Page 35 of Tangled

He smells like a man, a man that has put my mind in more of a tailspin than Trevor ever did. When Trevor cheated, it definitely stung. But it didn’t confuse me. In all actuality, I think I kind of expected it.

But nothing that Kane has done since our night together is something I would have expected. I feel whiplash from the way he’s dragging me in and throwing me back out. I need some answers.

I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows hard, clearly waiting to respond so he can choose his words carefully.

“I… I don’t know…” He growls, pushing himself up off of the wall and turning his back to me, pulling on his hair.

“What?” I ask, even more confused than I thought I was before.

“I don’t know what I want from you, Olivia. You and I were supposed to be a one-time thing. But now you’re here and I… I feel…”

Anger floods my veins as I watch him throw blame on me once more. “Well, I’m sorry I’ve come along and wrecked your life. Don’t worry, Kane. Our secret will stay a secret and I’ll leave you alone,” I chide, pushing myself off of the wall and turning for the exit, making my way out to my car.

“Olivia!” He shouts after me, but I don’t turn around. I feel the sting of tears hit my eyes when I realize that trying to reason with him is just a waste of time. From our few brief encounters, it’s obvious we can’t have a normal conversation. Maybe sex is all we were ever meant to be.

And I’m stupid for thinking it could ever be something more.

The slap of my boots on the pavement mimics the slam of my heart in my chest. My tears threaten to fall, but I hold them inside until I reach my car door and begin to fish my keys from my pocket, the saltiness of the droplets hitting my lips as I let my frustration out in the form of crying.

“Hey, sis,” a low voice catches me off-guard as I spin around and hoist my keys up in the air, prepared to do as much damage as the jagged pieces of metal will allow.

“Whoa there! Easy tiger. Liv, it’s me.”

My brother Cooper stands there before me in his sheriff deputy uniform, one hand on his gun while the other is high in the air.

“Jesus, Coop. You scared the shit out of me!”

He laughs as he lowers his hand and reaches both arms out for me, pulling me in for a hug. I’ve been home for over a week now, but this is the first time I’ve seen my younger brother. Cooper is three years younger than me and a newbie sheriff deputy in town. His shifts have been opposite of my schedule so we haven’t been able to meet up with each other.

Even though he’s younger than me, Cooper towers over my five-eight frame. At six-three and two-hundred some odd pounds of muscle, he makes me feel safe in his arms, in a brotherly way, of course. His dark brown hair and matching eyes make him look just like a younger version of our dad.

“You working the game tonight?” I ask as we break apart.

“Yup. You know this game can get out of hand sometimes. The crowds are insane, so the school district always calls in to the department for added security.”

“It’s so good to see you. I’m sorry I haven’t made an effort to catch up yet. It’s been crazy with starting my new job and getting settled in. You’re going to mom and dad’s for dinner on Sunday, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll have to leave a bit early to start my night shift, but I’ll be there. Are you okay?” He searches my face, which I’m sure is three shades of red with mascara running down my cheeks.

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine,” I lie, looking away to swipe at my face.

“Hey. Did something happen?” He asks, pulling my chin so my face meets his again.

“Just stressed and tired. And these shoes are killing me. I’m ready for bed,” I shake him off, unlocking my car and opening my door.

“You’re a horrible liar, Liv.”

“It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with, Coop. I’m good. I’ll see you Sunday.”

He shakes his head at me before leaning down and kissing the top of my skull. “Whatever you say. Love you. See you Sunday.”

I give him a tight-lipped smile, then slide into my car and pull out of the parking lot, leaving the night and all the confusion behind.

The day started out promising and then quickly went to shit. Is this just the new theme of my life now? If that’s the case, I demand a do over! Thirty-one years on this earth and my world has never been shaken like this before. This better not be the Trevor effect. Or some weird Mercury retrograde that’s making my universe teeter off of its axis.

Sleep. That’s what I need. Sleep, a good book, and as little interaction with Kane as possible.

Chapter 16

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