Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

But she's not here.

She's never giving me advice again.

She...

I choke back a sob.

Brendon steps into my room and presses the door shut behind him.

He lays in my bed behind me. Wraps his arms around my waist and pulls my body into his.

And he holds me as I sob.

As I release every bit of hurt.

I fall apart in his arms.

Even with everything between us, he's the only person I trust to piece me back together.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Kaylee

I wake up alone.

Even so, the world is a little less cold.

A little less dark.

It hurts a little less, Grandma being gone.

I manage to drag myself out of bed. I brush my teeth, shower, put on makeup, blow dry my hair. I feel better. Not great. But better. Like I can actually face the world.

I pull on an old dress. It's a little small, but it's stretchy enough to be comfortable. I'm about to move into the hallway when I see it.

A note on my desk.

Meet me at the boardwalk at noon. I have something to show you.

- Brendon

And there's the exact address. And a detailed drawing. A blooming rose in the shape of a heart, covered in thorns. It's beautiful. Intricate. Incredibly Brendon.

My stomach flutters. It pushes away the darkness flowing through me. I actually feel warm. Alive. Like the world is a place where good things can happen.

It still hurts.

But I'm pretty sure I can survive it.

Mom is strangely okay with my request to borrow the car. Emma too. She doesn't ask where I'm going or insist on coming. Dad either.

It's weird.

Like they know what Brendon's up to. And are somehow okay with it. But that isn't possible. If my parents knew we were sleeping together, they'd kill him.

Or maybe...

I mean, I told Grandma.