Kam
LANEY IS THE one person who can make me forget.
She’s the one person who can make me feel normal.
She’s the one person I never want to let go of again.
The last three days have been surreal. Not that the situation is ideal, but being isolated with her has made me realize just how important she is to me. Just how important it is to have her in my life. Sex whenever—and however—I want it doesn’t suck either.
She’s always been bold, but she has most definitely come into her own. Lucky me.
It’s early Monday morning, and the house smells like pancakes. I had offered to cook, but Laney insisted. So, at the moment, I’m leaning against the doorframe watching her stir batter with her dark hair in a messy bun, wearing only my practice jersey and a pair of knee socks. A man could get used to this.
If I’m being honest, he already is.
With no restraint, I walk up behind her as she sets the bowl down on the counter. It doesn’t matter that we made love all night and once this morning. My appetite seems insatiable when it comes to Laney. I press her back to my front and tilt her face up so I can deliver a kiss so hot it could fry bacon.
She moans into my mouth and softens against me. When we separate, I keep my hand on her throat and stare down into her twinkling blue eyes. “What’s my name?” I ask her.
“Kam,” she replies with an impish smirk.
“What’s my full name?” I press.
“Kamdyn,” she says, the insinuation in her tone is unmistakable. She belongs to me.
“That’s right, baby.” I toy with her. “Kamdyn. Fucking. Ellis.” I steal another kiss, running my hand down the center of her torso. This shirt isn’t going to be covering her body much longer. I wonder how she’ll feel about cooking naked?
Just as my wild thoughts tear free, we hear a car door slam outside.
Laney’s eyes widen as I release her and look out the window.
“What the . . . ?” I hurry outside to greet Sam, who is decked out to the nines in an expensive suit, dark sunglasses, and large, gold, pinky rings.
“What the hell are you doing here?” The surprise is evident in my voice. He’s supposed to be in LA.
“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the past twenty-four hours,” his deep, baritone voice rumbles.
“Oh, I shut my phone off,” I explain. “Trying to steer clear of all the craziness.”
Sam slides his glasses down his nose and gazes at the house. “Mmm-hmm. Is that what you call it?”
I turn to see Laney leaning against the doorframe watching us. She doesn’t look happy.
“Yes, that is what I call it.” I address Sam sternly. Laney and Sam have never been fond of each other, and I want to avoid making either of them uncomfortable. “What are you doing here, anyway?” I cut to the chase.
“Well, since you fell off the face of the freaking Earth, I had to come retrieve you in person and deliver the news.” He pushes his glasses back up his nose, concealing his black eyes.
“What news?”
“The charges have been dropped.”
“WHAT!” I nearly jump out of my skin. “How? Why?”
“When the police investigated your accuser, they found a shrine to you in her dorm room. Seems she was your number-one stalker.”
“You’re joking?” I almost feel sick.
“Afraid not. Welcome to stardom, kid. Additionally, when they examined her, there was no evidence of rape. From what I have gathered, the girl was mentally unstable and not taking her medication.”
“So, she’s sick?”
“Yes.”
“That’s sad.”
“Yes, sad and fucking infuriating because she almost wrecked your career before it even began,” Sam says, exasperated. I get he’s upset. I’m upset, too, but I’m glad it’s over, and I actually feel sorry for that girl. Mental illness is a disease; I just hope she gets back on track and doesn’t do this to anyone else.
“So, you came all the way from LA to tell me this?”
“Yes, and to set up a press conference. We need to polish your image, and an interview at your high school is a great way to make you look good. The place will be packed with people just trying to get a glimpse of their hometown hero.”
“When is that scheduled for?”
“Three hours, so we need to scoot.”
“Three hours?” I look back at Laney; she hasn’t moved from the doorway.
“Shit.” I rub the back of my neck. “Okay. Let me get my stuff together.”
“By stuff, do you mean Laney?”
I glare at Sam. “I mean my clothes and shit.”
“Um-hmm,” he reverberates. “You two back together?”
I don’t take my hard look off Sam. “Yes. You have a problem with that?”
“Nope. I didn’t then, and I don’t now. Laney is good people. I just don’t want you distracted, that’s all. And females can be one hell of a distraction, especially when they look like that.”
I glance back at Laney—she’s sexy as hell without even trying. Even Sam sees it. “I’ll be right back.”
Laney disappears into the house as I walk up the front porch and through the door.
“Everything worked out?” she asks, wringing her hands together.
“Surprisingly, yes.” I smile as I approach her. “All the charges have been dropped, and my name is clear.”
“Good. I’m glad.” She sighs, weakly.
“Me, too.” When I try to touch her, she backs away. So not good. “Laney, what’s wrong? Is Sam being here making you uncomfortable? I know you don’t like him . . .”
“I like Sam just fine,” she interrupts me, returning to stir the pancake batter.
“Sure you do, about as much as you like sweet tea.” Her lips curve up faintly. “We have to get back. Sam’s set up a press conference. I have to make a statement and . . .”
“Go then,” she interjects, clearly upset. I’m upset, too; I wasn’t ready to leave so abruptly. But reality calls, and I have to be there.
“I want you to come with me.” I pull the bowl out of her hands and entwine her fingers with mine, imploring her to look at me.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“You know why, Kam.” Her grip tightens as she looks directly at me.
“I honestly don’t.” I search her face. What the hell is she talking about?
“Nothing has changed.”
“What do you mean nothing’s changed?” I drop her hands. “Everything’s changed.”
“No, it hasn’t. You still have your life, and I still have mine.”
“What the hell does that mean?” It feels like rocks are being piled in the pit of my stomach. “The last three days didn’t mean anything?”
“Of course, they did—”
“Or did you just want one last fuck with Alabama’s most eligible bachelor?” I snap. “Is that it?”
“Of course not!” She takes a step toward me.
My chest feels like it’s caving in. “I can’t believe you are pulling this shit again, Laney.”
“Kam.” Her voices wavers.
“Don’t.” I fight not to flip out. “I trusted you.”
“Kam . . .” she pleads, but I am so over this bullshit.
“Forget it.” I brush past her. Sam was right—women are nothing but a distraction. I walk out on her, leaving all my stuff behind.
I haul ass to Sam’s massive black pickup, climb in, and try to ignore the gaping hole in my heart Laney just ripped open.
“Where’s your girl? We waiting for her?” Sam asks.
“She’s not my girl,” I spit. “Just drive.”
Sam pauses, staring at me for a beat, before he throws the car into D and speeds away.
I watch the house get smaller and smaller in the sideview mirror, right along with the happiness I allowed myself to have for thirty-six, short hours.