Page 39 of Kylo
I was being surprisingly chatty, considering how much I’d struggled in social settings lately.
Maybe it was silly to say I felt like it was because Kylo’s hand was still resting reassuringly on my lower back. But I couldn’t think of another reason I would be striking up an easy conversation with a group of strange men.
“That’s an interesting connection,” Caymen said, his gaze moving from me to Kylo. Something passed between the two men. If I wasn’t completely mistaken, it was a bit charged, almost dark.
Though maybe that was just my imagination running away with me again.
“I hope you brought your appetite, lil’ mama,” Eddie said, gesturing toward his food. “I am pulling out all the stops in apology for not being around as much lately.”
“It all smells amazing. I’m starving,” I added. “I missed lunch today.” By ‘missed,’ I meant I’d been a little too queasy to eat, thanks to my mind twirling into a cyclone of more and more ridiculous thoughts.
If I couldn’t get control of things, I was going to need to start researching a new psychologist. And maybe find a psychiatrist to adjust my meds.
Kylo’s hand slid back and forth across my lower back. He probably didn’t even realize he was doing it, but it worked as a balm to the growing tension I felt just at the memory of my anxiety-filled morning.
“Fuck… you… Benny,” someone croaked, making my eyes widen until Kylo nodded toward the parrot.
“Oh, well, rude,” I said.
“He’s mad because he finished his apple,” Kylo explained, snagging another piece and passing it to the bird.
“Have you shown her the tortoise and the pool yet?” Caymen asked, seemingly eager to get me out of the house.
Maybe having women around was killing the vibe. I suddenly felt really awkward being there if that was the case.
“I could get going,” I said to Kylo as we moved out back to find a giant inflatable projection screen set up behind the pool, a music video playing. So that was where the music was coming from.
The pool itself was dotted with flamingo floats and giant inflated battle batons.
“Do you want to get going?”
“It’s just… it doesn’t seem like Caymen is comfortable with me here.”
“Eh, don’t worry about Caymen. The only person you have to worry about is Huck,” he said, gesturing toward where a shirtless older man was cleaning the pool filter.
“Oh, hey,” I said when he turned at the sound of voices.
“Hey, babe. New club girl?” Huck asked, looking at Kylo.
“No, Huck. This is Rue.”
“Rue,” Huck said, getting to his feet. “With the plants.”
“Yeah,” I said, forcing myself to keep eye contact.
“Turns out Rue’s grandmother lives in the assisted living place.”
“Oh, yeah?” Huck asked with a hint of the same strangeness I heard from Caymen.
“I was just going to show her the tortoise,” Kylo explained.
Huck was about to nod when I suddenly blurted out, “You know what? I actually forgot I told Traeger I was going to help him list some of his new pottery to his socials.” I moved away from Kylo, trying to ignore the way my stomach went sour as I lost his touch. “It was, uh, nice to meet you guys.” I gave Huck the most humiliating side wave known to mankind, then turned to flee.
My pace was just shy of an actual run as I made my way down the driveway.
My heart was hammering in my chest and a proper breath felt impossible. By the time I dashed across the road, ignoring the oncoming headlights, I felt lightheaded.
I was close to a full-blown panic attack.
