Wicked Grind (Stark World #1)(91)

Most of all, I need Wyatt.

I need him desperately.

But after the way I walked out, why on earth would he want me, too?

I'm about to explain all of that to Griff when my phone rings. I snatch it up, hoping it's Wyatt-and then I'm absolutely shocked when it is.

"Hi," I say softly.

"Hi, yourself. You're not in Valencia."

I blink and stand up straighter. "You went to my condo?"

"I figured it was the logical place to find you at six-thirty in the morning. I was wrong."

"Oh. I'm at Griffin's."

I can picture him nodding. "I should have guessed."

"Why did you-"

"I'd rather say this in person, but my trek across Southern California ate up my time, and I have to get back to the studio, because Cass can only shoot from eight to ten today."

"Cass?"

"She's stepping in for you. It's fine," he adds before I can say anything. "More than fine, because I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. I love you, Kelsey."

The words slip out as if he's said them a thousand times, and my heart flips over in my chest.

"I love you," he repeats. "And if I have to choose between my perfect vision of the show and you, well, I choose you."

"Wyatt, I-"

"No," he interrupts. "Don't say anything. I'll call you later. And maybe I can buy you dinner and we can talk. Okay?"

"Okay," I say, a little shell-shocked.

"Good," he says. "I love you, Kels." And then he just hangs up. 

"What?" Griff demands, sliding the plate of eggs and toast onto my place at the table. I return to my chair, but just sit there, not eating. Not answering Griff's question.

I can't answer. I'm too stunned. Because I love him, too, but I did nothing but run away.

Yet he just sacrificed everything for me. His vision. His work.

And all I'm doing is hiding here inside these four walls-

Well, fuck that. Fuck. That.

I'm through hiding. I'm through being scared.

Most of all, I'm through believing that fate is my enemy. Punish me? How about reward me? I do something bold and scary and wonderful, then maybe the universe should do something nice for me. Or for the people I love.

I look up at Griffin, my eyes wide.

"What?" he demands again.

"Nia was right. My life's in a box."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That's okay. I know the way out myself." I take a deep breath, and smile. "You're looking at the featured model for a stunning new art show opening in a couple of weeks."

"Am I?"

"Daddy will never let me hear the end of this." I say the words, but this time-for the first time-they're missing the usual dread.

"Dad's in Georgia. And you're here. And the last time I checked, it's your life."

I smile at him. "And I'm going to go start living it."

I'm pacing the studio when he bursts through the alley door. "Sorry, sorry. I got stuck in traffic, and-Kelsey?"

I lift my fingers in a little wave. "Hi."

He hurries to me, his expression a mix of concern and joy. "Are you okay? Where are Cass and Siobhan?"

"I sent them away."

He runs his fingers through his hair, and now his expression looks as if he's trying for patience.

"Baby, I'm thrilled to see you, but I have to get these shots done. I'm down to the wire here, and Cass has a full plate at the tattoo parlor. She's squeezing me in around clients."

"No, she's not."

He takes a step back, then looks me up and down. "What's going on?"

"It's just that you're not really that slammed. You've got at least two-thirds of the images, and the dance is already choreographed."

I watch as he swallows. "Kelsey-baby. Don't tease me."

"I'm doing the show, Wyatt. Me. The pictures. The stage. Nobody's taking my place."

He shakes his head slowly. "We've been over this. It's okay. You don't have to."

"Yeah, I do."

"Why?"

"Because I love you, too. Because I'm the girl. The inspiration. I'm your muse, Wyatt. You told me so twelve years ago. And nobody is pulling that out from under me. Not even you."

I take a step closer. "And I'm doing it because it's right. Your photos-it's like you said. They show a progression. And that's what I need. A path from the old Kelsey to the new. So I'm going to walk the corridor in the exhibit, and I'm going to see my face looking back at me, and I'm going to dance on that stage.

"And the universe won't fall apart," I add. "And nothing bad will happen. I know, because your show is amazing and it deserves all the good things. And I know because my father's theory is bullshit hocus pocus and I'm out from under that spell."