Page 21 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“Doesn’t mean it needs to be you.”

Chapter Eleven

Kaylee

Kaylee escaped to her room again, cursing herself for letting Rick get the best of her. He couldn’t say that he was on her side and she should trust him when he was blatantly disregarding her feelings and pushing his way into her life. This house has been her safe haven for nearly a year, and he came in with his overbearing, taunting charm like that was going to make her change her mind.

Her phone beeped with a message from Josie.

No, I need my town meeting wingwoman! Bring him with!

Seriously, I need you.

What if Walter and Xavier start fighting over the finale of Love Island like they did with Bachelor in Paradise during the last one?

Besides, I have zebra popcorn!

Kaylee laughed, typing back. I don’t want to bring him! Everyone is already talking about him being here.

That’s why you do it. Air all your dirty laundry out there. If they know it all, they won’t have anything to talk about.

Resentment swirled in Kaylee like a twister, and she rolled onto her stomach, glaring at the closed door. He’d crashed into her life, creating chaos when she just wanted to enjoy some holiday festivities and a slightly dramatic town meeting, and instead, she was holed up in her bedroom, avoiding him and everyone else.

The doorbell rang, and she got up from her bed, rushing to throw open her bedroom door. Rick was climbing to his feet as she passed, and she pointed at him.

“Stay.”

He hiked a brow. “You going to call me a good boy if I do?”

Kaylee almost tripped over her own feet. Where had this confident man with his off-color remarks come from?

“Just, please, be quiet.”

He held up his hands, surrendering to her request. Kaylee answered the door, revealing Benny in a Santa hat that flickered with lights.

“Nice hat,” she said, fighting a smile.

“Fuck off.” He grinned, holding her bags and drinks out to her. “This is a lot of food.”

Kaylee arched her brow. “Are you trying to say something?”

“I’m just surprised you can put all this away.”

“I have a friend over,” she said vaguely, aware of how it sounded, and nearly groaned at Benny’s curious stare as he craned his neck to look inside.

“Really? I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”

“I said friend. It’s not like that.”

“Ah, okay.” He didn’t sound convinced, but Kaylee couldn’t help that. “Are you going to the town meeting?”

“I was supposed to go with Josie, but I might skip it.”

“I understand, they tend to get a little off topic sometimes.” He flashed her a grin, catching her completely off guard. “A bunch of us are going to the Potato Lights Spectacular together, if you want to join us.”

Kaylee could hear Rick muttering “What the fuck” behind her, but she ignored him, keeping her entire focus on Benny.

“Thanks, I’ll think about it.”