Kingpin (Court University 2)

I handed his phone back. “Does that ring mean anything? You always wear it.”

I had been wondering about it, and smirking, LJ gripped it.

“Just means home,” he said, his eyes kind on me. He had those same eyes I’d just seen on his mom.

I guessed I knew now where he got them from.

*

On the road, we stopped for dinner, and when we finally did get back to town in front of my house, I assumed LJ would peel away. The magic was gone, and we were back to reality. We were back to the real world, but not only had LJ turned off his car, he rounded it, coming over to me. He tugged open the door, and when I gave him a look, his shoulders dropped.

“You gotta be fucking kidding if you think I’m letting you go back inside that house alone,” he stated, eyes serious. “You got a fucking stalker, and I need to take a look around first.”

I rolled my eyes, but did get out of the car. I huffed. “He’s laid off. I haven’t seen him since that night I stayed over.”

Hadn’t talked to him either. Though, that may have been more to do with the fact I silenced his texts. I just wasn’t ready, told him that, and eventually, he had stopped trying to call me. I think things just ended really badly. We both needed time, and Sinclair wasn’t unreasonable. He stopped, and hopefully, when I was ready, we could talk again.

LJ peered down at me. “Right. Well, I’m still coming in. A quick look around. I’ll leave after that.”

I had too much pride to say I didn’t want him to—leave, that was. Eventually, I knew he would and whatever this side of him was would be over. His family appeared to bring out the best in him, a strong unity of people around in his life. I supposed that was something I’d come to miss with my own family drama. I still saw my mom, but if I was being honest, I really missed my dad. I missed what we had. We’d been close.

Coming inside, I allowed LJ to do his sweep. He got right to it, easing his long frame through the house, and while he did, I deposited my purse and keys. He wouldn’t find anything, my ex not that crazy, but LJ obviously needed peace of mind. He returned to the living room as I’d been lighting candles.

“All clear?” I smirked, but he frowned. His denim jacket caused him to appear way too heavenly for my eyes, snug on his thick shoulders and formed perfectly to his hard frame. He rocked a pair of black jeans to go with it, and they grappled his muscular thighs like life support.

He grunted. “All clear, but you text me if you see anything suspicious. I’m not joking, beauty queen.”

I knew he wasn’t, and where I’d normally say something smart, I found I couldn’t.

His hand reached out, taking full ownership of my shoulder. Grappling the other, he gripped me tight to him, but I flattened my hands on his chest.

“Don’t do it,” I said, his shirt twisting under my fingers. “Not unless you plan on staying.”

I meant this in more than one way, my heart so fragile with this guy. Last night had happened, yes. But I couldn’t do any more of this back and forth.

I just wasn’t strong enough.

Before, my pride might not have allowed me to admit that, but here, in his arms, I had to let him know. It all just hurt too much any other way.

“Billie…” Rough fingers smooth down my chin, a clear debate in LJ’s eyes. I didn’t know exactly what it was, but when he cradled my face, for a second, I thought he may tell me what I needed to hear. He’d tell me what was on both his mind and heart. He’d open up and give himself to me.

But then we weren’t alone.

“What the hell is this?”

A presence pulled us apart, my ex-boyfriend at the door. Sinclair had a box under his arm, a key in his hand, and I thought I just might lose my shit. I’d taken his key, and with a growl, LJ tucked me behind him.

“What the fuck are you doing in her house, man?” LJ literally had grown two sizes, seething, but before he could do anything, I tugged him back.

“What the fuck am I—” Sinclair’s eyes twitched wide, just as wild as LJ’s, but he wasn’t nearly as put together. He had bags under his eyes, had lost weight again, and his clothes didn’t even fit him. They hung off his big body like rags, and I couldn’t even recognize this guy before me. His eyes blazed in my direction. “Billie, what is this guy doing here?”

“Why are you here?” And because I could fight my own battles, I pushed my way between the two men. Within reach of that key in Sinclair’s hands, I snatched it. “Is this a key to my house? How do you have this?”

“Under the mailbox,” he growled and wasn’t even looking at me. He stared way up at LJ who had at least a head of height on him. His expression darkened. “The one you keep for emergencies? I came to bring over some of your stuff since you clearly won’t speak to me.”

“Well, can you blame me?” I cut, equal parts annoyed and tense. I’d been lax about the whole stalker thing, but this was a new level. Him taking my spare key to get inside my house? My nostrils flared. “You had no right.”

“You need to leave.” Pushing in front of me again, LJ went chest to chest with Sinclair. His expression chilled. “I won’t tell you again, man.”