Page 25 of Crashing Into Me
AFTER A DAYspent cooking together, watching movies, and having more earth-shattering sex, Lana woke in bed, lying on his chest. She thought about everything that had happened since she arrived in town a few short weeks ago and how her life was suddenly spinning out of control in every good way imaginable. She had literally run into someone she couldn’t stand the sight of, but now couldn’t imagine not being with him every minute of the day. Kayden was sound asleep, and the moon was full in the night sky, the light spilling through the panoramic windows and filling the room. She had a lot to think about as she hadn’t said no to his wild proposal, but she never said yes to him either.
She needed to tell him what had happened with Rachel, and there was no way to soften the blow, no matter how much she wished to. There just never seemed to be a good time to bring it up the entire day. Also, there was the matter of that Kim girl texting his phone, and so many questions that she needed to beanswered in order for her to agree to uproot her life and move to Hamby, let alonemarryhim. If anyone had told her a year ago that she’d be in bed with the handsomest man she’d ever laid eyes on, contemplating marrying him, she would’ve called bullshit and then called a mental institution to come and carry them away. A year can change a lot.
Lana also couldn’t help wondering if this was just a phase of grief from her past she was going through—or worse, what if she was just a phase for him? Already having her heart crushed once and by someone half the man Kayden was, if he did it too, she would be undone for sure. He stirred a little and squeezed his eyes closed, then they opened lazily and slowly. Small slits showed only a peak of color, but the moonlight illuminated them like emeralds. It amazed her how many different colors his eyes could manifest at different times of the day.
He smiled as he gazed at her, but didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to speak. They had a way of saying everything needed with simple glances or lingering stares. He wanted her to be his wife, and she was unsure of her future, let alone his. She leaned closer to him and planted a small kiss on his lips.
“What was that for?” he murmured sleepily.
“Because I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you,” she replied.
“But you won’t marry me.”
“I didn’t say that,” she replied.
“You never said yes either,” he deadpanned.
“I need to talk to you about something,” she said, shifting her weight onto her elbow.
“What is it?” he asked, yawning.
Maybe this wasn’t the right time,she thought.Maybe I should just make something up and leave it alone.As she looked over at him, his hair disheveled and adorable, she couldn’t wait any longer. He had to know what was going on and be preparedfor what was coming. She sat up in the bed and turned on the small lamp on the bedside table. He sat up, more intent, worry creeping into his face. Lana wrung her hands, not sure of how to say the words or of what his reaction would be.
“What is it, baby?” he took her hands, enveloping them in both of his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
Finally, she took a breath and prepared herself. It’s now or never, she thought. As she opened her mouth, the doorbell chime started ringing throughout the house. It startled her because she’d never heard it before, and also because it was well after midnight.
“Who the hell is that?” he asked and jumped out of bed. Kayden headed for the bedroom door, and her heart sank.The police are here to take him away, and I’m too late.Idiot, she chastised in her thoughts.
She jumped out of bed, shot around him, blocking the door, and the doorbell sounded again.
“What's going on, Lan’?” he shortened her name for the first time since she'd known him, and she liked it.
“Yes.” She replied.
“What?” he asked, confused.
“I’ll marry you,” she said, the words falling from her mouth before she could think. Lana resolved not to tell him she knew about Rachel at that point.
She would just be there for him and explain it all as best she could later. Regardless of how he took it, there wasn’t much more that could be done. She was out of time. They both were. Kayden grabbed her and hugged her, planting kisses all over her face. The doorbell sounded for the third time and caused her heart to skip a beat.
“You’ve made me the happiest man on the planet, you know that?” he asked.
Lana smiled at him weakly and grabbed him again, stealing another kiss, sure that it would be the last for a while.
“Let’s see who’s at the door,” he said, holding her hand and leading her out of the bedroom. They walked down the stairs, passed the kitchen, and Kayden flipped on the foyer light. They stood hand in hand at the front door when Lana turned her head to the windows across the house. The snow had stopped falling, but it was at least five feet out there. Someone really needed to get there, and she knew it was the police. She wiped away a silent tear as the bell rang again. Kayden looked through the peephole, and his head dropped.
“Shit,” he turned and looked at her, worried.
Lana stood in silence and didn’t know what to say. He opened the door slowly, and standing on the porch, through mounds of recently dug up snow was an older woman, a young blonde, and a police officer.
“Hey, Mom,” Kayden said.
Lana’s eyes grew wide as his mother stalked past him and stopped in front of her.
“Mom?” Lana repeated in shock.
Lana was only wearing a thin nightgown and folded her arms over her chest in a failed attempt to cover her see-through material.
