Page 17 of Summer Heat
"She didn't have anywhere else to go?"
"She called me. What do you think?" Who in their right mind would call me first if they had parents, a boyfriend, or a friend that could offer them help? Dad's negative attitude tended to rub off on me when I was around him.
"You don't think it will be a conflict of interest to have an employee living in your house?"
I wasn't sure if he was worried about me, Kinsley, or the business. "She has a safe place to live, and she doesn't have to worry. I thought that would make her more focused on work."
"She's missed a lot of work dealing with issues around that house because her landlord won't do his job," Dad griped.
I picked up the cooler by the handles. "Is that all?"
"How's the house coming?"
"It's getting there." I'd ripped a few things out, but I didn't want him coming over to check up on me. "Kinsley's supposed to be helping me with it, and now that she's living with me, it will be easier. She doesn't have to worry about childcare for Maya."
He held his hands up. "If she's going to help, then I'll stand back. I just want to make sure that nothing bleeds into the workplace. She's a single mom, and she's been great for the business?—"
I frowned. "What are you trying to say?"
Dad waved a hand. "You know how you are with women. You treat them as if they're disposable."
"Are you insinuating that I'd hook up with Kinsley?" I asked, more than a little annoyed.
"You've been hanging around her desk for a few years now. Are you going to tell me that you aren't attracted to her?"
"I'm an easygoing guy, and I joke around a lot, but I don't use women." Frankly, I was pissed that he'd even suggested it.
He held up both his hands as if to ward me off or calm me down. "I don't know anything about your dating life other than what people say."
"I'd appreciate it if you listened to me and not island gossip."
"Your brothers have said things over the years too."
"You shouldn't listen to them either." Dad always thought less of me. And maybe I played into that by meeting his expectations, whether that was with school or work. But I was tired of it. And even if I was the last single Kingston brother, that didn't mean I wasn't a good guy.
"I don't want this thing with Kinsley to blow up in your face."
"I know better than to get involved with a single mother anyway. Besides, she wants nothing to do with me. Like you, she believes the rumors." It was the story of my life. People had a vision of who I should be, and I'd given into it over the years. I'd turned over a new leaf the last few years, but no one had noticed. Not my brothers or even my twin. They were so wrapped up in their lives; they couldn't see me anymore.
"I promised Mom I'd carry this out to the pool."
Dad stepped back. "That was it."
I hefted the cooler and moved past him. I was still pissed when I dropped it onto the patio. I was pleased to see that Elena and Kinsley had been joined by the other women: Hazel, Ivy, Saylor, and Luna.
They were chatting animatedly about something.
The kids were playing at a water table, so I checked in on Maya. "You having fun?"
She looked up at me and lifted her hands for me to pick her up.
I didn't hesitate to lift her into my arms, even though she was soaked. "I'm starving."
"Let's see if we can find you some food." I looked around for a towel, recognizing the one that Kinsley had brought. I wrapped it around Maya. Then I grabbed a paper plate at the food table and asked her what she wanted.
Kinsley appeared at my side. "You didn't have to get her food."
"You were talking to your friends, and she asked me to help. It's not a big deal." I was starting to feel like no one expected me to do anything, and maybe, no one wanted me to do anything.
