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Except for the fact I might be moving back to my folks’ house in the next couple of days.Thinking about it makes my stomach churn with anxiety.
“Is now a good time to talk about what was on your mind the other night?” he asks.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Only if you want to. I don’t want to ruin your day.”
“I found out a few days ago that I need to move out of my place. It’s only temporary, but it’s a pain in the ass for a lot of reasons.”
“Why do you have to move?”
“Serena’s parents own the property and I pay rent each month. Her older brother has been living out of state for a couple of years, but he took a job in Charleston and is moving back.
“So, you get kicked out?” he asks.
“No, it’s not like that. There are three bedrooms, but I don’t want to stay there while Malcolm is.”
Kaiden sits up, turning toward me. Leaning forward, he reaches out, placing a hand on my arm. “Did he do something to you or hurt you in some way?” He grits the words out like he’s ready to tear Malcolm apart piece by piece. I only wish I could let him. But Malcolm never physically hurt me.
I’m not going to lie, though, it’s hot to see this protective side of Kaiden.
He squeezes my arm. “Rori, answer me.” His blue eyes appear dark in his scowling visage.
“No, he didn’t. Not in the way you’re imagining anyway.”
Kaiden lifts his hand from arm and thrusts it through his perpetually tousled hair. “That’s good because I was getting ready to put a hurtin’ on him.”
I smile. “I appreciate your eagerness to defend me, but it’s nothing more than a relationship gone bad. Mal was my boyfriend during my freshman year of college. We were together for fourteen months and things ended badly when I found out he was cheating on me with a girl at his work. I broke up with him and he moved away. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Are you moving out to avoid him?”
“Yes and no. I don’t care if we bump into each other at some point, but I don’t want to share a house with him.”
“That's understandable. What are you going to do?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I could move home to my parents’ house, but my mom is very critical of me. I’d almost rather deal with Malcolm than her. Stella doesn't have space for me. She barely has enough for herself.”
“What about Valentina?” he asks.
“Ha. I know I’d rather deal with Malcolm than her.”
“You two aren’t close?” His eyebrows raise as if that surprises him.
“Not at all. We have a complicated relationship. But I think that can be said about most people who know her.”
“That must be tough for you,” he sympathizes.
I look out at the ocean, watching a surfer paddling toward a wave in the distance. “It’s not too bad. I only see her on special occasions and holidays.”
“You should stay with me.”
My head snaps in his direction and our eyes meet. I’ve almost convinced myself I imagined his words when he repeats them.
“You should stay with me.”
CHAPTER10
KAIDEN
