Karla locked her eyes with his and saw the emotion shining out of his. She smiled and moved in closer to him. When his arms wrapped around her she sighed and laid her head on his chest. “I need that too.”

  Conner grinned and kissed the top of her head before he stepped back and took her hand again. “Want to watch a movie? I have popcorn popped in the basement.”

  “Sure.” She answered with a hint of nervousness in her voice. She’d been in their basement theater several times, but never alone with Conner.

  “Karla,” Conner said softly. “Nothing is going to happen unless you want it to. All I want is to sit with my arms around you as we watch a movie.”

  “I know, Conner.” She took a deep breath and smiled up at him. “What movie did you have in mind?” She asked as she pulled him towards the stairs leading to the theater room.

  “You choose the movie while I grab some drinks and popcorn.”

  “Deal.” She responded with a grin. When he walked away she took a deep breath and exhaled softly. Relax, it’s just a movie with Conner. She thought to herself and sighed again. By the time Conner walked up behind her she had a Rom-Com picked out and was getting it ready to play.

  When they sat down Conner moved the arm rest and pulled Karla against his side. She laid her head on his shoulder and he sighed and pulled her a little closer. “This is exactly what I want.” He said into her hair as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You beside me, in my arms, always.”

  “Me too, Conner.” Karla replied softly as the movie started playing. They sat there for a while watching the movie before Karla shifted in Conner’s arms and placed a soft kiss on his neck. When he groaned softly she smiled and kissed his neck again.

  “Karla, do you have any idea what that does to me?” He asked breathlessly.

  When she nodded and kissed his neck again he shifted away from her and turned to face her. The flickering lights from the movie played over her features and the look in her eyes matched his own. “Are you sure?”

  When she nodded he groaned again and leaned in to kiss her. With his lips hovering less than an inch from hers he whispered. “You take the lead. We will only go as far as you feel comfortable going.” She nodded and closed the gap between them. When her lips touched his he framed her face with his hands and let her take the lead.

  When she trailed her hands down his shoulders to his chest he slipped his hands into her hair and deepened the kiss. He flinched a little when her hands slipped under his shirt and her short fingernails scratched across his heated skin. He groaned into her mouth as her hands gently brushed across his chest. As he broke the kiss and pulled back slightly her hands stilled. “Don’t stop.” He whispered gruffly as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. “I love the feel of you touching me.”

  “I want you to touch me too, Conner.” She said softly.

  “I want to, Karla, but if I do I won’t be able to stop and I’m letting you take the lead.”

  Karla looked at him for a moment before she lowered her head and gently kissed his chest then she raised her head, looked into his eyes and smiled. “Then I think it’s time we stop.”

  Conner nodded and pulled away from her. When he started to put his shirt back on Karla put her hand on his chest and looked at her mocha colored skin against his creamy white skin for a moment before she dropped her hand to her side and her eyes to the floor. “I’m sorry.”

  Conner slipped his shirt on and grabbed Karla’s hand. “Look at me, please.” When she looked up he saw the tears shimmering in her eyes. “Karla, you never have to apologize to me for something like this. We will take this part of our relationship at your pace. I promise.”

  “I love you, Conner.”

  “I love you too, Karla, and I will love you no matter what. Never doubt that.” When the tears started sliding down her cheeks he gently kissed them away and pulled her into a hard hug. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

  Karla looked up into his eyes and smiled slightly. “You didn’t hurt me, Conner. I’m just scared that I’m going to lose you because I’m not ready.”

  “Karla, my heart and soul belong to you and that will never change. You are the only one I want beside me. I need you like I need air.”

  “I need you too, Conner.”

  Conner stood there holding her for a little while longer before he pulled away and smiled at her. “Let’s finish the movie and then we can get some dinner.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Karla answered as she snuggled back into Conner’s arms and they finished the movie.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Conner and I almost did it last night.” Karla told Callie and Ry
lee in a hushed voice as they took seats at the back of the room in Latin the next morning. Since it was the first day of school most of their classes wouldn’t be doing much so they didn’t feel bad holding their hushed conversation during class.

  “What?” Callie asked is shock.

  “Shh.. Let her talk.” Rylee hissed.

  “Sorry, but that threw me for a loop.” Callie told them it a tone that suggested she was still staggering.

  “Yesterday afternoon, after we got home, Conner asked me to come over and look over some notes that he took during practice Thursday. When I got there he was home alone. Anyway we were watching a movie and things started happening. I stopped us before anything really happened, but I could see the fire burning in his eyes. I’m so scared that my inability to follow through is going to push him away.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Callie asked with a hint of humor in her voice. “Conner is not going to leave you because you won’t have sex with him. He loves you too much for that.”

  “I know he loves me, but you didn’t see the look in his eyes when I said we should stop. He was hurt, but there was something else there, too.”

  “Like what?” Rylee asked.

  “I don’t know. It wasn’t a look I had ever seen in his eyes before, but it scared me.” Karla answered.

  As they continued to talk in hushed tones none of them noticed Trevor Carpenter sitting on the other side of Rylee. He was paying very close attention to what they were talking about and grinned wickedly when a thought popped into his head. He knew just what he had to do to get Karla away from Conner.

  ****

  While the girls were talking in Latin class Conner was sitting in German. He hated that he couldn’t get the girls to choose German over Latin, but he could deal with being away from them for ninety minutes if it meant he didn’t have to learn Latin. He was deep in thought about what happened with Karla yesterday when someone tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Mind if I sit here?” Travis Carpenter asked and pointed to the seat next to Conner.