Stone’s Hearts

Chapter 2

What the heck was that? Why was I staring at him for so long. Though I thought the question, I already knew the answer. It is because I was staring in to the eyes of the most handsome guy I could of ever imagined up in my head. My heart is pounding. Bringing myself back to reality, I look around trying to decide what I am going to do when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Slowly turning around because I already have a hunch who it might be from the amazing musky woodsy scent filling the air. Bracing myself knowing he heard my embarrassing sob story I told the woman behind the register.

“Do you need to use a phone?” He spoke with this deep rough yet soft voice. It's mesmerizing. 

“Um—mm y-yes” I stutter. Smooth Kaycee, real smooth.

“Please.” I added.

He says nothing, not breaking eye contact he reaches in to his pocket and pulls out his phone. Handing it to me I almost drop it not wanting to look away from his eyes. Looking down at the phone remembering I  have to call a relative I’ve never met and beg them to save me and my brother from my awful father. This should go well. Sending a quick prayer that God would take this into his hands. The handsome man steps a few feet away to give me some privacy. I look in his direction his hands are in his pockets, he looks relaxed like he has all the time in the world.

“Take your time.”  He said. 

Brining my attention to his lips. They are round and full and slightly wet; my heart sank into my stomach, he is so breath taking. I mouth “thank you” not trusting my voice. I turn around walking a few more feet and dial the number Blake had written down for me to call. It rang three times.

“Hello” a woman answers.

“Hi, my name is Kaycee Stone, I don’t know if you know who I am, but I am looking for Sara. Is she available?” I blurt out.

 Did that even make sense? This is so nerve racking.

“I am sorry, but Sara hasn’t lived here for over 7 years hunny”  She replied in a sincere tone. 

My eyes starting to fill with tears. All this for a dead end.

“Do you know where she is at now, or would you happen to have her phone number?” I asked my voice shaky, she can hear emotion in it I am sure. 

“No, I have no idea. She was just the resident that lived here before me.” She replied.

Oh my gosh. How is this happening right now, I thought this was our out. Our new beginning.

“T-thank you. Sorry to bother you.” And I hung up.

Looking over my shoulder at the handsome guy letting me borrow his phone. He moved, he was now leaning against the big truck, talking into the passenger window that’s rolled down. His elbows resting in the window area. Which would be difficult for anyone other than him because the truck is so lifted, but him being so tall, probably over 6ft if I had to guess. He must feel me looking at him, he turns his head in my direction. I blush that he caught me looking. I hold up my finger for one more call, he holds up his hand in response letting me know I was good to go. Now to call Blake. 

Ring

Ring

Ring 

Ri- voice mail.

Gulp. 

What am I gonna do? I’ll try again... straight to voice mail. Panic runs through me. What if he is hurting Blake. I can’t go back, Blake made me swear I wouldn’t go back. That he would come to me, but I don’t know where I am going. What am I gonna todo? I feel defeated. Gathering my bearings, I have to give this handsome guy his phone back. I turn around and run right smack in to him. How did I not hear him, or better yet smell him? I must have been in too deep of thought because I sure can smell him now. Inhaling as much as I can, his scent almost calms me. I open my eyes, I hadn’t even realized they were closed. 

“I’m s-sorry” why am I stuttering so much today? Get yourself together. 

I stare in to his eyes, they are fierce, but also... what? empty? almost emotionless. He is staring down at me, so close we are almost touching. I finally blink, looking down and remembering his phone. Handing it to him. He grabs it, his fingers brushing over my knuckles. It feels like static, a shock. My heart beating fast, I quickly pull my hand away. Feeling confused and breathless. Asking myself yet again WHAT IS HAPPENING!? 

“What are you running from?” He says, interrupting my thoughts.

His voice enticing me. s**t. What do I do? I can’t tell him I am running from my awful father. Ahhhhh. 

"How do you know I am running from something?” I asked.

 He can probably smell me, I am sure I am a mess.

“You mentioned it to the lady behind the register...” He trailed off. 

“You were listening to my conversation?” I don’t know why I asked that.

 I knew he probably heard it, but maybe I can turn the conversation so we don’t have to talk about me. 

“It was hard not to. Listen I know you don’t know me, I am Jaden. I can give you a ride if you need it. My employee and I were just stopping through to get gas, but there is clearly nothing around here and you said you were running.” 

He seems like he is trying to act tough, but is actually nervous. I am probably just imagining things; there is no way he could be nervous. 

“Thanks, but I don’t actually know where I am going” I said truthfully. 

“So you are running from something” He said it more as a statement than a question. 

“Thanks for the offer, but I am fine. I’ll figure it out.” I said acting tough, even though I am breaking inside, I have no clue what I am going to do. 

“You don’t seem like you’re fine. You were crying when I came over here. Let me help you. Please tell me what you are running from.” He said with almost a begging tone. 

He doesn’t strike me as a man who ever begs for anything. I can’t tell him, he's a complete stranger! But what other choice do I have? I took a deep calming breath, inhaling his scent once more.

“My dad. Home. I am running from home... and my dad.” I feel my face turn bright red. I can’t believe I just said that. 

“ Oh” he said. 

Processing the information I just told him. He is quiet for a few long seconds before he said.

“You seem like you need a new start, and your plans don’t seem to be happening by your reaction to your phone call” he held up the phone before continuing. 

“I’ve been looking to hire someone, I need someone to assist me to work functions, charities stuff like that.” He said in kind of a rush.

 He looks down and starts chuckling under his breath. He looks up again his smile is... beautiful, clean, white, and perfect. Just seeing his smile sends my heart right in to my stomach. He almost seems embarrassed, but he continues saying.

“People are always asking when I am going to settle down, or get serious with someone, but honestly I am just invested in my business. I am tired of having this conversation over and over, I just need a plus one to some events.” 

His eyes seem empty again, but I can tell he is holding his breath waiting for my response. For some reason that warms me inside. I haven't said anything, still trying to process what he has said. He wants to hire me? This sounds sketchy. I know I should be careful this is a complete stranger at a gas station! I just I don’t know... I feel like this isn’t something he always does, like he wants to help me. 

“You said you don’t know where you are going. I have a large house with many rooms. A cook comes and makes meals for us. Us being me and my best friend who lives with me. You can stay with us rent free and I’ll still pay you to be my plus one to events.” He said all in one long breath.

“Why me?” Was all I can say. 

All I can think. Why does this handsome guy, who could have any women with just a flash of a smile. Why does he want me of all people? He seems surprised by my question. 

“That’s what you’re worried about? Not that I am a stranger? Or that I want to hire you to be my date and that you can live with me and still get paid? None of that throws up any red flags?” He spoke almost with anger. 

Is this guy mad that I'm not worried about him? I know I really should be, but for some reason I am not. I don’t feel like he’s lying or that he wants to hurt me. 

“You don’t scare me.” I blurted out before I even had time to process it. He c***s his head to one side, as if he is surprised by my answer again.

“So does that mean you will do it?” He asked. 

“You never answered my questions, why me?” I asked again.

“I didn’t really think I had to. Obviously because you are beautiful and breath taking. Anyone who sees you with me, won’t even question me again.” He said, so matter of fact.

He can’t be serious! Me? Breath taking? I couldn’t help but laugh. He smiled when he saw me laughing.

“What’s so amusing?” He asked. 

“I just don’t believe you think that about me.” I said.

“Listen I am not looking for a relationship or anything like that. I need to hire someone and you seem like you need some help, I figure it seems like a good opportunity to help each other.” He said almost defensively. 

“I didn’t think you did, not for one second. I just couldn’t believe what you said about me before.” I said, a little embarrassed. 

“Well don’t be so surprised uh- whats your name?” He asked. A little embarrassed now. 

“Kaycee” I replied.

Then added “Stone, Kaycee Stone.”

He paused for a moment before continuing 

“So Kaycee, what do you say?” He asked with playfulness in his tone.

“Honestly this all sounds like a dream come true, but I ran away trying to call a relative that could hopefully take my brother and I in. My dad he uh-“ I stop not wanting to continue.

“Where is your brother now?” He asked.

“Back home with my dad.” I said.

“Your brother sent you out here by yourself, to call a relative?” He asked, his jaw clenched when he finished the question. 

What the heck?  

“Yes it is our only option, our only chance.” I look away.

 My eyes starting to fill with tears, I really didn’t want to cry in front of him. All my emotion hitting me that I have failed. All this for nothing.

“Okay we will get your brother, he can come too. I have lots of positions open in my company, I am sure I can find something for him.” He said, so casually.

How can he be serious, he really would take me and my brother in. A women he just met at a gas station. 

“You just met me! How can you offer so much?” I ask.

“Look I’ve never done this before, but like I said it seems like a solution to both our problems.” He responds.

I am silent for a moment. If he is serious, he has to know everything. Know what he’s getting himself in to first.

“Look I have a lot of baggage. You at least need to know what you are getting yourself into.” I said feeling nervous. 

“So you agree then?” He askes.

“Um as long as you know what you are getting -“ he cuts me off with a wave of his hand.

“Look I am not worried about all your family drama. You can lay it on me in the truck on the way to get your brother.” He said. 

I froze, my eyes huge. We can’t just go there! How are we going to get him? He didn’t answer his phone. I start to worry about what could be happening to him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his body stiffens as he saw my response. 

“My dad. He’s abusive, especially toward my brother. I am sure he’s freaking out now that he’s noticed I am gone. I can’t get ahold of my brother. He has to sneak out, my dad is crazy.” I start to get worked up. He calms me down. This stranger calming me down. How weird.

“Listen we will get your brother, away from your dad. Don’t worry.” He said without hesitation.  

“We will go back to the house and you can tell me your family stuff. You can brief me on what I need to know and then we will get your brother.” He said. It wasn’t a question but I answer anyway.

“Okay.” 

 I look down at my feet, they hurt. I am tired, I have no idea what is going to happen. I don’t know this man but for some reason he wants to help me? It doesn’t make any sense, but I am going to trust my gut because I have no other choice.

“Alright, let’s get going.” He said as he leads the way to his big lifted truck.