Page 13 of Kobalt

“Is that your woman?”

“Who? Her?”

He chuckled. “Nigga, I don’t see another soul out here except for her.”

“Nah, she’s just a friend of my sister’s.”

We drove around the pond heading back to the house as he discussed options about what we could do with the land in terms of the training camp.

When I pulled the truck to a stop at the house, I stared out at the pond where Kaimera sat.

“You sure that’s not your woman?”

“Yeah. She’s just a friend who I’m concerned about,” I declared truthfully, pulling my fingers through my beard. She wasn’t my woman, although I wanted her to be. It was clear that she didn’t want anything with anyone right now, at least not with me. I’d let him shoot his shot and see how far he got. It would be funny when she sent him packing.

“Then you won’t mind if I step to her?”

I turned my lips down and replied, “Go ahead.”

I watched as Royal headed in her direction. He chatted with her for a while, and she seemed comfortable with him. I waited several minutes, and she didn’t send him on his way. The sight of the two of them together, as she laughed at whatever he said, crushed my chest, and jealousy crept into my soul. My teeth ached from clenching them down so hard. I turned around and headed back inside where I wouldn’t have to torture myself any longer.

The front screen door slammed shut, reminding me that I needed to fix the hinge on it. The sound of her ballet slippers padding on the floor drew nearer to the kitchen, and every hair on my body stood on end with awareness.

“Something smells good in here.” Kaimera almost danced into the kitchen, and happiness cloaked her in a way it hadn’t since her arrival.

“I only fixed enough for me. Wasn’t expecting you to be around for dinner,” I replied snappily.

“Oh. Well, I just said that something smelled good in here. You don’t have to catch an attitude with me. I’m capable of cooking my own meals.” Her flat tone made me wonder if that was disappointment that I heard.

“You might want to make yourself scarce in the next couple of days. I know you mentioned wanting some quiet, but the contractors will be starting work. It might be a good idea if you were to head back into the city or to a resort.”

“I’m not doing that,” she declared firmly, walking around the island to hop up on it. She planted her hands on either side of her and swung her legs back and forth.

I poured the sauce I’d created over the chicken, and I tried desperately to ignore her sweet lavender scent and the heat radiating off her mixed with the sun. Memories of her laughter drifting on the wind filled my head, along with the way she smiled at Royal. Jealousy tore me apart inside. There was a time when I was the one who made her smile and laugh—a time when I was all she needed. Maybe she resented me for choosing my career over her.

“Why not? You trying to stick around to be a pain in my ass?”

She hopped off the counter and stood beside me, glaring angrily at me. “Get over yourself, Kobalt, and whatever trip you’re on. I’m not trying to be a pain in your ass. I couldn’t care less about whether you’re here or not.”

“If that’s true, why don’t you find somewhere else to escape to? Hell, I’ll even pay for it.”

The light went out of her eyes as they became glassy as though she were about to cry. She looked as if she were going to say something, but she shook her head and ran upstairs. I knew that I’d gone too far.

“Kaimera! Kai, come back here!” I turned the oven off and moved the saucepan from the front eye before I chased after her, but I was too late.

Being an asshole wasn’t really called for, but when jealousy ate at you, it could bring out the worst.

Because I couldn’t take my anger out on myself, I called Niagara.

“Hello?”

“The next time you think about sending someone to my property, ask first,” I growled.

“I’m sorry. What happened?”

“Just respect my space and privacy. A’ight?”

“Listen, I didn’t think it was a big deal, and I didn’t think you’d be there.”