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I owed him big time.
“Are you sure Bryan is okay with us being here?”
“It’s fine, I promise.” We slipped inside and Lily gasped.
“What—”
“Surprise.” I wrapped my arms around her from behind and pulled her back into my chest. “I know we couldn’t go out, so this is the best I could do.”
“I love it,” she whispered, tilting her face to mine. I couldn’t resist sliding my lips against her mouth, kissing her. Breathing her in.
Something about Lily settled my soul, and I wanted to drown in her innocence. Bathe in her pure fucking light.
“Happy birthday, Lily.”
“Hmm,” a contented sigh slipped from her lips. “You smell good.” She brushed her nose along my jaw.
“I think that’s the takeout.” I chuckled. “Come on.”
Walking us over to the breakfast counter, I released Lily and started unpacking the food containers. “I hope I got everything right. Peyton helped me out.”
“I’m sure it’ll be great.” Lily perched on a stool and helped dish up the Chinese food. “Will you tell me what happened now?” she said the second I sat down. “Because this is the second time I’ve seen you hurt, and I’m worried.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Kaiden, don’t do that. Not with me.” She snagged a dumpling off her plate and popped it in her mouth.
I let out a steady breath. “It was my dad.”
“Hehityou?” Anger burned in her eyes.
“It was an accident,” I corrected. “He was drunk, and I was trying to help him lay down.”
“So how did his fist end up in your face? And what about the time before, huh? Was that an accident too?”
“Lily… it’s complicated.” I released a defeated sigh. “My dad isn’t like yours, okay? He isn’t supportive and solid and there for me. He’s… Fuck, I’m sorry. This is just hard for me to talk about.”
She wasn’t supposed to see me like this. Broken… Weak… Sporting a huge fucking bruise all thanks to my dad.
“I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to get so… so angry. But I don’t like the idea of him hurting you, Kaiden. Maybe you should tell—”
“No!” I snapped, immediately regretting it when she folded in on herself. “Shit, Lily. Can we talk about something else? I can handle my dad, and the last thing I want is him to ruin our night together.”
Her expression softened, but I saw the uncertainty there. “Yeah, okay. But never think you have to hide from me, Kaiden. I want to know you. All of you. Even the not so good parts.”
“You’re amazing. You know that, right?”
“I—” Heat spread into her cheeks as I got up and stalked around the counter. “Kaiden, what are you—”
“Ssh.” I dragged my thumb over her bottom lip. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
“But the food?”
“Will reheat.” I went to kiss her again, but she pressed her hands against my chest.
“Wait, you didn’t tell me what happened with the scout.”
“You really want to talk about thisnow?” My brow arched. I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to kiss her, to lose myself in her until everything else—my father, her dad, football, the future—melted away.
