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I waited for him to speak another word, but he didn’t. He simply spun on his heel and stalked toward the front door of the library. He left me feeling confused and a little thrown off from it all. As I looked down at the desk, I saw his ID still sitting there. Turning to the computer, I pulled open a new entry and began to enter his information.
Kai always worked in self-preservation. He appeared selfish, but he was really just living to protect himself and survive. I knew it had to do with his past and Kai stopping here was a moment of vulnerability for him. He had no idea if I would be here or not, yet he still put himself out there; he took a chance and his ego was bruised from it.
I glanced out the front window and saw Kai as he climbed into his car. My eyes kept traveling from the computer screen and back to him. I watched the lights on his taillights as he put the car in reverse but then they went off when he didn’t move.
I didn’t feel bad for him. His ego definitely needed a reality check. I couldn’t help but feel like I was just adding more height to the wall around him. I was simply helping to build it higher by fighting against him. I would never willingly give in to Kai and his bullshit, but I also didn’t have to be part of the problem. Like how things used to be—maybe there was some way I could help him now.
The plastic card printed out and I slid it into an envelope with his ID. I looked back to the window and saw Kai getting out of his car. A smile pulled on my lips and I knew this was my chance. I moved out from behind the desk and walked through the library until I was pushing on the same door he was pulling open.
I was asking for nothing but trouble, but I couldn’t ignore the way I involuntarily gravitated toward him.
I held out the envelope to him and Kai’s eyebrows were drawn together as he took it from me.
“What’s this?” he questioned me, his voice quiet as he opened the envelope and looked inside. He pulled out his ID, along with the library card I made for him. His gaze lifted to mine and there was a storm brewing deep inside him.
“You’re free to come here whenever you want, just don’t distract me from my job.”
The corners of his lips twitched as mischief danced in his eyes.
“I will.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MALAKAI
Past
Ilooked out the window of her bedroom, watching the sun as it had begun to rise. A sigh escaped Winter and I glanced back at the bed and watched as she stirred a bit. Her eyes were still closed and her face was relaxed as she slept. Her dark hair was a contrast to her white bedding and it was splayed across her pillow.
I wanted to climb back into bed with her and run my fingers through her silky hair. I wanted to bury myself deep inside of her and never resurface again. Winter was the only thing I needed in this world and I knew I was going to have to let her go eventually.
Today was the day my parents were having a meeting with the school board. I had missed too many days and had reached the maximum days of suspension for stupid shit I had gotten myself into. It wasn’t that I had a problem with figures of authority, I just had a problem with listening to people when they tried to tell me what I could or couldn’t do.
I lived with it at home, I didn’t want it in every single aspect of my life.
“Malakai,” Winter murmured softly as I watched her hands reach across the bed. My heart constricted at the sound of my name rolling from her sleepy tongue. She was still naked and I resisted the urge to touch her soft skin.
I wasn’t supposed to be here.I wasn’t allowed to be here.
I was always careful and I always made sure I was gone before Winter woke up. Last night was a fuckup on my part. I slept later than I planned and lingered by the window, watching the sunrise like it actually mattered. I did it every day. There was nothing particularly special about this one, except it was almost like it was my judgment day.
My parents had no idea about it until last night when they received an email as a reminder. That was what set my father off. That was what earned me a fist to my face. I knew it wasn’t going to be good, so I threw out any piece of mail that came to the house from the school. It went undetected and unnoticed. My parents had no idea that I was constantly skipping school or leaving early.
The only way they would have known is if they would have actually paid attention to something other than themselves.
I didn’t want my father’s attention but I earned myself a hefty dose of it last night. The pain was heavy in my bones and my face was swollen. No one would suspect a thing with the amount of trouble I already got myself into. Fighting with others wasn’t something I shied away from, so no one would have ever suspected that it was actually my father who rained his fists upon my face.
Lifting the window open, I quickly slid through the opening and out onto the roof above the Reigns’ porch. I watched Winter slowly sit up in bed and wipe the sleep from her eyes as I closed the window behind me. Her gaze met mine, one laced with confusion and longing as she stared back at me.
I hated leaving her, but I knew I had to go.
I was homesick every moment I was away from her.
Winter was climbing out of her bed in a rush, undoubtedly heading directly to my escape route. I moved along the roof and found the spot where I was able to climb down the stone wall of their house. There were a few that jutted out just far enough I could hook my feet and hands in them. It wasn’t a far climb and if I fell, it would probably do less damage than my father did.
As the damp grass met my sneakers, I glanced back up to Winter’s house. She was standing by the window, watching me as I made my way through the yard. She lifted her hand and placed it against the glass as her gaze glued to mine. My throat constricted and I gave her a curt nod before I ducked into a small patch of trees on their property. I just needed to make it to the end of the driveway without being seen.
There was a small spot in the woods about half a mile from their front gates. That was where I left my car unless I had Nico come pick me up. After last night and with what was happening today, I didn’t want to see him. I was tired of lying and didn’t feel like explaining myself to anyone.
