No One But You (Orlinda Valley)

26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Kai

“W hat am I doing here?” I wondered aloud as I pulled into Tonya’s driveway Friday night.

I had stopped by the salon Thursday after work to make sure everything was still in working order, possibly hoping to see Kora or at least have someone tell her I had been there, but instead was invited to Tonya’s weekly barbecue. I hadn’t planned on going, as I was avoiding Kora and trying to get things going at the property, but after I left, I received a message from Bryson telling me I better show up. He needed a partner for cornhole. I decided why not.

As I drove up Tonya’s driveway, my eyes wandered along the tree line. On the other side was Kora’s place, and my pulse picked up. It had been a long week. Between work and dealing with Terry’s court case, I stayed busy. It was a lot to deal with, and I never contacted her, and as with most things in life, the more time that passed, the harder things became.

During the court case, Trevor spoke up for Terry. He decided not to press charges, and with Terry’s sudden focus on AA and getting sober, the judge gave him a fine which he was going to work off with community service for the town. As long as he kept his job as kitchen help at the pub and stayed focused on his community service and sobriety, after six months he would be off probation and his debt to Orlinda Valley would be paid.

He was here to stay for six months. I don’t know what got into me, but I insisted that he stay with me. After much arguing, he thanked me profusely and promised to help me around the property and stay sober.

So, the septic and water lines were being put in this weekend, then I would be able to start on the foundation and framing. It wasn’t the life I thought it would be when I pulled out of Georgia and first moved to Orlinda Valley. I’d hoped to get away from the past and my father, but it was possible for people to change. Maybe it would finally happen for Terry.

I heard the music and laughter coming from the backyard as soon as I climbed out of the truck. I smoothed my shirt and checked my hair in the side mirror.

This was crazy. I felt like a high school kid on the way to pick up a date instead of a grown man going to a barbecue at a friend’s house. Yes, Kora would be there, and God, I wanted to see her, but it had been a long week and I’d never reached out. What if I messed things up?

I lost count of the number of times this past week I texted her just to delete the message. I knew I needed to tell her everything about me. The good, the bad, and the really ugly.

Terry told me he accidentally let it slip about me being in prison. At least that skeleton was out of the closet. It was totally possible she wouldn’t want a relationship with me after she found out the details of why I spent three years behind bars. If she decided she couldn’t be with me because of that, I’d accept it and move on. But no matter what, I was making Orlinda Valley my home with Kora or without her.

My feelings thudded around in my body, and my pulse raced. I took a deep breath, threw my shoulders back, and headed for the house. “You got this.” I walked around the back and was wrapped in Tonya’s hug just as I stepped into the yard. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she cooed.

I laughed. How could I not? “Lord, Tonya. Were you watching for me?” I pulled away, and she draped her arm over my shoulder. “Honestly, I wasn’t going to come, but Bryson talked me into it.”

“Well, I’m glad he did. Come on and say hi to everyone.” She led me to the crowd. Her yard was large and bordered with trees and rose bushes. There were children running everywhere. I recognized James, Darlene and Bryson’s son, but there were a couple of little girls he was running with whom I didn’t know.

I glanced around the yard, and my heart thumped hard the second I saw Kora off in the back corner with Darlene and Summer. There was something different about her. Something in her expression.

“She’s confused.”

I turned away and gave Tonya my full attention. “Excuse me?”

“Kora. She’s confused. She doesn’t understand why you shut her out. And there’s something else bothering her, but she didn’t tell me what that was.”

Just then, Kaye and Charles joined us. We said hello, and I got a hug from Kaye and shook Charles’s hand. Diane joined us and introduced me to her husband, Tom. There were so many people and so many names, I doubted I’d be able to remember everyone. Just when I thought I would explode from information overload, Bryson and Jamison saved me.

“Glad you made it.” Bryson offered me a beer, but I opted for a Coke instead.

“Thanks. Trevor and Nico have Terry occupied for the night at the pub, and I figured, why should I deny myself a free meal?” I joked. Maybe if I tried to forget that Kora was there, I’d have more fun, but the fact that we weren’t together made a crater form inside my gut.

Lance joined us, and we moved away from the book club and took up residence at the back corner of the yard.

“So, all of you grew up together?” I asked. I wanted to understand what it was like with an extended family. Friends who were so close, like brothers.

“Yep,” Jamison answered. “Bryson, Rowan, Kora and I are actual cousins, but Lance, Lilly—Lance’s sister who lives with her husband in New York— and Rose, Ruth’s daughter, were all brought up like cousins. One big happy, unrelated family.”

I nodded and lifted my brow.

“With our moms being best friends, we’ve been together since birth,” Lance added. “We have great stories about Kora if you ever want some dirt on her.”

“Seriously, Lance. You’d throw me under the bus?”

My breath stuck in my chest. When the breeze blew, I could smell her strawberry and vanilla lotion. Our eyes met and my heart thudded harder. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Her voice was short, and her eyes were shrouded. The side of her cheek sucked in like she was chewing on it.

I struggled to contain the rush of emotions flooding my body—relief, longing, attraction, and a deep ache for reconciliation. I reached out, unable to suppress the overwhelming desire to pull her into my arms, then pulled back. “Can we talk?”

Kora held my gaze yet said nothing. Darlene elbowed her, and the look she shot at Darlene was all attitude—there’s the Kora I missed.

“Yeah, go,” Summer said. “You’ve been annoying the hell out of us. Go talk to him.”

“Summer,” Kora whispered, her eyes wide.

Summer shrugged and pulled Darlene away.

A smile ticked up the corners of my mouth. My dimple must have popped because Kora’s gaze fell to my cheek and became softer. “Please?” I asked again, and this time I held my hand out.

Kora shrugged and placed her hand in mine. A shock of electricity traveled from her touch, making my pulse race. That was all the proof I needed that there was something between us, and I needed to make things right. I could try to ignore my feelings and think she deserved better, but it wouldn’t work. I had to be honest with her and face whatever happened head-on.

I led her under a tree in the opposite corner of the yard, as far from listening ears as we could get. The sun reflected in her hair, and I didn’t know how it was possible, but she was even more beautiful than I remembered. “Kora. I’m sorry for how I’ve acted. I know I was rude, and you deserved more explanation than I gave.” I could feel eyes watching us. I turned my head and Tonya, Kaye, Ruth, and Diane were there, whispering and watching. “Is there somewhere more private we could go?”

Kora followed my gaze and rolled her eyes. “Seriously. They all need a life.” She shook her head and pulled me by the hand out of the yard to the front of the house.

This was better. It was quieter here, perfect, and for now, we were alone.

“Kora . . .” I started, but she put up her hand. I closed my mouth.

“Look, I know things in your past were hard. That scar under your eye holds a story I could never understand. I’m sure all of this”—she gestured toward all the cars and the subdivision— “is something new to you. You mentioned never having a family. I can’t picture that. Here in Orlinda Valley, family is more than just blood. Everyone stands up for each other. I don’t know what it’s like to not have all this. To not be accepted, to not be around people who love me, and I’m not going to pretend I do. But I can’t make you believe you’re good enough for me. If you don’t believe it yourself, that’s something you’re going to have to figure out.”

“Kora.” I took her hands. I needed to tell her now. Just do it. Get my baggage out in the open. “Everything you just said is spot on. My life sucked, and I never imagined anyone actually had all this.” I gestured around me. “This was a dream I thought only existed in movies. But there’s more I need to tell you.” I stared off in the distance and took in some breaths. “I was running from more than just Terry when I left Georgia, and I thought if I left my past, I wouldn’t have to face everything. I should have realized that was a mistake. Unfortunately, it’s a part of who I am, and I can’t hide from the truth any longer.”

I moved my gaze back to her brown eyes, and for the first time in my life, I saw concern, and someone who truly cared—about me.

I licked my lips and puffed out a breath. Just do it . “I didn’t tell you the whole truth about me. I know Terry told you some, but it’s my story to tell.” I grasped her hands tighter, needing—no, hoping—her strength and courage would seep into my skin. “As I was growing up, I needed to make sure Sebastian and Susie had everything they needed. Clothes for school, pencils and paper, food. The basics. At first, Terry had enough money stashed away and I would take it and buy things, but by my junior year, things became worse. His drinking took a new turn and he never had money. We became desperate. I needed to do anything I could to get money so we could survive.” I could hear my heart beating in my ears. I looked down at the grass and closed my eyes. Relax. Once she knows, it’s in her court. She’ll get to decide. You owe it to her.

“Kai?” Kora’s voice was soft and concerned.

I glanced up into those beautiful orbs and felt my world start turning. Giving me the nerve to continue.

It will all be good . I took a deep breath. “I started dealing drugs. Pot at first. It was easy to get into and easy to be profitable. I made money and was able to put food back on the table and give the twins what they needed. It didn’t take long before I was offered pills to sell. Those were even easier to get rid of than the pot. I dropped out of high school the moment I turned eighteen and pushed pills instead. My thought process was—more time making money, and it seemed to work for a while. I made enough money to keep us fed and fulfill the twins’ basic needs. Unfortunately, one night I sold to an undercover cop and was arrested. Sebastian and Susie were in college, so the money I’d made helped them a lot. But then I found myself behind bars.”

My pulse was racing, and I had been rambling. I took another deep breath. “Three years later, I got out. Sebastian was in basic training, and Susie had just graduated. I made it to Sebastian’s basic training graduation, saw him off to Alaska, and helped Susie get set for South Dakota, then I hightailed it out of there myself. I needed to start over. I found a construction job where my record didn’t matter, and I’ve been working there ever since.”

There. I said it. All of it. Now she knew. I waited for a response. Yelling. Anything.

Finally, after what felt like eons but was probably just a couple minutes, Kora squeezed my hands.

“Wow,” she said, her eyes on mine. “I’m sorry that happened, but I’m more sorry you had to do that for you and your siblings.”

I needed to add more and make her understand why I acted like I did. “I’ve worked hard to not be stuck in my past. When Terry showed up and had already caused issues, it took me back. He made several comments that reminded me why I didn’t want him to be a part of my life, and I allowed him to get under my skin. Again.”

I glanced around at the trees and the pastures. People cared for each other in Orlinda Valley. This is the type of place I wished I would have grown up in. That’s why I was here. I wanted this for my future.

I looked down at Kora and my heart did a somersault. I brushed my hand through her hair, which caught the light, causing the red to shine bright. “All this threw me. It’s what I’ve always wanted. A family. A place to belong, but I never believed it really existed, and when I witnessed how people can love each other unconditionally, I was overwhelmed. Everything about you and about this scares me. What I feel for you scares me. Ever since I saw you on the side of the road, I’ve been attracted to you, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

I cupped her face and lifted her eyes to mine. “I should never have walked away from you without telling you everything. My true past, my feelings, and why I felt that way, and I can’t promise I won’t screw up again, but I want to try to make this work. Make us work. If you want me.”

I couldn’t read Kora’s expression, but she sucked her bottom lip in and bit on it. God, how I wanted to be the one biting on that lip. My pulse raced. There was a chance she wouldn’t want me. That she didn’t want to deal with my baggage and my skeletons. If that’s what she decided, I’d understand, and I’d let her go. Somehow.

“Kai, when I met Terry at the bar, we had a talk about you.” She reached out and traced my scar. “Tell me about this.” She removed my hands from her face and held them tight.

Her hands were soft, and my pulse seemed to calm at her touch. She wanted to know about the scar. I’d already told her so much. What’s one more thing?

I took a deep breath and blew it out. “I was a teenager. Maybe thirteen or fourteen. Our mother had been gone for a good while, and Terry’s alcoholism was out of control. If the twins were going to be taken care of, I was going to be the one doing it. They were about seven. I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner, and the twins were at the table working on their homework. Sebastian had his backpack on the floor, and I didn’t notice. I was in my own world. I had a big test in Algebra the next day and needed to get the chores done so I could get to studying. At some point, Terry walked in and fell over Sebastian’s backpack.”

I shook my head. I could still see the fear in Sebastian’s eyes like it was yesterday. “Terry jumped at him and pulled him up out of his chair and pushed him . . . well, almost threw him against the wall. I grabbed the first thing I got my hand on, and it was Terry’s beer bottle. He must have just put it on the counter. I screamed at him to get his hands off Sebastian. I called him all types of names. He turned toward me and laughed. He grabbed the bottle from my hand, and I punched him. The bottle fell to the floor and smashed to pieces. He punched me, and when I fell, he held a piece of the jagged glass to my face and cut me.”

Kora’s eyes were wide, and a tear fell silently. I wiped the tear from her cheek. “I told him to do it. I told him to cut me and leave the twins alone. He did, and as I screamed, it was like he was slapped. He just froze. I don’t know what happened, but I pushed him off me, and he never hit or attacked any of us again. He just sort of existed in the house.” I shrugged. “It was after that when things started getting worse, and the food disappeared from the cupboards. Not long after, I was selling pot.” I touched my scar. “This scar is a reminder of my past, but also it reminds me that because I stood up to him and pushed him to cut me, I saved Sebastian and Susie from further abuse. I swore then I’d never let anyone hurt any of us again, and I’d never be like him. I worked hard to follow through, and I made some bad decisions along the way, and in the end, things became worse for the twins after I was locked up, but it all ended up okay. Sometimes when things are at their worst and we can’t see a way out, we are proven wrong.”

Kora traced her finger along my scar. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft.

“I don’t want you to be sorry. I’ve worked my entire life to not be anything like Terry. That’s one reason I don’t drink much. The other reason is when I used to drink, I made bad choices. I went from buzzed to belligerent pretty damn quickly, and I didn’t like myself the next morning.”

I placed my hands on Kora’s waist. “I’ve kept myself shrouded in mystery and away from people, but I was attracted to you that very first moment I saw you. And it scared me. That’s why I tried to push you away, but your stubbornness had already gotten under my skin, and I couldn’t forget you.”

“That’s because there’s something here. And I don’t want to be without you.” She closed the small gap between us and wrapped her arms around my neck.

I closed my eyes and breathed her in.

“Kai, thank you for sharing with me and being honest. I know it was hard. But understand something. I don’t feel sorry for you. I don’t judge you. You did what you had to do to survive. I can’t say I understand because I don’t. I just want you to know I care, and everyone here cares.”

Her deep brown eyes held me tight, and I got lost in them.

“Kiss me, Kai,” she whispered.

I didn’t wait for her to ask again. I closed my lips desperately over hers and kissed her long and deep. God, I’d missed this all week. Her soft lips, her taste. My fingers tangled in her hair, and I held her tighter. I needed her closer, and soon, my tongue found hers.

I broke the kiss and held her steamy gaze. “Kora, I’ve never been good at expressing my feelings, and I have no idea how to be in a healthy relationship. What if I mess up? What if I fail you and fall back to what I know? What if I turn out like Terry?”

“Kai, if you mess up and if you fall, I’ll be here to catch you. Every time.” Her eyes shone bright and made my heart skip a beat.

“Thank you,” I said.

“And don’t worry. You’re nothing like Terry. You're kind, loving, and so much more.” She pushed up on her toes and kissed me softly.

It was a perfect kiss. A kiss that told me things would be okay. We were okay. My shoulders became lighter as the tension I stored in them evaporated.

“Let’s go,” she said when our lips parted. “I’m sure Aunt Tonya and the book club gossips will want to know what’s going on.”

I laughed and wrapped my arm around her waist, and we walked back to the yard. As soon as we turned the corner, we ran right into the book club.

“Wow. What a surprise. We never would have guessed you four would be eavesdropping on our conversation,” Kora said with a laugh.

Kaye and Ruth glanced down at the ground while Diane and Tonya faced us head on.

“We weren’t eavesdropping,” Diane said, her head high.

“Yeah, Kaye was showing us a bird’s nest, and we were wondering what kind of bird made it,” Tonya said.

Kora looked at Kaye, then the bush. “Kaye, why don’t I believe her? You and Ruth both look guilty.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kaye entwined her arm through Ruth’s.

“Yeah, don’t give us that teacher voice.” Ruth pulled Kaye’s arm, and they walked away. Ruth never could hold strong under pressure.

I laughed. Couldn’t help it. These book club ladies were too much. “Y’all are awesome.”

Diane walked away. “Yeah, we are, and it looks like all things worked out.”

Tonya nodded at them, winked, and followed her friends.