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 smiled a little but resisted the urge to call bullshit. The king was proud. And besides, this chance meeting was kind of nice. Felt good to be in such close proximity. Made him want to keep the peace. “Ah. That’s too bad.”
Breck just stood there, posture rigid, but didn’t reply. As if afraid of what might come out if he continued to speak.
Scott eyed them, then turned and gestured toward his class. “Okay, guys. I gotta head in now. Ned, Jay, Breck, it was good to meet you. Feel free to hang out and watch.” He turned to Kai next and, clasping his palm, met his gaze. “Thanks for dropping by. Get back to me about my proposition, cool?”
Ironically, said proposition no longer interested Kai.
He nodded and feigned a smile. “Will do.”
Tad, however, barely tamped his frown.
Interesting. The guy was possessive.
A trait that didn’t typically mesh well with discretion.
Meaning this secret Tad had going on with Scott wouldn’t be staying on the downlow for very long. Maybe that was for the best, though. Sometimes secrets were more trouble than they were worth.
Kai settled his gaze back on Breck. His heart thumped, his stomach clenching. He didn’t want to say goodbye. It’d been months, after all, since he’d seen him like this, face to face.
Then again, it’d been months because of Breck. Because he ditched Kai’s class without a single word. In fairness, their last interaction had been pretty rocky. And at the start, Kai had said some things that he wished he hadn’t. The ‘daycare’ comment. The ‘binky’ jab.
In hindsight, he couldn’t believe he’d gone there. He’d just been so frustrated with Breck’s attitude, his energy. It’d pulled him completely out of his controlled state of mind. Next thing he knew, it’d been misery loves company. He’d wanted Breck as off kilter as Breck had managed to make him. Which was petty. Kai knew this. Wasn’t proud of his actions. Even now, it amazed him how easily Breck could drive him from his center.
Nevertheless, it’d still stung when Breck never returned. No explanation. No ‘thanks anyway.’ No farewell. As if Kai hadn’t been worth even the effort to type an email. And while he knew it was ultimately just a class dropped by a student, he still couldn’t help taking it personally. And not just from of the effort he’d invested in Breck, but because of the intimacy they’d shared. Those moments had left a mark he couldn’t seem to erase.
He supposed that was how Breck rolled, though. Just par for the course for a celebrity like him.
Fresh resentment flared before Kai could tamp it. Breck was just like Ryan.
Cared for no one, considered no one, but himself.
Cutting him a look, Kai took his leave, bumping Breck’s shoulder as he headed past. “Good seeing you again.”
Breck didn’t respond. Didn’t react at all. Why would he, though? What could he do? Push Kai back? Try and take him on? They both knew how that would end.
No matter. He didn’t need Breck’s kind of temptation.
Just a whole lot of headache he’d be wise to avoid.
But as he strode away, Scott’s distant words grabbed his attention.
“C’mon, Tad. Time to see what you’re made of.”
Though Scott had spoken them to another, they somehow felt meant for Kai. As if the universe was speaking to him through his friend. Challenging him to reassess his decision.
To reconsider.
— EIGHT —
“So… Mr. Point Guard… When’s your next game?”
“Tomorrow,” Breck answered, eyes locked on his and Ned’s air hockey game. They’d been playing for a good two hours now, ever since they got back from the gym. Post Malone tunes thumped from the stereo. Beer cans cluttered every surface. “Just like last week. Just like every week until March Madness. Wednesdays and Saturdays. You ask me this twice a day. What’s wrong with your brain?”
“Riiight,” Jay nodded, all chilled out on Ned’s couch, Marcie sitting next to him. He slid her a smile. “Whatchu say, girl? Wanna come with?”
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Marcie beamed at Breck. “Our boy is on fire.”
Breck grinned. “I totally am.”
“You totally are.” She took another swig of beer, then turned to Jay. “Let’s paint our faces this time. Hoorah! Team spirit.”
“I’ll paint you!” Ned chimed in, instantly distracted from their game. “I’m great with paint.”
“They’re talking about face paint,” Breck laughed, sinking the hockey puck. “Not finger paint. A little out of your technical expertise.”
“Excuse me?” Ned scoffed, donning his naughty-boy grin. “I’ll have you know, I’ve got plenty of experience in this department. Two of my five favorite conquests were into body paint.” He wagged his brows. “Every color everywhere. And I do mean everywhere.”
Jay’s eyes went wide. “Hot damn.” He looked at Marcie.
She started laughing. “Sure, baby. I’m game. Let it be known, though, that I’m only agreeing to this because I’m drunk.”