Page 53 of Wedding Wrecker

I groan. “It’s… complicated. We kinda connected at the wedding, he ended up coming over, and I didn’t have the heart to send him away, and then I broke the leg, so it made sense for him to help me out.”

“Jesus… Logan, nobody knows where he is. He messaged them all that he’s fine but is not responding to any calls. I’m sure they are so worried.”

I sit up straight. “Oh. He never told me that, but I’m guessing he doesn’t want anyone to know, so let’s respect that? Anyway, he’s fine. He got a job here and everything.”

Ann sighs. “Well, but they’d be relieved if they knew he’s with a friend, and not sleeping under a bridge somewhere.”

She doesn’t get it because she doesn’t know that Kyle left because of reasons more serious than not wanting to marry Madison.

“I know, but it’s his choice, okay?”

But the whole thing makes me feel strange. I hadn’t known Kyle had cut ties so completely. While he has friends at work and at the stables, I suddenly realize that I’m the closest person he has right now, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

“Fine. But maybe he should let them know he’s still alive, if he wants to keep hiding.”

“I’ll talk to him. The whole wedding situation made him freak out, but it’s been two months, so maybe he’s ready to face it. Anyway, my leg is fine, I have a helpful roommate, and a dog that takes my laundry to the washing machine, so when is your trip?”

“Late August. Would that work?”

“I’ll have to talk with my boss but sounds doable.”

She makes a series of squeals. “I promise I’ll return the favor sometime!”

It makes me happy to make her happy, and that’s enough for me, but I still make my voice extra deep and say, “Your firstborn will be mine.”

“Stop it, you troll! You know I can't resist a good deal.”

We banter for a bit longer, but then she has to go and I’m on my way to meet Kyle outside, still thing about the way he’s keeping his family in the dark.

As I step through the door, he’s walking bent in half, with Jekyll balancing on his back. I’ve seen this act before, but I can’t help laughing anyway. They look ridiculous. He spots me before I can speak and clicks his tongue to make the dog get off.

“Look at you!”

I spread my arms with a wide smile. “Yep. New man!” I bow down to invite Jekyll for a hug, only to remember another trick the beast knows. “Jekyll, baby!” I shout, and the excited pooch leaps straight in my arms. He’s never done this with anyone but his dog daddy, and I’m so shocked that he listened to my command that I almost fail to hold him up. The beast is heavier than it looks.

Kyle covers his mouth and approaches us just as Jekyll slides out of my hold. “You two have been doing this behind my back?”

“I’ve been trying,” I admit with a smile, “but this is the first time he actually jumped. Do you think he knew my leg was unstable?”

Kyle grins and leans down to pet Jekyll’s head as he approaches with a toothy smile. “I wouldn’t have jumped in your arms when you were walking with crutches. Though I’m not sure if you could carry my weight even now.”

I snort and pat his cheek. “You would have jumped in my arms even if I were using crutches and blindfolded. As for the other part… Guess we have to find out!” I bend over and grab Kyle’s thighs. Moments later, he’s hanging across my shoulder.

Still got it.

I don’t care that we’re in front of a hospital. The sun is shining, my leg is working as it should, and I wanna have some fun with my… what? Best friend, I guess. I don’t even know when we’ve grown this close, but I’m not complaining.

Kyle laughs and pats my back in protest, but I silence him by slapping his soft buttocks.

“I feel violated,” he announces, swinging his feet gently, but there’s nothing about his behavior that tells me he really wants to be put down.

He might be heavy, but I’m stubborn and proud, so I hold him, pretending that he weighs nothing. A million answers come to my mind. You’ll feel violated once I’m done with you, You’ve seen nothing yet, wait till we get home, or I don’t care, this is an abduction. They all seem flirty, so I bite my tongue even though I’d love to say all of those things and then roll him into my bed.

Hasn’t that ship sailed, though? I don’t date cheaters, and I don’t want another relationship, since they always end in heartbreak. And at this point I’m so close to Kyle that I couldn’t possibly treat him as a just fuckbuddy.

“Well, you don’t have a boyfriend to protect you.” I laugh and slap his ass again. Fuck. It’s so bouncy.

“Is there something I should know about you two?” a female voice asks, and I freeze, spotting Carol by our stable’s horse trailer. I’ve been too focused on Kyle and Jekyll to notice the markings on the large vehicle, and I lose my breath as she grins.”