Searching for Me

Chapter 2

I wake up with a start. My body is shaking and I’m sweating like crazy. I feel my cheeks and they are wet. The nightmare that I haven’t had in years is back. It’s the same one I had over and over after my parents were killed. It’s like my mind never wants me to forget it. It plays on repeat in my head taunting me, asking me to remember anything more from that night.

My parent’s murders have gone unsolved for five years. The police just said that it was a home invasion gone wrong. They didn’t know I was there so they never questioned me. I know it wasn’t a home invasion because the men only came in and killed my parents. After making sure they were dead they left, never once taking anything.

I never understood why the police ruled it as a home invasion, but the older I get, I start to see things about my family, I realize that maybe, and just maybe my uncle paid them off. I like to sometimes think that my uncle got the men who killed them just so it’s easier to sleep at night instead of think that the killers are coming back for me.

I need to get my mind on something else and stop thinking about that day. I jump out of bed and head to take a nice long hot shower. Maybe that will help my body relax a little. I don’t know how long I was in the shower but by the time I’m out and dressed I hear Kaci up and moving about the townhouse. Making my way out to the kitchen I see her standing by the coffee pot waiting for her coffee to finish.

“Morning, sunshine, how ya feeling today?” I laugh at the look she gives me.

“Like s**t, why is it only me who feels this way? You had just as many drinks as I did last night.”

“Not true, babe, you had a few extras if I recall. That hot guy you were flirting with kept getting them for you. Sit down and I will get your coffee and some aspirin.”

She goes to sit at our breakfast bar while I grab her everything. Handing them over and sit down next to her with a bottle of water.

“I had the dream again, Kaci. I haven’t had one in so long.”

She knows all about them. She was the one who held me after I would wake up from one and she’s the one who’s been with me every step of the way.

“I’m sorry, doll. You know you’re safe right? No one is coming after you.”

“I know, the dreams just feel so real to me, and every time I have one it takes me back to that night.” Sighing to myself Kaci throws her arms around me and holds me tight.

After deciding that she needs to get a little more sleep, she heads back to her room and I make my way to my laptop to get some homework done. I’m so ready to be done with college, but I still have two years to go. It seems like forever but I know when I’m done I will be happy about my accomplishments. I’m pursuing a double major, one in business and one in finance. Math was always my easiest subject so I decided to go that route. Right now I’m working for my uncle’s business as an assistant to one of the finance directors so I can learn the ropes. I know my uncle wants me to run it when I’m ready so I need to understand everything and I need to figure out if it’s actually something I want to do.

After I finish my homework, my mind starts to drift to Kaleb Morgan. For some reason everything about that man makes me lose all concentration. He was smoking hot in his suit last night at the party. From what I could see at the club, it almost looked like he had tattoos down his arms, or at least the part that showed from him rolling his sleeves up.

I decide to Google him maybe it will have something on him. All I know is his name. So I type in Kaleb Morgan and hit search and wait to see what pops up.

There are a ton of things popping up about him, clicking on the first link that says ‘Kaleb Morgan spotted again with a different girl on his arm’. There’s a picture with him on the arm of a woman who looks slightly familiar. Reading down the article I see the reason she looked familiar, she’s an up and coming country singer and it looks like they are leaving some type of party. What I don’t get is why there was even anything on this man. I’ve never heard of him before but he must be something if people are following him.

Searching some more and hoping to find some answers, I see another article about him. Only this time it’s not a happy one. ‘John Morgan, CFO to the Ashford Finance Group, lost his loving wife Crystal Morgan, to a drunk driving accident.’ Reading more about the article I realize that Crystal Morgan was a famous actress and that’s why Kaleb is in the press.

The more I learn about him through my search, my dislike of him increases. He’s just like all the others, a complete man-w***e. I knew that last night after seeing him with some chick on his lap. I look one last time at his piercing blue eyes before I close up my laptop and head to see if Kaci’s up. I need to get out and get some food in me.

Once Kaci and I are ready we decide on the little pizza shop that we love. After placing our usual order of pepperoni, sausage and olives, we take a seat and wait for our lunch.

Just sitting around talking about nothing but never having a silent moment my body decides to do the feeling again. What the hell? He can’t possibly be here. But when I see Kaci’s eyes widen I know he is.

“Holy s**t, doll, that sexy-as-sin man from last night just walked in. And oh f**k me.” She starts to trail off so I quickly turn to see what she’s seeing. That’s when I see Kaci’s ex, Gus, walking with Kaleb. I actually thought at one time they were going to get married but things went south pretty quickly.

“s**t, what am I going to do, doll? I can’t talk to him.” I know she never really got over him and only screws men on occasion to forget him.

“Just ignore them and maybe they won’t even see us.” Wishful thinking I know.

“Too late.” She says and I know they are walking over to us.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite two chicks in the world.” Gus says looking at both of us. I look up and see Kaleb has a question in his eyes about how we know Gus.

“Mind if my buddy and I sit with you, all the tables seem to be full.” I look over at Kaci and I see she’s not really sure what to do. So I decide to make the decision for her. I get up and move to sit next to her on the other side of the table. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to have Gus so close to her.

“Take a seat guys.” I say to them and they both look like they want to say something about having to sit next to each other. I hold in my laugh knowing it would just piss them both off.

Kaleb speaks for the first time since they came to the table. “So, how was your after party last night?” Saying it with what I’m now seeing is his signature smirk on his face.

“It was great, we had a blast, only problem was as I was leaving I saw a complete man-w***e basically getting mauled by some slut he probably just met. I felt like I would be blind forever.” I laugh, “Thank goodness I got my vision back as soon as I walked outside.” I wink at him. I know I’ve stumped him when he just looks at me like he wants to say something only not knowing what to say.

Kaci laughs which makes me laugh with her. I never told her about seeing him, but I think with my look she knows I’m talking about Kaleb.

“Wow that must’ve sucked. Maybe that ‘man-w***e’ as you called him was only wishing it was you and not some slut he just met. Ever think about that?”

I start to gasp, but catch myself quickly. I don’t want him to know what kind of effect he has on me. “Too bad for him, it will never happen.”

Gus and Kaci are just looking back and forth at us not knowing what’s going on. Thank goodness the waiter decided to interrupt us with our pizza. The guy’s pizza comes out pretty much at the same time so we all dig in. After what started off an awkward lunch, it actually turned into a good one. Once explaining how everyone knew everyone, the conversation flowed. There was never a dull moment.

The more Kaleb talks the more I feel myself getting pulled into him. He’s not just some man-w***e but he actually seems to be really intelligent. I found out that he just turned twenty-six last month and has started working for my uncle and his dad. I don’t ask what he’s doing for them knowing that it might not be something I want to know.

I can see Kaci falling back into her old habits with Gus and know it’s time to go. I stand up and pull her with me and we start to move toward the door. Kaleb stops me by pulling on my arm. The minute his hand wraps around my arm I feel like I’ve been electrocuted. Trying to pull out of his grasp only makes him squeeze tighter.

“Let us walk you out.” Is all he says and I feel myself nodding my head yes. Leave it to my stupid betraying body.

Somehow we paired off and I end up walking next to Kaleb and Kaci is with Gus. When we make it to my car I turn around and see Kaci and Gus kissing. God dammit, that’s what I was trying to avoid.

“Well it looks like they’re busy.” Kaleb says laughing.

“Yeah well, that’s not happening.” I say to him then start to walk towards Kaci, pulling her apart from Gus. “Kaci, let’s go now.”

“What the hell, Gabby?” Gus shouts, “Just leave us be.” He tries to pull Kaci back to him. I know he’s pissed, but he’s not going to be the one that has to pull Kaci out of the dark hole he’ll put her in.

“Yes, Gus, seriously, now let go.” I look over to her, “Kaci, go get in the car.”  My voice is a little harsh but I know she has to hear I’m serious.

She listens and pulls away from Gus and walks toward the car. She knows she shouldn’t do anything again with him, but I can see it in her eyes, no matter what, whenever he calls she will always go running.

Getting up in Gus’ face, I tell him exactly how I feel. “You will leave her alone, don’t do this to her again. Every time you want to get your d**k wet with her, you end up breaking her a little more, and I’m the one that has to put the pieces back together. I don’t care who you are but you will not hurt what’s mine and Kaci’s mine, she’s my sister and you better stay the hell away from her.”

“Oh what are you going to do, sick your uncle on me? Come on, Gabby, you and I both know that Kaci will come back to me.”

I notice Kaleb starting to look a little pissed off and I don’t care. “No, jackass, you will be begging me to sick my uncle on you after I’m through with you if you hurt Kaci again.” I know I’ve completely pissed him off, but he doesn’t get a chance to say anything to me because Kaleb has him pinned against the car.

“Listen here, Gus, I don’t care about our history but you will never disrespect a woman like that again. Do you understand me? Do what Gabby asks and stay away from her friend.” Gus storms off and I’m left staring open mouthed at Kaleb.

“Kaleb, you didn’t have to do that, I know how to handle myself with Gus, this isn’t the first time.”

Smiling, “I can see that you can handle yourself, but with me around you don’t have to.” He grabs my hand, “And it’s Kale.”

He kisses my hand again and walks off before I even have time to think of what to say. What the hell does he mean, with him around? Is he crazy? I don’t need him!

I jump in the car and I see Kaci’s face. She’s hurting and I hate that. I know at some point it wasn’t my place to step in with her and Gus just now but I know him, he’s never going to change and will always end up hurting her more. She deserves better, but I also know he’s the reason she hasn’t moved on to anyone else.

“I’m sorry, Kaci, but I can’t watch him drag you into his life then toss you out again.”

She looks over to me with tears in her eyes, “I know, Gabby, I do, it’s just so hard. I don’t know why I always let him suck me back in. Hell, just having lunch with him did me under.” She takes a deep breath, “I know I need to get him out of my mind, and when I think I have finally moved on, he always pops back up.”

“Chick, you know I’m here for you and if you want my advice, you have someone who’s been waiting for you to be ready for a long time now, you just have to take the opportunity by the balls and go for it. I’m not saying Bubba is your one and only but he can damn sure screw Gus out of your mind.”

When she laughs I know everything will be okay. “I know. Maybe I will see where it goes with Bubba and stop this only-friendly hook-up with him. That’s enough about me, what about Mr. Hottie and you. He has a thing for you. And don’t think I didn’t notice his kiss to your hand again.” Winking at me, she’s caught me off guard only because I didn’t think she watching.

“I don’t know, Kaci. He’s trouble with a capital T and he works for my uncle, I can’t get involved. Not that I want to anyway.”

“Sure doll, just keep telling yourself that. And just because he works for your uncle doesn’t mean anything. Hell, your cousin works for him and so do we.”

“I know but I think he works for the other side, the side that keeps popping up more than I want to acknowledge about what my uncle does. I can’t get involved. End of story.” I give her my look; she knows it and knows to keep her mouth shut about this topic.

I just don’t understand, less than twenty-four hours ago I didn’t even know Kaleb existed and now he shows up where I’m eating lunch and does things to my body no one has ever done.

Kaci and I decide to have a night in. After last night’s party and clubbing and today’s lunch I think we are both exhausted. We call the gang and they all say they will bring the food and drinks.

After changing into some pajamas, which is just some plaid shorts and a black tank top, I plop down on the couch and wait for everyone to get here. Kaci comes out of her room looking pretty much like me, hair in a ponytail and sleep shorts and tank top on. The doorbell rings and she jumps up to answer it knowing that it’s probably the gang. I don’t hear what’s being said, but for some reason I know it’s not our friends. When the door shuts I look up and see my cousin Dane and of course the man who hasn’t seemed to want to leave my thoughts standing in our living room.

Jumping up to give my cousin a hug, “What are you doing here, not that it’s not a nice surprise?”

“I just wanted to check on Kaci. Kale told me about Gus and I know their history. Hell, I even told him to stay away.” He pulls her into his side. And it’s this moment that I finally see clearly with them. It’s not that they have feelings for each other; they genuinely care about the other. And the way my cousin is looking at Kaci is almost brotherly.

I’m still annoyed Kaleb thought it would be okay to come with, “That doesn’t explain him.” I say pointing directly at Kaleb.

“We were taking care of some business tonight and he wanted to tag along.” My cousin says with a smirk. Like he knows something I don’t.

“We’ll you came in and checked on us now it’s time to leave, we have friends coming over.”

Just then the doorbell rings and in walks our friends.

Logan is the first one to speak, “Why the hell was your door unlocked, Gabby?” When he makes it around the corner he freezes. “Well, I guess that answered my question.” He walks up to Dane and does that side arm guy thing with him.

“Hey, man, glad I’m not the only one who has to yell at these two about their door.” My cousin says to him.

Logan turns around and greats Kaleb. “I’m Logan, and you are?” Leave it to Logan to put on an act.

“Kaleb, a friend of Dane’s.”

After saying their nice-to-meet ya’s with everyone, my cousin and Kaleb decide they’re going to crash our movie night. Me, well I guess I have no say in the matter. Logan gives me a look like he knows what I’m thinking and makes his way over to me.

“Come sit with me, doll.” Logan says while he’s pulling me down to him. Dane is sitting on the couch with Kelly, Karen and Kaci, next to him, which leaves only a spot next to me for Kaleb to sit. Well, s**t on me. I guess I’m not going to be able to avoid him. Just having him near me has set my body on fire.

I cuddle up to Logan like we always do and everyone falls silent. Kaleb makes himself comfortable and somehow that makes him sitting even closer to me than he was before. I bring my legs up on the couch and lay my head on Logan’s shoulder, trying to put some distance between Kaleb and I.

Only problem is, my plan backfired. I don’t know if he did it on purpose or what but Kaleb grabs my feet and places them onto his lap and lightly starts to rub circles on my ankles.

Breaking the spell, Logan gets up and says he has to call it a night, something about having to get to work early and since the girls came with him they get up to leave too. Once they are out the door, I hear my cousin set the alarm and then we were down to four. Dane and Kaci are now relaxing on the other couch and Kaleb and I, both looking uncomfortable, or maybe it’s just me, sitting side-by-side.

I’m guessing sometime during what seemed liked our third movie of the night, I must’ve fallen asleep because when I wake up my head is no longer lying on the couch but something hard. Opening my eyes slowly, not wanting to confirm my fears that I have fallen asleep on Kaleb. When my eyes open I see his hard thigh, moving my head just slightly I can see a bulge start to happen in his pants. Sitting up as fast as I could I just look at him.

“Sorry, I fell asleep on you, Kaleb.”

“It’s Kale. And now worries, you can sleep on me anytime.” He says back to me with his signature smirk.

God damn him anyway. I look over to where I last saw Kaci and Dane only to see Dane is fast asleep on the couch and Kaci is nowhere to be seen. Kaleb must see the question in my eyes. “She went to bed about an hour ago.”

“Oh okay, I think I’m going to head that way myself. Since it looks like Dane is out, feel free to crash in the spare bedroom.” With that I get up off the couch and walk to my room. Maybe adding a little sway to my hips as I go. Turning and looking back over my shoulder I tell him goodnight and shut my door not even waiting to hear if he said anything back.