Page 24 of The Rebound
Looks like I have to change my approach here. The only way I’m going to get through to him is by trying to relate to his situation.
How would I feel if Walker hooked up with one of my coworkers? One of my enemies? Not that I have any coworkers or enemies ... but still, I don’t blame him for feeling weird about it.
I take a deep breath and then another sip of tea. “Okay, I’ll admit it. Things happening between me and Saint weren’t planned. It all just sort of evolved.”
Evolved. That’s good, I decide. A very non-sexy word for what took place in my condo last night.
“But I didn’t know that he was on your team. He never mentioned hockey once.” Come to think of it ... is that weird?
Walker scoffs. “You expect me to believe that? That’s usually his opening line, and girls all but fall into his bed.”
I lick my lips and continue. “Look I get that you don’t exactly think highly—”
“Kinley ...” My brother’s voice holds a warning.
“Drink some more of that.” I tip my chin toward the coffee clutched in his massive hand. “You’re a cranky bastard when you haven’t had your caffeine.”
As my brother obeys, I let out a little sigh.
“When I met Saint, as far as I knew, he was just the nice guy down the hall who was willing to lend a helping hand. He’s been nothing but kind to me. With my current situation, I’d be a fool to look a gift horse in the mouth and say, ‘No thank you, I’m good.’”
Walker cocks his head, appraising me coolly. “And why do you think he didn’t tell you that he’s a hockey player? Why did he hide that?”
Frowning, I pause. “I mean ... I never really asked. All I knew was that he had the summer off, so we’ve been hanging out pretty much every day for the last few weeks.”
“Every day? Jesus, Kinley. I thought you were smarter than this.”
I reach across the table and flick his nosehard, just like I used to when we were kids. Walker swats my hand away with a frown.
“Iamsmart,” I say, scowling at him, “and I also pride myself on having a good asshole radar. Which, by the way, is going crazy right now.” I point accusingly at him.
So much for toning down the sass.Take it down a notch, Kinley.
“I’m just trying to look out for you,” Walker says with a surprising amount of earnestness. “I know Saint, and I know his lifestyle. He’s not the kind of guy you need in your life right now. He’s just playing games.”
Whether they’re true or not, my brother’s words sting. I feel a lump rising in my throat.Freaking pregnancy hormones.
“Mom more or less said the same thing.” But I’d told myself that Mom didn’t know Saint—Walker does. That’s a little more worrying than I’m willing to let on.
Walker’s expression softens even more. “I just don’t want you to get hurt, Kin.”
“I know.” I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. “Can we talk about something other than my sex life now? This isn’t the best topic of conversation for siblings.”
“Will you stop seeing Saint?”
“I—I don’t know,” I say, compelled for some reason to answer truthfully, and Walker’s eyes harden again.
I don’t want my relationship with my brother to be compromised by a silly hookup. And besides, I need to focus on the baby right now. I can’t be inviting strange men into my bed every night.
Not that Saint is a stranger. Not anymore.
Ugh. This is gonna suck.
“I’ll think about it, okay?”
Walker just nods, but I can tell there’s a storm brewing behind his eyes. It’s true that he knows Saint better than I do, or at least he’s known him longer. I have to believe my brother when he says he just wants the best for me.
If only I knew what “the best for me” even looks like.
