Anywhere With You
Copyright © 2013 Kaylee Ryan
All Rights Reserved.
This book may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Kaylee Ryan, except for the use of brief quotations in articles and or reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, locations, businesses and plot are products of the author’s imagination and meant to be used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead or actual events throughout the story are purely coincidental. The author acknowledges trademark owners and trademarked status of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, sponsored or associated by or with the trademark owners.
The following story contains sexual situations and strong language. It is intended for adult readers.
Cover Design: Sarah Hanson Okay Creations
Editing: Jenn Scranton
Formatting: Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats
To my husband, without you this would not have been possible.
“Gran, this is a bad idea.”
“Allie girl, how many times do I have to tell you I’ll be fine? You’re only going to be forty minutes away. You need to go, spread your wings, and live your life. I want that for you more than anything.”
“But, Gran! We need to stick together, we’re a team the two of us. I hate the thought of someone else taking care of you. That’s my job,” I whine. I know that I am being childish, but the thought of leaving Gran alone was breaking my heart. Yes, she will have a nurse daily for eight hours a day, but she will be alone at night. This scares me. Gran suffers from heart disease and diabetes, which makes it hard for her to get around and do common everyday things such as cook and clean. This has been my job until the day she told me I had to live at the dorms at UNC, and would not take no for an answer.
“My sweet, sweet girl. I love you for that, but you need this and Ace is there, he misses you. I need you to make a way in this world for yourself. Staying in the dorms is the right decision. You have a lifetime of new experiences waiting for you. The Emerson’s are just next door and the nurse will be here seven days a week.”
“But …”
“That’s enough. Allison, listen to me. You are going to stay in the dorms and live it up like all kids your age. I have watched you give up too many experiences for me and I will not stand for it. I love you with all my heart, but you need to do this, for both of us.”
“Fine, but I am coming home every weekend to see you,” I grumble.
“Oh no you don’t, missy. You will come home no more than one weekend a month, and even that is not necessary. Put yourself first for once, Allison. Take chances, make mistakes, fall in love,” Gran replies at the same time a knock came on the door.
“Come in,” I yell.
“Hey guys, it’s just us,” Jennifer Emerson says, as she and her husband, Michael, walk into the living room. The Emerson’s live next door, and also happen to be my best friend Ace’s parents. They have also helped fill the void of my parents who passed away in a tragic car accident when I was ten.
“Hey sis, you all set?” Michael asks me as he pulls me in for a hug. Since the day that I moved in with Gran after my parent’s death, Michael has called me sis. He said he always wanted a little girl, and since Jennifer was unable to have any more kids, I would do just fine.
Before I can answer Gran speaks up, “Yes, we were just discussing that. Allison has those two bags by the door that still need to be loaded and then she’s all set.”
“Perfect. Sweetheart, I hope you don’t mind delivering some goodies to that son of mine. I made a care package for each of you. Cookies, fudge, toiletries, and a few gift cards, among other things,” Jennifer asks me.
“Are you kidding, seeing Ace is my only motivation for even leaving. I hate that I’m leaving Gran to be here at night alone. Thank you for the goodies, you are really too good to me,” I tell her as I wrap my arms around her for a hug.
“We love you, Allison, you are a part of our family and always will be,” she replies softly. “Michael and I will finish loading your car while you say your goodbyes. Are you sure that you don’t want us to come with you and help you get settled in?”
“No, thank you though. I don’t really have all that much, and the dorms have elevators so I won’t have to worry about stairs. I’ve been in contact with my roommate. Her name is Hailey. She’s getting there this afternoon as well, so we planned on doing it together.” I shrug. “She thought it would help us bond. We met a few weeks ago for pizza just to get more acquainted.”
“I think I like this Hailey character,” Gran grins at me.
I lean down to embrace her in a hug feeling her fragile body in my arms as she whispers, “Life is a giant canvas, Allie, and you should throw as much paint on it as you can. You determine your future. I am so proud of the woman you have become, and your parents would be too.”
I pull away from her, tears running down my face. “I love you, Gran. I will call every day and please call me if you need me. I’m just forty minutes away.” I kiss her on the cheek. “I miss you already.”
“I miss you too, sweet girl.”
The drive to UNC is short and sweet. During the drive, I’m able to get my emotions under control. When I reach the parking lot for my dorm, I send Hailey, my roommate, a text.
ME
: Hey! Just pulled into the lot
Hailey:
be there in 3 min
ME:
K
True to her word, Hailey arrives three minutes later and pulls up beside me in her Blue Ford Fusion. We have been e-mailing for two months now, so I feel like I already know her. I don’t have a lot of friends, and really Ace is the only friend I’m close to. As I get out of the car, I see Hailey heading towards me.
“Allison! I am so excited!” Hailey screeches as she throws her arms around me for a hug.
Her enthusiasm is infectious. “Me too,” I laugh.
“Let’s get started. I know we said we were going to do this on our own, but my dad insisted that my brother help. He is a senior here at UNC; he lives off campus with his best friend Dash. There he is now.” I don’t think she even takes a breath.
I laugh to myself, what kind of name is Dash? Of course I am okay with some muscles to help with the heavy lifting. I assume that Hailey’s brother is muscular since he’s the quarterback for the UNC Tar Heels. The one good thing about Hailey and I reaching out to each other this summer is that I feel like I already know so much about her. It takes away that awkward feeling. I have heard a lot about her family, and of course she knows all about Gran and Ace.
“Allison, did you hear me?” Hailey asks.
I turn to face her …
Holy shit!
Standing next to Hailey is the sexiest guy I have ever seen in my entire life. He is tall, at least 6’4, and strong broad shoulders. The same black hair as Hailey but cut short, and the most staggering sky blue eyes that I have ever seen. I know that I’m staring but I can’t seem to control myself. He’s wearing blue jeans that hang just right, and a plain white t-shirt that embraces his ripped abs and shoulders.
“Allison, this is my brother Liam, Liam this is Allison, my roommate.”
Mr. Sexy, also known as Liam, smiles and reaches his hand out to me. “Nice to meet you,” he says as he flashes me a charming smile.
I realize that I am still staring and that he is waiting for me to shake his hand. So I reach out accepting the handshake. “You as well, thanks for your help.” There that sounds normal, a little breathy but who can blame me. This guy is sex on a stick.
I hear someone clearing their throat. I pull my eyes away from Mr. Sexy and see that there is another huge guy standing right beside him. “This is Blitzen, a friend of mine,” Liam tells me.
“Hello Blitzen, I’m Allison. It’s nice to meet you.” I study him partly to keep my eyes from searching for Liam, and partly because well, he’s fine!