The One Girl Read Online Free

the words came out of her mouth and waited to see how this would play out. Kayla was visibly affected, but Talie had realized her mistake as soon as she had said it and tried to fix it. “Kay, you know I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I love them, but I sure as hell love you too.”
    Kayla didn’t look like she was melting to Talie’s apology appropriately, and I was feeling a little defensive myself. She didn’t know the whole story, but I did. Talie had told me, and I knew what having gone through what she went through had done to her. And she had gone through it mostly for her sister.
    “Look, Kayla. You don’t know me, but you know your sister. Nothin’ means more to her than the people she loves and you’re one of ‘em. She’s given a lot for you that you don’t even know about, so just cut her some slack.”
    I could tell that Talie didn’t like that I had brought that up, so I did my best to do damage control. “Talie never would’a told you because she would’a protected you from even havin’ the knowledge of it. She went through a lot so that you would never have to.”
    I turned to Talie and put my hands on her cheeks, caressing her cheekbones with my thumbs. Getting right in her face, I whispered, “I’m sorry, Baby. I promise anything else is yours to tell. But she just had to get how important she is to you and never forget it. You deserve that.” I kissed her nose and left the room to give them a minute.
    I felt a little bad for detonating the bomb and then leaving Talie to clean up the mess, but it would be better that way. They didn’t need me to be there in the middle of that discussion.
    Not to mention, Jace and Ruthie would be there soon, and I knew that even more drama was probably on the way. I would use this time to prepare myself.
    ********
    I heard the knock on the door, followed by the sound of it opening. I made my way down the hallway headed to the door and was met by a stern faced Jace dragging a confused Ruthie behind him.
    Jace didn’t waste time and definitely didn’t beat around the bush. “What the hell is goin’ on Tuck?”
    I thought he would want a response, but he gave me no time to even speak, let alone come up with an answer to his question.
    “There are rumors flyin’ all over town. Not to mention Ruth’s been tellin’ me her first hand account of what went down at the diner.”
    I just nodded my head, gestured for them to follow me back into the living room, and murmured, “I know. Come on, we’ll talk, but I can guarantee it wouldn’t be good for my health to start this conversation without two other women present.”
    I could tell they were already confused by the fact that I said two women, but they would find out soon enough.
    As I cleared the hallway and the living room came into view, I could see that I had started something of an intense conversation between the sisters. Both had tear soaked faces, and I knew Talie didn’t cry a lot.
    They didn’t seem to notice me right away, so I cleared my throat. “Babe. Jace and Ruth are here.”
    Talie nodded, and I started to speak again, but found myself pushed out of the way by Ruthie. “Geez, Nattie. You have been holding out, girl.” Shaking her head slightly, she continued, “And you were worried about my drama?”
    Jace knew as well as I did that if the two of them got going they could go on for just about forever, so he stepped in and scooted around Ruthie so that he would be in the room. Extending his hand to Kayla, he introduced himself. “Hey there, I’m Jace.” Looking over his shoulder and motioning to Ruthie, he finished, “And this is Ruthie. I’m guessing you’re some kind of blood relative to Talie here, based on your looks.”
    A smug smile touched Kayla’s lips. “I know you must mean that I’m the prettier version of her. And yeah, we’re related. I’m her sister, Kayla.”
    Okay. I was done with the small talk. “Alright. Everyone has met everyone, so let’s get