Chapter 6 Retreat

• OAKLYNN
• Just when I thought I’d gotten a temporary reprieve, it just so happened that Jordan Carter, Corbyn Coleman, and Kyle Kinley happened to be at the hospital when we got there too. Kylo wasn’t there yet. When Cash dropped us off, he told us he was on his way to pick up Kylo from a meeting.
• His hot friends were sprawled on the sofas scattered around the spacious private waiting room, looking like they owned the world; it was effortless on their part. They owned the look without even trying, whereas some unfortunate beings (like me) had to go through hurdles just to look decent. This was like man-candy heaven, I wished I could have taken a pic. Maybe if circumstances were different, I would have; Madison would have been ecstatic. That picture would grace any magazine cover, and it would be sold out in seconds.
• Why was I surprised they were here? Of course, why wouldn’t they be here? Kylo was their friend, and they were a pretty tight group. It was like a brotherhood of some sort; being excessively gorgeous and famous was probably a prerequisite. These guys were the true definition of friendship goals. They cared about each other in a way that I envied. The women in their lives were fiercely loyal to them and to each other as well. I could have been part of the crew, but I messed that up, didn’t I?
• Fortunately, the women in question were not present. I wasn’t ready to face Kyle’s wife, but now that I was in my right senses, I owed him an apology for pawing him in public, drunk or otherwise.
• Zorii looked at me and smiled as I hesitated outside the door. “I heard what happened…you don’t need to worry,” she grinned. “Kyle is really cool. He’ll probably laugh about it with you.”
• My eyes widened. “You’re on a first-name basis with him?”
• “Yeah,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “With all of them actually. C’mon, let’s get this over with so you can meet Mom.” Dragging me inside, she laughed.
• “Hey guys,” Zorii breezed in, totally at ease. How was she so calm in all this awesomeness?? I was so close to popping both my ovaries. “I’m sure you all remember, Oaklynn?”
• I kept my expression unchanged, my fingers nails digging into my sweaty palms. “Hie..”
• “Oaktree Turner,” Jordan’s eyes twinkled with humor. “I mean, who could forget her? She made quite an impression, right guys?”
• “Yeah,” Kyle nodded and smiled. “That was..uhm-something…Fortunately, I’m happily married. I’m flattered, though.”
• “I for one will never get the picture out of my head,” Corbyn laughed and applauded. “Epic.”
• Despite myself, a smile curved my lips. At least he wasn’t mad. “I’m really, really sorry about last night…”
• “It’s a good thing he has a wife; otherwise, our boy Lo would have to be worried,” Jordan teased.
• “I hope I didn’t cause problems with your wife?” My eyes rested on Kyle.
• “Pffft!" Corbyn said with a wave of his hand. “Maya’s built an immunity to it. She expects it if anything.”
• “Don’t be so sure about that,” Jordan leaned forward and whispered. “My sister is coming after you, so beware…”
• My gulp was loud. “She is?!”
• “No, she’s not,” Kyle flicked Jordan’s temple. “Don’t listen to JC. He thrives on drama.”
• “I really am sorry. I was kind of out of it last night, but that’s not an excuse-”
• “For mauling him?” Jordan smiled lazily. “Bad kitty…”
• “Consider it forgotten, okay?” Kyle stood up and hugged me, and I almost melted onto the floor.
• “Can I have a picture?” I’m sorry, I had to. Why did I say that? Now I can’t take it back.
• “Sure.”
• “Can I have one with all of you, too?”
• “And so it begins,” Zorii giggled. “Have you guys been in to see Mom?”
• “Not yet,” Jordan said. “The doctor was still in there. Told us he’d let us know when he was done. Where is your brother?”
• “He had some business to take care of. Says he can only make it in the evening,” Zorii replied.
• I was both relieved and disappointed. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have come.
• “Oh, the doctor is out. Let’s go in first, Oaklynn,” she beckoned.
• I trailed behind, feeling like an intruder. But Zorii and her mom invited me here, meaning they wanted me here, right? But why hadn’t Kylo told them the truth? And did he really want to propose? I had so many questions, but no was not the time.
• “Don’t worry, she’s going to love you,” Zorii assured me as we neared the private suite. “Don’t be nervous and don’t look at her with pity. She hates it.”
• “Gotcha.”
• “I know she looks..she’s not looking her best but..”
• I put a hand on Zorii’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I get it. I lost my grandmother to cancer,” I explained. “I understand too well.”
• “I’m sorry-” her eyes clouded with tears. “It’s just that..”
• “Don’t apologize. It’s okay,” I squeezed her hand. “Let’s go inside whenever you’re ready.”
• Her brow puckered, and she closed her eyes. Eyes that looked so much like Kylo’s. They looked so much alike, actually. She nodded, took a deep breath, and pasted a smile on her face before we walked in.
• Kylo’s mom looked so pale and fragile lying against the white sheets. I steeled myself and smiled at her as we neared the bed.
• We exchanged pleasantries, and she held out her hand to me. “You must be Oaklynn?”
• “Yes, it’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. King.”
• “I’m sorry it wasn’t under different circumstances,” her voice faltered, and her breathing became labored.
• “Please don’t strain yourself on my account,” I said as I sat down on the chair provided.
• “I’m sorry…”
• “Don’t be,” my heart clenched as I took her hand in mine. “You go ahead and rest. We will be right here.”
• “It’s okay, Mom,” Zorii reassured her. “You can go back to sleep. It’s okay.”
• Suddenly, her eyes rolled back, and the monitor started beeping. “I need to get a doctor. Stay with her!’ Zorii cried out in a panicked voice.
• Please don’t die. Please be alright, I silently urged her, squeezing her hand.
• The nurses rushed in and asked me to step outside while they attended to the patient.
• Kylo showed up at that exact moment and hardly acknowledged I was there as his baby sister rushed towards him, seeking comfort. His friends came to join them, and that was my cue to leave.
• Slinking back without anyone noticing, I gave them the privacy I thought they needed and made my way home.