Page 60 of Keeping Kasey
Kasey
Kane runs back to me, and I take the faded tennis ball from his mouth to throw it again. He runs after it at full speed, taking advantage of the vast, perfectly manicured lawn. I’m starting to worry he’ll resent me when we go back to apartment life, with shared lawns and leashed walks.
And if he doesn’t resent me for that, he certainly won’t forgive me for taking him from James—his new favorite person.
The bond those two have formed is the strangest thing to happen since I moved into the manor—which is saying a lot. I thought James was kidding when he texted me that Kane wouldn’t stop following him around. It was only when I got to the manor and found Kane on the underboss’s bed that I realized he was serious.
“I hope you’re in a better mood today. Otherwise, I’m quitting,” Damon calls from the back porch.
I glare over my shoulder at him, even though a small part of me knows he’s justified.
I wasn’t the nicest travel companion.
“If you could quit, you would’ve by now. You’re stuck with me.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to put up with your irritable ass just because you don’t sleep well.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
He pulls up his sleeve to show off a barely noticeable bruise on his arm. “You punched me.”
“You wouldn’t stop talking.”
“That’s what it was?” he asks with a subtle, knowing grin. “Huh. I could’ve sworn it was because I said—”
“If you repeat it, I’ll tell Logan you were drinking in Dallas.”
He narrows his eyes. “Low blow, Goldie.”
I hardly agree, sincehisstatement was a crude implication that I’m easier to be around after spending time with Logan.
It doesn’t matter whether or not he’s right. It was unnecessary to say.
Leaving early on Wednesday meant that I went two days without seeing Logan. I hadn’t thought going so long without him would affect me—distance never has before—but my irritation was incurable.
I’m not the easiest person to get along with on a good day, but I flat-out made enemies with the capos of the Houston base.
My agitation translated into restless sleep the entire trip, and the only thing that got me through traveling yesterday was the thought that I’d be able to take out my frustration on Logan once I got back to the manor.
But he didn’t show up.
The embarrassment I still feel over assuming Logan would come to my room last night is ludicrous. What’s even worse is that I know I would’ve gone to find him if I hadn’t fallen asleep—still fully clothed with my half-packed suitcase next to me on the bed.
Logan didn’t feel the same way.
It’s been years since I held anyone in a high enough regard to be hurt by rejection, and I’m reminded why I hate people in the first place.
They’re unpredictable, unreliable, and not worth my energy.
Still, I actually like Damon, and it isn’t in my best interests to turn him against me because of my… arrangement with his brother.
“Look, I’m sorry,” I say as I climb the porch stairs to stand by Damon. “I didn’t realize you were so sensitive. I’ll try not to hurt your feelings next time.”
“You’re insufferable,” he says with an eye roll.
I blow him a kiss and call for Kane to follow me inside.
“We’re leaving in ten.”
