Page 40 of Bittersweet Redemption

I lean back against the counter and give him a knowing look. “Right. So skipping out on work and tracking me down while I’m on a date means you aren’t jealous?”

“Correct. I’m not jealous of that guy. He looked as exciting as a can of paint. I just didn’t want you to have a shitty night, so really, I was looking out for you.”

I laugh. He can deny it all he wants, but I saw the look in his eyes when he cornered me at the restaurant. If you looked up jealousy in the dictionary, it would describe exactly how Kai acted last night.

“Hmm. Ok, well, thanks for looking out for me, Kai.”

“Anytime.” He walks out of the kitchen and settles on the couch.

I set my empty cup in the sink and grab my bag. I don’t bother telling him where I’m going, and he doesn’t ask. I open the front door and freeze.

Hanging on the door is a picture. I snatch it down with shaking hands.

“Don’t stand there with the door open,” Kai says from the couch. When I don’t answer, he walks towards me. “What are you doing?”

I imagine I must look shell-shocked because that’s exactly how I feel.

“What’s wrong with you?” Kai tries again. He looks from my face to my hands and pries the black-and-white picture from my grip.

“What the fuck is this?” He looks at the picture of us. It’s from last night when I was pushed up against his wall, and he was kissing me. In big, bold letters, the word ’SLUT’ is written across the picture. Whoever did this likely has pictures of us in other situations, too.

Kai pulls me back inside and shuts the door. The picture falls to the floor, and he yanks me into his embrace. His hand rubs my back.

“Do you have any idea who’s doing this?”

I shake my head against his chest.

“What about your ex?”

“I don’t think so.” I feel Kai take a deep breath.

“Maybe you should call him just to make sure.”

It makes sense that Nick would be the first one to question. I don’t really know many people that aren’t associated with him.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Reluctantly, I take a step back from Kai, pull out my phone, and find Nick’s number. I haven’t called him in so long. We usually discuss matters to do with Roman over text. It’s weird to call him about this, but Kai is right. I need to make sure it’s not him. I press call and put him on speakerphone.

“Willa? Is Ro ok?” Nick answers in a groggy voice. I must’ve woken him up, which means he was up late. It’s not abnormal for Nick to be up late, but it also means he could have been out driving past my house.

“Yeah, yeah. Ro’s fine.” I assure him.

“Ok, what’s going on?”

“Just wondering what you were doing last night.” I cringe at how stupid that question sounds.

He chuckles. “Why? You miss me, baby?” Ugh. No, thank you.

“No,” I answer way too quickly, knowing that after last night with Kai, Nick could never compare. “Just wondering if you stopped by the house. I had a package without a name on it. I thought it might be from you.”

“Wasn’t me, babe.” I hear the sheets rustle. “I was out living my best life last night. Went to the club with some friends and left with a couple of girls. It was a good night.” Gag. I can’t believe I was ever with this man. He could be making this up to try to get a rise out of me, but knowing him, it’s probably true.

“Ok, that’s all I needed.” I want to get off this phone call.

“You know you’re always welcome back in my bed, Willa.”

“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks though. I gotta go. Sorry I woke you.” I hang up quickly and look at Kai.

“Sounds like a gem,” he deadpans.