Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,295

chance to say goodbye. That’s on me.”

“Logan—”

“I need to get ready,” I cut him off. I scoot to the edge of the bed and climb out. “I’m going to have Stacy drop me off at the airport.”

“I can take you. Please let me.”

“This way you guys can start working. I know I’ve been distracting you lately. This will be a chance for you to work without having to worry about me.”

“Logan, just because you’re not here in my house, that doesn’t mean I stop thinking about you. You should know that by now.”

“It’s fine, really. Stacy will take me. It’ll give us a chance to do some more catching up. Now I need to shower and get packed.” I smile softly, turn, and walk out of the room.

Chapter 39

Kacen

I decide to rush through a shower and be ready in case I can convince her to change her mind. I want to see her off, keep my eyes on her until the last possible second.

I find the guys and Stacy sitting at the kitchen counter eating donuts. “I ran and picked up breakfast this morning; didn’t want her to have to worry about us. I know she does,” Tristan explains.

“How is she?” Stacy inquires.

I shake my head. “She’s upset, blaming herself because it’s been so long since she’s been home. Regretting that she didn’t get to say goodbye,” I list her concerns.

“She was close to him,” Stacy says. “They’re all actually a really close family. I thought for sure she would move back to Cincinnati after graduation. Then she got this job offer, and she was really excited about it.”

“Yeah, I remember her excitement in Hawaii about her new job.”

“It was a chance for her to do something for her, you know? The last three years she spent working her life around Daniel and what he thought was best, what he thought she needed to do. He played with her head.”

She’s not telling me anything I don’t already know. I’ve seen the jackass first hand and how he tries to manipulate her.

“What time are you leaving for the airport?” Gavin asks.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “I’m not. She doesn’t want me to go with her, and she’s refusing to let me take her to the airport,” I tell them.

“Kacen, you have to be patient with her. He was never there for her. She’s used to doing things on her own. She’s scared to death that if she lets herself depend on you that you’ll disappear,” Stacy says.

“I know that, but I can’t fucking stand the thought of her hurting and me not being there.” I rest my elbows on the counter and bury my face in my hands.

“Give her time, man,” Gavin says. I don’t reply, instead block the four of them out of my mind. How do I reach her?

A moment later, I feel a hand on the back of my shoulder and I know it’s hers. “Stacy, do you think you could give me a ride to the airport?” she asks, her voice soft.

“Yeah, sure. Kacen, you want to ride with us?” Stacy asks. I could hug her for asking.

“Actually, the guys need to work today. I’ve distracted them enough,” she says with a humorless laugh. “It’s just you and me.” She plasters a fake smile on her face.

“Okay, well, I’m ready when you are,” Stacy replies.

Tristan stands and walks to Logan, bending down he gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I’m here if you need anything,” he tells her.

Next is Gavin. He places his arm around her shoulders and pulls her to his chest. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he says, kissing her on top of the head.

Cole stands and wraps his arms around her. He whispers something in her ear that causes a sob to break from her chest. I watch as he kisses her forehead and releases her.

If this were a normal day, I would have given them shit for touching her, kissing her, but not today. I know their hearts are in the right place. They care about her. They know what she means to me, and they just want to comfort her.

“I’ll walk you out.” My voice is gruff with emotion. I feel like this is goodbye forever, like she’s not coming back. When I asked her to promise me that she was, she didn’t answer me. I know there’s a job offer out there. What if she takes it? What if she really doesn’t come