Broken Wings

Chapter 18: The Other Foot

*Paislee's point of view*

I woke up around 7am the next morning. I had to re-process everything that went on the night before. My mom lost the baby, yes. My best friend and I had it out and may no longer be friends, yes. And, my brother basically set up the whole fight so, he could determine if he still wanted to be with Nikkole or not, yes.

Hunter was sound asleep next to me. I wanted to wake him up, but he just looked so peaceful, and after dealing with my family's full on craziness for the first time I couldn't bring myself to wake him. So, I got up and went out to the kitchen to get something to drink. Dad's truck was gone, so I think that he went to the garage early this morning. Mom was sitting at the bar, drinking her tea, and reading the paper. "Good morning, Miss Paislee." She smiled when she saw me. "Morning, how do you feel?" I asked hugging her. "I feel okay. They gave me some medicine for the pain. How are you? I heard about the fight with Nikkole last night." "I'm okay. Who told you about that? Ryder?" "Yeah, he was up early with us this morning. I think he might've went to the garage with your father." "I figured that Dad had went, when I didn't hear him yelling at the weather channel. And, the fact that his truck was gone."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to coming home and seeing that truck in the driveway again." She lowered her voice and leaned in closer to me. "I know, it doesn't matter how much that I'm with Hunter, it always catches me off guard when I see it." I lowered my voice and agreed. "I know you miss Zee. He was your best friend. I know that Nikkole is, or was your best friend too, but you and him were a lot closer. You two were just bonded. I was so shocked when he started dating Nikkole, I always thought that you two would end up together." "So, did we. Its funny how many things come out after a person dies. I've learned that he loved me, just as much as I loved him." "I always knew it. Just like I always knew where you and him went off to that one night that none of us could fine you, and I knew what you were doing too." She gave me the mother look. "Mom! Can we just not?!" I laughed and felt the blood fill my cheeks. They were probably as red as the tomatoes that she had sitting on the counter.

"You want to know something else too?" she laughed and asked. "Sure, why not?" I rubbed my forehead. "I always knew that you were not the one driving the truck the night that Zee died. I never believed it for a second. You had everyone else fooled, and no matter how many times I heard everyone, even you say it, I always knew." "How? The only ones who knew the truth were Josh, Grayson,Nikkole, Ryder, and I. Wyatt doesn't remember anything from that night. He had such a bad concussion, that that whole night was gone from his memories." "You were protecting him, that's how much you loved him. I think that Hunter would do the same for you, if he had to. He's a great guy. Ryder, your father, and I all love him." She smiled. "Good, because I love him too, and he's not going anywhere anytime soon." I smiled too. "Oh, when you get a minute can you run to your aunt Kay's house and pick up your father's chainsaw? Uncle Drew borrowed it the other day, and I was supposed to go up there this afternoon, but then everything happened last night and..." "Yeah, I'll go up in an hour or so." I smiled cutting her off.

I walked into my room and jumped on my sleeping boyfriend. He smiled, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my face repeatedly. "What are you doing?" he asked smiling. "Waking your lazy ass up, that's what I'm doing." I laughed. "How are you doing today? You had a pretty stressful, and eventful night." "I'm doing okay. The ball is in Nikkole's court now, and what's done is done. Ryder was up early this morning with my parents, and he told them all about last night."

"Oh, yeah? How are Ryder and Nikkole doing?" he asked. "I don't know. Mom didn't say, so I don't really know. She probably doesn't even know. Ry most likely didn't say anything." I shrugged. "Probably not. He can hide his feelings better than you can. If he didn't say anything, and your mom saw you this morning she would've read it on your face that something went down last night." "Honestly, probably." I agreed. "How are your mom and dad doing, after last night?" "I don't know about my dad, him and Ry took off to the garage this morning. My mom seems okay. She's just taking it easy, and relaxing today. Actually, she was supposed to go get my dad's chainsaw back from my uncle, but she doesn't feel like going, so she asked me." "I'm glad your mom is doing okay. She looked pretty worn out when she got home last night. So, did your dad." "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that we're all going to be fine." I smiled. "Damn right babe." Hunter smiled and kissed me.

About an hour later, Hunter left and I went to my aunts to get my father's chainsaw. The drive wasn't long, just twisty. I turned up the road, and started up the hill. I maneuvered my truck around the corners. I came to the last sharp corner and there was another truck, but on my side. I didn't even have time to think.