I am small, but I insist on being strong, too.
Besides, I’d go a little crazy without the gym. Some girls party. Some girls shop. I love going to the gym to relax and feel good. Exercise—and art. Drawing is another one of my escapes. I'm obsessed with digital art, and I carry my iPad almost everywhere I go in case inspiration strikes and I need to sketch an idea down.
Usually, I sit here and just enjoy watching the world go by. But this morning, I have a lot of stuff on my mind.
I decided last night that today is the day I tell Kayla about me. About…well, about everything. I’ve been dreading it, actually. I have no idea how she'll react. She might be furious with me. I’ve been lying to her and keeping secrets for years. She’s supposed to be my best friend.She is my best friend!Butshe might not see it that way anymore when she hears what I've been hiding.
I sigh, taking a deep breath of icy cold air as I crumple my caramel tart's wrapper up into a tight little ball. From the bench, I toss it towards the trash can. I already got the bag in on the first try, and the empty coffee cup. But I miss the wrapper. It bounces off the edge and falls to the ground.
“Two out of three,” I say happily. “I’d say those are good odds.”
Climbing off the bench, I dust my hoodie sleeves over my butt, which is damp, and I stretch my legs a little, rolling my hips and savoring the aftermath of my workout.
On my way past, I bend down, scooping up the missed trash to toss it into the can. Then I head back to my car. My stomach rolls with tension. Even if I was hungry enough for another burger, my nerves wouldn’t allow it.It’s time to go and see Kayla.
Tim waves at me and I wave back.
“See you tomorrow!” I shout over my shoulder.
***
On the way to Kayla's, I have my music blaring, I’m singing along to Teddy Swims. Imagine finding someone in life that you could love so hard that they make you lose control. What an incredible feeling it must be, to be so in love, to be so free.
Bleh. Love isn’t for everyone, though.
I can’t help wanting it, but I’m starting to think it isn’t real, and people sort of make it up to feel better about things.
Although when I look at Kayla and Josiah, I see love between them. It seems real.
As I pull into the gates of their estate, waving at the security guards, I turn my music down.
My stomach is knotted tighter than before, and I’m beginning to second-guess my decision.
No, there’s no backing out of this now. I’ve always wanted to be honest with Kayla; I only hid the truth from her to keep her and her two beautiful little twins safe.Kira and Kelsey are the sweetest little mischief makers, and I adore them as if they were my own. I couldn’t drag them into the Bratva world or put them at risk by telling them about it. I made the right choice, keeping it a secret.
And I’m making the right choice now by telling her.
Besides, she made the choice herself when she decided to stay with Josiah. Her husband is Bratva. I’m hoping that factor will help her understand things from my side a little better. The secret. The risk. The need to keep her safe.
“Izzy!” a little voice squeals my name from the kitchen as I call out good morning into the mansion.
“No, wait, you have to finish your breakfast,” I hear Kayla grumble at Kira. It has to be Kira. She’s the most mischievous one.
She loses the battle, and Kira comes running around the corner to crash into me with a hug. I scoop her into my arms and spin her around.
“Ew!” she complains, pulling a face that has her scrunching her nose so much it makes me laugh.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“The sleeves are dirty,” she says, trying to wiggle from my arms.
I set her down and glance at my hoodie sleeves. There are damp streaks on them from dusting my butt off after sitting on the wet bench.
“It’s just a little bit of dirt, it’s not going to kill you,” I tease her, holding the sleeves up and chasing her.
She squeals and runs back to the kitchen.
I follow her through, and Kayla is there, sipping coffee and looking sleepy.
