Текст книги "Beautifully Insightful"

Автор книги: K.C. Lynn

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Chapter 8

Ryder

Six Years Later

“Jameson, the chief wants to see you,” Caffrey yells as he walks out of my boss’ office, looking pissed.

Crowley, Higgins and Ramsey all make over-dramatic sounds, acting like I’m walking the death plank. I roll my eyes and throw my empty coffee cup at Higgins, which he catches with a chuckle.

I head to my boss’ office not the least bit worried. Frank Reynolds is the one guy I look up to the most in this industry, he has been my biggest mentor and I respect the hell out of him, even if he can be a crabby son of a bitch.

As I get to his office I see Nick Stone, another special agent who just transferred to our field office, sitting on the far side of the room.

“Hey, Chief, what’s up?”

“Close the door and have a seat, Jameson.” I do what he says and take the chair across from him. “I have an opportunity for the both of you. One that will make your career, if you pull it off.”

My interest peaks and I look over at Stone, who seems just as interested. “I’m listening.”

“I received a phone call late last night from a friend who needs a favor. He called me in confidence, and the case is to remain quiet because he isn’t sure who we can trust just yet. He’s a Senator, was elected into office two years ago. Some allegations have been made that he just got wind of that involves the opposing Senator.”

“What are the accusations?” Stone cuts in, asking the same question I’m wondering.

“Forced sexual acts with a minor, trafficking, gang rape… You name it, it was pretty much said.”

He slides a brown file across his desk toward us. Grabbing it, I open it to see a picture of a young teenage girl. Her dark hair, pale complexion and thick black make up makes her look on the worn side. But what is most off-putting with the picture is the hollow look in her eyes.

“That is Cassie Flannigan, the fifteen-year-old girl who made the allegations and who is now missing.”

My head snaps up at that information. “Foul play?”

He shrugs. “Depends who you talk to.”

“What does that mean?”

“Apparently she confided to her school counselor that the group home she was staying in is sending the girls to high society parties where they’re being bought for the night. She said they get taken into separate rooms where they’re beaten, raped, forced to perform sexual acts on multiple men, and sometimes even on each other.”

“What the fuck?” Stone mutters my thoughts.

“She named some pretty high-profile people. I’m talking judges, politicians, lawyers – you name it. The group home says she ran away, but if you ask the counselor she thinks something happened to her.”

“I’m assuming this was all brought to the local authorities?” I ask.

“Yes, the school counselor went to the police immediately.”

“Let me guess, they didn’t find anything that lined up with the girl’s story,” Stone says, anger now prominent in his tone.

“Right, and it’s not hard to discredit when the only allegation is from a troubled teen at a group home.”

“And now she’s missing,” I add.

Chief nods. “Now she’s missing.”

“So what about your friend? He obviously thinks there may be some truth here, or he wouldn’t have come to you,” Stone speaks up again.

“He started to question it. Some things just weren’t adding up, so when he started asking his own questions, and wanted to see the police report, he got a phone call telling him to stop and that he needed to let it go.”

I grunt, not that I had a hard time believing this story from the beginning, but if I did have any doubt I don’t now. “So what does he want from us?” I ask, wondering where he’s going with all of this.

“We are going to do some digging of our own, boys, or rather, I should say the two of you.” He pushes another file toward us and Stone grabs it first this time. “I want eyes on the Senator, while the other will investigate the group home, but this has to be handled delicately and quietly. I’m doing this for my friend. This isn’t our jurisdiction but, Jameson, you should be familiar with the area since it’s where you grew up.”

I falter, wondering if I just heard him right. “What?”

Stone hands me the file, and when I see the picture of the man staring back at me, my stomach bottoms out and my blood turns cold. “You’re going back to Georgia. I’m sure you recognize Senator Michaels; he is where our focus needs to be. I have a feeling he’s heading this, or at least is one of the top. Cassie’s statement talked about him being a real sadistic son of a bitch. The interesting thing about his involvement is his wife is a huge advocate against sex crimes and human trafficking. They host many charity functions to raise awareness and there is one coming up in a couple of weeks. I want in there.”

My heart pounds so loud in my ears it’s hard to comprehend anything the Chief is saying. Jesus, I knew the guy was manipulative, but this?

“According to Cassie the rapes were recorded. We need to find those tapes.”

“So who do you want where?” Stone asks.

Before the Chief has the chance to answer, I finally find my words. “I’m taking Michaels.”

I feel Stone’s eyes on me but I only watch the Chief. “You know him?”

“A little.”

“And from the little you know of him, would you say he’s capable of this?”

I think about his question and shrug. “Maybe. I’ve only met him one time. He’s a manipulative son of a bitch who likes to throw his power around.” A memory briefly flashes through my head. Governor Michaels is a ruthless man, more than you will ever know.

“How did you meet him?” he questions, suspicion now evident in his tone.

“I used to know his daughter.” Just thinking about Emily causes a storm of turbulent emotions to swirl inside of me.

“How well?” I don’t respond, knowing he won’t like to hear it, and I don’t want to get pulled from this. “If this is too personal for you, Jameson, you need to speak up now.”

I shake my head. “It’s fine, Chief. I can get into that charity function.”

He watches me for another moment, his eyes assessing before he finally gives in and nods. “All right, you take Michaels and, Stone, you dig more into the group home. Especially the past. If the allegations are true, which I think they are, then there has to be more somewhere. We trust no one, not even local authorities. Not until we know who’s all involved.” The Chief stands, signaling the end to the meeting. “You have twenty-four hours before you go in. Jameson, I’ll have a new cover for you by tonight. You’re going to be rich, let me know how it feels.”

I grunt in sarcasm, but it’s half-hearted. My mind elsewhere, or rather on someone else.

“Why us?” Stone asks before we walk out.

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you pick the two of us?”

I was wondering the same thing.

The Chief watches us for a moment and I wonder if we are about to get some bullshit answer, but he ends up surprising me with a detailed explanation. “There are two reasons. First, and most importantly, I believe I can trust you two. There are some pretty powerful people involved in this, people who will try to buy their way out of it. I’ve been doing this a long time, money can make people do stupid things, I’ve seen agents go rogue because of it. When trying to buy you off doesn’t work, they will try to intimidate you with their power, but I know the two of you are not easily intimidated.” He’s right, I am not someone who is easily intimidated, but I can’t stop myself from remembering six years ago and why I left the only girl who ever mattered to me. The thought has a slow rage building in the pit of my stomach.

“And reason two?” Stone asks when the Chief doesn’t offer it up.

He smirks. “Because only great things can come from pairing up two minds like the both of yours.”

I’m not sure what he means by that but I’m feeling the fucking pressure. Stone and I walk out of the office, and for the rest of the day I think about the only girl who has ever mattered to me, the one I was forced to leave and have never forgotten. I have a feeling this case is going to do more than change my career. It’s going to change my life.

Chapter 9

Ryder

Two days later, I pull up in front of the ritzy high-rise condominium building that resides in one of the most expensive areas in Atlanta Georgia. A city that is just a few miles away from the one town I loathe and never thought I would return to… Allendale.

I double check the address to make sure I’m at the right place before getting out of the SUV the agency rented for me. I was surprised to find out Emily lived on her own, not because of her disability, but for the simple fact that she was out from under her parent’s control.

When Pam, our field office assistant, looked her up I was fucking relieved to find out she wasn’t married or had any kids. I know it shouldn’t matter, I haven’t seen her in six years, but for some reason the thought of her with anyone else drives me fucking crazy. She’s pretty, Jameson, behave yourself now, Pam had lectured with a teasing smile. I never doubted for a minute that Emily wouldn’t still be beautiful, but I’m curious to see what she’s like after six years. Is she the same Emily I remember?

I walk into the building, taking note of the plush lobby and bypass the elevator, already knowing she’s on the main floor. As I make my way down the hall, toward her apartment, my heart starts pounding and my palms begin to sweat. Shit, I feel like I’m seventeen again.

I’ve thought of a thousand different ways on how to play this. I have no idea how she’s going to react to seeing me again after all this time. Especially considering the way I left. Will she be upset? Should I explain why? Will she even care? It has been six years. I often wondered what happened with her when I left. I wanted to say goodbye, I wanted to explain to her why I was leaving, but I couldn’t. I knew if I saw her again I wouldn’t leave, and who knew what her father would have done. Now knowing what I do about him, I know it was the right decision. It still fucking sucks but I was seventeen, I wouldn’t have been able to protect both Emily and Hector, but now is a different story. I am not the helpless kid from the wrong side of the tracks anymore. I made something of myself and now I have the opportunity for payback. If that son of a bitch is involved in this, which I have no doubt he is, I’m going to bring him down and bring him down hard.

Reaching her apartment, I shake myself from my thoughts and get my head in the game. I don’t want to lie to Emily but I can’t jeopardize this case, especially when I don’t know where I stand with her. I’ve decided I will keep my cover with her for now, then once I regain her trust and know where she stands I’ll decide from there.

Taking a deep breath, I knock, then feel like a pussy when my heart rate kicks up again. Jesus, Jameson, get a fucking grip.

Just as I finish the internal pep talk the door swings open, and my gaze collides with a pair of long, slender, tanned legs. I quickly take notice of the dog next to her, and I’m pretty sure it’s the same one she had in high school.

“Can I help you?”

My gaze snaps to her face at the familiar sound of her soft, innocent voice, and all the air gets sucked out of my lungs as I stare back at the one girl I’ve never forgotten. Emily Michaels looks almost exactly how I remember her. She’s still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on, but there is one thing that is different, one very big thing. Her ice blue eyes that I remember so well, the same ones I used to fucking dream about now look me straight in the eyes. She looks right at me as if she can see me. I quickly falter, feeling like I’ve just been sucker punched. What. The. Fuck.

Emily

I stare up at the sexy stranger, hoping my cheeks aren’t as red as they feel, and wait for him to say something. Good god, I didn’t even know someone this good-looking existed. Why is he looking at me like I have two heads?

I’m just about to ask him again why he’s here but before I get the chance he finally speaks: “You can see me?”

I gasp and shock has me freezing in place, my heart kicking into overdrive at the sound of his familiar voice. It’s a voice I would know anywhere, one I have never forgotten. But it can’t be him… can it? I assess him closer now, taking in his brown, messy hair and strong jaw that’s graced with barely-there stubble, before staring into his intense, dark green eyes, ones I remember hearing so much about a long time ago.

Oh my god… “Ryder?” I ask unsure, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looks taken aback at the mention of his name before a slight smile tugs at his lips, and I take notice it’s a real sexy smile, just like the rest of him. “Yeah, Em, it’s me.”

A million emotions slam into me at once. I gape at him like an idiot, wondering how to respond, and my body ends up reacting before my mind can. Stepping into him, I rise up on my tiptoes and wrap my arms around his neck. He stiffens in surprise and I instantly feel stupid, realizing it was the wrong move. Just as I’m about to step back, his strong arms come around me and he pulls me against his hard body. My heart skips a beat and his warmth envelops me from the inside out. I close my eyes and absorb the feel of him against me, he feels familiar yet so foreign. His body is stronger than I remember and he seems taller, or maybe it’s just me. It has been so long.

Why is he here? Why now? The internal question has me stepping back to look up at him. His eyes lock with mine, and the intensity of them steals my breath.

“How…” We both start at the same time and I laugh nervously, feeling awkward now that some of the shock is wearing off.

I step back into my apartment and wave him in. After closing the door, I turn to see Summer inspecting him. Smiling, I lean down and pat her. “It’s all right, girl, he’s okay.” She seems unsure but takes my word for it.

I look back up at Ryder to see him watching me. We stare at each other for an awkward second before I clear my throat nervously. “Um, well, come on in.” I lead him into my living room and watch him take in my apartment.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask, trying to mask my nervousness as he takes a seat on the couch, his large presence seeming to make the large living area feel smaller. “Or I can make you something to eat if you’re hungry. I have stuff to make a sandwich, or if you’re hungrier than that I could, um, like order something, or something…” I close my eyes as I realize what a complete idiot I sound like. God, just shut up, Emily.

Ryder smirks, clearly finding my stupidity amusing. “No, I’m okay.” He encircles my wrist and pulls me down next to him, my bare leg touching his jean-clad one.

Is it just me or is it warm in here all of a sudden?

“You look really good, Em.”

I feel my cheeks heat at the compliment and my stomach does a little flip at my nickname, he has been the only one to ever call me that. “Oh, thank you. So do you.” His expression sobers at my response and I quickly realize how shocked he must be to find out I can see. “It’s recent. I just got my sight back a month ago,” I mumble quietly.

“How?”

As I look back at him my own questions arise, but I decide to get this out of the way first. “Honestly, I’m still not sure how it happened. I went to bed one night, and had a horrifying nightmare. When I woke up from it… I-I woke up to light. I could see everything around me clearly.”

He studies me for a long moment, his expression seeming suspicious, or maybe intrigued is a better word. “What was the nightmare about?”

“I don’t remember. Not much of it anyway.” I shake my head and expel a heavy breath, suddenly feeling overwhelmed like I always do when I talk about it. “I’ve had a lot of doctor appointments the last few weeks, trying to figure out how it happened. It’s not completely unheard of, but it’s rare. Only five percent of people with the same disorder have had this happen to them, but all of the documented cases have been through hypnosis and extensive psychotherapy. One doctor thinks my nightmare was about whatever I saw in the woods that night. He thinks I relived it and it unlocked my mind, but now I’m blocking the memory subconsciously.”

“What do you think?”

I shrug. “Does it really matter how it happened or why? The fact is it did and I’d rather just deal with it and move on.” I don’t share with him how much of a struggle it’s been, and that I don’t like thinking about it. Because the fear I felt after waking up from that nightmare is something I never want to feel again.

“No, I guess in the end it doesn’t matter, not if it doesn’t to you,” he responds quietly, his eyes seeming to study me again.

It makes me uncomfortable so I decide now would be a good time to change the subject. “So what brings you back here?”

“Business.”

“Business?” I repeat in surprise, attempting to mask my disappointment. What did you think, Emily, he came back just to see you? After six years? I give myself a mental slap for the thought.

“Remember the garage I used to work at in high school that Hector owns?” I nod, and keep from telling him I remember everything about him. “I’m thinking about buying it. I own a few businesses back in Florida and I’m looking at expanding. When Hector told me he was thinking about retiring I decided to come check his out and see if it’s something that would be lucrative for me.”

“Really, you own your own businesses? What are they?” I ask intrigued, happy to hear he is doing so well.

He clears his throat. “We do custom paint jobs on motorcycles.”

“Motorcycles,” I muse with a smile. “I can see that. It suits you, or at least the Ryder I remember.”

“Yeah, I like it. So how about you? What do you do?”

Okay, that was a quick topic change. “I work at Meadow of Hope. It’s a rehabilitation clinic for the visually impaired. I work in the children’s ward. We mainly work with people who recently lost their sight. We help them learn to adjust and cope to their new lives. Kind of ironic considering what I am going through right now.”

He gives me a small smile, and again I can’t help but notice how incredibly sexy he is. I completely understand why all the girls made a big deal about him back in high school, if he looks the same as he did back then. I get the overwhelming urge to run my hands along him so I can see for myself. It’s so strong that I quickly link my fingers together to stop myself.

“I’ll bet you’re really good at that, Em. Especially with the kids.”

I shrug modestly but my heart warms at his words. “I don’t know how good I am, but I really like it. I work with some amazing children.”

“How long have you lived here?” he asks, changing the topic again.

“Almost four years.”

“I have to admit, I was surprised to find out you lived on your own.”

I tilt my head in question. “Really? Why?”

“Didn’t think it would be parent approved.” His tone is light, but something dark passes over his expression at the mention of my parents. It instantly has my own questions rising to the surface. Ones I am not sure I want to know the answers to.

“I’m twenty-four-years-old, did you really expect me to live at my parents’ house my entire life?”

He shrugs as if the thought is possible, which jacks up my annoyance. “Considering how controlling they were when it came to you, I figured it wasn’t a far off assumption.”

“It’s been six years, things change.” Okay, not really, but I’m feeling a little pissed at his know-it-all attitude right now to admit to it.

“Are you trying to tell me your parents were okay with you moving out from under their control?” he asks doubtfully.

What the hell is his problem? “I’m telling you I’m not a child, Ryder. I make my own decisions.” He grunts and it makes me want to slap his sexy face. “What do you care anyway?”

We both glare off with one another, the room thick with angry tension. I hate thinking about how accurate his assumption is. It makes me remember the stipulation that was enforced on me – having to live in this upper class high-rise that’s owned by a friend of my fathers.

Ryder releases a deep breath and shakes his head. “Look, I’m sorry, Emily, I’m being an asshole. This is not what I came here for.”

“Why did you come here?” I ask, a little nervous to hear the answer.

“I wanted to see you. I thought maybe we could grab some dinner and catch up.”

I rear back in surprise. “That was your way of extending a dinner invitation?”

“Yeah. Charming, aren’t I?”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling and turn my face away, not ready to forgive him for being so rude. Even if his assumption was correct.

I feel him move closer before his warm, rough hand cups my cheek, the simple, long forgotten touch sending a jolt of electricity through my body. He turns my face toward his. “I came here because you were the first person I thought of when I knew I was coming back, and I wanted to see you.”

His intense, dark green eyes shine with sincerity, and have me desperately wanting to say yes. I want to spend time with him; I have thought about him so much these past six years, more than I care to admit. But the other part of me, the one that still holds scars from when I was seventeen, is too afraid. Just seeing him again has proven he still has some hold on me, if the way my body reacts to him is any indication.

“I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“You can’t?” I shake my head, my heart heavy with disappointment. “Why? Are you seeing someone?” His expression tightens, seeming bothered by the thought, which I find odd.

Why would he care?

I think about lying, the thought of him feeling jealous brings a small level of satisfaction, but I don’t want to be petty, and I’ve never been a good liar. “No. I’m not seeing anyone. At least not anymore,” I add, wanting him to know I haven’t just sat here pining for him all these years. Which isn’t a complete lie, I did have a relationship with Richard, but he doesn’t need to know it ended over a year ago. I briefly think of Kyle, and how my parents have been so pushy the last few weeks. Especially since my sight has returned. I quickly shove the thought away since it only upsets me more.

“Then why?” he asks, clearly wanting a reason.

“I’m busy.”

He shrugs easily. “That’s fine, we can do it tomorrow night.”

“Sorry, I’m busy again.” Damn, I’m a terrible liar.

“Doing what?” he asks suspiciously.

“Uh…” Come on, Emily, think. “I’m going out with Cece.” That’s actually happening tonight, but if I get him to leave soon he will never know any different.

He smirks seeing right through me. “That’s fine. I’ll be here for a few weeks so there are plenty of other nights.”

Weeks?

His gaze moves to my coffee table where my cellphone is and I’m just about to grab it but he ends up snatching it first. “Hey, what are you doing?” I try to swipe it from him but he holds it up over his head where I have no way in hell of reaching it. Seriously, who is this tall?

I watch him tap the screen then hear a ding come from his pocket a moment later. He hands me back my phone with a cocky grin. “Thanks. Now that I have your number I’ll call you soon and we will set up a time when you aren’t busy.”

I glare at him and rip my phone out of his hand. “It seems you are even more arrogant and bossy than you were in high school, Ryder Jameson.” I throw his whole name into the equation, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

He doesn’t seem the least bit offended, if anything his cocky smirk only spreads. He steps closer, and before I can register what he’s about to do, he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me flush against him. I suck in a sharp breath at the feel of his erection against my stomach. My heart thumps wildly and heat shoots through every part of my body, including the spot between my legs.

He bends down, bringing his lips to my ear. “And you are a terrible liar, Emily Michaels.” His voice is husky and smooth as he throws back my full name at me. “You seem to have forgotten that when I want something, Em, I don’t quit until I get it.”

What is it he wants? Me? Just dinner? Me for dinner? Oh lord, the last thought has heat exploding through me. I try to think of a witty response but my brain is short-circuiting from the feel of him against me, and boy does he feel good, and he smells really darn good too.

He leans back slightly and cups the side of my cheek in a gentle gesture. The tender and familiar action from so long ago has my eyes falling closed. And for the first time since seeing him, I remember him the only way I have ever known him, through feeling. It’s my comfort zone and it brings me back to a time when this man completely owned me – heart and soul.

I feel his forehead drop on mine. “I’ve missed you, Em.”

His words have my eyes snapping open and I stare back into his dark green ones. The one question I have wanted to know for six long years, the one that left my heart pained, rises to the surface. I dig deep for courage and I’m just about to ask it when a loud bang on my door startles me.

I jump back from him with a yelp. My heart pounds a million miles a minute as we stare back at one another, the air thick with tension. When there is another knock I quickly move forward, and try to compose myself before answering it, which is really hard to do when I can feel Ryder’s eyes on me. I open it to see Cece on the other side. Well shit!

“Hey, babes, you almost ready for our big night out?” she asks as she steps in. “Gah, I can’t wait for some Channing Tatum, that man is one fine piece of aaaa…” She comes to an abrupt halt at seeing Ryder standing not far behind me. Her eyes bug out of her head and her mouth drops open. “What. The. Fuckburger!” she blurts as she gapes at him in shock. I would find the entire situation funny if I weren’t still shaken up myself.

“Cece…” Ryder greets easily. “I see you still like carrying your big purses around,” he muses before turning to me and quirking an eyebrow. “Plans with Cece two nights in a row?”

I glare at him silently, not having anything to say now that I’ve been busted. He chuckles arrogantly as he strides toward me and I’m taken by surprise again when he pulls me against him. “I’ll be seeing you, Em.” His words hold promise, and after pressing a quick, hard kiss to my forehead, he struts his sexy, arrogant ass out my door as if he didn’t just tilt my world on it’s axis.

Cece stands staring at me, her expression still one of complete and utter shock. “Emily? What the hell was Ryder fucking Jameson doing here?”

I look out in the hallway to make sure he is gone then close the door before turning back to her. “He said he’s here on business and wants to have dinner with me.”

“Business?” she asks doubtfully. I nod. “What kind of business? Wait, let me guess. I’ll bet he’s in a motorcycle gang. Or part of the mafia, or no… an assassin. Yeah, an assassin, he probably kills for a living.”

I roll my eyes at her outrageous guesses. “He is not any of those things, Cece. He owns his own businesses and he’s thinking about expanding.” The thought has me smiling, I’m really happy for him. I always knew he would be successful at whatever he did.

“He’s lying, that’s just his cover. Assassins have to say shit like that. They can’t tell you what they really do.” I shake my head at her ridiculousness. “I’m serious, Emily. I mean, look at him. The guy looks even more dangerous than he did in high school. Still hot as hell, but fucking dangerous.” I don’t think he looked dangerous. Powerful? Yes. Sexy? Heck yes, but not dangerous. “So what did you tell him?”

“About what?”

She looks at me like I’m stupid. “About dinner.”

“Oh, I told him I couldn’t, that I had plans with you. Well actually, I told him it was tomorrow night since he wouldn’t take no for an answer and I was running out of excuses.”

“Did he give you an explanation about why he left without so much as a goodbye?” I shake my head sadly and try to ignore the sharp sting I get in my chest. She scoffs. “Figures, the guy has some serious balls to come here and expect you to have dinner with him without so much as an apology, or an explanation for what he did. I’m sure his dick is big enough to hold them, but that’s besides the point.” I feel my face heat at the mention of his equipment. “And what the fuck was up with his dig about my purses?” she asks, sounding insulted.

I shrug. “I guess he still remembers you hitting him with your purse.”

“Whatever, he needs to get over it. I thought he was attacking you. He was lucky it was my purse and not my pepper spray.” I bite back a smile, remembering how scared she was that Ryder was going to murder her in her sleep.

“Speaking of purses.” She holds up the dark purple one she has with her. “Meet my new friend. First name Louis, last name Vuitton.”

I burst out laughing at the introduction. “Hi, Louis, nice to meet you.”

She giggles. “Ain’t he a beaut?”

“He sure is,” I agree with a smile, my heart feeling lighter for the first time since seeing Ryder, but it vanishes quickly when Cece’s expression turns serious once again.

“So what are you going to do when he comes back?”

I think about her question and blow out a heavy breath, my heart feeling like a twisted mess. “I don’t know, Cece. A part of me wants to catch up with him. You know how much I’ve thought about him over the years. But I’m scared, seeing him again, after all this time, has affected me even more than I thought it would. And I have so much going on right now, with everything that has happened this past month. I’m not sure my emotions can withstand anymore.”

She walks over and wraps me in a hug. “I’m sorry, Emily. I know you’re feeling really overwhelmed right now with getting your sight back, and you didn’t need this. You know how I feel when it comes to him, but I also know you see him differently than I do, you always have. Just…”

“What?” I ask when she trails off.

“Just whatever you decide, be careful. A lot has changed, but one thing that we both know haven’t are your parents. Your dad will shit when he finds out Ryder is back in town. I’m scared what he will do if you go out with him, especially with how much your parents have been pushing you toward Kyle.”

My temper spikes just thinking about it. “I know, but I’m not seventeen anymore, Cece, and I have to start taking a stand. This crap with Kyle is getting out of hand. The guy has come here almost every day since I’ve gotten my sight back. Of course he’s been on his best behavior, and has tried to be charming, but he doesn’t fool me. I know who he really is, who he has always been. No matter what my parents say, I will never have anything to do with him. So they can all shove their political marriage bullshit up their asses.”