I woke up feeling a bit strange in my body. I'm somewhat sore in the hip and also a little tired. The bed next to me was empty; Kayler wasn't there, which I appreciated. I remembered what happened last night and how vulnerable I was, so I don't even want to see him. However, I enjoyed it. Being with Kayler again makes me feel alive. I got up and headed straight to the shower to bathe; I want to feel clean. I washed my hair, rinsed off, and then stepped out. In the room, I looked for some casual clothes to wear: loose pants, a short-sleeved shirt, white sneakers. I combed my blonde hair and tied it up in a high ponytail. I went down to the kitchen to make breakfast, but to my surprise, Kayler was already there. He was shirtless, wearing only pajama pants, and his hair was messy. He looks really good.
"Ah, hello, darling, you're awake," he looked at me. "And I see you already took a shower."
"Yes... I was coming for breakfast," I let him know as I approached. I heard the TV on, so I assumed Kylie would be watching cartoons.
"Don't worry, I already took care of it," he smiled sideways. "You smell really good," he leaned in, wanting to give me a kiss, but I stepped away.
"Kayler..."
"It's okay. Are you hungry?"
"Kind of."
"Are you planning to go out today?"
"Maybe," I replied, limiting myself as I sat at the dining table.
"I'll go get Kylie," he said, leaving the kitchen. I don't know how to handle this, and I have no idea how to act with him now that we've made love twice. I don't want to confuse him more than he already is. And I don't want to confuse myself either; it only hurts us. "Ready," he appears with Kylie holding his hand. The girl sits in the chair next to me, and I feel uncomfortable.
"Good morning, Carrolina," she greeted. For Piper's daughter, she's very polite.
"Good morning, Kylie," I responded, faking a smile. I'm not going to be hypocritical either. Kayler served breakfast for both of us. This couldn't be more awkward.
"Mmm, meatballs, my favorites."
"It's Carolina's favorite breakfast too," Kayler said, to which I rolled my eyes. We had breakfast in silence and tranquility.
"Daddy, will you take me fishing today?"
"I don't know, Kylie, we'll see."
"Please, I want you to teach me how to fish. Uncle Elias is bad at it."
I looked at Kayler to see his reaction to hearing about Elias. But he acted as if nothing, as if it didn't affect him at all that another man was doing father-daughter things with his daughter.
"Alright, we'll go. Only if Carolina comes with us," he said.
I glared at Kayler for his recklessness.
"Please, Carolina, come with us!" She shook my arm.
"Alright, alright, we'll go."
"Yay!" she squealed.
I finished breakfast and proceeded to wash the dishes while Kayler Brown brought the boat out of the garage. Great, now I'll have to go fishing with them. What time will Anne come? I'm so desperate.
I left the house and headed to the pier. The girl was dressed in her fishing attire, even wearing a hat. She had her fishing rod and a bucket with bait. When did they gather all these things? Kayler put the boat in the water and helped Kylie aboard. I took off my shoes and got on the boat as well. Just when I had showered earlier, if I had known, I would have showered in the lake. The water looks so cold.
"First, you have to put the bait here," Kayler told her, showing her how to put the bait on the hook. "So that the fish can catch it, and bam! We catch it, got it?"
She nodded.
"Carolina, take this," he handed me a fishing rod with the bait already set. "We'll have fish for lunch," he joked.
I took the fishing rod without a word and plunged it into the water. Kylie did the same, looking excited.
"Are you okay?" Kayler whispered to me, sitting beside me.
"I'm fine."
"I'm sorry you have to do things you don't want to do. I know it's uncomfortable for you," he murmured.
"It's good that you're aware of it."
"I admire your bravery."
"It's not easy, believe me. However, I feel like it's something I have to do. That way, I won't be left with doubts and can make a proper decision in the future," I admitted.
"What decision are you talking about?"
"I can't tell you yet."
"You're going to leave me, I know it," he blurted out, breaking the fishing rod in two. I looked at him in horror.
"What are you doing?"
"This is pointless," he stood up, causing the boat to sway.
"Sit down," I took him by the arm and forced him to sit. "This is not the time for drama." Kayler covered his face with his hands, looking frustrated and sad. Now I feel guilty.
"Daddy, I got one!" Kylie squealed. Kayler helped her reel in the fishing rod with the fish; indeed, Kylie caught a big one. "I did it!"
"Give me a high-five," father and daughter high-fived each other. My fishing rod moved, and I also caught one. I raised the hook, showing them my fish. "Well, Carolina caught one too."
After a while, we got tired of doing the same thing, so we returned to the shore just as a car parked in front of the house. I didn't recognize the car, so it surprised me. Could it be Anne? However, a blonde hair coming out of the passenger seat confirmed that it wasn't Anne but my mother.
"No way," I got off the boat, put on my shoes immediately, and ran towards my mom like a little girl.
"Carolinaaa!" she shouted, coming towards me. "I've missed you."
"I missed you," I hugged her tightly. "How was your honeymoon? You look radiant."
"It was perfect. We went to many beautiful places. I'll tell you all about it," she looked behind me. "Wow, what a view. Is this girl...?" she wanted to know.
"Kylie."
"Kayler's daughter?" she was surprised. She obviously knew.
"Yes."
"But she's so cute!" Mom passed me by and almost ran to where Kayler and Kylie were.
"Hello, Carolina," Mike greeted me.
"Hi, Mike. How's everything?"
"Perfectly fine. I took care of your mother all this time," he informed.
"You better have, Mike. You better have."
Both of us watched as Mom picked up Kylie in her arms, and the girl laughed with her. Since when did they have so much confidence? I can't believe it. She's supposed to be my mother and should be with me. I missed her all this time, and it seems she didn't miss me. I crossed my arms, Feeling indignant because Mom has always preferred other people over me.
Kayler approaches, so I go inside the house. When did I become so jealous? I sound like a little child. My phone rang, it's Anne calling.
"What's going on? Are you coming?"
"I can't, I'm at home taking care of some things. Can you do it? Just take Kylie's toothbrush and bring it. We'll go straight to the hospital from here."
I bit my lower lip, hesitating.
"Alright, I'll be there soon." I hung up and quickly went upstairs to the room Kylie and Kayler were using. I went to the bathroom where there were two toothbrushes, one big and black, and another small and pink. I took both Kylie's and Kayler's, just to be safe. I left the bathroom and the room.
I have to put an end to this once and for all.