Page 6 of Blindsided By Fake Love

If I still regret not forcing her to hear me out about Luna when I was eighteen, how much will this hurt?

“What about you?” I don’t answer right away; I can’t. I’m so caught up in the thoughts running through my head, and Kit's brown eyes have a shade of green around the pupil that changes based on the color she’s wearing. A green that’s the same shade as the trees in spring. Her eyes darken and my gaze drops slightly to her mouth. “Beau?”

Is it me, or is she breathless? “Yeah?”

“What have you been up to since school?” She pushes my shoulder gently. That simple touch does two things.

One, it brings me back to reality, and two, it makes me want to capture her lips and make her mine.

Instead, I answer the question.

“Oh, you know. Graduating college. Playing professional rugby.” I shrug and give her a smirk. “Nothing too exciting.”

Her shoulders drop, and her smile relaxes. “Gen told me you played something. She’s constantly trying to get me to watch with her, but you know I’m not really a big sports fan. She even has an Ironclad Marauders jersey. Number six, I think.”

Immediately I’m reeling from a gut punch. A longing so strong comes over me. I want Kit wearing my jersey.

“I’m happy to have one Garrett sister who’s a fan. How is Genevieve?” I push off the bed and move to the chair a few feet away. If I don’t start creating distance now, I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave.

“Oh, you know, Gen.” Her voice is saying one thing, but the expression on her face says another. “She’s doing amazing! She’s a sought-after professional dog trainer. Pretty famous in her own right.”

It’s not a surprise to me that both of the Garrett sisters have chosen careers that involve animals. Their entire family loved them.

Wiping my hands down my pant legs, I stand and pull out my phone to open my contacts. “That’s awesome. I’ll make sure to keep her in mind if anyone I know needs help. Can I get your number?”

Silence greets me, and I glance up. I snort at her surprised expression. “I want my attorney to call you about the annulment,” I clarify.

“Oh,” she says, her face relaxing. “Yeah, your attorney.”

She spouts off her number, and I enter it in my phone. Instead of putting Kit Garrett as the contact name, I enter ‘My Wife.’ A tiny zing of energy zips through me when I give her that title. I rationalize it by telling myself I’m protecting her privacy.

Yeah, that’s what it’s for. Not because I like calling her that or anything.

I hit send and hear a ding. “That’s me. Just wanted to make sure I entered it correctly.” Avoiding eye contact, I shove my phone in my pocket and pull out the card key, slipping it on the nightstand beside her.

“I gotta head out,” I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “Don’t want to miss my flight home.”

I lift my head and glance at Kit one more time. Her stare holds questions I don’t have answers to. I let out a sigh and force a smile. “It was great seeing you again. I’m sure I won’t forget the experience anytime soon.”

“Ha.” A taut grin curves her lips, and that question still lingers in her eyes. I try to walk away, but it’s like my feet are carrying concrete cinder blocks. My body won’t move.

Blowing out a deep breath, a small smile crawls across my face, and I turn to walk away. “Beau?” My heart squeezes at the sound of my name on her lips.

“Yeah?” I peek over my shoulder. Letting my eyes roam over her face to memorize every inch before walking out of her life…again.

“If I had to marry anyone, I’m glad it was you.” My mouth drops, but I recognize the teasing gleam in her look. This is just part of the game we’d play.

I place my hand over my heart and bow, never breaking our gaze. “I’m happy to have been of service.” Standing up and holding her gaze one last time I smile. “Bye, Kit. Get home safe.”

Without turning back, I walk out the door. Kit’s faint “Bye, Beau” squeezes my chest. Lifting my hand to my chest, I work to rub out the ache.

“Beau,cuz.Howareyou?” Mike shouts through my earbuds. “You’re on speaker, and I’m at the station, so behave yourself.”

Mike Matthews, my cousin, is like an older brother to me. He lives in New York State, and is the fire chief for his station. He’s the one person I can trust with my impromptu marriage. And he knows the entire history between me and Kit.

I only used to talk about her incessantly when I was in high school.

Passing the hotel rooms and carrying my overnight bag, I’m heading down to the lobby to meet my team for checkout; then heading to the airport to hop on the plane ride home.

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