Ethan

My life has never been sweeter or more complete than it was right now, not even when I had my sight. I never felt this way before, I liked everything that was her. The song of her voice. The ring of her laugh. The softness of her skin. The tender kisses of her lips and what they did to my poor heart. No one has have ever invaded my mind the way Skye did.

I sighed deeply letting the tranquility wash over me.

I turned my phone on, "Time?" I asked for the third time.

"The time is now 3:55 pm" Answered the mechanical voice.

Skye was late for our study session, and she didn't call as she usually did to tell me that she was going to be late.

I dialed her number again, it was ringing, but she didn't pick up. Maybe she didn't hear her phone, I tried to convince my restless heart. Or perhaps she had it on silent mode.

I started to stalk up and down the hall as I dialed her number again waiting impatiently to hear her voice, "Pick up... pick up".

Nothing. It rang until it got disconnected.

Did something happen?

My chest instantly clinched at the thought. I shook the idea out of my head as soon as it sparked. I refused to allow myself to go there just yet.

How else could I reach Skye?

The gears in my brain turned rapidly.

Of course! Sophie!

And stupidly, I didn't have Sophie's number.

Disappointment settled in for a second before it got chased away with a spark of hope.

Hank! Hank has Sophie's number!

I dialed Hank's number right away. He was out of town these days on my behalf for something I've asked him to do.

Annnnd it went to voicemail. Argh!

What other numbers did I have? I raked my brain in defeat. Nothing!

"Skye." The caller ID in my phone blurted as it started buzzing in my hand.

My heart jumped at the mention of her name and I hustled to pick up, "Skye..."

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I didn't hear my phone..." Skye's words rushed the moment she heard my voice.

"I was starting to get worried." I lied. I was way past 'starting'.

"I'm sorry." She apologized again.

She sounded different. Her voice shook like she was on the verge of crying and my heart sank, "Is everything alright?"

"Um... well, I kindda had a tiny car accident."

My chest tightened, "Are you okay?"

Terror ran through my veins and my heart raced to the point I could hear it in my ears. I rushed down the hall making my way to the front door when my fingers froze on the doorknob and all of me suspended in an absolute halt that shock me to the core.

Whatever was cruelly raging inside of me was caged under the sound of her voice.

"I'm fine." I heard her say.

She wasn't.

"Are you hurt?" My fingers let go of the doorknob and clench into a tight fist feeling heavy rout of my deficiencies.

"No."

"What happened?" I kept my feelings in check and out of my voice.

"A dog ran right in front of my car and I couldn't stop in time. So, I swerved to avoid him one of the tires exploded and I lost control and scratch the car with a light pole and... I don't know how to change a tire."

"Where are you now?" I asked keeping my voice in check.

"Um, there is a diner called Freddy's. A shop called All Seasons Flower Shop and... um... Fresh Bake Bakery." Her voice alternated between being clear and muffled like she was looking around her.

I knew where she was, "Skye, I want you to wait in your car for a while. Everything will be alright."

"Okay, thank you."

God, her voice that moment was killing me. That frightened, shaking voice nicked my soul in ways I couldn't explain. She didn't even ask me how, what or why. She just poured her faith in me and left it at that.

As soon as she hung up I started to dial a number I called hundreds of times before. Two rings and he picked up.

"Hello?" his voice rose above the sounds in the background.

"Hey, man. It's me. Listen, I need a favor."

"Ethan?" The surprise was clear in his voice, yet he never failed me, "Name it!"

"Skye is at Freddy's. She had a car problem, a flat tire..."

He interrupted, "Say no more, I'm on my way." I could hear the keys' jingle.

Always catching my drift, but that didn't stop me from saying, "And Kyle..."

"Yes..."

"Hands off my girl."

"She's like a sister to me." He assured without hesitation.

I heard a car rumble before he hung up.

Despite everything that had happened between Kyle and me- I knew he was the person I could count on in situations like these.

'Situations like these'

Those words drowned me and troubled me deeply. The idea of asking for help from someone else regarding my girl was unnerving and agitating. I stalked back and forth being eaten by my thoughts. Grunting, I pressed my phone roughly.

"Time!" I snapped at no one.

"The time is now is 5:07 pm"

Could time move any slower? I went back to pacing.

Another twenty minutes have passed before I heard a car pulling up front and I dashed outside to meet them.

Never was I happier to having the air being knocked out of my lungs as I did now when Skye ran into my arms. I locked my arms around her shaking body instantly and kept her there. My chin rested on the top of her head as she hid in my chest. I don't think that I would be letting her go any time soon.

"I'm sorry that I'm late." Even her voice sounded rattled.

Calming my nerves with the sweetness of her perfume and that she was in my arms, "Shh... I'm just glad that you're okay."

Skye's arms tightened around me for a moment before she let go, "I'll go wash up". Then her voice changed direction, "Thank you, Kyle."

"Don't mention it." He answered casually.

Skye patted my arm before stepping away leaving us to talk.

"How bad was it?" I was counting on his judgment regarding the accident since I couldn't.

"Just a scratch and a dent."

Then he offered, his words were hesitant like he wasn't sure if I would hear him out or not, "I know a guy who can fix the dent and redo the paint job. It will be as good as new."

"That would be good, thanks." I nodded.

Silence followed for a long moment until Kyle broke it. Regret clear in his voice, "Ethan, listen. I never intended to..."

I cut him off, "Ancient history, man. Gone and forgotten."

Then I rubbed the tension that was collecting in my neck, "I knew what I was getting myself into when I dated Carmen", a humorless laugh erupted, "I was an idiot to think that she would change."

"Even though, I shouldn't have done what I did. Drunk, drugged or whatever, I had no excuse."

"Still using?" The old concern came back.

That was the one thing we always disagreed on. He always said it wasn't something dangerous or anything. That it just to put him in a good mood.

"Nah, got clean", then he laughed nervously, "That punch was the wakeup call I needed."

I scoffed, "Well, you earned it."

"Well, you punch like a girl."

"Well, your face said otherwise."

Throwing words back and forth between us like we used to started to turn funny and that had us laughing. All the acrimony and resentment melting to disappearance and have been replaced with the old familiar brotherhood that began since we were kids.

I put my hand out for a handshake and a brotherly shoulder to shoulder hug.

"Good to have you back, man." Kyle said sincerely. His hand on my shoulder.

"Same here." I returned genuinely, "Thanks for helping Skye out. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime, bro. Go be with your girl. I'll catch you later."

I nodded grateful that he had my back, "Thanks again."

Mending bridges wasn't the easiest thing to do, but once done everything else seemed to fall in its place.

I was torn between the sense of relief that things were finally right between Kyle and me and my ′current situation′ that led me to seek this solution.

A single thought kept knocking in my head and ripping my soul to shreds, she needed me- she needed me and I was literally helpless.

"Skye?" I called her name as soon as I stepped into my room.

"Bed."

Her voice reached my ears unnerved and in loss of its usual smile. The amount of enthusiasm she slipped in her words didn't sound right, she was faking strength to hide how rattled she was.

I pulled the chair and set it close to bed as I always did, "Are you okay?"

I reached my hands out on bed and then closed my fingers that second I felt her touch. Her fingers where ice cold and her hands were trembling in mine. My thumbs started moving back and forth on her wrists in a calming motion while my palms tried to pour some warmth into her hands.

"Um.... yes... no... I almost hit a dog. A Puppy! Oh my god, it was so close! It just came out of nowhere and just ran right in front of my car." Her voice came out like she was holding back tears. "And I didn't know tires could explode that loudly."

Then she heaved deeply, "I think I'm just rattled by the whole thing and a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend the afternoon with you like we planned."

I smiled. Despite everything, she had me smiling.

There weren't many times when Skye would admit that she wanted to be with me. Not in words at least. Hearing her saying that were some of my precious moments.

"The dog is fine and the car can be fixed. Having you here safe and sound is the most important thing." I gave her hands a little squeeze, "Better late than never as mom loves to say, constantly."

Hearing the slight huff of a chuckle brought me a sliver of easiness.

I leaned closer placing my elbows on my thighs, my voice turned serious despite my intentions to keep it light, "A flat tire is much better than anything else that ran through my mind".

The idea was still terrorizing. "You should have called me right away".

Being blind was something I had no control over, but being responsible, that, I could do. My girlfriend should be able to count on me, even if I had to call in favors. Whatever it took.

I buried those thoughts for the time being to dig them out later when I was alone.

"I'm really sorry. I couldn't reach Aunt Sophie and I didn't know any triple A's number." Skye's voice turned sheepish, "I tried to change the tire by myself following the steps on the cars' manual, but I couldn't find the wrench thingy anywhere. I thought I could do it on my own. I should have called you sooner."

I nodded, "Yes, you should have." Keeping a serious face when she said things like the ′wrench thingy' took all my power. I could feel a muscle twitching on my face as I suppressed a grin from showing.

I took a deep breath then released it slowly and then I simply opened up. That was something I've never did, do or have done with anyone but her, "What I'm trying to say is, I really missed you, and there is nothing I wouldn't do to have you with me. You can count on me, Skye."

My words were a silent promise to her and myself that I would do whatever it took to be present whenever she needed me.

Skye's voice broke as she whispered my name. A low rustle followed as she slipped out of bed and on my lap. Her arms circled my neck and my hands settled on the soft material of her clothes. Hugging the dip of her waist bringing her closer physically and holding on to dear sanity mentally. Her lips touched mine in a deep kiss that sent electricity down my spine and shocked my body. Hunger kindled inside me as I kissed her back.

We broke off after a while, but were still close. Skye's head rested on my shoulder and I pressed my cheek to her hair. Having a steady inhale and exhale was impossible when she always took my breath away. Her fingers were entwining and re-entwining with mine lazily, peacefully and warmly. I added those minutes to my precious moments.

I was thinking of everything that happened that led me to this moment. All the ups and downs, the good and the bads, everything, "You know, If I've learnt anything from you, it's that everything happens for a reason."

Her head slipped from under my cheek and I could feel her eyes on me, "Does that mean that you and Kyle are friends again?"

I grinned at the hopefulness in her voice and the many times she tried to fix it between us, "We were never friends. We were always brothers."

"Yay!" She cheered making me laugh. Then her voice changed like she had a deep thought on her mind, "Hmm... that's weird..."

My brow pinched in confusion, "What is?"

She talked slowly, "While Kyle was changing the tire I thanked him and he said he didn't do anything he wouldn't do for his sister."

"So..." I couldn't find the problem.

"So..." she continued, "If Kyle counts me as a sister and you count him as a brother doesn't that make us..."

"Don't you dare finishing that sentence!" I warned cutting her off and nearly dropping her to the floor as I jolted feeling teased and annoyed at the same time. I tightened my arms around her just in time.

"To him you're a sister and only a sister, you hear me!" I pressed the word sister emphasizing it clearly.

She started to giggle yet that didn't stop me.

I was on a very heated role here to hit the brakes, "And to me, you're my girlfriend! Is that clear to you!" I emphasized the word girlfriend so hard that it flattened.

Skye lost it.

I fell right in her trap. "You were playing me, weren't you?" The realization teased me even further.

"Oh... my... god... like... like... a fiddle!"

The words were lost in the frit of laughs and giggles that had me smiling, but at the same time pinched me internally that I was played like that.

That was when I went for the neck. While she was busy laughing I located her neck and pressed my lips in soft kisses and nibbles on that one sweet spot that I've discovered last week.

"Eeek!... Stop... stop!" She tried to escape but I locked my arms around her and kept tickling her into laughs and shrieks. I could hardly contain my own amusement.

"Who is Kyle to you?" I breathed the words on her neck, my lips lightly brushing against her skin. She tried to shrink away but I didn't let her leave without answering.

"Brother... like Matt!" She finally gave up.

"And how am I to you?" I breathed again.

"Boy...nd" She could barely let out the words.

"I didn't hear you." I nibbled again enjoying my sweet, melodic revenge.

"Boyfriend! Boyfriend!" She finally got it out.

And only then I stopped.

"So now it's clear." I grinned rather more wolfish than human.

Her fast breathing mingled with short giggles, "Crystal!"

"Good." I chuckled.

I listened to her breathing until it evened as my fingers ran through the silky strands and then tugged them behind her ear. Re-creating the image of her in my mind, my fingers ran lightly over her features again. Her forehead, her eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, chin. I've done this a few times now, and every time I've done it the image in my mind seemed to always change. I failed to picture how she looked and that drove me out of my mind crazy.

The only thing that was solid for me and did not change was that this, smart, caring, loving, kind, sweet, gorgeous, beautiful, extraordinary, outstanding person has captured me. Mind, heart and soul.

I cupped Skye's face and I felt her smile against the palms of my hand, my heart flutter madly at this profound sensation. I learned in a little and she completed me in a soft, gentle, heartfelt kiss.

I rested my forehead to hers. I breathed her in then sighed heatedly.

"Are you okay?" Skye's voice broke through my concerns and out of my thoughts having me focused.

"Always when I'm with you."

Her hand covered mine while I still held her close, "I've never thanked you for helping me out with my car."

That was the sore subject that clawed the walls of my mind, "I didn't do anything. Kyle did all the hard work."

"But you called him. "She squeezed my hand, "You didn't leave me stranded."

The idea of her being alone somewhere out there had me flustered to the bones.

"Never!" I promised fiercely.