The Forbidden Spark

1.

Cara’s POV

I watched everyone threw the caps in the air, and they were flying through the air like a flock of black mortarboards. It was our graduation day from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and we made it.

I finally did after four freaking years of busting my butt off, working harder than everyone else.

“What are you thinking about, Cara?” My best friend asked beside me and I smiled.

“Nothing, Megan. I’m just happy this is over with.” I said.

She wriggled her brows and shook her head. “Are you sure this isn’t about a certain somebody?” she asked.

Oh heck, no. I wasn’t letting Megan pull me into that conversation. She was talking about Jason Grey, the man I had had a massive crush on since I was thirteen, the man I had watched dated at least ten girls since I met him those long years ago when my brother first brought him home and introduced him as his friend, and later becoming his best friend.

Well, this was the typical “brother’s best friend” kind of story whereby the man was basically just out of reach because he thought that I was not in his league, forbidden, or too little for him to deal with.

I didn't know which one, but I didn't care. I was sure that my crush on him was over.

Rubbing my hands across my arms, I sighed with a shake of my head. “No, Meg. Stop being silly. You know I’ve outgrown that crush.” I said a little bit louder than I intended, as if I was trying to convince myself to believe it.

She snorted. “Keep telling that to yourself.” She said, grinning and I stared at her for a while before laughing, because I couldn’t help it. Her smile was infectious and she was really a goofy human with a fun-to-be-with energy.

The endless ringing of cheers filled my ears, when I concentrated back on what was happening around us. I could feel the waves of victory sweeping through me, the June sun glaring against my skin even though it should be raining by now, at this time of the year.

It was shining brightly like the smile on my face that Megan managed to put there.

I couldn't help it though, this was my proudest moment thus far. A day of celebration, reflection, and gratitude for where I was.

I didn't come from much, but I was glad where I was now. Actually, I was happy for where my family was now, because now we could start to live normally without having to worry about tuition or nothing.

I mean, I was still going to have to do my residency, but it wasn't the same as being a student.

Speaking of family, this was the end of the ceremony, so I turned back to see my family standing there in the back, smiling and waving at me. They had promised to come but I didn't think they could actually make it because of the distance. But there they were.

I stood up from where I was seated with Megan and said. “Megs, I need to go see Dad, Mom, and my brother.”

She nodded. “Go, I'll come find you after I say hello to my uncle. He’s the only one around.”

Nodding, I smoothened out my dress underneath the black graduation jacket, and then I started to walk to them.

“Hey Mom.” I shouted when I got to them. Smiling, I wrapped my hands around her and smiled. “I missed you.”

“Oh honey, I missed you too.” Mom said, pulling me in even closer if that was possible. After I pulled back from Mom, I walked to Dad who was standing a bit to the side, looking around for God knows what, and hugged him as well. “What Daddy? You don’t have time to greet your favorite child?” I asked and I heard my brother grunt behind me, my Mom smiling.

“Oh, pumpkin.” He wrapped his hand around me too. “I’m certainly never busy for my darling girl,” he said, smiling. “If anything, I'm just too busy looking around for the gift I ordered you to arrive. I'm so proud of you,” he said.

Of course, leave it to my father to order a gift for me and put the delivery date to my graduation date. I smiled and pulled back, wondering what this gift was, then I looked at my brother.

I reached for Hunter last, and the second I did that, he wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me so tight against his chest that I lost my ability to breathe.

“Hunter,” I called, choking and tapping his back, even though I was unable to stop the smile creeping into my face at his display. “Slow down Hunter, I can’t breathe.” I said.

Barking out a laugh, he rested his hand on my shoulder as he set me down on the floor. “Sorry, kiddo.”

He took a moment to looked at me up and down, his lips twitching at the crimson gown I was wearing. He shook his head, his eyes brimming with pride. “My baby sister, a doctor.”

“Oh shush. I'm not a real one, yet.” I said and he grinned.

“But you’ll be one soon.” He said and I smiled, looking around for goodness knows what. Okay, I should admit it. I was looking out to see if my brother’s best friend was here because somehow he always tagged along with him when he came visiting me in college. Relieved when I saw no one like that in sight, I said.

“You know, I’ve had my things packed, ready to move into the apartment my roommate and I rented.” I said, rubbing my hands as I looked back at my brother. “And I’m going to need your help.” I added, and he grunted.

“Get yourself a boyfriend, he should be able to help you with moving heavy things.” He said.

“Is that what those are for?” I asked, teasing and he smiled.

“I’m busy tonight. I have a date in town. You’ll only be eating with Mom and Dad. I’m sure I’m going to be too busy to worry about whether or not you have your things packed.” He said with a wink and I hit his arm.

“Eww, Hunter. That’s gross and too much information.” I said, causing him to laugh.

“Maybe someone will be willing to help you. I’ll send him your way. He’s back in town.” He said and I furrowed my brows as I looked from my mother’s smiling with a nod to my brother.

I knew what that smile on my mother’s face indicated, but I didn’t want to believe that was it. “What are you talking about?” I asked.

Hunter scrunched up his face. “I thought they would teach you semantics in medical school, but I guess all they cared to teach you about is the human anatomy.” He licked his lip, the corner of his mouth raising in a smile. “You mean who, right?”

“Jason?” The name came out of my mouth almost as a whisper, as if I was scared calling his name out loud would summon him.

My family knew I had a crush, no… a massive crush was the right phrase, on Jason and they had always teased me about it until a couple of years ago when I blatantly and outrightly told them that had changed.

Hunter nodded.

“Huh,” I shook my head, trying not to give anything up because I was suddenly nervous. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m sure I can deal with my things myself.” I said.

Facing Jason wasn’t the most wanted thing I wanted on my list after I had embarrassed myself in front of him four years ago after college, at the party Hunter threw for me for my birthday. I had came unto him for the second time and he had turned me down. I wasn’t about to do that for the third time.

I wasn’t sure I trusted myself with him.

“Don’t worry. He’ll be glad to help.” Hunter said, coming forward to kiss me on my forehead and wrapping his arms around me. “I should go now. I’ll see you tomorrow night before I have to go back to work.” He said.

I started to say something but Hunter beat me to it as he turned to our mother, kissed her cheeks, hugged our father, and then with a wink, he walked off.

Mom grabbed my hand after that and started to pull me to their car. “Let’s go. I’m sure Megan will meet us later.” She said, but all I could think of was the bomb Hunter had dropped in my lap before he left. It was official, I was in a real pickle.