Free The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen Page B

of her,
    looking upset as she takes in the bandage on my wrist. “Hi,” she
    says in her tiny voice as she meets my eyes. Her hair is pulled up
    and pieces of it frame her face.

    I can’t help it. I smile like a stupid idiot, but then I quickly
    frown. “You shouldn’t be here.”

    She sucks in a sharp breath. “Seth and Luke and I decided to
    come pick you up… I thought Luke told you on the phone that we
    were coming.”

    “Yeah… but it still doesn’t mean you should be here.” I know
    I sound harsh, but I can’t help it. I honestly didn’t really think she’d show up and now that she has… I hate letting her see me in this
    kind of place.

    Her eyes widen like I’ve slapped her and I feel like the
    biggest douche. She takes a step toward me and I ball my hands
    into fists to stop myself from touching her, running my fingers
    through her hair, kissing her lips. “Luke and Seth think we should
    go on a road trip.”

    “A road trip?” I say in disbelief. “Right now?”

    She shrugs, like she has no clue what to do or say. I opt to let
    her off the hook, because she doesn’t need to be standing in a
    facility staring at a guy who nearly cut himself to death and who
    let his father almost beat him to death.

    “Look, Callie.” I pick up my bag and swing the handle over
    my shoulder. “I can’t go on a road trip with you.” I feel the
    throbbing beneath the bandage and I focus on that, instead of the
    glossiness in her eyes and her quivering bottom lip. “I can’t really
    do anything with you right now. “ I step toward her and then inch
    around to the side. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

    It’s the stupidest thing that’s ever left my lips, but it needs to
    be done. She deserves better than the broken piece of shit that I
    am.
    Callie

    I’m standing outside the door to his room, fidgeting
    nervously as I wait to go inside and see Kayden. His mom’s in the
    room with him and I don’t want to go in until she leaves. I’m not
    sure what to say or if there’s anything I can say when I get inside.
    There’s no magical word that will make it easier, and it’s terrifying.

    The hallway is packed with people and chatter, and the chaos
    is disconcerting and adds fire to my jittery nerves. I’ve been writing for days in my journal about what I would say to him when I first
    see him. I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry. Thank you. The last
    thought I always feel guilty about, but I can’t get it out of my head.

    “You look like you’re going to throw up, Callie.” Seth’s voice
    interrupts my thoughts. He’s standing across the hallway, beside
    Luke, with his arms folded behind him as he eyes me worriedly.
    “Do we need to get you a bucket or something?”

    I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Besides, where would you find
    a bucket?”

    The corners of his lips tug upward and in three long strides
    he crosses the hall and stops in front of me. “You know he’s okay,
    right? He’s still Kayden, just a banged-up one who probably needs
    you now more than anything.”

    “Yeah, I guess.” I fold my arms over my chest and then
    uncross them, unable to hold still.

    He swings his arm around me and pulls me in for a hug. “Just
    take deep breaths and breathe.”

    I nod and suck air through my nose and let it out between
    my lips just like he instructed. But as the door swings open, my
    chest constricts along with my heart as Maci Owens comes walking
    out. She’s dressed like she’s going to a fancy dinner and it seems
    ridiculous to me. Her hair is done up in a neat bun and she has on
    heavy eyeliner and lipstick. She’s wearing a navy blue dress and
    black high heels. My dark feelings toward her outfit and looks may
    be stemming from the fact that she’s here and doesn’t look the
    least bit upset.

    Her high heels click as she exits beside one of the nurses.
    She has her phone in her hand and a pair of leather gloves in the
    other. She passes by me and the woman who