Page 28 of Second First Kiss

“My break is up.”

“You might have a concussion. I heard you hit your head pretty hard.”

“It’s just a little bump.” She tapped it with her finger to prove she was okay, but he could tell she was holding back a grimace.

“You can’t even move your head without wincing.” He touched her cheek and probed at her head.

This wasn’t his first go-around either. He’d seen enough bar fights in his time to know the difference between a bump and a crack. He pulled out his flashlight and shined it into her eyes.

She squinted and shoved his hand away. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re more dramatic than a teenaged girl? And I know because I was one and I’m raising one.”

“And you wonder why Tessa acts the way she does with you popping off without thinking. It must be a Rhodes trait.”

He meant it as a joke, but immediately regretted his words. Kat’s face went slack as if he’d just announced her biggest insecurity to the world. But as fast as the hurt flashed so did the anger.

She shoved at his chest. “Us Rhodeses pop off because people are constantly trying to shove us down. We can handle ourselves.”

He ran a frustrated hand down his face. “No shit.” He lowered her voice. “Let me take you somewhere, just until you get your bearings.”

“You haven’t even bought me dinner yet.”

“I was talking about the hospital, smart-ass.” He paused, surprised because hell yeah, he was attracted to her, but he never imagined she felt anything for him other than irritation. “Are you saying if I asked you out, you’d say yes?”

Confusion lit her eyes.

Welcome to the club, babe.

“Didn’t think I was your type. You know, popping off and all.”

“I guess we’re both surprised.” She looked down, unable to meet his gaze. Wasn’t that interesting. “Please let me take you to get checked out.”

She hesitated for a split second, enough to let him know she was in sizeable pain to even consider admitting she needed help.

“After work. I need the money,” she admitted, and he saw how embarrassed she was. Yet she stared him down, as if daring him to feel sorry for her, but it wasn’t sympathy he was feeling, it was something more dangerous. Something closer to affection.

He reached around in his pocket and came up with a few hundred bucks. “Here.”

“Of course that’s your answer,” she said, offended. “I don’t need your money. I can make my own.”

“With a concussion?”

“I’ve worked through worse.”

He wasn’t surprised, but that didn’t mean he had to like the implications behind that statement.

“Now get out of my way before I call the cops. And yes, I see the irony here.”

“Fired?” Desperation was seeping into Kat’s words. “That’s what he said?” Kat asked Tim, referring to Eli, who, it seems, had gone running to Lucas about what had happened. The owner had zero tolerance when it came to the rules. And it would be impossible for him to ignore this when the councilman’s son was involved.

Tim squeezed the back of his neck. He hadn’t wasted any time escorting her into the manager’s office. The second her shift had ended he’d asked if they could talk. At first, she’d assumed he wanted to check on her, make sure she was okay—which after that talk with Nolan she was not.

Nolan’s genuine concern had left her shaken. Literally, her hands had been shaking, which was why she’d bolted.

Never let them see your weakness.

She should have known something was off when Tim hustled her to the back office instead of the break room.

Tim held up his hands. “I’m not sure, I just want you to prepare yourself for the worst case. I overheard Eli say that the rules of conduct are clear. You instigated the fight and assaulted a guest, even after you were told to wait for security to get involved.”

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