Page 42 of No One But You

“How about you?” I asked as I swallowed a mouthful of hot dog. “What did you want to do after you graduated? Did you go to college or anything?” I wanted to know more about this man who grabbed hold of my heart so quickly. It amazed me that it had been only two weeks since I first met him. In that short time, he’d already rocked my world in a way that I really hoped would happen again.

Kai shook his head and took another bite of his hot dog. The muscle in his jaw ticked, and a faraway look clouded his features.

“Kai?” My heart sped up with concern. I wiped my hands on a napkin and reached out to touch his arm. “Hey, is everything okay?” My voice was soft. My concerned teacher voice is what Darlene called it.

His tight-lipped smile was forced. “Let’s just say getting out of high school was a challenge due to a far from perfect home life. I wanted to go to college, but I needed to stay close to keep an eye on my younger siblings, so I took a construction job and have been working construction ever since. No college for me.” Kai took a sip of his shake, and some light entered his eyes. “Damn, you were right. This shake’s amazing.”

I couldn’t tell if that’s what he really thought or he was just trying to change the subject, but he wasn’t lying about one thing. The shake was amazing.

Chapter 15

Kai

What the hell was going on with me? How did my life change so quickly in two weeks? It seemed like yesterday I pulled Matilda into Orlinda Valley, with nothing but one suitcase of clothes and a full bank account. My brother and sister were settled and living their lives. It was finally time for me to be selfish.

Leaving Georgia to work in middle Tennessee with Warren Construction was a good upward move. I finally had a job that could lead somewhere positive, and my boss, Christian Warren, was a good family man.

As soon as I found the land I wanted, I paid for it in cash and put my fifth wheel on it. Once the septic was in and a line was tapped, I’d move out of Shear Perfection and into my own place. My place. My rules. Everything I always wanted, with a life I enjoyed. It was time to put the past in the past.

Add in Kora, and an unexpected bonus was added to my plans.

My gaze fell over her as she ate. She was the epitome of small-town life. She loved everything about this town. Our morning together had proven that. She knew everyone and enjoyed showing me around the town and the stores. She could be the Orlinda Valley welcome committee. Her dark auburn hair fell over her shoulders, and her large brown eyes shone with excitement as she talked about her job and her students. She was breathtaking. Everything about her was beautiful.

I know so much about her. It’s time I share a little about me. I finished my hot dog and fries and wiped my mouth. “I have a younger brother and sister. They’re twins. My brother just graduated from basic training. He’s in the Army, stationed at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. You remind me a lot of my sister. She’s a teacher and loves life.”

I had Kora’s undivided attention, Keep it simple. Now’s not the time to divulge too much. “They’re twenty-four. My brother and I worked to get our sister, Susie, through college. We knew she wouldn’t complete her classes if we weren’t there for her. As soon as she graduated, she got a job in South Dakota. Her roommate was from there, so she went to live out there with her. Sebastian, my brother, felt his duty to her was finished, and joined the Army. Once they were both situated, I could finally focus on me, and here I am.”

I never talked about myself or my life. I hadn’t had any intention of sharing any of this with her. I usually kept to myself, but Kora was so easy to talk to and was focused on every word I said.

Hell, I’ve come this far. I might as well tell her everything, or almost everything. “I was seven when my mom had the twins. My dad had been out of work for a while and instead of searching for a job, he took up drinking. I’m sure it wasn’t a pregnancy either of them anticipated or wanted. As soon as the twins were born, Dad’s drinking increased, and his meanness intensified. Mom took care of us the best she could, and I took some of the load off her by helping with the twins. I’d bathe them and make sure they were fed.” I paused and sipped my shake, then took a deep breath. “My first memory of him beating my mother was when I was eight. He beat her so badly I had to doctor her because he wouldn’t allow her to get medical attention. After that, when Dad came home drunk, I’d do anything I could to make sure he took his anger out on me instead.”

This was harder than I thought. I hadn’t talked about all these details in a long time. “Sometimes Dad would be gone for nights on end. Those were the good days. Finally, the twins were old enough to start kindergarten. I’d always pick them up from the elementary school and walk home with them. I was twelve and in middle school which was directly across from the elementary. It was chilly one day when we were walking home, so it must have been January. Mom wasn’t home when we got there. I didn’t think too much about it and fed the twins. But after a week of her being gone, I realized she left us.”

I froze. What was I doing? I glanced up and couldn’t miss the concern that shrouded Kora’s gaze.

I always hated people’s pity. That’s why I kept all this to myself, but with Kora I couldn't. “Yes, it sucked. But I learned to move on. The twins needed me, and I knew I had to be their role model. I became a mom, dad, and older brother to them that day. I did whatever I could to make sure they had anything they needed, and I took the old man’s money when he passed out so I could put food on the table. After Mom left, he still drank, but his anger dissipated. He became someone to pity. Not to fear.” I shrugged. “I can’t complain about my upbringing because it made me strong. I took care of my brother and sister, and they both turned out great.”

Kora’s eyes glistened, and her lips pressed into a thin line. Great way to kill the awesome afternoon. This was not okay. “Enough about me.” We needed to get out of here. I cleaned the counter and held out my hand. “Where to now?”

She pulled me to the door and down the road and into a small alleyway.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled my head down to her. Her lips crashed into mine, and our tongues tangled. My breath caught, and I swear all my blood went south.

This woman could kiss. The softness of her lips caused my blood to pool in one area, and all the concerns I had earlier about telling her too much evaporated instantly. I wrapped my arms around her and brushed my hands over her silky hair.

This was exactly what I needed. Kora grounded me.

She pulled away, and I wasn’t prepared for the emptiness I felt.

“You’re amazing, Kai.” Her gaze blazed into me. “That story totally explains what I’ve noticed. You are such a helpful and genuinely kind person. It seems that you’ve been that way since you were seven. Your brother and sister were so lucky to have you to support them.”

“Thanks.” My voice was gruff. I’ve never been good with compliments. “I didn’t tell you all that for your pity. Honestly, I don’t know why I told you that. It’s my life and not something I usually spill to anyone. It’s a past I’ve tried to leave in the past.”

“Well, thank you for sharing with me.” Kora brushed her hand against my chest. Then her eyes met mine. “Have you ever heard anything from your mom?”

I breathed out heavily. “I did look for her.” I hated a lot of my life story, but this was at the top of my list of all-time shitty tales. “When I got a job and started earning more money, I did some research and hired a private investigator to find her, and he was successful. He found some death records.” I ran my hands down her arm and intertwined our fingers. My eyes stayed on our hands. “She died of an apparent drug overdose five years after she left. She was living in Atlanta.”

“Kai. I’m so sorry.”

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