Obsession (A Bad Boy's Secret Baby)(19)

Kait's full kissable lips became a humorless thin line as she raised her eyebrows to the joke and resumed playing and encouraging the kids. Funny wasn't going to work when she was so obviously hurt by me disappearing again.

Hadn't she talked to Brendan? Didn't she know what happened?

I cleared half the play surface in a series of short jumps, kids were everywhere and I didn't want to accidentally hurt one.

“I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. After I dropped you off—” I stopped. No, of course he wouldn't tell her the whole story. If he was trying to make me out to be the villain he thought I was, he'd probably leave out a few minor details. Like all of it. “I wrecked my bike and destroyed my phone on the way back to the motel.”

That revelation drew a concerned look from Kait as her eyes flashed over me to see if I was hurt. She touched the side of my face right below the still faintly visible pistol barrel burn. The ice in her voice melted, but only for a moment. “Are you okay?”

The emotional walls came back up almost immediately as she tentatively pulled her hand away from my face. I hated that sad look in her eyes. It was the look that told her not to get invested.

He's only going to hurt you again.

It was true. I fucking had hurt her again, even if it wasn't my fault. It didn't matter. The effect was still the same. I felt like the world's biggest asshole. Why did I always hurt the ones I cared the most about?

“What happened?” Kait asked, putting a little more distance between us.

“I'm alright. The bike's seen better days.” Another joke that fell flat. “It was just an accident. I got it safe to ride again though. Can I take you out?”

“I don't know.” She wouldn't look me in the eyes. I could feel her drifting away from me. It was horrible. “Everything is crazy right now.”

“I'm still here.” I bounced closer to her, I couldn't let her wall me out. Not when we were so close to having something actually meaningful. “I'm not going anywhere. I didn't break that promise. Don't push me away, please.” I took her hand in mine. “At least not until you know everything about me and about what happened.”

We were toward the back enough that we didn't have to shout over the noise. It still should've felt ridiculous to have this conversation in a trampoline fun house, but I pushed all that away. I was fixated on only Kait, trying to carefully read the emotions that she attempted to bury.

She was my whole world.

That was probably why I didn't see the foam ball until it bounced off the side of my face.

“I got your boyfriend, Miss Kait!” A little girl across the painted line shouted, and all the other kids on her team laughed.

It took a full beat for either of us to realize what had happened. Kait's solemn expression cracked as she failed to stifle a small laugh.

“I guess I'm out.” I frowned, looking playfully defeated. I paused a moment, my frown shifting into a smile. “Your girl has a mean arm.”

“Ashley isn't to be trifled with.” Kait shook her head. But far too soon I saw her good humor wane. It wasn't working. I couldn't break through all that pain. When Kait fully cut someone out of her life she never let them back in. It scared me.

“Okay.” I nodded and began to leave. I wanted to stay, but there was nothing else I could do. I said my piece, it was up to her now. I couldn't force her to do anything. This had nothing to do with her brother at this point. The only way I was going to see her again is if she wanted me to.

“One month,” her words stopped me between bounces.

I just barely ducked another ball by Ashley. I shot the girl a stern look that turned into waving hands and a playful tongue-out raspberry.

“Brendan and Mariela go on their honeymoon in a month,” Kait swallowed, found her resolve and continued. “We can get together then.”

I nodded, making my way to the stairs by the edge of the play area so I wouldn't provoke another vicious dodge ball attack. It took some effort to keep my smile from swallowing my face.

“I should have a new phone soon. Same number. Text me yours again in a few days.”

Kait nodded in agreement.

“Hey, Ashley,” I called out to the little girl as I made my way off the trampolines. “Nice throw. Next time I'm on your team.”

That round of play ended while I was lacing up my boots. I sat on the other side of the raised play area, but was still close enough to hear Kait wrangle the kids and set up the next game.

“I like him.” The little girl's voice poked through the din of chaos and music.

“He's not my boyfriend, Ashley.”

“I still like him.”





Chapter 11


Kait

I placed the phone on the porcelain counter. It was still warm from my conversation with Mal. He had just gotten out of work and was on his way over for our date. An actual date! I was giddy.