Haleigh's Ink by Jennifer Kacey

Author:Jennifer Kacey [Kacey, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc
Published: 2014-02-27T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The mood in Kyle’s truck the next morning as they made their way over to the shop was quiet in a nice kind of way. Scott hadn’t come with them; he had to help Chris and Jared. Come to find out, they not only owned CJ’s Bar but The Library as well.

Small world, she thought to herself.

“I wish you would have shown me all of the scars last night,” Kyle prompted. She couldn’t think of anything to say, other than she was glad she hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. “It won’t change the way I feel about you. You get that, right?”

She cleared her throat, desperately trying to find the right words. “Last night changed me. It showed me a whole new world ready to be discovered. I didn’t want to taint it, showing you something I find so awful. I wish I was beautiful for you. For Scott. You deserve that.”

“Come here,” Kyle ordered. He unsnapped her seat belt and urged her to slide next to him on the bench seat. She scooted closer, re-buckling beside him. His arm was warm across her shoulders. He hugged her and smelled like a little slice of heaven.

“Do you want to know what I see looking at you?” Kyle asked as he kissed the top of her head. “A survivor. You aren’t a victim, you’re a warrior. With no real support, you fought and won a battle thousands of people lose every day. I am proud to know you. I’m wrecked by what happened between the three of us last night.”

His words sank inside her, settling her nerves. She wished she could believe that wouldn’t change.

“Can I ask a question?” he added after several quiet minutes passed.

“Sure.” It was an automatic answer though. She wasn’t certain she wanted him to.

“Why did you show Scott and not me?”

“It’s not because I don’t trust you.” She peeked up at him and he nodded. His shoulders relaxed and she was glad she’d guessed at least part of the why’s of the conversation. “He didn’t know me before. There aren’t any preconceived notions about me in his mind like there are with you.” He stiffened and she petted his thigh. “We have history together, Kyle. You knew me as the perfect best friend who always had on a new dress. The prom queen, the socialite. I’m not that girl anymore. I’m—”

“Perfect the way you are.”

“I’m not perfect. I’m—”

“Perfect, Haleigh. Just the way you are. Because you’re you. Perfect doesn’t mean anything except what you want it to. And trust me. Your mother’s idea of perfection is more than a bit skewed.”

She tried to see past the swarm of emotions fluttering inside her. “Last night, in bed with you and Scott, was the first time since I was diagnosed I felt someone’s full support. You know…from someone I cared about. And it came from both of you. It scared and excited me at the same time. Having that. Feeling that connection, the bond between us, is that how it always is? It overwhelmed me, and I never wanted it to end.

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