Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(107)
“I can’t be around you knowing I loved and lost you. And I can’t be around you with him.” He wrenches his hand from mine. “I’m sorry.”
A tear creeps out of the corner of my eye. “I understand. It sucks, but I get it.”
“I appreciate you coming here. I really do, but I’d like to be left alone.”
I stand. “I called your mom and Lil. They are on the way.”
“Thank you.”
I lean down and kiss his cheek. “Get well soon, and thank you for saving my life. Kai isn’t the only one who won’t forget.” I cup his face. “If you need me, I’m here for you. Always.”
Tears well in my eyes as I close the door to his room and step out into the corridor. Kai is slouched against the wall, holding two cups of coffee. He tenses when he sees me. “I don’t care if he’s in a fucking hospital bed, I’ll fucking—”
I press my lips to his, cutting off his diatribe. “He didn’t hurt me. I’m the one who hurt him.” I press my face against his chest as he puts the cups down and wraps his arms around me. “I hate that I’m the cause of his pain, both physical and emotional.”
“He’ll be okay, babe.” Kai runs his hand down the back of my head. “He just needs time.”
We return to Rydeville different people but the same. The town is full of gossip over what went down in Wyoming and all the revelations that came to light. But we ignore it and them, returning to school as normal, focusing on our upcoming graduation and on building a new phase in our lives.
Mom has a bunch of medical issues, but Drew and I are supporting her through them. She has good days and bad days, but we are both there to help her.
Kai and I found a beautiful new modern build on the outskirts of Rydeville and moved in almost straightaway. I fangirled like crazy when Rick arranged it for Alex Kennedy to manage the interior design of the house. Kai teased me endlessly while she was overseeing the project, but I was too busy gushing to care. And we have a beautiful, stylish yet comfortable home, thanks to her amazing talent.
Mom wants to stay in Rydeville, because it’s the only home she’s ever known—even if the house she grew up in is a pile of rubble. We’re working with her and an architect to build a new home on the grounds of the property she loves. In the meantime, she’s staying with Drew in the house he bought a couple of miles away from us.
Kai offered for Mom to live with us, which only made me love him more, but Drew wouldn’t hear of it, insisting he didn’t want to live alone. But I know it’s because he wanted to give Kai and me time to be newlyweds.
I’ve broached the subject of Jane with him several times, but he refuses to speak about her, and I don’t know what’s going through my brother’s brain. I’m convinced something happened between Drew and Shandra, because she’s been melancholy since we graduated high school last week. She hasn’t said anything to me either, and any time I’ve asked, she’s said she doesn’t want to talk about it, and I respect her privacy, even if I’m curious as hell.
The fact there was something between them is one of the reasons I haven’t reached out to Jane. The other is because Xavier hasn’t been able to find her. Wherever she’s hiding, it’s clear she doesn’t intend to be found.
“Where are we going?” I ask again as Kai takes the exit off the highway for Boston.
“You’ll see soon,” he says, glancing anxiously at me. He’s been acting weird since we left home, and I’ve no clue what’s up with him. I’m wondering if it’s something to do with our plans to hold a wedding reception in Alabama at the end of August. If he’s surprising me with something.
Turns out, he is.
But it’s not what I was expecting.
“Why are we here?” I ask, looking up at the sign over my head with a frown. He’s brought me to a cosmetic surgery clinic, knowing how I feel about that shit.
Kai reels me into his arms. “You know I love you and I find you sexy as hell,” he explains. I nod, because he never leaves me in doubt. He tells me every day how much he loves me, and how sexy I am, and he worships my body like a man thirsting for air, so I’m supremely confident in his love and his attraction to me. “But I know how much you hate those boobs your father forced on you.”
I suck in a shocked gasp as I realize what he’s done.
“I would love you and find you sexy with big tits, small tits, wonky tits, or no tits.” His brows knit together and he pouts. “Actually, scratch that last one. Cause that’s like saying I’m into boys or some shit, and I’m strictly hetero, and I love boobs.”
I laugh. “I think I get that by now,” I tease.
“What I’m trying to say, badly,” he admits, holding me closer. “Is that I’m okay if you want to get the implants removed.”
“I’ll have scars, and they might sag because the skin has stretched. They won’t look like they used to.”
He kisses the tip of my nose. “I don’t care. As long as I have something to play with while I’m fucking you, I’m happy.” His expression turns serious. “Anyway, the person I spoke to said they have procedures for that, too. But, honestly, babe, they’ll be perfect because they’re a part of you. I just want you to be happy and comfortable with yourself, and I see how you scowl at them and flinch sometimes when I touch them.”