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Ty had to lock his knees and clench his abs to keep from hurtling across the room.
Damn giant.
“Take all the time you need, brother,” Curly said with a smile. “Clear your head. We got everything under control here.” He rubbed a hand across his scruffy chin. “You gonna swing into the clubhouse to say goodbye to Kelsie first?”
“What? No. Why the hell would I do that?” Did everyone think there was more to their relationship?
Curly’s eyes widened. “No reason. Just asking.”
“We’re not a thing, Curly.”
His cousin lifted his hands as Jinx snorted. “I know,” Curly said. “Just thought after all this…” he waved a hand toward Fletcher, “… you might wanna talk to her before you split.”
He did. He really fucking did, but the problem was he wanted to do a whole lot more than talk, which was why he needed to get away. Marco Island called to him. He’d spend a few days in a bungalow on the beach, drinking and staring at the waves. While there, he’d make sure to bury his crush, or whatever the hell it was, on Kelsie in the sand so he could return with a clear head. The harder part would be getting his dick on board with this plan, but some random sex with a tanned beach bunny should do the trick.
As he left the building, his phone chimed. He rolled his eyes to the heavens.
If this is Trina again…
Sure enough, a text from his ex-wife sat waiting for him.
We want to see you. I’m coming to town.
No. Hell-fucking-no. All the more reason to get his ass out of town immediately. He stowed the phone back in his pocket. After what she’d done, she didn’t deserve a response. The woman could knock on his door in vain all day for all he cared. She wasn’t worth the energy of texting back.
After a quick ATV ride back to his bike, he hit the road, heading straight for the highway that would take him south to Marco Island. Fuck clothes and toiletries. Anything he needed, he’d pick up on the way. If he hung around Lithia any longer, he was bound to do something stupid like let Kelsie climb in his lap again. Now he knew what she felt and tasted like, so resisting her a second time would be impossible. Physical distance was the smart move.
The only move.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“SO, HE JUST left? And no one has talked to him since?” Kelsie grabbed a slab of ribs from the meat section at the grocery store as she asked the question.
Brenna nodded. “That’s what Lock said.”
“Does anyone know where he is?” The idea of Ty heading out of town without so much as a wave as he rode off into the sunset had her second-guessing every decision she’d made over the past few days.
Did she cross the line when she’d kissed him?
Was he upset about what happened with his brothers when they confronted the man who’d hurt her?
If she hadn’t followed that man with a gun, for God’s sake, would Ty still be here?
All the reasons he could have left seemed to point to her, and it left a pit of unease in her stomach and an ache in her heart, especially because her last question was the one she felt most certain had a yes for an answer.
Was he so disinterested in her that he left so she couldn’t come on to him again?
Ugh.
“No one knows for sure, but Curly said Ty loves Marco Island. He’s guessing Ty rode down the coast to spend a few days there.” Brooke shrugged. “Grab a few more of those. These guys eat like they’re teenagers.”
That had Kelsie smiling as she reached for another package.
“Anyway, he’s only been gone two days. I don’t think anyone’s worried. There’s been… a lot going on.”
Shame washed over her. “Right.”
Brooke winced. “Oh, shit, no, Kelsie, I’m not blaming you for anything.” She pulled Kelsie into a one-armed side hug. “Please don’t take this on yourself. Ty is a thinker. Sometimes, he can get introspective and more introverted than the rest of the guys. He doesn’t recharge by being in a big crowd like, say, Jinx or Tracker.”
