Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(11)

“I think I live in Greg’s neighborhood. I’m just a few houses over that way in the next development,” he said, pointing toward the road.

“I guess we’re neighbors then.” I licked my dry lips and opened the door. “Do you still want to come in and talk?”

“Only if you want me to. Don’t feel pressured.”

A sad smile splayed across my lips. “Come on. I’d rather tell you the story now then wait for later.” He shut off his truck and got out, his gaze slightly guarded. When I opened the door, I made sure to lock it before turning on the lights. “The living room is straight ahead. Go take a seat. I’m going to change clothes.”

He nodded. “All right, I’ll be in here.”

I started up the steps, but then stopped to watch him. Instead of taking a seat, he walked around the room and looked at all the pictures. Most of them were ones I’d taken when photography was my passion; it was before Alex came in and ruined it all. I lost all creativity when I let him run my life.

As fast as I could, I rushed into my room and changed into some comfortable clothes. I didn’t care if they weren’t sexy because that definitely wasn’t what I was going for tonight. Not with Kyle and I alone in my house. When I got downstairs, he was still standing in front of my favorite picture.

“I take it you took these?” he asked, pointing to the canvas.

“How can you tell?”

He walked from one frame to the next and glanced back at me over his shoulder. “I don’t know. It just seems like something you would do. I knew there was more to your story than just a girl who works at a gym.” His gaze then landed on my pink, cupcake flannel pants. “Nice PJ’s by the way. If you’re trying to go for unsexy, you failed.”

I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks. “Nothing’s going to happen like that tonight.”

“I know, love. I was just giving you a hard time.” He sat down on the couch and patted the cushion beside him. “Let’s talk.”

“Do you have any idea how awkward that sounds?”

“Not anymore awkward than it was to say it. I can roughen it up for you, if you want.” He slouched down and spread his arms out wide with a devilish smirk. “Come on, baby, you know you wanna sit on my lap.”

Rolling my eyes, we both laughed and he sat back up, beckoning me over. “Were you really like that?”

His smile faded. “Sometimes. But the women loved it. It was kind of hard not to when I knew I could have anyone I wanted.”

I sat down and faced him, curling my legs underneath. “Yeah, I guess I could see where that would get to your head. If you don’t mind my asking, I still want to know the answer to my question from the other day.”

He sighed. “You mean the one where you asked how it was not being able to walk?” I nodded. “And if I answer, will you tell me what had you freaked the f*ck out tonight?”

I nodded again. “Promise.”

Averting his gaze, he took a deep breath and let it out slow. “Scared. That’s how it made me feel. I’ve never admitted that to anyone until now.”

“Did the doctors say you would never walk again?”

He shook his head. “They said there was a chance I’d be able to. But we all know what that means in doctor talk. Over time though, the feelings started coming back. That was when I made a choice to walk no matter what the statistics said. I sought out the best physical therapy team available and worked my way back.”

“And what if Kacey doesn’t forgive you for what you did? Are you going to pack up and leave?”

“I don’t know,” he replied, his gaze searching mine. “It all depends on if I have something to stay for.”

Grabbing my hand, he pulled me closer and put his arm around me. It made me feel safe. “It’s your turn now.”

I closed my eyes and then opened them up, focusing on my pictures. “A few years ago, taking photos was what gave me peace. I didn’t need anyone or anything if I had a camera in my hands. As you can see from the shots on the wall, I love color . . . light. I hadn’t been able to capture anything like that for a long time.”

Pulling out of his arms, I turned and faced him. “What I’m going to tell you goes against everything I am now. I’m not the same person, just like you aren’t the same * that you used to be. I don’t want you to think differently of me.”

“What happened?”

“I met this guy at a party. He was everything I was looking for at the time: smart, funny, charming. Unfortunately for me, he was none of those things. I just didn’t realize it until it was too late.” I explained to him everything that happened from the first time Alex hit me and on to the last.

“So that’s why you learned self-defense? To protect yourself?”

“If I didn’t, I’d be dead.”

His jaw clenched and he huffed. “No wonder why you teach it at the gym.”

I nodded. “Some of those women have been in situations like mine and barely survived. They just want to know how to protect themselves.”

“Do you know when he’ll get out of prison?”

“I don’t know. I try not to think about it. Darryl, the officer who stopped me from killing Alex that night, has my contact information. No one else has it. So if he were to ever get out, Darryl’s supposed to call me.”