Free Show Me How to Love (Caldwell Family Book 1) by Synithia Williams Page B

Mikayla didn’t want to re-hash the weekend events. Or blurt out that Renee’s brother should be crowned king of the bastards.
    Her door swung open before Mikayla could reach the knob.
    “I’ve been worried sick about you. I’ve called and called and it went straight to voice-mail. I even called your dad.”
    Mikayla groaned and pushed pass Renee into her one-bedroom apartment. The tan carpet muffled her stomps. “Why did you call my dad? Now he’s going to be worried sick.” She dropped the bag in the living room next to her off-white leather sofa. Back in her space, the scent of the apple cinnamon candle she frequently burned lingered in the air and the coiled tension tightening her body eased.
    “When you didn’t answer your phone I checked with him just to make sure you made it home and wasn’t crushed beneath the rockslide on I-40.”
    She could forgive Renee for checking because of that. “Did you tell him what happened?”
    “I just told him you left early. I know he already hates my brother, I didn’t want to give him a reason to go ballistic.”
    Mikayla flopped down on the couch and considered covering her head with one of the orange throw pillows to block out the brewing headache. There would be no easy way to tell her overprotective parent about what happened between her and Ryan.
    “I’ll figure out something to tell him.” She dropped her hands and met her friend’s eyes.
    Renee frowned and walked over taking the seat beside her. “Where were you?”
    “The detour roads weren’t clear. We rented a cabin.”
    “You spent two nights in a cabin with Andre?” Renee’s voice rose to a high pitch.
    “No, I spent two nights with Bigfoot.”
    Renee sucked her teeth. “This isn’t funny, Mikayla. Why would you spend the weekend with Andre? I know what Ryan did was beyond messed up, but to jump in bed with Andre—”
    Mikayla bolted up in the seat. “Whoa, whoa, I didn’t jump into bed with Andre, okay. You know me better than that.” Or did she assume Mikayla would be that desperate? If Renee could believe that, then their friendship was just as superficial as her relationship with Ryan. “When have I jumped into bed with anyone?”
    “I’m sorry. I just know Andre and his history with Ryan.”
    “Yeah, your family is quick to jump to assumptions.” Mikayla grabbed her bag and marched across the room and into the bedroom.
    Renee’s footsteps followed. “Please don’t be mad at me, Mikayla. I already feel horrible about what Ryan did.”
    Mikayla dropped her bag and turned back to her friend. Renee stood in the door twisting her hands together, uncertainty in her eyes. This was the first time Mikayla had seen her very confident friend appear uncomfortable.
    “I’m not mad at you, Renee.”
    “The way you looked at me when you left the estate. It was like you couldn’t stand the sight of me. I know I teased about us being pretend sisters, but I really feel that way. I encouraged you to date Ryan. I understand if you blame me a little, but I don’t want to lose my best friend over this.”
    The rest of the tightness in Mikayla’s chest lifted. Mikayla walked over and took Renee’s slim hand into hers. “I don’t blame you. This is Ryan’s fault. I only blame myself for believing he could be different with me.”
    “Then what was that look for?”
    “I was angry. You two are twins. Facing you was just too much at the time.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “We’re good.” Mikayla turned away and ran a hand through her hair.
    Renee moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “So…what did happen with Andre?”
    “Why are you so worried about that?”
    “Because. Ryan and Andre have stolen each other’s girlfriends since we were in high school. What Ryan did is bad, but to have my cousin take advantage of you would be horrible.”
    “Nothing happened, Renee, I promise.” Except the best kiss of my life.
    “What did you do all weekend?”
    Instead of meeting Renee’s