Laney
IT’S STARTING TOrain.
After the coffee debacle with Kam, I came home, changed into the crumpled-up shirt I slept in last night, and disappeared under the covers. I listened to the large droplets hitting the pavement outside like a drum until I fell asleep.
I don’t know how long I have been holed up, but when I throw the covers off, I realize its dark outside. I just lie there as the thunder pounds and my emotions stir. I have been in a state of conflict all day. Wanting Kam is one thing, but knowing he wants me back is entirely another. It opens doors that should stay closed forever. Dangerous, emotional, heated doors that warnEnter At Your Own Risk.And loving Kam has always been a risk.
I know I have to stop obsessing. About Kam, about the past, about the present, and about the very potent feelings that just won’t seem to go away.I’m going to drive myself nuts!
My personal-crisis situation calls for some pizza and ice cream . . . stat.
I shoot out of bed and walk into my living room, and what do I see as soon as I look at the television? Kam’s face.
“You’re up.” Steven is lounging on the couch holding the remote.
“How long have you been here?” I ask him, peeling my attention away from the headline for only a second.
“A few hours. We were supposed to grab dinner, but you were asleep when I got here. Are you feeling okay?”
“Not really. What’s going on?” I point at the television.
Steven snickers. “He’s not so golden after all.”
I want to slap him for his scathing remark.
“Why are you always hating on Kam?” I snap at him. “Does he intimidate you that much?”
Steven stands up. “He doesn’t intimidate me, Laney. I’ve just always seen him for what he is. And now the rest of the world sees it, too.” He motions to the screen.
Alabama Golden Boy Accused of Sexual Assault.
“Kam would never do that,” I immediately defend him.
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“I guess you would know,” he replies snidely.
“What exactly are you accusing me of?”
“Still having feelings for your ex,” he says blatantly. “The two of you have been pretty cozy lately.”
“We’re friends.”
“Is that what you’re calling it?”
“You’re being an idiot.”Just like Kam called you today. “Where is this coming from?”
“It’s coming from the fact I’m not blind, and that you wear his practice jersey to bed every night.” He pokes me in the chest. I look down and realize I’m wearing the dark-blue jersey with the number seven, a pair of underwear, and nothing else.
Steven heads for the door. “Why don’t you call me when you work out what the hell you want. Although, I’m pretty sure I already know what that is.” Thunder booms and lightning strikes just as he storms out, slamming the door behind him.
I stand there gaping.What the fuck just happened?
First Kam, now Steven? My life is turning into a car wreck.
I rub my temples, sit on the couch, and turn up the volume so I can listen to the news report that’s playing on a loop.“Sandra Collins, twenty-two, has accused the football phenom of raping her at a college party after she repeatedly refused his advances. An investigation is underway.”
