Finding Kyle(44)

I give her a sardonic smile and lean toward her. “Well, you don’t have to worry. I’m not pissed you asked me to leave.”

She gives me a relieved look. “Alright. Then let’s go.”

“Not leaving either,” I tell her adamantly. “I’m enjoying myself right here.”

“Kyle,” she says hesitantly. “Let me take you home, get you to bed. Sleep it off, and then we can talk about this tomorrow.”

Oh, now she wants to talk?

“Nothing to talk about,” I say stubbornly, ignoring the small cramp in my chest when I see her face fall in disappointment.

“There’s not?” she asks softly.

“Nope. Nothing to talk about at all,” I confirm, ignoring the cramp as it gets more painful. I know I’m being a dick, but really… it’s best to cut this off right here and right now. Jane will never be able to handle all the ways in which I can break her. I don’t consider for a second that she could break me.

Liar.

Jane’s eyes search mine, trying to reveal my true feelings. I hold her gaze and remain silent.

Her shoulders slump and she gives a small nod before sliding off the stool. “Alright. Take care, Kyle.”

My chest feels like it’s caving inward as I watch her walk away from me. She heads over to Miranda, who is standing near the door, and they talk quietly. Miranda looks over at me once and glares, then turns back to whatever Jane is telling her.

A hand slides up my spine, startling me, and fingers curve around the back of my neck. Lips touch my ear and a sexy voice says, “Kyle… baby. It’s been a long time since you’ve been in. Want to have a little fun tonight?”

Leaning to the right to pull away from her, I give her a brush-off. “Not interested, Barb.”

She pouts at me and hops on the barstool Jane had vacated, putting her hand on my thigh and sliding it upward to my crotch. “Come on, sugar. You know I got what you want.”

My hand clamps on her wrist, stops its ascent up my leg, and my gaze cuts over her shoulder to Jane. And fuck… she’s staring right at us, eyes wide and face pale. Then she shoots me that look… the one that says I’m an unbelievable asshole, right before she turns around and jets out the door.

“Christ,” I mutter as I throw Barb’s hand off me and lurch off the barstool. I almost careen into a small table where two patrons sit closely together, but gain my balance for a fraction of a second before I stumble toward the door.

Miranda meets me there, and I growl at her. “Don’t even think about trying to stop me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she says with a wink as she opens the door for me. She gives me a hearty pat on my shoulder before shoving me forward. “Go get her, tiger.”

Fuck, I’m drunk. I practically fall through the door, immediately going down to one knee on the concrete, which hurts like a son of a bitch. I manage to catch a glimpse of Jane as she walks quickly toward her car.

“Jane,” I call out to her as I push myself up. “Wait.”

She walks faster so I take off after her, intent on running her down.

Except… I’m really fucking drunk. I stumble and crash right back down to the sidewalk again.

“Fuck,” I yell at the top of my lungs as I roll to my back and stare at the sky and stars above me. It might be my imagination, but I think the moon is mocking me.

And then Jane’s face is pushing into my field of view above me. She looks down at me with guarded concern.

She came back for me.

“Are you alright?” she asks hesitantly, crossing her arms protectively over her chest.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I assure her as I roll to my side.

“Well, okay… good,” she says as she turns away and starts walking back to her car.

“Wait,” I call out, hoping my voice doesn’t sound as pathetic as I feel. She stops, and I manage to get up on one knee. “Jane… I could actually use a little help.”

Slowly, she turns to face me, her face closed off and filled with distaste.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her… well, slur. What can I say? I’m drunk. “But I’d gladly take that ride to my house now if you still wouldn’t mind.”

She takes a few steps back toward me. “I’m sure Barb would give you a lift.”

“I don’t want Barb to give me a lift,” I grit out as I stand up. I sway to the left, then to the right, and finally seem to steady myself for a bit. “I want you to take me home.”

Jane just stares at me. I can see the war going on within those eyes that I dream about practically every night. Finally, she gives a resigned sigh and jerks her head toward the car. “Can you manage to get in by yourself?”

If the way I managed to get where I’m at is any indication, probably not, but I tell her, “Yeah. Sure.”

She nods and turns away, walking to her car without a backward glance. I manage to somehow make it there and, after two attempts, I get the passenger door open. I sort of fall into the seat, pull my legs in with great effort, and shut the door.

Laying my head back against the headrest, I give a long-suffering sigh, close my eyes, and pass the fuck out.





CHAPTER 19




Jane