Kane (Face-Off 2)

“Hey, babe.” I lean in to kiss her cheek, trying not to rub my sweat on her face. “How was your lunch date?”

“Fine.” She glances down at her feet, before returning my gaze.

There’s something off about her behavior. When she left the house this morning, she was on cloud nine about meeting Sydney. Now, her hair looks a mess, mascara is smudged and caked to her lashes, and there’s a certain sadness behind her eyes.

“What happened?” I caress her cheek with my hand and run my thumb along her jaw, lowering my voice to a whisper. “Talk to me.”

She looks over her shoulder at Donovan and Brian and waves, a pretend smile on her lips. “Hey, boys. How’s it going?”

They exchange the usual pleasantries for a minute before I grip Kennedy’s shoulders and lock onto her. I know her well enough to know when something is bothering her. “Did you get into a fight with Sydney?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “Do you think we can talk about this after your friends leave? It’s important, and I want to speak to you alone.”

We need to talk are not the words most men want to hear. Is she breaking up with me? Moving out? I hope not. Everything has been going so well for us since Kennedy moved in. And I love having her here, waking up in my arms every morning.

“I’ll get rid of the guys. Just give me a few minutes.”

She nods. “I’m going to make myself a cup of tea, and then I’ll meet you in our bedroom. I want to lay down for a little bit. It’s been a long day.”

I hug her tight and kiss her forehead, before releasing her. “Sounds good. I’m right behind you. Try not to fall asleep before we have a chance to talk.”

“I promise.” She smiles at me, and then disappears into the hallway, her tight ass making me want to chase after her and into the kitchen. But I turn around to face Brian and Donovan, who are on the opposite end of the living room, bullshitting with each other.

Brian was a good choice as far as trainers go, but he and Donovan are so much alike that sometimes I feel as though they are the same person. Both men are several inches taller than my six-feet two inches, ripped with muscle and covered in tats, and have dark, scruffy facial hair. I’m the complete opposite with my short, blond hair and clean shaven look. But these two could pass as twins some days, especially after they are in action.

I walk over to them and clamp my hand down on Donovan’s shoulder to get his attention. “Kennedy isn’t feeling good. Do you think we can grab a drink another day?”

“You’re bailing on us,” Brian whines. “C’mon, man, I’m sure your girl will let you out for the night.”

“Yeah,” Donovan says, “you keep flaking out on our plans. We’re gonna stop inviting you out with us if you don’t grow a pair and tell your woman you are coming out with us.”

After seeing the look on her face and hearing the sadness behind her words, I have to stay home and in bed with Kennedy. I have no idea what she wants to discuss, but I have a feeling I will not be happy about it based on her reaction to my questions.

“Nah, I think she needs me. She said she’s not feeling good. I will make it up to you next week.”

“I will hold you to it,” Brian says with a smirk.

“I’m sure you will,” I shoot back.

Donovan reaches down to grab his gym bag from the floor and slings it over his shoulder. “Now that you’re married, I guess we’ll get out of here.”

“You don’t have any room to talk.” I snicker, thinking about how he chases around after Sydney. “If Sydney called you right now, you would be out the door and over the bridge faster than you can blink an eye.”

“He’s got you there,” Brian says, laughing. “That girl has you wrapped around her finger.”

Donovan punches Brian hard in the biceps. “Shut up. I just want to fuck her. She doesn’t have me wrapped around anything.”

I join in on Brian’s laughter. “That’s a lot of work for a girl who won’t even kiss you. And we all know you’re full of shit.”

“Whatever.” Donovan’s face twists into an angry scowl as he walks past me. “I’ll catch you later.”

“Say hi to Sydney for us,” I call out to him, and he raises his middle finger at me.

I show Brian to the door after Donovan had already slammed it behind him, acting like a damn child. He has it bad over Sydney. If she’s anything like Kennedy, I don’t blame him.

“Same time next week,” I tell Brian and close the front door behind him.

I flip the lock and suck in a deep breath, letting it all out at once. Afraid of what Kennedy has to tell me, my stomach knots. Taking the stairs in front of me three at a time, I climb two floors, not stopping until I’m standing in front of our bedroom. The door is closed over, a crack of light shining through and into the dark hall, casting its shadow on the marble floor.