Page 42 of Forgotten Prejudice

Soren’s jaw clenched, and he poked the inner side of his cheek with his tongue while his eyes studied me from behind his glasses. He seemed angry, and it scared me, but I had to get over it.

After a few more seconds passed, he nodded.

“Fine.”

“Thank you.” I leaned over the gear stick and kissed Soren’s cheek. Cupping my jaw, he turned my face, took off his glasses, then pulled me until our lips bashed together in a passionate kiss. But he didn’t stop there, and after exploring my mouth with hunger, he moved his lips to my neck and sucked on my skin until a soft moan escaped me. Heat spread through my body, and with Soren still sucking on my neck, I looked aside, only to find Kai was staring at us. The hurt in his eyes was enough to bring me back to the present, and I put my hand on Soren’s chest. As I traced my fingers over his strong pecs, our eyes met, and I gave him a quick nod before leaving the warm car and stepping out into the cold night.

“Can you get inside the car?”

“No.”

“Please, Kai.”

“Why should I? So you can brag about your new relationship?” His eyes darted to my lips.

“O-Of course not.” I hesitated when he stepped closer.

“So why should I? Tell me one good reason, and I’ll do it.”

I peeked over my shoulder to find Soren looking at us. With his glasses back on, he looked at me through sharp, cold eyes that pinned me with guilt. Feeling like I was doing something wrong made my heart ache, and I looked down at the ground, my eyes focusing on my shoes before I answered Kai. “Because I promised Zoe I’d bring you to the hospital.”

He snorted. “Like I give a shit.”

“Kai.”

“Give me a reason to get inside the car.”

Without having another choice, I raised my stare to meet him. “Because I care for you, Kai. I always have and always will, and I can’t leave you alone, fearing something might happen to you.”

Reaching forward, he grabbed my waist and yanked me close. Nerves struck me, and I quickly put my arm between us to keep some safe distance for my growing panic. As Kai slid one hand to my lower back, Soren honked, and it was enough for Kai to remove his hands from me.

“Fine, I’ll get inside the car,” he said with a devilish smirk I didn’t appreciate, but at least he agreed to come with us.

The tension inside the car was so thick it suffocated me, and I did my best not to glance Soren’s way as I buckled up.

“Where to?” Soren asked, his voice colder than ever.

“Malibu.”

“What?” Kai jumped forward. “You said we’re going to the hospital to see Zoe.”

“You’re going to sleep at Aiden’s tonight, and first thing tomorrow morning, he’ll take you to a rehab facility,” I said while typing a message to Aiden. Luckily, my uncle was still awake and texted back right away.

“No fucking way.” Kai attempted to get out, but Soren had locked the doors. “Open the fucking door.”

“If you don’t agree to it, I’ll contact your parents. You know as well as I do which way is better.”

Kai’s face twisted with anger as he glared at me from the back seat.

“It’s for your own good, Kai,” I said, but he didn’t reply and instead leaned back with his arms crossed over his chest. It was enough of an agreement, and without lingering a second longer, Soren began to drive. To say the ride to my uncle’s house was awkward would be an understatement. Trapped between two men who meant the world to me, I realized having them both would never be possible and that, eventually, I’d have to choose between the two—my endless summer or my forever winter.

When we arrived at Aiden’s, he was already waiting for us outside. Seeing the concern in his sad eyes made me feel guilty, and I sighed before unbuckling myself.

“It’ll only take a few minutes,” I told Soren, then turned around to meet Kai’s stare. In silent agreement, we both stepped out while Soren stayed in his car.

“Go ahead to the guest room, Champ,” Aiden said, squeezing Kai’s shoulder.

Nodding, Kai moved to climb up the wooden stairs leading into the house, then got in with Aiden’s dog, Sebastian, following him.