Page 12 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

12

KAYDEN

I grip the paddles and steer us further into the lake, away from others in boats. Kayleigh sits opposite me with apprehension. She looks over her shoulder at every sudden jolt and sound. I smile at her.

“Will you calm it over there? You’re making me feel uneasy.”

She huffs a low breath before covering her blue eyes with her black sunglasses and attempting to relax. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

“I’ve got you,” I say again.

Kayleigh looks out across the water, and I take the time to admire her. Of course, she doesn’t look like crap. It’s so far from the truth—just like how I heard her thoughts when she projected that she was lying. I know how she really feels.

“You said before you don’t date,” I blurt. “Why is that?”

Her shoulders stiffen. “It’s complicated.”

“Have you had past boyfriends?”

“I really don’t want to talk about this, Kayden.” She runs a hand through her hair. “Can we talk about something else?”

The sadness in her voice immediately makes me feel bad for pushing. But I can’t blame myself for wanting to know more about her.

“Sure.” I nod once. “I’m sorry.”

She forces a smile. “It’s fine,” she says and waves off. “I’m guessing this is where you take all your dates.”

“Why would you say that?” I tilt my head.

“Because it’s calm and romantic and seems thoughtful.” She shrugs, tucking her hands under her thighs as she glances around once more. “It’s a good move. Just not on me.”

A small chuckle passes my lips. “Damn it,” I tease. “Back to the drawing board then.”

“So…is it?”

“I barely go on dates,” I admit.

Kayleigh swipes her sunglasses to the top of her head, exposing her stunning blue eyes in the sun. “Why?”

“I haven’t met anyone worthy of a date,” I say simply. “I meet girls, sure. But I don’t think they’re all that into me because I might come across as reserved.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t believe that.”

“Believe what?”

“Girls aren’t into you.”

“They really aren’t.”

“Kayden, have you seen yourself?”

“Yes, you said I look like shit.”

She blinks for a moment and pulls back. “Yeah, well, maybe you kind of look like polished shit.”

I can’t fight the laugh that crawls up my throat. “Charming.”

Once we reach the middle, I stop rowing and allow the paddles to rest.

“How’s Ava?” she asks.

“Good,” I hum. “Still running around the house trying to get everything done.”

“I have no idea how that woman does it,” she mutters. “When I’m pregnant, best believe I’m going to have my feet kicked up and make everyone else do everything for me while I grow the baby.”

“Yeah, she’s a superwoman.”

Kayleigh runs her fingers through the ends of her hair before she flinches, a large bee resting on her knuckles. She stands up, the boat rocking slightly. “Oh my God!” she shrieks, staring at her fingers. “Oh my God!”

“It’s just a bee.” I hold out my hands to steady her before she goes over the edge. “It’s not going to hurt you.”

“Do you know what the bee is thinking, Kayden?” she snaps sarcastically. “No. You don’t. So shut up.”

I have to muffle my laugh. “It’ll fly away. Give it a moment.”

“It’s not moving, what if?—”

The bee decides this is the perfect moment to fly directly into Kayleigh’s face. A high-pitched scream bellows from her lips as she stumbles back. Oh, Goddess. She really is going to go over.

“Kayleigh–” I reach out for her as she catches her foot on the seat, and she goes tumbling backwards.

Her arm, centimetres from my grip, goes flying in a different direction. She releases a long shriek of fear as she falls back, her head hitting the edge of the boat with a heavy thud.

“Oww,” she groans as her hands draw up to cover her head.

I step forward and drop onto my knees before her. “Fuck, blondie. Are you alright?” I ask as I place my hand beneath her head and the bottom of the boat.

Her eyes stay firmly shut. She winces but manages to nod.

“That fucking hurt.” She laughs to herself.

“All of that for a bee.” I shake my head in disbelief.

Kayleigh groans. “Now is not the time to point out my fear of insects.”

“My bad.” I smile and pull her up to sit, her legs over mine. My hand explores the back of her head, searching for a bump. “Does it hurt when I touch it?”

Her eyes are still closed as she purses her lips and hums. “Yeah. A little.”

“You should probably get this checked out,” I state.

“No.” She looks at me with hazy eyes before shutting them again. “No need. I just need some frozen peas. I’ll be fine.”

You are the most embarrassing human to brace the earth. Idiot. Idiot.

I admire her face and the little freckles that cover her cheeks. “Hey,” I whisper. “Look at me.”

Kayleigh opens her eyes slowly and winces. “God forbid, we are never coming here again.”

“Surprised you want to see me again at all,” I say to brighten the mood.

“Debatable.”

“You might have a concussion.”

She shakes her head once. “No. I’m fine. I promise.”

“We should probably get back and put some ice on it.”

“Good idea.” She smiles tightly.

I untangle myself from her and grab the paddles. I guide us back to the wooden dock slowly as she holds her head and closes her eyes every so often. I get out of the boat, steadying my feet on the ground.

My hand raises, and I hold it out for her to take, tugging her into my embrace before she falls again or into the water—at least it would break her fall.

“Thanks,” she whispers as I walk us back to my car. “So much for a peaceful distraction.”

“Okay, so nature and outside activities aren’t your thing,” I say lightly as I open the car door for her and get her into the seat. “Noted.” I loop around to the other side and start the car, backing out of the car park. “Are you okay?”

“My head is thumping.”

Of course.

As I start driving back to her university, she glances out the window and frowns. “Wait,” she pauses. “This isn’t the way.”

“I know.” I nod, turning a corner. “But there’s a shop here, and I’m gonna grab some frozen peas real quick.”

Kayleigh turns to look at me but says nothing.

I pull up, run inside, and pay for the peas and a can of Coke before heading back to the car.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she murmurs.

“Shhhh,” I say as I grab a hoodie from the backseat and wrap the peas in the material before pressing it to her head. “That okay?”

Her blue eyes flick between mine for a long moment before she nods. “Yeah.”

“Oh, and I got you this for your sugar levels.”

“Thanks.” She attempts a smile but ends up wincing instead.

When we finally get back to Stonebridge University, I park close to the entrance of her dorm building. I unbuckle my seatbelt as she does the same. “Well…thanks, Kayden. It was a journey.”

“A journey indeed,” I say as I open the door.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you upstairs to make sure you’re okay.”

She laughs hesitantly. “I’m fine. I promise.”

“Yeah, your word isn’t good enough for me. I need to make sure for myself.”

I expect her to fight me, but instead, she lowers the peas and nods. “Okay.”

She hands me the peas as she fumbles with her keys to get the door open.

Once we’re in her room, which is surprisingly cleaner than the first time I saw it —no rotting cheese toasties today —I guide her to her bed.

“Sit,” I order.

She does, and I raise the ice jumper to her head once more.

Kayleigh smiles up at me gratefully, something I wasn’t expecting. “Thank you,” she whispers, taking it from me. “I’m stupidly clumsy. It’s honestly mortifying. I’m a sad excuse for a woman.”

“Because you’re a little clumsy and scared of insects? Give yourself a little more credit, Kayleigh.”

She exhales a defeated breath.

“Do you need to lay down?”

“No,” she says. “I’m good.”

“Water?”

Her head shakes. “It’s just a bump. Promise, I’m fine.”

I sigh in defeat and perch on the bed beside her. “Sorry, today didn’t really go how I thought it would.”

“Why are you sorry? It’s my fault.” She laughs at herself, but it’s void of humour.

“It was still my idea.” I shrug. “I feel bad.”

This time, when she looks at me, she really smiles. “We can both take the blame then.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.

“Aww,” she chimes from beside me. “Are they your parents?”

Her eyes are glued to my phone and the back screen picture of me with my parents when I was seven years old. I’m sitting on the edge of their shoulders, my hands raised in the air.

“Yeah.” I smile. I haven’t seen them in a long time.

“You look so much like your mum,” she says and smiles. “You have her dimples.”

I lock my phone and lower it back down. “Yeah, unfortunately.”

Kayleigh gasps, dropping the peas to her side. “Unfortunately? They’re adorable.”

I grimace at the use of that word. “Never say that again.”

She flashes me a subtle grin. My eyes float down to the peas on the bed and I grab her wrist, pushing them back against her head. “You need to keep it there,” I state. “It’ll help with the swelling.”

Even though she’s keeping them up herself, I continue holding her hand because I don’t want to pull away. Her skin is soft as my fingers wrap around her dainty wrist.

“Sorry, I forgot we were playing doctors and nurses,” she huffs.

My head tilts at her. “This is very different from my version of doctors and nurses. Usually, there would be a lot less clothes.”

“You’re gross.” She laughs.

I press my fingers to the pulse on her neck. “Just making sure my patient is alive and well.”

She swats my hand away, fighting a smile on her lips. “Stop.”

“Can’t.” I lean in as her blue eyes dilate, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want you dying on me before I even have the chance to get to know you. What can I do to make this all better, hmm?”

Kayleigh’s throat bobs as she stares up at me, as I continue to smile.

Another orgasm from you might make it all better.

“Nothing,” she says breathlessly. “There isn’t anything you can do.”

“Really?”

She attempts a nod, but it’s unconvincing at best. “Really.”

“Alright.” I pull my hand away, and I’m sure I see a look of disappointment on her face. I’m not going to be an asshole and use her thoughts against her. Not when she’s not comfortable to voice them to me first.

My body twists, and I spot a picture frame on her bedside table. I reach for it and smile. “Guess these are your parents?” I ask as I stare back at the picture.

Kayleigh scoots closer to me and smiles. “Yeah. They’re my absolute world.”

“Yeah?” I grin at her. “How long have they been together?”

“Oh–” Her throat clenches. “They’re not together anymore.”

I flick my eyes over her face. “Oh, shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean to assume.”

“No, it’s okay.” She waves it off. “It was kind of recently. I didn’t know anything was wrong until my mother had an affair.”

My eyes close. “Ah, ouch. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. I was going through a lot at the time, which really didn’t help. She really hurt my dad, and he is the cuddliest, friendliest man in the world. I hated that she hurt him. He didn’t deserve it. No one deserves it.”

“Is she with the person she cheated with now?”

Kayleigh nods. “Yeah. I guess she found her sexual awakening. She’s now with the woman she had an affair with. My father has been very understanding of it because he only wants her to be happy, and that’s what broke my heart the most. He still cares about her. He only wants what’s best for her.”

“He sounds like an incredible man,” I say honestly.

She smiles sadly. “Yeah. He is. I’m glad it didn’t destroy the family completely. Of course, I was angry at her, but I can see how much she loves Lina. I can’t be angry at her for that. I wish my dad could move on, but I don’t think he will.”

I frown as she lowers the peas, but I take it from her hand and hold it for her instead. “My fingers are going numb,” she says, raising her red hand.

“I got you,” I whisper. “Do you see your parents much?”

Kayleigh hums softly. “Yeah, when the term is over, I go home. They come up to visit sometimes.”

I nod once and stare ahead at the cork board hanging from her wall. My eyes roam over the red roses attached to the frame and dangling against the wall. She watches me for a moment before glancing over her shoulder.

“What?” she whispers.

“Cute roses,” I comment.

“Oh,” she murmurs. “When no one buys you flowers, you have to buy yourself fake ones.”

My chest tightens. “Are roses your favourite?”

She nods. “Yeah. It seems basic, I know. But I love the idea of red roses. They’re classic and beautiful and represent love. I don’t need anyone to buy me flowers because I can buy them for my own enjoyment, but to me, it’s a symbol of a declaration to myself.”

“A declaration of self-love?”

Kayleigh hums. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“How’s your head feeling now?”

“Better,” she admits. “Thank you for looking after me.”

“What kind of date would I be if I left you to suffer on your own?”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “This wasn’t a date.”

“Shhh.” I lean in slowly. “Let me have this moment.”