It All Started With a Diary

butterflies

I smiled up at him. "You and dad were my biggest role models, Ryland. I've learned that I have to live for the present, not for the past or the future. Because I'm here. In this exact moment, and that's what I can make the most of."

His head dropped, chuckling, but when it raised, I saw the glint in his eyes. The adoration, the pride. It made my heart warm.

He placed the garland down, stepping over the box of ornaments to come closer to me. "Alright, Dr. Phil. You're still my baby sister though, so don't go around thinking you're the shit either, got it?"

I smiled, falling into his comforting embrace. "Never."

He was right. Though my friends, Kade, and my family played a large part in my healing and growth, I did as well. I was there for it. I fought through it. Not only that, but I had to give myself credit sometimes that it was okay to congratulate myself on my victories in this life.

I stepped back from his embrace, sucking in a tight breath. "Ryland, uh—"

At the same time, he glanced at his watch, eyes growing wide before meeting mine, again. "Shit. I have to get going. My shift starts soon at the bar, but I'll be back before six." He squeezed my arm as he passed me to go and get dressed.

Fuck.

In this sweet moment, I was going to throw in the fact that Kade and I were together. I hadn't mentioned it to anyone besides my friends because, well, I never knew the ties between Ryland and Kade until it were too late.

I wasn't certain how Ryland would react, but I wanted to let him have a heads-up before I left for Grandma Jacky's. His reaction wouldn't change our relationship, but it sure as hell will be bad.

Kade beat him up when they were children, but then again, they were kids. Though, Ryland had been messing with Kacen, who was most definitely smaller than him at the time.

But, they were also men, and men tend to hold grudges when one overpowers the other.

I couldn't lie, a part of me was skeptical to putting Kade back in an environment where things could turn physical. But, I could also trust him, and myself to remove him from the situation if things did get to that point between the two.

By the time Ryland left, I'd gotten a shower and dressed. I was pulling on my jeans when I heard a knock at my front door.

I shut the door to my bedroom, stepping into the hall at the same time I heard someone call my name.

The voice belonged to Kade, but I still found myself worrying at the urgency of his voice.

As I turned the corner facing the door, there he was. Standing in front of me, hands clenched tight as he examined the room with fearful eyes.

His expression was one of pure rage, but when his eyes met mine, his aspects softened deeply as he stepped to me. "Oh, shit." In two strides, he had pulled me into his arms.

I tried to pull away, but his hand cradled my head to his chest. "What's going on?" I returned his embrace, instead.

I could hear the heavy drum of his heartbeat. His chest thumped against my ear as he held me at arm's length. "Why didn't you lock the door?" I could see the panic swimming in his eyes as he observed me for any bodily harm. "Damn it, baby, why didn't you lock the door?"

I smiled at him to soothe his worries, but from the looks of it, I did no such thing. "Ryland must have forgotten."

Kade nodded, his lips frowning at my answer. "Sweetheart, I thought you were hurt." He sighed, both hands on either side of my head as he pulled me in for a kiss on the forehead. "God, don't do that." The agonizing tiredness in that caused my heart to ache.