Page 27 of Fighting For Light
I trace my thumb over her lower lip. “That night in Vegas…I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to …” I trail off. I need to be upfront with her. I need to tell her the whole truth because she will be a Coldwell, and my name comes with other things. “I—“ I get cut off by my phone.Mom. I grab it off the side table and hold it up to my ear.
“Hey, Mom, I’m sorry. I got caught up,” I say, glancing at Cordi. She smiles softly and puts her hand on my chest. Her mere touch makes my heart beat harder. I place my hand on top of hers and keep it there.
“How are you, honey?” Mom asks.
“I’m good,” I say. “I’m really good. I wanted to let you know I’m uh…I’m getting married.” She’s quiet for a moment, and for a second, I thought she’d be mad.
“Oh, Kai darling, how wonderful. I’m so glad to hear that. Please tell me it’s to that effervescent Cordelia Quinn. I saw the way you looked at her from the moment you met as kids.” I chuckle, and Cordi hides her giggle in my shoulder.
“Yes, Mom, as a matter of fact, it is.”
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. But I have to ask…” I know what she’s going to ask because I’ve been asking myself the same question since I blurted the words that would change both of our lives forever. “Does she know about our family?”
“No, but she will.”
She hums. “Well, honey, congratulations. I’m so happy to hear that. I know you’ve been weary of bringing a woman into the family, but I think it’s good, Kai. This will be good for all of us.”
“Thanks, Mom. There are a few other things I wanted to talk to you about, but … I’m in the middle of something. Do you mind if I call you back later?”
“Sure, I know you have a race tonight, so good luck. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I love you, Kai. I love you so much.” She always says I love you to each of us. She said she didn’t say it enough when we were with Dad, so she tells us every chance she gets. But something is off in her tone, and I don’t want to ask her right now. But I will later.
“I love you, too, Mom. Talk later.” We hang up, and I set my phone back on the table.
“How did she take the crazy news?” Cordelia asks.
I grip her hand in mine, laying it on my chest. “Good, she’s happy for us. I think she expected it, to be honest, even if your dad told us we couldn’t.”
She giggles a little, then it turns into a shout of nervous laughter. “We areinsanefor doing this. But…I can do this on my own, really.”
I lift my hand and hold it up to her cheek. “But you don’t have to, gem.”
“Are you going to make an honest woman out of me, Kai Coldwell?” She smiles.
“No, but I think you’re going to make a better man out of me.”
She searches my eyes, looking for the deeper meaning in my words. “Youarea good man, Kai,“ she says and leans in.
“You should tell your dad the truth soon. He will be okay with it eventually. He needs time,” I mutter before she can kiss me.
She pauses and leans back. “I know, but it won’t change anything.”
“It won’t, but your dad thinks we were hiding this big relationship from him.”
She sighs and rubs her stomach. “He’s so mad at me, Kai. I don’t want to hurt him more. Can we…can we wait?”
I drop my hand. “Secrets are deadly, gem. But yes, we can do this on whatever terms you need. I didn’t tell him anything because I felt like it wasn’t my place.”
“You need a nap. I’ll leave you alone,” she says, getting to her feet. I watch her stand and quietly leave the trailer. I wanted to ask her to stay, but we dove in headfirst, and I want to get her a ring and sit down and tell her everything. She deserves the opportunity to back out.
16
Kai
The bright lights coverevery angle of the large dirt track. Fans stand around the edges behind blockades and in the stands that sit higher up on the hill. The event staff wet down the dirt to prepare for the race. Cordelia is off to the side with her camera, waiting for us to take off. Coach gave us a pep talk, and everyone seemed to get over the events from earlier today. No one has asked me or Cordelia anything, which is surprising because the guys are nosy.
