Page 26 of Kentrell

Was I trippin’? Making something out of nothing? Or was there something deeper she was keeping tucked?

Either way, I didn’t like how it made me feel.

The idea of her being with him—even once—got under my skin in a way I didn’t expect. Had no right to. But it did.

I kept trying to push it out my head, but the shit wouldn’t let up. And every time I thought about why I was really here, it twisted even worse.

I wasn’t supposed to care. Wasn’t supposed to feel a damn thing. But I was starting to.

And that’s a problem.

“You good?” Star’s voice drifted in from behind me—a reminder she and Oshon crashed at my place last night.

They were supposed to be at one of the boutique hotels over at The Apex, but Shon wanted to fuck, so they stayed here instead. Probably didn’t wanna mess up the room and have Lex mad about cleaning fees and repairs.

“Yeah.”

Star wasn’t a problem. I didn’t mind her being around. She knew how to move, stayed out my way when it counted. But I kept her in a certain category—and she knew better than to think it was more than that.

She probably read my moods better than most. Still didn’t matter. I never let her close enough for it to mean something.

I wasn’t Wani.

I could never attach myself to no hoe. That part of Kenny I didn’t carry. Sometimes, I’d catch myself pushing women off just to keep that boundary sharp. Like I was proving something.

“Ooh, you so mean in the morning,” Star giggled, sliding her arms around my waist, her hard nipples pressing into my back.

I shot her a look over my shoulder.

“You need me to relieve that stress?” she purred, hand slipping past the waistband of my pajama pants.

My jaw tightened.

I didn’t stop her. But I didn’t lean into it either. Heat stirred in my chest, and I licked my lips, closing my eyes—trying to let the moment ride.

Then Zoe flashed across my mind.

Again.

This shit was getting old.

“Nah.” I pulled her hand out and stepped forward, putting space between us.

“I gotta hit the shower.”

I didn’t look back, didn’t wait for a reaction. Just moved.

“Where’s Shon?” I asked, brushing the tension off me.

“Sleep,” she said, twirling a lock of hair, eyes fixed on the window like it was a mirror. “I fucked him into a coma. Can’t believe you ain’t hear us.” She giggled again, completely unfazed.

I smirked, shaking my head. Normally, I’d catch every sound. But not last night.

Zoe had me too locked in.

“Did you go to the store?” Star asked, switching lanes like nothing happened.

I nodded.

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