“Okay. Let me know if you change your mind,” Jason replied, leaning forward to hug me gently. “We will always be here for you, Lily. Just call, day or night.”
I thanked him profusely, feeling extremely blessed to have him in my life. He was someone I could count on, no matter what. I knew he would always have my back.
Jason tilted his head to Kyle in the backseat. “You, too.”
Kyle sat forward in his seat and slowly outstretched his hand to Jason. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without you today. It means more to me than you know.”
Jason shook his hand. “Anytime.” He glanced down at his phone as it beeped rather loudly and glanced at the screen. “Oh, Mom says she’s bringing you dinner tonight. Are you up for some laid-back company?”
“Dinner would be great,” I replied. “We’ll see you guys then.”
I carefully stepped out of the car, ready to help Kyle out of the backseat. He was standing next to the door with one hand protecting his rib cage. His expression showed determination to be resilient and independent as he took my hand in his and led me to the side door of the house.
Once inside, Kyle and I gradually made our way upstairs to my bedroom. We each moved with slow, deliberate steps. As we approached Annie’s room, my stride faltered, and my breath caught.
Kyle stopped and turned to face me, his loving eyes searching mine, while he tightened his grip over my fingers. “Don’t let him win, Lily. This is your house.”
I exhaled deeply as I nodded.
I will not be defeated.
After a brief moment, I continued down the hallway to my room.
Kyle walked over to his dresser and grabbed a change of clothes as I headed straight for the bathroom to clean up. I glanced in the mirror, taking in the purplish bruising all over my neck. The worst part was down the center of my throat. A.J.’s thumbprints were clearly outlined on each side. Anger and disgust coursed throughout my body at having to see his mark on my skin for the next couple of weeks.
Not wanting to see the reminder any longer, I headed for the shower. I refused to surrender to how much it truly bothered me. As my insides battled to ignore the bruises, I fought for my new inner willpower to push my ugly thoughts aside.
I had won. I was alive.
If I could beat this, I could overcome anything. Strength and courage were the key, and I knew this now. I was no longer a person who sat on the sidelines.
The warm water felt heavenly as I stepped into the shower. I closed my eyes and welcomed the relaxing sensations. My tight muscles began to loosen under the heat. The moisture from the steam seemed to help my throat as it was becoming difficult to swallow with each progressing hour since the attack.
I heard Kyle enter the bathroom. He peeked his head in the shower. “Can I join you?” he asked.
I smiled softly. “Of course,” I answered.
He stepped in behind me and wrapped his gentle arms around my waist. I shut my eyes and laid my arms around his, reveling in his touch, as the water trickled along my bare skin. The shower might have eased my tired, aching muscles, but only this man could calm my nerves.
He was my other half in every way. I felt complete when he was near. Some would say that made me weak, but I thought it made me stronger.
To be needed and loved were the greatest gifts in life. It gave a sense of belonging that we all yearned for. Whether with our careers, families, or friends, we needed it. Mankind was not created for us to survive on our own. I believed we had been created to work together and thrive off of one another.
I rotated in Kyle’s arms to gather my hands around his neck. I nestled my face into the curve of his shoulder. He kissed my cheek affectionately as he tightened his embrace around my lower back.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Lily? You’ve had one hell of a day,” he said quietly.
A.J.’s hands squeezing around my throat filled my mind. Tears brimmed my eyes at the recollection of events. I would do everything within my control to erase those memories, but I would not surrender to them.
“Yes,” I answered. “I’m just glad it’s over. Those letters have been dangling over my head for a couple of weeks now. Trying to figure out the connection has been haunting me. Now, I know.”
“They’ve bothered me, too,” Kyle replied. “I want you to have the closure you deserve, so you can move forward with your life. You’ve come a long way, Lily, in such a short time.” He lifted his hand and ran the backs of his fingers down my cheek. “I see such strength and determination in those beautiful eyes of yours, and it grows with every passing day.”
I leaned forward on my toes and lightly kissed his lips. “Thank you,” I whispered. “You opened my eyes to accept that I wasn’t truly living. I was just passing through the motions. Thank you for coming into my life, like an…” I couldn’t help but grin. “Overbearing lightning bolt out of nowhere.
You
gave me the courage and strength I needed to stand up for myself.”
Kyle’s eyebrow quirked up. “A lightning bolt?” He let out a laugh and then winced in pain. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“Don’t laugh, or you’ll hurt yourself!” I chided before carefully nudging his shoulder. “And you know what I mean.”
“I guess I can be overbearing at times,” he admitted. He tugged me against his chest and placed kisses along my throat to distract me.
I rolled my eyes, completely disagreeing with the last part. “At times? You mean most of the time,” I countered, stifling my giggles.
I didn’t want to cause more discomfort by making him laugh. The doctor had warned Kyle that deep breaths, rapid movements, and laughing would cause sharp pains.
Kyle spoke in between his kisses. “Maybe I’ll admit to…quite often. Is that better?” he teased.
I smiled, still holding back my laugh. It was going to be a long few weeks of no giggling, which would be very difficult with Kyle’s playful side. “I’ll take it.”
Lifting his head, he grinned. “Deal.”
I hesitated, mesmerized by those adorable eyes that pulled me in. Kyle was so easy to be around. No matter how awful or down I felt, he could always brighten my spirits. It was one of the parts I loved about him.
But there was still so much I didn’t know about him.
It wasn’t his fault because my life had been like a roller coaster lately. However, I truly wanted to know more about him. He had mentioned having a rough past of his own, and I felt it was his turn to open up.
I broke the silence. “How can you be so strong all the time? I’ve never seen you break down or get mad. You always seem to have this glass-is-half-full attitude.”
Eyes on mine, Kyle slowly shook his head. “My glass hasn’t always been half-full, Lily, especially during the past few years. I had to fight for it, just as you are doing now. I had to either push through all the bad or let it take over my life. It’s a choice we all have to make.”
I absorbed what he was saying. “I believe that now, too. I still want to know more about you and your past,” I said, meaning every word. “I need you to open up to me and let me in as I have done for you.”
“Tomorrow,” he answered before kissing my forehead. “Tomorrow, I will tell you anything you want to know. Right now, let’s get you showered, and then we can focus on making it through the rest of this day with your family.”
“Deal,” I agreed. “Oh, I almost forgot. Elena is supposed to stop over for an appointment today to finalize the contract.”
“Today?” he asked while cautiously lifting his arm to reach for the shampoo bottle. “When did you set that up?”
“When you were out with Jason and Damon yesterday,” I answered, taking the offered shampoo bottle from his hand. “We better hurry.”
“Are you sure you want to meet with her today?” he questioned. “We could wait a few days until you feel better.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m ready now.”
“Whatever you want, beautiful.” He leaned forward and kissed my mouth once more. “I’m eagerly awaiting to take you home with me.”
“Now that the house will be listed, I’ll let everyone know that we’re leaving tomorrow. Then, we can plan to come here or invite them out to California to visit. I think we can find a balance that works for everyone. I hope they understand,” I said while we finished washing up.
“They will. I know they’ll be happy for you.”
We stepped out of the shower to dry off. I picked out my comfortable black yoga pants and a plain cotton tee. I probably should have chosen something more suitable for company, but I didn’t see the point of having family over if I couldn’t enjoy their company in comfy PJs.
Kyle took in my attire and put on his own T-shirt and sweats before he went into the kitchen to make us a small snack to hold us over for dinner.
I walked into the living room as Kyle strode in with two plates of ham, cheese, crackers, and apples. I sat on the couch with my plate and searched through the TV channels, hoping to find a good show or movie for us to watch.
We ate while watching an old rerun of
Survivors
. I was amazed at how the contestants could be stranded on an island with only the basic necessities for such a long period of time. I was a woman who loved the outdoors, but that was overkill for me. I gave them major credit for enduring such conditions.
The doorbell rang just after three in the afternoon. I walked to the front door to see Elena on the other side. My eyes darted to the for-sale sign in her left hand and a thick folder of papers in the other.
“Hello, Elena,” I welcomed her.
She smiled as Kyle appeared at my side. “Hello, Lily. I brought the final paperwork for you to sign,” she said, lifting the hand holding the folder. “Then, we can put the sale sign out front,” she added, raising her other hand that held the very large sign.
“Sure, come on in.” I stepped back and motioned her inside.
We all walked into the kitchen and took our seats. Elena jumped right into the details of the contract and her suggested listing price. Kyle helped out with some of the finer points that went over my head. Real estate was definitely not my forte. Once we had agreed on all the specifics, I signed the bottom line of the contract.
I let out a deep breath that I hadn’t realized I was holding. It was official. The house was on the market.
Instead of feeling sad, I felt lighter, knowing I had made the right decision to sell.
Elena smiled at me from across the table. “Okay, that concludes all the proper documentation. Now, all we need to do is put up the sign. Are you ready?”
“I am,” I replied.
We all rose from our chairs and made our way down to the front lawn. I took in a deep breath of fresh air.
This is it. Someday, this will be the home for another family to create their own memories.
Elena set down her folder full of papers, so she could juggle the small hammer within her grasp and the sign. After poking the stakes of the sign into the ground, Elena turned to face me.
“Would you like to do the honors?” she asked, extending the hammer in my direction.
“Yes,” I said, taking the tool from her.
Reality was setting in. This felt as if it were the end of this chapter in my life. It was time to move on. I lifted the hammer and connected it with the end of the stake. I repeated the action on the other side until the sign was straight and secured into the ground. It was a liberating feeling.
I handed the hammer back to Elena.
“Well, I think we’re finished then. Do you have any questions for me before I go?” she asked.
“No,” I replied. “I think we’re all set.”
“Okay, I’ll be in contact with you throughout the process, and I’ll keep you informed of any offers.”
“Sounds great. Thank you for all your help.” I shook her hand.
Kyle stepped forward and shook Elena’s hand, too. “Yes, thank you for everything.”
“You’re most welcome. I wish you both the best of luck,” she replied while gathering her belongings. “Talk with you soon.”
After we said our good-byes, Kyle and I headed back up to the house. Aunt Lucie and Uncle Dan pulled into the driveway as we reached the front door. Jason and Damon were right behind them in Damon’s black truck.
“Ready for some real food?” I shifted my eyes to Kyle as we waited for our guests.
“Most definitely.” He lifted one hand to his stomach. “Cheese and crackers aren’t enough for this guy.”
I chuckled. “I wouldn’t think so with the way you’re used to eating.”
Aunt Lucie and Uncle Dan were each carrying a dish as they made their way over to us. Jason and Damon exited the truck, and their hands were holding platters.
“Oh, wow.” I smiled kindly at Aunt Lucie. “You didn’t have to make all of that.”
Jason chimed in first. “Oh yes, she did. We are damn near starved.”
Aunt Lucie rolled her eyes and laughed. “You know about men and their food, dear.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t dare interfere.”
Kyle reached out to help Aunt Lucie. “Here, let me get that.”
She handed over the dish. “Thank you, Kyle. I have one more to grab from the car,” she said before turning back.
As soon as she returned with the final tray, we all walked into the house and headed into the kitchen.
When her hands were free, Aunt Lucie hugged me. “I’m glad to see you up and moving around. Thank you for letting us visit.”
“Of course, Aunt Lucie. You are always welcome,” I said.
She cupped my cheeks and spoke softly. “I’m so happy to see your eyes filled with courage and determination, Lily. You are such a strong woman, who has experienced far too many hardships.” She leaned forward and kissed my cheek before letting me go.
“Thank you,” I replied, swallowing back tears.
“Okay, let’s eat before you have me crying.”
Everyone gathered around the kitchen island. Aunt Lucie and I stayed in the background, deciding it would probably be safer to let the four hungry males go first.
No one brought up the attack since we had already discussed it at the hospital. It seemed like we all wanted to embrace our short time together and not dwell on the negative.
“So, do you know when Blake will be visiting again?” I asked my aunt and uncle while we sat at the table.