Page 49 of Crashing Into Me
“Who do you think it is?” she asked, taking a big sip of her wine.
“I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t be worried,” she replied, pouring herself another glass as well.
“Maintain your composure, Kim. You must never give away your position, no matter what you think the other person may know. Stay calm.”
Kim nodded her head in agreement and took a much longer sip of the wine this time. She had done everything Maureen asked of her, and nothing seemed to be working with him. She took every opportunity she could to cook for him or flirt with him, even pretend to be interested in his feelings about Lana, and even that didn’t work. If he didn’t marry her, she’d be a laughing stock back home and wouldn’t be able to show her face anywhere. She couldn’t let that happen—her life would be over.
KAYDEN STOODIN Lana’s old bedroom, staring down at the bed as he talked to Taylor, and he was livid. He had asked Taylor to hire an investigator to search for Lana in his name after he suspected his mother was involved in his own failed attempts. He was right, as Taylor was successful and had just updated him on Lana’s whereabouts, as well as an incident at a nightclub a few days earlier. Kayden couldn’t think, nor could he breathe. All he wanted to do was grab his keys and head for the family jet at the airport. He knew he couldn’t do that, though, not without his mother ruining everything he’d been working so hard for. He had to play this smart.
“And what happened to the guy?” he asked through gritted teeth.
Kayden paced the room, and it seemed to spin in all directions. He had to go to her. Taylor explained he was currently in jail in Miami and that Lana was OK and released from the hospital with no injuries.
“At least now I know where in Florida she is,” Kayden replied, his face softening.
He sat on the bed and thought of her lying in a hospital room all alone, just like Rachel. It seemed that whenever he took one step forward, he got knocked back thirty.
“Make sure he doesn’t make bail. I owe you one, Taylor,” he said and hung up the phone.
In an instant, the considerable weight he’d been carrying for the last month was lifted from his shoulders. He stood and walked to the enormous window overlooking the garden below. He was going to take control and bring his girl back home toHamby, where she belonged. Taking the ring out of his pocket, he looked down at the stone and imagined her hand in his.
“I’m coming for you, baby,” he said and put the ring back in his pocket.
AS KAYDEN JOGGED backdown the stairs, Maureen held her breath, not sure of what to expect from him. Kim looked up at him, then Maureen. She straightened her posture in her chair, trying to match her idol’s stature. Kayden sat down, picked up his glass of wine, and stared into the fireplace. It took the will of God for him not to go ballistic in their presence.
“So dear, what was it you wanted to say earlier? What did Taylor want? Is everything OK with the contracts?” she asked.
“Everything is just fine, mother,” he forced out, “Last-minute details are all.”
Maureen studied him as she could always tell when her son was lying. She couldn’t tell if that was the case right now, and it bothered her. After all, she hadn’t given him much reason to be honest with her lately. He sat so confidently in his chair, and his body language looked like that of a man in complete control. He definitely had changed a lot more than she even realized until this moment. Kayden’s temper was very short nowadays, so she decided to proceed with caution.
“What about? If you don’t mind me asking,” she replied sheepishly.
“They just wanted to know if it would be OK to send someone from the firm for the grand opening. Of course, I told them yes,” he lied, a smile as phony as Maureen’s on his face.
“Oh yeah,” Kim interrupted, “The more the merrier. I mean, without their work for KDN and Capshaw Realty, there wouldbe no grand opening,” she said while reaching over to touch his hand.
He removed it and picked up his drink, then stood from the table. He turned and walked outside on the back porch, closing the door behind him. Kim looked at Maureen and breathed a deep sigh.
“He hates me,” Kim said after the door was closed.
“He’ll learn to love you again. Just don’t push it. Don’t be so desperate. Let him come to you.”
Maureen got up from the table and walked outside on the porch, leaving Kim at the dining room table.I’m not desperate,she thought to herself, her face furrowing in aggravation. She was pretty and knew it. She could have any guy she wanted—almostany guy that is.
Kim looked outside and watched Maureen stand next to Kayden, as if they were in a members-only club she wasn’t invited to. She knew she couldn’t walk out there and join them. It would just piss him off even more. Standing from the table, she walked over to the fireplace and stared into the flames.I’ve worked my ass off to earn my place in this family,she thought to herself.
Having no parents of her own and very little family, she felt closer to the Capshaws than anyone else in her life. Being used as a pawn in Maureen’s scheme only benefited her if the plan worked. She threw the wine glass into the fireplace and stomped off to her room. One way or another, she’ll make him realize why he needed her.
She had no other options; this was it for her. It was do-or-die time. Kim stalked into “her room” and flopped down on the bed. She opened her laptop and clicked on a file on the desktop named “Kayden”. In it were all the police reports of Kayden’s DUIs, the judges that were in Maureen’s pocket, and the email trail she stole from Maureen’s personal accounts. She hoped itdidn’t have to come to this, but if there was one thing she learned from Maureen, it was to take no prisoners.
OUTSIDE ON THE porch,Maureen wrapped her scarf around her shoulders and leaned her head onto her son’s shoulder as they stood looking over the town below. He wanted to remove it instantly, but resisted the urge.
“What’s going on up there in that head, son?” She asked quietly.
“Just excited for tomorrow, and Aunt Mae is anxious to get back to work. The town's fire alarms have been going off nonstop since the kitchens have been closed,” he both joked and lied.
As calm and collected as he was on the outside, he was raging inside. He wanted to confront her and ask her why she’d interfere with the PIs he hired, but knew he’d only be met with more lies or worse, the truth: because she wants complete control and that she can. He’d play her game until she was out of town for good, and he’d be free to do what was necessary.
