Page 75 of Refuel

“How was Vegas?” I heard Ari ask.

I looked over at Tennessee to signal him to keep his mouth shut. Vegas was still playing in my mind after getting drunk almost every day from the guilt. I wasn’t too worried that I would sleep with anyone because Colton and Tennessee looked after me. We only stayed two days and then flew back home. I put my all into training, working out, and staying with my mom to get away from the paparazzi camped out in front of my home. Every day, they wanted to know how I felt about Josie and Ronald setting Arianna up. I went to visit Ronald one time in jail and almost ended up there myself when I tried to kick his ass. They’d been fucking behind my back for a few months, and she basically talked his dumbass into thinking he could be a big star if I were out of the way. Then Josie noticed Arianna and I getting close, so she manipulated him into thinking Arianna was getting to the top over him.

“Nothing happened,” Tennessee replied.

“T,” I groaned.

“What? You don’t want him to tell us all how you’ve had the biggest orgy in Vegas?” Arianna questioned.

“What are you talking about?” The first time she said something to me besides a hello, she accused me of sleeping with someone else.

“Please, keep it real, Kamden. We all know how you get down in Vegas,” Ari spat.

“All we did was drink and gamble,” I answered.

“Can you let me out, please? I’m ready to go,” she told Essence.

“Arianna, you two should talk and hear him out,” Essence said.

“No, thank you,” Ari stated.

“You’re so stubborn,” Essence insisted.

I stood so Ari could get out of the booth, and Essence followed when Tennessee jumped up.

“It’s fine, Essence,” I told her.

“It’s the hormones,” Essence joked.

Arianna stomped off to the front door, and a swarm of photographers surrounded her. I bolted out of the restaurant to help her.

“Get back! Can’t y’all see she’s pregnant!” I shouted, grabbing Ari’s hand and pulling her to my chest.

“I’m fine, Kamden. Just take me home,” she said.

I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. Tennessee and Bobby walked out of the restaurant with to-go boxes. I forgot about the food I ordered and motioned for Tennessee.

“Take Essence home for me,” I said.

Ari tried to step out of my hold, and I gripped her tighter around the waist. I escorted her to my car and opened the passenger side door. She slid inside, and I shut the door, stepping over to Tennessee.

“I’m taking her home. I’ll call you later,” I said.

“Yeah, I can see you two need to have a conversation,” Tennessee said.

“What’s up with you and Essence?” I questioned.

“Nothing,” Tennessee said and grinned, walking backwards to her car. They drove over in my car, and I wasn’t going in the direction of his place.

I shook my head and walked around to the driver side. I shifted in my seat, feeling like it was my first time meeting her. She glowed from the pregnancy, and I wanted to kiss all over her body and rub her stomach, but the way she looked out the window and avoided me, I didn’t think we could come back from this. I took off when the light turned green and drove to her house in silence.

24

Kash

I pulled up in front of her place forty minutes later. I turned the car off and opened the driver’s side door, and she grabbed my hand, stopping me.

“What are you doing?” she questioned me.

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