Page 29 of Finding Kyler
I’m limping down the path when a bulky, dark form steps out from behind the trees directly in front of me. Shock skitters through me. With my heart crashing against my ribcage, I emit a loud scream. Jeremy places a hand over my mouth. “Relax, Ireland. You’ll wake up half the neighborhood. Either that or give yourself a coronary.” He grins.
I slap his hand away. “Jayzus! You scared the hell out of me. Didn’t your mum ever tell you not to jump out in front of girls in the middle of the night?”
“Mymomalways told me to be a gentleman. I saw you wandering off by yourself, so I came to offer my services.” He holds out a beefy arm.
I try to quell the rampant pounding of my heart. “Thank you, but I’m grand.”
He chuckles. “You’re too cute.” I narrow my eyes. “Although,” he adds, pressing his mouth close to my ear. “There’s nothing cute about how you look right now.” He steps back, drawing his gaze up and down my body. A prickly sensation crawls over my skin. And I’m not talking about the good kind. “That’s all sex kitten,” he murmurs, gesticulating with his hands. “We should go out.”
I stare at him, slack-jawed, and he chuckles again.
“On a date,” he adds, mistaking my expression for confusion. “You do have dates in Ireland, don’t you?” He says Ireland in a real nasally tone of voice which grates on my nerves.
“I know what a date is, and thanks, but no thanks.” I move to sidestep him, but he blocks my path.
His smile loses its sheen. “No need to be hasty. Sleep on it.” When he moves aside, I release the breath I’d been holding. “I’ll call you.” Taking my hand without permission, he presses it to his lips. “Sweet dreams, hot stuff.” He winks as he retreats, heading back in the direction of the party.
Sleazy wanker.
I hobble back to the house, chastising myself for my stupidity the entire time.
When I reach my room, I tap out a quick text to Keaton in case he’s looking for me. I fill the bath and soak for ages, only getting out when the water has turned completely cold and my skin has started to resemble an eighty-year-old woman’s.
After dressing in the silky sleep shorts and camisole-type top Courtney provided, I turn on my lamp and prop up on the bed to properly inspect the damage to my foot. The gash is clean now but still sore to the touch.
Hushed voices trickle in through the open window, and I immediately perk up. Scooting off the bed, I crouch down and tentatively peek under the lip of the curtain. Kyler and Kalvin are out by the pool, and judging by their stance, they are arguing over something. I strain my ears to pick up their conversation.
“What the hell do you think you’re playing at?” Kalvin hisses, grabbing Kyler by the elbow.
“Butt out. It’s nothing to do with you” is the snarky retort. Kyler shoves Kalvin’s arm away.
“You’re seriously fucked in the head.”
“That’s rich, coming from you. You bone any female with a pulse,” Kyler growls.
“This isn’t about me. Man, she’s going to stomp all over your heart a second time. And you’ll be a fucking demon to live with again.”
I’m unsure how that would be any different from now.
“I know what I’m doing, and it’s not what it seems,” Kyler protests.
“I understand the need for vengeance, I do, but she destroyed you last time. Don’t give her that power again.”
“It’s not the same now,” Kyler snaps. “She means nothing to me. Less than nothing.” He batters his forearms.
Huh, could’ve fooled me. I’m presuming they’re discussing Addison—you know, the same girl he was pleasuring in the woods not even an hour ago.
Kalvin exhales heavily. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. She’s got to be playing some angle. If it turns sour, the fallout won’t impact you alone, either.”
“She wouldn’t dream of going after any of my brothers.”
Kalvin stiffens imperceptibly. “I’m not talking about us. I sawhimwatching Faye all night. Oh, he was clever about it, but I know that look. He’s set his sights on her. If you do this, you’ll only encourage him.”
The hair on the back of my neck prickles.What the heck?Ishe talking aboutJeremy?
Kyler rubs his chin, deep in thought. “Are you sure?”
Kalvin nods.
