I hesitated before leaning down to kiss my mother’s weathered cheek. “Goodbye.”
“Bye? What do you mean?” Mom asked.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I won’t be coming back because I won’t bring Keelie here to be treated like something lesser because of your prejudices. So, I’m telling you goodbye.”
“Cormac…” My father’s tone held a warning.
I shook my head. “You’ve made your choices, and they’re never about what’s best forme.”
Once I left their house, a weight seemed to lift. I might love my parents, but I didn’t want to experience their myopia any longer. Maybe in time we’d rebuild a relationship that worked for all of us. Maybe we wouldn’t. Either way, I’d tried.
I drove my rental car back to the hotel and found my room—a posh space with soft lighting and two King beds covered in silky duvets in a sleek, dark gray. I went to the gym almost immediately, as I needed an hour to work out the frustration I felt after visiting my parents. I had a little more breathing room now. The rest of the guys would show up in the next half hour or so, and then we’d grab dinner. Good thing because I was starving.
My phone rang just before I hopped into the shower. I smiled as I brought it to my ear, my earlier frustrations fading. “Keelie.”
“Hi, Cormac.”
I loved her voice. I loved that she’d called me. I loved her. As soon as I came up with a romantic plan, I’d tell her so, too. I wanted to make sure she never forgot the first time I told her how I felt…I didn’t want to forget either.
I frowned, noting the background noise. “You sound like you’re out.”
“Ida Jane and I met up at Ninfa’s.”
“Oh. Are you having fun?”
“Yes. I like her.”
“Good.”
Keelie sucked in a long breath. “I need a favor.”
I settled back against the room’s armchair, wincing a little as my hamstring pulled. “Of course,” I said. This was the first time Keelie had asked for something, and I would do everything in my power to make it happen.
“Can I…we…Ida Jane and me…stay at your place?”
Thatwas her favor? “I’d love you to be there.” I smiled, liking the idea of Keelie in my house, sleeping in my bed. “But why the change of heart?”
Keelie lowered her voice. “Her ex hit her.”
I sucked in a breath. “Does Maxim know?”
“I didn’t ask. But she won’t stay with me. She said she needs security—”
“Then hell yes, you’re staying at my place. I can even bring in a bodyguard—”
“Whoa! That’s unnecessary. For me. I don’t know how Ida Jane feels. I want her safe.”
I blew out a breath. “Maxim and I will coordinate security,” I said, voice tight. I rose from the bed and paced. Much as I loved Maxim, his girl had better not put mine in danger.
“I don’t want you worried about me,” Keelie said, as if reading my mind. “You need to focus on winning your games.”
“I can do that better if I know you’re safe.”
She was quiet for a moment. “I worry you’re too good to be true.”
That tone again. Whatever dark secret Keelie held, it had to do with someone important not loving her, protecting her, and that first someonehadto have been her father. My lip curled.
People could be so selfish, so damn hurtful. My parents’ view of the world had stopped them from having a relationship with me… Being back in that house had been stifling. Our conversation—or lack thereof—had created more tension because I knew they hadn’t heard me today. But I’d made my choice clear, and if needed, I’d deal with them later. Right now, Keelie needed me.
