Never forget you

Chapter 18: Skye

By the time I get home my mind is mush. I tried so hard to calm down, blasting my favorite playlist and attempting to sing at the top of my lungs on the drive back to Aunt Lacey's house but nothing could stop me from seeing the busted window and the soaking wet seats. When I pulled into the garage I had a mini melt down where I allowed myself to cry over everything that had happened but when I looked over and saw Aunt Lacey's car I threw my head back on a groan. How in the hell was I supposed to explain this to her?

I wiped away my tears and got out of the car, taking in a deep breath and mentally telling myself that I can do anything. It's just a car. I can get it fixed. It's just a car I still have so many other things of dad's.

Composing myself as best I could I walked into the connected laundry room, took off my shoes and took a deep breath before entering the kitchen. The second I stepped over the threshold I saw Lacey sitting at the kitchen island and my heart dropped down to my stomach. She must have caught me from her peripheral because she looked up. The second our eyes met all of the strength I had to keep my composure popped like a balloon. The flood gates opened and I let out a huge sob.

Aunt Lacey came running over, cradling me in a hug as I fell down to the kitchen floor.

"Oh, honey, it's going to be okay. I promise. Everything is going to be okay." She didn't even know what was wrong but she just kept telling me that everything was going to be alright. But it didn't feel that way. It felt like my life was on a downward spiral and everything I ever knew was gone. I had nothing and no one anymore.

But then I felt Aunt Lacey squeeze me tighter and I gripped onto her shirt for dear life. I had her. She was here.

It felt like forever had passed when I finally calmed down. The feeling of Aunt Lacey playing with my hair had been so relaxing that it helped calmed the storm that was happening inside. I felt like a little girl again, crawled up on my dad's lap after something bad had happened. He used to come sit on my bed, tell me a story and play with my hair while he told me that everything was going to be alright. He used to say, "my beautiful girl, everything feels overwhelming in the moment. Give yourself a time limit on that feeling, let yourself feel it. Let yourself own it. And when it's over, take a step back and look around. Look at all of the wonderful things in the world. You can survive anything, Skye, as long as you find something wonderful to keep you going." He would stroke my hair and whisper, " you're my something wonderful, my beautiful girl."

I took in a deep breath, closing my eyes and owning my feelings. He was right. I can overcome anything. I can keep going because I have him. He might not be here anymore but my dad is always with me. I can feel him here now as I sit in Aunt Lacey's arms, telling me that everything is going to be alright. My dad taught me to be strong. To own my shit and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to own this.

I sat up, swiping away my tears and looked at Aunt Lacey. "Dad's car got messed up."

Her eyes went wide but she kept her emotions in check. "What happened?"

I looked down, shaking my head. "The back windshield is broken and because it was raining the entire back interior is soaked and will probably need to be replaced." I left out the part where there was paint on the car because it all washed away by the time I got home with the rain.

Aunt Lacey let out a deep breath and hugged me closer. "Are you okay?" she whispered and I had to bite my lip from letting another sob escape me.

"I think so. I'm just....,"

She let out a breath. "I know, honey. I know." She brushed her thumb over my cheek and gave me a sad smile. "We can get it fixed, okay. No matter the cost, we will get it fixed. As long as you're okay. That's all I care about." I nod my head, giving her a tight lipped smile because I feel anything but okay right now. Although I'm incredibly happy that we can get it all fixed there's still a small piece of me that's broken hearted over everything. I can't believe that Knight and the guys would do this. That they would take things so far. Over what? What could I have done that would have made them react so horribly. Make him react so horribly.

"How did it happen?" Aunt Lacey asks as she brushes my hair out of my face.

My minds racing trying to come up with something to tell her. Do I tell her the truth? Do I open those gates and let her in to the craziness that has been happening with Knight or do I play it off?

Just as I'm about to open my mouth and make my decision the door bell rings. "Did you order food?"

Aunt Lace looks at me and shakes her head. "Nope. Not yet anyway."

We look at each other confused because as long as I've been here we've never had any unexpected guests drop by. I let out a deep breath and peel myself off the floor, reaching down to help Aunt Lacey off the floor before making my way to the door.

The second I swing the door open I'm frozen in place. What the actual fuck?!

"Who is it?" Aunt Lacey calls from behind me but I'm too stunned to answer her. I can feel my mouth dropped open as hazel eyes stare back at me. I'm trapped. Frozen in place by the force in his eyes. Aunt Lace comes up behind me, her hands braced on my shoulder as she clears her throat. She looks between the two of us before reaching her hand out. "Hi, I'm Lacey, Skye's aunt. And you are?"

I shake my head, breaking the connection between me and those damn gorgeous hazel eyes. He looks up, smiling at Aunt Lacey but before he has a chance to open his mouth I beat him to it. "Aunt Lace. Meet Knight Thomas. Knight, meet my mom's sister-Aunt Lacey."

I turn around briefly and watch as my aunt's mouth drops open a little. Yeah, she already knows about Knight. The good stuff anyway. She clears her throat and god bless her she tries to put on a neutral expression but I can see her freaking out for me inside. "Wow," she breaths out. "Well, come on in Knight. I've heard so much about you."

I look back over at Knight and his expression almost makes me laugh. He looks scared shitless, but only for a second before he pulls his mask back down and nods.

My heart pounds against my chest as he crosses the threshold and I close the door behind him. I clench my eyes shut and beg anyone who can hear me to give me the strength I need to survive this because the enemy just crossed into my territory and I am not prepared.