“Kayla? Good morning.”
“What the hell, Duke? Its–6:45 am and in case you didn’t remember, my wife worked until one o’clock in the morning atyourbar and now you’re calling me this early?”
“I figured you would be up, you know, for the garage.”
“What do you want?”
“We have a problem. You know how Cash has this stupid ass truck up in the damn sky?”
Cash smacks me and I smirk at him.
“Yes?”
“And my truck doesn’t have a backseat. Well, we need to get Caroline today and bring her home. Can we borrow a car?”
She exhales a long, loud, tired-of-this-shit kind of sigh before telling me to meet her at the garage in half an hour.
“This…Kayla.” Cash gives her a long look. “This is a mini-van, Kayla.” He looks personally offended that he is trading his jacked up pickup for a minivan.
“Ashley James Colter, you two fools woke me up and dragged me from my warm bed before seven in the morning, begging for help, and now you’re complaining about the help I am offering?” She crosses her arms, leveling him a look.
“Nope, absolutely not. Thanks, you’re the best!” he yells as he goes around to the driver’s side and climbs in.
“Seriously, you’re a lifesaver,” I tell her.
“I know, I know. You owe us. Take care of her, Duke. And tell her to text me.”
“Sure thing.”
Driving down the highway a few hours later, Cash gushes over his newfound love for a minivan, “I have to admit, it does drive smooth. And the gas mileage, amazing.”
“Great, you can trade in your truck for one. Maybe throw a couple car seats in the back.”
“Look at all the storage in this thing!” he tells me, popping things open and pressing buttons.
“Cash, just drive.”
“You’re mean.” He pouts.
A laugh erupts from me. I hope beyond hope I get to have the girl I love and my best friend. It will kill me if I have to choose.
Back at the hospital, we find Caroline sitting up in bed, a tray of food in front of her. Her smile is radiant when we enter.
“Hi.” She gives a little wave before biting into a piece of toast.
“Hey, Hurricane.” Cash drops a kiss on the top of her head.
I’m struck by how comfortable their affection feels, how casual. Caroline and I have always been like fire. All or nothing. But we never managed to make it to the comfortable, warm blanket stage—the gentle hugs and cuddling before falling asleep. The little kiss before walking out the door. It makes my heart ache to see it. I want that for her, with her. “Brought you something.” He holds out his hand and the necklace dangles from his fingers.
“Oh my god, Cash!” she exclaims, reaching for it.
“I’ll do it.” Moving her hair, he clasps it behind her neck, kissing her shoulder gently.
Nudging him out of the way, I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her mouth. No expectations, no lingering, just a small kiss. She gasps a little and her lips part. It physically pains me not to deepen the kiss and drive into her mouth, tasting her. I lick her bottom lip just slightly before standing up.
Her breathing comes out a little erratically and her cheeks flush. I wink before taking my usual seat next to the bed. Cash smiles at the two of us, radiating pleasure. I want to be as at peace as he is. When I watch the two of them, I’m not jealous he’s next to her and I’m not. I just want a piece of their affection for myself. I want to learn how to love her the right way.
I will learn to love her the way she deserves. Even if that love is returned by only half of her heart.
