Page 41 of Fight For Her
As I reached for the cup of water in front of me, Coby answered the question. He spoke about our recent breakup, saying he had to leave town unexpectantly to help a friend and thought it would be better to end things.
“I never would have thought that she would occupy every corner of my mind. When I woke up, it was her smile that would push me out of bed. I’d daydream about her laugh and the way she’d bite her lip when she was concentrating. I’d think about this tiny beauty mark she has above her lip.” He shook his head almost as if he was waking himself up from a trance. “Needless to say, I realized I’d made a mistake.”
My heart was beating like crazy. I had no idea how I was supposed to respond to that. He sounded so sincere, nothing like the Coby I’d known for the past few months. “So, Kendahl,” Aiden asked me directly, “was it you who decided to start the battle?”
I sipped my water again to clear my throat. “No, that was Coby.”
Aiden gestured his hand in a way that said, “go on,” but I had nothing else to add. After a moment he redirected.
“Okay, well, I think we’re all glad the battle ended up the way it did. It was epic. Coby, has anyone ever told you that you’re a natural on stage?”
Just what he needed, an even bigger ego.
He played with a strand of my hair, which caused me to shiver as he answered. “No, I’ll admit I have a healthy dose of stage fright. I was nervous as hell last night.”
I shot my gaze in his direction. “Seriously? You were like Mick Jagger up there. I highly doubt you were nervous.”
“So you liked my moves?” He said in that annoying smooth voice.
I huffed and turned back toward Aiden. “Next question, please.”
Aiden put on a mask of seriousness like a child playing pretend news reporter. “What does the future look like for the two of you?”
Damn, we hadn’t prepped for this question. Coby opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again before he answered in an uneven voice. “I don’t want to speak for Kendahl, but I know that I’m all in. This is it for me. She is it.” With his strong arm possessively around my shoulders and the closeness of his touch, I was feeling all sorts of confused. He was saying all the right things. I had to respond.
“I’d say we’re taking things day by day. This weekend is all about our friends Mike and Jill. They’re getting married in a few days, and I’d love to give them back the spotlight they so truly deserve.”
“Well said,” Aiden added. “Love is in the air this weekend. That and rain, lots of rain.” Laughing at his own joke, he redirected, looking over a list on the laptop in front of him. “We have a few fan questions, if you’re up for that?”
“Bring it on,” Coby answered for us both. I would have said no. I’m done and ready to take my leave.
“From @spicysmutlover,” Aiden laughed. “What a name. Okay, Coby, this one’s for you. She’d like to know if you’re available for hire? It’s her bachelorette party next week and she’d love to—actually never mind. I try to keep my show PG-13.”
Coby shook his head and laughed as he gently squeezed my shoulder again. “Uh, sorry ladies. I’m taken.”
I wanted to facepalm. Thankfully this interview from hell was almost over.
“Kendahl, a question from @SwiftyTara in Arizona, ‘How are you feeling? I felt so bad seeing you get sick like that. Also, if you need someone to nurse you back to health DM me.’” I couldn’t help but smile at that one. I can respect someone for shooting their shot.
“Wow! The thirsty people are out in full force for you two.” Aiden chuckled. “Let me scan down my list to an actual question. Here we go. Aiden read the question before lifting his eyes to Coby. “This one is from a follower in Wyoming.”
Coby’s entire body tensed beside me.
“@YellowstoneCowgirl asked—”
“Can we take a break?” Coby cut in as he reached his arm out to block the camera. Aiden looked up from his screen, head tilted.
“This is live. We don’t take breaks.” Coby rubbed his palms against his pant legs and nodded. What was that about? “Back to the question. Let’s see. Whoops, I was mistaken. @YellowstoneCowgirl from Texas, not Wyoming. My bad. Geography was never my thing. Don’t unfollow!” If I could rub my temples I would. His voice grated on my nerves. Coby sagged back against the cushion but he didn’t return his arm over my shoulders. “She’d like to know about your ideal date night. Kendahl, you want to answer this one?”
“Okay. That’s a tough question. It would depend on what type of mood I was in.” I thought for a moment, staring across the lobby at a framed art print.
Coby’s palm settled on my thigh as he spoke. “Either a night of dancing with loud music, interesting conversation, and fun atmosphere.” I found myself waiting for him to continue, in awe that he’d remembered that much. “Or staying home in comfortable pajamas, eating too much cheese, and watching movies. Disney or horror, depending on your mood.”
My mouth hung open.
“By the look on Kendahl’s face, you hit the nail on the head,” Aiden said. Coby pinned me with his gaze.
“I pay attention when it comes to her.”
