Just as he was about to respond to her comment, three guys walked up to the table next to them, and she instantly tightened under his touch. Kyle leaned down next to her ear.
“Who are they?” he asked.
It was a little dark and Kyle couldn't see all of their faces.
“My ex,” she said.
“Would you like to leave?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Would you mind?” she asked.
“Not at all,” he said. “I would never want you to feel uncomfortable. Not when we're together. I would never let him do anything to you.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Of course not,” he said. “You want me to kick his ass?”
She laughed and wrapped her arms around him.
“Thank you,” she said. “You're too good to me, Kyle.”
“Not good enough to you, Jenny,” he said. “Let me get our stuff.”
Kyle walked around the table and collected the balls. Then he put the sticks back.
“You her new man?” one of the guys asked him. “She never wanted to go anywhere with me. What makes you so special?”
Once the guy stepped forward, Kyle recognized him instantly.
“Maybe if you treated her with respect, she would have,” Kyle said.
The guy walked over to her. Kyle grabbed the stuff and headed for her as well.
“I miss you, Jenny,” the guy said. “We need to talk.”
Kyle wrapped his arm around her shoulder and started toward the door. She let out a nervous breath.
They didn't say much on the way back to Kyle's house. He reached over and grabbed her hand in his.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Thank you.”
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“I don't get the sudden interest. Why would he say we need to talk? It seemed strange.”
“Maybe he realized he let a good woman go. Would you ever go back with him?” Kyle asked.
“No,” she said. “I would never be with him again. We didn't belong together. I settled when it came to him.”
Kyle got out of the car and walked around to open her door. She walked to the swing and sat down. He walked over and sat down beside her.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I didn't like him, Kyle,” she said. “I liked someone else, but he didn't like me.”
“Then he was a dumbass,” Kyle said.
Jenny's phone buzzed, and she picked it up to see if Becky or Gavin were texting her. She shook her head and turned her phone toward Kyle.
Jim: We really need to talk. There's something I need to tell you.
“Do you think he knows something?” she asked.
“I think he is regretting what he did to you,” Kyle said.
“I thought I was rid of him. That was why I gave up the house. I wanted to make it quicker,” she said.
“Ignore him,” Kyle said. “He'll quit texting you.”
She hit delete on the message and stood up.
“Can we get in the hot tub?” she asked.
“Of course,” he answered. “Hey.”
Kyle pulled her in close to him.
“I'm here for you, Jenny. You let me know if he says anything else. He doesn't need to be stressing you out.”
“You're such a good friend, Kyle,” she said.
Her words felt like a kick in the stomach. What did that asshole have that he didn't, Kyle wondered? Who was she talking about earlier?
They went into the house and changed for the hot tub. She was quiet the rest of the night. When she went to his room to say goodnight, he motioned for her to come in. Then he pulled back the covers.
“Watch a movie with me,” he said.
She crawled under the covers and curled in against him. Her fingers traced his chest while they watched the movie. It took all he had not to move her beneath him. Kyle wanted her more than anything, but he knew he needed to hold back. It wasn't the right time. He held her in his arms and knew if he ever got a taste of her, he'd never be able to let her go. Kyle kissed the top of her head.
“You're amazing, Jenny,” he whispered. “I hope you know that.”
Chapter 28
Jenny
The week started like all of the rest. Jenny met Kyle for their morning run. Then she went home to get ready for work. Gavin was already gone, so she hurried to get there as soon as she could. She heard her phone buzz as she walked into the office. He was already in the conference room with Ethan. She made the coffee quickly and took them each a cup.
“Do you need anything else?” she asked.
“Can you bring another cup?” Ethan asked. “Kyle should be here any minute. He was out running this morning and didn't get the message to meet me here.”
Jenny nodded and quickly grabbed another cup of coffee. She had just set it on the table when Kyle walked in. He was out of breath and looked down at Ethan with a cranky stare.
“Do you need some extra sugar?” she asked with a laugh. “You look a bit crabby.”
“No,” he said with a smile. “It would've been nice to know I had a meeting last night.”
“Get an assistant,” Gavin said.
“That's not fair,” Jenny said. “I surely didn't know you had a meeting either. Leave Kyle alone.”
“You can go,” Gavin said with attitude.
“Don't talk to her like that,” Kyle said. “She's probably just as smart as your ass. I could never talk to someone that way.”
“Touchy much?” Gavin asked.
Jenny let out a huff and walked out of the room. When she got to her desk, she decided to check her messages and then look for an apartment. Gavin never acted like towards her. She was slightly offended. There were two messages, so she checked the oldest one first.
Kyle: Headed to your office. Nothing like a surprise meeting.
The second one popped up right after the first.
Jim: Meet me for lunch. There's something I need to tell you.
Jenny thought about what Kyle said and ignored the message. She couldn't help but wonder what it was Jim felt he needed to tell her. Kyle wanted to know if she heard from Jim again, but he had enough going on with Ethan and work. It wasn't his job to take care of her and save her from her ex. That was something she could do on her own. Jim was an asshole, but he'd never lifted a hand to her. His nastiness was all done with his mouth and his cock, she thought. If she ignored him, he'd go away. Kyle didn't need to be bothered.
When Kyle came out of the office, he walked right by her and out the door. She knew he was pissed, but she wasn't sure why. Ethan walked out laughing and joking with Gavin.
“What did you guys to do him?” she asked.
Gavin looked down at her with a stern look but didn't say a word.
“What's your problem?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said. “What's on my schedule for today?”
The day continued on just like all the rest. When her phone buzzed, she jumped and slowly looked down at it.
Kyle: I won't be able to run until Friday morning. I have to go out of town for a bit. Apparently Ethan and Gavin feel it's my job to do the running for both of them. Fuckers!
Jenny: Where are you going?
Kyle: California. Go with me.
Jenny: I can't be gone that long.
Kyle: I can't stand when they do shit like this. Some warning would have been nice.
Jenny: Have a good time. Go to the beach and get some sun. I'm going to miss you.
Kyle: I'll miss you too. See you Friday morning.
Jenny: Of course.
Kyle: Friday night I'm taking you out. I have something I want to talk to you about. Have a great week, Jenny.
If she had kept his key, she could have stayed at his house. He didn't know that she slept in his bed when he was gone. It made her feel safe, and she loved being able to smell him on his pillows. What did he want to talk to her about, she wondered?
She couldn't wait for him to get home and find out what it was. Hopefully it was good, she thought.
They sent text messages back and forth all week. He seemed to be having an okay time after not wanting to go. She had him take a picture on the beach and send it to her.
Jim sent her three text messages each day. He didn't seem to be going away. With everything Kyle had been going through with work and him being out of town, she didn't want to tell him about the messages. She didn't want him worrying or being upset when he wasn't even there and there was nothing he could do anyway. It was no big deal. She could take care of it.
Friday morning, she met Kyle at the track by Gavin's house. As soon as she saw him, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.
“I missed you,” she said. “I know I don't see you much during the week, but it was hard knowing you were so far away.”
“You have no idea how hard it was being away,” he said. “Did you run?”
“No,” she said. “It's not the same without you now.”
“We have time to make up for then,” he joked.
They ran more than normal. She let him know she'd be at his house right after work and that she was making dinner. He reminded her that they were going out instead.
Jenny didn't hear from Jim at all that day and hoped he'd finally gotten the hint. She was excited and nervous to be going out with Kyle. He said that he wanted to talk to her about something, and she had no idea what it was. Jenny wanted to tell him how she felt about him, but she was afraid he'd reject her. She didn't want to lose what she had with him.
She wasn't paying attention when she walked out of work that day and jumped when she heard her name. Standing in front of her was her ex. He was standing next to his car. When he motioned her over, she decided that she needed to hear him out so he'd go away. He obviously had something to say, and she was starting to think that it might actually be important.
“What is it, Jim?” she asked.
“Get in the car,” he said. “I don't want to talk out here.”
“I don't know about that,” she said.
“Have I ever hurt you?” he asked.
“Not physically,” she said.
“I just want to talk. Hear me out, and I'll leave you alone. Get in. I'll drive around the block while we talk. Gavin's not going to let me sit out here with you.
“Fine,” she huffed. “I'll give you five minutes.”
Of course he didn't open her door. She didn't expect any different. They got in and he pulled away.
“Go to dinner with me,” he said.
“I have plans for dinner,” she said.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“What did you want to tell me, Jim?” she asked.
“I want you back.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” she asked sarcastically.
“It took me a bit to realize what I lost.”
“What about the woman on my bed?” she asked.
“She's gone, Jenny,” he said. “You were good for me. I should never have cheated on you. Let me make it up to you. Go to dinner with me. I can be romantic.”
“Take me back to the office, Jim,” she said.
“Why won't you go out with me? Why won't you let me show you that I'm sorry? I love you, Jenny,” he said.
“No, you don't,” she said. “You're an asshole. The entire time we were together, you put me down and pointed out each of my flaws. You didn't spend time with me. I put everything into our relationship, and I wasn't happy. You did nothing but cheat on me. When I filed for divorce, you fought for things that weren't even yours. You have my damn house.”
“You were my wife,” he shouted.
“It was a mistake. We never should have gotten married, Jim. Take me back now,” she yelled back.
Jim's hand went up and smacked her in the cheek before he pulled it back quickly. Her hand moved to cover the spot his had made contact with. She couldn't believe he'd done it.
“Do not say that. Is it because of him? Is it that jerk from the other day?” he asked, as he turned to look at her.
“Watch the damn road, Jim. What's wrong with you?” she asked nervously.
“Do you love him?” he asked.
“Take me back now,” she said.
“Answer me, Jenny,” he yelled.
“Stop the car,” she screamed.
He sped up and made a sharp turn.
“Fucking answer me,” he screamed, as he turned to look at her again.
“Jim,” she yelled out.
“Do you fucking love him?” he yelled, just as she heard a horn and then the crash before her world went black.
Chapter 29
Kyle
Kyle sat through work knowing that he had only hours before he'd be able to see her. He was planning on putting it all out there after a nice dinner and was hoping she didn't reject him. It was time she knew just what she meant to him. He'd gone almost the entire week without seeing her. California was awesome. He always loved going there, but that trip was different. He couldn't stand being so far away. He missed her so damn bad.
He walked out of work with a smile on his face knowing she would be waiting in his driveway. They hadn't been able to text too much that day. He wanted all of his work done so he could spend the entire weekend with her. If he had his way, she was going to be curled up against him instead of one room over. Kyle pulled his phone out and sent her a message.
Kyle: I'm on my way. We're definitely going out to dinner. You pick the place. Don't even think about trying to change the plan. See you in a bit.
He knew she left work before him and would have been at his house already. She left at five and he left at six every Friday. When his phone didn't go off the entire drive, he got a little nervous. Then he pulled into his driveway, and she wasn't there. Where was she, he wondered? Was she backing out? Nothing had happened during the day to upset her. They hadn't even talked. He missed her so much. She said she'd missed him. There was no reason for her not to show up. Maybe she went by Gavin's to change or get something, he thought.
Kyle went inside, changed out of his suit, and threw on some jeans and a button up. He turned his laptop on in his office to get some work done while he waited. It would be less time he'd have to take away from her later.
When Kyle looked at the clock again, over two hours had passed. There were no calls or messages, and he was getting worried. The only person he knew that could help him was Becky. He decided to try Jenny one more time.
Kyle: Are you okay? Did you forget about me?
He waited fifteen minutes with no response. Then he called her number, and it went straight to her message. He didn't want to involve Becky, but he couldn't let it go. Just as he found her in his contacts, his phone buzzed. There was a message, but it was from Becky.
Becky: Jenny was in an accident. We just got to the hospital. She's in a room already. Everything's going to be okay, but she looks pretty bad. I don't know exactly what happened yet. I just got here with Gavin. He'd be pissed if he knew I was messaging you. I know you're just friends and all, but I think she's going to need you.
What the fuck, he thought. Kyle was freaking out. He turned his laptop off and hurried to get some shoes on. As soon as he got in the car, he sent her a reply. She said Jenny was going to be okay, but he needed to see her. He needed to be there.
Kyle: I was just getting ready to call you. She was supposed to be here between six and seven and wasn't answering my messages. What was she doing? I'm on my way.
Before he even got down his driveway, he had another message.
Becky: It wasn't her car. Her car was still at work, but Gavin couldn't find her in the office.
Kyle: I'm on my way. What room?
Kyle kept going through his mind trying to figure out who she could have been with. Was she walking? Becky said it wasn't her car, so it must have been a car, he thought. He drove as fast as he could to get there. She was supposed to go to h
is house. What could have changed?
He pulled into a spot in the hospital lot and checked his phone. Then he took off running for the room Becky had sent him. He was running through the hall and threw the door to the room open. By the time he stopped, he was so scared. Gavin and Becky both turned, and her eyes connected with his. He walked right by Gavin and looked down at Jenny. Her eyes were closed, and she was hooked to machines. She had cuts on her face, and her eye looked bruised and swollen. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
“How did he know she was here?” Gavin asked from behind him.
“I told him,” Becky answered.
There was a moment of silence.
“Don't you start your shit,” Becky said.
“Why would you tell him?” Why is he here?” Gavin asked.
“Because I love her,” Kyle said without looking away from Jenny.
Her eyes opened slightly, and tiny tears escaped them.
“I do,” he said. “I love you, Jenny. I can't pretend that I don't. I can't keep it inside anymore.”
“Bullshit,” Gavin said from behind him.
Kyle took a deep breath and turned around.
“I've had enough of your shit, Gavin. I know that you're John's friend. That's the only reason I've held back all this time. I wanted to talk to Jenny the day I saw her at the shower, but you gave me the whole stay away from her talk. You've done it more than once. Anytime I've even looked at her, you've given me shit. I'm tired of your dirty looks and crappy comments. I'm a damn grown man. If she doesn't like me that's fine, but you aren't going to stop me anymore. I've been in love with her for years. I had to watch her marry an asshole that ended up hurting her and taking her house from her. What's your problem with me? Tell me right now. What's so bad about me?”
“You were young, and you had just moved here,” Gavin said. “I didn't want you to hurt her.”
“You still give me shitty looks when you see me talk to her. She can't even breathe without you acting like her father.”
“I just don't want her to get hurt. I wasn't careful enough, and that ass hurt her. I'm not letting it happen again,” Gavin said.
“I don't plan on hurting her, and I don't care what you think anymore. If we weren't meeting up without you knowing, maybe this wouldn't have happened. We've been spending time together for three months now. We run almost every day together. She was supposed to me at my house tonight. If I had picked her up, this wouldn't have happened.”
The Future of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #6) Page 13