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I tossed my door open, advancing toward him. With each step, the anger inside me simmered hotter. His stupid face was illuminated by the blue light shining from his smartphone on Cal’s front porch. Probably rereading his favorite book—How to be a Dickface: The Full Guide.
“What’s even the point of walking me to my door when you run ahead of me?” Cal moaned behind my back. Kieran’s head snapped up from his screen, and his languid expression melted into wariness. “Casablancas. What are you doing here?”
“Was about to ask the same question. Channeling your inner Richard Ramirez?”
“Heard Cal’s in town.” Kieran leveled his gaze with mine. “Came to say hi.”
“In the middle of the night?” I got into his face, my toes brushing his. He wore a popped-collar polo and futuristic sneakers. All he had left was to tattoo the word douche across his forehead.
Cal appeared at my side, wheezing from running after me. She slid between us, blocking me. “Thanks for the ride and the truly riveting conversation. Especially the part where you made me feel like shit. I’ll take it from here.”
“I’m not leaving before he does.” I pointed at that asshole. I wasn’t being protective; I was being responsible. I didn’t want something happening to an employee of mine on my watch. Yes, I’ll go with that.
Cal pushed me away with a huff. “Kieran is here because I invited him.”
She’d invited him? I had no idea these two even knew each other. Kieran had graduated from high school the same year as me. They had no friends or hobbies in common.
You know nothing about her new life, shit face. They might be besties. With matching friendship bracelets and half-heart necklaces. For some reason, the last thought made me want to dip Kieran’s head in a bleached toilet full of piranhas.
I had been so comfortable in the knowledge she didn’t have a boyfriend, didn’t have sex with other people, didn’t date, that I forgot to factor in Cal was a liar. She could’ve lied to me as oBITCHuary. But no. That didn’t seem right. She was truthful with McMonster. That was what made it so fucking hard to stop talking with her—the idea that I was somehow saving her, becoming her lifeline.
What if she’d invited Kieran over for a hookup because McMonster had helped her overcome her fear of men? I was going to kill Kieran fifty times over.
“How do you know him?” I demanded. As if I had the right.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but he tutored me for English through middle and high school.” But as she said this, she folded her arms, shivering as she looked at him, and not from the cold. Was she uncomfortable? Had he done anything to her?
“Got extra credit for it.” Kieran winked.
This tracked. Even though he was a smug piece of work, Kieran wasn’t stupid. And he’d done a shit ton of extracurricular stuff at school to pad his CV.
“You don’t need another asshole, Cal. You already have one,” I pointed out. “Kieran, leave.”
Did you just comment on her rectum? Really? There was no rock bottom when it came to my attitude with Cal. Rhy was right. Maybe we did need to move her to do some filing in the back office.
“Still a charmer, Row.” Kieran’s lips twisted in a smirk. “The people’s prince. You know, Cal, he kicked me out of his restaurant last week.”
“His ego couldn’t handle a better-looking man sitting there,” Cal guessed, stopping a good ten feet away from him. Yeah, she was definitely wary of him, even if she tried to hide it.
“Are you saying I’m handsome?” Kieran arched a devilish eyebrow.
“I’m saying Row isn’t,” she quipped back, burrowing deeper into her jacket and taking another step back from him.
Seriously, what had I done in a previous life to deserve this kind of karma? Decapitated puppies and kittens in the town square?
“What’s he doing here?” I repeated, my tone cold. “You’re an employee, and I’m not leaving until I know you’re not in some kind of danger.”
Cal’s expression turned timid. “I’ve been having difficulties falling asleep since Dad passed away.” She clutched at her arms, hugging herself. The wind swept those cherry-blossom hair strands over her face, and her cheeks turned a similar shade. That sobered me up. She had just lost her father. “I need company. Someone to talk to, to keep me away from my own thoughts.”
“Could’ve taken you to Dylan’s.” I felt my nostrils flare.
“Dylan needs to rest.”
“Could’ve talked to me.” Seriously. No. Rock. Bottom. None.
“Sometimes I want to talk to someone who doesn’t scowl or berate me.”
“Specify next time, then. I’m not a fucking mind reader.”
