he should eat. Nothing he thought of was appetizing. He tried to read, but his attention wandered. He grabbed his phone, but as usual, there were no messages. Loneliness gripped his heart, which was rare for him. He wanted… what?
Kayla.
But he also didn’t want her.
She saw through things. Everything, actually. And she demanded it back in return. He’d told her what she asked and wondered if he’d ever see her again. She said all the right things in the moment. Sure. But after she went home and thought about Jim’s pedophile father and his ignoble lineage? Yeah, he expected to get the silent treatment from now on.
What could he do? He had to leave her alone. That meant letting her go. Yes. Sure. That would be best for her. She deserved only the best, like a bright, shiny star, and he had become a dark, black hole that would absorb all of her light and suck it dry. He didn’t want that. He asked himself how deep was his selfishness? He feared the answer. He tried to drag Kathy into it, but never worried as much because the connection never existed between them. He doubted he had the ability to affect her as much as Kayla.
How could he stand not to see her again? She provided the connection to his happiness that he never had and never knew he could have. Now, how could he live without it?
The knock stirred him from his stupor and he rushed over to open the door. It had to be Kayla since no one else came over. He jerked the door open hard enough to pop it off the hinges.
Then he winced with displeasure and utter surprise. Rob? Rob Williams?
Rob sneered as he greeted Jim. “Expecting someone else, I suspect, by your obvious disappointment. She’s not with me.”
She, being Kayla. Not Kathy. That meant Rob knew what happened. He also knew something else. Why? Why would Kayla tell him something so personal? But having already opened the door, and short of ordering him to leave, here they stood. Jim released the doorknob and simply stepped back wearily, indicating his permission to enter.
Man up. He had to man up and deal with Rob after whatever Kayla told him. He guessed it included his use of alcohol; why else would Rob be there? Unless he came to kick his ass and tell him to stay away from both of his daughters. That could be the reason too. Maybe he didn’t like Jim anywhere near his family.
Turning his back on the man, Jim flopped onto the couch. “What do you want?”
Rob followed him and pulled out the chair next to the table to sit on. His gaze scanned the room but there wasn’t much to take in. Rob cleared his throat. “I did not come here voluntarily. It was not my choice as you and I don’t have a relationship. I hope you understand that. I must first say that I’m sorry my fame endangered you. Knowing you were almost shot because of me isn’t something I take lightly. I’m very sorry that it happened.”
“I realized it wasn’t your fault.”
Rob nodded, his face still solemn. “It doesn’t ease the trauma you endured because of it.”
“My problems weren’t caused by you. I mean, we all suffered some trauma and hardship because of it, but that’s not why you’re here.”
“You know why I’m here?”
“Kayla.”
“Yes. She asked me to talk to you.”
“She told you some things about me.”
“Yes. She mentioned a few things.”
Keeping his face calm and his thoughts hidden, Jim rubbed his hand over his neck muscles nervously. Damn! Why? Why would she do that? Why send Rob here?
“Why?”
“Because Kayla is very close to her family. And because she’s also a pretty open, honest person. Kathy is better at hiding things she prefers that we don’t see.”
“That’s not at all how it happened.”
Rob sighed. “I know. They already told me. I’m just giving you something to think about. Worried isn’t a strong enough word for Kayla’s present state. I’m here because she asked me to talk to you. Not for me. And not for you. You’ll do whatever you want, and I realize that, but she asked me to talk to you. So I’m here.”
Exhaustion literally weighed down Jim’s limbs. He envisioned Kayla being open and needy, eagerly welcoming the care and affection of her sisters and Rob and mom. And he knew she fiercely gave it right back.
Jim liked being on the receiving end of it. He never