First Love (2 page)

I had a very long talk with my grandparents, who have raised me since I was two. I told them I had changed my mind about Miami. They were pretty surprised, to say the least. The big shocker came when I told them I was going alone. They loved Kyle. I didn’t tell them what Kyle had done. I didn’t want them to hate him because our relationship went south. After all, he thought of my grandparents as his own. He never knew his own and mine treated him just like a grandson. I told them that I needed to do this on my own and Kyle didn’t understand that. I made them promise not to tell him where I was going. I knew they weren’t too thrilled with that idea, but would do what I asked of them.

After my talk with my grandparents, I went to my room to pack. I decided to leave first thing in the morning. As much as I hate to leave them, I have to get away from Florida. I had applied to Georgia State University as a back-up school and I think going to Georgia would be the best thing. I only packed what I absolutely needed. I couldn’t fit a whole lot in my car, anyway. As soon as I packed, I quickly loaded it in my car. Kyle had been calling and texting like crazy. The more I ignored him, the worse it got. He had even come by a couple times today, but my grandma told him I was sick. I just couldn’t understand why he seemed so worried about getting a hold of me. He couldn’t really love me if he was cheating on me, so why does he care? Something doesn’t add up, but my heart hurts too much to listen. Maybe I was being a coward by leaving, and I am probably going to regret not getting an explanation, but I’m just too broken right now to care.

My alarm clock went off at 5 A.M. I wanted to make sure I got to Atlanta early enough to find a good hotel. Tomorrow, I would be apartment hunting. I also didn’t want to run into Kyle. I dressed comfortably for my nine hour drive in yoga pants and a t-shirt. I grabbed my duffel bag off my bed and headed toward my door. I turned and took another long look around my room. I am really going to miss this place. I quickly close the door before I start crying.

In the kitchen, there is a thermos of coffee and a letter from grandma. I said my goodbyes last night. I knew it would be a big cry fest this morning if I didn’t. My grandparents went to Georgia often, so it’s not like I would never see them. I opened the note and began reading it.

Dear Amber,

I know you are hurting right now. I wish there was something I could do to ease that hurt for you. As always, you are a very strong, independent, and stubborn young woman. I may be old, but I am not senile. At least, not yet. I can see that this has something to do with Kyle. I am not going to pry. If you want to talk, you will come to me. I will say one thing, though. Love like you both have comes only once in life. Time apart may not be a bad thing for either of you. It will be a good chance for you both to grow, also a chance for you both to realize how much you really do love one another. You are both young and bound to make mistakes. One day, you will realize that the love you have for each other is more important than anything else. You will eventually be able to forgive, because that is who you are. I have never met anyone more forgiving than you. Trust yourself.

Call us when you get to Atlanta and maybe a couple times along the way, just so we know you are safe. We will make sure to come see you often. You are so special to us, the most important person in our lives. We love you so much. Have a safe trip.

Love Always,

Grandma and Grandpa

I wiped my tears and put the letter in my bag. I love that woman dearly, but the pain in my heart made it very difficult to even think about forgiveness right now. I headed out to my car. I took another long look at the house that held so many happy memories for me before I got in and drove toward my new life. Far away from the man I love who has ripped my heart into shreds.

I
WAVED
goodbye to the guys as I got into my truck. We had just finished band practice. I started this band when I was in eighth grade. We play covers from hard rock and metal bands and we’re pretty good. Our only gigs consist of birthday parties and the occasional house party, but that doesn’t matter to me. I am not looking to get famous or become a rock star. Someday, I’d like to have my own bar and restaurant, then I could play whenever I felt like it.

Normally, Amber comes to every practice with me. Today she said she had something to do for her grandmother. I really hope she’s finished by now, I can’t wait any longer to see her. The guys are always teasing me, saying I’m whipped because I spend so much time with her. I’m not whipped; I’m just head over heels in love with her. I have been in love with her for as long as I can remember. Hell, I loved her long before I even knew what love was.

I parked my truck in the driveway and went into my house. My parents went to visit my aunt in Tampa this weekend, so I had the whole house to myself. That could come in very handy later if Amber wanted to stop by. I shoot her a quick text to let her know I am home. Maybe she will have the same ideas I’m having.

I waited a couple minutes for a reply. When I didn’t get one, I jumped in the shower. While I stood under the hot spray of the water, I couldn’t help but think about Amber. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She is slim, but not too skinny. She has the most perfect tits. And, her ass, I can’t keep my hands off of it. I catch guys checking out her ass all the time. Her eyes, though, the most beautiful shade of chocolate brown, were my favorite attribute. I could get lost in her eyes. There was just something about them that was mesmerizing. At a whole foot shorter than me, five-foot-three, I couldn’t help but tease her. I love it, though.

I thought I heard the front door slam. Maybe Amber came over after all. I quickly rinsed off and got out of the shower. I dried off and wrapped the towel around my waist. I couldn’t wait to see her. I felt myself harden at the thought of being close to her. I walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom, shocked to find Nora Lawson naked in my bed. It definitely wasn’t who I was expecting it to be. For the last four years, she has been trying to get me to sleep with her. This, however, was a whole new low. Even for her.

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I yelled. I wanted to grab her and throw her out of my house. Unfortunately, I think she would have taken that as a come on.

“Ah, what’s the matter, Kyle? You were very happy to see me when you first walked in,” she said, staring at my crotch.

Too bad, the second my eyes landed on this bitch my dick shriveled right up as if I had jumped into a pool of ice water.

“Believe me, I wasn’t happy to see you. You need to get your clothes on and leave now. I have told you before, I want
nothing
to do with you!” I grabbed a pair of jeans and went back to the bathroom to get dressed. I had to get her the fuck out of here. I walked out of the bathroom just as Nora was leaving.

“I have a feeling you are going to change your mind about me, Kyle. When your straight-laced girlfriend dumps your ass, you know where to find me,” she said with a smirk. She knew something that I didn’t. I wasn’t in the mood to play games. I just wanted her gone.

“Don’t hold your breath, Nora.” She started to walk away. “On second thought, maybe you should hold your breath,” I said with my own smirk.

“Fuck you, Kyle Connor!” she spat as she slammed the front door.

Thank God she was gone. I threw on some socks, boots, and a t-shirt. As I was walking to the front door, I noticed an envelope on the floor. I picked it up. My name was typed on the front. I opened it up and was floored. There were two tickets and two backstage passes to see Breaking Benjamin. I love that band! Where the hell did these come from? This envelope wasn’t here when I came in. Then again, neither was Nora.

I looked at my phone, Amber still hadn’t replied to my text. That was strange. She usually responded right away. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. Something wasn’t right. I tried calling Amber’s cell phone. Straight to voice mail. The only time it did that was when she ignored the call. Why is she avoiding me? On a knee-jerk reaction, I decide I’m not going to wonder for long. I grab my keys and head out the door. I’m not waiting to find out.

On the way to Amber’s house, I called three more times. All three times it went straight to voice mail. Something was definitely wrong, but what? I drove a little faster. I don’t know why, but a feeling of dread washed over me. I felt it even worse as I parked my truck in Amber’s driveway. Her car was there. She was home. I walked up to the front door. Before I could knock, the door opened and Ima, Amber’s grandma, walked out, closing the door behind her.

“What’s going on, Grams?” I asked, my voice trembling. My knees felt weak. I sat on the wooden bench, which sat next to the front door. She looked torn. I knew whatever she was about to say was going to be something Amber told her to say. Gene and Ima have been like grandparents to me since I was only a few years old. They are the only grandparents I have ever known. But, Amber came first, and I understood that. I always put her first, too. Ima rested her hand on mine, a sad smile tweaking her lips as she sat next to me.

“Nothing is going on, dear. She has the flu. She’s just not up to any company right now.”

“Did I do something wrong? I don’t understand why she’s avoiding me all of a sudden. Everything was fine this morning.” I was starting to sound like a whiney little bitch.

“Honestly, Kyle, I don’t know. She won’t tell us anything, either. Whatever it is, I am sure it will blow over. Just give her some space. By tomorrow, or the next day, it will probably all be forgotten.” She kissed the top of head as she stood up. “Don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be fine.” She patted my shoulder and went inside. I got up and went to my truck, turning to look up to her window. I guess I was hoping to see her, but I didn’t. I got in my truck and left.

For the next two days, I called Amber, time and time again, only to get voicemail. I left so many messages, eventually her mailbox was full. When I couldn’t leave any more messages, I sent a text every hour. Still, no response. My emotions kept flip-flopping back and forth. One minute, I was so angry I was breaking everything in sight; the next, I was crying like a baby, broken. If only she’d talk to me so I knew what the fuck I did. I can’t fix it if I don’t know what the problem is. I couldn’t take any more. I stayed away for two days, two agonizing days. I had to know what I did wrong. This time, she was going to talk to me.

That feeling of dread was back as I pulled into the driveway. Her car was gone. It’s not like she would have went very far. I’ll just wait; I don’t care how long it takes. Again, before I could knock the door opened and out came Ima. Shit. She looked like she was about to tell me my dog died. This wasn’t going to be good. My heart felt like it was in a vice grip. Time to man up.

“I’m not leaving until she comes back. She needs to tell me what the problem is so I can fix it and we can move on.” She moved closer to me and placed an arm around me.

“Kyle. She left this morning, she’s not coming back.”

“What do you mean she’s not coming back? Today? Tomorrow? Next week?” I looked at her, wanting an explanation. At the same time, I didn’t. I’m positive I’m not going to like it.

“She’s not coming back at all. Ever. She wanted me to tell you it was over.”

“I don’t understand. Why? What did I do? Where did she go?” Tears started to fall, but I didn’t care. Why did she leave me? Why wouldn’t she at least tell me goodbye?

“I don’t know why. She still wouldn’t tell us. I can’t tell you where she is. She made us promise. I’m so sorry. I know how much the two of you love each other.”