Page 28 of Dirty Little Mistake

Kaia met me at my truck a few minutes later.

"So, why did you want me to ride home with you?" Kaia asked once I pulled into traffic.

"Because you looked like you needed someone to talk to." I swerved the wheel to the right. "So, spill." Slouching in the seat, she grunted as her lip curled into a snarl. "Come on, Kai." I flicked a glance out the corner of my eyes.

"What's Jax's deal?" My head twisted, and my brows furrowed. "I mean, where do his commitment issues come from?"

"So, thisisabout Jax." She shrugged. "Have you tried talking to him?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "He's so closed off."

I eased to a stop sign. "I think a lot of it comes from our parent's divorce." I didn't think; I knew because it was the same reason I didn't want to get married or have kids. I saw what happened when love ended. I saw how messy it was and what it did to my brother and sister, and I never wanted to put anyone through that.

Leaning forward, I looked both ways before surging forward. "It was a pretty nasty divorce, and unfortunately, they didn't keep us out of the middle of it. We had to watch the fights, and they wanted us to choose. Like I said, it was nasty, and Syn and Jax took it hard." I would never admit it, but I had to.

"Do you think that's why he keeps himself and his feelings at a distance?"

"Probably. Be patient and give him time to work out his struggles with his feelings. He'll figure out what he wants. Hopefully, it's not too late."

"It would be nice if he trusted me enough to talk to me."

"Kai, I don't think he even understands the reason he is the way he is." She nodded, and I swerved into the driveway and stopped in front of the garage.

"What about you? You going to have a conversation with Cam?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"You should probably figure it out. Rockfest is next weekend." Her eyes widened. "Holy shit! Rockfest is next weekend." I nodded. "Well never get tickets now."

"I already got them." I smiled. "I have six tickets. You can invite your new partner if you want."

"Yeah, maybe."

Kaia and I strolled into the house. She headed upstairs, and I strolled through the house and into the backyard.

Standing at the pool edge, I let everything Kaia said sink in. My pulse quickened as a mixture of emotions flowed through me. The memories of my parents flashed forward, but not enough to overshadow the pain I felt seeing her with him, and I realized I didn't want to lose her.

I didn't have a plan, and I didn't know how any of this would work out, but I wanted her to know I wasn't going out like this.

I cut through the living room and kitchen and exited into the garage. I had no idea where Cam was, but I knew eventually she had to go home, and when she did, I'd be there waiting.

Chapter 12

Camryn

Owen eased his car to a stop at the end of my gated driveway. Even though the gates were open, I'd insisted that he drop me at the end of the driveway so I could walk up alone. I needed a minute of fresh air to collect my thoughts because the only thing I could think about was Trystan.

How could something that felt so right be so wrong?

I wanted Trystan. I'd always wanted him, and now he was right there, yet so fucking far. He'd always been just out of reach.

Strolling up the long driveway, I flicked a glance back to see Owen's car pull away. My gaze shifted back ahead of me, and my breath caught in my throat when my eyes landed on Trystan. He stood at the top of my driveway, leaning against his bike, wearing a pair of ripped faded jeans and the same black t-shirt he'd been wearing at the bar.

His eyes lifted, and I froze when our gazes collided, my chest aching like all the air had been knocked out of me. My heart leaped into a gallop, my pulse raced, and my stomach bottomed out, twisting with anticipation.

My entire body tensed as he pushed off his bike and stormed toward me. "What are you..."

His hands cupped my face, and he kissed me, swallowing my words. I melted into him, my body softening as my hands curled into his shirt. The kiss was possessive and dominating. He was staking his claim, marking his territory. I had no idea what was going on, but I didn't care.

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