Chapter 133
No matter how horrible Maddison was to me after my brother died, Preston deserved to be happy. Despite the way she handled my brother's death, she was a decent girlfriend. But if anything were to happen to Preston and she treated Cali the way she treated me, I will have her head.
"We weren't the best of friends. But promise me you won't let this get in the way of your relationship, Pres. What happened between us shouldn't affect your relationship. You deserve to be happy." Preston looked confused but he nodded to get me to continue explaining.
"After Bryant died, Maddison took it hard and I guess her way of grieving was different. She was never a bad girlfriend, she made Bryant happy and she treated me kindly, you know?" Preston looked impatient as he checked his rearview mirror and took a hand off the steering wheel to motion for me to keep speaking. I rolled my eyes at him but continued.
"Maddison started blaming me for my brother's death. Bryant died during a car crash after he had picked me up from a party that he told me not to go to." I tried to get it over with quickly but I don't think it was possible when Preston still stopped abruptly at a red light and turned to look at me so quick he probably got a whiplash.
"What?" He asked harshly and I simply shrugged.
"She apologized to me outside the restaurant. It wasn't right of her to blame me and she realized that and —" I rolled my eyes at his narrowed eyes as he kept his gaze at me. "Oh don't give me that look, it's not that big of a deal. I was already blaming myself her words hardly made any difference."
The car behind us were beeping their horns and our car lurched into motion again.
"What do you mean it's not a big deal?! That's not okay, not even close to okay!" I snorted at that. Oh don't I know it's not okay. But it wasn't like I had a say in it. She was so drowned in hatred, grieve and everything else. She didn't have it in her to stop and think rationally.
"It's over now. I'm over it Pres, it's in the past. Get over this too. I don't want this to be a problem between you and her. I want you to be happy, dude. Don't let some shit from the past stop you from getting that happiness." I pat his arm lightly, turning to look out the window as he simply grunted. I took it that he heard me. I can't force the guy to listen to me so I could only pray that he heeded my words instead of following whatever thoughts were circling in his head.
I turned my body to look at the backseat to check on the kids and both of them were fast asleep. No wonder they were so quiet.
After we arrived at the Jones' house, I helped Preston carry Pio into his room and tucked him in. I pressed a kiss on his forehead as he turned his body and snuggled deeper into the covers of his bed.
I silently cooed at him before taking my leave, shutting the door as gently as I could as to not wake him up. I was about to search for Preston and get on the road to go home when I bumped into a rock-hard chest.
I took a step back to put some space between me and whoever it was in front of me, pressing my body against Pio's bedroom door from my attempt. I looked up slowly only to be greeted by Adam's eyes. My breath hitched.
Adam seemed to miss the note as he stayed rooted on the spot while I tried to slide sideways to escape the small space between Adam and the door.
When I wasn't trapped anymore, I allowed myself to exhale and tried to breathe properly once again.
"Um, hi. Can I help you?" I asked awkwardly when he didn't make a single sound. Today was apparently a "make Cassandra Johnson feel awkward" day. Adam slowly shook his head and tried to reply coherently.
"Um, sorry — I," He shook his head again, quicker this time, seeming like he was struggling to gather his thoughts. "I just keep on having these flashes, visions, whatever you want to call it, and I dream about it and now I can't figure out which ones are real and which are not. I need your help picking out memories from dreams."
My throat got clogged up as I struggled to breathe again. He was remembering.
"B-but —" I cleared my throat and tried not to stutter, "what about Kiara? You know our past wasn't filled with platonic feelings." Adam's expression looked conflicted.
"I need to remember, Case. I can't keep on being vulnerable to brainwashing tricks anymore. Help me, please." I was fighting my own overwhelming emotions. All I was able to do was nod at his request.
A smile grew on his face and suddenly, his arms were around me. I was pulled against his familiar build and surrounded by his familiar warmth.
I told myself that I was crossing a line right now. I should pull away. He wasn't mine anymore. I should step away. But my body did the exact opposite and decided to have a mind of its own as I melted against the comfort I found in his embrace. For once, everything looked okay. For once, everything that was spiraling out of control was veiled by the bubble created when I was with Adam.
For once, everything was okay.
