Free The Bucket List by Skyla Carter

but we're doing this 25 years too late. I don't know what to do," she stated. "That and the fact that I'm sure you won't like me once you know me. I'm the type of person who kicks people when they are down and laugh in the face of their misfortunes. I do bad things just for fun. I can count my real friends on two fingers. My life so far has been totally meaningless and I guess I thought building a relationship with you would somehow give it a bit of meaning, that maybe I'd matter to someone other than Corey and John."
    "What are you talking about? Of course you matter. I might not have found you till you were sixteen but I thought of you everyday. If I had known Rebecca had got married and her new name, I'd have found you sooner, please believe me."
    "I know. It's just... I didn't want to be alone anymore."
    Irving put his hand over hers on the table, forcing her to look at him.
    "You have me and Sara, you're not alone," he said. "And for the record, I know what type of person you are. I've had ten years of you, remember?"
    "And you're still here," Rae stated.
    "I'm still here," he smiled. "So what do you say we take one day at a time till you get used to the fact that I will in fact try my hardest to force my will on you. That is what parents do, isn't it?"
    "I think you've read the wrong parenting books," Rae laughed.
    "What do you think that's all about?" Matt asked his brother.
    "Stop being nosey," Nate chided as he gave his order.
    "Come on, aren't you even a bit curious? I've never seen Irving smile like that. You think maybe..."
    "Eeeww!" Nate cut in before his brother could finish the sentence. "That is way too scary to even contemplate. I think maybe they're just friends."
    "What would Irving have in common with her?"
    "Maybe she's got hidden depths."
    Matt guffawed .
    "Yeah, right!" he said.
    "Just order your breakfast, Matt. You still have to look at my sketches before you catch your plane," Nate said.
    "Why don't you do what normal people do and maybe just buy dad a car?" Matt asked.
    "That would be completely meaningless and not me," Nate stated. "Besides, he's going to love it once it's done. It's of mum."
    It was 21 years that year since their mother had passed away from brain cancer but her memory was alive and well in the Nate family. Nate liked to think she was always looking down at him and protecting him.
    "I'm sure it's brilliant, as all you work is," Matt said to his little brother.
    Rae paled as she felt the splitting headache. Shit! Of all the times for that to come on...
    "Are you all right?" Irving asked.
    "Yeah, I just need to go lie down for a bit," she lied as she quickly got up.
    They had long since finished their breakfast and had just been talking over coffee.
    "I'll walk you to your door."
    "No, it's all right. I just overdid it last night," she lied again. "Finish your coffee. Call me anytime, Corey told me to stress that point."
    She gave him a quick kiss and an impulsive little hug.
    "Maybe I'll come visit you for a few days when you're home."
    "I'd love that," Irving smiled. "Now go, you look like you're about to lose your breakfast."
    She did as she was told and rushed out of the restaurant. When she knew she was out of sight, she ruffled through her bag until she found what she was looking for. She didn't realise the two men waiting at the elevators were watching her as she popped the pills down. All she needed now was to get to her room and pop a sleeping pill down her. Corey wouldn't ask any questions, he already knew she hadn't got any sleep the previous night.
    "A bitch and a junkie! Who would have guessed?" a voice said sarcastically.
    She heard it, but it was more like a loud humming noise, grating on her over-sensitive nerves. Leaning against the wall, she waited for the doors to open, praying that she wouldn't pass out before she got to her bed. She should have planned for this, worked out a way to avoid Corey and John when she had her attacks. The last thing she wanted was to