Page 45 of Ruthless Blade

Mom’s eyes flicked to him, and whatever she saw there seemed to satisfy her more than anything I could have said. That was how it worked. The soft spot she had for Kayden and my brother was unreal. It was like she never really wanted a daughter; the boys came first.

"Ben is out back with the grill," she said, turning away. "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. Kayden, can you show Alexis to her room?”

I bit my lip, trying to keep the urge of mouthing off to her at bay. I had so many questions, but something didn’t feel right. She took the news as I expected and then once Kayden opened his mouth she took it better? It didn’t make any sense.

"Yeah," he agreed.

"I’m sure I can find it on my own.”

"Come on," His hand was already gone from mine, but he led the way to the stairs, and I followed blindly. My body halted when my gaze found the front door, looking for an escape. I need to get out of here. Abort mission, Abort!

I shook my head and followed him up the stairs, passing by the first few doors. On the fourth one, he opened it and there was a beautiful guest room that had pink and blues, a queen sized bed with a bunch of pillows and blackout curtains covering the window.

“I’ll go get the bags.”

He went to leave, but I turned to face him. “Kayden...” I started and he stilled, but didn’t turn to look at me.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

He turned then, his gaze narrowing. “We made a deal, Lex. You can’t back out on me now.”

I bit my lip, looking around. I wasn’t backing out per se, but something wasn't right. It was like a trap or something. I had similar feelings when the wreck happened; that’s why I felt trapped, and probably more so why I went into a panic attack.

He came towards me and caught me off guard, again. His hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.

My breath caught, “What are you doing?”

His gaze darkened, and lowered to my lips. Oh god, was he about to kiss me? There’s no way. I had to be losing my mind.

He leaned forward, his lips hovering over mine. Part of me wanted him to kiss me. I’d wanted to taste his lips on mine again, but knew that things would change. Things would be different. We never agreed to kissing, only small things like hugs or hand holding.

But with him looking at me like this, I wanted more than anything to see what Kayden was like when his defenses were down. Before our lips touched, something in him snapped, and he quickly let go of me as if I’d burned him. He walked off, and it was like I didn’t matter. He’d discarded me like a puck bunny who had been used too many times. Someone who could satisfy him briefly, but not someone who was good enough to be around forever.

This time, I let the tears fall. Hating him was easier. Keeping my guard up was easier. Being with him, the way I wanted to, would never happen. The quicker I learned that, the better off I’d be.

Chapter Twenty-Three

LEXI

I stayed in the room for as long as possible, sitting on the bed and contemplating my life choices.

Then, Mom’s screeching came all the way up the stairs, like a villain who raked their nails on a chalkboard. I stood up and wiggled my body to loosen up, and went out of the room and down the stairs.

As my feet hit each step, the further my stomach twisted. Fuck, I’m going to puke. That’s how dinner will go: puke all over the table. How embarrassing.

Dinner went as well as expected, which was a complete disaster. My hands were clammy, my appetite non-existent. Kayden wasn’t doing any better. I watched him throughout, his jaw and eyes tight, no smile playing on his lips.

Mr. Daniel had asked Kayden how hockey was going, and it was like anytime that subject came up, he shut down all communication.

Clearly the situation with them and hockey wasn’t a good one. I didn’t know much about his dad other than what I saw at family dinners, and while he was there, he was present and attentive. Although... I do remember my brother commenting that he was never around for Kayden’s practices or games, and normally critiqued him on every single thing.

"We wanted to wait until you were both here," he said, reaching for Mom’s hand on the table. "Nora and I have been talking. We're thinking of putting her house on the market. She'd officially move in here, with me."

What.The.Fuck?

This had to be a dream. Please, please wake me up from this nightmare.

"Sell the house?" I repeated. This can’t be happening. My world was tilting on its side. The nausea I’d been feeling was threatening to spill over.