Perfectly Imperfect(90)

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

I open my eyes and take a deep pull of air. What I wouldn’t give to get this helpless aggression out. “What should I do then?”

His usually impassive face breaks into an eerie grin; the look in his eyes cool and calculated. “You give her the grand gesture.”

Cocking my head, my brow pulls tight. What the f*ck is he on?

“You know, if you spent more time reading those romance books, you would have figured this out before now. You’re a man who is known to avoid those *s. You never comment when asked to confirm whatever it is that they want. Willow knows that, you’ve told her that, but what you haven’t showed her is that the chance you had her take on you would be worth it because you believe in it enough to finally allow the world to have you without hiding. I get it, Kane. Your whole life is out there for their sick pleasure to feed themselves on every move you make. You deserve to have your own shit, but there is nothing wrong with telling them they’re right about Willow. You can give them that and still keep your privacy. More importantly, you can give her that.”

“Grand gesture?”

“That’s what I said.”

Stepping away from the wall, I walk over to where Cam’s standing, trying to figure out where in the hell my silent friend went. “And what am I supposed to do about Mia?”

He sighs. “I’m not telling you to go out there and give them all of you. Just do what you need to in order to leave no doubt about what is between you and Willow. The rest of them can f*ck right off.”

It sounds so easy. Open my mouth and confirm my relationship.

“Let me call Mia,” I say and walk back toward the front of the house while I wait for her to pick up. I step over Kyle and just barely resist kicking him in his stubborn head.

“Hey. Are you almost to Kole’s?” she asks, a loud yawn ending her question.

“Mia, just go home. You need your rest.”

“No. I need to fix the mess that I’ve created. Plus, I can always crash in one of Kole’s many guest rooms.”

I look through the door and see nothing but darkness outside my house. The front gate sits too far from my house to give me a view of what’s waiting for me. “How bad is it out there?” I ask knowing that she will understand.

“Not too bad if you consider the police were showing up when I passed your street. I didn’t even turn down there knowing they knew my car, but you could see them even a half mile out.”

“Shit,” I bark.

“Are you having trouble leaving? I’m sure Cam could just call the local PD and have them take care of it.”

“It’s not that. Cam had an idea, and I think it might work. Especially knowing how many of those motherf*ckers are out there.”

Her sigh comes through the line, and I know she’s just gearing herself up. I wait, needing the time myself to deal with the fact that I’m actually considering this.

“What’s the idea, Kane?”

“I’m going to walk out there and give them what they want?”

She gasps. “The baby?”

I’m shaking my head before I remember she can’t see me. “Fuck, no. I wouldn’t do that to you, Mia. I’m going to go out there and tell them with no uncertainty that yes, I’m with Willow Tate, and they can f*ck off.”

“Maybe you should leave that last part off.” She laughs.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“What did Trace say about this?” Her question spikes my temper when I remember how he wanted to play my life like a f*cking puppet master.

“Trace got fired about an hour ago. For once, I’m not thinking about what is best for my career, Mia. It could f*ck off because all that matters is making sure the woman I love knows just how much.”

“Well, then, Kane, let me settle in and wait while you go do the big badass romantic scene to win the girl.”

I let out a rough laugh. “Very funny. I know, I used to make fun of these scenes when I got stuck playing some lovesick *, but I’m willing to admit that it was easy to make a joke of a character’s actions when you had no f*cking clue what it was really like to feel the emptiness that led to their declaration. I would do a lot more if it meant she was back in my arms, Mia.”

“I’ll take your word for it. Text me when you’re headed this way. Kole let me in and I’m going to lay down until you get here.”

I hang up, pocket my phone and call out to Cam.

He comes stomping into the room, his booted foot just missing Kyle’s head. “Well?”

“Get the car ready, and I’ll meet you down at the gate. Keep it running and when I’m done, we head to Kole’s.”

Cam gives me a nod and turns to go to the garage, but not before I see that creepy-ass grin back on his face.





MY MIND SLUGGISHLY STARTS TO wake. I jolt when I feel another poke against my back. Swatting behind me at the annoying sensation, I burrow deeper into the pillow. I start to relax when the sharp poke hits me again.

“Willow!”

My name, accompanied with another jab, makes me jump, and I almost fall off the side of the bed in my haste. Turning my head, I squint through the darkness at the intruder.

“Kole?”