Chapter Thirty-Five #3
“It won’t,” I say seriously before Indi can interrupt again.
“I love her, Kenzi. And thank you for taking care of her when I couldn’t.
Seriously. Thank you for picking up the pieces after all that media bullshit too.
I know the fans will probably come crawling back once news of the accident gets out, but this time I’ll protect her.
I won’t let anyone hound her again. I love her, Kenzi… I really fucking love her.”
Kenzi studies me for a long moment before swallowing hard. “Look, I was nice to you in the hospital because technically you were my patient,” she says bluntly. “But I’m still reserving judgment.”
“Kenzi!” Indi snaps.
“No, Indi, I’m serious.” She looks straight at me again.
“You hurt her… badly. And I love this girl like she’s my sister.
You weren’t there to see her when everything went to shit.
She loves you more than you deserve, Caleb, so please…
please don’t fuck this up again. Because I can’t handle seeing her that destroyed again.
” The room falls quiet for a moment before she continues more softly, “If you love her the way you say you do, then stand up, be a man, keep your dick in your pants, and love her as hard as she loves you. You got me?”
I glance at Indi, and she somehow looks both horrified and impressed at the same time. So I grab the edge of the couch and slowly start pushing myself upright.
“Caleb, stop,” Indi warns immediately, but I keep going while Kenzi stands too.
“Kenzi, I know everything you’re saying comes from a good place, and I respect the hell out of you for protecting her like this. But I love Indi with every part of me. If you asked me to do a cartwheel right now to prove it, I would.”
“Go on then,” she challenges instantly.
My eyes widen. I take a deep breath and slowly lift my hands, as if I’m genuinely preparing to attempt one.
“Oh my God, Caleb! Absolutely not!” Indi cries, scrambling to steady me with one hand pressed to my chest and the other on my back. “Kenzi, you’re literally a nurse. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Kenzi bursts out laughing. “I just wanted to see if the idiot would actually try it, and he totally would’ve.
That’s all I needed to know.” She points at me again.
“Keep loving her with that same intensity and devotion, and we’ll get along just fine.
But hurt her again, and I swear to God you’ll be doing cartwheels off the edge of the River Thames wearing concrete boots. You understand me?”
I try not to smile and nod slowly. “I understand.”
Honestly, the way this conversation started, I thought I was going to hate Kenzi, but now? I love how fiercely protective she is of Indi. I can already tell we’re going to get along just fine.
“Good. Now sit the fuck down before you pop your stitches and traumatize us all.”
Indi smirks while helping me lower myself back onto the couch.
“Right,” Kenzi says dramatically, clapping her hands together. “Where’s the coffee? I need caffeine.” She disappears into the kitchen while Indi sits beside me again, looking vaguely nervous.
“She seems…” I begin.
“Crazy,” Indi interrupts instantly.
I laugh, which immediately sends pain ripping through my side. “Ow, fuck.”
Indi grabs my hand quickly. “Sorry.”
“I was going to say protective,” I correct once I can breathe again. “I like it. She can protect you while I’m temporarily broken.”
Indi’s eyes widen slightly before she smiles and bites her bottom lip. “So… can she stay and hang out for a while?”
“Of course she can. She’s your best friend, baby. I want to know her properly.” I glance toward the kitchen. “Plus, she’s already taken over my house, so I don’t think I’ve got much choice.”
Indi giggles softly. “Yeah, she does that.” She leans closer and kisses my cheek gently. “Thanks for being nice to her. Sorry about the abrasiveness.”
“It’s fine. Honestly, I like her. She loves you and wants what’s best for you. That matters to me.”
Indi studies me for a moment, then smiles. “Were you seriously going to try cartwheeling?”
I grin. “Absolutely. I’d do anything to prove how much I love you. If that means tearing my stitches open with a cartwheel, then so be it.”
She shakes her head, laughing under her breath, just as Kenzi strolls back in carrying three Galaxy bars.
“I found your secret stash, so I’m confiscating them because they’re terrible for recovery,” she announces proudly while vaulting over the back of the opposite couch like a lunatic. She lands dramatically, rips open one chocolate bar, and takes a giant bite.
I stare at her. “You confiscated them… for yourself?”
“Correct.”
I laugh again, quieter this time, while Indi snuggles back into my side.
Kenzi points at the television with her chocolate. “Torchwood? Excellent choice. Captain Jack is ridiculously hot. Shame he’s gay though. We could’ve had somethin’ special.”
That one gets a proper belly laugh out of me before pain shoots through my abdomen again. I groan and clutch my side while Indi instantly presses both hands there, trying to soothe it. As Kenzi continues rambling about fictional men and steals my chocolate, I realize something important.
Yeah… I think Kenzi and I are going to get along just fine.