Page 130 of The Chaos She Brings

Kai keeps stroking my back, moving up to my hair, but he doesn’t say anything yet.

“He told me he loved me.”

Kai’s body goes rigid, and he stops breathing. The hand at my back tenses.

“Just before they stormed in. He told me that he’s in love with me.”

I sit up to look at Kai. “I didn’t know what to say back. He was always flirty, but I mostly thought it was a way to get a rise out of you. I didn’t know…” I trail off, unsure of what else to say.

“Did you have feelings for him?” Kai asks after a moment.

I rear back as if struck. “Kai! What the fuck?”

“Sorry, that was a stupid question,” he sighs, slinging a hand over his face. His jaw is clenched tight.

“No. I didn’t have feelings for Nico. He was a friend.” I pause. “I loveyou,Kai.”

He drags me back to him so we’re chest to chest. He takes my lips with his in a gentle kiss. “I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.”

“I love you. Okay? Please, believe that. I know you’re scared that I’ll leave again. But I won’t. I’m not either of your parents.

“I love you, Kai. I love you so much it physically hurts me. Like, I see your face and my brain just short-circuits. It’s embarrassing. My IQ drops by at least twenty points when I’m around you. You say one nice thing to me, and suddenly I’m out here making life-altering decisions. Who gave you this power? It’s reckless. I should be supervised. It’s actually—“

“Tess!” Kai shouts, cutting me off with a hand over my mouth. He forces me to look at him. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I mumble around his hand, so it comes out more like“mmf’kay.”

“Okay. I believe you. Just… shut up.” He grins at me before releasing my mouth and I crash my lips to his.

In an effort to not focus on anything negative I say the first thing that pops into my head. “So… roomie… what’s for dinner?”

“You know I never said yes to you moving in here, right?”

I blink at him. “Not sure why you’re telling me such irrelevant information.”

Sliding off the bed I pick up the top he threw off earlier and shove it over my head. It sits just below my thighs, acting as a dress.

“I’m going to order McDonalds since I’m betting you haven’t been shopping yet,” I call over my shoulder as I open the door.

“What the fuck, Tess?” Kai calls out but I’m already at the top of the stairs.

“Love you!”

Kai

I follow Tess down the stairs, wondering what the fuck has just happened.

She was the last person I expected to see when I pulled open my door earlier.

I meant what I said. I do love her. I love her so much it terrifies me. Because the feelings I have make it so much more likely that I’ll get hurt.

That’s why I was pushing her away. I wanted to stop it now before it gets too painful when she leaves me.

One tiny problem?

Those feelings are already too deep. They’ve sunk their claws in and they’re not letting go.I don’t know if I want them to.

“Chicken nugs or Big Mac?” Tess calls from the living room as I make it to the bottom of the steps. Her face appears in front of me suddenly. “Oh my god. Please don’t tell me you’re a filet-o-fish person. Because that might be too far.” Her eyes are wide as she looks at me with horror.