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Honesty… he wants honesty.
“No.”
He releases my hand and flattens his palms on the bar with a giant grin.
“Then buckle up, buttercup, because shit’s about to get real.”
Chapter13
Dip
“Ican’t believe you’re still here.”
I set the cue stick on the pool table, abandoning the four balls I had left to sink. When midnight rolled around, there’d been a slight spike in business, so Kennedy stayed to help Jenny. I didn’t want to hover, so I’ve been shooting some pool by myself to kill time.
“Why wouldn’t I be here?” I ask, arching a brow at Kennedy, who’s standing a few feet from me.
“Because it’s late.”
I pull my cell out of my pocket and glance at the screen. “It’s one thirty in the morning.” I shrug. “That’s early.”
“Well, I’m gonna have to take a rain check on hanging out,” she says. She tries to stifle a yawn but fails miserably. “I’m exhausted.”
“I can see that.” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I smile. “Why don’t you let me take you home? You shouldn’t be driving when you’re this tired.”
Kennedy averts her gaze. Dammit, I wish she’d quit doing that. Unlike every other time, I don’t call her out on it though. She wants patience, and that’s exactly what I’m going to give her.
Even if it kills me.
“I appreciate the offer, really, but I’ll be fine.” She’s still not looking at me, and there’s something in her tone, something… off.
“Maybe so, but I’m not willing to risk it.” I close the distance between us and wrap an arm around her shoulder. “C’mon, Kennedy. You’re practically dead on your feet. Let me take you home.”
“I… I don’t have a home,” she says, so quietly I almost don’t hear her.
“Where have you been staying?”
“A motel just outside of the city. I’m pretty sure I’ll be moving into the apartment above the bar, but Jenny and I haven’t had a chance to talk about rent or anything yet, and my clothes are all at the motel anyway, so…”
“Yo, Jenny!” I call over my shoulder, taking matters into my own hands.
Jenny finishes with the last customer left before coming to join us by the pool table.
“What’s up?” she asks.
“The apartment upstairs,” I begin. “What’s the rent?”
“Dip,” Kennedy hisses. “I can handle this.”
“Never thought otherwise,” I say absently. “So, Jenny… the rent?”
And because she clearly cares more about Kennedy than me, Jenny grabs Kennedy’s hand and tugs her away from me. They cross the bar and sit on two stools to have a conversation that should’ve already happened.
Ten minutes later, Kennedy throws her arms around Jenny and hugs her tight. When she releases her, she makes her way back toward me, her beautiful smile firmly in place.
“All settled?” I ask.
“Yeah. And… Thank you.”
