Page 91 of Finding Kyler
“Absolutely. It wasn’t a mistake I am ever likely to repeat.”
“I believe you.” I place my hand on his lower arm. “You two need to talk. Someone’s been playing you.”
“I’ve tried talking to him, but he just keeps pushing me away.” I can hear the desperation in his voice.
“I’ll talk to him.”
“It won’t work.”
“You don’t know how resourceful I can be. Leave it with me, okay?” I gently squeeze his arm as I look up at him.
“Thank you.” He brushes his lips against my forehead.
“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Ky’s blatant sarcasm slices through the moment.
I step away from Brad, turning to face my cousin. “Don’t be an ass. Where’s Kent? Did you sort it?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw as he nods. “Come inside and I’ll tell you.”
I look between him and Brad, slightly torn. Brad’s poured out his heart to me, and I don’t want to toss him aside the second Ky appears on the scene. Especially now I know he’s heading home to an empty house. But I don’t have to make any decision, because Brad does that for me.
“It’s okay, Faye. I was going to head home anyway. Talk tomorrow?”
“Of course.” Without examining the wisdom of it, I step into his chest and wrap my arms around him. His hands hover around my waist, uncertainly, and I know he doesn’t want to do anything to piss Ky off. But I don’t care what Ky thinks right now. Brad needs a friend, and more than ever, I want to be that for him. I squeeze him tighter and finally his arms go around me. I tip my chin up. “Will you be okay?” I mouth.
He presses his mouth to my ear. “I will. Thank you.” He kisses the top of my head before pulling away. Giving me a quick wave, he sprints across the lawn toward the forest.
Kyler is stiff as a board, his arms folded sternly across his waist. “Are you two together now?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, we’re not. We’re friends is all. Brad really needs a friend right now.” I dare him to challenge me, silently begging him to ask the question, but he doesn’t. He does the whole usual sullen moody thing, giving me the silent treatment as he escorts me into the house.
Without asking, I make coffee for both of us, sliding a cup to him over the kitchen counter. “Is Kent okay? I’m worried about him.”
He sighs. “That makes two of us.” I take a sip of the bitter liquid while I wait for him to elaborate. “I broke it up and gave those girls a piece of my mind. When I came back out, Kent had taken off. Kalvin has gone to look for him.” He scratches the top of his head. “You seemed upset, and I wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“I’m fine,” I answer too quickly.
“Are you ever going to tell me?” He leans forward on his elbows. “I know things are fucked up between us, but I still care. And I’m grateful to you, for being concerned about Kent, for asking me to intervene.”
“Why does it all fall on you?” I place my cup down on the counter, resting my face in my hands. “It shouldn’t be your responsibility.”
“It used to be Kaden, and when he first left for Harvard, I thought Keven would step up, but he’s too busy fighting his own demons to look out for his younger brothers.”
“So you filled the gap,” I add for him.
“Yeah. What else could I do?” His storm-filled eyes reach for mine.
I hold his gaze, burning up from the intensity of it.Who looks after you?I want to ask it, but I don’t. I’m too afraid that he’ll confirm it’s no one, and I’ll volunteer for the job. Actually, it’s way more than that. The extent of my longing to bethatfor him scares the bejesus out of me.
His razor-sharp gaze cracks through my inner shell, penetrating that most precious hidden part of me. Weary and resigned, I let him take his fill, knowing if anyone could understand it, it’d be him.
He rounds the counter, his gaze never drifting from mine. I look up as he stops in front of me, peering down into my eyes with a ferociousness that usually scares me.
But not this time.
The façade is down, and he’s inviting me in. Returning the favor. Trusting me as I trusted him. His hand moves to my cheek, caressing me softly. A pool of nurturing warmth blossoms inside me. His eyes pay homage to me, with a look of respect and adoration that has the power to sweep me off my feet if I let it.
When Ky decides to let someone in, she’s going to be the luckiest girl in the world, because this boy has a huge heart, and he’s capable of enormous feats when it comes to the ones he loves. I see it now, clear as day, as if it’s a tangible entity.
