I take a break to take the tissue that she hands me from the glove box and wipe my tears. “Kens, you don’t have to,” she says, her voice worried.
“No, this is good. I can’t run away and I don’t have to look at you. Better chance of getting through it,” I admit.
“Just as I’m putting my key in the door, I hear a deep voice say hello. Startled, I spin around and see Justin’s brother standing there. I always felt uncomfortable around him, the way he was always staring at me. I immediately am on alert, telling him that Justin wasn’t feeling well and stayed home. He moved in closer and I started to freak out. He slapped me and told me to… to shut the fuck up. He was calling me names. Said I brainwashed his brother, turned him against him and I had to pay. I tried to fight him, but he was so much b-bigger than me.” I pause to collect myself. The tears are flowing so hard I have to pull over on the side of the road.
As soon as the car is in park, Nicole flings off her seatbelt and hugs me tight. “I’m so sorry, Kens,” she says. I let her hold me, soaking up the comfort that she’s offering. Leaning on her like I always have these past four years. “I tried to scream and he smacked me so hard I blacked out for a minute. When I came to, we were in the foyer of my house. He had a knife, cutting off my clothes. I fought him and the knife ran deep into my chest. I have a scar on my breast,” I tell her. “Maxton he says I’m beautiful, scar and all.”
“He loves you, Kensington. You have to know that.”
I ignore her statement and keep going. “The pain caused me to stop fighting back. The next thing I know, I hear my mom’s voice. She’s screaming at him, telling him she called the police. I don’t remember what happened exactly. I woke up in the hospital; Dad was sitting vigil by my bed. Mom jumped on his back, Nic. He was holding a knife and she jumped on his back trying to save me. He knocked her off and stabbed her. Over and over again, he stabbed her. She died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
“I was released after two days and we had her funeral. Dad and I stayed in a hotel; we never went back to that house. We had a moving company pack our things and we moved here away from it all.” I blow my nose and take a deep breath before it’s all out. “Two weeks after my mother’s funeral, I received a letter from Justin. He told me about his brother being in a gang and how his brother wanted him to be a part of it. About the initiation and how I was the one chosen for him. He went on to tell me that the more time he spent with me, the more he liked me and grew to love me. That when it came time to do the deed and tape it, he backed out. His brother was pissed and beat the shit out of him. That’s why he couldn’t see me. I would have asked questions. His brother decided to do it himself. He came after me and killed my mother,” I say.
“Kensington, I am sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine going through that. You know that it wasn’t your fault, right? There was nothing you could have done to prevent any of that from happening. He was a bad guy. Bad things happen to good people. You are not to blame,” she tells me.
My phone beeps. Picking it up, I swipe the screen.
Maxton: One more hour. Miss you, be safe.
Shit! My confession is going to set us back a good twenty minutes. Wiping my eyes, I quickly text him back.
Me: Slight delay, girl talk. See you in an hour and twenty
Maxton: Are you good, babe?
Me: Yes, we are on the road and I’m on my way to you.
Maxton: Drive safe.
“We better get back on the road and put him out of his misery,” Nicole jokes.
I laugh with her at his unnecessary worry and pull back onto the road. I feel a little lighter telling Nicole the entire story. Now Maxton. Someday soon, I tell myself. Soon.
“MAX, MAN, CHILL. I just talked to Nic and they’re almost here,” Bright chides me. I can’t seem to relax. It’s irrational, but something feels… off. Bright and I got here, unloaded the quads, and hung out with the guys for a few hours. They all took their girls into town for dinner. They’re bringing back a pizza for the four of us.
Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, my phone chimes.
Kensington: Just pulled in
I don’t bother to reply. I slide my phone in my pocket and head out to the front door. Bright is hot on my heels. He said I was crazy, but even he was a little worried at their late arrival. I jog down the steps and reach her door as she climbs out. I lift her up and she wraps legs around my waist, holding on. I kiss her, slowly molding my lips with hers. “I missed you, Kens.”
“I missed you too, Maxton Cooper.”
“I love you.” There is no way I could hold it in a minute longer. I hope she forgives me for blurting it out.
“Maxton.” Tears fill her already red eyes; she looks tired. “I love you so much,” she sobs, burying her face in my neck. Her legs are locked tight around my waist, and I hold her against me. I carry her to the porch and sit down with her in my lap.
“Why the tears?” I ask her.
“It’s just been a long day. I told Nicole about my mom on the way here. We had to pull over because I was a blubbering mess.” She sniffs.
“You told Nicole?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes, and I promise I’ll tell you too as soon as we get home. I don’t want secrets between us. If you still feel the same about me after you know, then I’m yours for as long as you want me,” she says.
“Kensington, there is nothing you could tell me that would ever make me not love you. Not want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up with you in the same spot. Nothing, do you hear me? Nothing will change how I feel about you.”
“When we get home,” she says. “I just want this weekend with you, and then I will tell you everything.”
“Whenever you’re ready, Kensi. I’m not going anywhere, babe.”
She sits back on my lap, her tired eyes boring into mine. “I love you.”
My fucking chest is tight from those three little words. “I love you.” I kiss her again, and if it were not for the car I just heard pull up, I would still be kissing her. Instead, I release her lips and help her stand. It’s time to introduce the love of my life to some lifelong friends. “There are some people I want you to meet.” She nods and releases her legs from around my waist and slides to the ground. Part of me wanted to just introduce her clinging to me like a monkey. She fucking loves me. Best feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Instead, I pull her close and wrap my arm around her.