Page 81 of Scarred

“We keep it physical only. No emotions,” I whisper quietly.

“Luna…you know you’re never going to be able to do that,” my sister sighs. “One of the things we all love most about you is your heart. You always find the good in people and everything you do. People are drawn to you simply because they feel better just being near you. You don’t just feel love…you exude it.”

“You don’t understand,” I say, shaking my head. “I can’t just ignore how he makes me feel. It’s affecting my dance…my peace. When I’m with him, a part of me that I never knew existed comes alive. He fills an emptiness inside that I’ve never been able to fully reach. I know it sounds corny, but he…he completes me somehow.”

Emma sighs and takes my hand.

“You’re already falling,” she says, quietly, and I don’t deny it. I think I started falling for him the moment he walked into my dance studio that day.

“Okay, let’s look at the facts,” Sophia says, clearing her throat and letting me off the hook to speak the unspoken thoughts hanging in the air. “Clearly, avoiding you is affecting him as well if the last few games are any indication. I thought he was just having a couple of off days, but let’s be real. Cayden never has off days,” she laughs softly, breaking the unease in the room.

“Yeah, he admitted it was because of me.” I know I shouldn’t like that I affected his game, but it secretly pleases me that this isn’t all one-sided.

“That’s good,” Sophia says, nodding. Her face is serious as she contemplates what I just told them. “That means you mean something to him even if he’s not ready to acknowledge it. And I take it the physical side is worth putting your heart on the line for?” Her eyebrow raises, and I can’t stop my grin that appears out of nowhere.

Heat flushes my cheeks instantly as I remember our night together.

“I think with the way she’s blushing and practically purring like a well-fed cat, that she is indeed being taken care of in that department,” my sister says, causing the girls to laugh.

“I’m definitely being taken care of in that department,” I glow, feeling the heat spread through my body when I think of just how well I was taken care of.

“You know we are all happy you found someone that you really connect with…” I turn my head in my sister’s direction and see the hint of worry and concern mixed in her blue eyes.

“But?” I ask, knowing there is more.

“But just be careful, okay? I know you’re an adult and are perfectly capable of making your own decisions, but we just don’t want to see you get hurt,” she says, as the others nod.

“I think we can all relate to what you are feeling,” Sophia says softly. “Travis was as guarded as they come when we first met. I had the same concerns and feelings that you do about whether you will ever be able to break through.”

“I loved Maverick my whole life, and he drove me half mad with his fear of commitment, not knowing if he would ever be able to fully give himself to me,” my sister says in understanding.

“I had the opposite experience,” Emma says lastly as my eyes take in her sympathetic gaze. “Noah was all in from the moment I met him, letting me know exactly where he stood, but it was me who was guarded. I probably understand Cayden the most out of all of us,” she sighs. “Losing someone you love deeply can scar you in ways you don’t even realize. I was scared to death to let Noah in for fear of one day losing him like I did my parents.”

“How did Noah break through to you?” I ask, needing to hear there is hope.

“He just loved me through it,” she smiles. “He was patient and kind, giving me the time I needed to realize that my fear of losing him was nothing compared to the fear I had of walking away from him. Cayden doesn’t strike me as the type who chases after girls in the middle of a wedding reception,” she chuckles.

“And boy did he fly out of there after your dance with Hunter Kane,” Sophia points out.

“If this connection is as strong as you say it is,” Emma smiles, squeezing my hand. “He’ll realize that loving someone isn’t a burden, but a gift, and he’s lucky enough to receive it twice.”

“And you, Luna, are a gift worth fighting for,” my sister smiles, and I swallow down the love that I feel surrounding me in this moment.

Patience.

If it’s one thing I’m good at, it’s patience. I teach children for a living and have patience for days.

Walking away from him now isn’t an option for me. I’ve waited most of my life to feel like this with someone. If I have to be patient for his walls to come down, then that’s what I’ll do. I just have to pray that once they crumble, he’s standing on the other side, reaching for me.

TWENTY-FIVE

CAYDEN

Sweat drips down my face, but I ignore it. My whole body is on high alert as my eyes zero in on the movements around me.

Every sound is heightened, but it’s not the loud sounds I can hear.

It’s the ones nobody pays attention to. The ones that can only be heard if you silence the world around you.