AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They were good to us, Cali.”
“I’m not saying they weren’t, but I am saying what they provided wasn’t real love. It fucked us up. Both of us. It makes me wonder just how damaged we really are. I love you and you love me but that’s all we’ve ever known as love. I think that’s why I fell so hard and fast with Merritt. Possibly why I’m falling so hard for War. They both make me feel things I can’t explain but I know I need. It was also scary to be that dependent on one person. You saw what happened to me when Merritt…” Cali pushed out a deep breath. “…I think that’s because he was the first person to ever show me something more than just duty or responsibility. That’s all we’ve ever had. Mom and Dad were good to us but it was in a servitude type of way. That’s not love.”
Cali had been processing her last visit with Dr. K because it touched on something she never really considered. Merritt was her first love of any kind other than the bond she had with her sister.
“So you don’t think you really loved him?”
Cali laughed, shaking her head. “Oh I know I did and he loved me. I’m sure of it, but that doesn’t mean that it was perfect or right, it just was. I’m finally understanding that and it’s the one thing that scares me most about War. I want to understand how I really feel about him but it seems like I’m falling just as hard and just as fast.”
“You got a taste of the real thing and now you’re an addict. There’s nothing wrong with chasing a high.”
“Word? I bet every rehab facility would say differently. Just say no.”
“To drugs, hoe, not to love.”
“It can be just as dangerous.”
“But it feels so good.”
Cali laughed, rolling her eyes. “You’re so toxically supportive.”
“As I should be.” Conner blew her sister a kiss, grateful to no longer be under fire about her own toxic situation. Knowing you needed to do better and doing better were two lanes she coasted down the center of and vowed to get a handle on soon.
Minutes later their conversation ended when Cali bolted from the sofa because someone knocked on the door. Conner tilted her head, peering at her sister’s reaction. “Is that him? You jumped up like this sofa was on fire.”
Realizing how quickly she moved, Cali slowed her stride, shaking her head at the same time she began raking her fingers through her untamed hair. It was in its natural state, flowing wildly with unruly coils since she’d washed it the night before and was too lazy to do anything but let it air dry.
“No, he didn’t say he was coming by.”
When she reached the door she lifted onto her toes and grinned when she noticed a tall frame dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt with the hood tossed over his head. Even with the baseball cap he wore camouflaging his face, she knew it was War.
She whipped her head around, delivering a warning look to Conner before she unlocked the door, hoping to offer War a heads up that they weren’t alone but she wasn’t given the chance. He was on her quickly, his body engulfing hers while his hand made sure she remained in his space as his lips crashed against hers. Once he set Cali free to breathe on her own, War finally spoke.
“I missed you.”
“Me too but we’re not alone.”
His eyes lifted over Cali’s head and a slow scowl eased in place. In no way was he embarrassed about the way he’d greeted Cali. His need for her was so strong that he had to feed his hunger every chance he got and the distance she’d created over the past week had worn him down.
“Oh shit, my bad.”
“Hi, I’m Conner. Nice to finally meet you.” Conner was on her feet, standing at a safe distance with a teasing smile playing at her lips. War chuckled, turning Cali’s body so she was facing her sister. However he still kept Cali close, holding her firmly against his chest with one hand at her waist and the other tossing back the hood of his sweatshirt before he responded.
“War. You’re her sister, right?” He curved his body to rest his chin on Cali’s shoulder while offering his attention to Conner.
“You are correct and you’re the new obsession. A very nice one at that.”
“Conner,” Cali warned but her sister’s smile grew deeper.
“What? I’m only speaking the truth. I see why you’ve been so caught up.” She stuck her tongue out at Cali before her eyes swept War’s tall frame once more. “Nice to finally meet you, sir. I’m going to use the bathroom to give you two a minute to recover from that kiss.”
War laughed again and offered a dip of his head. “Nice to meet you too.”
As soon as Conner bent the corner, Cali turned and circled his waist, lifting on her toes to peck his lips once more. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“It’s cool. I should have called.”
“You don’t have to but the whole Conner thing, she’s on her way out though.”
