Leaning against the counter, he scooped some up in his spoon. “You’re honesty wounds me princess,” he said before shoveling a spoon of cereal into his mouth.
My heart rate spiked when he called me that. “I’m sorry,” I apologized. He was trying to be nice and I insulted him.
“Don’t be,” he said in between bites. “You were honest.” He shifted off the counter, tossing his bowl in the sink after a few mouthfuls and walked across the room. What a waste of good food. “I was being weird,” he continued while opening the refrigerator door. “And I was an asshole to you.”
Huh. I wasn’t sure what to say to that. He had been an asshole and it had taken him three days, but admitting it so honestly threw me. I didn’t know what to make of him. I stared at Kyle’s backside as he bent down rummaging inside the fridge. Oh, boy could he fill those jeans. Pulling out a bottle of water, he turned and caught me staring.
Busted.
He smirked and every ounce of blood in my body rushed to my cheeks. He flipped the lid and swallowed deeply; his eyes remained locked on mine. Tilting his head to one side he frowned. Oh wow, he looked so hot when he did that. “You look young. How old are you?”
I was stumped by the seriousness in his voice. Why did he ask that? I was instantly wary. “What does my age matter?”
Kyle groaned loudly. “Because I don’t particularly want to get arrested for harboring a miner in my house is why it matters.”
I gaped at him. Kyle owned the house? I thought he was just renting like the rest of us. “I'm eighteen, which means I’m legally an adult.” He exhaled and the look of relief was as clear as day on his face. He nodded and turned to leave. “Wait?” I shouted my feet moved towards him, my hand snagged on his arm. “You said this was your house?”
He turned slowly and nodded. “Yeah, why?” Now he was the one to look wary. His eyes rested on my hand on his arm.
I stepped away quickly, removing my hand. “You don’t mind?” I stuttered. “I mean, are you okay with me being here? I got a job so it won’t be for too long I promise.” I prayed to god he didn’t mind. Please don’t let him mind.
He scrunched his brow. “You got a job? Doing what?” He sounded surprised.
“Cleaning, so I can start paying you rent as soon as I get my paycheck.”
He had a contemplative look on his face for a moment before masking it with indifference. “I’m cool with you staying here. The room’s yours for as long as you want, but keep your money.” What was he saying?
“Kyle I can’t stay here rent free. Why would you even say that?” He had thrown me.
“You’re just a kid and it sounds like you need a break.” He shrugged and moved away from the counter he was leaning against and stood in front of me. “Well, I’m giving you one.”
I looked up at his face. His corn flour blue eyes were so penetrating I felt like he could see inside my head. My body moved closer to him, an action I wasn’t entirely in control of.
He seemed to draw me to him. “I’m eighteen Kyle, I’m not a child. You make it sound like you’re so much older than me,” I said trying to lighten the mood which was now tense.
Kyle stroked his thumb against my chin, then jerked away from me. He ran a hand through his hair. “No Lee, you’re definitely not a child,” he muttered. What did that mean? I was totally dumbfounded.
“I’m paying you, I can’t stay here otherwise.”
He shrugged with indifference and walked to the door. “Fine, fifty bucks a week, take it or leave it,” he said and left the kitchen.
I picked up some food in the grocery store after my shift. The conversation I had with Kyle this morning was still running through my mind. I was disturbed at why he would offer to let me stay rent-free, just like that. I could not fathom him. I said as much to Cam as soon as I home.
“Wait, Kyle said you can stay here for free. No conditions?” I nodded. “I don’t understand that dude,” she said.
Well, neither did I.
“You must have made quite an impression on him,” she mused.
“I obviously said no Cam,” I said quickly. “I told him I couldn’t stay here if he didn’t accept my money. He told me he charges fifty dollars per week, is that that what you pay?” Cam’s eyes widened and she practically choked on the cookie she was nibbling. Oh great, Kyle felt sorry for me. And somehow, his pity was worse than Cam’s.
She patted my arm. “Look, Lee, the guy is obviously trying to make up for being such a douche. I say let him. It’s not as if you can afford much more right now. And trust me, Kyle can.” Whether that was true or not, I didn’t want them to think of me as a charity case.