My boyfriend.
“I…I supposed I can. I mean-”
“Talon!” came a female voice from somewhere in the house. “Talon, are you home?”
That was not Edie.
My eyes widened. “Oh, shit!” I jumped out of bed not caring about my lack of clothing and drove for them like an Olympic diver. “Is the door locked?” I yelped.
“Kenz-”
“Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God,” I ranted. “Please tell me that’s not your mother, Talon.”
“I don’t like to lie, Kenzlee,” he said, and I could swear that was laughter I was hearing in his voice.The bastard.
I threw on my clothes faster than I ever thought possible. I knew I looked like a wrinkled used mess, but I didn’t care. The objective here was clothes.
I had clothes on.
Turning towards Talon, I immediately wanted to slap his face. “This is not funny, Talon,” I hissed. “Your mother is…is…she’s going to know.”
“Kenzlee, it’s fine,” he said, chuckling. He reached for my hand, and threading his fingers with mine, walked me out of his room, through the living room, and through the kitchen.
A petite, older woman, who looked exactly like Edie, stared at us walking through her living room, and she was doing a horrible job at hiding her shock. Her eyes were wide, and dancing back and forth between me and Talon, but I finally saw where Talon and Edie got their incredible eyes from.
A hole in the ground would be great right now.
“I…I didn’t realize you had company, son?” she stammered.
Talon snorted as he pulled me behind him to stand in front of his mom. “Kenzlee’s not company, Mom,” he said. “She’s my girlfriend.”
Mrs. Draven’s eyes grew wider. “I’m…I’m sorry…your girlfriend?”
Talon chucked as he leaned in to give his mom a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t act so surprised, Mom. I do like girls, you know.” Then Talon went on to ignore her shock and disregard my shame and said, “Edie will be home soon She’s catching a ride with someone in her debate group. I started dinner. I’ll have your lunch packed by the time you get out of the shower and are ready for work.”
Never mind Talon’s mom’s shock.
I stood there staring at this complex boy as he checked on the dinner he started and took control of his household, taking care of his sister and mother.
Holy shit.
His mom kept looking back and forth between us before she finally looked at me and said, “Kenzlee, is it?” I nodded. “Hi, Kenzlee. I’m Helen Draven. It’s…uh, good to meet you.”
And that hole in the ground would have come in a might big handy right about now, because what I said next will haunt me the rest of my days. “I’m so, so sorry, Mrs. Draven,” I blubbered. “It was inappropriate and disrespectful, and I’m terribly sorry. I…I shouldn’t have been in your son’s bed and I should have paid you and your home more respect. I…oh, my God,” I cried, mortified. “I’m so sorry. I…I completely understand if you…if I’m no longer welcomed here.” I shook my head sadly. “I wouldn’t want a disrespectful hussy with my son either, ma’am,” I whispered quietly.
The silence was louder than anything I’ve ever heard in my life.
Mrs. Draven’s eyes were blinking, and I feared she might be having a seizure, whereas Talon was staring at me with his mouth hanging open. It took only a few short seconds for everything I just said to play back through my head, and the heat creeping up my neck was unmistakable.
Talon finally cleared his throat and said, “Uh, I had planned on telling her that we were just hanging out and that you fell asleep while I was cooking dinner, had she asked, Kenz.”
I hugged my arms around my waist and mumbled to the floor, “Do you think you can take me home now, Talon?”
The asshole laughed. “Not on your life, babe.”
I felt a small, dainty hand on my arm, and it was rubbing up and down in a soothing motion. “Sweetheart,” his mother said softly, “it’s okay.” I looked up at her pretty face, and she had the sweetest, softest expression. “I’m just surprised because Talon’s never brought a girl home or has had a girlfriend that I’ve known of.” She smiled sweetly. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
“You don’t think I’m a hussy?” I asked in a humiliated whisper.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t,” she assured me. “I think my son must be in love with you for you to be in my home. So, no, I don’t think badly of you. I just hope you both are being responsible.”
“Mom,” Talon groaned.
She laughed as she walked off saying, “Just wait until after graduation to make me a grandma.”
∞∞∞
Talon~
Mom got ready for work, and after sending her off with her lunch, she’s the one who actually dropped Kenzlee off at home. I hadn’t liked it, but I had to feed Edie and make sure she was okay.
I didn’t mind the responsibility, but I didn’t like not being the one to take Kenzlee home. However, now that we were doing this, I was hit with just how hard it was going to be to be without her. I knew realistically she couldn’t live with me, but I wished for that scenario. A part of me even wanted to argue that she was technically a grown adult; she didn’t need her family’s permission to move in with me. But I also knew she’d never go for it.
Baby steps.
When my mom had gone to get ready, Kenzlee had collapsed in utter embarrassment and had wanted to run from the house. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to face my mom again. I did my best to assure her that my mother didn’t live in La-La Land and she knew I was legally an adult and got into stuff. All she cared about was that I was safe and not burying dead bodies in the backyard. I’m not sure if she believed me, but she did relax a bit and didn’t flip out when my mom came back into the kitchen to help me prepare her lunch for work.
When Mom had come back into the kitchen, Kenzlee had excused herself to go freshen up, and Mom used those few precious moments to drill me. She thought Kenzlee was an absolute darling and was happy to see me with a girl who showed some morals and backbone no matter how embarrassing. She also reminded me that she’d kill me if I got Kenzlee in trouble and didn’t do right by her. When I mentioned that I’d marry her today if she’d say yet, that shut her up.
I knew it wasn’t so much that Mom approved of me having a girl in my bed, but I’ve always been respectful of her, Edie, and our home. I’ve never had a party here. I’ve never had people here, besides Lars and Hunter. I’ve always cleaned up, took care of Edie, and respected that, while she was never home, Mom was doing her best, and it was her paychecks that paid the mortgage on this place.
So, seeing Kenzlee, with her hand in mine, Mom immediately knew she was special. She knew there’s only one reason why Kenzlee would be in her home.
Because I loved her.
Now, lying in my bed, staring up at the ceiling, there was nothing I wanted more than to have Kenzlee back in my bed.
I grabbed my phone and called her. Fuck texting. I needed to hear her voice. “Hey,” I said when she answered on the second ring.
“Hey,” came her soft whisper.
“You sleeping?” I hadn’t really given the time much thought, but I felt wide awake.
“No,” she replied. “I was just…”
I laughed. God, we were pathetic. “You were just in bed thinking of me?”
Kenzlee chuckled. “Yeah, that. How d’you know?”
“Why do you think I called you?” I countered.
“Because you wanted to have phone sex?” she teased.
“The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind,” I told her, honestly. “Now, how’s that for being pussy whipped, without the pussy?”
She was quiet for a few seconds before asking, “So, why d’you call, if not to have phone sex?”
“Quit saying that,” I warned. “You’re going to make me start thinking about phone sex.”
I could hear some shuffling, and it
sounded like she was getting comfortable. “Okay,” she said. “No more p.s.”
“Great,” I laughed. “Now that’s all I’m going to think about anytime someone uses those letters.”
She laughed. “Can I ask you something, Talon?”
“Anything,” I replied meaning it.
“You promise your mother doesn’t think I’m some sort of cheap floozy out to corrupt her precious son?”
I sighed but was smiling. “I promise you, White. My mother doesn’t think any such thing. Christ, woman, she wouldn’t have driven you home if she had.”
“That was so embarrassing, Talon,” she whined. “I mean, really, really embarrassing.”
“Hey, you can’t blame me for that,” I reminded her. “I had every intention of protecting your virtue. You’re the one who let your guilt spew out the dirty details.”
“Not funny,” she growled
I disagreed. “It was a bit funny.”
“So, are you ever going to get around to telling me why you called?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I called because I wanted to talk to you,” I told her.
“About what?” She sounded genuinely curious, and that bothered me. It was as if she didn’t think I’d want to talk to her.
“Everything,” I admitted. “I hardly know you, and…that doesn’t sit well with me, White.” And it didn’t. Here I was, telling this girl I loved her, bringing her to my house, and I knew the bare minimum.
I could hear the smile in her voice. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, why don’t we start with kindergarten, and go from there?”
Kenzlee laughed, and it was like my soul was a peace. Every responsibility, every stress, every worry, everything that I’ve dealt with since my dad walked out felt…easier. My world just felt lighter listening to her laugh even though that wasn’t true. All my responsibilities still existed, but somehow, it felt like life was going all work itself out.
“Well, that could take all night,” she pointed out.
“Then it takes all night,” I replied. “I mean it, Kenzlee. I want to know everything.”
“Does that mean I get to know everything about you, too?” she asked.
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know, babe.”
She was quiet for a few seconds before saying, “Well, it all started when my mother had a charity breakfast to attend, and so Lela, our housekeep, had to take me and Kaden to our first day of kindergarten. But it was okay,” she sarcastically added. “You know? Since most of the kids that had been privileged enough to get into that kindergarten were all being dropped off by the household staff.”
“Sounds like special times,” I said wryly.
“Oh, they were,” she chuckled.
And that’s how we spent the night; telling each other everything we wanted to share. By the time we fell asleep around three in the morning, there wasn’t anything I didn’t know about Kenzlee. And there wasn’t anything she didn’t know about me.
Chapter 18
The drama that follows us.
Talon~
I had only gotten four hours of sleep last night, but I felt…alive, and anyone who knew me could tell. Edie had made mention of it this morning as we were getting ready for school, and now Lars and Hunter were giving me shit about at our lockers.
“There’s only one thing that can put that look on a guy’s face,” Hunter smirked.
“And it’s not a piping hot breakfast,” Lars chimed in.
I flipped them both off as I grabbed my book out of my locker. “Don’t you have to get to class,” I growled to Hunter.
He just smiled. “Yep, but I’m pretty sure this gossip is worth being late to class for,” he chuckled.
“There is no gossip, you asshole,” I replied.
“Oh, come on, Talon,” Lars whined. “Don’t be like that.”
I shut my locker and turned towards the two jackasses. “What d’you guys do? Grow vaginas over night?” I looked back and forth between the two. “Are we going to start attending knitting classes and taking sensitivity courses?”
Lars grinned. “Must be love,” he surmised “Only love makes a guy clam up like that.”
“A jaw wired shut does that too, asshole,” I huffed.
“Sooooo?” Hunter asked.
I’ve known these guys since we were babies, and knowing that, I knew they weren’t going to let this go until I gave them something. “We came to an understanding yesterday,” I finally admitted.
Hunter’s brows shot up. “The kind of understanding where you guys called a truce not to kill each other?”
I smirked and started walking. Hunter would leave me and Lars at the east fork to head to his class while Lars and I headed to first. “The kind where she’s my girlfriend and she’ll actually admit it in public,” I snorted.
Lars started laughing. “I bet the make-up sex was explosive,” he hooted tactlessly.
I side-eyed him. “The make-up sex is none of your business,” I informed him.
“Aahh,” Hunter added. “So, you’re saying there was some make-up-”
“Don’t make me fuck you guys up,” I growled. “Because I will.”
And then Hunter did the ultimate as we reached the hallway separation. He took off to the left, but not before hollering down the hallway, “Talon Draven, in love. Who would have thought?” His laughter following behind him.
His announcement stopped everyone in their tracks, and all eyes shot over to where Lars and I were standing. “I’m going to kill your brother one day,” I stated matter of fact.
Lars just shrugged as his hand slapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll be the first to admit, the boy needs killing sometimes, but he’s not a liar,” he chuckled.
I shook my head and started walking towards first period again. “I expect that kind of shit from you, not Hunter,” I replied.
“Oh, dude,” he sputtered, clearly offended. “Don’t count me out just yet. I’ve already put it all over social media that you’re pussy whipped. Did it the second I saw that goofy ass look on your face.”
“Goddamn it.”
We reached first period, but before we walked in, Lars asked, “So, is it love?”
I looked at my best friend and there was no way I was going to lie to him or downplay what Kenzlee meant to me. “Yeah, it is,” I admitted. “Anyone goes near her, you know what to do.”
Lars nodded. “And Alexandria?”
“The same,” I confirmed. “But…maybe we need to explain it more in detail. Alexandria doesn’t strike me as the type to just go with the flow without explanation.”
Lars snorted. “Ya think? It’s amazing what a little kidnapping does to a woman.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah,” I deadpanned, “girls are so hard to impress these days.”
Lars reached for the door handle to first period, and holding it in his hand, looked at me. Lars was the least serious out of all of us, so when he got serious, we paid attention. “Does she love you back?”
I nodded. “Yeah, she does, man,” I told him honestly. “She told me she did, and…and I believe her.”
Lars grinned. “That’s good enough for me.”
“I mean it, Lars,” I stressed. “No one touches her.”
He gave me a sharp nod and opened the classroom door. “And no one will,” he agreed.
We made our way to the back towards our desks and I ignored all the eyes that kept glancing my way. I wasn’t stupid. I knew this was big news. I knew that people were going to be curious, and I knew they were going to consider it a big deal. I’ve never had a girlfriend and the hookups I did have were just that-hookups.
I never took a girl to the movies to dinner. I never took a girl to my house, and I never went to hers. I never held a girl’s hand or spent time with one outside of my dick out and her skirt up.
Other than Edie, I’ve never spoken to a girl about her feelings, her goals, her problems or just her goddamn hobbies. Now, it wasn�
�t that I didn’t like girls or respect them; I just never met a girl who took my interest past the basics. It wasn’t a case of playing hard-to-get or an over-inflated ego, either. I just never found a girl who interested any other body part besides my dick.
It took a beautiful girl who looked like Snow White to flip me on my ass.
A girl who had more class and grace in her little finger than what all the people I knew had put together. Kenzlee was way too good for me, and I knew it.
I knew this.
I knew she deserved better than an average garage mechanic, construction worker, or whatever the fuck it is I’d end up doing in life. I knew that, even though those diamond earrings were from her brother, she deserved to be draped in diamonds.
And even after staying up all night talking, and knowing that her future was uncertain, and she was planning on looking into community colleges or just getting a job, her circumstances didn’t change the fact that Kenzlee was too refined and special for an ordinary life.
However, that was the only life I was going to be able to give her.
She was never going to have diamonds other than the ones in her ears. She was never going to have furs or eat at country clubs. It was all going to come down to a choice between my love and everything she’s ever been used to.
I could only hope my love would be enough to last her fifty years.
∞∞∞
Kenzlee~
Apparently, Lars and Hunter Finley were connected enough to launch their own news station.
By the time I was walking towards third period the entire school knew Talon and I were officially an item. My phone had dinged with notifications for every social media outlet I had with requests from Edie, Lars, and Hunter to be added to my lists of friends and followers.
Alexandria had been giddy and excited all morning for me, and I thought it was hilarious how fangirl she got over Talon. The kidnapping thing aside, she really was happy for me. She said the simple fact that Talon’s never had a girlfriend before was enough for her to believe he was serious about me.
I didn’t tell her that I had no doubt Talon was serious about me. We stayed up all night learning about each other and nothing had been off limits. We talked about his father walking out on his family. We talked about Kaden and how Talon had met him before. We talked about why Talon fought and all his plans for Edie and his mother. We talked about how my father lost everything and how my parents dumped me on my uncle. We talked about how he never had a girlfriend and my relationship with Cameron. Granted, we glossed over that topic because Talon hadn’t been too eager to discuss Cameron, and how I lost my virginity to him, but we did touch on the subject.
The Heavier The Chains... Page 13