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“It’s something,” he says, coming in and setting a cup of coffee down on the desk in front of me as he takes a seat and raises an eyebrow.
“Thanks.” I take a drink of the coffee and sigh with happiness.
“So, what’s going on?” he repeats, and I know there is no way he is going to let it go.
“My old boss sent me an e-mail and wants me to call him.”
“That’s nice,” he says, leaning back in the chair.
“I think he believes there’s something between us,” I say quietly, shaking my head.
“Boss man won’t like that.” He smiles, rubbing his eyes.
“Kenton won’t care.”
“I beg to differ, sweet cheeks.” He shrugs. “I’ve known Kenton for a long time and have seen plenty of women come and go—”
“I don’t want to know this,” I cut him off, feeling a ball of jealousy beginning to form in the pit of my stomach.
“Do you want to know how many times I came to stay when Cassie was living here and Kenton went out of town?”
“No.”
“Do you want to know how many times he asked the guys to swing by her job to check on her or any of the other women he’s been with?”
“No,” I repeat again, that warm feeling settling in.
“Do you know how many women he’s become possessive over?”
“No,” I whisper.
“The answer to all of the above is zero. You are the first woman to have him tied in fucking knots, and I know you’re going to say it’s because he’s looking out for you, but I guaran-fucking-tee it that’s not the reason.”
“Please don’t say anything else,” I mumble.
“Why are all women the same?” He shakes his head, running a hand through his long hair. “Women are always talking about how men are so afraid to commit when the truth is you guys send the most fucking confusing signals. One minute, you want us, and the next, you’re running away.”
I raise an eyebrow and he shakes his head again.
“E-mail your boss and let him down easy. If you don’t and Kenton finds out about him, he will let him know and won’t be nice about it.”
“I think you’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“You think so?” He smiles and gives a small, humorless laugh. “Kenton had one of his best friends by the throat for calling you a sweet piece a few days after they saw you at the hospital. It took three dudes to pull Kenton off him. I’ve never seen him react like that over a female.”
I have no idea what to do with that information. I’m not even sure I want to know what all of that means exactly.
Justin continues. “All I’m sayin’ is whether you want to be or not, you’re his, and he won’t like your ex-boss sniffing around.”
“Did you beat the game?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“You never beat Call of Duty.” He smiles then looks out the window.
“Have you heard from him today?” I ask softly, thinking about everything he just told me and really wanting to talk to Kenton. I want to know that he’s okay. I really want him to know that I’m thinking about him and miss sleeping with him.
“Not after your text last night, though I’m surprised he messaged you back. But that only proves my point—you’re the exception.”
“You know I sent him a text?” I ask, surprised and slightly annoyed while ignoring everything else he just said.
“His phone goes thorough my computer. I get all his messages. It’s easier than waiting for him to send me the info I need. In this business, a second can mean the difference between landing a case and getting hurt.” He stands up and leans on the side of the desk.
I don’t want him hurt, so I’m glad they’re taking every precaution necessary. Then I wonder what kind of texts Kenton gets daily where he needs that kind of precaution.
“Oh God,” I whisper in horror when I realize that Justin probably saw my drunken texts to Kenton. “Do you read all h
is personal messages?”
He smiles and nods. “Yeah. The ones from his mom are the best.” He starts to laugh, and I can only imagine the kinds of texts Nancy sends Kenton. I’m sure they’re something like, Did you eat your vegetables? Are you taking your vitamins? Do you have clean socks and underwear?
“I like Nancy.”
“She likes you too,” he says softly, making me wonder what he knows.
I look away and try to swallow the lump in my throat.
“I’m gonna go back out and finish my game while you send your e-mail.”
“Sure.” I try to smile, but I know that it’s one that doesn’t meet my eyes. I wiggle the mouse around until the screen lights back up and press reply on Sid’s e-mail.
Sid,
I don’t want you to think that I haven’t appreciated you or your friendship over the last few years. I also don’t want you to think that I don’t care about you, but I don’t think we have anything else to talk about.
I wish you all the best,
Autumn
I press send and hope that he understands. I know he may think that he cares about me or wants a relationship with me, but I’ve had a front-row seat to Sid’s dating life over the last few years, and if he really wanted something serious with me, I doubt he would’ve paraded all of those women in front of me.
I close down the computer and yell to Justin as I’m passing the living room that I’m going to get ready for work. He says something back that I don’t really understand due to the loud sounds coming from the TV.
*
Kenton
“Fuck, man. Good to see you,” Link says as soon as he spots me when I exit the airport.
I pull him in for a one-armed hug and pat him on the back, and he does the same before we separate. He pops the trunk for his SUV. I toss my duffel bag in and then walk around and climb into the passenger’s seat.
“I wish you were here under different circumstances,” he says, running a hand over his head and using the other to start up the car.
“Me too, brother.” I pull out my phone and see a message from Justin letting me know that he’s at the house and Autumn is home safe from work. I don’t think it’ll be long before she messages me, telling me off about Justin being there.
