Impacted

CHAPTER ONE

Kallie

The drive was longer than I remembered it to be. I felt like I was driving forever, and I still had two more hours. I took my phone out and stared down at the conversation that had sent me driving down these roads again. The letters and words glared back at me, daunting me.

When I looked at my phone earlier today, during a slight lull in customers at my family’s jewelry store, I didn't expect to see anything on my screen at all. Ryder gave up on texting me while I was work. He knew I rarely answered and being ignored only frustrated him.

I'm getting married in 2 months!!!! - S

My immediate reaction was to smile. Who wouldn't be happy to hear that their best friend was getting married? However, my smile quickly faded when the next message came through.

I can't wait for you to meet him! - S

What? Who could Scarlett be getting married to? She never actually dated, as far as I knew. She was rarely lonely, though. In fact, she was always finding someone to be with, but never for longer than a night or two. I heard she had one boyfriend in high school, but she hadn’t settled down since. There were too many mornings where I had watched her sneak in after a spontaneous night with someone. However, they were never good enough for her to ever tell me about them.

In all honesty, I thought that if she were ever going to be tied down, it would be Logan to do it. Ryder would not like it one bit, but I saw the looks between Logan and her. Ryder was fiercely protective of his sister. All the boys were. I thought it would only be a matter of time before the two gave in to their feelings and dealt with the consequence of pissing off Ryder.

So the question was… who was this guy? I hadn’t been gone long enough for her to fall in love, tame her wild ways, and get engaged, right? It has only been... six months.

Six months?

Six months!

I snapped my head up from my phone and looked around me. The store was humming with customers talking in hushed voices. The bright lights bounced off all the sparkling jewels encased in immaculately clean glass. The smell of Windex and cologne hung in the air. Men in suits and women with expensive handbags wandered around, inspecting the diamonds and precious stones. No one noticed me or the shock I was going through. No one cared.

What the hell happened to me? I was only supposed to come home and help my father for a short period of time. I just wanted to help him while he healed and then go my own way. Now, I realized I'd been gone too long. I fell right back into my old life. I walked around like a robot; working, sleeping, barely living. I was disgusted with myself. I was miserable, and I didn't even have the time to stop and realize it.

No wonder Ryder was short and distant with me. I refused countless invites and suggestions to come visit because I was too busy. I buried myself so deep in work and making my family happy, I missed the months flying by. I missed Christmas and New Years with him. What did I even do on Christmas? How could I have lost so much time? I immersed myself with a life I had finally decided I never wanted for myself.

I swiftly turned and marched straight to the back office. I threw open the door, making Ivan jump in his seat.

Kallie? he asked, standing up, clearly surprised at my outburst.

I have to leave, I told him.

Are you sick? Do you need a ride? he asked while I gathered my purse and jacket from the corner of the office.

No. I need to leave. Here. For good. I turned and left the office, ignoring Ivan calling for me.

I walked as quickly as I could down to my car in the parking garage. I wasted no time leaving the city and racing to my parent's house. The almost hour drive flew by. I refused to let them worry about me again, so I had to get home and tell them about my decision. I knew my father wouldn't be home in the middle of day, but my mother would be. She didn't look surprised to see me when I burst into the house. Which meant that Ivan called her, or she had been waiting for me to tell them I was leaving again.

On the lonely back roads, I started to get nervous. My hands were sweaty and shaky. My stomach was rolling and I couldn't stop bouncing in my seat. I knew I should text Ryder and tell him I was on the way, but I was too scared. The Ryder I walked away from six months ago would be thrilled. I just wasn't sure how the Ryder I drifted away from was going to feel. He could be happy… or he could be furious with me.

Part of me wanted him to scream at myself. He should be angry with me, and I deserved a verbal lashing. I doubted he could be more disappointed with me than I was with myself. Most of me had hope. He told me he loved me, and I truly believed him. I hoped that didn't disappear because of how I treated him.

I didn't see his truck at the apartment, so that meant he was still at the shop. I quickly turned around and headed that way. After parking on the street, I shut my car off and tried to gain the courage to get out of my car. What would I say to him? Should I run and jump into his arms? Before I could chicken out completely, I opened the door and stepped out.

Walking into the shop, I spotted Ryder bent over a car. His strong arms flexed while he tried to loosen something under the hood. Concentration was etched on his face, and I stood back to watch him for a second. I could tell when he sensed my presence. His body stiffened and his hands froze. Ryder slowly straightened up and turned to face me.

I watched the emotions wash over his face. Surprise, happiness, anger, and confusion. His features finally settled on a blank expression I couldn't read. I started to walk toward him when it became clear he wasn't coming to me. When I stood just a foot or two away from him, he made one long stride and grabbed my face in his hands.

He swiftly spun me around and pressed my back against the car he was just working on. His lips crashed to mine and all the air left my lungs. I drank him in and melted into his body. My lips burned where they’d met his and everything felt right. I remembered this was where I was supposed to be. How did I go so long without him?

I'm so mad at you, he whispered harshly against my lips.

But you just kissed me, I breathed out.

His hands left my face as he took a large step away from me. I felt cold without his body pressed against mine. My hands clung to the car behind me in an effort to hold myself up. He still had the power to make me weak in the knees with just one kiss.

I imagined seeing you again a thousand times. There are a thousand different things I thought I would say, he explained, glaring at me. But kissing you was my first instinct.

I'm sorry, I offered in a weak voice. I never meant to stay away for that long.

Ryder continued to look at me with his hard expression. His eyes roamed my face and body, seeming to try to read my mind. His jaw clenched and his hands were balled at his side. I waited for his anger to subside and hoped it would happen soon. I could feel the others in the shop watching our tense exchange.

You came for Scarlett? he finally asked.

And you, I nodded.

I don't think I can believe that. When he turned to walk away, panic rose inside me.

Wait! I'm sorry, Ryder, I rushed. Please, don't be like this.

He pulled his arm roughly from my hands. Kallie, don't. I get it. Stop apologizing.

Get what?

You were bored and sad. You needed to rebel, and I was just the guy for you to do it with, he said simply. It was fun. We don't need to pretend it was more.

Tears sprung to my eyes, and I tried to blink them away. You said you loved me?

I did say that, but you obviously aren't that girl I thought you were, he said, pulling his eyes away from my desperate face.

No, no. I love you, I pleaded with him. How could he say that after everything we went through?

He raised his head and looked around at our audience. Seeming to realize his coworkers were watching, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to the side of the building. When we were out of sight, I leaned against the brick wall and tried to suck in enough air. I didn't expect seeing him again to hurt this much.

Kallie, he said gently and tilted my face up to look at him. Calm down.

Calm down? I asked incredulously. Don't tell me to calm down! I just came down here expecting to be with you, and you tell me it was all nothing?

The intensity of my own anger blurred my vision. I swung my purse back and smacked him across the body with it. It's Coach; I shouldn't have done that. When did I even buy that? I stopped my assault to stare at the expensive leather. He was right. I wasn't the girl he fell in love with last summer.

Kallie? Ryder asked me cautiously.

You're right, I squeaked out. I fell right back into my old ways.

You drifted away. You didn't call everyday like you promised. You constantly told me you were too busy to come and visit. You never asked me to come see you, he ranted. You expect me to think that you were missing me? That you didn't realize that you had more going for you than what I could give you?

I never meant for any of that to happen, I cried.

He sighed and rubbed his hands roughly across his face.

I should go, I croaked. My heart was shattering into pieces. It was too late; I had pushed him away.

No, he rushed, putting a hand on mine. You don't need to go. Hope filled my broken heart. You can stay. You came for the wedding.

What about us? I asked. I was terrified of the answer. I could tell he didn't want me to leave, but he wasn't ready to want me to stay.

Stepping close, he rested his forehead against mine. I don't know, he whispered as he met my hopeful stare.

I closed my eyes tightly to block out his pained face and hold back the flood of tears threatening to release. I missed you. I can be her again. I never meant to stay away for so long. I never wanted to leave.

We'll see, he said quietly.

I nodded and pushed off the wall to get past him. He made no move to stop me as I made my way to my car. The new BMW started right up and pulled away from the garage. My hands shook as I drove back to the apartment I once called home. Relived to see Scarlett's car, I made my way up the stairs. I stopped right before pushing the door open. This wasn't my home anymore.

After a quick knock, the door flew open. Before I could utter a word, a pair of thin, fair arms were wrapped around me, squeezing. I smiled into her long hair, glad someone was happy to see me.

Are you okay? she asked when she pulled away to look at my face. Of course she’d already heard about my meeting with Ryder. Apparently, word travels quicker than my car in this town.

I don't know. I let her tug me into the living room, and then sat on the couch, inhaling the familiar smells.

The apartment looked the same as I remembered, almost like I’d never left. We sat on the same old couch as the TV played softly in the background. The living room was still lacking the decor that was killed off in Ryder's rampage months ago. Thinking of the night made my stomach turn. We were both so hurt and broken. My entire life crashed and burned in front of my eyes. But Ryder had put me back together again.

Is it possible that he really could push everything aside? Could he forget about how I came here, lost and empty, and he was the one to fill in the gap? He taught me to love, to heal, and to forgive. I thought I gave him something worth forgiving himself for.

Feeling Scarlett's knowing eyes on me, I shook my head to clear my wallowing thoughts. So, you're getting married? I asked with as much enthusiasm as I could.

She smiled sadly at me. We don't need to talk about that right now.

No, I stopped her. We do. I am not going to ruin your happy mood with my drama. So, who is the prince charming?

Scarlett had a sappy, gentle smile on her face as she leaned back on the couch. Oh, Kallie, you'll love him. He's great.

I'm sure he is. How long have you guys been seeing each other? This was the question I had been dying to ask. Even if I was gone six months, a wedding seemed sudden.

About a month ago. He came into the shop and I did a tattoo for him. We talked for hours, he took me out after, and we've been inseparable ever since.

Where is he now? I asked, looking around for a stranger. I was anxious to see the guy that was capable of capturing my flirty friend's heart.

He'll be here later tonight. Will you be here?

I don't know, I admitted. Ryder was really mad at me. I didn't expect him to push me away as soon as he saw me.

He's hurt, she said, reaching to take my hand. You kinda drifted away.

I didn't mean to.

I know. He just needs to see that. Ryder doesn't normally open up or let himself care about any one, especially a girl. He did with you and got hurt. He's going to be hard to crack again.

I nodded and let her words soak in. She was right. Ryder pushed me away the whole time, never letting me get too close. When I finally broke through the wall he’d built, I left and ended up neglecting him. My few texts a week weren't enough. And why would they be? How could I have thought they would be?

Thinking back now, I can't remember the last time he texted he loved me, or I texted it to him. Our messages were friendly, but void. I never wanted them to be, or even realized it. I was a zombie, moving from one spot to the next, without a brain or a heart.

I snapped my head up when I realized that Scarlett was chatting away and yet I heard nothing. I was thinking Cabo or something,

Oh! That would be great, I played along, trying to catch on to the current topic of conversation, which I assumed was her honeymoon?

I'm so glad you're here. You can help me plan! She wrapped me up in another tight hug. I want you to be my maid of honor. I hope you two can get along, she trailed off with a worried look.

She was so happy and excited. I needed to be here for her and push my problems with her brother aside. This was supposed to be the happiest time of her life. She didn't need to worry about Ryder and I arguing. It was my fault, and I would handle this mess on my own. I wouldn't ruin this for her.

I could do this. I could be the friend she needs me to be. She did it for me when I had absolutely no one in my corner. Scarlett didn't even know me, but she’d decided to help me anyway. In the meantime, I will make Ryder see that I'm still the girl whose car broke down at the bar. But first, I had to find that girl and bring her back again. And for good this time.

CHAPTER TWO

Ryder

I watched Kallie pull away in her brand new car. She looked like another person all together when I looked up to see her standing in the garage. Her clothes were expensive, her hair was in perfect shape, and her eyes were dull again. That was the Kallie I ordered drinks for at Hanks. The worry that had kept me up every night had finally come true.

Every time I pictured her coming back, I had a good speech planned out. I wanted to play it cool, like it didn't kill me every hour that went by without calls or texts. I wanted to act like it didn't matter if she was here or not. But I blew my cool cover right out of the water.

Kissing her felt right. I didn't realize how thirsty my lips were for hers until they finally touched again. My body was screaming for her touch and was only silenced when her lips were on mine. I never wanted to stop, but I didn't want to start either. I couldn't let myself fall into the same trap again. I didn't know if I would make it through the next time.

Well, she was hot, Tom said from behind me.

Shut up, I growled, pushing past him.

Is that her? he asked. Tom was new to town, but the story still circulated around. The girl that stole Ryder's cold heart.

Yeah.

He nodded and went back to the tire change he was working on before Kallie arrived. Tom might be new, but he knew when to shut his mouth. I worked through the water pump I was replacing on autopilot. Even though I played the moment I would see her in my head over and over again, I never looked past that specific moment. I didn't really know what to do now that she was back in town.

Kallie looked genuinely heartbroken. I had no doubt she never meant to become everything everyone else wanted from her. Maybe she didn't realize she was doing it. But she did, and what's done is done. I couldn't trust that what we had was real, but believing that nothing changed wasn't possible either.

By the time I clocked out, I still wasn't sure what I would do. She wouldn't have turned around and gone home, so she was probably with Scarlett. After the wedding, she would disappear again and everything could go back to normal. I just had to make it that far.

I was proven right when I pulled in the lot and parked next to her shiny, new BMW. I walked into the apartment as casually as I could and waved to the girls. They were sitting on the couch with glasses of wine, gossiping. I dropped my keys and phone on the counter before slipping into my room.

After a shower and some procrastinating, I finally came out to find Kallie alone on the couch. Startled, she looked up at me and gave a shy smile. I hated how much I loved the look she’d just shot my way. She was as confused as I was.

Hey, I said as I went to the kitchen to grab a beer.

Hey. She came to sit on the other side of the kitchen island. Look, I'm sorry. I want to be here for Scarlett and don't want to fight with you.

That doesn't make us okay, I sternly told her.

I know. I'm saying I am here for her. I will stay out of your way, she whispered while avoiding eye contact. So, what's he like?

She was trying to be friends. I could do that. Maybe. I don't know. He's okay, I guess.

As if on cue, the door flung open and Adam came waltzing in like he owned the place. I really hated when he did that. He stopped abruptly when he saw Kallie sitting at the bar. His eyes danced across her face for a second before they slowly traveled down her body. I saw her squirm out of the corner of my eye and clenched my fists to keep from pounding his face in.

I didn't like how he was looking at her. I wanted to smack the cocky grin off his face as he openly stared at her chest. Then it dawned on me that he was supposed to be marrying my sister, not checking out other girls. It didn't matter what girls. I cleared my throat loudly and glared at him.

Well, who is this young lady? he asked, moving closer to her.

This is Kallie, I told him as I stood in front of him, blocking his path. If my sister didn't get out of the shower soon, I was going to bruise his pretty face. Try explaining that at the wedding.

It only took a second to click who she was, and his smile very quickly went from predatory to forced. Nice to meet you. I'm Adam.

Baby, my sister squealed as she came out of the bathroom. She crossed the room quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Adam hugged her back and lifted her off her feet, twirling her around.

Why didn't we have a greeting like that? Kallie grumbled beside me. I couldn't help but chuckle.

Kallie, did you meet Adam? Scarlett asked when she was finally on her feet again.

I did, she nodded with a tight smile.

You almost ready, babe? We have reservations at seven, Adam interrupted.

Oh, I thought we would stay here. Kallie just got in, she pouted at him.

We're fine, Kallie quickly spoke up. I turned to glare at her. I have to get to my hotel anyway.

My sister's eyes shot daggers at me, but I stood my ground. When Adam tugged her arm again, she gave up on the staring contest and sighed. Scarlett followed her soon-to-be-husband out the door after shouting us a quick goodbye.

I don’t like him, Kallie said as soon as we heard car doors close.

I don't either, I admitted, finally turning to look at her.

Kallie's blue eyes roamed my face and down my chest. She pulled her lip into her mouth and chewed on it as her gaze moved down my body. Without thinking, I closed the space between us. I tilted her face up to mine and kissed her fiercely. Her mouth quickly opened for me, and I didn't hesitate to taste her again. She moaned into my mouth as I leaned closer, moving between her legs.

Her fingers clenched in my hair as she held her face to mine. I missed this so much, and tasting her again, feeling her under my hands, brought back all the good memories I had with her. I could almost forget the last six months. When she broke away, gasping for air, my mouth trailed down her neck.

Ryder, she moaned. Door.

I sighed and reluctantly pulled away from her. Her face was flushed and her eyes were a little more blue. I rubbed the pad of my thumb across her swollen lip before another knock sounded at the door. I backed away from her, only turning away to pull open the door. I didn't recognize the man on the other side.

The guy was probably about my age, wearing a suit and holding out his iPhone. Hello, sir. Is Kallie here?

Ivan? Kallie asked, jumping up from the stool. What are you doing here? I couldn't tell if there was anger or surprise in her voice.

Looking for you, he told her, as if it were obvious.

"How did you