Page 20 of Don't Leave Me Behind
Maybe turn off the ringer
Or throw that bitch on do not disturb
Brooky
I’m going to throw it in your fucking face thenext time I see you
Addy
Sheesh. who pissed in your corn flakes big bro?
Merc D
I feel like we’ve lost focus here
E-Man
Leave him alone Addy. Brooky just put the phone down
You have left the Kane Bros Group Chat
Merc D has added you to the Kane Bros Bros Group Chat
FML
Taking Adler’s advice, I switch my phone over toDo Not Disturb. I’m nervous enough, knowing that I’m going home to Leni. It was bad enough staying in her space, where every little thing reminded me of her. Now I’ll have the actual Leni in my face and after that kiss last night…I don’t know how I’m supposed to act. Do I pretend it didn’t affect me? Do I pretend I didn’t sit at my desk for half the day, replaying the entire night over and over again in my head?
Any other night, I’d take the long way home. Swing by the main house to see if Marcy had any leftovers or take Mako out for a ride. Maybe see if Brooks had any last-minute things he needed help with. I’m worried, though, that Marcy will take one look at me and figure everything out. The last thing I need is Leni thinking I can’t keep my word.
So, I suck in a deep breath and head home to the ranch, a cinnamon coffee cake creamer in myfront seat.
I walkinto the cabin to find the living room rearranged. The sofa and coffee table are pushed off to one side, while Leni lies on the floor in front of her laptop, a yoga video playing on the screen. She doesn’t notice me coming in right away, so I stay there in the entryway, watching…like a creeper.
She’s wearing a white sports bra, her tan skin seeming darker next to the light-colored fabric. Her back muscles are flexed, shoulders bunching together as she pushes her upper body away from the floor into a cobra pose.
I’m trying to convince myself to look away.
Leni is Mercer’s little sister.
Leni has been put through enough of your shit.
Leni deserves better.
Keep it in your pants, man.
“And now we transition back into our downward dog.” The woman on the screen moves, but I can’t take my eyes off the woman in front of me. Leni shifts her weight from the tops of her feet to her toes. As her hands press into the yoga mat, her upper body moves backward, hips push up toward the sky. Annnnd...there’s her ass. Right there, looking fucking edible in those tiny beige shorts.
A strangled groan comes from my lips, causing Leni to yelp. She loses her balance, toppling onto her side. Sitting up, she swipes the sweat from her brow and glares at me. I cock an eyebrow, giving her awhat the fuck did I dolook. She huffs at me, snapping the screen of her laptop down as she gathers her things.
Brat,I almost snap at her. Clearing my throat, I kick my boots off and head into the kitchen, only now realizing the mouthwatering aroma that’s coming from it. A crockpot sits on the counter, some kind of spicy meat marinating on low heat inside. As much as I want to open the lid and sneak a taste, Ilearned long ago not to mess with shit in a Kane woman’s kitchen.
Leni crosses the cabin as I’m putting the coffee creamer into the fridge. “What kind did you get?”
I pull the bottle out for her to inspect, hoping she’ll like it. “Bertie said it was good.”
“Oh my God! You asked Bertie?” Her eyes dance with amusement, lighting up the little flecks of gold in her irises. She’s radiant when she smiles.
“I know,” I groan, struggling to hide the way I want to stare into her eyes. Maybe lose myself in them. “Rookie mistake. I’ve already heard about it from the boys.”
