Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(15)

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out my phone and dialed Tyler’s number. Kyle got to his feet. “Who are you calling?”

“Tyler.”

He grabbed my phone and turned it off. “No you’re not.”

“Why? This happened on his property. He’ll want to know.”

Sighing, he passed my phone back to me. “But if he finds out, he might ask me to stay away. If he does, I won’t have a choice.”

“Dammit, Kyle,” I griped, putting my phone in my bag. “This isn’t right. What are you going to do?”

He huffed and turned his attention to the scribbled words. “I’m going to get this fixed and move on. I knew what I was getting myself into when I moved out here.”

I placed my hand on his arm. “It still doesn’t make it right.” My stomach churned looking at the damage. “You can’t drive around with your truck like that. When do you think you can get it fixed?”

“We have a mutual friend in California who can do it, but I haven’t talked to him since I helped him with Gabby. I don’t even know if he’ll talk to me, let alone fix my truck.”

“Paxton?” I asked.

“Yep, he’s the best. It’s just I don’t want to ask him yet. I’m probably the last person they want to spend time with.”

“You’d be surprised about Gabby. Maybe when you decide to go I can come with you. It’ll help soften things up.”

“You’d do that?”

“They’re my friends, Kyle. I’d do anything to spend time with them again. I miss California.”

He sighed. “So do I.”

My phone began to ring so I fished it out of my bag. It was Nicole, probably wondering what was taking me so long. “It’s Nic. When I’m late, she always calls to check up on me. Will I see you tomorrow?” My heart dropped when he shook his head.

“I think I’m going to lie low for a few days. It’s probably for the best.”

I nodded, even though deep inside I wanted to see him again. “I understand. You’re not going to pack up and skip town are you?”

He laughed and pulled out his phone. “No, love. Give me your number and I’ll call you back so you’ll have mine. Feel free to text or call anytime.” Once the numbers were exchanged, we said our goodbyes and I got in my car. As soon as I got home and pulled into the garage, my phone buzzed with an incoming text.





Kyle: Will u miss me this week?

Me: Wouldn’t you like to know.

Kyle: Don’t worry. I’ll keep asking until you say yes.

Me: You’ll be waiting a long damn time.





I walked inside, staring at my texts with a big grin on my face. With her hands on her hips, Nic glared at me, wearing her strawberry shortcake apron.

“Girl, where have you been? I tried calling you. Dinner’s been ready for forty-five minutes.” Her face softened when she noticed my smile. “Oh, look at you . . . I guess I’m not the only one taken now.”

“Greg?” I asked excitedly.

She grinned. “Yep. It looks like our love lives are finally looking up.”

I threw my bag on the floor and sat down at the kitchen table. The food smelled amazing. “I wouldn’t say my love life is looking up, but it’s definitely not looking down either.” I just had to keep it a secret for now.

***





DURING KYLE’S ABSENCE, I watched every person who walked through the doors to see if I could sense any trace of gloating; especially Dean and his friends. I even worked out around them and heard nothing about them taking the credit for Kyle’s truck.

“Is there a reason you keep checking your phone every other minute?” Tyler asked, sidling up to my desk.

“Nope,” I said, shutting it inside one of the desk drawers. I wasn’t about to tell him Kyle and I had been texting incessantly the past three days. “I was looking at the time.”

He leaned over on the counter and shook his head, smirking. “I’m just going to pretend I believe you. So what are you doing tonight?”

I narrowed my gaze. “Going home. Why?”

“I figured we could celebrate your promotion tonight. Kacey’s expecting us at the restaurant after we close.”

“Sounds good to me. Is Nic still invited?” I asked.

He groaned and then finished with a smile. “As long as she doesn’t talk the entire damn time, we’ll be fine.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I have other plans for her.”

“Good. We’ll close up a little early and head out.” As soon as he walked away, I picked up the phone and called Nicole.

“What’s up, chickadee,” she answered.

“Not much. Just calling to tell you we’re having dinner at Kacey’s restaurant tonight and you’re invited. Tyler wants to celebrate my promotion and reward me for my hard work.”

“Awesome. Call me when you’re about to head out and I’ll meet you there. Greg’s coming over for a little bit.”

I laughed. “Just make sure you get to the restaurant on time.”

“I will, I will. There’s nothing wrong with a little afternoon delight to get the party started.”