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“Well, I assume you pretty much know what this is all about, between Roman and me last night. I mean, he did kiss me right in front of you.” I felt my cheeks heat and I looked away, feeling embarrassed, put on the spot.
I was feeling awkward that Roman had kissed me in front of Isaac because I wasn’t used to that kind of attention. When I said Roman was my first everything, I had meant just that. So, all the public displays of affection he gave me weren’t something I was accustomed to.
“Kennedy. Relax,” Isaac said and smiled. “I’m here to listen. No judgment zone, okay?”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “When I first moved to town, from the first time I saw Roman, I wanted him. Every time I saw him, we spoke, I saw who he really was, not just a reputation that everyone whispered about.” I looked down at my uneaten food. “He’s smart and has a warm heart. He’s a good guy and I love him.” I looked at Isaac and saw him watching me intently, totally focused on me. “He can be rough around the edges, and maybe is considered my family, but I’m at the point in my life where I just don’t care anymore. I want to be happy, and Roman does that for me. I certainly didn’t think he’d go all caveman and kiss me in front of everyone.” I shrugged. “But it is what it is and leave it to Roman to do what he wants.” I held my breath as I waited for Isaac to say something, anything.
“Listen,” he said and leaned forward.
I could only imagine what he was about to say, could only picture the warning he might give me … how it wasn’t smart to be with Roman, how I’d get backlash. But as I looked into his eyes, saw the small smile spread out over his face, I knew that no matter what anyone said, I made my own decisions in the end.
“You don’t worry about what anyone else says. The only thing that I can think about when I think of you and Roman together is I wish you would’ve thought you could’ve told me sooner.” He reached out and grabbed hold of my hand. “The world is ugly and hard enough. Let yourself love who you want.” He smiled. “Look at me being all sappy and shit.” He chuckled. “I should take my own advice.”
I wished he’d been able to tell his family. I wished I’d been strong enough to take my own advice years ago. I wished I’d done a lot of things differently.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I guess I was just nervous, confused, just every single emotion you can think of wrapped up in one. I wanted to tell you, to confide in you, but fear is a fickle bitch.”
He squeezed his hand in mine. “Friends until the end, no matter what, right?”
“Right.” God, I could have cried.
“Besides, you got to spread those wings and learn how to fly on your own, because there are so many things that are working against you. I know.” He looked a little defeated after saying that. “When it’s all said and done, you know what’s best for you and no one else. Go with your gut.”
Leave it to Isaac to say exactly the right thing to make me feel like maybe, just maybe, this would all be okay.
Chapter Eighteen
Roman
“This is a bitch to get to,” I grumbled under my breath. Maybe I should have watched my mouth around Victor, but I was on edge around him lately, knowing what I’d done with his daughter, knowing how he’d most likely react.
Not to mention I was nervous as fuck that we would be telling everyone about us this upcoming weekend.
I got out from underneath his car and straightened. He handed me a bottle of water and I grabbed it, thanking him and popping the cap before chugging half of it down. He leaned against the garage wall, drinking his own bottle, watching me as if he had something to say, or he knew I had something to say.
“How’s school going?” Victor asked and set the water bottle down on the workbench. He crossed his arms over his chest, taking this stance that might’ve had a lesser man intimidated.
Although Victor was a large man, had a marine-hard body and strength about him, I also found this renewed strength with being with Kennedy.
“Good.”
“Plan on taking any more classes next semester, or are you just focusing on work?” There was a slight hardness to his voice, and I knew how he felt about me not going to school full-time.
I shrugged. “I’ll have to see how my schedule from work is.”
We stared at each other for a moment, and I felt like he wanted me to back down, be the first to look away. Wasn’t going to happen.
