Page 13 of Dumping the Puck (Men of Havoc #4)
Day 4: Path of the Gods
Just in case you aren’t getting much cardio, I wanted you to be in tip-top shape for when you get back to sit on the bench because your ass is definitely in trouble. But today, you’re going to hike the Path of the Gods in Positano.
Go to the front desk. I had backpacks and water bottles delivered for you.
You better be making her breathless, not just me. Love you, Boss!
My eyes feel gritty and puffy as I peel them open in the morning sun. Did I really fall asleep crying on Kayce like I’ve lost my mind? Maybe I have. Maybe I’m trying too hard to just move on and be back to normal life like Cam never existed. It’s clearly too much for me.
I roll over to face Kayce, and find myself with an empty pillow.
Good job Wren, you really did it now. You chased away the one guy who’s always been there for you.
Before I can spiral into an anxiety ridden mess, the door pops open and Kayce walks in with two backpacks and two water bottles.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He is so cheery, and it does not match my mood.
“Why do you have water bottles and backpacks?”
“Charley. She thinks she’s funny. I need to stay in shape, apparently my time in Italy is risking my physique. So she says we’re hiking the Path of the Gods today.” He looks at me, taking in my appearance. “But if you’re not up for it, we can spend the day in bed, or by the pool, or just lounging by the sea.”
“Please hold.” I sit up in bed, grabbing my phone that was somehow charging on the table next to me.
I search the trail, and it looks gorgeous. Am I going to let my shitty mood ruin the day?
“Nope. Let’s do it.” I smile up at him. “Sunshine can never make anyone sad.”
He rewards me with a grin and I throw the sheet back to head into the bathroom to get ready.
Seeing myself in the mirror is a jump scare. Getting hair wet with chlorinated pool water and then falling asleep crying does not do good things. I try to finger comb the nest on top of my head before giving up and starting the shower.
Maybe a buttload of conditioner will help. With one last grimace in the mirror, I step into the hot spray.
I emerge from the bathroom half an hour later feeling like a new woman. My eyes are still a little puffy, but my hair is tamed, and at least my eyes aren’t red rimmed anymore.
“Hey. I ran down to the restaurant and grabbed us some coffee, and some lunch stuff for the hike.” Kayce proudly shows off his haul and I don’t miss a chocolate bar. The one thing that can make me feel better in any situation.
“You’re God-sent.” I reach out, taking the coffee to fill my soul with life. I take a tentative sip, testing the temperature with my upper lip. The coffee is made to perfection, just how I like it. “It’s absolute perfection. Thank you so much.”
He stares at me with his lips pursed, like he’s wanting to say something but is keeping it to himself instead. “Okay, ready to go? I ordered us a ride and it should be here soon.”
“Yeah, sounds great.” I slip on my sneakers, grateful that I had the forethought to wear them when I decided to run away from my own wedding.
Kayce’s hand on the small of my back feels like it’s going to burn through my clothes with the guilt of my reaction I’m still holding onto from last night.
I take a deep breath, and keep moving forward, sipping my coffee to see if he’ll say whatever is on his mind. If not, I might have to be the one to break the silence.