The Redemption of Callie & Kayden

when I lay under him, helpless but unhindered as he held me, kissed me passionately, felt me from head to toe, our sweaty bodies united. He took me to a place I didn’t think existed and made me feel things I never knew I could.
    “He’s not going to let anything happen to you, Callie,” Seth says in a soothing voice that steadies my nerves. “And neither will Luke and I. You have three strong guys. You’re not alone and you don’t need to hide anymore.”
    I get what he’s saying and it overwhelms me. For six years I felt so alone in the world, hiding in my room. But now I’m here and I have Kayden, Seth, and even Luke. I’m not alone. I have friends. Tears start to sting at my eyes and one drop slips down my cheek.
    “You’re the best friend in the whole world,” I say, holding back the tears as I open my eyes. “And I mean that.”
    “I know you do.” A smile lifts at his lips and he brings his arms out in front of himself, showing me the dress he picked out. “Ta-da.”
    It has thin straps and is a few different shades of purple, kind of like tie-dye, and there’s a lacey trim along the top and bottom of it. It looks like it’s made of silk, but it’s not low-cut and it looks like it will go to my knees.
    I run my fingers along the soft fabric and check that the size on the tag is correct. “You think this is the one? The one to cure me of my fear?”
    “No, I think you’re the one to cure you of your fear,” he says, waving the dress at me. “This will just look really good on you
and
it matches the shoes.”
    I glance down at the purple flip-flops in my hand and then back up at the dress. “Yeah, they do kind of match,” I say and he waits for me to take the dress. Finally, I snatch it up and head to the counter.
    “Aren’t you going to try it on?” Seth meanders around the racks after me.
    I pile the dress and the shoes onto the counter next to the register and tub of pens with furry ends. “No way. Not until I get back to the house.”
    He rolls his eyes and then backs away toward a section of shorts. The cashier takes her time getting up from the chair and she heads to the register, yawning. Then the phone rings and she’s backing up toward it.
    “Just a second.” She holds up her finger and wanders over to the phone on the corner desk.
    I wait patiently with my arm on the counter and my hand on the dress. I remember when I was younger and I used to wear dresses all the time. I would run around and play catch in them and would always skin my knees.
    “Maybe you shouldn’t play catch,” my mom would say to me all the time. But I refused to listen because I loved feeling like a princess who could play sports. I would run up and down the football field, letting my tiny legs carry me as my dress and hair blew in the wind. I was so happy and I realize it’s probably one of the last times I’ve ever felt so carefree.
    The cashier laughs as she says something into the phone. “No way. Are you freaking kidding me? He did not.”
    “Yes way, he so did,” Seth mutters mockingly and he drops a pile of clothes down on the countertop. The cashier glares at him as she coils the cord of the phone around her finger. Seth makes a face at her and she turns her back on us.
    “Now we’re going to be here forever.” I flip through a selection of necklaces on a small rack near the register. Most have seashells on them and one even has a miniature bottle of sand.
    “Well, I’m going to file a complaint to her manager,” Seth says loud enough for the cashier to hear.
    I pick up the top item that Seth set down: a pair of denim shorts. “Are you planning on wearing these?” I say sarcastically.
    “Ha-ha. You must be feeling better if the sarcasm is coming out.” He sets a tank top down on the counter. “And no, these are for you.”
    I pick up the tank top. “I’m okay with this.” I pick up a pair of black lacy panties and then drop them like they’re toxic. “But this is too much.”
    I move my hands toward the pile to scoop it up and take it away, but he slams his hand down on top of it. “Just in case,” he says and then a sly smile curves at his mouth. “Like maybe if you feel like being scandalous.”
    My cheeks are as flaming hot as the black asphalt shimmering in the sunlight just outside the store. But I’m smiling and I momentarily surrender. I figure I’ll get the clothes and then argue with him when we get back to the house and out of sight of