Page 44 of Out of His League

While logic tells me that being abandoned isn’t directly Brock’s fault, he didn’t help by making sure I was where I needed to be. It’s like he didn’t even remember me, and that hurts.

The sound of the front door opening pulls me from that downward spiral. Brock and I shared a moment. While it mightbe naive of me to think that he might be developing real feelings, my mind is always playing a game of what-ifs. Shaking off my melancholy thoughts, I set my phone aside and make my way to the kitchen. Kennedy lets out a groan when she sees me step into the room. She spins, burying her face in Ashton’s chest, causing Gareth, Ashton, and me to laugh at her antics.

“Do wehaveto cook tonight?” Kennedy asks on a whine.

“How else are you going to eat?” I ask, raising an eyebrow in question.

“Fine,” she concedes. “Let’s get this over with.”

Ashton kisses the side of her head as he takes her bags off her shoulder and moves toward the couch. Kennedy stomps into the kitchen as a giggle escapes me, following behind her.

Kennedy and I make small talk as we cook. Callum and Rodney came in from the gym about ten minutes ago and are getting cleaned up as Ashton and Gareth set the table. A heavy sigh leaves my chest.

This is what it means to be a family.

This is what I missed growing up.

Making a mental note to call Kavanagh later on, my focus turns back to dinner as Kennedy starts cussing up a storm, waving her hand in the air.

“What happened?” I question as all four guys rush to the kitchen. Rodney is dripping water everywhere, letting me know that he hadn’t fully dried off after his shower. Trying to ignore the amount of flesh on display since he is only wearing a towel around his waist, my attention returns to Kennedy.

“I burnt myself trying to get the pan out of the oven.”

Turning the cold water on and grabbing Kennedy’s wrist, I quickly shove her hand under the faucet. Knowing she is okay for now, I move to the stove to check dinner. Rodney and Callum move back to the bedroom, realizing there is no real emergency. My lips tip up in a soft smile as I shake my head at myself. Allfour of her guys are muscular and good-looking, and Kennedy didn’t stand a chance resisting them.

After setting the timer and putting the pan back in the oven, I check on Kennedy, shutting off the water and examining her hand. It’s red, but no blisters.

“You’re fine,” I tell her dismissively.

Gareth snickers as Kennedy’s mouth drops open in outrage.

“I am not fine,” she objects, the word fine ending with a sneer in her voice.

“It’s just a little red. There is no blistering. Stop being a baby. It’s a hazard of the kitchen.”

Ashton mutters an “oh, shit” from behind us just as Kennedy narrows her eyes at me.

Planting her hands on her hips, Kennedy growls at me, no real heat behind her words.

“Listen here, I have never been burnt like this…”

“Because you have never been in the kitchen to get burnt,” I say, cutting her off. My lips twitch as I try not to smile.

A knock on the door interrupts our bantering as Ashton moves to answer. My blood chills at the thought that Karoline has returned again. Three days after Kavanagh got her off campus, my mother called me. Since I was in class, she got my voicemail and left a scathing message about the treatment of my sister. My mother made it sound as if Karoline was on some type of mercy mission. Mom accusedmeof mistreating Karoline.

Both of our heads swivel toward the door to try and see who is knocking, but with the door open and the angle we are at, our view is blocked. It’s when I hear that deep voice all traces of humor leaves me, and my spine stiffens.

“Is, a… Kassidy here?” he asks, then continues, not giving Ash a chance to respond. “I got her bags from the bus and wanted to bring them over. I figured that she would need her books.”

“Thanks,” Ashton responds, a tightness in his voice. He takes the bags from Brock, setting them just to the left of the door, continuing to block us from view.

“Oh, by the way, in case Kassidy didn’t tell you. We are having a party at the house tomorrow night. You are all invited.”

An awkward tension fills the air as Brock and Ashton stare each other down. The kitchen timer goes off, breaking the stare down. Ashton starts to close the door, dismissing Brock without another word. Just before the door closes, a hand wraps around the edge, stopping the movement.

“For what it’s worth, I am sorry. I appreciate you guys coming to Kassidy’s rescue. It won’t happen again.”

There is something in Brock’s tone that has my heart cracking. Taking a half-step toward the door, I catch myself.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com