Chapter 17
Kennedy
I packed my clothes with tears streaming down my face and didn't question their decision. My attempts to talk to Mom went in vain as she ignored me like I didn't exist. Mom still didn't even look at me.
Twenty-four years I'd lived in this house. Twenty-four years of being the good daughter. And now I was being cast out.
Kate walked up to my car as I packed my stuff inside. She sighed.
"They'll come around."
I shrugged. "Probably won't be anytime soon."
Maybe never. Maybe this was it. Maybe I'd just lost my family forever.
"Years, maybe," she said quietly.
"Or never."
"Don't say that."
"It's true though, isn't it?" I closed the trunk harder than necessary. "You saw their faces."
She said nothing then, just stared at me with a kind of pity that made me uncomfortable.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you feel sorry for me."
"I do feel sorry for you," she said. "This is bullshit, Kennedy. You know that, right?"
"It is what it is."
"Where are you even going?"
I hesitated. "I have a place to stay."
"Where?"
"With friends."
"The two guys?"
I met her eyes. "Yeah. The two guys."
She nodded slowly. "They better treat you right, or I'm coming after them."
I smiled despite myself. "They do."
"Good." She paused. "Kennedy, if you need anything—"
"You can't help me. Not without them finding out."
"I don't care what they find out."
Catching me off guard, she lunged into my arms and hugged me tightly.
I smiled despite myself and hugged her back. "Take care of yourself."
"You too," she said before she broke apart and smiled in a way that didn't quite reach her eyes.
She was scared for me. I could see it.
"I'll be okay," I said, trying to convince us both.
"You better be."
I glanced back at the house as I slid into the driver's seat and saw Mom standing by the front door, the door barely cracked open. I swallowed hard but turned to Kate instead and flashed her one last glance before I started the ignition and drove away.
Mom couldn't even come all the way outside, couldn't even say goodbye. Just watched me leave through a crack in the door.
Driving away from the home I'd known forever was hard, especially seeing the way things ended, but a part of me felt relieved because I knew I could finally live my life the way I wanted. Yes, they'd be angry and disappointed, but at the end of the day, this was my life to live.
My life. Not theirs. Mine.
I didn't know where I'd go, but I drove, hoping an idea would come to me. It was the weekend, and the plan had been to head over to Elijah's place, but I couldn't exactly show up at his place with my suitcase. We were already moving so fast. I didn't want to chase him away.
He didn't sign up for this, didn't sign up for a homeless girl with family drama and nowhere to go.
So I parked my car in some random parking lot and just sat there with a million thoughts rushing through my head.
What now? Where do I go? How do I start over with nothing?
I sat there for what seemed like forever before my phone rang. I glanced at it sitting on the passenger's seat and realized it was Elijah.
My pulse raced. He was probably calling to see if I was still on for today, but I didn't even know how I'd talk to him without giving away that something was wrong.
I hesitantly picked up the phone and answered. "Hey."
Keep it together. Sound normal. Don't cry.
"Hey, beautiful. Still on for today?"
I swallowed hard. "Yeah, I'm actually headed your way now. Too early?"
"Definitely not. Sounds perfect." He paused. "You okay? You sound off."
My heart skipped. "I'm fine. Just tired."
"Long night?"
"Something like that."
"Well, I'll let you drive. I'll send a message to the lobby to let you up."
I smiled. "Thank you. See you soon."
"Drive safe, sweetheart."
When the call ended, I sighed and was happy Elijah didn't suspect anything. I decided that I'd stay with them for the weekend and then find somewhere to rent afterwards. They didn't have to know that I was practically homeless. Not now, anyway.
Two days. I'd figure it out in two days. Find an apartment. Get my life together. Prove I could do this alone.
I searched our message history for the address he'd sent me last night, and once I arrived, I was surprised to find that Elijah lived in one of the most prestigious apartment complexes in the city.
The lobby area was grand, almost like a hotel, with a small bar area and a receptionist at the front. I told her my name, and she gave me access to Elijah's floor.
I couldn't help but feel nervous on my way up. This was all very new to me, and I was excited. I just wished the bitterness from being kicked out of my parents' home didn't linger like a bad flu.
I checked my reflection in the elevator mirror. Eyes puffy. Face blotchy. He'd know I'd been crying.
When I got to Elijah's door, I knocked, and was surprised at how quickly the door opened. He stood on the other end with a smile on his face that made me smile as well. He was so handsome, and the whiff of his spicy, woodsy cologne wrapped around me.
"I'm glad you could make it. Come on," he said, stepping to the side.
"Nice place," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Thanks. It's home."
I stepped inside his man cave, which was exactly that. It was neat, not a single thing out of place, and had mostly dark tones like grays and black. He didn't have much of his personal items out. It was almost as if he'd just moved in.
Nothing personal. Nothing that said who he was. Like he'd been living here but not really living.
"How long have you lived here?"
"Three years."
"It looks like you just moved in."
He glanced around. "I guess I'm not big on decorating."
"Or on being home much."
He smiled. "That too."
"I have something for you," he said as he walked toward the living room.
"Oh yeah?"
I followed behind him, watching as he picked up a small box and handed it to me. I couldn't contain my smile as I stared down at the obvious jewelry box. When I opened it, my heart skipped a beat, and emotions bubbled up in my chest.
My lips quivered as I stared down at the sparkling diamond necklace. I glanced up at Elijah, my eyes already foggy with tears.
"Elijah, you didn't..." I broke off into a sob, the gesture meaning more to me than I realized.
It also brought up emotions that I'd planned on keeping buried for this entire weekend.
Someone wanted to give me something. Someone thought I was worth this, worth diamonds and care and thoughtfulness.
Elijah rushed toward me, the smile on his face morphing into concern as he hugged me.
"Thank you so much," I said between sobs. "It's beautiful."
He used his hand to gently massage my back before he pulled back from me and stared down at my face, his gaze searching.
"Hey, hey. This isn't just about the necklace, is it?"
I shook my head, unable to speak.
"Kennedy, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry. I'm ruining the moment—"
"You're not ruining anything. Talk to me."
My lips quivered. I'd planned on keeping this secret a little longer, but I realized Elijah could see right through me.
He always could. From the very beginning, he'd seen me.
"My parents kicked me out," I said, my voice breaking. I was too ashamed to meet his gaze.
Elijah's gaze softened, an empathetic look in his eyes as he held me. "What? Why?"
I took a seat on the couch and sniffed, using my hands to wipe my tears. "I told my dad I didn't want to work at his firm, and then I told them I'd been involved with you guys."
"And they kicked you out? Just like that?"
"My mom came to my room this morning. Said my dad wanted me gone by the end of the day."
"Fuck. Kennedy, I'm so sorry."
His eyebrows raised, but then he reached for my hand. "I'm sorry that happened. I can't imagine what you must be feeling."
I swallowed. "Funny enough, the feeling is bittersweet. I hate that it ended the way it did, but I'm finally happy I got all that off my chest."
"Bittersweet how?"
"Like I'm sad I lost them, but relieved I don't have to pretend anymore. Does that make sense?"
"It makes perfect sense."
Elijah smiled. "I'm proud of you for speaking up."
I blushed, seeing the look of pride in his eyes. "I probably wouldn't have had the guts to do it if it weren't for you and Jasper."
"I think you had it in you all along," he said before he frowned lightly. "Where are your things?"
"Er, I left them in the car. I was planning on staying in a hotel for a few days after the weekend until I find somewhere to rent."
Please don't ask questions. Please don't make me explain how little money I have. How terrified I am.
"A hotel? Kennedy, you can stay here while you figure things out," he said as if it was the only thing that made sense.
I shook my head. "I couldn't ask that of you—"
"You're not asking. I'm offering."
"Elijah, we barely know each other. I don't want to be a burden—"
"You're not a burden."
"You don't know that. I could be a terrible roommate. I might leave dishes in the sink or hog the bathroom—"
He smiled. "I'll take my chances."
"I insist. Stay as long as you need. I mean it."
My stomach fluttered. I couldn't help my blush or the smile that crept up at the corners of my lips.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"How many times do I have to say it?"
"At least one more time."
He leaned closer toward me. "I've never been more certain about anything in my life," he said before gently pressing his lips against mine. Arousal sparked through my entire body at the single kiss, fire settling at the base of my stomach.
He wanted me here. He wanted me to stay. This wasn't charity. This was him choosing me.
Just as his tongue snaked into my mouth, a knock came at the door that had us pulling apart.
"That must be Jasper," he said as he stood.
I sat there, feeling more nervous at the thought of being locked in the room with both of them again for the very first time since the cabin.
But I couldn't help my excitement. Despite my earlier situation at my parents' house, that feeling of dread was no longer there.
Just the single thought of Elijah and Jasper was enough to make me happy.
Here, I wasn't the disappointment. Here, I wasn't the failure. Here, I was wanted.
I heard faint chatter that got louder and louder as they approached the room.
My smile was huge when Jasper entered the room with a bouquet of red roses in his hand. He paused when he saw me, a smile on his handsome face.
"Hello, beautiful," he said as he walked toward me.
His smile faltered slightly. "You've been crying."
"I'm fine—"
"What happened?" He looked at Elijah. "What did I miss?"
"Her parents kicked her out," Elijah said quietly.
"What? When?"
"This morning."
Jasper's eyes darkened. "Those fucking—"
"It's okay," I said quickly.
"It's not okay."
"She's staying here," Elijah added.
Jasper nodded, then handed me the flowers. "Well, these feel inadequate now, but here."
I stood and went to greet him. I smiled, taking a sniff.
"These are lovely. Thank you."
He shrugged. "They're no match for that pretty face of yours."
I blushed, kissing him softly before we broke the kiss.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice lower.
"I will be."
"So what's the plan for today? I was thinking we could chill here for a bit, and then we could go somewhere to eat later tonight. There's a nice restaurant in town. I know the owner. We could get a reservation right away," Jasper said.
"Sounds good," Elijah said. "What do you want to do, sweetheart?" he asked me.
As I looked at both of them with so much care in their eyes, it became clear.
I'd lost one family today. But maybe I was gaining another.
"I want both of you to use me," I said, watching the way Elijah's throat bobbed.
Jasper's eyebrows shot up. "Right now?"
"Right now."
"Are you sure?" Elijah asked. "After everything that happened today—"
"I'm sure. I need this. I need to feel wanted."
"You are wanted," Jasper said softly.
"Then show me."
"Are you ready for both of us?" Jasper asked.
I nodded, already feeling the excitement in my gut. "I'm ready."