Fighting Fate (Fighting #7)(95)

He covers his face with one hand, peeking through his fingers. “Oh no…is my nerd showing?”

“A little.” I giggle.

“That’s not good. Ya know I have a rather studly reputation.”

“Oh, don’t think I missed it. Your”—I do air quotes—“reputation takes up half the state of Nevada.”

“Aww, Ax, baby.” He grins all crooked and cocky and breathtaking. “Jealousy isn’t your color.”

I fake pout. “That’s not the color of jealousy, Kill. That’s disgust.”

His jaw drops in mock offense. “Oh yeah?” He holds both arms up and flexes. “How’s this for disgust.”

I lean back and yawn, exaggerating by patting my hand to my mouth. “Excuse me, whew. I just suddenly got so bored.”

He coughs out a laugh, and I grin at how good it feels to have him back like this, realizing now how much I missed it.

His smile falls, and his amber eyes become thoughtful. “I want to see you again. What are your plans tomorrow?”

“I’m booked tomorrow from ten to four.”

He frowns. “All day, huh?”

“We can meet for breakfast.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t. I promised Fleur I’d take her to hike Red Rock Canyon, and I have to be back in time for a nine o’clock meeting with my publicist.”

Yep, I was right; everything has changed.

And his girlfriend. God, Axelle.

I jump up from the bench and press my fingertips to my forehead. “I’m so stupid.”

He must sense my change in demeanor and stands up too. “Hey, maybe we can get together after you’re done? You said four, right? I can—crap. I have a meeting at three-thirty. Who knows how long that’ll last?”

I wave him off, backing toward the door. “Don’t worry. We’ll, uh… We’ll figure it—oh!” I scream when the door behind me opens and slams into my back.

“Fuckin’ hell, Axelle.” Cameron grabs me by my shoulders to steady me. “Are you okay?”

I rub the ache in my back, my eyes darting between the worried eyes of the two men before me. “Fine. I’m fine. Perfect timing though, I was just coming to get you.”

“Already?” Cam’s glare tightens. “You sure you’re okay?”

Killian’s gaze tangles with mine for a few seconds, confusion working behind his eyes.

“Of course. I’m great.”

And then, as if I’m being chased by zombies, I run to the locker room, grab my shit, and meet Cameron in the lobby.

I’m looking over my shoulder to see if Killian is still here, when Cam’s phone rings.

“What?” He opens the door for me to walk through it. “Yeah, I just talked to him.” I point to where my car is parked, and he nods for me to lead the way. “I agree. I think it’s a smart move.” He stands there while I throw my bag into the back, and I wave him off as I climb into the driver’s seat. He doesn’t leave though; they never do, insisting on standing guard until I’m safely out of the lot. “I just signed an indefinite lease on the penthouse in London.” I freeze, eavesdropping on the conversation. “Yep. Killer’s meeting with his publicist tomorrow to handle the announcement. He’ll head back next week.”

It isn’t until Cam mouths you okay? that I realize I’m staring blankly at him. I force a smile and slam my door.

Killian’s going back to London.

I’m losing him again.





Thirty-two





Killian





I have a headache from bouncing my eyes between my phone and the plate of Asian fusion food in front of me. It’s been over twenty-four hours—forty-two to be exact—since Axelle and I had our face-to-face in the gym. I went back to my hotel that night and texted her that I appreciate her filling me in on the last horrible year of her life and that I was sorry for blowing up. I also said I looked forward to seeing her again. And either she never received that text or she flat out f*cking forgot because I haven’t heard from her or seen her since.

I took Fleur, Liam, and Jay hiking at Red Rock the next morning, got back in time to meet with my publicist at the hotel, and raced to the training center to catch Axelle. She wasn’t lying when she said she was booked all day with massages, but this time she never came out of her little room. From what I could tell, she was ordering the last client to issue in the next. I had my late afternoon meeting at the training center, and by the time I was finished, she was gone.

“Figure if you stare at it long enough it’ll grow wings?” Liam lifts his brows, his eyes dancing between mine and my phone, which is face up just inches from my plate.

Fleur flicks her water straw at him. “Mind your own business, Liam.”

“No.” I pick up my phone and shove it into my pocket. “He’s right.” She’s obviously ignoring me, and she’s nuts if she thinks she can avoid me forever.

Fleur leans in to me. “She’ll call; just give her some space.”

I don’t understand. I thought Axelle and I had a pretty good talk, but she’s not giving me even a hint of how she’s feeling. Unless you count her ignoring me, then I’d say she’s sending a pretty clear message.