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“It’s possible he’s busy,” Lauren’s friend Casey suggests. I’d almost forgotten she was here. I’m so wrapped up in my own issues. “Or maybe he’s afraid of smothering you while you’re trying to adjust.”
“Or maybe he’s plotting how to end things,” I counter. The bitterness in my voice turns my stomach. He should break up with me. He deserves better.
Within hours of being with Kyson, I was ready to let him defile me. While I’d like to blame it on hormones or jetlag I can’t because I’d let him do it again.
“Whatever it is,” Lauren starts, shooting me a timid smile, “just keep in mind that you’re awesome and you don’t need any guy to define your worth or happiness.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, touched by how sweet her words are, considering she barely knows me. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“Good. Now onto important things.”
“Like what?”
“Eating these fries before they get cold.” She laughs and Casey shakes her head.
“Oh cute. Look at all the nerds together,” Britney says, snippily as she and her friends pass by our table.
I roll my eyes. “Cute that you think your opinion is relevant,” I snap back and Lauren high fives me as Britney makes an awkward face before taking off.
I munch on my fries, unable to resist stealing one last glance at Kyson’s table. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, all my doubts and fears are forgotten. All that remains is the electric connection between us, crackling with potential and daring me to give as good as I get and torture him back.
My phone pings with a text from Matt and I look away, burying my feelings beneath a mountain of fries and denial.
I don’t want to hate Kyson.
Not even a little bit.
The thought should scare me. And yet it doesn’t.
“Why does Kyson Allen keep staring at our table?” Casey questions, tucking her curly red hair behind her ear.
“That’s because Dahlia lives with him.”
“Really? Wow,” she says breathily. “What’s that like?”
“Annoying, but it’s been one day. I’m sure we will find our normal soon.”
“Girl, nothing about that guy is normal. So, are you like his stepsister or something?”
“Or something,” I mutter, taking a big bite of my burger.
“He’s your cousin by marriage. Is that right?” Lauren angles her head toward me.
“Kind of. His stepfather was my dad’s stepbrother. So technically, we aren’t related. They just happen to be my last resort. I don’t really have anyone else.” My stomach dips and I have to bite back my tears as the reminder that my father is dead hits me square in the chest. No matter how many times I hear the words or think them, they never truly sink in because each time it’s like hearing the news for the first time all over again.
Shock. Sadness. Anger. Grief. All those emotions are always swirling inside me, but when I look at or think about Kyson all those terrible sensations disappear.
“Speaking of the devil,” Laurens whispers, nudging me on the elbow.
“I’m about to head out. Save Lauren the drive and ride with me.” Kyson stares at me with those intense eyes, challenging me to say no. I bet he’d love to make a scene in front of my new friends.
“Yeah. Sure. Whatever. I need to grab my bag from her car, though.”
“It’s unlocked,” she says, wearing the cheesiest grin.
“Let me give you some money for my food.”
“I already paid your tab,” Kyson informs me.
