CHAPTER 6
~Hayden~
I was still reeling from the news that Keith had given Kenzie a job, something he’d seemed adamantly against earlier, when Kenzie hit me with another bombshell—Antonia was in the hospital. We left as soon as she told me, and traveled straight to see her. Making that kid happy was far more important than racing against time on a clock.
Kenzie was in a state of shock. I could tell, because she didn’t try to beat me as we rode down the freeway. In some places, she even fell behind, and I had to slow down for her—something I’d never had to do before. I was worried, but I wasn’t sure what I should be worried about. The melancholy she could slip into so easily, the fact that Keith had caved and given her a job, and who knew what that job might be, or the fact that I was lying to her, more and more frequently it seemed.
Felicia was texting me all the fucking time now, and for some reason…I read every fucking message. The first few were just messages passed along from Keith—Felicia testing the water. The last few had nothing to do with our job. Please talk to me. I have so much to say. I’m so sorry. I miss you so much. That last one had come in while I’d been with Kenzie. Reading it had double-socked me with guilt and pain. She misses me? Well, she should have thought about that before she deserted me. I had someone else now, someone great, and I didn’t need her.
So why couldn’t I stop reading the messages? Curiosity? Was I looking for meaning in her texts? A reason she left, a reason she was back? Yes, I supposed it was closure I was seeking. I wanted to know why she’d bailed. But I knew enough about Felicia to know she’d never explain in a message. If I really wanted to know why she’d ran, I was going to have to have a sit-down conversation with her; she’d make sure of that. Because getting closure might lead to a reconciliation. That was how she saw it at least. And I was too worried she was right to test the theory. There was a lot of history there, and sometimes being around Felicia felt too…familiar. I didn’t want to put myself in that situation. I wanted to be with Kenzie.
Fuck. Kenzie. If she ever learned about the texts, if she ever figured out what was going on in my head, I’d have some serious explaining to do. Hopefully she’d be calm enough to listen. Hopefully I’d be able to come up with an excuse. Hopefully it never happened. Jesus. I was digging a hole around my feet so fast, it was only a matter of time before I fell inside it.
I forced myself to shove that worry aside when we got to the hospital. Antonia needed me to be strong, undistracted, the rock she relied on to come through for her. Izzy needed that too. And Kenzie, in a way. Kenzie and I held hands as we walked through the hallway. She looked lost in thought, and I couldn’t help stealing glances at her. She was going through so much, same as me, but different. She wasn’t being tormented by an ex-flame, but instead, she was being completely barred from what she loved. That last rejection had killed her, and when she’d fallen apart in my arms, instead of making her talk about it, I’d let her distract me with sex. I was screwing up so much lately, I couldn’t tell up from down anymore.
When we stepped inside Antonia’s hospital room, I had to stop and collect myself at the sight of her. Her hair was coming back, about an inch long now, but she looked so tiny and frail against the bed sheets, especially with the slim tube up her nose keeping her constantly fueled. I wanted to rip it out the second I saw it, but I knew it was serving a purpose, a very important one; I just hoped she wouldn’t have to have it for long.
Izzy spotted us standing there, and stood up to greet us with a hug. Antonia noticed us a second later, and gave me a huge, tired grin. “Uncle Hayden.”
Releasing Izzy, I walked over to Antonia’s bed. “Hey, Bookworm. Didn’t I say you weren’t allowed to come back here?” I said, mock sternness in my voice.
Antonia’s smile turned shy and amused. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay,” I said, kissing her head. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
She laughed, then sighed and closed her eyes. She looked exhausted, a sight I was all-too familiar with. While Kenzie sat on the bed on the other side of her, I looked back at Izzy. “How is she doing?”
Izzy’s smile was almost as tired as her daughter’s. “Better. Both of us are better.” Her warm smile shifted to Kenzie. Kenzie had been there when Izzy needed her. Kenzie hadn’t abandoned her, and never would. That wasn’t her style.
Antonia dozed off and on for the next hour. I knew they’d kick us out sooner or later, but I really didn’t want to leave. Maybe I’d say I was her dad, pull up a chair, and sleep all night here. That really wouldn’t be fair to Kenzie though. She was making the best of the situation, reading a book to Antonia while she listened with drooping eyelids. She’d be out again in no time.
Izzy approached where I was standing by the sink, listening to Kenzie’s story. Gently, she tugged on my elbow. “Care to get some coffee with me?” she asked.
Kenzie paused, turned to smile at me, then resumed reading to Antonia. Kenzie probably didn’t realize it, but Izzy wasn’t a big coffee drinker. She wanted to talk to me alone, to spare Kenzie’s feelings, and that meant she wanted to talk about Felicia. Great.
“Sure, Iz,” I replied, a tight smile on my face.
Slight fingers wrapped around my elbow as Izzy walked us out the door and toward a coffee vending machine on the other end of the hallway. I sighed when we were well away from Antonia’s door, out of earshot. “What is it?”
Izzy was silent for a few more steps, then she said, “Kenzie told me you want to contact Tony.”
We arrived at the machine, and I separated us so I could look at her. “I said I was thinking about it. Big difference.”
Izzy smiled, but it looked sad to me. “I knew you’d change your mind. You always let your past back in…no matter how hard it hurts you.”
Studying her face, I slowly asked, “Are we still talking about Hookup?”
Her face scrunched in concern. “It took you three weeks to tell me Felicia was here. That she was working beside you every day. Why?”
“Because she…she bailed on you. She hurt you. I didn’t want to…” A heavy sigh escaped me. That wasn’t why, and Izzy knew it. “I don’t know. I just…didn’t want to have this conversation, I guess. I wanted to ignore it. Ignore her…”
Grabbing my arm, Izzy squeezed it tight. “You’ve got a good thing with Kenzie, Hayden. A really good thing. Don’t fuck it up. Especially not for her. She doesn’t deserve your forgiveness…yours or mine. And she definitely doesn’t deserve you. But Kenzie does.”
“I’m trying not to fuck it up, Izzy. You’ve got to believe me…I’m trying…” There was a sharp, cracking pain in my chest, and confusion burned like acid inside it. I didn’t want to hurt Kenzie, but Felicia… I had so many questions, so many memories, so many…loose ends.
Izzy wrapped her arms around me, holding me close. She patted my back like I was a child, whispering that everything was going to be okay. Normally her mothering would have annoyed the hell out of me, but right now…I kind of needed it.
* * *
We visited Antonia every evening for the next few nights. She was slowly getting better, slowly gaining weight, but the doctors didn’t want her to go home yet. It was hard to leave her every night, but Saturday night was the hardest of all. Keith was having a pre-season celebration, and every Benneti rider and crew member was required to attend. Unless we were on our deathbeds, we had to be there, maybe even then too. Kenzie was less than thrilled about going. I think she’d only truly agreed to go because Nikki was going and bringing Myles as her date.
I wished we could have stayed at the hospital all night, but eventually we had to leave to go get ready for the party. Antonia was upset to see us go. “Please stay, Uncle Hayden.”
“I wish I could, but this party is required for work. Not going isn’t an option. But when you get better and you get to go home, I’ll bring you something great to celebrate.”
Antonia’s eyes lit up at the promise of a gift. “Like what?”
“I don’t know…how about a puppy?” I said with a shrug. Izzy was going to kill me, but Antonia had always wanted a pet.
Her mouth dropped wide open in shock and surprise. “Seriously?” she asked, trembling with excitement.
A second later, Izzy chimed in. “Hayden,” she said in warning. Izzy hated dogs.
I gave her a one-sided grin. “Every kid needs a puppy, Iz.” This one more than most.
Antonia squealed in delight as Izzy sighed in consent. I knew she’d give me this. When it came to spoiling her daughter, there wasn’t much Izzy wouldn’t let me do. Except buy her a motorcycle. She was still adamantly against that.
As soon as we got back to Kenzie’s place, I hopped on the computer to start researching pets. Kenzie left me to it, and grudgingly got ready for the party. Having a positive way to help Antonia made me smile in a way nothing had lately, and by the time I joined Kenzie in her bedroom, I had the prefect breed all picked out for her. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad.
A few hours later, Kenzie was snuggled on the back of my bike as we made our way to Los Angeles. She was wearing a short skirt that exposed nearly all her trim thighs as she sat behind me, and she was showcasing what she was showing with a pair of sexy knee-high boots; she looked like a million bucks. I was going semi-casual tonight, with black boots, black jeans, a crisp white button-up shirt. I was wearing the team leather jacket that Keith had handed out to everyone. It was an article of clothing Kenzie hated, since Benneti was sprawled across the back. I wouldn’t be surprised if I woke up one day and the thing was ripped to shreds. I wouldn’t blame her either.
The closer we got to L.A., the tighter Kenzie held me. She had to be a little nervous about this party. She’d be surrounded by my teammates—men she’d been conditioned to dislike. And then there was Felicia. She was going to be there, and, for the first time, the two women were going to be occupying the same space for an extended period of time. Come to think of it, I was a little nervous about the party too.
Letting go of that worry, I focused solely on the feeling of Kenzie’s arms and legs embracing me. There was something erotic about having her on my bike. Dipping low through the curves, I could feel her thigh muscles flex and firm, and her fingers had drifted down my stomach. They were sitting so low on my waistband that if she reached down just a tiny bit, she could stroke me through my jeans. God, just the thought was making me hard, and if going to this party wasn’t required, I’d turn the bike around and take her home. And if the drive home was just as stimulating, I might take her the second we reached her driveway.
I let myself imagine every single indulgence I would have with her later, and by the time we pulled into a parking garage beside the hotel hosting the party, I was hard as a rock. Damn. Maybe she’d be up for a quickie in the parking lot.
After finding an empty spot on the fifth floor, I shut off the bike and lowered the kickstand into place. Kenzie hopped off, removed her helmet, then fixed her hair and her dress. God, I loved when she did that. Her tight outfit and her bright red lipstick were doing nothing to stop the surging desire coursing through my veins. I needed her. Right now.
Seeing that I hadn’t moved yet, Kenzie gave me an inquisitive look. “Did you change your mind about going to this?” she asked.
Removing my helmet, I placed it on my lap. “No, I just need a moment to calm down. You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” I added, my voice low, near a growl.
A warm flush highlighted Kenzie’s cheeks as she stared at me, then a slow smile curved her lips. “I’m not sure if I should let you calm down…or hop on that bike and have my way with you.”
A throb went through me, painfully pushing sensitive parts against rough denim. “Jesus, Kenzie,” I said with a groan.
As she let out a husky laugh, someone on the other side of the garage yelled, “Move your ass, Hayes! Keith’s fining anyone who’s late.”
Kenzie and I both looked over to see Rodney and his date strolling to the elevator, and just like that, my hard-on was gone. Asshole just ruined what could have been a beautiful moment. I hopped off the bike and set my helmet beside Kenzie’s. She glanced at my jeans and sighed, then looked up at me with a small, sad smile on her face.
“Ready?” I asked her.
“No…but let’s get this over with.”
I nodded at her, and we walked through the garage, hand-in-hand. When we stepped into the hotel, I moved us toward the conference room Keith had rented for the evening. I knew exactly which room it was once we got close enough—a pair of scantily dressed girls were flanking the doorway. They each had wild, overdone hair, expertly manicured nails, and heavy makeup that you could probably see from space. Keith had dressed them in standard model-wear: knee-high boots, tight leather shorts, and bikini tops covered with the Benneti Motorsports logo. Each girl was holding a tray of wine as they welcomed the riders and guests, and, with a forced smile, I took two glasses and handed one to Kenzie.
She was slightly frowning at the models, but didn’t say anything about it. Keith thought the best way to advertise the team was to show off skin, and Kenzie knew that. It annoyed her though. She’d struggled so hard to be an equal to her rivals; having female sexuality shoved in her face at events like this was demeaning. But a job was a job, and Keith paid his models well; I didn’t blame them for wanting to strut their stuff. They had nothing on Kenzie, though.
“Even wearing three of layers of snowsuits, a Hazmat suit and a mumu, you’d still look better than both of them combined.”
Stopping, she twisted to look up at me. Her face was a mixture of adoration and awe, like she’d never expected me to feel that way about her. But I did; she was the most beautiful thing in the world to me. Considering how I’d grown up—bounced around from here to there, never fitting in, never belonging to anyone or anything—it blew my mind that I’d found love—healthy, reliable, reciprocal love. Kenzie wasn’t going anywhere, wasn’t taking off at a moment’s notice. She was with me, hell or high-water, come what may, and I’d do just about anything to keep her. Once someone had my loyalty, I fought tooth and nail for them. But Izzy was wrong…once a bridge was burned, it stayed burned. I wasn’t letting Felicia back in. There was no room for her now.
Kenzie leaned up and lightly placed her lips on mine. The softness of her kiss was pure heaven—I didn’t think I’d ever get enough. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. We were tackled out of the moment by a pair of enthusiastic arms wrapping around Kenzie’s shoulders. “Kenzie, you’re here!” Nikki squealed.
Once Kenzie regained her balance, she squeezed her friend back. “Hey, Nikki.” After they separated, a forlorn sigh escaped Kenzie. “I can’t believe the season is about to start again.” Grief passed over her face; whatever she’d be doing for Keith, it wouldn’t be racing. Shaking her head, I could see her struggling to push aside the sadness. “Speaking of the new season…where is Myles?”
Nikki said a quick hello to me before returning her eyes to Kenzie; her smile was a mile wide when she answered her question. “He’s totally pissed that I made him come with me tonight, but he’s here somewhere.” Turning around, she scanned the room for their friend. The back of her form-fitted dress was completely open, nearly to her tailbone. More than one Benneti rider was checking her out, and I was sure, if she wanted to, Nikki could go home with one of them. And if she did and they were asses to her, they’d have me to deal with. Nikki was important to Kenzie, and that made her important to me.
Waving her hand in the air, Nikki got the attention of Myles on the other side of the room. He was at the snack table, adding onto a plate that was already piled ridiculously high with food. I doubted he planned on eating it all; he was probably just sticking it to Keith in the only small way he could by wasting the expensive food. The old feud with Benneti still ran strong in Myles. It applied to me too. Myles might have grudgingly accepted that Kenzie and I were together, but he still didn’t like me, and he definitely didn’t trust me.
Nikki headed his way, and Kenzie followed her. I started to go with them, but something in my peripheral distracted me. Keith was talking to a small group of Bennetis. One of them was a girl in sky-high heels, a shapely dress, with long dark hair cascading down her back. Felicia. She was sipping on a glass of wine, smiling at something Keith was saying. Then, like she could sense me watching her, her eyes flicked my way. Our gaze met and held, and my chest constricted in a weird, disorienting way. She gave me a brief smile, but there was pain and longing in her eyes. Seeing it made the compression in my chest feel like my heart was being pressed flat, and one word echoed throughout my brain: why?
Swallowing, I tore my eyes away from her, and searched for my girlfriend. She had stopped on her way to Myles when she’d noticed I wasn’t with her, and she was looking back at me with a confused expression on her face. My heart sank as I watched her slowly shift her gaze to where I’d been looking—to Felicia. Her lips parted when she spotted my ex, and I mentally kicked myself. Why the hell hadn’t I looked away immediately? How could I explain that to Kenzie?
Kenzie turned on her heel, and I hurried to catch up to her. I tried holding her hand, but she subtly resisted. I settled on grabbing her wrist instead. “I’m sorry,” I muttered, “I just…” I just what? Couldn’t help myself from staring? From wondering? From ruminating on why she’d thrown us away like garbage?
Kenzie suddenly grabbed my hand. She squeezed my fingers so tight, they went numb. “It’s fine.” Her tone was cool, and her eyes were liquid fire. It wasn’t fine, but she was trying to let it go. God, she was amazing. With a tight smile, she added, “We should hurry if we want any bacon-wrapped scallops. Looks like Myles is going for a world record.”
Fuck. Five minutes in, and I had already screwed up. Well, the least I could do was let Kenzie pretend she was fine. We could talk about it later. If we had to. Fuck, this crap made me miss when our biggest problem was the Benneti Ban. That was easy compared to this confusing, emotional crap.
Agitation and regret coursed through me. Myles’s deep brown eyes narrowed as they took me in, then he shifted his gaze to Kenzie. Holding a soaring plate of food her way, he said, “Here, take this so I can fill up another one.”
“No thanks, Myles,” she responded with a smile.
Shrugging, he handed the plate to Nikki instead, then grabbed another one and started piling it with food too. It wouldn’t surprise me if he spent the evening filling plates then leaving them untouched on all the various tables spaced throughout the room.
Kenzie dropped my hand so she could give Myles a hug. For some reason, I was reluctant to let her go. Maybe it was because I could still feel Felicia’s eyes boring into me, trying to draw me away again. But I wouldn’t get sucked into that trap twice. Kenzie had all my focus now.
When Myles and Kenzie pulled apart, Kenzie sighed. “It’s so good to see you, Myles. It’s been too long. And with the season starting, we’re going to see you even less than we do now.” I knew the truth of that. Myles had made it down from his new racing team in San Francisco a couple times a week earlier, but now that training was in full swing, Kenzie hadn’t seen him in a while. And she might not see him outside of events for months after tonight.
Myles frowned at her and Nikki, his two best friends who he’d had to leave behind when Cox Racing fell apart. “Yeah, I know. That’s the part of all this that really sucks the most.”
Looking sad, Kenzie nodded. In the silence, I asked Myles a question that I hoped would shift the mood in the air. “You ready for the new year? How are you feeling?” My gaze flicked down to his neck. Myles had been in a bad crash last year, a wreck that had ended his season early. Everything else had healed on him, but from what Kenzie had told me, his collarbone still ached on occasion.
Myles didn’t seem entirely thrilled to be talking directly to me, and he ran a hand through his scruffy brown hair before he answered. “I’m feeling good…feeling ready.” He unconsciously brought his fingers to the sore spot, and rubbed it a little. For a time, Myles had believed that I was the one responsible for his unfortunate accident. And in a way, he was kind of right. Hookup had hurt him, and I was the one who had brought Hookup into the world. Indirectly, I was one hundred percent responsible for his wreck. Thank God he was okay now.
The lights in the room suddenly darkened, then swirling spotlights started circulating, making me dizzy. A voice coming through the speaker system welcomed everyone to the greatest party of the year. That made Kenzie roll her eyes. When the announcer started highlighting Benneti Motorsports achievements, she almost turned and left. Squeezing her hand tight was the only thing that kept her in place.
When the accolades stopped, the spotlights focused on one person—Keith. Larger than life in a powder blue tux, a jewel encrusted arm crutch, and his signature aviator sunglasses, Keith gave the applauding masses a grandiose bow. Microphone in hand, he proudly exclaimed, “Welcome honored friends and guests, to our annual Benneti Bash! I hope you enjoy the food and drinks, and hope you partake in…whatever your heart desires this evening.” His face stopped directly on mine when he said that, and annoyance churned in my stomach. What was he playing at?
While I cast a quick glance at Kenzie, Keith pointed off to his right. “I’m sure you’ve all met the absolutely stunning Felicia Tucker by now, but what you might not know is how talented this devastating beauty is. Felicia…come up here and show yourself off.”
As I looked around the room, I noticed something I should have earlier—cameras and reporters—Keith had invited the media, so he could show off his newest acquisition. I had a feeling he wasn’t going to stop there though. Now I wanted to leave too. Keith had only required that we show up on time; he hadn’t said anything about staying.
While the crowd whistled their approval of Felicia, I opened my mouth to ask Kenzie if she was ready to go. I never got the chance though. Keith’s voice interrupted me. “Between Felicia and Hayden, Benneti Motorsports just might have the best-looking riders in the championship. Hayden, where are you? The reporters want to see how great you and Felicia look together.”
Before either of us could disappear, a spotlight burst into life around us; it was angled in such a way that I was nearly blinded, and Kenzie was drenched in darkness. As all eyes turned to me, I debated what I could do. Snub Keith and run? His assholeness toward Kenzie, and his constant little manipulations with Felicia were really starting to piss me off, but…he had given Kenzie a job, and he had given me my shot. I owed him for that. So much more than I could ever repay.
Keith’s voice boomed over the speakers while I closed my eyes in frustration. “Hayden, get your ass up here.”
Praying Kenzie understood why I had to do this, I reopened my eyes with a resigned sigh. Giving her an apologetic smile, I turned and headed to where Keith and Felicia were waiting. Felicia was practically glowing as I approached her; the hope in her eyes was evident for everyone to see. She was wearing a slinky cocktail dress that was cut down the front to her waist. A long Y-necklace was resting between her breasts, and she played with the end of it while she waited for me to join her. The second I did, she immediately looped her arm around mine.
I instantly yanked my arm free and stepped away from her, and she grabbed my hand instead. I tried shaking her off, but she had a death-like grip on me. She was all smiles for the camera now, and by the way she was leaning on my arm, it probably looked like we were a lot more than teammates. Goddamn it.
My face tightened in anger and my body tensed. And that was when some clever asshole shouted, “Bend her over, Hayes! Give her a real Benneti Bash!”
Felicia laughed like the crude suggestion was funny. Kenzie’s face went bright red, and she said something to Nikki. I watched as Nikki said something calming to her in return, hopefully defending me. But then Myles said something to both of them. I couldn’t hear what he said, but it seemed to piss Nikki off, and Kenzie’s face was ghostly pale when she looked back at me. Shit. He’d gotten to her. We were definitely going to have a talk after this.
I wanted to pull away from Felicia, but Keith snapped, “Stop fidgeting and smile. Half this job is showmanship, Hayes, and I’ve just guaranteed that people will be talking about you. Both of you. Even people who don’t watch the sport will want to know all about the golden couple of racing.” Over my shoulder, he winked at Felicia. “Give him a friendly little kiss, dear, something to fan the flames.”
My face was flaming red as rage surged through me. This was absolutely ridiculous. I turned to Felicia to tell her not to touch me, but she took the moment to make her move. Lightning fast, her fingers cupped my cheek, holding me still, and her lips firmly landed on mine. My world spun as two very different realities pummeled me. Was I still in the present? Because the past was crashing all around me as her familiar taste and smell filled my senses.
I came back to myself almost instantly, but it was still too late. Pushing Felicia away, I searched the room for Kenzie. I didn’t see her—just the spot where she had been. Myles was glaring at me, Nikki was fighting her way through the crowd, chasing after Kenzie. Fucking Keith. Twisting back to him, I growled, “Make a spectacle of me like that again, and I’m through.” He raised his hands in the air, like he was completely innocent, but he flashed a victorious glance at Felicia. Asshole.
When I found Kenzie, she was in the hotel lobby with Nikki, who had her hands on her shoulders, calming her down, but Kenzie still looked like she was having trouble breathing. Fuck. She was going to kill me. Inhaling a deep breath, I headed their way. Might as well get to the hard part. “Kenzie…”
Nikki stepped back, and Kenzie lifted a finger at me. “Don’t. Nikki is going to give me a ride home. I’m leaving.”
Sighing, I looked over at Nikki. “Can you give us a minute?”
She nodded, then patted Kenzie on the shoulder. I waited a second after we were alone. Kenzie wouldn’t look at me, and I could feel the rising tension between us, sliding across my skin like a wet snake. “I know you’re mad,” I finally said.
Kenzie snapped her eyes to mine. “Mad? No, why would I be mad? Your ex-girlfriend is only trying to seduce you back into her bed, and your boss is trying to help her. Why the hell would that make me mad!”
“That’s not what’s going on…” I let my weak defense die. Yes, in a way, that was exactly what was going on. Felicia wanted to reconnect with me, Keith wanted the buzz that came from two sort-of celebrities getting it on. It was a win-win for them. “I would stop them if I could,” I whispered.
Kenzie crossed her arms over her chest, not at all relieved by my words. Wishing I could do more to ease her fears, I asked her, “What did Myles say to you?” Her cheeks heated and she averted her eyes. It was bad then. “Tell me.”
Peeking up at me, she said, “Nikki told me you were being good at the track. You and Felicia, she said I had nothing to worry about. But Myles…” Pausing, she swallowed an emotional lump in her throat. “Myles told me that wouldn’t last. That no man could resist temptation forever. He said you’d eventually cheat, you’d eventually leave me…”
She started crying, and I instantly pulled her in for an all-consuming hug. Pulling back, I began kissing every inch of her face. “No, I won’t. She’s not what I want. You’re what I want, you’re all I want.” Cupping her cheeks, I made her look at me. “You’re my life, you’re my everything. Don’t throw us away, Kenzie. Please.” Don’t be like her. Don’t run.
Her tears had stopped spilling, and her watery eyes stared at me so unflinchingly that fear began to crawl up my spine. Why wasn’t she saying anything? Was she going to end us…over this? I hadn’t made it happen, hadn’t wanted it to happen. I would give anything to be able to go back in time and stop it from happening. But I couldn’t…it had happened.
Kenzie finally closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. When she opened them again, she quietly said, “I want to leave. Please take me home.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I nodded in her shoulder. “Okay, sweetheart.” She couldn’t run if I was with her. And she wouldn’t. Kenzie didn’t bail; she faced things head on.
Hours later, we were lying in her bed, both fully dressed. I couldn’t sleep. Keith wanted Felicia and me together, to hurt Kenzie and her father and to generate buzz for the team…so why had he given Kenzie a job? And what was she going to be doing? What was Daytona going to be like for us? Damn it. How did things go from being so good, to so convoluted, so fast? Fucking Felicia. How could one woman fuck up my life twice? And why were her lips still on my mind?
Just as I was dwelling on that, my cell phone chirped on the nightstand. I glanced over at Kenzie, but she was sound asleep. Mentally cringing, I grabbed my phone and unlocked the screen. The text was from the unsaved number that I knew was Felicia’s. In two simple sentences, she had my stomach twisted into knots. ‘I enjoyed kissing you again. Did you enjoy kissing me?’
I typed a response without thinking, and immediately hit send. ‘No, I didn’t.’
She replied with a smiley face, and I knew it wasn’t because of my answer. It was because after weeks of ignoring her, I’d finally responded to her text. I’d cracked open the door. Shit.
***