I pause for just a second before I answer, “Because I loved him and could never disappoint him. Because family comes before everything .”
There’s a long pause as he lets my words sink in. He finally has the tiniest understanding of what my life is really like. Although if he really was around my dad as much as he said, he already knew. He just wanted to hear it from me .
“I’m sorry .”
I quizzically look at him .
“I’m sorry that your life has never been your own .”
I shrug as I keep back tears that are threatening to fall. “It’s okay. It’s been a good life .”
His eyes are intense, as intense as I think I’ve ever seen them, as he says the next words, “But it’s not your life. That’s what I’m trying to give you—a chance to find your own life .”
“What makes you think I want that?” I let my eyes drift to my lap as I tuck a fallen curl behind my ear .
“Because I do .”
My eyes immediately go back to his. I don’t know if he meant he wants that for me or he wants that for himself. But I feel like he just poured his heart out to me while sitting in a grungy diner .
“Two specials,” our waitress snaps as she thrusts two plates of the biggest burgers I have ever seen in front of us .
When I glance back up at Killian, the moment is gone. It’s passed. It doesn’t keep me from wondering as I dig into my burger what Killian is hiding .
“I can’t believe you ate that entire thing,” he says while knocking on a hotel door .
“I was hungry, and that was delicious. I can’t believe you didn’t eat the entire thing .”
He scrunches his face in disgust. “It was a pile of grease. We will probably both be sick tomorrow because of it .”
I laugh. He’s way too serious to relax. I bet he eats every nutrient his body needs and nothing more .
“What are we doing here?” I ask .
But I’m too late. The door opens, and a man slaps Killian on the back .
“Kill, you made it!” The man looks quickly to me and then back to Killian. “Who is this?” he asks Killian while staring at me .
“This is my date for tonight, Kinsley .”
I notice that Killian intentionally leaves off my last name .
I appreciate it. Enough people in this town know my name that I don’t want to be stereotyped before this person even gets to know me .
“Kinsley, this is Grant Brampton, my best friend and one of the best poker players west of the Mississippi .”
Grant tips his hat as Killian talks, making me giggle. He takes my hand and softly kisses it, eyeing Killian. I laugh harder as I notice Killian glaring at Grant. He knows exactly what he is doing—pissing Killian off. I like Grant already .
“Come in. The game is about to start,” Grant says .
I follow Killian into the hotel room, except this room has been turned into a makeshift poker room. There is a large circular table in the center with decks of cards and chips stacked perfectly on one end. The kitchen has been turned into a mini bar. I notice three other men standing around with drinks in their hands .
“Everyone, this is Kinsley,” Killian says .
Everyone says, “Hey,” back with obvious curious stares as to why Killian has brought a date to a boys’ night .
I’m curious of that myself. My hands are shaking slightly. I’m beginning to feel more confident around Killian, b
ut a roomful of guys I don’t know makes me uneasy .