Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(8)

“So we came up with a plan to test out the theory,” Patrick finished.

I covered my face with my hands. “Oh my God.”

Jared pulled my hands away. “Don’t be mad at us. I didn’t know how else to make lover boy here jealous. I think I proved my point.”

“And I think you need to get the f*ck out of here before I get off this floor,” Kyle growled.

Winking, Jared helped me up and sauntered out of the gym with Patrick by his side. I couldn’t believe they said all of that just to make Kyle jealous. “Please tell me their assumptions aren’t true,” I said, glancing down at Kyle still on the floor.

Kyle sat up and huffed. “I wish I could, but I can’t.”

“My friends hate you. Where do you see anything going? It just could never happen.”

Frustrated, he ran his hands through his hair. “I’m trying to change all of that. You saw what I did today. I let go of my pride and I’ll pay the price of that humiliation for the rest of my life. I need for someone to give me a chance.”

“You realize what you’re asking?”

He nodded. “I do. And I know you don’t trust me, but I’m hoping once you see that I’ve changed, you’ll see me differently from everyone else.”

I couldn’t believe I was even entertaining the idea. I must be f*cked up in the head. “So what do you want to do?”

Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. “We can start out slow. What are you doing this weekend?”

“I told my best friend, Nic, that we could check out the new club in town. I haven’t been out in a really long time.”

Kyle got to his feet and stood close. “I haven’t either. I can meet you there if you want.”

I sighed and looked down at the floor. “If we do this, you can’t tell anyone.”

He ran a hand down my arm and I shivered. It was the first time he’d touched me so intimately. “I understand.”

“Why me, though? Why not find someone who doesn’t know about your past?”

“It would be easier,” he admitted, “and you may hate me, but you’ve also been the only one to show me kindness. You’re the only one who could come close to being considered a friend.”

Tyler was going to kill me, not to mention Kacey if she ever found out. “Okay. Meet me at the club on Friday night. Just don’t make me regret this decision.”

His smile made me tremble. “I won’t.”

***





FOR THE REST of the week, Kyle and I had talked at the gym, but kept our interactions to a minimum. “So you’re trying to tell me that the guy who all of your friends hate is going to meet us at the bar tonight? Are you insane?” Nicole shrieked.

I had put off telling her for as long as I could, but now that we were getting ready to go out, I had no choice. I joined her in the bathroom to finish flat ironing my hair. “I’m sorry. It’s just really awkward knowing that he’s the Kyle Andrews. I never knew him like everyone else. From what I’ve seen of him though, he’s really trying to change.”

Nic pinned the last of her curls into an updo and spread on her lipstick. “I sure hope you’re right. The last thing you need is another psycho messing with your head.” She squeezed my arm and I looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had on a skin tight red dress to match her bright red lips.

“I’m not the same Megan as before, Nic. I know this guy’s not bad, or at least not anymore.”

“All right, I believe you. Now finish getting ready so we can go. This is a monumental occasion.”

That it was. I almost forgot what it was like to go out and have fun. As fast as I could, I finished my hair, checked my makeup, and put on some lip gloss. I was ready to go.

By the time we got to the bar, it was nine o’ clock and it was slamming. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait outside long. The music was loud and there were a ton of people dancing. I grabbed Nic’s hand and dragged her to the bar so we could sit. The busty blonde bartender smiled and waited for our order. “A shot of tequila for me and my friend, please,” I said.

“Coming right up.” She set two shot glasses on the counter and poured them high.

Nic grabbed hers and tossed it back fast, followed by a cough. “Whew, that shit never gets easier to swallow. I’m surprised you didn’t order your usual.”

“I’m done with raspberry martinis. They remind me too much of Alex. It’s all I would ever drink when we’d go out. I want to start new things, make new habits.”

She slapped her hand on the counter. “You’re damn right. How about another shot?”

“Sounds good to me.” We downed another shot and I was starting to feel pretty good.

“Do you want to dance?”

I shook my head. “Not really. I’m sure there are some gorgeous guys out there who’d be happy to dance with you.”

“You sure? I don’t want to leave you alone.”

Laughing, I pushed her away. “Go, I’ll be fine.”

She pouted her lips, but as soon as she hit the dance floor, two guys sandwiched her and she was in heaven. Instead of ordering another shot, I got water and watched her dance. “Can I get you a drink?” someone asked behind me. I turned around and a sharply dressed man in his mid-thirties smiled at me.