5. Kaylani
Chapter 5
Kaylani
W e shuffle down the hall to a set of stairs, and I flinch as my rib protests with the first step.
"Let me carry you, doll," Vaughn murmurs, easily lifting me into his strong arms. Burying my face in his neck, I close my eyes, just focusing on his steady breathing until we walk into a small bathroom on the second floor. Candi flicks on the soft, warm light and ushers Vaughn to set me down on the toilet seat. The space is tiny and a bit outdated, with checkered tile flooring and ocean-themed decor.
Candi pulls back the shower curtain and turns on the water. She looks to Vaughn, who’s crowding us in the tiny space, with a frown.
"Alright boys, out," she says, making a shooing motion with her hands. "This bathroom is already small as it is, and Kay needs some space."
"No, I'm not leaving tiny," Creed protests.
At the same time, Vaughn says, "I'll help lift her into the tub."
But Candi shakes her head, giving both of them a hard look. "No. Kay needs some privacy, and you're going to give it to her. I will help her get settled in the shower. Now go on," she insists, herding Vaughn back through the door frame.
I can't see Creed over his massive shoulder, but I hear him complain about Candi being bossy. I’d forgotten that Vaughn had told me Candi and Creed had grown up together and were best friends. I stifle a giggle at the idea of Candi bossing him around as a kid. Once they're gone, Candi turns back to me, her expression softening with concern.
"Are you okay, Kay?" she asks, her voice gentle.
"Yeah, I think so," I reply, though the aches in my body and the weight of everything that's happened sit heavily on me. "I'm so sorry about this."
Candi shakes her head. "No. I'm glad Vaughn brought you here. Though you should be in the hospital."
My lip wobbles and my voice cracks. "I can't… I can't face Brina. How do you tell someone their child is dead?" My chest heaves. "And that it's all my fault."
Candi's gaze is unwavering, her eyes filled with a compassion that pierces through my self-blame. "Kay, look at me," she says, her voice steady. "You're not responsible for Adam's choices. You're not responsible for what happened to Rebecca. And you're definitely not responsible for Michelle Sterling's actions."
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. How can she not blame me? "But Michelle wants you as Adam’s omega," I whisper, the weight of that realization settling like a stone in my stomach. "And if it wasn't for me..."
"Kay," her voice breaks through the quiet of the bathroom, gentle yet firm. "You can't blame yourself for everything that's happened. None of this is your fault."
"But if I hadn't come to The Omega Den that night, if I hadn't been so reckless..."
Candi shakes her head, her expression fierce with determination. "Listen to me, Kay," she says, her voice firm. "Michelle's desires have nothing to do with you. She's using you as an excuse to justify her own selfish ambitions. But we won't let her win."
Candi pulls me into her arms and holds me while I cry again. I cry until I'm numb, the bathroom now clouded with steam.
"Let's get you cleaned up before the water runs cold," she says, offering me a reassuring smile.
With her help, I slowly peel off my clothes, wincing as I see the bruises marring my skin in the mirror. The girl staring back at me is a stranger. Slowly I turn away from the horrid image and Candi helps me step into the shower, adjusting the water temperature until it's just right. The warm spray soothes my aching muscles, and I let out a sigh of relief as I begin to wash away the dirt and grime of the night.
"Take your time, Kay," She says softly, her voice a comforting presence in the small bathroom. "I'll be right back with a towel and change of clothes."
Despite the guilt I still feel surrounding Candi, I'm glad to have her by my side.
As I stand beneath the steady stream of water, I let my thoughts drift, allowing myself a moment of respite from the chaos of the outside world. With each passing minute, the tension in my muscles begins to ease, and I feel a sense of calm settle over me.
But beneath the surface, a nagging fear still lingers.
What will happen now? With Bex gone, and my life in shambles, I can't help but wonder what the future holds. All I know is that I don't want to face it alone.
I stand beneath the spray until it runs cold and I'm forced to get out. My skin is pink from scrubbing the scent canceling shampoo all over me. No matter how much I use, I can still smell the tobacco clinging to my skin. The steam swirls around me, and I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind.
Candi holds out a bright pink towel, my favorite color, and I grin. Something about the color soothes my omega instincts.
"I thought you might like this one," she says, her smile warm and genuine.
I chuckle softly, nodding in appreciation. She has no idea how much I appreciate the small gesture. With her help, I wrap myself in the soft fabric, its vibrant color a stark contrast to the darkness that still lingers within me.
"Thanks, Candi," I murmur.
For once, she's make-up free—no signature black lipstick or dark eyeliner framing her bright blue eyes. Instead, her natural beauty shines through, accentuated by the intricate lines of her tattoos. She wears a band tee that falls to her knees, revealing a flower thigh tattoo with shades of reds and black.
"I brought you one of Owens' shirts. Hope that's okay?"
The thought of being surrounded by his scent settles my nerves slightly.
"It's more than okay." I grab the soft black fabric from the counter and bring it to my nose, inhaling Hux's spicy scent. My chest tightens with longing.
I hope he’s okay.
My eyes cast to the checkered tile as I try to keep my emotions at bay.
"You need to rest, Kaylani." she sighs tiredly. It is well past four in the morning, and guilt swarms me again at being a burden. "Why don't you sleep in his bed?"
My eyes spring back to hers in surprise as I hug the towel tighter, clutching Hux's shirt in my fist. "Oh, I don't know…"
"Stop it," she chuckles. "I promise you, he will be happy you're there when he finally comes home. Plus, Vaughn and Creed are... occupied," she adds with a mischievous grin.
I raise a brow in surprise. "It's about time those two made up."
Candi nods, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Unless you'd rather be in bed with them?" she teases, and I'm grateful. I don't want anyone walking on eggshells around me.
Though my cheeks heat for another reason. Even with everything that's happened tonight, my stomach flutters with a mix of nerves and excitement at the thought of being between them both.
Candi slaps my arm. "My god, Kay, I was kidding!" she tosses her head back and cackles, making me laugh too. After a moment, we both settle down from laughing and I find I enjoy being here with her. It's nice to have a friend again. It's been too long since I bantered like this.
"Thank you, Candi. For everything."
She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "Anytime, Kay," she replies, her tone warm. "Now, let's get you settled in bed. You need rest."
With her help, I slip into Hux's shirt, the familiar scent of him enveloping me in a sense of security. Candi offers me a supportive arm as we exit the bathroom and into his bedroom. His scent is stronger here, and it settles into my bones. The soft light casts a gentle glow over the room, making it feel homey. Much like his office downstairs, the furniture here is all dark wood and masculine. Black sheets cover his massive bed, and a pair of dress shoes sit under the small coffee table in the corner.
As I settle into bed, exhaustion washes over me, but my heart aches for Hux. His scent comforts me, but it also makes me wish he were here, holding me, assuring me that everything will be alright. I worry about him, wondering if he's safe. My eyelids grow heavy, and despite the whirlwind of emotions, the familiar spicy smell and the warmth of his sheets lull me to sleep.