It's All Relative(132)

Jessie felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Did you talk to Grams?”

Mason’s eyes narrowed. “Right…you’re the cousin. Well technically you’re not, but you do share the same woman Kai has always believed was his grandmother.” Jessie could only nod; she really didn’t want to go into the family dynamics with this man. He shrugged. “I needed to find him, to make sure he was…okay. I called her, she mentioned you, so I figured Kai was hiding here.”

Jessie ran her fingers down her face. Great, her grandmother knew Kai was aware of the truth. Kai’s mother also knew. Jessie knew they couldn’t hide in their newfound utopia forever, but she’d hoped to at least ride out the week. Sighing, she stepped aside and welcomed him in.

Harmony gave Jessie a swift hug and wished her well before popping out the door for work. Jessie had Mason sit on the couch and told him she’d wake up Kai. If he was at all curious about their relationship, he didn’t show it. He only seemed to be concerned and uneasy. As he sat with his hands over his knees, his feet ceaselessly bouncing up and down, it was clear that he was completely out of his comfort zone. But he was here anyway, here to speak to Kai…his son…and that said a lot about the man.

Leaving him alone and nervous on her couch, Jessie ran into April as she emerged from her bedroom. Yawning and rubbing her eyes, she pointed down the hallway. “Someone here?” she asked.

Jessie nodded and whispered, “Kai’s dad.”

April’s eyes widened. “Oh…” She moved to sneak a peek at him, but Jessie grabbed her elbow. “He’s nervous. Don’t spy on him, okay?”

She frowned and then sighed. “Yeah, all right. I have to get ready for work anyway.” She sighed again as she disappeared into her room, and Jessie could have sworn she murmured something about missing all the good drama.

Shaking her head at her friend, Jessie opened her bedroom door. Kai stirred and twisted his head to peek up at her. Stretching, he murmured, “Good morning.” He yawned right after he said it, the satisfied smile he’d had on his face the last few days still firmly in place. Softly closing the door behind her, Jessie wished she didn’t have to say what she was about to say; it would certainly remove that beautiful smile. Seeing the reluctance on her face, Kai cautiously asked, “What’s wrong?”

As he sat up on the bed, she sat down. Jessie could see the goose bumps on his arms and she rubbed his skin, warming him where she could. Still smiling, he patiently waited for her to answer.

Sighing, she nodded her head at the door. “Your dad is here.”

Kai’s expression twisted to confusion. “My dad is here from…” His sentence trailed off as his eyes blazed with understanding. “Mason? Mason is here?”

Jessie nodded as Kai flung back the covers and stood up. Her eyes drifted down his bare body before she reprimanded herself and made her gaze stay focused on his face; now wasn’t the time. Kai seemed shocked as he looked for clothes. Understandable, Jessie was a little shocked that Mason was here too. Stepping into his underwear, Kai asked, “Did he say what he wanted?” He found some jeans and pulled them on while Jessie shook her head.

“No, just that he wants to see you.” She lowered her voice. “I think he was worried about you.”

Kai paused in putting on his shirt. “Worried?” He finished slipping the material on and smoothed it over his fabulous frame. “Why would he be worried about…me?”

Jessie gave him a wry smile. “Kai, regardless of when he found out about you, you’re his blood. He’s naturally going to be concerned about your wellbeing, especially since he’s gotten the chance to know you recently.” She shrugged. “I’m sure when he didn’t hear from you for a few days…he panicked.”

Kai closed his eyes for a minute and shook his head. “My phone died at the lodge…I never charged it again.” He sighed. “My mom must be freaking out too, since she hasn’t been able to get a hold of me either.”

Jessie cleared her throat, and Kai immediately snapped his eyes open. “What?” he asked, his voice flat.

Jessie looked down at her bed, their bed, and picked at a loose piece of string coming off the blanket. “Well, your dad didn’t know how to find you. He probably thought you went back home…so he…”

Hearing Kai sigh, she looked up at him. “He called my mom, didn’t he?”

Jessie nodded. “And Grams.”

Kai’s mouth dropped open, then he ran his hands down his face and groaned. Peeking at her between his fingers, he muttered, “I guess the honeymoon is over, isn’t it?”

The summation of their few days of bliss made her smile. But he was right. Their uninterrupted time together was over. Sighing, she stood up and laced her hands around his neck. “Back to the real world, babe.”

He slipped his arms around her waist. “At least you’re still a part of that real world.”

She gave him a tender kiss. “I’m not going anywhere you’re not.” They pulled apart, and Jessie bit her lip. “Let’s go see what your dad has to say.” Kai slumped, then nodded. Grabbing her hand, Kai pulled Jessie from the room. His face seemed loose and relaxed, but Jessie felt the tension in his fingers; he was nervous.

Mason looked up from examining a spot on the floor once they were at the end of the hallway. A small smile ghosted across his lips as he stood up. He seemed nervous, too, but also relieved that Kai was still here, still around. Stepping toward the pair as they approached the couch, he extended a hand to Kai.