Better Man

Chapter 1 Kamryns POV

Flashback 9 Years ago

"Kamryn are you sure you're ok with staying with the Watts again? You'll be 18 soon if you want to stay on your own." my Dad, Steve, said.

"Dad if you ask me that one more time I'm going to find duct tape and put it over our mouth." I said rolling my eyes at him.

"I know you've had to spend a lot of time there the past 5 years and haven't been able to be home in a while."

"I'll be ok dad." I said smiling at him.

My dad was a Commander in the Navy and sadly was deploying for the 2nd time in a year. I was used to him being gone a lot though but we were incredibly close. Over the past 3 years I had become very close to the Watts. We were always close but I had become more dependent on them as a family over the past few years. My dad used to date Connie in high school until my dad's best friend John stole her from him. Somehow it all worked out and they all remained close after graduation and through life.

Connie had deemed herself my honorary mother since my own mom wasn't around and didn't want me. Connie helped shape me into the woman I am today. My dad and I always said we were forever grateful to her and her family. I had first arrived at the Watts to stay for an extended time when I was 13 but we had vacationed with them every year since I was born. At the time I hadn't quite grown into my looks and JJ liked to tease me all the time over it. To cope I had invested myself in reading and music to get me through the first couple awkward teenage years and him. To say the least I grew into my looks as Connie said but I still felt plain and never good enough because of JJ. I had dark brown hair and hazel eyes and pale skin but I was quite the songwriter and my dad and the Watts enjoyed it every time I played my guitar and sang. I had plans after college to move to Nashville, something I decided very early on.

As we were pulling up to the Watt house. I seen two out of the three Watt boys come out to the front porch and wave to me.

At least when my dad had to deploy it was always at the beginning of a school year so I always got to go to the same school with the Watt boys. Then I'd go back home to South Carolina and spend my summers. Derek, TJ and I always made fun of each others accents.

"Kammy! You're back!" TJ said as he picked me up into a hug and swung me around.

"Hey TJ!" I said laughing when he put me down.

"Let me give her a hug!" Derek said and we greeted each other.

I heard Connie yelling at her husband that I was here and to come out and say hi to my dad and i.

"Hi mom." I said as I hugged her.

In the beginning I used to call her Mrs. Watt then slowly Connie then one day I just called her mom and she loved it and I never stopped calling her that.

"Your room's all ready for you and just as you left it. The boys will carry your bags in. JJ is at practice but will be home soon. I'm sorry he couldn't be here for your homecoming honey." She said frowning a little at that thought.

JJ... That was a name I didn't want to hear at the moment. That boy hated me to his core and I didn't know why. I did my best to avoid him at all costs. Which was really hard since we were family oriented and I had to cheer for him at football games. Thanks to Connie I had become a cheerleader since the first day I arrived here.

"Kamryn, I have to go come tell me bye." my dad called over.

"Daddy it's not goodbye it's see you late alligator." I said hugging him.

"In a while crocodile." He said kissing the top of my head.

We both said I love you and he said his farewells to the Watts and got into his cab. Goodbyes were never easy but after time we both got used to them.

I watched the taxi take him away and stood there until I couldn't see his cab anymore and went inside up to my room.

The Watts were great about giving me space the first night while I re-adjusted to my other home again. I was unpacking and putting my things away when I heard a car door shut in the drive way.

He was home....