Page 24 of Follow Me to Your Heart
“Taylor would give Keith a run for his money. You know he’s laid-back and goes with the flow. I could bet she’d have him wrapped around her finger.”
“Just like I have you.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I guess you can say that, but don’t think you run shit. I know how to keep you in check.”
“You are not Ali. He is the only man who can keep me in check. I would say you more so ground me. Balance me if that makes sense.”
“It does because you do the same for me, KoKo. My life is hectic as hell, but you’ve always been my calm in the middle of a storm.”
“Because you’re the chaos that makes sense in my life, Cage. You know how I am. I don’t do well with the shit you do, but you’re the only person I will ever put up with it for. You know why?”
“Because you love me?”
Korren nodded, shoved some ice cream in her mouth, and continued. “That, and because I know the shit you do doesn’t define the person you are. I know that you got in the streets to solely provide for your mother and sister. I commend you for that, but I also want better for you. I don’t want you becoming so consumed in it that the only way out is prison or death. You’re smart as hell, so I know there’s something else you can do now that you’ve gotten this far.”
She was right. There was something else I could do, but I needed to act on it. The fear of failure was the only thing stopping me.
We sat there, staring at one another. The world around us stopped, and it felt as if we were the only two people who existed.
Was that what it was like to be in love? To only see one person with so many around you? With Korren, it happened often. We could be among a sea of people, and the only person who captivated me was her. Her captivity was one of my favorite places to be.
“Don’t let your sundae melt ogling over one another,” Taylor spoke, breaking us from our trance. She scooted in the booth next to Korren, smirking.
“Where’s Keith?” I questioned, glancing around the shop.
“He went to the restroom. Korren, I’m ditching you and Ali one night to go on a date with Keith. I’m sure y’all will have no trouble finding something to do.”
“She’ll be with me, so she’ll be good.” I spoke up.
Korren lowered her eyes. “How do you know I don’t want to spend some alone time with my daddy?”
“Spoiled ass. I guess you got a point.”
“Knowing Daddy, he’ll be asleep by nine, so you can come get me then.”
“I was going to do that anyway, KoKo.”
It wasour last night in Camden Cove, and I was beyond grateful nothing had happened to pull Cage away from me. Outside of spending some much needed time with my father, I’d thoroughly enjoyed my time with Cage, Taylor, and Keith. For the first time in a long time, everything felt normal. Everything was how I imagined it to be if Cage wasn’t involved in the streets. I loved it, but I also knew it wasn’t our reality.
“Are you nervous?” I asked Taylor as I fluffed my curls in the mirror.
“A little. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been on a date, Korren. I feel like things with Keith will go differently than with the guys back at school, and that worries me.”
“Why?”
Taylor sighed and turned toward me with her makeup brush in hand. “I can see myself falling for him. The last guy I fell for wasn’t who he portrayed himself to be in the beginning. I know Keith isn’t him, but it doesn’t stop my mind from wandering.”
“I understand. I don’t know Keith well, but I will say he is different. A good different. He honestly brings out the best in Cage. Their friendship is totally opposite from the one he has with Red. I’m not saying that Red isn’t a good person, but Keith brings positivity in Cage’s life. He’s a great influence, and from the way he’s catered to you this week, I can tell things will be better than you expect. Don’t allow your fears to block something that can potentially be good in your life.”
For a moment, Taylor was silent as she stared at me. I could see the wheels turning behind her brown eyes. Her nude painted lips slowly formed an arch. She waved her brush at me and said, “You give great advice for someone who doesn’t take it.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re doing exactly what you’re telling me not to do, allowing your fears to block good in your life.”
“Oh, girl.” I smacked my lips with a roll of my eyes. “This isn’t about me.”
“But it applies to you. Korren, why won’t you just admit to me that you have feelings for Cage.”
