Page 73 of Trust Issues
“So you officially cut off your thots for me?”
“I guess you could say that,” I laughed.
“Shit. Maybe you do have some sense after all.”
“Maybe I want you to know that I’m willing to do what it takes to keep you and to show you I know how to be serious.” I couldn’t believe how freely my words tumbled out. More importantly, I couldn’t believe how true they were.
Kyle had me ready to tap out for good.
“I actually believe you,” she said with an earnest nod. “Which means I must trust you a hell of a lot, Max. You know how hard that is for me, right?”
“I know.”
“Please don’t break my heart,” she chewed on her bottom lip and stared up at me with big hazel eyes that made me lose grip on gravity. I swore I’d float right out of the atmosphere every time I looked at her.
“Having your trust means everything to me, Kyle. I won’t break your heart if you don’t break mine. ” I put my vulnerability on center stage and it felt awkward as hell but the expression painted on her deep brown face told me I could trust her.
“Deal,” she said.
I wanted to say something else. Something that would fit the moment and the way I felt but my stupid pride stopped me. Instead of telling Kyle exactly how I felt about her, I started on breakfast while she played music and tidied up.
It seemed like we were both avoiding the elephant in the room. We were being open and bare but not completely.
…
After breakfast, Kyle got a call from Naima to hang out at Cadence’s for a while and Owen called to tell me some good news but he wanted to tell me face to face. As much as Kyle and I wanted to spend the day laid up under each other, we went our separate ways. I knew we’d be back together before the end of the night and maybe I’d save what I had to say to her for then.
I parked at Owen’s building with thoughts of Kyle on my mind. I was starting to feel like shit for not telling her how I truly felt. Every time I thought about saying those three little words, my tongue turned to knots.
I got out of the car and walked up to Owen’s door trying to shift gears. I did want to know what his good news was so I tried to concentrate on that instead.
“What’s up, bro?” Owen pulled open the door after a few knocks with a happy smile on his face.
“What’s going on, Owen? What’s the good news, man?” We slapped hands and walked inside.
“I’m gonna open my own mechanic shop,” he said, clapping his hands together. I was honestly shocked.
“That’s fucking awesome, Owen. How’d you manage that?” I hated to probe but I knew damn well he didn’t have the funds to kick-start a business venture like that and I wanted to make sure nobody was getting over on my little brother. Owning his own LLC was one thing but having his own shop was another ballpark altogether.
“I got a little help but it’s my brainchild. I thought I’d tell you first because I know you’re always on my ass about getting serious about owning my business and I wanted to show you I’m making moves.” He was so proud of himself that I didn’t want to tear into his business plan and finances and ask him how long it would take to pay the loan back. It was burning a hole in my brain though.
“Little brother is growing up. I’m proud of you, Owen. You know I’m here for you if you need any help with the financial planning let me know.” I figured I was starting to raise his hackles when he shot me a look so I backed off.
“I know, Max. That’s what you’re good at. Trust me, I know where to go about my business finances. I just wanted you to be happy for me.”
“And I am, Owen. So, does this mean you won’t be breaking into my apartment to steal everything?” I quizzed.
“It’s not breaking in if you have the key and I have the key to your apartment,” he pointed out with a grin.
“It’s breaking in if I don’t tell you beforehand that you can enter. I’ll call Kyle and double check since she’s the attorney and all.”
“Kyle, Kyle, Kyle.” Owen smiled and shook his head fondly. “You two are getting serious. I barely see you anymore because you’re always over there with her or she’s always over your apartment. It was like that before but now it’s round the clock. Do you realize how deep you’re getting?”
“It really hit me today.” I sat down on the couch and rested my elbows on my knees with a sigh. I stared out of the window and all I could see was her smile and her sparkling hazel eyes. She belonged tucked right in between the rays of sun pouring through the glass.
I turned my eyes to my brother and said, “You know I canceled Tiana and Sadie this morning. Told them both I was in a relationship and I was faithful. I meant every fucking word too. It’s scary man.”
Owen’s eyebrows climbed up his forehead as he looked at me. “You did what now? You turned down Sadie? You never fucked her and you banished her?”
