Page 60 of Worth the Risk

“I’ve been wanting to tell you something, but now is not a good time. It can wait.”

“If you have something to say, I would rather you say it.”I hate not knowing what she is thinking.

She hesitates.

“Please just tell me.” She has me worried now.

Nodding, she says, “I know the reason I got so worked up over the text is because I’m falling in love with you, Leo. It’s soon, but I know how I feel. This week when you were gone, it sealed it for me. I was so lonely not being with you each day and wanting nothing more than to be in your arms.”

I may feel the same for her, but I’m not sure I can voice it quite yet.

“I’m not sure…”

She places her finger on my lips. “I don’t want you to say anything, not unless you truly mean it. And I don’t want you to feel like you have to say it back. I just needed you to know how I feel. After your story about your mother, I understand why that might be hard to hear.”

Nodding, I stay quiet.She’s falling in love with me, but will that stop her from leaving?

She lays her head back down on my chest and rubs her hand along my abs again.

“Sleep now, Sunshine.” I place a kiss on the top of her head.

She doesn’t fall asleep right away, either worrying about her declaration to me or wondering about my lack of one.

Eventually, her breathing turns lighter, and she falls asleep.

I lie with her in my arms as her words float around in my head.I hope I can trust them.

Trust her.

* * *

Almost two weeks later, the test results are what I thought. I’m clean. I knew I was, but if Kylie needed this to feel better, I was happy to give it to her. She visited her doctor too, and she has a packet of pills to start after her next cycle.

We’re at a local pub for a round of drinks. The girls are laughing about some drunk guy on the dance floor, and the guys and I are on the other side of the bar, playing darts.

My good vibes fade when Beth enters the pub.Does she have a fucking radar on me?It seems I can’t go anywhere without running into her. She was even at the casino this week. I saw her entering the spa, so I stayed in the back offices the rest of the day.

Looking at Nash, I do a chin lift in the direction of the door. His eyebrows shoot up when he spots who I’m pointing out. We need to get out of here.

Shifting on my feet, I head over to the girl’s table.

“Hey, Kylie. Is it okay if we head out? I have a headache and want to go home, take some medicine, and relax.”

Lamest lie ever.

Kylie stands and gives me a peck on the cheek. “Sure, let me use the restroom first, and we will leave.” She goes to the bathroom as the guys take their seats around the table, joining the girls.

“Kylie and I are going to head to the house. I have a headache, so I want to go home and chill out.” It’s surprising me how easily the lie rolls off my tongue.

No one questions it, not even Nash. He’s aware that I’m trying to get away from Beth and the problems she will cause.

“Do you need us to come with you?” Sophie asks.

“No. No need. You guys stay and enjoy yourselves.”

“I’m sure Kylie will give him all the TLC he needs,” Sierra quips. Everyone around the table laughs.

When I glance toward the bathroom, I see an angry Kylie storming our way.

---