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“We were just having a little fun, boss. We didn’t mean anything,” the thin guy complained, though he appeared ashamed.
“Then keep your mouths shut. You shouldn’t talk like that about any woman. Ever. She deserves your respect, not your sexist comments. Think about your fucking mothers when you decide to harass a woman just trying to walk down the street,” he reprimanded sharply.
The two guys started to open their mouths, but he cut them off. “I’ll tell you right now if you engage in that sort of behavior, you won’t have a place on my crew. I don’t tolerate that shit.” Kyle’s face was dark and thunderous, and the men knew to back down. They hung their heads, clearly wanting to crawl into a hole.
“Thanks,” I mouthed to him with a small smile.
He inclined his head, and then he actually smiled back. It wasn’t the full-on grin I remembered from before, but it was something at least.
I felt a little lighter as I made my way to the pharmacy to get Lena her soda and crackers. When I came back out with the bag, Kyle was drilling pieces of fencing together. Sweat caused the fabric of his shirt to cling to his skin. I tried not to stare.
He looked up as I passed by, his dark hair falling in his face. He still had this boyish look about him, even after all these years. He hadn’t changed much from the teenager that hung out in my kitchen, eating all of my mom’s Snickerdoodles.
He straightened up and walked over to me, his hazel eyes flashing. He may still look like the boy he used to be, but this was all man.
“Hey, I’m sorry about that back there. My guys should know better. I hope it didn’t upset you.” Kyle sounded contrite, and it made my insides squeeze tightly.
I tried to wave it away. “Eh, I’m used to it.” Then, realizing what I just said, I resisted the urge to smack my hand against my forehead. That sounded completely conceited. “I mean, women get used to it. Not me specifically. Not that I get catcalled all the time. I mean, why would I?” I was rambling. I wasn’t a rambler. I was confident. Cool. Together.
I had always been the one in control when we were together. It seemed that was yet another thing that had changed over the years.
Kyle’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he bit back a smile. “I’m sure you do get it a lot.” As if by their own volition, his eyes swept up the length of me, leaving me warm all over. Then he obviously remembered who I was—who we were—and he looked away quickly. It was like being dunked in ice water. “But just because you’re used to it, doesn’t mean you should be used to it if you know what I mean. I’d kick a guy’s ass if they spoke like that about Katie. I won’t condone that toxic masculinity bullshit.”
“You’re a rare breed then, Kyle Webber,” I stated.
Finally, his gaze swung back around, clashing with mine in a way that hurt. “It sounds like you’ve spent way too much time around the wrong kind of men then, Whitney.” His words became brittle, and just like that, we were both remembering the history that always fell between us like a hammer.
I had to close my eyes. Watching him watch me was too overwhelming. Brought back too much.
I could feel him everywhere. On my skin. Inside my body. There was nowhere to hide from him. I had thought sex with Kyle could be an easy, uncomplicated thing. I hadn’t anticipated the wave after wave of emotion that washed over me as he held me. The way my insides tumbled and pulled as he kissed me.
I had to shut it down that night years ago. It wasn’t the life I wanted. There was no room for Kyle Webber in the world I was carefully constructing.
But as he pressed into me, I knew a part of me would always be with him.
I came back to the present.
“Maybe,” was all I could say.
Awkward silence. Carefully avoided eye contact.
Kyle turned away. “Well, have a good day. My guys won’t bother you again.”
That was it.
I hurried back to the office, my palms slick, my mouth dry.
Feeling like a goddamn fool.
Chapter 5
Kyle
“You’re late! But I’ll allow it because you brought my favorite little girl,” Adam boomed, opening the door and immediately taking Katie from my arms. She wriggled like a fish wanting to be put down.
“Mimi!” she shouted.
Adam rolled his eyes. “Is Uncle A chopped liver or something?” He kissed my daughter noisily on her cheek and put her down. “Mimi’s in the kitchen. Let’s go find her.” He took her hand and then looked at me. “Come on, man, the gang’s all here. As I said, you’re late.”
