Текст книги "In Pieces"

Автор книги: Gia Riley

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

KINSLEY’S TUCKED INTO my side with her arm thrown across my chest. I can see droplets from the cold morning air still resting on top of the tent, but inside, we’re nice and warm. Part of that has to do with the fact that we’ve been wrapped up in a sleeping bag big enough for two.

I pictured what it would be like being with Kinsley so many times, and I knew once it happened, it would be even better than I imagined—and it was. We’d grown closer, especially after last week, and I finally feel like this is more than just a high school fling. That this girl is going to be with me forever.

“Sunny,” I whisper, as I wrap a strand of her hair around my finger. She moans a little, but doesn’t wake up. It does nothing to help my situation under the sleeping bag. “Kinsley,” I whisper a little louder.

Her eyes open, and she lifts her head off my chest. “Is it morning already?”

“It’s morning.” I pause for a second, wondering if she’s okay, but not wanting to make it awkward for her. “How do you feel?”

“I’m okay.” She climbs on top of me and clings to me like she can’t get close enough. I feel the exact same way—that no matter how tightly I hold her, there’s still room for more.

She kisses my chest, and I smile against her hair. I don’t want to bombard her as soon as she’s awake, especially if she’s not a morning person, but the surprise I have for her is burning a hole in the front pocket of my bag. “I have something for you.”

“I don’t need anything else. I have you and Fall Fest.”

I reach my arm out, and luckily my fingertips graze the handle on the bag. I slide it closer, unzipping the pocket. “I’m allowed to spoil my girl.” I lean a little farther to reach inside.

“I can get off you, you know.”

“That’s a terrible idea.”

She giggles, and I reach into the front pocket, pulling out two tickets to the Penn State game today. I promised her Fall Fest, but when I found out it was a home game, and we’re only fifteen minutes away from the field, I knew I had to get Wyatt to pull some strings for us. There’s no way I want her to miss one of his last home games of the season.

“I’m going to give you something, but you have to do it. Okay?”

She nods her head, a little bit of nervousness showing through her curiosity. “Okay.”

I show her one of the tickets, and it takes her a second to read it, but once she realizes it’s for the game today, I’m rewarded with the biggest smile she’s ever given me. “Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

“I can’t believe this! I get to see Wyatt play. Rhett, how did you do this?”

“I called in a favor—your brother’s pretty cool, Sunny.”

“You called him again?” She sees me nod my head and her eyes grow wide. “I can’t believe you two get along. Everything I’ve wanted is happening.”

“Becca’s going to be there. He sent a ticket for her, too.” She rolls off of me, squealing with excitement. I love seeing her so happy. I’d do anything to keep that look on her face, permanently. I don’t know what I did to deserve this girl, but now that I have her, I’m not letting her go.

She sits up and the sleeping bag falls away from her body. For a moment, she forgets she’s completely naked. I notice a few marks I left behind when I couldn’t stop kissing her last night all the way into early this morning.

When she notices me staring, she shifts her focus from the ticket to her body. And like she’s ashamed of it, she grabs the blanket and pulls it up to cover herself. “Don’t hide from me, Sunny.”

“I’m not used to waking up naked.”

I grab her and wrap her in a hug, digging my fingers into her sides. She laughs so hard, she’s out of breath within seconds. “That’s the best sound.”

I remember back to the first day of school when she wandered inside the building with her head down. I had been waiting an entire summer to see her face again, and there she was, her eyes focused on the floor like she’d rather be invisible. The girl I’m holding now is already so different than the Kinsley West that showed up that day. I would have fallen for either version, regardless, but this is the girl I knew existed underneath the protective outer shell.

“When do we have to leave?”

“Soon, it’s an early game. We slept in.”

“Someone kept me up all night,” she jokingly complains.

She doesn’t know I was up long after she finally fell asleep. I watched her until my own eyes couldn’t stay open, and then I fell asleep happier than I have in a really long time. It’s still surreal to me that I got the girl—and I’m not at war with her brother. “I plan on keeping you up again tonight. You’ve been warned.”

Her cheeks instantly turn pink and the color moves all the way down her neck to the top of her chest. She’s picturing being with me again, and as long as she wants me, that’s exactly what I have planned. Only tonight, it will be an entirely different experience for her. Tonight, it’s about her.

My sweet Sunny-girl.

I’ve been to Penn State games before, but Kinsley hasn’t been since she was little. The way her face lights up as soon as we make our way to our seats, I know this is one place full of happy memories for her.

“It seems so much bigger,” she says with excitement in her voice. “I guess it probably is. They’ve done a lot to the stadium since I saw it last. It still smells the same though.”

“What?” I ask her, as I laugh.

“You’ve never noticed? Even at your games, there’s just something about the way a game smells. The mixture of concession stand food, the people, the fall air—all of it. It sounds ridiculous, but it always reminds me of when I was little. When I’d go to the games and watch everyone around me. It was a happy place, one that didn’t have sickness or disappointment. The stadium has always been one of the happier memories for me, actually.”

“That’s not ridiculous at all, it’s cute.”

We climb the stairs to our seats, and Becca’s already sitting in her spot, next to Carson of all people. I guess Wyatt managed to get tickets for everyone. Kinsley sits next to Becca after acknowledging Carson. He smiles at her, asks how she’s doing, and then focuses on the field again.

Becca gasps, and I glance at Kinsley who looks like she wants to disappear. “I told you it would happen,” Becca whispers, and I realize our night together is no longer a secret.

I give Kinsley’s hand a squeeze, letting her know I’m not mad that she told. I never expected her to keep it from her best friend, even though I don’t think she was planning on telling Becca right here, right now. But that girl has a way of getting just about anything out of a person when she wants to know bad enough.

Carson on the other hand, overhears the news, and doesn’t look nearly as excited for his friend as Becca does. In fact, I’m pretty sure if looks could kill, I’d be dead right now. I make a point to kiss the top of Kinsley’s head, and whisper how much I love her in her ear. All while he’s staring at me.

Before I can tell him to keep his mouth shut, his focus is directed toward the cute blonde who jumps into his lap. “I finally found you. I’m all the way over there.” She points to the student section that’s decked out in white for today’s white out.

“Who’s your friend?” Becca asks him.

I glance at Kinsley to see her reaction. She’s looking at the two of them, but I don’t see the jealousy I saw when I was watching Carson stare at us. It’s a relief.

“This is Stacy. I met her last week when I came to see Wyatt play.”

“I’m Wyatt’s biggest fan,” she says, proudly.

Kinsley sticks her hand out for Stacy to shake. “Nice to meet you, but I’m probably his biggest fan. This one next to me is a close second.”

I chuckle at my Sunny-girl who is making sure she sets the record straight.

Carson jumps in before it gets anymore awkward. “Stacy, this is Wyatt’s sister, Kinsley, and her best friend, Becca. Guy on the end is Kinsley’s boyfriend, Rhett.”

Stacy’s eyes find mine, and I don’t miss the wink she gives me. Thankfully, Carson doesn’t notice, but I can’t say the same for the girls. “I didn’t know Wyatt had a sister,” she adds. That comment’s not going to score her any points with this crowd. That’s for sure.

Becca smiles back, but it’s completely fake. “You probably didn’t know he was seeing anyone either, but now you do.” Kinsley snorts, and covers her mouth when she can’t keep her laughter contained.

Stacy’s head cocks to the side. “Oh, no I didn’t.”

This is going well. Wyatt could have warned me what I was in for.

The Blue Band takes the field, and it makes having a conversation difficult, so we watch the show on the field instead. Stacy tries to yell over the music, and Kinsley rolls her eyes at her. “I have to go back to my seat, but I’ll meet you back at the dorm after the game. You remember which room’s mine, right?”

I almost gag, but Carson nods his head, and returns the kiss she gives him. “Bye, pooky,” she says, with a wave of her fingers.

Once she’s gone, Becca breaks out into a fit of hysterics. “Pooky? You’ve known her for a week and she already has a pet name for you? And a stupid one.”

Carson shrugs his shoulders, not seeming to care. “It’s not that bad. We’re not serious. Just hanging out.”

“You mean screwing,” she clarifies.

He shifts in his seat, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her. “I didn’t say that.”

“Well, I’m sure you are, but whatever. She seems special,” Becca says with hesitation, biting her lip to control her laughter. If she’s planning on being with Wyatt officially, there’s a good chance she’ll be seeing a lot more of Stacy in the near future. I almost feel bad for her—almost.

Kinsley’s stayed quiet during the whole exchange. I’m glad Carson’s trying to move on, but if he’s trying to find someone like Kinsley, he’ll have to look a whole lot harder. Then again, maybe Stacy’s simply a distraction. Lord knows I’ve had a couple of those when I was trying to get over the fact that I couldn’t be with Sunny.

“I have to pee.”

I laugh at my girl. The game didn’t even start yet. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, I’m good. I’ll be right back.”

“Wait,” Becca says, “I’m coming with you.”

I’ll never understand why girls have to travel in packs, but I stand up and move into the aisle anyway, letting the girls out of the row of seats.

They’re gone for almost fifteen minutes, and I’m checking my watch every five seconds. Sitting here with Carson is more than a little awkward. Finally, Becca’s jogging up the stairs, only Kinsley’s not with her.

“Rhett,” she says, completely out of breath.

I stand up, gripping her arms in my hands. “What happened? Where is she?”

“She was fine and then she starting having a panic attack.”

“Take me to her,” is all I say. She turns around, and goes down the same way she came up. We wind through rows of people, and push through crowds near the concession stands. “Where is she, Becca?”

And then I see her. My Sunny’s crouched in the corner, just outside the bathroom with her head resting on her arms. I run to her, automatically pulling her shaking body into my arms. “I’ve got you, you’re okay.”

“I’m sorry. I’m ruining the game.”

“No, you’re not. What happened?”

She sniffles and wipes her tears away with the back of her hand. Her whole body is still shaking. “I thought I saw him. I was so sure it was him—that he came back to see Wyatt play.”

“Your dad?”

“Yes,” she chokes out. “But he isn’t coming back.”

I hold her in my arms, rocking back and forth against the cold concrete wall. The roar of the crowd filters through the cracks as the team takes the field. I thought bringing her here was a good idea—that she’d get to see her brother play and be happy. I never expected this to happen.

“Come on, let’s go back to the campground.”

“No! I can’t leave. I want to see Wyatt.”

“Sunny, you’re shaking.”

“I just need a minute. It will stop.” She works on her breathing, and eventually she stops clutching her chest. “I’m not so dizzy anymore.”

“You’re sure? Do you want me to get you a drink?”

“No,” she says before pausing. “I promise I’m not crazy.”

“Look at me, Sunny.” I wait for her to turn her head, not wanting her to ever feel an ounce of shame for the way she feels. When she does, I continue, “You’re the strongest girl I know. Don’t ever apologize for having a weak moment. You’re human, and I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

We sit in silence for a few more minutes, and then she says, “When we get back, I want it to be like last night. I want to be in the tent with you where everything’s easy.”

“Okay.” I’d promise her the world if it made her happy.

“I love you, Rhett.”

I lean forward and press a kiss to her lips. “Always.”

FREAKING OUT AT the football game wasn’t in the plans. Yet there I was, hunched over and about to pass out all because I swore I saw my father. Maybe I thought I saw him because I was hoping he would be there for Wyatt. That just for today, he would pick his kids over his grief. We’ve been hurting, too. We’re the ones who lost our parents, but we’re the ones expected to move on like the past couple years of our lives weren’t complete shit.

I shouldn’t say that, the time I’ve been with Rhett, has been amazing. Which is why I’m determined to spend the last few hours of Fall Fest with the people I consider my family now—pretending like the past doesn’t exist. I may never move on from it, but it doesn’t have to suffocate me to the point I lose control of my body anymore.

After the game, we came back here and took a nap. Once Wyatt showed up with Becca, we met them at their site and then walked around Fall Fest. We caught a couple good bands, played some games, and ate enough sugar to keep us up all night. By the end of the night, I was so tired, all I wanted was my boyfriend and my pillow. But Rhett made sure I was taken care of before I fell asleep, just like he promised.

We have a little more time to spend together today before we all have to go our separate ways again. It’ll be weird not sleeping next to Rhett, and I’ll even miss our cozy little tent.

“Whatcha thinking about, Sunny?”

We’re still naked from last night, but even that’s gotten a little easier for me. I’m trying not to be so self-conscious. “Last night.”

“Last night was fun,” he says, with a knowing grin. I finally understand what all the fuss is about.

“And how much I’ll miss our tent.”

He thinks for a second, and then lightning strikes. “We can camp in the barn sometime. I’m moving Dawn over to her new stall soon.”

“That would be fun.”

Rhett leans in to kiss me, and we’re so wrapped up in each other, we don’t notice the zipper of our tent opening. “Whoa,” we hear before pulling apart.

I pull the blanket over myself, and crouch down under the sleeping bag. “Who was that?” I whisper.

“I’m not sure, hold on.”

He pulls his sweats on, and grabs his shirt, but I already know who it is—and I’m mortified. “Don’t go out there, Rhett.”

“Why not?”

“You’re going to end up with a black eye if you do. It was Becca and Wyatt, I hear them arguing. What do we do?”

“We can’t stay in here forever. Eventually, we have to face them.”

He’s right, we can’t sit in here all day. Plus, I really have to go to the bathroom. “We get out, and pretend like nothing ever happened. If we don’t mention it, they won’t either.”

“Sunny, you’re adorable, but I don’t see that being the way this plays out.”

“Shit,” I mumble, as I chew on my fingernails. “Okay, let’s just go.”

Once I’m dressed, Rhett unzips the tent, and we file out—a dark cloud of shame hanging low over our heads. Within seconds, my plan to ignore the obvious is shot to shit. Wyatt grabs my arm, and hauls me over toward the trees.

“Be careful with her,” Rhett warns, as Wyatt drags me off, a little too roughly.

“What are you thinking, Kinsley?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong. How is this any different than what you do? What you’ve done,” I stress.

“Because I’m in college. I’m an adult who can make decisions with my head and not my heart. What you have isn’t going to last. It’s perfect right now, but when it ends, you’ll regret it, Kinny. I don’t want you to get your heart broken.”

There’s no use arguing with him about this. He’s never going to be on the same page with me. Not when he’s busy being a protective older brother. So, I use the only line of defense I can think of. “Is Becca a mistake?”

“What? No.”

“Is she old enough to know what she wants?”

“Of course she is.”

“Is what you have with her real?”

“It sure as hell feels that way.”

“Exactly. I’m no different than Becca. Only my guy is the same age as me.”

Wyatt mulls it over for a few seconds, and kicks at a rock on the ground when he realizes I have a point—that his little sister isn’t so little anymore.

“I love him, Wyatt, and I don’t regret a single second of the times we’ve been together.”

He doesn’t say anything back to me. He just shoves his hands in his pockets and walks away. I don’t want to lose my brother over a guy, and I don’t think I have. Still, he knows the one way to hurt me the most is to leave.

Rhett’s by my side once he’s gone, rubbing my back in support. “Sunny, why don’t we go shower and get changed. He’ll come back when he’s ready.”

I nod my head, because he will. He needs time, and maybe I do, too.

I’ve showered, eaten both breakfast and lunch, and still, there’s no word from Wyatt. Becca’s texted me, so I know they’re still walking around the fairgrounds, but she isn’t saying much either. I don’t understand what’s gotten into the two of them, but the fact that they don’t want to be around us, hurts.

“Do you want to hang out a little longer?”

I glance at the time on my phone. “No, we have to get back. Is everything packed up?”

“Yeah, but you don’t have to rush. If you want to wait, that’s okay.”

Part of me wants to sit here all night until Wyatt comes back, but we have school tomorrow and at least a two hour drive ahead of us. “He’s not coming back. We can leave.”

I feel a familiar hand on my shoulder, and when I turn around, I see the remorseful eyes of my brother. “I’m sorry, Kinny.”

Rhett walks over to his truck and stands with Becca, the both of them giving us a little space to figure things out. “What took you so long?”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes the way it usually does. “What you said, the way you compared yourself to Becca, got me thinking.”

“How so?”

“I guess I always knew I liked her. I mean she’s been on my mind for over a year now, but when you said what you did, I realized just how much she means to me. And if you feel for Rhett half of what I feel for Becca, then who am I to stand in your way. I want you to be happy. We’re both young as shit, but sometimes when you know, you just know. Right?”

“When did you get so wise?”

“I’ve had a lot of help from my little sister,” he teases. “Becca and I are official.”

“Really! It’s about time. She told me you hooked up at homecoming, by the way.”

“It was more than that—always has been. We both knew it, but I think me being away might have been what helped us.” He’s quiet for a second, before he says, “Do you remember what Mom used to tell us before she passed?”

How could I forget. I can hear her voice, feel her hand on mine, and see her face like it was yesterday. “I’ll be seeing you when I fly away,” I whisper, remembering how many times she told us she’d always be there, always see us no matter how far away heaven was.

“Yeah,” he says. “Well, I thought about that, and no matter how far I am from Becca, I always feel her with me—just like Mom said. She’s in all my thoughts, and I feel like maybe it’s for a reason. Like maybe Mom sent Rhett and Becca to us so we wouldn’t be alone anymore.”

“I thought that, too. If she did, she picked two perfect choices.”

“I know she did. Fuck, I miss her, Kinny. I’m so mad at Dad, but I think I’m starting to understand a little bit of his pain. I thought it would get easier as time passed, but I still miss her as much now as I did back then—if not more.”

“I miss them both. Becca probably told you, but I thought I saw Dad at the game. And then I had a panic attack.”

“Do you get them a lot?”

“I used to, but not much anymore. Not since I’ve been with Rhett, but I don’t even know what I’d do if he came back, Wyatt. Part of me needs him to, yet I don’t want him to. I guess that’s my anger talking.”

“We have each other. Always remember that.”

“I will. I love you, Wyatt.” My big brother wraps me in his arms, and while I may not have the two people who are supposed to love and protect me most, I have the best big brother a girl could dream of.