CODY
Security had become my nemesis. It kept me from the hospital, from the funeral and almost out of Skylar’s neighborhood. Thankfully, I convinced the snotty new guard to call the house and confirm I was welcome.
Her street was a mass of cars. I had to park down the block behind a shiny black Bentley. I glanced down at my standard church attire. Khaki slacks and a blue button-up shirt. I should have worn a suit.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I closed my eyes, took two deep breaths and began walking toward the door. I didn’t blame Skylar for ignoring my calls and texts. She was in pain and, so often with her, I’d failed to rise to the occasion. Failed to put her needs before my demons. Not today. Today, I would be the hero she needed.
The door swung open after two knocks, and bad-boy Ricky Night stood in front of me in a three-piece suit.
For a moment, I couldn’t breath. Couldn’t speak. Then, as if a frog had jumped on my vocal cords, I finally croaked out, “I’m here to see Skylar.”
He eyed me suspiciously, sweeping his gaze over my less than impressive attire. “You the boyfriend I just let through the gate?”
Sweat beaded on my forehead. “Y-Yes sir.”
“It’s about time.” He moved out of the doorway so I could come in. “She’s been in her room since the funeral. I can’t get her to come down.” Irritation and sadness colored his voice.
He watched me stand there, unsure what to do or say next. “Well, go on, kid.”
“Um. Yes sir. Um. Where is her room?” I glanced around the massive house and spotted Raif Hilliard picking up abandoned plates in the living room. How was it possible that this was her normal?
Ricky’s laughter brought me out of my star-struck haze. “That’s right. Donnie was a strict old cat. Upstairs. Second door on the left. Clothes better stay on.” His laser-focused stare could have split an apple in two.
I bolted, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart pounded louder than my footsteps.
Her door was shut. I knocked. No answer.
Turning the knob, I gave the door a little push until a small crack allowed me to see her curled up on her bed, still dressed in black. Music played in the background. A song I’d never heard before, but the voice was unmistakable. Her father’s.
“Skylar?” I pushed the door open further, my words just louder than a whisper. I felt like an intruder, but I couldn’t pull away from the broken girl in front of me. The girl who’d pushed me to face my fears, who’d given me strength and courage when I needed it most.
She didn’t move except to tighten around a small stuffed animal clutched to her chest.
I shut the door behind me and moved to sit on the small patch of space between her knees and the edge of the bed.
She blinked. “Cody?”
I moved closer and pulled away the chunk of hair that covered her eye. “Hey.” I let my hand linger where my fingers had brushed her cheek.
“Will you lay here with me?” Her voice was weak with heartache. She scooted back, giving me space to join her.
I kicked off my shoes.
Her pillow was soft, and her bed like a mass of feathers. We faced each other, side by side. I didn’t know what she wanted. What boundaries to cross or stand behind.
I stretched out my arm, offering.
She slid over, buried her head in my chest and cried. I cried too.
For her pain. For her loss. For the fact that I couldn’t do anything to take it away.
Tucking her tightly against me, I prayed for God to heal her broken heart. I caressed the soft hair by her temple. “I’m so sorry about your dad. I’d give anything to bring him back to you.”
“All I could think about was black sand. During the funeral and the burial. I just kept picturing black sand running though my fingers.”
I rested my cheek against her, inhaled. “Why black sand?”
“It was our last family trip. To a set of islands off Portugal. Volcanoes formed them, so they all had this strange black sand. It’s funny the things you remember. I remember the way the sand felt rough between my toes, how it didn’t stick and form like the sand in Florida.” Her breath caught as if the memory caused her physical pain. “But I can’t remember my mom’s laugh anymore. Can’t remember if it was high or low. If it came out in giggles or was one continuous sound. I’ve tried for days to remember, but all I think about is black sand.” She squeezed my arm, choked on a sob. Then, with the last of her strength, she whispered, “I don’t want to forget him.”
I cradled her face in my hand, littered light kisses on her trail of tears. “I’ll help you remember. Tell me all about them. Every moment, and I’ll make sure you don’t forget.”
Minutes passed without out a word. Then suddenly Skylar let out a soft chuckle. “My dad didn’t think you were good enough for me.”
“Your dad was right. I wasn’t. But I will be.” My hand trailed down her back. We were already locked together, but I needed more. I needed her to understand the depth of my feelings. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
Skylar picked invisible lint off my shirt, then smoothed out the material before starting the process again. “I’m sorry too. I wanted you to make life normal and perfect, to chase away the doom I felt every day. That wasn’t really fair.”
I slid my hand into her nervous one, laced our fingers. “I should have told you about my past months ago. Should have turned in what was happening to Lindsay instead of trying to be Superman. There’re so many things I wish I could do over.”
Silence filled the room, but it wasn’t awkward or strained. Just a moment where two people ponder how different things might have been under other circumstances.
“So, did you win Saturday?” Her head was still pressed against my chest, slightly muffling the sound.
“I did. Got a call from the coach at Georgia Tech, too.”
Her head tilted up, those remarkable eyes meeting mine. “Really? Oh Cody, that’s wonderful.”
“He didn’t make any promises, but he said he’d come watch me again after the new year.”
“I’m really happy for you.”
I leaned in, brushed my lips over the delicate skin on her forehead. “Thank you.”
Skylar’s door swung open, slamming against the doorstop on the wall. We both jumped, our grip getting tighter when I should have bolted off the bed.
Ricky stood in the entry, hands on his hips. “Darn. I really wanted to use Donnie’s shotgun.”
I let her go and stood quicker than was probably necessary. I mean, he’d already seen me next to her.
Ricky’s voice lowered. “Skylar.” She sat up, her almost bare legs still stretched out on the bed. “It’s time to come downstairs. There are people here who want to see you. Talk to you. It’s not okay for you to hide.”
“I know,” she said, pulling her feet over the edge. “I’ll come down.”
Ricky’s eyes flashed to mine. “Well, I guess you’re not a total waste of space. That’s the first word I’ve gotten from her all day. Next time, don’t wait so long.” He spun on his heel and walked away.
Skylar shook her head. “Meet dad number two. The annoying one. Three and four are downstairs.”
She stood and pushed away the wrinkles in her dress. “I hate this thing. Had to buy it right off the rack.” Color infused her cheeks and the dullness in her eyes faded a little.
“So change. You’re dad wouldn’t want you feeling uncomfortable.”
She eyed her closet and a small smile appeared. “You’re right. Will you wait for me?”
My heart exploded. She was still the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
I stepped closer, and leaned down to kiss the softest lips given to womankind. “Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.”