chapter Seventeen
Almost Caught
Kamara
I push my burning limbs forward, I will not punk out. Toby’s long limbs push him forward effortlessly. I hate him at this moment.
He’s been feeding me like a horse, now he wants to workout. Ugh, someone tell this man I’m a royal princess. Shouldn’t someone be running for me.
I laugh out loud at my silly thoughts. Toby looks over at me with a smile on his lips. I would really like to know how he is still so gorgeous, with sweat dripping everywhere.
“You got this, Baby,” he croons.
I roll my eyes and push to keep up with him. I want to scream, but I grit my teeth and dig in. My calves are burning.
The upside, I’ve gained back ten pounds in the last two weeks. I’m not repulsed by looking in the mirror anymore. Toby has gain most of his weight back as well.
Those dark circles, under his eyes are no more, which makes me so happy. I love seeing him looking so healthy again. It’s the reason I could not bear to turn him down when he asked me to run with him.
When the house comes into view, I thank God and take a fortifying gulp of air. I’m convinced Toby hates me, when he bursts forward, leaving me in the dust. He knows I’m competitive. I can’t just let it go.
I dig deep for that last bit of strength and take off after him. Toby is a show off. He turns and starts running backwards. I’m so frustrated with him, I run right at him.
Toby throws his head back, laughing, as he comes to a stop. I jump right into his arms and he catches me without a second thought. I wrap around him and bury my sweaty face into his neck.
“I hate you,” I murmur.
“No, you don’t. You don’t know how to hate me, Baby,” he chuckles.
“You’re going to carry me the rest of the way,” I demand.
“Is that an order, Princess?”
“Yes, carry your princess into the house. You will need to draw her a bath as well,” I say, lifting my nose in the air.
“Ha, you know you’re taking this too far, right?” Toby laughs and nips my chin.
“You asked,” I tease.
“A bath it shall be, your highness. I’ll even cook your royal lunch,” Toby chuckles.
We make our way into the house, me still in Toby’s arms. Toby freezes, when the sound of booming voices filling the house greets us. Toby’s cheeks are flushed and his golden eyes are wide.
I slide out of his arms and stare up at him. I go to speak, but he shakes his head and covers my lips with his finger. I blink away my shock.
He leans in, to whisper in my ear. “It’s my brothers. Go to your place. I’ll call you, as soon as I can.”
My stomach drops. Something tells me it will not be as easy as he thinks to break away from his family. I nod and quickly peck his lips.
Toby cups the back of my neck to deepen the kiss. He kisses me like it’s the last time he will ever get a chance to. My stomach sinks lower. I don’t want this to be goodbye.
“I love you,” he whispers, when he breaks the kiss, much too soon.
“I love you too,” I mouth silently and take off through the door, we just came through.
Walking out of that door feels like I’ve just altered my life forever. I’m leaving a part of me in that house. A part of me that I need, more than even I know.
~B~
Toby
I’m sweating and it’s not from the run, I just finished with Kamara. My family is nosey by nature and profession. Kamara has shit everywhere.
We’ve practically been living together for the last two weeks. We’ve been spending most our time here. From time to time, she goes to get some of her things and to move about her place so that nothing look suspicious to whoever has been watching her.
“Finally, I’m starving,” Brax grumbles, when I step into the living room.
Noah slaps him in the back of the head. Wyatt just glares at him. I laugh. I’ve miss these guys.
“Damn, you look good,” John says, coming to pull me into and hug.
“Yeah, you look like you,” Felix says, pulling me in next.
“Pussy will do that to you,” Ry says, from the couch, not moving to greet me.
He stares at me with a knowing look. This kid sees way too much. We all are good at our jobs, but Ry never turns that shit off. He sees what no one else does.
He tilts his head to study me and I look away. I spot a pair of Kamara’s shoes in the corner and clench my jaw. I ignore Ry and move to get a glass of water.
“What are all of you doing here,” I ask after downing the water.
“Nice to see you too,” Wyatt snorts. “Little asshole.”
“Fuck you,” I toss back. “I just wasn’t expecting you guys.”
“We figured we’d come surprise you, since you’re due back in the office next week,” Noah shrugs.
“Cool,” I shrug back, trying to play it off.
“So, is Ry right? Have you been down here diving in some pussy all this time, while we’ve been busting our asses to cover you,” Brax folds his arms over his chest and glares at me.
“Since when do I answer to you?” I throw back.
“Whatever you’ve been doing it looks good on you,” Wyatt replies.
“Thanks, listen, I need a shower. What do you guys have planned?”
“Food,” Brax mumbles.
“Told you to eat before we left,” Ry shakes his head.
“Well, I didn’t. Can we please figure this shit out so I can eat? One of you cooking or are we going out?” Brax fusses.
“I don’t have much left. You know I planned to head back so I started finishing things off,” I say quickly. “We can head out somewhere.”
“Good, I’ll get a head start. You can meet us there after your shower,” Braxton says, starting for the door.
“You’re an asshole,” Felix chuckles.
“Love your ass, too,” Brax tosses up his middle finger.
I shake my head at my brother, but I’m grateful to him at the moment. All of my brothers, except for Ry get up to follow Braxton out. I groan internally.
This kid can be as big a pain as Brax sometimes. I stare at him and he stares back at me, as everyone leaves. He tilts his head at me again.
“You found her,” Ry says, when everyone’s out of ear shot.
“Found who?” I ask, not giving anything away.
“Come on, man. I may be the youngest, but I’m not the dumbest. You’ve been in love with Kamara, since high school. It took me a while to put it together, but I figured it out. Did you find her?”
I sigh and rub the back of my neck. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, but even if I did, it’s not something I want to broadcast to the world,” I reply.
“It’s cool. I’m not going to say anything. I just don’t want to see you hurt again,” Ry says sincerely.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Sure, I hope so. You weren’t looking good, Bro. I’m happy for you. I hope whatever happened, you guys can work it out. You’re always happy when you’re with her. I can see the difference,” Ry nods to himself.
“You think you’re so smart. Do you miss anything?”
“Nope,” Ry says, with a satisfied grin.
“Wipe that smile off your face. Never said you were right,” I grumble.
His smile falls. “Sure. Whatever, now go get showered. I’m starving too,” Ry frowns.
“Whatever,” I laugh.
I snatch up Kamara’s shoes and a few other things, I notice. I take them into the bedroom with me. This is going to be a long day. I miss my baby already.