Worth Taking The Risk (13 page)

And she took of running upstairs…crying.

I walked inside the kitchen and began to look for something to cook inside the fridge.

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips, I don’t know what to cook!

“We can order a pizza. In fact Alan is doing just that.” Nathan came inside the kitchen and smiled at me.

“Thanks, that’s easier.”

He nodded. “So you and Alan broke up.”

It was a statement, not a question. I didn’t see the need to answer.

“I knew it wasn’t going to last. You see Alan is rarely serious about relationships, he’s like a little kid. He sees a shiny candy and goes for it, after a while he comprehends it wasn’t meant to be taken and he puts it back.”

“I’m not taking that as an insult. Totally not.”

Nathan chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck. “You should go for it.”

“What?”

This time his eyes were serious. “Mitch. He’s scared, even though he will never admit it.”

“Scared of what?” why is Nathan talking in code?

“Of relationships, of falling again, of surgery. You do know he went through surgery once, he had so much hope and they all came crashing down when he only got off the wheelchair to get stuck with crutches.” Nathan sighed. “After that he didn’t want to see us. That’s when Melissa left him. She hurt him the most saying she couldn’t be with someone like him. Mitch loved her and slowly that love turned to hate and now we have a temperamental Mitch.”

I’ve never heard Nathan talk so much.

“Why are you telling me this?”

Nathan smiled sadly. “Believe It or not Mitch trust you more than any of us. It hurts but he does. Maybe you could change him.”

After those words he hugged me and then left.

I stood there for nearly twenty minutes staring at nothing and thinking about everything.

*Four hours later*

“Really thank you so much and please talk to your dad about coming with us. It’ll be fun and you can keep Mitch some company. He doesn’t like hanging around many people.” Emma said as I tried, for the fifth time, leave her house.

“I’ll let you know tomorrow. Goodnight.”

And I’m free of the Gaynor’s.

When I got home everyone, Maggie, dad, Chad and Ambrose, where in the living room talking.

“How was today?” Dad asked.

I sighed and sat down. “Okay.”

“Okay? Something happen?” Maggie asked concerned.

Dad had that far away look on his face. I sighed again. “Emma sort of invited me to their beach house. it’s a family reunion and she wants me to keep Mitch some company-”

“No.” Chad snapped. I glared at him and continued talking.

“And I was wondering if you could stay with dad for the weekend?”

“I don’t mind at all, honey. Have fun.” Maggie beamed and turned to dad who hadn’t listened to anything I’d said.

I winced. “Make sure to explain everything to him when I’m gone, and don’t forget the medicine.”

“Don’t worry, Keller. Do you need help packing?”

I shook my head and walked upstairs. I heard footsteps behind me but didn’t care to look.

Once I reached my room I took out a small suitcase and opened my closet.

What should I take?

“You talked to Alan?” Ambrose asked.

Slowly I turned around to see him seating on my bed with a small smile on his lips.

“Yeah, surprisingly he took things very good. We ended up as friends.” I said and took out some old shorts and random shirts.

“No complaints. Yells?”

I chuckled. “None of that. He just hugged me and said he knew it wasn’t going to last anyway.”

“That’s very mature of him. Didn’t expect that.” he commented and helped me put my clothes inside the suitcase.

“Me either. Actually I was waiting for the yells and pissed off face but it never came.”

I grabbed random T-shirts, two pairs of pants, panties, bras, pajamas, a sweater, perfume, socks, sandals, converse and vans.

Then I got a call.

“Hello?”

“Keller, this is Emma. I was wondering if you’ve decided yet.”

Wow. I just got home like an hour ago and she’s already calling? Mad woman.

“Yeah, Maggie said it was okay with her.”

“Great. Do you own a dress or two?”

“Yes.” what’s with this family and asking about my wardrobe?

“Good, because you’re going to need them. We are having some sort of family reunion, nothing big. But it would be great if you brought at least two dresses with you and some pair of heels.” Emma said sounding a bit nervous.

“That’s alright with me. Um, when do we leave?”

She paused, seemed to be talking to someone else…maybe Richard. “We leave tomorrow at seven in the morning. We can pick you up at six forty fife.”

“That’s alright with me.”

“Alright honey, thank you. We really appreciate what you’re doing for us. We know Mitch is old enough to take care of himself but he’s too lonely and we like it when he has some company.”

“No problem Emma, I’ll see you tomorrow.” and I hung up.

“I have to take two dresses.” I complained to Ambrose who laughed and began searching my closet.

Minutes later he had three dresses on my bed: a black strapless dress, a white strapless with a sort of black belt, and a light blue with white designs on it. All of them reached mid thigh. I grabbed two different black heels and some accessories to go with the dresses. I also packed the hair drier and the straighter. My bag of make up, tooth brush and tooth paste.

“Well I think this is all.” Ambrose said and laid next to me on the bed.

“Yeah, I’m taking the credit card and some cash. I’m also taking my Ipod for the ride. She said a beach house and the only beach near is the one that is four hours on the next town.”

“Your butt is going to get numb.” Ambrose commented and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

*Next Day*

I showered, dried my hair and pulled it up into a messy bun, brushed my teeth, changed into a pair of black shorts and a gray blouse, put on my all black vans, grabbed a purse and dumped my wallet and some other crap.

Then the door bell rung.

No one else was awake so I ran to the door.

“Emma.”

“Morning Keller, are you ready?”

“Yes. I just need to…”

I trailed off as I saw Ambrose coming down the stairs with my suitcase, wearing nothing more but boxers.

He yawned. “Leaving without saying good bye? Mean Kells.” he walked out the house not caring that Emma was bright red, and went behind the car.

I rolled my eyes.

“Can you open the trunk?” he asked.

Richard did and came out the car. “Morning Keller.”

Then Mitch came out and just nodded at me.

“Well we are all ready.” Richard said and Emma got inside the car.

“Wait up a sec.” Ambrose said and ran back into the house, seconds later he came back with a camera in his hand. “Chad said yours broke so you can use mine. Take lots of pictures.”

I wanted to cry as he hugged me and lifted me up the floor.

“I seriously don’t know what I’ll do without you.” I mumbled and he laughed.

“You’re die.” he kissed my cheek and pushed me to the car. “Go ahead. Try to text me when you get there.”

“Of course.”

He smiled and I walked to the car. Mitch motioned me to go inside and I ended up seating between him and Melissa.

I glared at him and he smirked. Mitch you’re going to pay for this.

Richard started driving and I began to look through Ambrose’s camera. He hasn’t used it in a long time because the last date was from two years ago.

Memories came back to me.

A gasp escaped my lips and I blinked rapidly to stop the tears.

That picture was too much to handle.

Chapter 19

The picture was taken at Ambrose’s house, I recognize it because of the pool and the purple house. Yeah Ambrose used to live in a purple house.

We were all wet.

From left to right: Hester, Ambrose, Me, Chad and Mitch was seating in front of me.

We were all smiling. Chad and I were holding hands, Ambrose had and arm around me and Hester, while Mitch was making a silly face with his tongue out.

There were around thirty pictures from that day.

There was another one with Hester hugging me. Another with Chad giving me a piggy back ride while I kissed his cheek. Another of Chad and I kissing. Another of Ambrose carrying me bridal style. Then another with us inside the pool. Then there was one with Hester and I lifting Mitch and putting him on our shoulders.

Then there were pictures of my birthday.

My face full of cake, me trying to hit Ambrose and Chad. Then one of those two smiling and giving the thumps up.

Somewhere deep down I missed the old days with Chad, but memories of Hester on the hospital bed brought me back to reality.

Sighing I turned off the camera.

“We are stopping for gas, you guys can go get something to eat or drink. Here.” Emma handed us money and I shook my head.

“I brought money with me.”