Page 40 of Crashing Into Me
“I’m just—happy and grateful,” she replied, and it wasn’t a lie at all. He made her very happy, and she was grateful for every second she got to spend with him.
“I’d hate to see you sad,” he said, chuckling, but his eyes were still serious, unmoved from hers.
She stood, took his hand, and led him into the living room. Taking the stereo remote off the mantle, she pointed it at the entertainment system, turning it on, and it lit up. Her favorite rendition of “Wicked Game” by Johnny Swim began to play, and she set the remote down on the coffee table, turned to him, and outstretched her arms.
He walked to her slowly and slipped one arm around her waist, the other holding her hand. With her face pressed next to his, they danced in the middle of the room as she closed her eyes and tried to imagine them dancing at their wedding. In her mind, she could see the beautiful details of her dress, her proud parents, and all the happy guests wishing them well in their lives. Although she wouldn’t be able to tell him in spoken vows, she promised silently that she would love him until the end of time.
14
house full of secrets
The morning had arrived far too fast, and Lana woke up with a hangover.Great,she thought. It was all she needed on top of everything that she had going on today, and she still didn’t know how she’d actually make her exit. It would have to be today, though; her time was up, the fairy tale over. Rolling over on her side towards Kayden, she saw he was still fast asleep.
He looked so peaceful and cute with his hair wild and crazy, so she reached over to the bedside table and grabbed her cell phone. Placing it on silent mode, she snapped several pictures of him, then tucked the phone under the pillow. Before he woke, she wanted to get showered and dressed and get her duffle downstairs without interference. Slowly, Lana eased out of bed, feeling the familiar soreness of their lovemaking, and made her way into the shower. She stopped at the mirror and looked at herself.
Her eyes were gaunt and puffy from spending most of the night crying after he’d fallen asleep. She had a small hickey on her neck and wished it would never heal, as her mind flashed back to last night when he gave it to her. Touching the spot,her ring was staring back at her, tauntingly, and she took it off, resting it on the counter.
After a quick shower, she dressed in the bathroom so she didn’t have to make much noise in the room. Lana left the ring on the counter, too. No need to prolong that anymore, either. As she stepped into the closet and grabbed her duffel bag, she heard her name.
“Lana?” He called out, still groggy from sleep.
She threw the bag back down and walked into the room. He wasn’t there.
“Hey,” he called from the bathroom, holding up the ring.
She forced a smile and walked in.Damnit,she thought.How was this supposed to work?
“You’re never to take this off again,” he deadpanned.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it, slipping it back on her ring finger. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“I promise,” she lied.
He kissed her again and took off his boxers, raising his eyebrows.
“I just came out of the shower,” she protested, backing away, a broad smile on her face.Insatiable.
He picked her up and carried her into the running shower, soaking her from head to toe.
“Kayden,” she moaned as his mouth closed over her water-drenched shirt and his teeth tugged on her nipple.
AFTER THEIR MORNING tryst,he got out of the shower first, and she was overcome with emotion—she didn’t want to leave. Why should she? It wasn’t fair! What happened to Rachelwasn’t her fault either. The only thing she was guilty of was loving a man. Not being able to hold it in anymore, she sank to her knees in the shower.
The pain she felt as her knees slammed into the marble floor was nothing compared to what was happening in her heart. She sat there and let the water wash away her tears.
AS LANA DESCENDED the stairs,Maureen was sitting at the kitchen island, sipping coffee from her favorite mug again. Lana walked into the kitchen, and Kayden placed a mug of coffee in front of her and kissed her cheek. Maureen winked at her.
“Good morning,” she said to Lana.
Lana put on the phoniest smile she possibly could.Here we go,she said to herself.
“I was wondering if I could borrow my son for a few hours?” Maureen asked.
So this is how it was gonna happen. The sting of tears started to return as she looked at Kayden, who was drinking his coffee in the living room, watching the news.
“Don’t even think about it,” Maureen mouthed.
Lana looked at her, one tear defying her will and falling free. She wiped it fast before Kayden could see.
