Accepted Fate (23 page)

As we walk across the upper deck of the yacht and down the stairs, I take in its beauty. I love it here. It's decorated in reds and browns and is so homey. I guess I should take advantage of my last month to come here. He sits down on the couch and pulls me down beside him. "What's on your mind pretty girl?" He was always so much easier to talk to than Presley; maybe because he's a lot like me and Konnor. He's laid back and can talk forever or just listen. He's probably the only person aside from my brother I really would go to if I had a problem.

"Just thinking of how much I'm going to miss this place," I say. I guess I might as well let the cat out of the bag. Then he will realize anything he is about to say is probably a waste of breath. "Mom and dad are moving us across the country. I don't want to go, but I have no choice. As much as I want to kick and scream in a tantrum, they are pretty set that it's a done deal." Just thinking about this all over again is depressing. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do about cheerleading and my national all-star tryouts are the same week we move I think."

He just sits there looking at me, waiting to make sure I'm finished before he talks. Typical Preston. He's a very patient person, which will make him a good business man. He following in his dad's footsteps is exactly where he should be. "Dad mentioned that the other night. They are kind of freaking out about it too. He left telling Presley up to mom, so I don't know if she knows yet. By her behavior, I would say probably not. She will most likely have a meltdown, since you two are pretty much twins separated at birth."

"So you already knew? Then where is all this nonsense coming from about you and me? You've never once made any attempts at a relationship outside of what we've always been and now you're acting like you're planning your wedding." We are sitting sideways on the couch, facing each other. 

He has his right leg resting against the cushion and his left leg planted on the floor, mirroring my opposite. His right side is leaning against the back of the couch, with his elbow propped on the top of the couch back. His hand is resting just below is nose, knuckles facing the ceiling. His index finger is resting against his lips. He is smiling as if he is amused. He lifts his head slightly, ready to speak. "Are you done yet? You always were headstrong about everything. If you will give me the floor, I will explain everything; however, I need you to promise not to say anything until you've heard me out and keep an open mind."

Well I have to give him credit where credit's due. He seems to have this all planned out. "Okay, I promise; although, I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into."

He turns his body to the left, facing frontwards, with both feet now pressed against the floor. He leans forward and rests his elbows right above his knees, looking at the floor. "Kinzleigh, you've known me a long time. You know I would never lie to you. I think I've had plenty of moments to prove myself worthy of your trust, wouldn't you agree?" He looks up at me for a response. I just nod for him to continue where this is going.

"I know you're still seventeen and I know you still have to finish high school and college. I know everything there is to know about you. I've spent a lot of time learning what makes you, you." He looks back down at the floor as if he's nervous. "I've wanted you, Kinzleigh, since we were little. I want you to listen to what I have to say before you freak out or say anything in return. I've loved you since we were kids. I will always love you Kinzleigh. You're it for me. I've waited around, silently, because of our age difference. I know you don't want to fall in love because you have dreams; I get it. I have been buying time by being with other girls, but they don't satisfy me anymore. You will be eighteen in a few months. I know how you are and I know you won't be in a long distance relationship. That's not what I'm asking you...today, anyways." He takes a deep breath. I cannot believe I'm hearing any of this. I have to be mentally unstable.

"All I'm doing is planting a seed. I want you to think about it this year, while you're gone; think about us. I know you're not the kind of girl to cave to the wants of a man. I've seen many guys crash and burn in an attempt to capture your heart. I just want you to know how I feel. It's always been you Kinzleigh. You're the only girl that's ever stolen my heart. I'm not telling you this in hopes of getting a response today or anytime soon. You won't ever hear me tell you I love you after today, unless you choose to be with me. I only tell you now, because you deserve to know. I don't want to lose my chance to someone else because I was too scared to tell you how I felt."

He scans my face before he goes on. I know it's to make sure I'm not about to have a panic attack. "Before you jump to any conclusions, I know you don't want kids and in turn that's why you don't want to get married. I've been around you long enough to know that you don't want to be held back. I'm okay with not having kids as long as I have you. I will never hold you back from cheerleading. I will never pressure you to marry me, unless I know it's what you want. It's not a contract that says you're tied down to me in the career sense. I will never make you choose. I am willing to go wherever you want. We have businesses all over this country and dad wants to expand globally. I have the means to make you happy at my fingertips. I just need you to trust me."

I begin rubbing my forehead, trying to process all this information. I'm not used to someone knowing me like their favorite book. It's a little intimidating. I didn't know I was so obvious. "What exactly are you proposing?"

"Nothing as well as everything. I don't want you to take this for more than it is and run off scared. I just want you to think about it this year. When I come to your senior graduation, I will bring all this up again, but not a second before. I know you want to be in California. If, at that time, you accept my proposal, you will move back here with me and we will buy a place of our own and see how things go. That's all I'm asking Kinzleigh. I'm not asking for your hand and I'm not asking for babies. If I wanted all that in a set time period, I wouldn't be after you. I know you're not like every other typical girl and that's one of the things I love about you. I learned a long time ago, if I wanted a chance with you, it had to be on your terms. That's all I'm asking for is a chance. Don't over think it and don't try to come up with an answer today. Live the same way you would if I never mentioned it. I do want you to know though, I will not touch another woman until we talk at your high school graduation. I know I can't expect the same of you, but I can't pretend with other girls anymore when the one I want is right here."

I can't even begin to think about all this. At least I'm not as freaked out as I would have expected, being in a situation like this. I guess when it's all laid out in front of you there isn't a whole lot to freak out about. Maybe it's that I don't really have to process all of it right now. He does make some good points, I have to admit. "Why have I never noticed you felt this way?" It's all I could say.

He smiles, a genuine smile, for the first time since we've been here. "You tend to only notice the things in the world of Kinzleigh, I guess, omitting out the things you don't want to see."

"I don't really know what to say, but I'll think it over. I'm sorry I can't say more. I'm still a little shocked, to be honest."

He stands, reaching for my hand, and pulls me to my feet. He cups my face in his hands, like in the bathroom last night. "Hey, you don't have to be sorry Kinzleigh. You're reacting better than I expected. I am sorry to suddenly throw this on you. I know how you panic under pressure. I thought you would be in California for senior year. I've been thinking about all this since dad mentioned you moving."He looks me in my eyes. "Can I kiss you one last time? I swear I won't discuss it again after today, until the time comes. I'm true to my word."

What am I supposed to do? I'm not one for kissing multiple people in one day; it's rather trashy to me and low class. He's waiting for my response and I can see the hope in his eyes. He did say he wouldn't bring it up again for a year. I guess one time wouldn't hurt. He looks pretty miserable. I won't be seeing Breyson anymore anyway. "Okay."

He pulls me in slowly, touching his lips to mine. He kisses my bottom lip and then my top. He sucks my lips into his. He kisses me as if he's trying to cherish this moment, memorize it. He lightly licks my bottom lip, asking for entry. Well if I'm going to do this I might as well make it count. I slip my tongue into the opening of his lips. He entwines his tongue with mine. It's warm and mingles needfully.

He walks me backwards until my back presses against something hard. He picks up pace just slightly. He kisses as if he's a dying man. He runs his hands down my body and stops just below my butt, picking me up. I wrap my legs around his narrow waist. He continues to kiss and suck and nibble. I'm not sure how much time goes by, but he finally moans and releases me. He sets me down onto the floor. He cups my cheek in his right hand and brushes his thumb across my bottom lip. "Thank you. That means more to me than you know. I'll think about this moment every day for the next year. This will be what gets me through my last year of school. I'll just have to make it last until I come back for you. I will come back for you Kinzleigh. Come on, let’s get you home."

CHAPTER 11

Breyson

I'm a pretty laid back guy in my opinion, but there is one thing I hate; to be judged. I'll be the first to admit when I've done wrong. In this case, I have. Even though I know the true situation with Natalie, I shouldn't have kissed Kinzleigh while I was dating her. I even understand her anger, because normally I don't tolerate any form of cheating; It only causes death. Whether it's death of the heart or the body, it's all one and the same. I have a dead cousin to prove it.

I attempted to fix the error of my ways, by breaking up with Natalie and I even came clean that I had taken interest in someone else. What pisses me off is that she didn't even give me a chance to explain. We live in a country that prides itself on being innocent until proven guilty, so what was that exactly. If she wants to refuse speaking to me once she's heard me out, fine, but I deserve a chance to explain what I'm being accused of.

I'm so mad right now I want to hit someone. I want to hit someone hard and repetitively. I need to blow off some steam. I have been called a playboy, a jerk, man whore, along with everything else out there, but I will not be called a liar. I have always told the truth. Not one time did she ask me if I was dating someone. Some may say that omission is a form of lying, but I don't exactly think normally when I'm around her. That has to count for something. I have been with my fair share of women for a seventeen year old. Some my age, some older and I'll own up to every accusation that is true, but I will not allow someone to believe a lying, deceitful bitch over me. I never once was all over that slut at that party. To be lied on that way is low, even for a girl. Girls like her are what give guys a bad rep and in turn form man-hater groups all over the place. I don't know if she's mad she got turned down or jealous, but I will find out.

Right now, though, what bothers me more is that I just had to watch Kinzleigh leave with that little rich playboy just waiting to get his hands on her. I know his type. They sit around playing the best friend role until they can swoop in and take her when someone else takes an interest. What does it matter? She was pretty clear she didn't want to see me again. I sit down on the steps, trying to ponder my next move. What is it about this girl I can't let go?

Under normal circumstances back home, I would just go find a random, attractive girl, and take her somewhere private because I never waste time on one girl. I usually have a choice pick. The problem is, I've now tasted the best there is. Anything else would be like shooting cheap whiskey after being offered a shot of Johnnie Walker, black label. I'm sitting here, lost in my own head, when red toenails come into view. I know it's not Kinzleigh because there is no anklet surrounding the left ankle that is always present, it seems.

My eyes travel upward, along the seams of long tan legs. She's wearing a black and red polka dot bikini and her stomach is flat, with a bar through her naval. She is skinny with a nice sized rack. Maybe this is my answer to all this frustration, I think, until I reach her face. When I look up it's Lexi. Well she does have some balls, I give her that. "What the fuck do you want?" I normally try to watch my language around the ladies, because foul language is just in bad taste unless around the guys, but she has really pissed me off.

"What a shame. It's such a waste of one fine specimen of a man; chasing after a girl that is better than you. By the looks of you, I'd guess you've had several girls accompany you in bed, and I bet you know how to satisfy...and well. I don't mind you being a man-slut, personally, but Kinzleigh is different. Every guy wants her and every girl wants to be her. She's the closest thing to perfection any girl will ever be. She's sweet, innocent, and hot as hell; ask any guy here at this party. Preston Dunagin has had his eye set on her for years and I'd say, it appears he's pretty close to finally getting her." She walks over and sits next to me.

"If she was going to settle down with someone, it'll be him, but Kinzleigh isn't really the settling down type. Her dreams are too big and her hearts not for the taking; trust me, I've watched so many attempt and fail. No man will ever lasso her heart. Isn't that a term you southern people use? The only way a man will get the likes of Kinzleigh Baker, will be to ride along beside her; no expectations to make her love him. I'm not saying he hasn't been with girls, because a boy like that is hard to turn down. He has the looks, personality, and the money, but he's done the one thing you haven't; put in the time with her. He's stayed in the friend zone for years. He gets his fix from time to time and every girl he hooks up with is a physical replica of Kinzleigh. I'm pretty sure one girl even mentioned he called out her name upon climax. He's just meeting his needs until she's eighteen you see, because once he gets her, he isn't letting her go. Heed the warning, because it's going to happen whether she lets you in for a while or not. He'll get her when he gets out of school. He's a very patient man. I know this because I've tried to bag Preston for myself, so I know this for a fact. Besides, he makes it pretty obvious so it's hard to miss. People like you and I should stick together."