“To do what exactly? To be a waitress for the rest of her life? To bury her talent?”
I swallow roughly and grab the mug. I just need my voice to return.Fuck. He hit a sore spot. What will happen when I try to convince Kayla to go back with me? Of course, she’d have to believe me. Because fuck, that story would be far too ridiculous to make up. But what if she has feelings for this fuckface?
“I see your wheels are turning." He leans back in his chair and places his mug on the table. "She's in a good place now, Justin. She really is.”
I must be a selfish prick because it pains me to hear that. Here I thought she’s been suffering from the abrupt ending to whatever we had like I was, but she's really doing great. I’m ecstatic for her success; I am. She has a rare, raw talent that must be seen, but I was selfishly hoping I'd be by her side for it.
“Are you two…?” I let the question trail off, hating myself for asking him.
"God, no." He pushes away from the chair. "She's gorgeous, don't get me wrong. But she's not my type." He notices my scowl. "The unavailable type. She's already taken, and I don't mess with that."
My nostrils flare, and I let out a loud exhale. "She's dating someone?"
“Gosh, you are dense.” He rakes his hair with his hand. “She’s still hung up on you. Plus, Alex would rip my balls off if I ever went near her. I'm surprised you still have yours attached.”
My ass hits the chair on its own accord, and I grab my head with my hands, defeated. “Is she really doing well?”
“Very well. She’s going to school and passing her classes with flying colors. Fuck knows how, but she is. In the evenings and on the weekends, she works at my shop." He nods. "She clearly misses you, but if you show up right now with whatever story you have, whatever it is, she’ll drop her schooling in a heartbeat and move back. The decision is yours.”
Yeah, that’s a tough one. Coming here, I thought I’d be going back with her. Even if she was dating him, I’d still be going back with her. I’d kiss her senseless so she could see that I'm the only one for her. Of course, after I knock the shit out of that guy. But not when she’s happy, no. Not when she's following her dreams and doing something of her life. Something that she always wanted.
Is he right? Would she really go back with me if I asked? It's so tempting to find out. So tempting. But what if she does? What’s next for her?
“How is she doing with money?”
"Tough, man. But she doesn't accept any help. She's even paying me rent, believe it or not." I pointedly look around as he speaks. "Yeah, I don't need money, as you can imagine. I just want her to finish school so she can be my number one artist."
“Can I somehow… I don’t know, help financially?” I’m lost here. I feel useless, a feeling I’ve never enjoyed.
“I don’t think it will go well. And I repeat, I don’t need the money, but the stubborn mule refuses to accept it. I feel bad; these monthly payments she’s sending somewhere are draining her dry.” He waves his hand at something in the air, clearly annoyed with Kayla.
“What monthly payments?” My ears perk up.
“You don’t know?” He hesitates.
"No." I shake my head, hoping he'll keep going. "I know she's been having money trouble for a long time but could never figure out why.”
“Oh fuck.” It’s his turn to grab his head in his hands. “Alright, you didn’t hear it from me. She hasn’t said anythingdirectlyto me, but I’ve heard her talking to someone named Caroline about sending money to her late this month because she was short on cash or something. I offered to help, but you can guess how that went.”
“Caroline?” What the fuck?
He perks up. “You know who it is?”
“God, I hope I’m wrong.” But I don’t think I am; little pieces of Kayla’s puzzle are slowly coming together.
“What do you mean?” His brows furrow with concern. Can I trust him? I can't stand the dude, but he's helping Kayla and doesn't seem to be eager to creep under her skirt.
"Oh fuck." I take a deep breath. "Years ago, I don't even remember when exactly, Kayla's mother and sister hit somebody on the road and left town right after. Nobody has heard from them since.”
“And Kayla?”
“She stayed in Little Hope. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember she wasn't in the car when it happened. She was a kid herself.” The thought of her own family leaving her must have hit hard. She was just a kid.
“And her mother and sister just left?” His jaw sets in anger for Kayla, and maybe—just maybe—I can tolerate him a little more.
“Yeah, and I don’t think anyone knows where they are, including Kayla. As far as I know, she detests them.”
“How does Caroline fit in the picture?” He asks.
