KENZIE"What?" I asked out loud, more to myself than to Wyatt or Mr. Grimes.Wyatt held my gaze, "Will you enter into a contract marriage with me?""This is... Give me a second." I sat at the kitchen counter, painfully aware of how Mr. Grimes was staring at me."Kenzie, this will help you and Wyatt. I think this is the best idea my son has had in a while. It will also save the reputation of the Grimes name," he paused, "And I'm sure Caleb is planning on taking this story to the press, so we need to act before he does."My stomach churned. I hated being put on the spot and having to make such an important decision."Bubbles?"I forced myself to meet Wyatt's gaze. And immediately wished I hadn't. I could see the pleading look in his eyes. "Wyatt, this is a big choice. I can't just decide.""It's not," he rushed over to me, "It's a contract. A business deal, nothing more. I'm not asking you to love me."I bit my lower lip, "If I do this, there will be rules in place, right?"Although I
KENZIEMy stomach felt about ready to drop to my toes. The anger in Caleb's eyes terrified me. I had never seen him so angry before. He was seething. "Caleb, no, of course not." I rushed out. But Wyatt had other ideas, "We are not, but if we were, it's none of your business." My eyes widened and my mouth dropped in surprise and disbelief at his words. His father, Mr. Grimes seemed just as mortified, "Wyatt!" "What? It was his choice to treat her like shit and cheat on her," he kept his eyes on Caleb, "You never deserved her, Caleb. You never realized what you had, and you fucked it up. Now you can't stand the thought that someone else will treat her like the queen she is." "Holy shit, this is not happening," I placed a hand on my churning stomach. Caleb's fists clenched at his sides, "You're my father. How could you go after my ex?" "Caleb, he's just saying things. He didn't go after me. We aren't sleeping together," I tried desperately to calm the situation. "But we have in
-KENZIE-I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to sleep after the conversation with Wyatt earlier.The possibility of finding my father keeping me up. I wasn't even sure I wanted to find him.There were too many ways it could end. And some of them scared me too much to think of.So instead, I went out with Milly.What started off as a night at the movies had ended as a drunken spree of a local bar.Milly was giggling a few chairs away with a group of men. She definitely had her eye on the tall blond."Hey, is this seat taken?"I turned to the man speaking to me. His eyes reminded me of Wyatt.I turned away from the stranger without answering him. I stared at Milly as she radiated a flirty confidence.A part of me envied her, I couldn't help it. I wanted to be like that.But instead, my head was spinning and all I wanted was to hear Wyatt's voice.I'm pathetic.I got tomy feet, almost stumbling as I made my way toward the bathrooms. As luck would have it, there was a line outside the d
-WYATT-I sat opposite her in the restaurant, my eyes on her as she ate. She was oblivious to the fact that I was staring at her, and just as well too. She would probably complain about it.My phone buzzed and I looked at it, seeing Cherry's name flash on the screen.I put it down."Anything important?" Kenzie asked, finally looking up from her plate."No. Nothing either of us need to worry about."She smiled, "Why are we here today?""To get your mind off things." And because I'm a hopeless idiot who wants to spend time with you. I kept my thoughts silent.She noddes thoughtfully, "Thank you, I appreciate it.""You don't need to thank me. But we do need to talk about something."She sighed and looked down, "I don't know if I want to talk about anything.""Well I do. What you walked in on-""There'snothing to say about that.""Yes there is. I'm sorry I caused you pain. But you told me that you didn't want anything to come from us. And as fucked up as it sounds, she looks like you. It'
-KENZIE-I was still fuming over Wyatt's confession. I couldn't believe he had so easily told his father about us."How can you expect me to be calm about this? You knew I didn't want anyone knowing about it.""Kenz, just enjoy the day with me. Be mad later."I turned to glare at him, "That's so easy for you to say. Your father already thinks so low of me, and now you've gone and made it worse."" Kenzie.""No, Wyatt, you shouldn't have- what are you doing?"Wyatt was pulling the car to a stop and for the first time I realized that I had no idea where we were.It looked like an over grown medow, the bright green grass stood tall with specks of pink and yellow flowers."Well, don't just sit there." He got out the car.I followed him, still shooting glares at him."Where are we?" I asked. I couldn't see much behind the trees and tall weeds.He held out a hand, "Come on and you'll see."I eyed his hand before taking it. Although I pursed my lips in annoyance at him, he smiled at me."You
-WYATT-I walked into my house, throwing my jacket on the nearest sofa."Where were you?"I turned, noticing my father for the first time."I was with Kenzie. What are you doing here?""I asked you to come and see me after dropping her at home. You didn't. Did you spend the night with her?""Yes. Nothing happened if that's what you're asking me." I didn't sleep a wink last night. Kenzie fell asleep in my arms shortly after her shower, but I couldn't sleep. Not knowing how my son had behaved.My father remained silent for a short while, watching me closely, "What is going on between the two of you?""First you accuse her of having an affair with Caleb, and now you're asking if she's sleeping with me. Do you think she's trying to work her way through all of us?" I didn't even bother hiding the anger in my voice."I have never seen you so protective over anyone. You are my son and I know you well enough, Wyatt. Now, I will ask you once more, what is going on between the two of you?"I po