When Our Worlds Collide (Our Worlds #1)(67)

A small tattoo that’s hidden to the rest of the world is just on the inside of her upper ribcage. It’s a pair of ballet shoes. Well, that’s a surprise. I’ll need to ask her about that one later. This only reminds me of what Kennedy has lost because of me. The one thing she loves the most is dance. It’s all been ripped from her grasp. I’m the reason why Kennedy might never dance again and nothing will ever make that okay.

How can I have the nerve to confess these types of feelings I have for Kennedy and expect her to reciprocate them when I have been selfish and untrustworthy all along? How can I expect her to share my feelings when I don’t believe I deserve her? Fuck, I don’t deserve this girl.

“Graham…” Kennedy’s voice is horse. I move my hand to her back continuing to make circles with my fingertips up and down her spine running over the tattoo. “I think I just might love you back.”

She quotes me from last night when I thought she had been sleeping. Relief quickly falls into place knowing that this crazy amazing girl loves me. We both lie down next to each other touching each other and just being in the moment. As we talk, I think that we both let everything catch up with us---Craig’s attack, Kennedy giving me her virginity, then admitting once and for all that we obviously aren’t meant to be friends. It’s a lot for less than 24 hours. There’s no one else I’d rather be lying next to right now making every decision that I’ve made to get here make complete sense.

Kennedy’s parents come home around noon just as I’m pulling up my jeans after lying in bed all morning. We managed to talk for hours about everything except the one thing that’s important. What’s going to happen come Monday? Were we going to stick with the same plan to act like we aren’t completely involved or make it known? I will do whatever she wants because right now she’s all that seems to matter. The idea of hiding what’s happening and what already happened doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t want to hide her like a dirty secret.

The lock on the front door clicks open. Kennedy rushes out of her room as quickly as her crutches will allow greeting her parents before they have the chance to enter her bedroom. I’m left alone in her room hopping around trying to find my shirt. Catching me half naked in their daughter’s room is the worst first impression.

I hear Kennedy’s voice as she speaks to her parents. She stalls the conversation on how the visits to the museums went and if they got to spend much time with her brother. Just the way her family speaks to each other I feel my heart warming. I wish I had what they have.

I know they have their own problems from the argument that I overheard the first night I came here, but in the end I think they only argue for their daughter. They only want what is best for her. I don’t get the whole “I love you” dynamic that her family has. I understand that not every family is perfect and we all have different things that make us barely tolerate each other, but I’d give anything to have my parents speak to me with such adoration the way Kennedy’s speak to her.

At the end of the bed I sit waiting for my cue to leave, to get the hell out of dodge before her Dad barges in here ready to lay my ass out. I debate on jumping out the window but know better than to treat Kennedy as if she’s something I’m trying to escape. I’ll face whatever’s waiting for me on the other side of that door.

I don’t notice Kennedy swing the door open as I’m pulling on a loose thread on my shirt. She’s standing against the doorframe with her ankles crossed with the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen decorating her face. Something changed in her and I’d like to believe that I have a big part in that change.

“You trying to decide if going out the window would be the fastest route out of here?” Kennedy giggles as she steps closer to me.

“How’d you guess?” I look up just as she finds her spot in front of me holding out her small hand to me.

“The scared look on your face was a dead giveaway. My parents would like to meet you, the boy who’s corrupted me, so get up.” I grab ahold of her hand as she pulls me up onto my feet. She wraps her arms around my neck and whispers in my ear. “You’ll do just fine.”

I cup her head in my hands kissing her on the forehead. “How can you be so sure? Girls love me. Parent’s not so much.”

“Don’t remind me…” Kennedy rolls her eyes. “I like you, so they will too.”

“You like me, huh? I thought you said you might just love me?” I wink at her as she tilts her head to the side in contemplation of what I had said.

“Then I guess they’ll love you,” Kennedy smiles even bigger. My hand sits low on her back as she leads me out of the protection of her bedroom into what would seem like open waters of the deepest ocean. I just know I’m going to be greeted by two protective loving sharks of their young pup. If I were a father I wouldn’t want anyone slightly resembling me around my daughter.

Her parents are sitting on the couch molded together as if they’re still sixteen years old with the television on, but barely paying attention to it. They are too busy talking with each other. Mrs. Conrad’s legs are draped over her husbands. I can’t help admire how much love they have between them. It’s evident. Kennedy doesn’t release her hold on me when we walk together into the living room where we are kept under watchful eyes. I see her father’s eyes scan down to our hands that are now entwined. Instead of pulling away from her grasp I give her a small squeeze trying to reassure her.