Page 36 of Ride

Winter let Kayne go and he ran over to his toys in the corner of the living room. My entire condo was decorated in black, red, and gold trim from the drapes to the couch and tables. My baby’s room was decorated in his favorite toys of dinosaurs and wildlife. Winter crossed her legs and cupped her chin to watch me.

Winter had a unique quality of picking up on my bullshit. “Stop looking at me.”

“Nope.”

I rolled my eyes and put down my iPad to pull out the ingredients for the lunch I planned to make. “How are things at work?”

“Changing the subject won’t stop me from asking about dreamboat Lakin Trenton.”

A knock sounded, causing us both to turn toward the front door. I gestured for her to sit, and then went to answer it, with Kayne rushing in front of me and twisting the doorknob.

I clasped his shoulder, moved him to the side, and checked to see who it was. “Kayne, stand back.” With a fresh line up and muscular arms wedged in the black t-shirt, Laikin wore that familiar musky cologne that left me distracted whenever he had something to tell me. Kayne tried to get in front of me. Laikin stood with his hands in his pockets.

Kayne jumped up excitedly. “Laikin!”

“Kanye, my boy.” Laikin greeted him with a high five.

I peered down the hallway. It had to be a woman waiting on him if he looked this good. “What are you doing here?”

Since the almost-kiss, we hadn't talked beyond business dealings, and those were mostly through Sarai. She kept me updated on any gossip.

“I have some people coming down to visit the track before I race and thought Kayne would like to see the show,” Laikin explained.

“Can I, Mommy? Please? I want to go.” Kayne looked up at me with his lip poked out and hands clasped together begging.

I looked back at Winter behind me, and she pretended to be fanning herself. “Laikin, I have too much work to do.”

“She can go!” Winter blurted out.

A sigh escaped my lips as I rolled my eyes.

“Yay!” Kayne cheered.

My plans for lunch were getting derailed. “Wait a minute.” My brow hiked.

“I have a driver today and my folks will be there, plus Brett,” Laikin added, playing every trick in the book to get me to agree.

“Winter, do you want to come?”

Standing to her full height, she picked up her things. “No, I have errands to run.”

“Oh, now you have errands to run.” I threw my hands in the air dramatically.

“Stop pouting.” Winter pinched my cheek, bent down to hug Kayne, and sauntered out of my home, making gestures with her hand behind Laikin’s back.

“Mommy, come on. We have to go.” Kayne jumped up and down, then ran to grab his jacket and shoes. I had some things to clean up—along with the food I took out that needed to be put away.

“Give me a second.” I ambled away, leaving him in the hallway, and went into the kitchen to put away the vegetables, shrimp, and rice. I rushed into the bathroom to check my hair and clean my face, then remembered it wasn’t a date.

I swiped up my purse, keys, and cell, sliding my feet into my brand new boots. Laikin held both hands on Kayne’s shoulders as I locked my place up. The rejection from Kayne not letting me hold his hand made me feel a certain way.

“Since when can't I hold your hand?”

“Mom, I’m a big boy now.” Kayne planted his hand on his forehead in exasperation.

“Boy!”

Laikin and I both laughed at his dramatics of trying to be grown. Leaving the building, his driver stood off from the side of the passenger door, popping the unlock button to help us climb in, and I smiled at seeing a car seat in the back.

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