Falling For The Bad Boy

“Yeah, you are really doing this, Kai Cooper.”

“I just don’t want to hurt you, Kat.”

“Then don’t.” I nudge his shoulder and get up, pulling him with me. I remember his words, ‘something that will hurt us both.’ My chest aches but Kai deserves this, even if it means letting him go.

Upstairs, the band looks nervous when Kai and I walk in. They are waiting for Kai’s answer, on pins and needles, I am sure. He cracks a smile, showing off his dimples, and I can see the relief wash over their faces. I can understand that they would be afraid that I wouldn’t want Kai to leave me.

I watch excitedly with Kelli as she snaps pictures of the guys signing Clive Owens as their agent. Khloe is on my hip twirling my hair in her fingers, and Kai looks at the two of us with this weird expression on his face. I don’t know what to make of it, but it makes my stomach flip flop. He hangs his head, rubbing the back of his neck.

It’s Kai’s turn to sign. This is what he wanted, isn’t it? So why does he look so sad? Kelli and Clive go over more details about Kai since he isn’t eighteen yet. I tune out for most of it, trying to figure out what changed in the past five minutes for Kai. They finally reach an understanding and we are all loading into our vehicles to make the drive home.

We have to fuel up and grab a few drinks and snacks for the road. Kai is acting off. He even wants me to drive, saying something about not getting enough sleep the past few days. He is being so quiet it is freaking me out. He has barely spoken three sentences to me since he signed that contract.

He reclines his seat back and closes his eyes. I turn the radio on low and let him sleep. Maybe he really is just tired. My phone vibrates with a text message. I would never text and drive, but I see it’s from Raven.

Raven: I cheated on Kai : (

Me: That is shitty, but you guys could have easily told me that. I’m driving right now so I will call you later.

I don’t get it. Yes, Raven cheating on Kai is horrible and wrong, but why would they be afraid to tell me that? I would never do that to him though. Did he think that I would?

When I pull off at a rest stop in Virginia to stretch my legs and use the bathroom, Kai finally wakes from his nap. He gets out of the car, yawning and stretching. I toss him his keys without a word and go to the bathroom. I know I shouldn’t feel pissed off, but I do. Does he think I am like Raven? I try to push the negative thoughts from my mind before I go back to the car.

When I come from the bathroom, he is leaning against the side of his car, hands shoved in his pockets, looking mad at the world. But even ready to burn the world down with his dark eyes, Kai is the sexiest guy I have ever seen. I know deep down he is it for me. He sucks all the air from me. He consumes me so completely. I love him so much I feel suffocated by my feelings. I want to confront him about what Raven said, but I don’t want to spend what might be one my last weekends with Kai fighting.

I hate seeing him look this way, and I can see he is back to his moody self. Pushing my shoulders back, I walk over to him, hook my fingers through his belt loops, and plant a kiss on his cheek. He presses his forehead to mine.

“Sorry, Kat. I know I am acting like a dick. I’m just overwhelmed. So much is happening so fast. If I get a recording deal…I need you to promise not to leave me no matter what. I know being away from each other is going to be hard. I know it will be hard for you living in my house without me there.”

“Kai, anything worth having is never easy. We both knew our being together would hurt in the end. I am not saying this is the end either.” His face is stoic, misunderstanding what I am trying to say. “You know I said if this is what being hurt by you feels like then I love pain. I meant what I said, you have my support.”

“I told you, Kat, you have the ability to break my heart. I’m just scared,” he admits hoarsely.

I kiss his lips softly, grazing my teeth across the bottom one, and he finally smiles. His dimples own me. I flick my tongue out and lick the one on his left cheek and he laughs. “Did you really just lick my dimple?”

“Why? Did you like it?” I raise my brow at him suggestively. He shakes his head with a soft laugh.

The band pulls up in the van before I can suggest ways I can keep him smiling at me. The guys want to know if we want to drive straight through to Kentucky, or if we want to get a room.

Kai says a room would be tempting but he wants to get home. His mom has already stopped for the night with Khloe.

Chapter 22

Kai drives us the rest of the way home with Hunter following behind us. When we arrive home, we leave our bags in the car. Kent must be in bed and Kirk is out or working. I start for my room, but Kai takes my hand and leads me to his room. “Tonight, you are sleeping with me in my bed.”

“What about your dad, the rules?” I stop at the top of the stairs.

“He is already going to freak out when he finds out I am possibly dropping out of school to pursue a music career. He will be too pissed about that to care if we fuck in my bed. And before you get offended, I didn’t mean you are just a fuck. Kat, you are everything to me.”

We are both exhausted by the time we get into bed. I actually fall asleep while Kai is kissing me…my body must be dead. That is the only explanation for starting to snore and drool on his chest.

I am not sure how long I have been asleep when Kai is shaking me, telling me, “Kat, baby, wake up.”

Rubbing my eyes, I glance at the clock, feeling disoriented. It’s only three a.m. “What?” I mumble trying to get awake.

“You were having another nightmare. You kicked me and shouted no.” He has concern etched on his face.

“I’m sorry for kicking you, but I have no clue what I was dreaming about. My mind is blank.” I snuggle into him, sleeping without him is going to be so hard next week.