Page 69 of Keeping Kyle

Kennedy’s group was looking at us. He offered a slight smile and steered his group into the hallway, which was super nice since Kyle wasn’t even on the team anymore.

“That’s why your logo’s not up there anymore. Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m so sorry.”

I put a finger against his lips, which muffled more apologies. He bugged his eyes out.

“Long story short, AMDD isn’t mine anymore.” A week had past and even though it’s what I wanted, it still stabbed at my heart every time I had to talk about it. I wouldn’t sugarcoat it for Kyle; though why Bobby hadn’t told him I wasn’t sure. “Someone had to be sacrificed for what happened, and it was me.”

He started to say something, and I shook my head.

“This isn’t your fault. But you know what? It’s the best thing that could’ve happened. I got bought out, which makes for a great nest egg—on top of the money I’d already been saving. You’re starting over in Phoenix.” I took a deep breath to quell the shot of anxiety in my chest. This was so against my norm. “I’m going to do the same. We can truly begin again. We can date and sort our stuff out.”

He squeezed my hand, a bit tight for comfort, but I had no intention of moving it.

“I don’t know what to say. Are you sure? I was a distraction that cost you… well, everything.”

“After years of hearing there’s more than work, you gave me a glimpse of what’s possible and someone I wanted to figure that out with. I totally get that I may move and we may not work. It’s important to know we gave it a fair shot though.”

“I hope I’m worth it.” He finally smiled broadly, and that pushed away some of my fears. I liked seeing some of his self-assuredness return. “What about your parents? Are you moving them?”

I laughed because that conversation had been ridiculously bad. The first thing they asked was if they needed to look for work. I assured them they were set up, and no one could take their money away. Still, they talked to me like I’d made a childish mistake. Kyle didn’t need to know all of that just now.

“That would be a hard no. They’re wildly disappointed. I’m not even sure they’ll come visit. I’m keeping my place in Detroit, though, for visits.”

Kyle’s smile remained, and it warmed me. Thank God he liked the idea of the move. I’d imagined a version where he got angry instead—that one had sucked.

“I’m keeping mine too. Figure it’ll be good for summers and a place to stay when I’m here so I don’t have to crash with anyone else.”

I almost suggested we could combine houses but held that back. Maybe in a few months we could talk about that.

“By the time you get back to Phoenix, I’ll be there full-time. It’ll take a few days to get my house fully set up, but it’ll be good enough to start with.”

Kyle chuckled, and I’d forgotten how much I missed hearing that. It wrapped me in comfort. “Okay, possibly the craziest thing you said in all of this is that you’re completing your move after just a couple of days. Meanwhile, I still have a house full of stuff up here, and I am trying to just get more clothes down there so I’m not doing laundry every few days or buying new stuff.”

“There are certain advantages to having no other responsibilities.” I leaned in close to whisper, “Just a reminder though, you’re not exactly poor, so you could just hire it done.”

His smile grew still larger. “Fair point. I’d like to find a permanent place though, so I can decide what comes down, what stays here. Make some sense of it rather than doing it randomly.”

“I’d be happy to help you look, even help organize what you need to move.”

I’d rooted myself in place, kind of afraid to move in case I broke the spell of the moment. Kyle, however, moved closer. The clean, citrus smell of his body wash filled my nose. I resisted leaning in or nuzzling his neck.

“I’m glad you’re here.” A vibration came down his arm, through his hand, and into me. “I promise to try not to be so intense going forward. All that’s happened with us and the trade made it clear I need to talk more, jump to conclusions less, and, in general, be more flexible.”

“Pressgrove, you’ve got about five minutes.” Kyle turned and waved at a person I didn’t know. So many new people to know in Phoenix.

“God, I’m sorry we can’t go talk more.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. I knew time would be short. I wanted to let you know what my plan was and that I want to give us the best possible shot.”

The remaining gap between us closed as Kyle drew me into a tight hug—one I happily returned. After a moment with my head on his shoulder, he pulled back, and I looked at him. He grinned so big, and those beautiful eyes were so bright that I thought I could burst from happiness. He pressed his lips to mine, and I hungrily accepted the kiss, opening my mouth so our tongues meet.

“Damn it,” Kyle said as his watch buzzed. “I’m sure that’s them telling me to get back over to the locker room so we can go.”

He kissed me more, muffling the last part of that sentence. I enjoyed it for a moment before I gently dislodged myself from the hug.

“You should go. We’ll see each other in just a few days.”

He grinned again. “I can’t wait. I’ll call you tomorrow so we can talk more.”