Page 43 of Lock

How the fuck am I going to tell her that I am the complication?

CHAPTER TWENTY

Shelby

“Why do you have to go meet Kaleb again?”

I pinch my lips at Leonard’s question. Something in his tone makes me think he wouldn’t appreciate me smirking right now.

“He wants my help fixing things with Sam,” I remind him softly.

“His relationship issues aren’t your problem.”

Sighing, I stop folding laundry. “Sam is like a sister to me, so I’m making it my problem. Besides, Kaleb doesn’t know that I know,” I point out. “Also, you’re not supposed to know. I’m still not sure how you figured it out.”

Leo reaches for a pair of Riley’s jeans, adding them to a pile near him.

“My lips are sealed,” he swears, raising three fingers.

I narrow my eyes. “Were you even a Boy Scout?”

“No.” He shakes his head nonchalantly.

Laughing, I reach for one of his shirts. “Sam isn’t the only one who’s family. I love Kaleb.” I watch him swallow at my confession and quickly add, “I love all the Cromwells. They’re asecond family to me. Plus, if we did this whole move in and help each other out thing, I’d get days off, right?”

“Of course.” He nods sharply. I remain standing beside his bed where he sits. We sort clothes for a few more minutes before his deep voice cuts through the silence. “Well,” he huffs, “who can argue with that?”

I give him a toothy smile. “I’d better go. He’ll be here soon.” Bending, I drop a quick kiss to his cheek.

“Shelby,” he calls out, halting me in the doorway. “Pack a few things to bring over. Stay a few more nights in the guest room.”

Leo might have phrased it as a question, but I know an order when I hear one.

Is moving in with him and Riley insane? Maybe, but my heart pounds at the idea. I can’t wait for my mystery man forever.

If this doesn’t work out, I’ll just move in with Sam. Scrunching my face, I unlock my front door. On second thought, I don’t know how fun sharing a house with Sam and Kaleb would be.

Her mom and dad it is. I won’t even need to ask. Helen and Christopher would insist.

With my backup plan in place, I secure the door behind me and head to my bedroom. Might as well get a start on packing.

Lost in thought, I don’t hear Kaleb arrive.

“You and I need to have a word,” he tuts.

“Ahhh!” I scream, startled. Whipping around, I grab the closest thing to me and raise it, while my other hand grips at my chest. My heart races beneath my palm.

Being the smart-ass that he is, Kaleb makes a quip about how he could have been a killer. Tilting my head back, I take slow, deep breaths and try to remind myself of all the reasons I can’t murder him.

Strangely, I’m coming up empty.That means I can do it, right?

His chuckle makes me glare. “How did you even get in?”

“The door.” He snarks.

I’m going to have to have a word with Sam about her taste in men. Not that I can talk.

“I’m starting to see why Sam isn’t talking to you,” I quip.