Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(27)

“What, you mean every single person I know in this town lying to me?”

“Sum…” Xander says, his forehead crinkling.

“Why was it some big secret? So you run some illegal underground fight club, who cares? I thought you guys were up to much worse from the stories mum told me,” I say dryly. I open my juice box and take a sip. Both Kane men stay silent for a few moments, and the only sound that can be heard in the kitchen is me drinking from my straw.

“What did she say about me?” my dad finally rumbles.

“That you were a biker, a drug dealer, a criminal, a cheater, a womanizer… I could go on,” I tell him. And I could. Those were probably the nicer things she said about him, and we all know the cheating part is true.

My dad slams down his coffee mug and walks to the front door, looking pissed off. He pulls out a cigarette on the way.

“Reid didn’t want me saying anything, sis, and neither did Jack,” Xander says, coming towards me. He wraps me in his arms and kisses me on the head. “In the beginning Reid was all for telling you everything, but when you two got involved, he decided he didn’t want you to see him like that. Sometimes the other fighters play dirty, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried something if they saw you hanging about, so it was for your safety, as well.”

“Well, you made me look stupid. I had to find out from Lyle. And I don’t like being lied too. If it’s not safe for me, how come that blonde chick gets to go?” I ask, staring up at him.

“She’s involved,” he says, kissing me on the head again.

“How?” I demand.

“You should ask Reid, these aren’t really my secrets to tell. Or ask Ryan,” he says. Ryan. Another person on my shit list.

“Reid was really worried about you last night, Summer. You were selfish, next time answer your phone, okay?” he says, his voice carrying a tone he’s never spoken to me in before. He leaves the kitchen and walks down the hall.

“Maybe if Reid kept his mouth to himself,” I mutter to myself under my breath. When dad doesn’t return after thirty minutes I walk outside to find him standing there, staring at his motorcycle.

“I’m sorry, dad.” I don't want him to be mad at me. He raises his head and I don’t like the blank look on his expression.

“I’m not perfect, Summer.”

“I don’t expect you to be,” I say, and it’s true, I don’t. I walk over to him, and lean my head against his chest.

“I’m happy I came here, dad. And you don’t have to walk on eggshells around me anymore, just be yourself. I won’t judge anymore, okay?” I say into his chest.

“I want you to be comfortable here, not have to worry about our bullshit,” he replies, leading me back into the house.

“Well, I’m in it, so you’re gonna have to get used to it. You’re not getting rid of me,” I say with a cheeky smirk.

“Good, cos I’ve never been happier Summer. Finally have my family together,” he rumbles, clearing his throat. I don’t think my dad is generally an emotional guy, and I smile knowing he only gets like this around me. To him, I will always be his little girl, the one he didn’t get to have in his life on a permanent basis.

“Where’s Reid?” he asks, about to head home.

“Asleep.”

He sighs. “Alright, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I have no idea what I’m doing.

I say bye to dad and then walk back into the bedroom, where Reid is still fast asleep on his stomach. His face looks so relaxed as he sleeps, even with the slight bruising on his face. The sheet is sitting just over his ass, so I get a clear view of his toned back.

I've never seen a more perfect man.

I go through my phone, seeing a message from Ryan saying to call him when I wake up. I delete the rest of the messages from last night, and clear all my call lists. I have this thing about erasing everything, I hate having a heap of old messages sitting in my inbox.

“Mornin’, beauty,” Reid says, his voice thick with sleep.

“Morning. How’s your face?” I ask, frowning.

“Its fine.” He sits up in the bed. “Come here.”

I walk over to the bed and sit next to him, his hands grabbing me before my butt hits the mattress.

“Come spend the day with me at my place,” he whispers into my ear.

“What exactly changed between yesterday and today, Reid?” I ask, completely confused with the situation.

“I’m done fighting myself. I want you so bad, Summer. You’re mine, I’ve known it since the moment I laid my eyes on you.”

“You were a jerk to me that day,” I remind him.

“I didn’t want to want you,” he says, and even though he’s being honest, it kinda hurts.

“That’s romantic,” I say dryly.

“It’s real, Summer,” he replies, kissing me on the cheek. The light stubble on his face tickles my face.

“I need to know about her first,” I demand, and something instantly shifts in the air.

“She’s my brother’s ex-girlfriend,” he admits after a few moments of silence. Ryan’s ex? Why didn’t he say anything?

“What’s her name?” I ask.