Page 63 of Kane's Awakening
Sighing, I met his tentative gaze. Having had Kane play games with my damn heart, I didn’t want to do the same to Max. It was better to be honest and get it over with. He was such a good guy, which only made the whole situation more difficult.
“But I don’t think I’m ready to date,” I admitted, feeling guilt wind through me. “I’m sorry for asking you out and leading you on. I believed I was ready… but I’m not. Maybe someday I will be.”
“Just not right now,” he said, uncrossing his arms and running a hand through his dark hair. “Is it another guy?”
I nodded. “Yes, and it’s so damn complicated, I can’t even put it into words.”
“Will you do me a favor?” he asked.
Unsure what he wanted, I was hesitant to say yes, but I settled on a, “Sure. What’s up?”
“If things don’t work out with this other dude, and you decide you’re ready to move on from him, let me know, okay?” He smiled, and I released the breath I’d been unintentionally holding. “Not that I like being second best, but you’re a special guy. And you’re worth it. Also, sometimes people just need closure before they can move on.”
“You’ll be the first to know,” I said, returning his grin.
I hadn’t wanted to leave his apartment with us on bad terms, so I was relieved I wouldn’t have to.
“I just hope this guy knows what he has. Otherwise, he’s a damn fool.” Max’s smile faltered a little before he heaved a sigh and grabbed his glass from the coffee table. “To be honest, I hate wine. I only bought it because you’re older than me, and I wanted to impress you and show you I wasn’t some immature kid.”
I chuckled. “You didn’t have to do that. Never change who you are to please someone, Max. The right guy will like you foryou.”
“And you’re not the right guy?”
Shaking my head, I put my hands in my jacket pockets. “Afraid not.”
He walked me to the front door, and we said an awkward goodbye. I kissed him on the cheek before I left—not exactly sure why, other than the fact I felt so bad for disappointing him. He leaned into me before stepping back.
“See you later, Ryker,” he said before closing the door.
As I jogged down the stairs and into the parking lot toward my car, I felt lighter. Happy. Feeling that way was weird, I knew that, but it told me I’d made the right decision by cutting off things with Max.
He was a great guy, but he wasn’t the man for me. No… I knew who the right man was for me.
I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Max I had to be up in the morning—I was picking up the twins around ten to go to breakfast and then a matinee at the movie theater to see a new animated film—but there was no way I could go home right then. Not when I was so full of life, nerves, and excitement.
I was going to see Kane.
And if the jerk didn’t answer the door, I was busting it down.
Once in my car, I pulled out of the apartment complex and drove toward Kane’s neighborhood. It was only ten-thirty at night, so I knew he’d still be awake. Plus, it was Saturday night. If anything, he wouldn’t be home. If that was the case, I didn’t know what I’d do. Maybe wait in his driveway until he returned? That might be seen as too desperate.
Who am I kidding? Iamdesperate.
About ten minutes later, I made it to his house. A light was on inside, and his truck was parked in its usual spot. I’d lucked out. Before I could talk myself out of it, I got out of my car and walked through the yard and up to the porch.
Something wasn’t right when I reached the door, though. It wasn’t even fully shut.
“Kane?”
I waited a few seconds before pushing the door open. The way it creaked reminded me of a horror movie… as did the state of his house once I stepped inside.
Pillows from the couch were scattered on the floor, shoes were left in the middle of the room, as was a shirt and a pair of shorts. A lamp was knocked over, and there were empty beer bottles everywhere. At first, I thought he might’ve had a guy over, but the thought left just as quickly as it’d come.
It looked less like a hookup and more like a damn home invasion.
“Kane?” I repeated a little louder.
It was way too quiet in his house. Walking more into the living room, I noticed that along with the beer there were also two large vodka bottles—both empty with the exception of one or two drinks—and a bottle ofR&R.
