AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turn away from Kam’s grave, an odd sensation of relief washing over me. Like this was what I needed all along–to talk to him.
I look up, prepared to walk away holding onto that feeling when the ground beneath my feet seems to shift slightly and for a brief moment I let my mind convince itself that Kamden is standing right in front of me.
His hair is a little longer, a little darker, but it’s his nose, his mouth, his firm jaw, and staggering good looks. It’s only when I reach his eyes that reality seems to snap back into place. In that moment, I’m overwhelmed with both disappointment and excitement, the latter not an emotion I expected to feel realizing that the man I’m looking at isn’t Kam.
“Kane.” His name falls from my mouth unintentionally and I quickly wipe my cheeks with the back of my hands, knowing I probably look like a mess right now. “What… what are you doing here?” I stutter, suddenly very aware of the intimate conversation I just shared with Kam and wondering if he overheard.
“Thought I’d stop by and have a chat with my little brother.” He nods toward Kam’s headstone behind me. “You?”
“Same.” I shrug.
“How have you been?” he asks, scuffing his foot against the ground.
“I’m hanging in there. You?”
“Same.” He looks at me for a long moment, seeming like he wants to say more but refusing to.
“Well, he’s all yours.” I force a small smile, nodding before quickly stepping past him and making my way back through the cemetery.
I can’t handle dealing with Kane right now. Not when I’m so close to getting the hell out of here in one piece. I wish I didn’t feel that way. I wish things between us could be different, but they aren’t. There’s no sense in pretending like we care about how the other is doing. He made his feelings on that matter very clear when he left without a word.
Now if only that were my truth… Unfortunately I think I care a little too much, but I’m not going to let him know that when he clearly has no regard for me.
I’m not sure why I feel like he owed me a goodbye, but I do. After the evening we shared, the bond we formed around our mutual love for Kam, I guess I thought that maybe we’d be able to help each other. Then again, him leaving might have actually helped me in the long run. There’s something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on. Something that tells me I should steer clear.
“Did I hear you say you were leaving?” His words wash over me just moments before I reach the car and my entire body freezes.
I turn slowly to find him standing just feet from me. “You were listening to my conversation?” I grind out, embarrassment and anger boiling to the surface.
“I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know you were here until I heard you talking. By then it was already too late.”
“So you just kept listening?”
“It wasn’t like I meant to overhear you.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” I snip, my emotions all over the place. “That conversation was between me and Kam. You had no right to listen.”
“I’m sorry.” He lets out a slow breath, running a hand through his dark hair. “I just saw you sitting there and I guess I kind of froze.” He waits to make sure I’m not going to respond before asking the question again. “So are you leaving?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I am.”
“You’re running away.” It’s a statement not a question and I pull back like he’s physically slapped me right across the face.
“Excuse me?”
“Just an observation.” He holds his hands up in front of himself in surrender.
“More like an opinion and you’d do well to keep it to yourself.”
“Are you mad at me for some reason?” He drops his hands, studying me curiously.
“Why would I be mad at you?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I should have said goodbye.” His features soften and he lets out another slow breath like he’s just now realizing why I would be upset.
“Yeah well, it’s not like we’re friends or anything.” I make a move to turn. “I have to go.” Before I can get even one full step in, his fingers are wrapped around my forearm pulling me to a stop.
I turn my face to the side, instantly dizzy by how close he is. Sucking in a hard breath, I hold it, wishing that I knew him well enough to anticipate his next move.
