Impacted (Conflicted Encounters #2) (29 page)

"Fair enough," Kallie smiled. "I really wanted to wear the bridesmaid dress."
 

I laughed at them. She was right, they put a lot of work into this and it would be a shame for it all to go to waste. They had a band for tomorrow night, and we didn't break down the reception tent yet. I hoped the party would cheer her up. I hated to see her hurt. For a long time, Scarlett was the only girl in my life I cared about. Maybe it was a twin thing, but I could feel my heart breaking.
 

Kallie

I woke up on the floor of Caleb and Logan's room. My head was resting on Ryder's bare chest and my body was stiff. I raised my head to wipe the drool that I was pretty sure was coming from my mouth. My head ached and my vision swirled. I knew I shouldn't have taken those shots of ice cream mixed with cherry vodka. It was so sweet and cold going down, but it was wreaking havoc on my brain this morning.
 

"Morning kids," a cheery voice rang through the room. A collective sound of moans echoed through the room.

"Mom," Scarlett moaned. "Inside voice please."
 

I felt Ryder laughing under me, and I rolled to my back with a huff. I heard a loud thud as Caleb fell off the bed and crawled to the bathroom. The smell of the Kona coffee I fell in love with down here wafted through the air. I quickly sat up and grabbed the sides of my head in pain.
 

"Here," Ryder laughed as he handed me a cup he took off the tray his mom was holding out to us.
 

I grumbled what could have been a thank you and took a sip, letting the sweet and mellow taste flow down my throat. I didn't mind the burn; it was worth it. Ryder stood up and walked over to open the sliding doors. I watched the muscles move in his back under the ink on his upper shoulders.
 

"Close your mouth, Kallie. You're salivating," Logan teased as he walked by me to shout at Caleb to get out of the bathroom. I snapped my mouth closed in time for Ryder to turn and smirk at me.
 

"Breakfast is waiting downstairs," Mrs. Brooks announced before she left the room.

The rest of us groaned as we got up and tried to pick up the room. I didn't want to leave it all to the cleaning service. Scarlett won a game of rock, paper, scissors and got the first shower. I wanted to remind her she still had a room, but I don't think she wanted the memories. I would need to see about getting her another room today. Ryder and I headed back to our room to get cleaned up.
 

I felt a little more alive when I came out of the shower. I dressed in a pair of jean shorts and blue top that fell off one shoulder. Looking at the time, we should have been getting ready in our dresses for the wedding. My heart broke for Scarlett all over again. She was the strongest girl I’d ever met and I had to hold her together on the floor in the middle of the lobby only the day before. It was crushing to hear her cries.

Ryder held my hand on the way down to the courtyard. We were welcomed with a buffet of food. I forgot I had requested it for the morning of the wedding. All that planning seemed like so long ago now, considering everything that transpired between then and now. Brent and his date were standing off the side talking to Logan. Scarlett and Caleb were talking to her mom and eying a plate of shrimp cocktail.
 

"I need bacon," I announced as I tugged Ryder along down the tables. Everyone followed suit, and it wasn't long before we were all seated at the long table, eating.
 

Soft music played and the weather was perfect. Scarlett smiled and chatted, but I could tell it was fake. Logan sat with her, getting her seconds and making sure she had everything she needed. Ryder was even talking to his mom and it warmed my heart. I wanted them to have a relationship. I never wanted him to feel like he wasn't loved.
 

Between the eight of us, we almost cleared the buffet. The food was amazing and had everything from breakfast to lunch. The air smelled like a perfect mixture of salt water and flowers. The sounds of the ocean in the background helped ease the pain in my head, and I was human again by the time I finished eating.
 

"You gonna fit in your dress?" Scarlett teased from down the table, tossing a grape at me.
 

"I'll stuff it in," I laughed back. "You?"

"I better! We are going to fuck that thing up tonight," she shouted, raising her glass of orange juice. Her smile was wide, but her eyes were dim. I could tell she was hurting deep down, but she would never show it.
 

The staff cleared away our plates and we chatted between ourselves, completely avoiding the topic of Scarlett's ex that was carted off in handcuffs yesterday. Brent's date was quiet, but seemed nice. She met him when she came in for a tattoo, and they went on a few dates before he invited her on the trip. I tried talking to her so she didn't feel like the odd one out in the group.
 

The sun was at its highest point, and the heat and humidity started to get to us. With hangovers and full stomachs, the heat was only draining us. The reception started at six that evening. The ceremony would have been at four with time for photos in between.
 

"I will book you another room," I told Scarlett as we started to leave the courtyard.
 

She nodded and followed me up the front desk where they let me book a single room with an ocean view. Scarlett's mom already took Adam's, or Jacob's, stuff down to the front desk. No one really cared what happened to it after that. Logan and Ryder helped get Scarlett setup in her new room while I went to call Dan. I was more than angry that he never got back to me with any information on Adam. Maybe this could have all been avoided. I closed the doors to our patio and turned up the air conditioning and laid on the bed.
 

The phone rang twice before he picked up. "Hello, Kallie."

"Dan, is your phone broken?" I asked in a cold voice.

"No. Why?"
 

"Why didn't you call me about Adam? I asked you to dig up anything you could and he was just carted off in handcuffs yesterday," I growled at him.

He sighed in my ear. "I know. I'm sorry about that. During my investigation, I started to piece together his multiple identities. It didn't take long for the FBI to contact me and tell me to back off," he explained.
 

"Back off?"
 

"Yes. They have been trying to track him down as well. When I told them what I knew, about the wedding in Hawaii, they told me to keep quiet and they would take it from there. They didn't want me to tip you off and end up losing him again."

"I see," I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "Well, thank you for your hard work, Dan."

"Anytime, Kallie," he said politely. "I wish I could have warned you before, but it was important he was arrested. I will give you what I have when you return from your trip."

"I understand. Thank you." I hung up the phone and closed my eyes. My head was spinning from the events of the last few days. My heart was breaking for my best friend.

"Baby," I heard in my ear. "Baby, time to wake up."

I peeled my eyes open and looked up into Ryder's face. He shaved and his face was smooth. His hair was still wet and sticking up randomly. I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair and down his silky face.

 
"You look sexy," I said in a sleepy voice.
 

"Don't tease me now, woman. You should start getting ready, and if you don't quit, you won't be leaving this room," he said in a husky voice.
 

I glanced over at the clock and realized he was right. I would have time to shower again, as well as do my make up and hair. Scarlett would be here soon, and I was supposed to help her get ready, like nothing ever happened. I moaned and dragged myself into the bathroom, flicking Ryder off when I heard him laughing at me.
 

I showered quickly and then lathered my body up with lotion. I came out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel, and was greeted by the whole crew. Scarlett stood with her dress draped over her arm while Logan and Caleb stared at me.
 

"Damn," Caleb said, earning a smack on the back of the head from Ryder.
 

"Alright, out," Ryder growled, pushing Caleb to the door. He shoved him into the hallway and stalked back over to me.
 

"See you soon," I told him before he planted a hard kiss to my lips, leaving me wanting more.
 

Once the room was clear of the boys, Scarlett grinned. "Let's get pretty."

I pulled half of her hair into a clip on the top of her head and curled the rest so it flowed down her back. I applied the makeup we had picked out just for today and helped her get into the dress. I pulled my hair up in the same style and opted for a dark and smoky look with my makeup. I stood behind her as she faced the full-length mirror and zipped up the back.
 

She looked beautiful with her dark hair, ivory dress, and sparkling eyes. I caught her reflection in the mirror and saw her eyes glisten over. She smoothed down the fabric of the short skirt and gave me a sad smile. I squeezed her shoulder to show my support.
 

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.
 

"Don't be. I'm not," she shrugged and walked away. The hard exterior that fell away while she was in love was back up and firmly in place. "Everything happens for a reason."

We walked over to the closet and she pulled out my dress. I couldn't help but smile at it. I loved it. The color was perfect and I loved the lace and corset. I slipped off the fluffy hotel robe and Scarlett helped me step into it. I held the top to my boobs while Scarlett pulled the laces tight in the back.
 

"I feel like Rose in Titanic," I joked as my breathing became restricted.
 

"You look gorgeous," she said in a terrible British accent, and then pulled the laces tight with exaggeration.

We slipped on our shoes and a knock on the door let us know it was time to go. Scarlett opened the door and strong arms engulfed her little body. Ryder was holding her tight, telling her how much he cared without words. She held him back as Logan and Caleb slipped past him and into the room. The finally broke apart and Scarlett hid her face in his chest.
 

The guys looked so handsome in their khaki shorts and black button up shirts. Ryder had his rolled up to his elbows, showcasing his tattoos and strength. The top few buttons were undone, teasing me of what was underneath.
 

"Ready?" Caleb asked Scarlett.

"We will be right behind you," Ryder said, looking only at me. They nodded and the three of them stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind them.
 

Ryder opened the safe and pulled out the black box. He walked over to me as I stood frozen, captivated in his stare. He slowly opened it and set it down on the bed. I watched his hands as they gently picked up the small silver chain and brought the necklace to me. I smiled, tears in my eyes, and turned around while lifting my hair off my neck.
 

"You look stunning, Kallie," he said in my ear as the silver chain and large turquoise stone rested around my neck.
 

"You too," I whispered as I turned around and ran my hands up his chest. He leaned around me to grab the matching earrings. "Thank you," I said as he placed them in my hand.
 

I walked to the mirror and slipped them in. "I'm proud to have you on my arm tonight," he said, running his hands up my arms. "I really can't wait to get you out of this dress."

"Ryder," I playfully mocked. My head was swimming with the images of him undoing the back of the dress and getting me down to bare skin. "Let's go."

I linked arms with Ryder, and he held his arm out for Scarlett when we entered the hallway. She took his arm while Logan linked her on the other side. Caleb flanked my other side and I hooked my arm through his. We formed a wall of people as we marched down the hallway together. We passed through the lobby and down the path to the beach.
 

We walked up the sandy path to the covered outdoor bar. There was a small tent set up off the out outdoor bar with area open to dance. A few small tables sat with a long head table. Candle lit the tables, giving the space a cozy and intimate feel. Cheers and clapping started as soon as we cleared the path. The hotel staff was there, along with the band, a DJ, and the catering staff. We made some weird unified bow and escorted Scarlett to the head table. I was grateful someone already removed the chair meant for the groom.
 

A local band played soft music while we ate. When we switched Scarlett's room, she told the front desk to invite any other guests to attend the party. Some actually showed up and enjoyed the music and food. No one seemed to mind the outsiders. It made it feel more like a celebration than a failed attempt at marriage.

The sun started to set and casted an orange hue over the venue. Plates were cleared and I caught the DJ looking to me for direction. Now would be the time for the couple's first dance, but that wouldn't be happening. I slipped out of my chair and made my way to the booth, telling him to start with dance music.