Feeling guilty for my part in his last two crappy days, I caught his eye and said, “I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have dumped that on you. It’s just a stupid schoolyard crush. And I know it’s one-sided. I promise to keep my mouth shut from now on.”
“It’s not that, Kenzie. I think you’re a great girl. I just… that’s not why I came here, you know, to meet anyone. It was the furthest thing from my mind. You just took me by surprise is all.”
“I know. I was being stupid. Every guy I know has been in my life forever. I don’t meet a lot of fresh meat.”
Kyle grinned. “You understand I could go in so many directions with that statement, right?”
“Of course.”
“But Dale says my sexual innuendos are leading you on.”
“Honestly, Kyle, I’m so deprived of male companionship that you could have entertained me with stories of health insurance and I still probably would have imprinted on you.”
He smiled. “So how do you want to handle this? I’ll do whatever you want.”
“I don’t want things to be weird. Can we just forget that yesterday ever happened?”
“Thank God,” he said grabbing his chest. “Does that mean I can still make sex jokes?”
“I’d be bummed if you didn’t.”
“So do you think it’s going to hurt me? Revealing that information about Jake?”
“That depends. Do you live in a mansion?”
Kyle didn’t immediately respond. At least he had the decency to look embarrassed.
“Seriously?”
“What? My brother bought my parents a house a few years back. Is that my fault?”
“No.” I laughed. “But you might want to omit that fact when you’re talking to the others.”
“You think?” he grumbled. “And I don’t live in a mansion very often. Most of the time I’m in hotels, on the tour bus, or with Jake at his place.”
“And again, another possible omission.”
“You don’t approve of my life?” he asked, with an edge to his voice.
“On the contrary, it sounds amazing. Traveling, concerts, rock stars… I only wish I could be you.”
“But you think I’m a spoiled brat.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to. Everyone here assumes that. You don’t think I know when I’m being judged?”
“Kyle… I…” I reached out to touch him, but he flinched away.
“My life hasn’t been picture perfect, Kenzie. I’ve dealt with some hard shit too.”
I was taken back by the resentment in his voice. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No one ever does.”
Kyle stomped off, leaving me disbelieving in his wake.
Marooned Rule #5
