Page 22 of Follow Me to Your Heart

“I don’t want to be here,” I mumbled as Kasey parked in Mom’s driveway. Somehow, he’d convinced me to have dinner with her after she begged for weeks. I wasn’t feeling it. All I desired to do was lie in bed with Nema and share snacks.

I’d been deep in my feelings to the point I hadn’t even been doing nails.

All I did was go to school and go home. Taylor and Sienna had been keeping check on me, making sure I ate and everything else, but it was hard.

I’d done it to myself by breaking things off with Cage, only I didn’t realize how tough it was to live without him when I hadn’t done so in years.

Kasey chuckled and unbuckled his seat belt.

“Trust me, Korren. I don’t want to be here either, but I got tired of her asking.

She claims she wants to mend things with you.

Don’t worry. I let her know that if she came with anything other than an apology, we were leaving.

I’m not about to sit here and let her play in either one of our faces, especially yours. ”

I adored the men in my life. Between my dad, Kasey, and Cage, I always felt protected. They looked out for me. They catered to me. They cared for me. Blessed was an understatement of how I felt when it came to them.

“Thank you, Kasey. I appreciate you. She’s been reaching out to me, too, but with the breakup, I haven’t really wanted to talk to anyone.”

“What’s up with that anyway? You never told me what happened, which makes me feel like I need to pull up on Cage.”

I bowed my head and tucked my curls behind my ear.

“I did it hoping to change him, and not in the way that you’re thinking.

Other than what he does for work, Cage is damn near perfect in my eyes.

Things were getting to a point where he was choosing work over everything else, and you know what he does.

He was conflicted about things, so I removed myself from the equation, hoping he would figure out how to put himself first.”

“So, it’s not about the pictures with his ex?”

“No.” I snickered. “I could care less about her. I will admit it pissed me off when I first saw them, but Taylor and Sienna got me together. I miss him so much, Kasey. Whenever I see him checking in on me, I want to cave, but I know it’s not what either of us need right now.

I just pray he chooses what’s best for him, whether I’m included or not. ”

Kasey grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. “The two of you love one another too much to not come back together. I’ve seen him fall in love with you over the years and vice versa. I have faith y’all will figure it out. Just know it may take time, or it may not.”

“Is that how you felt when you and Amanda broke up?”

“Yeah, it was. It’s different when you know someone is your soulmate. We were broken up, but we were still connected. I knew once I got my chance, I’d marry her and do right. You never know. Cage might feel the same way.”

“I hope so.”

Kasey kissed the back of my hand again. Our moment was interrupted by Alana calling him, asking if we were going to sit outside forever.

We shared a knowing glare before getting out to go inside.

Mom opened the door with her arms outstretched.

I stopped in my tracks. The last thing I wanted was to be affectionate with her, so I let Kasey lead the way.

“Oh, my babies.” She cooed, embracing Kasey and rocking from side to side. “I’ve missed y’all so much. I wish I got the same treatment as your father.”

“If you showed up for us like he did, then maybe you would,” I responded, rolling my eyes. We couldn’t even be around her for one minute before she started her bullshit.

Mom pulled away from Kasey and glared at me. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kasey leaned over and whispered something in her ear that made her hush. With the mood I was in, I wanted her to say something. I’d take all my anger out on her.

“Hello to you too, Korren. Come and give your mother some love.” She waved me over as she stepped toward me.

I glanced over at Kasey who held his hands up.

That was one thing I loved about him. Even though Alana was our mother, he didn’t pressure me to do anything I felt uncomfortable with because she held that title.

“I’m good, Mom.”

Alana tipped her head to the side with her lips tightly pursed together. “Excuse me?”

“I said I’m good. Are we going to go in and eat or what?”

With a wave of her finger, Mom turned around and headed inside with us in tow.

When our parents got a divorce, Mom bought a house on the outskirts of Camden Cove, right on the lake.

She lived a few houses down from the baseball player Banks Callahan, so no one could tell her a thing.

Her home was cute. It housed four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, much too big for only her.

She swore she got it big enough for Kasey and me, but we hardly ever came over here when we were younger.

“It smells good in here,” Kasey stated as we ventured deeper into her home.

One look around and one wouldn’t know she even had kids. The pictures decorating her mint painted walls were of her and only her, mixed in with some art done by Leilani Keith. She led us into the dining room where she had the table set for three.

I had to agree with Kasey, it did smell good. Alana had prepared meatloaf, homemade mashed potatoes, sweet peas, and yeast rolls. It was one of Kasey’s favorite meals growing up.

Kasey smiled bright. “Aw, man. You know this is my meal, Mom.”

“I had to get down for my baby. It’s been a while since I cooked for you, so I figured I’d prepare your favorite.”

I bit down on my tongue to refrain from speaking my mind. For the longest, I’d known she favored Kasey over me. It didn’t bother me, but she made it obvious whenever we were all together. I was Daddy’s favorite, but he never made Kasey feel it.

We bypassed the dining room to go wash our hands. When we were all seated at the table again, Mom said grace before plating the food. Of course, she plated mine last. I stabbed my fork into my meatloaf when the doorbell rang. We all stopped and looked at one another.

“Expecting someone?” Kasey questioned Mom.

She swiftly shook her head. “No, I’m not. Do you mind going to see who it is?”

Kasey excused himself and headed to the front. The name that left his lips made me drop my fork.

“Cage? What are you doing here?”

“Oh, hell no.” Mom threw her napkin down, scooted her chair back, and marched to the front.

I was hot on her heels. We made it to the front at the same time.

My heart felt as if it would leap from my chest at any moment seeing Cage standing there.

Two weeks had passed since we’d been so close, and it took everything in me not to jump into his arms. Goosebumps prickled my skin when our eyes connected.

He winked at me before reverting his attention to Kasey.

Mom whipped her head around and interrogated, “Did you invite him here?”

“No. If I did, I would’ve told you.”

“Then what is he doing here, and how did he know you were here?”

She and I were wondering the same thing. There was no question on how Cage knew how to find me, but I didn’t expect him to show up, especially when we hadn’t talked. Him choosing to show up at Alana’s spoke volumes, making me love him even more.

“He has my location,” I informed Mom, eyes still on Cage. “I don’t know what he’s doing here, but you can ask him yourself.”

“What are you doing here, Cage?” Kasey quizzed again, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

Cage thumbed his nose and replied, “I’m here for Korren. When I saw where she was, I had to come be with her.”

“For what?” Mom scoffed with her hands on her hips.

“You.” Cage answered with no hesitation.

Silence fell over us as we all stared at one another. Kasey was trying his hardest to mask the smirk threatening to curve his lips. He gave me a knowing look, and when I nodded, he stepped to the side to allow Cage inside. Mom waved her hand, taking three steps forward.

“Oh, no. I did not invite him inside my home.”

Kasey told her, “I did. We have enough food for him to join us.”

“No. This is supposed to be my alone time with my children. I don’t want some thug interrupting us.”

“It’s funny how you call me a thug, but you dismiss the actions of a nigga who puts his hands on your daughter,” Cage spoke. “Judge me all you want. I truly don’t care about your opinion, Alana. I don’t need your approval when you haven’t been a present mother in either of your kid’s lives.”

Oh shit.

Mom pointed her finger at Cage. “You don’t know anything about me, Cage. You only go based off what Korren tells you.”

“Exactly. It’s her word over everybody’s.

Don’t forget I’ve been in her life for a long time, so I know everything.

I didn’t come here to argue with you. I’m here to support Korren because I know how you are and how you get to her.

She’s more than capable of holding her own, but as her man, I’m here to back her up. ”

My center throbbed, aching for the intimate connection with Cage. To know we weren’t in the best place and he was still here for me had me thinking differently.

The way Alana whipped her head back to mug me was comical. Cage was getting underneath her skin. She was crazy if she thought I was about to defend her or check Cage.

“How dare you allow him to talk to me like that? Both of you!” Mom shouted.

“How is he talking to you?” I asked for clarification.

“Don’t be na?ve, Korren. You heard him. You do every time, but you stand by idle and allow it. I’m your mother. I don’t understand how you could do this.”

I tilted my head to the side. “Just like I don’t understand things you do, Mom.

How you allowed Daddy to have full custody of us and didn’t even fight it.

I’m not saying there was anything wrong with it because he has always been my preferred parent, but did you ever think about how your actions affected us?

I can’t speak for Kasey, but you’ve always judged me, Mom.

You wanted me to live a life to please you.

You’ve never truly thought about how I feel.

If it’s not pleasing to you, then I’m in the wrong. ”

“Oh, please. That’s not true, Korren. You’ve always allowed your father and Cage to influence the way you think of me.”

“Out of everything I’ve said, that’s all you gathered from it?”

Kasey chimed in. “You’re not hearing her, Mom.”

“None of you are hearing me. If y’all are going to continue ganging up on me, then we don’t need to do this dinner.

I was trying to spend some time with my children, but Cage’s presence ruined it.

His influence on you is too strong, Korren.

You followed him to Harley Grove when you easily could’ve stayed in Camden Cove to get your education.

I don’t know what he’s done to you, but don’t come crying to me when he hurts you.

I’m your mother. I’m forever. He’s not.”

Cage stepped inside and walked over to me.

One of his hands grabbed mine while the other cupped my face, slowly rubbing his thumb over my cheek.

Intently, we gazed at one another. From the rapid thump of my heart, I knew ours were beating in sync.

The shallowness I felt was being filled with each swipe of his thumb.

My goodness. I missed this man.

Gently, he spoke. “Just let me know what you want to do, KoKo.”

“What you always do: save me.”

“I got you.”

With a kiss to my cheek, Cage looked Mom up and down before leading me out the door with Kasey right behind us.

It was sad how Alana couldn’t take accountability, but it honestly didn’t surprise me.

She needed to do some soul searching and healing.

I truly believed she hadn’t healed from the divorce, because she lacked accountability in her part of the demise.

Until she did, our relationship would remain the same.

“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” Kasey expressed, running his hands over his curls. “I know Cage triggered her by showing up, but there was no reason for her to act the way she did. Sadly, she hasn’t changed.”

I freed my hand from Cage’s and embraced my brother. “It’s not your fault, Kasey. You tried. We tried. There’s only so much we can do with a mother like her. I’ll keep loving her from a distance.”

“I hope she comes around one day before it’s too late.”

“Honestly, I don’t think it’ll ever be too late. Regardless of how she is now, I would love to have a healthy relationship with her one day.”

“All we can do is pray about it.”

“Exactly. I love you, Kasey.”

“I love you, Korren.” Kasey kissed the top of my head and let me go. He approached Cage with his hand out, shaking it, and pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you, man. I appreciate you for always looking out for my sister. I may have judged you in the past, but I know you’re good people.”

“It’s all good. It’s all love. No matter what, I’m always going to have her. She’s my baby, for real.”

Kasey chuckled. “I can see. She’s mine too, so don’t ever let us run into a problem.”

“I hear you. We don’t have that to worry about.”

My heart was full. Two of the men I loved the most had come to a common ground.

Cage went to the passenger side of his car and opened the door. “You’re coming with me, KoKo.”

“Says who?” I scowled, knowing good and well with him was where I yearned to be.

“Stop trying to be hard and go. Call me when you get home.” Kasey called me out, laughing.

I stomped over to Cage’s car and slid inside. Kasey watched until I had my seat belt on before getting in his car and pulling off. We were right behind him until we made it to the end of the road and went our separate ways.