Finding You: The Switched Series book one (12 page)

“Where’s Collin and Jaxon?” I ask, thinking they should be here helping us.

“They went down to the station to see what they could find out there. They are the ones who tracked her cell and car. We are all trying to find her,” Brody answers.

“What about Molly?” I ask, not really caring. Just wanting to make sure she stays out of the way.

“She was still asleep when I left. I better get back before she wakes up and finds out what‘s going on. That wouldn’t be good. I still can’t believe she has known about this either. Let me know if you find out anything,” she says, walking out the door.

A few minutes later Leighton walks back into the house. “Have you guys figured out anything?” she asks, walking over to Brody. I’m really beginning to think something is going on there.

“I’m just trying to find out what flights went out of Nashville late last night and early this morning,” he says, looking up at her. Leighton now has a pen and notepad in her hand and is writing something down.

“I would really think with this many cops and detectives and big muscled guys around you all would be a little better at this,” she says, walking over to me. She hands me a piece of paper and smiles. I look at it and it’s an address in Miami.

“You’re welcome, now go get your girl and bring her home,” she says, with a wink.

“You talked to her?” I say to her.

“She went home. I can’t believe no one thought of that one. Her cell died is why she wasn’t answering anybody. She answered the home phone when I called a few minutes ago. I promised not to tell you where she was, but I’m not very good at keeping promises sometimes,” she says, smiling at Brody. “I know Callie comes across as strong and independent and she is, but I think right now she is scared and needs you. That’s why I’m telling you. Your flight leaves in three hours. You better get packed,” she says.

“Thank you,” I say, running over to kiss her on the cheek. “I owe you big time,” I tell her heading out the door. I don’t need clothes. All I plan on doing is finding my girl and bringing her back home with me.

“Ash, can I talk to you a second?” my dad asks, following me out the door. I nod my head at him turning around from where I have just opened my door.

“I’m really glad you found each other. You both mean more to me than anything. I have something you can give her if you want to,” he says, before pulling something out of his pocket and handing it to me. I look down at it and smile. I know how much this means to my dad. The fact that he is willing to let Callie have this means the world to me.

“Are you sure?” I ask him, looking up seeing tears in his eyes.

“She would have wanted it. Now, go get your girl and bring her back here. You both deserve a happy ending.”

“Thank you,” I say to him before grabbing him and giving him the biggest hug I have ever given him. “Thank you for taking such good care of her all of these years,” I whisper in his ear, before turning around and getting in my truck. I have a girl I need to go get and bring back home.

Chapter Fourteen

I can’t believe this has happened. I finally let someone in and it turns into a freaking nightmare. I haven’t been this miserable in years. I never should have gone back to that place. I’m just glad I am finally home. I go into the bedroom to start unpacking when my home phone starts ringing. Maybe it’s Leighton. I really should have told her I was leaving. Was she even there when I left? I don’t remember seeing her. I grab the phone off the nightstand and look at the caller ID, it is Leighton. I just hope no one has hijacked her phone. I really don’t think I can handle a conversation with any of them right now.

“Hello,” I answer falling onto the bed. I am exhausted. It has definitely been a long night.

“You better have a really good reason for leaving me here while you snuck away,” she says.

“I’m really sorry, I was in a little bit of a hurry,” I say, wondering what the best way to ask her what’s going on is going to be.

“Did you have a good flight?” she asks, sounding bored.

“Seriously, you called to ask me about my flight. Does anyone else know where I am yet?”

“Only Clay, he told me to give you a few hours then call. He seems to know you pretty well. It seems he used to know Ash pretty well a few years ago. What a morning it has been around here,” she says, still sounding bored.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” I ask her, even though I’m not one hundred percent sure I want to know what all was said.

“Clay told everything. I’m pretty sure he didn’t leave anything out. For what it’s worth Ash doesn’t hate you. He is so in love with you he can’t see straight. He feels horrible that he made you feel that way and that you left. They are all really worried about you. They are going out of their minds right now trying to figure out a way to find you. For some reason they never thought you would go home.”

“I can’t go back. I should have told the truth from the beginning. He may think he loves me now, but every time he looks at me he is going to be reminded I’m the reason he has no family.”

“Callie, please tell me you don’t seriously believe that. He’s not stupid. He knows it’s not your fault or his dads fault. These things happen, he should know that better than anybody. He just needed someone to blame and you were the easiest person. They really do care about you here and are really worried.”

“You can tell them I’m okay, just don’t tell them where I am. I really don’t want them to worry. I’m really sorry I ran out on you this morning. I didn’t even see you. Were you even there?” I ask her, thinking how strange it was that I didn’t wake her up.

“Of course I was there. Where else would I have been? I better go before they come looking for me. I’ll be home soon. Get some rest. You have had a long night.”

“Okay, thanks for everything Leighton. I’ll talk to you soon,” I say, before hanging up. I really do have the best friend in the world. I just hope she really can keep a secret.

I don’t know how long I have been asleep, all I know is my doorbell is ringing nonstop and it better be Leighton and no one else. I open the door and my heart jumps up into my throat. It’s not Leighton. It’s the one person I thought I would never see again. Before I can say anything, Ash picks me up and carries me over to the couch. He sits down bringing me down onto his lap and just holds on to me like he will never let go. His face is buried in my neck and I am starting to feel the tears that are running down my face hitting my neck.

“I am so sorry,” I whisper to him. He just hugs me tighter before removing his face from my neck to look at me.

“Please don’t ever leave me again. I honestly don’t think I know how to live without you in my life. I need you. Please come home with me,” he says, staring into my eyes.

“I can’t,” I say. “I love you so much, but I can’t stand the thought of you looking at me one day and resenting me because you have no family. It’s my fault. If I hadn’t begged him to stay with me, he could have saved your family. I am so sorry,” I say, feeling my own tears running down my face now.

“I had a long time to think on the flight down here. I know it’s not your fault. I never really thought that, I just needed somebody to blame and you were the easiest person. I talked to my dad today. We actually had a conversation that didn’t involve me screaming at him or walking away. That hasn’t happened in years. I am so thankful you have had him in your life. You deserved to have someone and I can’t thank him enough for taking care of you.”

“I shouldn’t have had him in my life, you should have. I will never forgive myself for asking him to stay with me that night. If I hadn’t, you would still have your family together. It’s my fault you have no one.”

“That’s not true baby. I really am glad he had you. Look at it this way; while you were spending holidays with him, I was with your family. Maybe this year we can all celebrate together,” he says to me with a small smile on his face.

“You would do that? Spend the holidays with your dad?”

“Yes, I plan on spending every holiday for the rest of my life with you and my dad,” he says, looking into my eyes.

“How can you just forgive me like that? It’s my fault you have been alone. It’s my fault you will never have another conversation with your mom or watch your sister grow up. Not only did I take them away from you, but I also took your dad away from you. I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive myself for that. I know how that feels and I would never wish that on anybody.”

“I know you would never do that Callie. That’s one of the things I love about you. All you ever do is worry about other people. I have watched it since the first time I saw you sitting on that fence staring out at all of those horses. I honestly think I fell in love with you at that moment. All you have done is try to make all of this easier on everybody else, your brothers, parents, even Molly. You are the most selfless person I have ever met. For once, Callie, please do something for you. Stay here if that’s what you want. Go back to Tennessee if that’s what you want. The choice is yours, but please let me be wherever you are. If you don’t want to come home with me, please let me stay here with you.”

“You would do that? Leave your life there and move here to be with me. Knowing everything you do about me. Every secret is out. Are you sure you can forgive me for everything I have lied about?” I ask him. The tears are still flowing down my face. I know what I’m going to do. I just need to make sure he is still one hundred percent sure of me.

“I don’t think you lied. I think you kept a lot of secrets to yourself. I hope you know you can tell me anything and we will work through it together from now on. I still can’t believe I never figured out who Clay was,” he says, shaking his head and smiling at me. “I love you baby and I really hope you pick me. I feel like I died that night with my mom and sister and you brought me back. I can’t tell you how many times I wished it had been me instead of them. Now I know why it wasn’t me, because I was meant for you for forever. I love you so much. Please come home with me.”

“I think I know what I want to do,” I say to him, taking a deep breath.

“Okay baby, anything you want, just please say I’m included,” Ash says, pushing me off of his lap to sit beside him. He turns to look me straight in the eyes. I don’t know what he is going to say, but before he says it, I have to tell him something first before I chicken out.

“I want to go to Vegas,” I blurt out before he can say anything.

“You want to go to Vegas? Why? Please say you don’t want to live there,” he says.

“I don’t want to live there. I want to live in Nashville, with you. I want to try to have a relationship with my family, all of them, even Molly. Most of all, I want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning. I want to live in your house with you and Scooby. I’m still not sure I will ever want kids. If that’s a deal breaker, I understand. If it’s not, then I want to grow old with you by my side, because if I have you, I honestly believe I can get through anything life throws my way. I want to pack up all of my things and I want to go home with you. I guess what I am saying is Ash, will you marry me?”

He is just staring at me like I have suddenly grown another head. Why is he not saying anything? He said he wanted me forever, but he is just staring at me not saying a word. This is officially the worst day of my life. After what feels like forever, I get up to run out the door when he catches my hand and pulls be back into his lap.

“Kids are not a deal breaker for me. I have something for you,” he says, moving me to the side and taking something out of his pocket. “This was my moms. My dad gave it to me to give to you before I left.” He opens up his hand and shows me what’s in it. “I guess I wasn’t quick enough. I want to do this right too, so Callie,” he says, before scooting me back onto the couch so he can get on one knee in front of me. “Will you please do me the honor of flying to Vegas with me and making me the happiest man that will ever walk this earth?” he asks, putting the most perfect diamond ring on my finger.

“Are you sure you want me to have this? Are you sure Clay wants me to have this. It has to mean the world to him. Yes, I will marry you, but I can’t accept this ring.”

“We both agree that it is perfect for you. He said my mom would want you to have it. I want you to have it. She was the most important woman in my life for a long time, but now you are. Please accept this ring Callie, unless you don’t like it. We can go buy any ring you want if you don’t. I want you to have what you like. We can go tomorrow and get any ring you want,” he says, finally getting off of one knee to sit down by me again.

“I want this ring. It’s perfect. I just didn’t want to take it from her, but if the two of you want me to have it, then it would be an honor to wear it. When can we go to Vegas?” I ask, staring down at my hand. I can’t believe this morning I thought I would never see this man again and this afternoon I am going to get to spend the rest of my life with him.

“I’m free tomorrow if you are,” he says, grabbing the back of my neck to pull me in for a long kiss.

“I’m free tomorrow, but I think tonight sounds a whole lot better,” I say, climbing back onto his lap before pressing my lips back to his.

“Tonight can definitely be arranged,” he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket to call the airport.

“I only have one condition,” I say, pulling the phone out of his hand and holding it behind my back. “We can’t tell anyone. It has to stay a secret for now.”

“Are you kidding me? Didn’t you just say not even ten minutes ago no more secrets? Why do you not want anyone to know?”

“I said no more secrets between us. I didn’t leave things in a good way with any of them. I’m pretty sure they would all think this is a bad idea. If I am going to work things out with them, then I have to work things out with Molly. If she knows we are married, that would be awful. Did you really have no idea she has been in love with you forever?”

“What are you talking about? She is not in love with me. She has been nothing but a little sister to me as long as I have known her. Why would you think that she is in love with me?”

“She told me. That’s what started the whole I knew we were switched a long time ago fight. She asked what was going on between us. I tried to lie to her because I didn’t want everybody to know, but she knew too much. She said the two of you used to be together and you would just use me and break my heart like you did to her. I’m assuming she was lying. I hope I’m right,”

“I was never with her. If I had been with her and broke her heart, her brothers would have killed me. I don’t want to talk about her anymore. I just had the most amazing woman in the world agree to fly to Vegas with me. I guess I can keep one more secret to make her happy, but promise we won’t keep it long. I really don’t like keeping things from them and they are going to be furious if they think we are shacking up. They really are like family to me.”

“I promise, we can tell everybody as soon as we get everything figured out with them. Can we leave tonight?”

“I’m ready when you are,” he says, nodding his head at me. I don’t know what I did to deserve this man, but I am very thankful I found him.