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He stared at me, then shook his head slowly. “No. Was I supposed to?”
I grinned, and he looked a little startled. “Nope. Thanks. I’ll be back.”
“But I didn’t do anything.”
“I know.” I saluted him and then headed out. For all that we were sharing the same space, we were still isolating from each other. I wasn’t trying to get to know him, nor was he trying to get to know me.
Like I said, detente. It was working for us. It was a nice day, and I set off at a light run toward the path that wound closer to the administration buildings and the reflecting pond.
The breeze felt wonderful against my skin. Even better was the run. It was just nice to move. I’d given myself a whole extra week past when the doctor said I could resume light workouts. Part of that was babying my voice, and the other part was avoiding Lachlan.
I still did not know what he wanted. Well, besides mind-blowing kisses that should not be fucking hot when delivered by douchebags.
They were all douchebags. Well, maybe Jonas wasn’t so much anymore. But they were douchebags. Lachlan was such an ass. Such. An. Ass.
His ninja kisses were also addictive as hell. As I came around the bend toward the pond, I slowed my pace. A figure waited by the pond. He had a blanket spread out on the ground, and a… was that an actual picnic basket?
The sun was in my eyes so I could only make out his outline. Slowing to a walk, I shaded my eyes and then blinked.
RJ?
“Hey, Blue,” he said as he faced me, his grin open and almost as bright as the sun. “Long time no see.”
Before I could ask what he was doing there, a figure streaked past me and slammed into him, landing both of theminthe pond.
“You son of a bitch,” Lachlan said as they emerged from the water, before he shoved him back under.
Seventeen
JONAS
Three things happened the day KC returned to running. One, I didn’t understand. The second, I wasn’t sure how to process. And the third? Oh, the third pissed me off.
The third thing? I was pretty sure that wasn’t her fault. No, if I had to blame anyone, it would be my fucking brother. It started when she asked me a strange question about a riddle. I’d never been a fan of mind games. Nor puzzles. But suddenly, I wished I was.
The second thing that happened,shegrinned atme…reallygrinned at me. The power of that smile knocked all the breath out of my lungs. It had the power of every ballad I’d ever tried to compose. Memorizing that look, the notes it burst into life, occupied me for more than an hour.
The third thing, however? The third thing was a soaking wet Lachlan stalking her to my door and trying to get inside. She didn’t spare him a second look as she slammed the door of her bedroom. He had a bloody nose and a busted lip. His black eye had almost healed.
I renewed the subscription. Dumbass didn’t even see me coming. When I tossed him out on his ass, Payton appeared. Gross.
Let her kiss it better. Whatever.
As long as he stayed away from KC.
I split three of the knuckles on my right hand delivering that punch. When KC emerged from her room, she glanced around with a worried frown. “He’s gone.”
The relief in her exhale wasn’t manufactured. She glanced at the door then at me. I’d been working on music, but I didn’t hide the sheets. Her eyes narrowed on my hand.
And it wasn’t as hard as his skull.
“I’m going to make coffee,” she said. “Then I have some work to do…want some?”
“Work?” I frowned. “Or coffee?”
The corners of her mouth curved upward again. It wasn’t quite the grin of earlier, but it was definitely fun to see. “I’ll save the work for joint assignments if we end up with any.”
All of a sudden, I wished we had.
