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“He was the reason for my scars and my parents dying.”
“Oh, Cyrus. I’m so sorry. What happened?”
“It’s a long story. I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my troubles.”
“I’d like to know what happened with your scars and why it’s so upsetting to you. You can talk to me if you want. No pressure though.”
“I guess it would be nice to finally talk to someone. It’s hard to talk to my sister and brother about it. I don’t like to bring up all those old painful memories to them.”
“I’m here for you. If you want to talk, I’m here to listen. So... tell me. What happened?” Mia took his hand and sat next to him, intently listening.
With a sigh, Cyrus thought back to that night. “It was my birthday. My parents left Holly with my aunt and Isis, so they could take me to town to get a dirt bike. I had asked for it for years and my dad decided I was getting responsible enough to have one. Wraith always had bikes since we were kids, and I looked up to him. I wanted to be just like my big brother when I grew up. Wraith was tough and a great role model.”
“I can see that. You both seem so close.”
“We are. Even though he was older than me, he never treated me like a kid. We were like best friends.”
“That’s nice. I don’t have any brothers and sisters. I wish I did.”
“It’s great. We lean on each other when times are tough. The night it happened; I was the summer before my eighth-grade year. Holly and Isis were still in elementary school. Holly is a lot younger than Wraith and I. Mom had her later in life. We were all far apart in age and she used to tell us she needed a break in between us because we were a handful. She was probably right. We were tough kids and always got into some sort of trouble together.”
Mia giggled, thinking about Holly. Everyone seemed to be afraid of her. “I can see that. I heard stories about Holly.”
“Yeah. She’s a wild one. Anyway, Wraith had already graduated and was in the military stationed in Iraq when the accident happened. The man Tammy married was the man who killed my parents. He was a drunk driver and hit my parent’s car, running them off the road. I always thought he did it on purpose. He hated my father.”
“Was he arrested?” Mia asked.
“Yes. But he got off once he went to court. He knew too many people in the town. He claimed he parked on the side of the road and my dad ran into him. The judge wouldn’t even allow his alcohol test to be part of the evidence. I knew he was drunk. His son was my friend and every time I visited them; Greyson was always drunk. Everyone in town knew it was a cover-up. He got off and my parents died. How is that fair?” Cyrus sighed, rubbing his fingers over the scar on his face.
“That’s horrible. I can’t even fathom how hard that must have been.”
“Yes, and it still haunts me. The accident was bad, and it’s how I was burned. The burns were from the car catching fire. A shard of metal went through my abdomen too, and I almost bled to death.” Cyrus lifted his shirt. “That’s what this scar is from. There were a couple of truck drivers who helped me out of the car. They couldn’t get my parents out before the car was engulfed in flames. They told the police officers that my father asked them to save me first. My mom died on impact.”
“And you saw all that?”
“Thankfully, no. It knocked me out, so I didn’t see my parents die. When I woke up, I was in the ICU and Wraith was standing over me. He was getting married anyway, and he and his wife Lilly took Holly and me to raise.”
“The woman in the wheelchair? What happened to her?”
“About a year before my parents died, she was in a car bombing in Iraq. Wraith saved her life. They were in the same platoon. That’s how they met. Wraith and Lilly are so in love. I don’t know what would have happened if Wraith lost her. She is the love of his life.”
“He has been through a lot then. First his wife’s injury and then losing his parents. Then raising you and Holly. That’s a lot for one young person to handle.”
“He went through a lot, but he just keeps going. He’s stronger than all of us. Even though he went through all that, he’s still light-hearted. He pretends to be tough, but I know him. He cares more than he lets on. Family means everything to him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother cry. His taking on all that responsibility so young, made me want to be strong for us all. I feel it’s my responsibility to take care of my family now, too. Like taking Isis into my home when she was in trouble. I took care of her after her dad died. Her mom was sick herself and couldn’t deal with Isis when she became a teenager. Wraith and I raised those girls.”
“That’s nice that you did. Wraith seems like a wonderful person for taking care of you and Holly.”
“He never even hesitated to raise us. Wraith just stepped up and took charge and I admire him. Lilly was a great mother figure too and a wonderful woman. You remind me of her. She’s kind and funny and one tough chick. She competes in the Special Olympics. You’ll like her.”
Mia sat next to him and took his hand, running her thumb over his knuckles. “I’m sorry all that happened to you.”
“I had moved past it all until Tammy left me for that evil man. It’s like he just keeps doing things to ruin my life.”
“Why do you think she called?”
“She’s probably wanting money. I heard she has a kid now. That’s the one thing that bothers me the most. I couldn’t have kids because he took that from me.”
“You can’t have children?” Mia felt her heart clench. She wanted children and was afraid her biological clock was ticking.
Cyrus looked up at the ceiling, trying to keep from crying. “No, Mia. I can’t. I hope that doesn’t change things between us. I wasn’t ready to talk about this, but maybe it’s better you know now rather than later. I want kids, but I don’t know if it will be possible.”
“I don’t care. I always thought I would probably adopt. We could figure it out if things work out.”
“The doctors say it’s a possibility that I can, but a slim one. It would be hard. They could repair some damage.” He teased, nudging her arm. “And don’t worry. My goods are all in the right place and I am a fully functioning man.”
Mia nudged him back with a slight chuckle. “I wasn’t even thinking that.”
“Yes, you were. I’m 100% full man-power down there.”
“Good to know. I may want to use that equipment at some point,” she teased.
“I hope so. My little Cyrus is primed and ready for you, baby.”
“Not so little. I saw that shower selfie and your goods outlined under that towel.” Mia covered her face, trying to hide her blush. “I’m not sure I can take all that. It’s like a baby elephant trunk.”
“The whole fun is trying.” Cyrus winked at her with a squeeze of her hand.
“Thank you for confiding in me. I know it must be hard to talk about.”
“It is, but I feel comfortable talking to you. I don’t want any secrets between us. Anyway, I should get ready to meet Davis and Gage. We have a big day today.”
“Cyrus, I have a question.”
“Sure. Shoot.”
“What if Davis wants me on the show? What about my life here? Also, I don’t want to freeze on the big stage and mess up everything?”
“Well, as far as your life here, are you keeping the salon? You don’t have to move if you don’t want to. We’re on the road most of the time. It’s your choice on those decisions. If you need help, I’m here for you. I know it’s going to be a huge transition.”
“As I told you before, I’m sick of salon life. I love my clients and my friends there, but it’s so… mundane. It seems all glam on the outside, but after doing it every day, it goes old. I think I may sell my half to my co-owner. She has wanted to buy me out for years. I would have extra money to travel and expenses? I’m not rich, ya know.”
She winced at the thought of having to think about the changes. Changes were something she wasn’t used to.
He chuckled. “You will be rich once you’re signed to a contract. Besides that, IWX takes care of travel. You’ll be taken care of. Do you think my girl won’t be? I got you, baby. You’ll travel with me and my family. On my private jet or we will drive together from town to town on our tour bus. I know we talked about your interest in working in talent recruiting. I could use some help at the office too. If you’re interested in some extra work behind the scenes, we can always use an extra hand.”
“Whoa! Hold up. Private jet? I forgot you're the general manager of the company now. I would love to work and learn from you… wait? Your girl? You keep saying that. What’s that mean to you exactly? I want to be sure we’re on the same page here.”
Cyrus went to the table in the room, snacking on the food he had ordered. Looking up from his breakfast, he smirked. “Oh. Does girlfriend sound better, Miss Mia? I woke up with you in my arms this morning. I’m not letting all that go so easy,” he said with a wink.
“Girlfriend? You… want me to be your...”
“Yes. I do. Stop overthinking this. Don’t you want that? In your sleep, you mentioned it.” He licked his lips smugly with a sly grin. “You talk in your sleep by the way.”
“I do not!” She covered her face, throwing herself back on the bed. “Oh, geez! I did… didn’t I.”
“Yep. So… girlfriend? Or am I going to wait for that too?” He reached, pulling her over to him. Placing her on his lap and rubbing his hand up her thigh, he smiled lovingly at her.
“I like the sound of that. Are you sure, Cy? We just met. You really may change your mind once we don’t… ya know,” she said as she kissed his cheek and warped her arms around his neck.
“I’m not changing my mind, flower. It’s so sweet how you can hardly say sex without blushing. So innocent.” Cyrus playfully teased.
“Innocent? Ha-ha. I think it’s cute, you think that. I may have not had sex, but I know how to keep a man satisfied in other ways.”
“What ways?” Cyrus wagged his brows at her.
“Such a flirt. Be a good boy and you may find out.”
“The thing is, we have talked for weeks now. We know a lot about each other. I think we are past the stage of just meeting and trying to impress each other. Don’t you? I figure people are going to ask questions when they see us together all the time. I want to tell them proudly this is my girlfriend.” He looked serious as she laid her head on his shoulder.
“I feel like a modern-day Cinderella,” she hummed happily.
“Well, you are a dream come true. I’ll be your Prince Charming.”
“You already are, ya big softy.”
