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Mom leaned over and hugged Brie. Rolling my eyes, I was grateful that the bill of the hat covered my disgust with how Mom was coddling her.
“They’ll want me to come home, and when I say no, they’ll worry themselves to death. I can’t do that,” Brie said in a hushed voice. “Thank you very much for helping me with the paint and locks. I can clean up, too.”
I turned my back to them, busying myself with opening the package for the front door bolt and doorknob that Mom had purchased.
“I’ll start with the slider in the master,” I muttered, staring at the floor as I strode from the kitchen and walked past them.
“Kane, take off that awful hat and say hello to Brie. I think you left your manners somewhere, and I highly recommend that you find them quickly.”
Fuck.I just got told off by my mom in front of a chick. Not just any girl, but the one I hated with every damn cell in my body.
“I need the hat so I don’t get paint in my hair,” I replied.
“Take it off, then put it back on,” Mom said, her tone clipped.
I’d definitely pushed her too hard. My teeth clenched as I prepared for my entire world to implode. I removed the baseball hat, then raked a hand through my dark hair. My gaze traveled from the carpeted floor to Mom, then slowly to Brie.
Time stopped as we stared at each other, speechless for a moment.
Brie frowned, then shook her head, confusion morphing her features as a dusting of pink feathered her cheeks.Bingo. Her mouth opened and closed as if she were searching for what to say, then thought better of it. “You’re our quarterback, right? Kane Cooper?” She cleared her throat. “Sorry, I’ve heard your name, but I’ve only seen you with your helmet on or at a distance. It took me a moment to realize it was you.” She fidgeted in her chair. My presence was making her uncomfortable, exactly like I thought it would. “I didn’t know your parents owned the rental.”
What the hell? Was she trying to trick me into thinking she didn’t recognize me? That fake bullshit would be right up her alley.
Hopefully, she would have the decency to keep her mouth shut about how she knew me in front of Mom. “Not many people do. I like to keep my personal life … private.” My words didn’t seem to bother her, and she was apparently damn good at hiding her facial expressions. She probably didn’t want our past to come to light in front of my mom either. At least we had that in common.
“Thank you for helping today. I’ll change clothes and help you paint. It will give me something to do other than stress.” She stood, then smoothed her little pink robe. “I didn’t realize you would be here, or I would have changed.”
With that, she hung her head and hurried past me.
What the hell had just happened? Maybe she was a better actress than I’d thought or—
“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Mom shot me a disappointed look. “Whatever is happening with you, son, get your crap together. Your Dad and I will do anything we can to help, but being rude isn’t a part of our family’s values, and you know it.” Worry flickered through her features.
“I can’t explain it now, but it’ll make sense later.” With that, I spun on my heel and marched out of the front door. Since Brie was so insistent on helping me, I would start with the locks first. And maybe, I could figure out what the fuck had just happened because when I stared straight into Brie’s eyes …
My brows knitted together. Now that the house was off-limits for me to fuck with her, it looked like she would be called back to the society a hell of a lot sooner than I’d anticipated.
ChapterSixteen
Brie
It had been a long-ass day between painting and cleaning, but at least I’d had company while the alarm system had been installed. After realizing someone had been inside the house while I slept, I wasn’t too keen on having strangers around. The installation guy knew where all the cameras were and, most likely, how to work around the system if he ever wanted to break in, so I definitely felt safer with Kane and his mom there with me, even if Kane didn’t appear to be my biggest fan.
I was stunned that Kane’s parents owned the place I was living in. Pondering, I wondered if I could find an excuse for him to return and fix some things. Regardless of his attitude, that man was breathtakingly hot. I’d caught myself watching him as he painted and changed the locks. His jeans clung to the curve of his ass and long legs. Even though he seemed upset that he was there, I hadn’t cared. I was good with the eye candy all damn day, and it was nice to have a distraction.
Kane had also remained quiet, which was odd after all the wonderful things Gabby and the girls had said about him. Apparently, he was fun and outgoing, but that’s not who I saw earlier. He’d been broody and sullen. I’d tried to start a conversation with him several times, but it had quickly fallen flat. For his mom’s sake, I’d attempted to be polite, but I suspected it would be more fun to bang my forehead against a brick wall than convince him to talk to me.
The red paint on my walls returned front and center in my thoughts. It had to be a previous renter messing with me, or maybe it was someone very skilled at breaking in without a trace. Regardless, it was over, and I could breathe again.
Once Kane, his mom, and the alarm installer had left, I realized I hadn’t checked my mailbox in a few days. To my surprise, a black envelope with my name and no postage was mixed in with the junk mail. I had no idea how long it had been there, but I suspected someone had left it while Kane and his mom were with me.
* * *
I stared at the glow of the car’s dashboard that evening, watching as the clock changed to nine. I inhaled deeply, attempting to rid myself of the tension knotted in my neck and shoulders. At least I’d left the house with confidence that no one would enter without me knowing about it.
The invitation had mentioned parking at the back of the home, then entering there. I still wasn’t sure why I’d received an invite after what I’d pulled, but I was about to find out. Maybe whoever ran the society decided I was a threat and had chosen to keep me close.
After I climbed out of my car and locked up, I shoved my phone and key fob into my purse. I clung to the strap of my Gucci handbag as I walked to the back entrance, my legs wobbling with each step I took. Before I could knock, the door opened, and I was greeted by someone dressed in dark clothes and wearing a white mask with black around the eyes.
