Page 52 of Unhinged Kallie

“Come and get me, Kallie, if you can.” With a wink, he ran out the door again, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I leaped off the bed and chased after him. I hated that he could take the stairs three at a time.

I could smell bacon and knew Dad was cooking breakfast before twirling around the banister hot on Carter’s heels. My dad gave us his patent, ‘What the fuck are you doing’ look as we ran past him and into the living room.

Shit, I was losing ground. He was so freakishly fast. I turned and ran back the other way and almost caught him, but he spun out of reach and ran back up the stairs.

“Freaking teenagers,” my dad said, making me laugh.

“Come on, Trouble, you’re slow.”

“Jerk. Give me my gift.” I bounded up the stairs, not caring about the squeaky boards. We must have sounded like elephants charging through the house.

Carter veered back into my room, and I managed to put on a burst of speed, jumping on his back before he could run around the loveseat I had in my room for reading.

With a scream, we tumbled onto the small couch before bouncing off and ending up on the floor. I couldn’t stop laughing. It felt like forever since I had this much fun. The bonus was feeling Carter on top of me as he laughed. Running my nails up his arms and over his shoulders, I locked my fingers behind his neck, and all the humor between us evaporated.

“You should open your gift.” His soft voice flowed over my skin, reminding me of warm blood.

“There’s only one thing I want for my birthday.” I moistened my lips, and his eyes followed the movement.

His cheek rubbed against mine as he dropped his head. Thump, thump, thump, the blood whooshed through my veins.

“Maybe one day, Trouble, but not today,” Carter said. My initial reaction was to press, but this was the first time he even hinted that something could potentially happen in the future.

Carter may not have realized it, but if there was a single crack in his armor, then it was pierceable. I just needed to be smart about it. I let my hands drop from his neck, and he groaned as he sat up and leaned against the love seat.

“Did you hurt your knee,” I asked as he rubbed it.

“Naw, it just gets stiff, but it’s getting stronger every day.” He held open his hand as I sat up beside him. “Here you go.”

I plucked the small package from the palm of his hand, and I couldn’t help thinking it was a ring. I mean, that was stupid. Wasn’t it? Shit, what would I do if it really was a ring? Did I want to marry Carter? I was just sixteen but couldn’t see myself with anyone else.

“Are you going to open it or just stare at it like it might bite?”

My face flushed hot, and I could feel my ears burning with embarrassment. “I’m admiring the wrapping. Do you mind?”

“Uh-huh.”

Not bothering to continue the pointless argument, I tore open the paper and stared at the small velvet box. Holy shit, it really was a ring. My brain fried trying to decide what to do, but I couldn’t stare any longer and lifted the lid.

I was simultaneously thankful and saddened that I didn’t have to worry about him proposing. Inside the box was a gothic-style, silver pendant shaped like a knife with the word, Trouble, engraved on the blade. It was beautiful.

“There’s even a tiny bit of red on the tip for blood,” Carter said.

Looking up at him, I realized that no matter what, he accepted who I was and what I craved. Taking him by surprise, I threw my arms around his neck and held him tight.

“Thank you, it’s amazing.”

He held me, and the turmoil that usually swirled inside me settled. He was the calm, and I was the storm.

Carter cleared his throat as I pulled back and kissed him on the cheek. “I love it. Can you help me put it on?”

“Why don’t I do that when we get back?”

“Where are we going?”

“You’re supposed to have an amazing memory. Did you forget what you said you wanted to do for your sixteenth birthday?”

Right now, all I could picture was sitting on his lap and taking what I really wanted, but instead, I tapped my chin and tried to think back.