Chapter 11
KYLE
Istared at the kettle on the stove as I wrapped my fingers around the warm mug in my hand. My eyebrows pinched as I tried to sort through all of the things that had happened in such a short period of time.
The scent of coffee drifted toward me, but I didn’t bother taking a sip. I didn’t need caffeine to keep me going this morning. I’d jumped out of bed, eager to start the day and see where it would lead.
Despite the strange moment in her behavior last night, Nattie had seemed back to normal by the time we went to bed.
I caught my lower lip between my teeth, thinking back to our last conversation. I hadn’t shared any details about my past—just that I had one. And that it wasn’t pretty.
My chin sank to my chest as I slid my eyes closed. Why had I hidden it? She would eventually find out—probably at the worst possible time—and then she’d leave.
All of the bad things I’d done–trying to ruin my father, steal his wife, and all of the other line-crossing things I’d done in between–flitted through my mind. How could a sweet woman like Nattie accept any of that?
I set the coffee down, scrubbing my features as I groaned. I was only postponing the inevitable. Eventually, she’d figure this out, and then she’d leave.
The only people who had ever stuck by my side had been Alex and Ava. And neither of them were going to be my significant other anytime soon.
I puffed out a breath, gripping the edge of the counter until my knuckles turned white.
Ava shuffled into the room, still in her unicorn onesie pajamas with Alex next to her, his arm draped lazily around her shoulders.
She crossed to the coffee pot and poured two mugs, twisting to face me. “Hey, Doc, you don’t look so good, rough night?”
“Something like that. Hey, can I ask you guys a question?”
“Sure,” Ava said, pulling open the refrigerator to grab the cream. “Oh, wait, you’re not asking us to be witnesses at your wedding, are you?”
I offered her an unimpressed glance. “Ha ha ha. That’s very funny, Ava.”
She smirked at me playfully as she poured her cream into the mug. “I thought so. I mean, you’re already living together. It seems like the next logical step.”
I pressed my lips together. “Funny. I’m not moving that fast.”
“You kind of are, Doc. I feel like you’re all about this woman even though you just met her.”
“I told you…we had a connection.”
Ava climbed onto a stool at the counter, eyeing me as she sipped her coffee.
“But you lost it,” Alex said, sliding into the seat next to Ava.
“We got it back,” I answered, recalling the change in her when we’d spoken last night.
Ava’s eyebrows furrowed as she stared at me. “You got it back?”
“Yeah,” I answered with a nod, my mind searching every word in the conversation to determine if I’d made it all up. “I ran into her in the hall after we talked, and she was back to normal.”
“Really? So, what changed?” Alex asked.
I lifted my shoulders in a shrug. “No idea, but when we talked, it was like when we first met. I felt all that warmth from her, that strong connection. But I screwed it up.”
“What did you do?” Ava asked.
I shoved my untouched coffee aside as my head dropped forward. “I told her that I didn’t have the cleanest past, but then I kind of said I didn’t want to talk about it.”
“So, how did you mess it up?” Alex asked, crossing his arms as his features pinched.
“She’s going to find out about all the stuff I did in my past. She’s going to hate it. And then she’s going to leave because she’s going to realize that I’m not this awesome guy and…”
My voice shook as it trailed off, and I shook my head.
“Easy, Doc. You didn’t do anything that bad,” Alex said.
“Ace is right,” Ava added. “I mean, we know all about your past, and we like you.”
“Not enough to marry me,” I retorted.
“Ohhh, so you are already talking marriage,” Ava said with a giggle.
“You know what I mean,” I answered with a sigh, not feeling in a jovial mood. “It’s not like I’ve bought the ring yet, but I want something that lasts. And I’m never going to find it.”
“You don’t know that. How did she react when you said you had stuff in your past?” Ava asked.
“She said it didn’t matter,” I answered with a shrug. “But I think she’s just being nice.”
“Mmm, I’m not so sure about that,” Ava answered, shaking her head.
My eyebrows pinched together. “What’s that mean?”
“It means maybe she will accept the stuff in your past because I’m pretty sure she’s hiding something.”
I leaned forward, bobbing my head. “Yes. An abusive ex who probably made her life miserable and made her afraid to trust another man.”
Ava shifted her gaze to the marbled countertop, her lips puckering.
“What?” I prompted.
She lifted her shoulders, shaking her head. “Nothing. I just don’t think that’s it.”
“What?” I scoffed, spreading my arms to the sides. “Ava, she has all the symptoms of a battered woman. Come on.”
Ava really didn’t like Nattie for some reason. How could she not see what I saw?
“Look, I’m not saying she was not abused. But I don’t think that’s everything that’s going on here,” Ava answered. “What was your question?”
I puffed out a breath, my heart thudding a little harder. “Did you two have an immediate connection?”
Alex and Ava shared a glance before Ava shrugged. “Yeah, probably.”
“I mean, I did,” Alex answered with a shrug as he grinned at Ava. “I think I can still remember every word you said in that coffee shop.”
“Okay, so I’m not completely crazy feeling this connection with her, right?” I asked, my voice pleading as I hoped for the answer I wanted.
“I get that you feel a connection, but, Doc,” Ava said as she slid her arm across the table toward me, “that doesn’t mean it’ll be smooth sailing.”
I hung my head. “I know. Because I have this awful past…”
I flung my hands in the air as I paced the tiled floor.
“That’s not it. Your past isn’t that bad, Doc.”
“And I don’t think hers is either,” I shot back.
“Let’s find out,” Alex said. “I just need a picture.”
“Picture’s worth a thousand words,” I murmured.
“Or a file full of information that tells us exactly what happened in her past.”
I set my hands on my hips, wondering if what we found would prove me right or wrong. Guilt roiled inside me. I was digging into her past while refusing to tell her about mine. I slid my eyes closed. This relationship was not starting off well. And it was my fault.
Before we could discuss anything any further, footsteps shuffled toward us. My muscles stiffened, my chest constricting as Nattie entered.
“Good morning,” she said as she glanced at us, her eyes landing on Ava.
She quickly flicked her gaze away, settling her focus on me.
“Uh,” I said, nearly tripping as I raced to the stove to turn on the kettle. “I have everything ready for your tea.”
“Aww, thank you, Kyle,” she said with a grin.
“Of course,” I said, trying not to be distracted by Alex and Ava who attempted to get a picture of her. “So, how did you sleep?”
“Wonderfully,” she answered, and I detected that odd hint of an accent again. She twisted to face Alex and Ava who quickly lowered their phones. “Thank you so very much for allowing me to stay here. The bed is simply marvelous.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Although, it wouldn’t take much to beat out the BeachRider,” Alex said with a chuckle.
“Are you feeling better?” Ava asked.
I sliced a hand across my throat, trying to signal Ava not to make trouble. Nattie fluttered her eyelashes, glancing at me.
Grinning, I lowered my hand abruptly, hoping she didn’t see me motioning at Ava.
“Feeling better?” Nattie asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, you didn’t seem yourself last night at the motel. I hope all you needed was a good night’s sleep.”
A smile spread across Nattie’s face. “Oh, yes. I was tired, but all better now.”
“That’s good. So good. Hey, after you’ve had your tea, maybe we could take a walk on the beach.” My protective instincts surged right along with my nervousness. I had to protect her from Alex and Ava’s poking and prodding. Or was it myself that I was trying to protect?
Did I want to live in blissful ignorance for as long as I could? Yes. The answer was yes.
I wanted to stay wrapped in my cocoon of zero information and believe that Nattie and I could be the next Alex and Ava.
“That would be so lo–nice,” she stammered as the tea kettle whistled and I snatched it, pouring it into the mug containing the sugar she’d added.
“So, tea, huh? Is that a British thing?” Alex asked.
“Uhh, I’ve just never been a fan of coffee,” she said with a shrug. “I’m so sorry, but is there cream?”
“In the fridge,” Ava said, poking a finger at the appliance. “That seems very British.”
“From my mother’s side,” she answered as she grabbed the cream and stirred it in her tea.
“Oh, right. On your mom’s side. Just like I have a mom’s side. And a dad’s,” I said with a nervous chuckle. “Ava, what’s your heritage?”
“Oh, I’m about as American as they come, Doc,” Ava said with a coy expression
“She is,” Alex answered with a nod. “She’s your all-American girl.”
I swallowed hard as Nattie sipped her tea. “Well, you are very beautiful.”
“Aw, thanks.”
I shifted my weight from foot to foot. The tension between the two women was unmissable. I’d seen less tension in a household with my difficult, demanding, spoiled-simple sister who had grown up doted on by our billionaire dad.
I grabbed the mug from her hands and set it aside. “That’s enough tea. Let’s head out for that walk.”
Nattie’s lips parted as she studied me before she nodded. “All right.”
“Great. Let’s go.” I slid my arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the living room.
As we left Alex and Ava behind, I relaxed a little. I didn’t want them frightening this poor woman off. I was capable of doing that myself. I didn’t need help from my friends.
We stepped into the bright sunshine, the salty sea air enveloping us. The sound of the surf created a soothing backdrop, but it didn’t manage to lessen my nerves.
“So, Nattie–“ I began as we strode along the sandy beach, my bare feet sinking into the sun-drenched sand.
“Kyle, please,” she said with a shake of her head. “I know exactly what’s going on here, and you really need to stop.”
The words sliced at my heart. I knew this was too good to be true. I just hadn’t expected it to end this soon.
Nattie came to a stop, twisting to face me, her features pinched.
And here came the brush off. Would it be polite, or would I get a slap across the face?
“You are being so very kind and so protective of me,” she said with a shake of her head.
Polite. It would be the polite brush-off.
“And I simply cannot let this continue without you knowing the truth about me. It’s not fair. But I wanted to start by saying that I have never felt anything like what I feel for you in such a short amount of time.”
My heart hammered against my ribs as she said the words. They took my breath away. No one had ever returned my feelings before.
A smile spread across my features, excitement making my chest constrict. My heart swelled as I stared into her eyes, honest and vulnerable.
“But I’m afraid I haven’t been entirely honest. The truth is… I’m not just running from a past relationship. I’m running from something much bigger—“
Before she could finish, a buzzing sound tore past us. My heart stopped. That had been a bullet. Dangerously close to striking one of us.
My protective instincts surged, and I reacted, wrapping my arms around Nattie and pushing her into the sand as I covered her with my body, shielding her from the threat.
I glanced over my shoulder to assess the threat. Who would be shooting at sweet Nattie? And why?