Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Kai nodded. “It is.”
Breck peered at the windows above. “So what’s it like living where you work?”
“Easy commute.”
Breck smiled a little and shifted his gaze back to straight ahead.
“Congratulations, by the way, on getting to the Championship.”
Breck slid Kai a look. He’d been tracking their games? “Thanks. Would’ve been nicer if we’d actually won.”
Kai inclined his head. “From what I heard, you played amazing.”
From what I heard. So, he truly hadn’t gone to any more of his games. He’d stayed away, as Breck had requested, yet had still kept tabs. Like he cared or something. Like he’d genuinely been interested. A notion that both lit Breck up, but also made him feel like shit. He’d deprived Kai of an experience he’d really wanted to have.
Forcing another smile, Breck looked away. “We did alright.”
Silence lingered.
The small talk had ended and now Kai was eyeing him. Curiously.
Breck could feel it. Kai wanted to know why he wasn’t getting out.
Thing was, he wasn’t ready to leave. Had something to say, but he sucked at this shit and didn’t know where to start.
Kai sighed and reached for his garage door’s remote. “So, I guess this is good night—”
“I’m sorry,” Breck blurted.
Kai paused. “For what?”
“For punching you,” he muttered.
“Ah.” Kai dropped his hand and eased back into his seat.
“I probably shouldn’t’ve kissed you, either.”
Kai regarded him. “You regret that, too?”
Breck tamped a weak laugh. “Even I can admit it was shitty timing.”
Kai’s lips twitched. “I certainly enjoyed it more than your fist.”
Breck eyed him, his body stirring at the memory. Kai had kissed him back, and God Almighty, he’d gone up in flames.
Clearing his throat, he averted his gaze, shifting in his seat.
“Speaking of punches…” Kai murmured wryly.
Breck met his gaze again.
Kai’s smile was teasing. “You’ve forgotten everything I taught you.”
Breck grunted. “I was drunk.”
“And your choices, poor. Your refresher course this summer can’t come soon enough.”
Breck laughed darkly. “I told you, I’m not interested in any more public humiliation.”
Kai shrugged. “My offer for private lessons still stands.”
Breck clenched his jaw. “Why? So you can get me all worked up again, and then mock me like you did before?”
All playfulness left Kai. “That’s what you think? That I was mocking you?”
Breck chuckled derisively. “How else should I have taken it?”
“Perhaps the way it was intended.” Kai’s gaze was intense. “I wasn’t mocking you. I was reveling. In your desire. In the fact that you wanted me just as much as I wanted you.”
Breck stared at him.
Was he serious?
But all this time… Breck assumed that Kai’d been playing with him. Merely messing with his head.
His mind churned feverishly as he absorbed this newfound knowledge. But wait, if Kai really wanted him, then why did he reject him the other night?
Because Breck had come to him appallingly drunk.
Seething venom.
And yeah, had just sucker punched him square in the face.
Breck exhaled and rubbed his brow. In truth, a part of him would actually consider taking another class with Kai. Would look forward to it. Especially with this new bit of information. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. At least not anytime soon.
“I can’t,” he finally muttered. “I can’t take your class. Even if I wanted to. My summer is utterly booked.”
A look of disappointment flickered across Kai’s face. “More basketball.”
Breck nodded. “Yeah. My agent’s coordinating all kinds of shit. The Portsmouth Invitational. Then draft preparation training and team workouts. So much traveling. Then, of course, the Chicago Combine before the NBA drafts.”
Kai whistled low. “Jesus, Breck.”
Breck chuckled. “I know. Just thinking about it fucking exhausts me.”
“You’re really serious about a career in sports.” Kai’s tone sounded sober. And something else.
Again, Breck nodded. “I’ve busted my ass for this. It’s my dream.” He smiled. “But hey, at least I’ll be hitting Hawaii before the craziness starts.”
Kai’s brows rose. “You’re going to Hawaii?”
“Yeah. Goldie Lock’s graduation present from his parents. An all-expense-paid trip for him and his buddies.”
“Goldie Locks?” Kai chuckled. “I presume that’s Jay.”
Breck grinned. “Yeah. My favorite pain in the ass.”
“Well, that’s awesome. You deserve a good time.”
Breck stared at him. Another compliment? Who was this man? He didn’t know how to react when Kai behaved like this. Up until now, he was always used to being on the defensive. Kai’d set him off, and he’d retaliate in kind. But tonight Kai was acting differently. Even at the art show, he hadn’t provoked Breck at all—which was huge, considering what went down the last time they’d seen each other. He’d just smiled and went about his evening. Then out of nowhere, reappeared and offered Breck a kindness.
What the hell was going on?
Not that Kai was always an asshole. Because in truth, he really wasn’t.
The guy was just arrogant sometimes. Overconfident. Aggravating.
Breck exhaled and nearly laughed.
Sounded like someone else he knew.
Shaking his head, he smiled. “Thanks.”
Kai inclined his head.
“And thanks for the ride, too. I owe you one.”