Page 63 of Crashing Into Me
“As soon as everything starts to die down, we’ll head over,” Kayden replied in between mouthfuls of shrimp.
“Sounds good,” Taylor replied and handed Kayden the plate.
Kim approached them now, all smiles, not aware of what was to come for the remainder of the evening.
“Ooh, can I try?” she asked way too loudly in front of everyone.
Paula, seated with the Mayor at the table next to them, rolled her eyes. Kayden was put on the spot and looked uncomfortable as the entire diner watched their interaction. Maureen also took special notice of her son’s reaction to Kim’s seemingly innocent request. After all, it wouldn’t be odd for an engaged couple to show affection for one another.
“Sure,” he replied as he scooped up some of the pie.
The entire diner was silent as they watched the “perfect couple,” and Kayden knew he had to put on a show. He lightly blew on the forkful of shrimp and pastry and fed it to her. Some people were smiling and taking pictures, while others were “oohing and awing.” Kim started laughing as she ate and playfully wiped the sauce from her lips. Kayden was livid inside, but he smiled sweetly, took his napkin, and wiped the corner of her mouth.
Even Kim herself was shocked by his small display of affection, and she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Some of the patrons clapped, and a photographer snapped a quick picture of the two of them. Aunt Mae watched from the kitchen and smirked, then returned to her duties in the kitchen. Maureen clapped and smiled at them, too, as she took a seat in the chair next to Paula.
“Isn’t that just the sweetest thing?” Maureen asked.
Kayden was fighting the urge to regurgitate his meal, but took Kim’s hand reluctantly. He led her over to the table, and they both sat down with everyone else.
“I have to say, you really outdid yourself, Kayden,” Mayor Lindy said as he scooped shrimp pot pie into his mouth.
“Thank you, Mayor Lindy. I plan to do plenty more restorations in town,” Kayden replied.
“And we welcome it,” he replied in between chewing and swallowing, like a dog who hadn’t eaten in a week.
He continued to gobble down his food as the servers brought over more plates of dinner. Then, Paula raised her glass to Kayden and smiled. Kim raised her glass, and soon everyone followed suit.
“Toast,” Kim said, bringing even more attention to them.
Kayden was ready to burst in pure rage, but keeping his composure, he stood from the table, and the diner fell silent again. He looked around at all the faces of the people he had grown up knowing and loving. They were eagerly awaiting his words, and he finally felt like he had earned back the trust of his community.
“I just want to say Hamby has been my true home, and every one of you I feel is like my extended family. I wish my father and my brother were here to see this day,” he said, and Maureen smiled sadly, “But I hope they are looking down on us and celebrating what we did here. I couldn’t have done any of this without all your love, support, and forgiveness. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a chance at redemption.” He finished, almost in tears.
“Here, here,” Mayor Lindy boomed, and everyone raised their glasses higher. Taylor approached Kayden now and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“To many, many more brother,” he replied, and they tapped their glasses together.
Everyone in the diner followed suit and took a sip, and after they erupted into more applause. Maureen took a sip of her drink and set her glass down.There was no way Capshaw would sink their money into more charity restorations, that was for sure,she thought. Kayden seemed to be understanding the role Kim was to play in his life now. A woman other men wanted, and he was the man every man wanted to be. She couldn’t be prouder of him if she tried.
LANA WALKEDAROUND the empty room she once shared with Kayden, smelling the familiar scents she had left behind. She walked over to the huge glass window and peered into the garden.It was absolutely beautiful,she thought as she took the winter coat off and threw it onto the bed. She knew Kayden wouldn’t be too much longer, as it was already a quarter to nine and the after-party was to commence at nine fifteen. She would wait until the video of Maureen’s betrayal played out, then reveal herself from the staircase.
She just prayed that everything went according to plan and that he and his mother’s relationship wouldn’t be totally irreparable. In spite of all the terrible things Maureen did, shewasstill his mother, and that love doesn’t die. They needed to find a way to respect each other and keep their relationship. Not tear it apart. They were going to have a family of their own one day, and it would only be right that both sets of grandparents be a part of his or her life.
As far as Kim was concerned, Lana would never like her, but she could forgive her and then completely forget her. She wasn’t someone she wanted around in any capacity. She realized when her stomach growled that she hadn’t eaten in about two daysand was famished. She looked at her watch, and it was nine o’clock now, so she still had a little time before anyone arrived. She started trotting down the stairs, hoping the ruffled potato chips she bought were still in the kitchen, but the door of the foyer opened, and she heard voices coming down the hall. She ran back upstairs into the room and slowly closed the door. And waited.
Everyone poured into Paula’s home, laughing and talking about the night’s festivities. Heathcliff escorted Maureen, Kayden, and Kim, entered next, her arm linked into his. He made a beeline for the kitchen, so Kim joined Maureen and Heathcliff on the couch. Taylor and Paula were the last to enter and also went into the kitchen, but no one said a word. Subtle glances revealed everything they needed to, and Kayden reached into the cabinet for wine glasses. Paula walked into the living room and started the fireplace. The crackling of the wood was warm and inviting, and Maureen cozied up to Heathcliff on the couch.
“Not even gonna hide it anymore, huh?” Paula asked, a forced smile on her face.
“It’s been the hardest secret to keep,” Kim replied, laughing and smiling.
Paula smiled in her direction and walked back into the kitchen, then rolled her eyes so hard it hurt.
“Champagne, anyone?” Kayden asked as he began to pour into the glasses.
“Yes, please, dear,” Maureen replied in between whispered conversation between her and Heathcliff.
Kim smiled and stood up.
