Page 21 of Refuel

“Have you met her, Tennessee?” Mom asked.

“No, I know of her though. She’s related to the Pierce family,” Tennessee said.

“Ohhh,” Mom said.

“Yep, a billion-dollar family,” Tennessee said.

My voice was laced with irritation. “I don’t care about her money.”

“We know, honey. I didn’t raise you to look at someone based on looks or financial gain,” Mom told me.

“What do you need to put up in the garage?” I tugged at my collar, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

“A few boxes in the corner need to go up.”

“Have you talked with Rylee and Colton?” I questioned. They often checked up on her for me to keep me updated. She didn’t care for it, but since she was retired, and I traveled so much, it kept my mind at ease. Well, more like I told her to quit working so I could spoil her, send her on trips around the world.

“I saw them yesterday,” she said, opening the garage door. I looked around and noticed a stack of boxes that needed to be organized.

“She works with Colton.”

“Who?” she asked.

“The girl from Vegas,” I said before I bent down and blew the dust off the top. I saw boxes of my stuff from when I was a baby.

“You like her?”

“She’s interesting, but I’m not looking for anything serious,” I responded and picked the large box up and stacked it on top of the shelf.

“Tennessee, grab that box over there, please,” Mom stated.

He nodded and tossed the entire cookie in his mouth and grabbed the box off the floor.

I stayed at her place until late, helping to clean up. I then dropped Tennessee off at home around midnight. When I pulled up, I saw a car in my guest spot. I lived in a gated community and somehow, Josie was able to get inside, which meant she used her credentials. I turned the car off and stepped out when she climbed out of hers.

“Kash, let me explain,” Josie rushed out.

My jaw clenched at her intrusion, and I yanked out of her hold.

“Josie, we have nothing to talk about. We haven’t slept together in over nine months.”

“I miss you,” Josie said, following behind me to my building.

Typing in my code, I walked inside, and she followed.

“You can’t be here, Josie.”

“Why? Is there another woman here?”

Checking with the receptionist at the lobby, I grabbed my mail and headed to the elevator with Josie on my tail. I typed in the code to the elevator and stepped on when it dinged. Josie tried to step on, and I stopped her.

“If I do, it’s none of your business.”

“Is it that bitch from Vegas?”

“You realize I never made you believe I wanted a relationship, right?” I questioned.

“Kash, wait!” Josie yelled out as the doors closed.