Page 71 of Kane's Awakening
“Yeah, I almost got kicked out of school that one time for threatening to kick that one guy’s ass,” I said, chuckling as my memories took me back to that time. “What was his name? Mike?”
“Robert,” she answered, shaking her head. “He was more interested inyourass if I remember correctly. Which was why he and I had problems.”
“Oh, stop.” I snorted and buried my face in my hands. “I’ve tried to block that from memory.”
That instance had been one of the first occurrences to make me question myself. Robert had tried coming onto me after dumping Anna, and I hadn’t known what the heck to think.
Anna’s face lit with a warm smile and she reached across the table, placing her hand on top of mine. “It was also the only time I’ve ever seen you almost resort to violence. You were always my best friend, Rye. I would’ve been lost without you.”
I squeezed her hand and held it.
“I don’t know where I’d even be if it weren’t for you and your family,” I said, fighting against the tightness in my throat.
My family hadn’t been the best. It had been a strict household, and not just strict, but often veering on abusive. I believed it was fine to spank your kids, but there was a limit. My parents hadn’t known that limit. Growing up in their house had caused most of the anxiety I had these days and why I was more introverted and soft spoken.
When it had gotten too bad one night, I’d gone to Anna’s house. Crying and frantic, I’d knocked on her door, and when her dad answered it and took one look at the red welts covering my arms and legs, he’d let me inside and told me I wasn’t going back. I’d stayed with her family until I graduated. I still saw her parents, and they called me son. They’d been upset when Anna and I broke up, but they still loved me.
As for my own parents? I hadn’t heard from them in years and wanted to keep it that way.
Anna cleared her throat and blinked back her own tears. “How did we get off topic? Good lord.”
I laughed and released her hand. “To answer your earlier question, I think you’re right. Kane must’ve had a bad experience with relationships that put him off them. It’s the only reason I can think of.”
His green, gold-specked eyes appeared in my head. How they had darkened a little when he’d been telling me about his past. A past that had hurt him. He was only so cautious and stuck in his ways because of it. Whateveritwas.
“Just give him time,” she said as she scooted back from the table and went to check on the apple pie. “He will tell you when he’s ready.” After taking the pie from the oven, she sat it on the stovetop to cool and came back over to the table. “Do you know what I suggest you do until then?” When I shook my head, she ruffled my hair. “Get to know the guy. From what you’ve told me, it has been a purely physical relationship between you so far. So, go out on dates. Hell, justtalk. Once he feels more comfortable with you, he’ll open up to you more.”
“I think you should’ve been a shrink,” I said, playfully narrowing my eyes at her. “You always give the best advice.”
“It’s a gift.” She sighed dramatically, putting her hand on her forehead and tilting her head back. Then, she snapped back and looked at me, sauntering over and grabbing the collar of my shirt. “And you know what goes great with advice from your bestie?”
I thought for a second. “Pie?”
“This is why we’re friends.” She hugged my neck before bouncing away to get some plates from the cabinet.
Brian walked into the kitchen and went up behind Anna before kissing her neck. She giggled and slapped at him. And for the first time, seeing their happiness didn’t hurt because I had my own happiness waiting for me.
Kane and I still had a ways to go, but we were at least on the right path, and even though I was eager for what waited at the end of the path, I was going to enjoy the scenery of the walk until we arrived.
***
When I walked into the office the following Wednesday, I was sleep-deprived and my ass was sore—for reasons—but I was in an excellent mood.
I’d gone back over to Kane’s house that Sunday after leaving Anna’s, and I’d cooked him dinner. Then, we’d sat on his couch and talked. Actually talked. It hadn’t gone past just general things about ourselves, like hobbies and small details of our lives, but it had been more talking than we’d ever done, and it was a huge step forward.
And of course after the talking, we’d made out and the talking turned to sex. Wild, nearly breaking the bed sex.
I’d seen him every day that week, too, going over to his house after work. We’d had dinner together, followed by late night screwing that sometimes went into the early hours of the morning.
The night before, I’d stayed the night with him, and he had woken me up at like four a.m. by kissing down my throat. The next hour and a half had been spent with us fooling around and tasting each other, getting lost in each other’s bodies. I had just gone back to sleep when my alarm went off.
“You’re all chipper today,” Eric said as I went into his office to get the mail.
“It’s just a great day, don’t you think?” I grabbed the mail from the basket and flipped through it. “Let me know what you want for lunch. I’ll buy for the office and have it delivered.”
He raised his brows. “Wow. Thanks. But are you okay? Should I be worried about alien abductions and anal probes? I mean, youarewalking a little funny.”
My cheeks heated and I just stared at him a minute, feeling horrified. “Uh, get back to work. Message me later about lunch.”
