He paused, then forced himself to turn. Even though he was in a foul mood that was no reason to take it out on Eden. And if she needed something then he’d never forgive himself for not being here for her.
She still hadn’t given him or Clint an acceptable reason for why she had been at the Suck ’n Blow. Clint had told her that she was grounded until she came clean. He knew there was a running bet about who would cave first.
Clint would blow a gasket if he heard about it.
Kent had his money on Clint giving in first. Eden could out-stubborn them all.
“Yeah, baby? You need something?”
She nodded and wheeled her chair closer. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“Everything okay?” he asked in concern. “Something bothering you?”
“More like someone and his name starts with C and ends with pain-in-my-ass.”
His lips twitched. “Strange name.”
She glared up at him. “He’s making my life hell.”
He raised with one eyebrow. “Why? Because he’s not letting you get away with whatever you want?”
“Yes,” she wailed. “He’s always been overbearing but now he’s being impossible. Speak to him for me?” She gave him a sweet smile. Which normally worked. She’d always had him wrapped around her finger.
But not this time.
“Nope.”
He rocked back on his heels, ready for the explosion. Her head shot up. Her eyes widening. “What?”
“I said no.”
“But...but...you never say no!”
He pulled his hat off his head and ran his hand through his hair. He’d barely slept last night. He’d had a late-night conference call with a businessman in New Zealand who wanted to hire their services for some employees he was sending to the Congo. Then afterwards, he’d worked out for a while to try and exhaust his mind. His body had been begging for sleep by the time he’d showered. Only for him to toss and turn for hours. And when he did sleep the dreams...
Shit.
“Kent?” Eden’s voice was soft now. All anger and indignation were gone. “Are you okay? What’s going on? Is it something at work?”
“I’m fine,” he snapped. Then silently cursed as he saw the hurt look on her face. “Sorry, boo,” he said using the nickname for her that he’d had since they were kids. “I’m not sleeping well and it’s making me short-tempered.”
But this time it wasn’t nightmares plaguing him. They weren’t the thing that crept into mind when he least expected it.
Nope, that was a pair of hurt-filled hazel eyes, surrounded by the longest eyelashes he’d ever seen.
Eden stared at him worriedly. “Want to talk about it?”
He gave her a half-smile. “Don’t think that will help.”
“You’re always making me tell you about my shit.”
He raised his eyebrows at her language.
She shook her head. “I’m not a kid anymore, you know.”
“I know,” he replied quietly.
“Do you? Does Clint? I mean, really? Grounding me? I’m nearly twenty-six years old! I shouldn’t have to put up with this crap.”