Chapter 87 Tolerance is Key
1281words
"You're making toast, not operating a trauma patient," I quipped from across the table.
He paused, his aquamarine eyes flicking in my direction.
I returned his stare with intent, sipping on my glass of water. "What? Ask Rake. It really does look like it."
Rake naturally didn't miss the opportunity to tick off Kayn, just as I hoped. "It does. It looks like you've got an intimate relationship going on with a slice of burnt bread. Desperate for affection?"
Kayn shrugged, adding another layer of sprinkles. "Nah. I was picturing the toast as Carly."
I snorted up the water I was drinking and choked.
"If killing her is your intention, you're doing a fantastic job," Rake deadpanned.
I glanced at Mom typing frantically on her phone beside me, oblivious to the conversation taking place. It was obvious Kayn had no filter or didn't give a crap what my mom thought.
A mischievous smile spread across his lips as I glared at him, nodding toward my mom. "Knock it off."
"Why?" he asked. "I made it perfectly clear what my motives are."
"Uh-huh," I scowled. "Bit late for that, don't you think?"
"So I made a mistake."
"Mistake?" My brows rose. "You treated me like trash."
"I won't deny that." He leaned closer. "But, if I'm that bad, why are you still breathing right now?"
"Jackass," I snapped. Unfortunately for me, it was what drew Mom's attention.
"Carly," she gasped. "I did not raise you to talk to anyone like that."
"Anyone? Including idiots like him?" I nodded my head in Kayn's direction.
"That's enough." Mom pushed back her chair. "Carly, come to my room for a moment. I need to discuss something with you." She turned to Rake and Kayn offering an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. We'll just be a moment."
I got a glimpse of Kayn's punch-me grin before trailing after Mom out of the kitchen. She closed the door the moment I stepped into my parent's bedroom, turning to face me.
"Okay, what's going on?" She crossed her arms. "You're not acting like yourself. Are you having any flashbacks from what happened that night when you got attacked?"
"No, it's not—"
"Are you starting to remember what happened when we went out with the crew?" Mom stepped closer. "Do you remember the Kraken? Is that what's bothering you?"
"What, Mom? No. It's neither of those things," I insisted. "Boys just can be annoying. That's all, I swear."
"You've been annoyed by boys before, and you've never acted like that."
"Sure, but none of them is as infuriating as Kayn," I said.
"Hmmm." Mom's lips cracked into a smile. "None of them were cute, either. Are you dating?"
"Absolutely not," I sputtered. "Why do you keep thinking that?"
"I'm not blind, Carly."
"Mom, I swear nothing is going on between us." Well, if you exclude the fact that we get on each other's nerves. "I don't like him in that way."
Mom lifted a hand and pinched my cheek. "Is that why you're blushing redder than a fresh tomato?"
I cringed. "Anger makes you turn red too."
"Keep telling yourself that, love. You aren't fooling me," Mom winked. "But really, is there anything else I should know? I have a feeling there's more going on that you're leading me to believe."
"There's nothing going on that you should be worried about," I lied. "Everything's fine."
"Oh yeah?"
"Well, that and I'm extra cranky this time of the month," I supplied.
"That makes a bit more sense," Mom nodded, but I could tell she didn't seem entirely convinced. Please, just let it go, I begged inside my mind.
"Look, I've noticed you spend a lot more time with him," Mom added. "A lot more time." When I opened my mouth to protest, she held up a hand. "Yes, I don't care whether it's the case or not. I just want to make sure that if things get serious, you'll tell me?"
"I guess, but it won't. There's nothing to get serious about."
"What I'm trying to say is, you know, as your mother, I just want to make sure you're being safe."
I frowned, taking a moment to catch on to what she was referring to. My eyes widened, and I quickly shook my head. "Oh, no. Absolutely not an issue. I'm so not, uh, doing things with Kayn. Nothing like that, I promise."
Mom blew out a relieved breath. "Good, I just wanted to make sure. I don't want to end up with a pregnant teenage daughter."
Heat blossomed on my cheeks. "Oh my word, Mom. Nothing is going on between us. The chances of him and me—it's as likely as the day trees come to life and start chasing people." I had no idea why I even used that comparison, but whatever. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
"I wouldn't bet on that. Just come to me if things resort to that, please?"
I sighed. "I promise."
Mom smiled. "Good. Now, could you try to be a bit nicer to our guests? Even if you claim they annoy you?"
I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I'll play nice."
Kayn and Rake were having the stare-off of the century when Mom and I returned into the kitchen. Rake had his brow quirked, his lips drawn into a tight line. Kayn's jaw ticked, his hands clenching the table on either side of him, his knuckles turning white.
The tension went unnoticed by Mom as she breezed past them toward the fridge. "Time for dessert!" she announced.
Kayn was the first to break the glaring contest, turning his attention to me. "I need to talk to you." It was a demand, not a question. I doubt I'd ever seen him this ticked-off.
And, I've seen him puffing smoke from his ears several times now, so that was saying something.
My brows furrowed. "Okay?"
He pushed back his chair, standing up. Rake mimicked his movements.
Kayn stiffened. "Alone, if you don't mind," he gritted out, his eyes not moving from me.
"Why don't you sit and enjoy dessert with my Mom while we talk, okay?" I asked Rake, hoping they won't start a fight with Mom in the room.
After what Kayn did at the school dance, I was worried we'd have a repeat, and Mom was the last person on earth I wanted as a witness.
"Actually, I'd like to have a word with you both." Rake offered Mom a smile. "It won't be long. That pie looks divine."
"You're going to love it," Mom smiled. "Don't be too long, okay?"I frowned, nodding.
Kayn already moved out of the door. "Come on," he ordered. I sighed, trailing after him.
I froze as I stepped outside and gasped. Kayn was sitting on the steps of his porch, and he looked all kinds of furious. "What the hell?"
He stood up, flinging his fist in the air and shouting something. I barely had time to process what he was saying when I got grabbed around my waist, and the world blurred past me.
"Rake," Kayn's voice wrapped around me like a thundercloud. "You're so dead!"
A force rammed into us, and I tumbled sideways into the tall grass. Nausea swelled inside my stomach, and my head spun as I tried to focus my eyes. "Ugh," I groaned. "What the actual crap?"
I peered up in time to see Kayn landing a punch on Rake's jaw.
