Movie night has always been my favorite part of the week.
It’s become a bit of a tradition for Maggie and me. A roommate ritual, if you will.
Every Thursday, we stop by the nearest store, pick up some snacks and margarita mix, and huddle up on the couch to watch whatever movie’s trending on streaming platforms.
I’ve been patiently waiting for tonight all week. My classes have been kicking my ass in every way possible.
Come to think of it, that’s probably a good thing. All the homework and readings have managed to keep my mind off Kane.
“We all set?” Maggie sets the pitcher of margarita down onto the coffee table, right next to the popcorn bowl and chips.
I just got back from the library ten minutes ago. I had a project to finish before I could enjoy my one night of freedom.
“Let me just take a shower real quick,” I tell Maggie, who’s already in her pj’s and throwing herself onto the couch.
She pulls a large blanket over her body. “I’ll start looking for a movie.”
I pad into my room to grab a pair of pajama shorts and a T-shirt, memories of the past few days unfolding before my eyes.
I almost thought I was going to text Kane back after reading his postcards. I’m still not sure how I managed not to, if I’m being honest.
While it was by far one of the sweetest things anyone’s ever done for me, it doesn’t change the fact that if he’d told the truth that day, my brother’s murder could’ve been solved by now.
But shit, reading his words… seeing all the souvenirs he picked up for me when we weren’t even talking…
I just know I would have spent my entire life loving this man.
I would have stuck by him through thick and thin, held his hand when he was hurting. I never would’ve left his side. And that’s what makes this whole thing so fucking hard.
I feel like I was robbed of true love, and I don’t know how I’m ever going to get over what could’ve been.
My shower is quick and mainly consists of me trying not to cry out all the water in my body. I’m drying myself with a clean towel by the time I discern what sounds like loud banging on the door of our dorm.
“Maggie, can you get that?” I call as I’m running my fingers through my wet hair.
“On it!” she answers.
A few seconds elapse.
Then the loudest scream I’ve ever heard travels through my dorm.
Maggie’s scream propels me into action. I don’t even bother getting dressed, throwing on a long bathrobe and rushing out of the bathroom so quickly I almost slip on the water on the floor.
“What’s going on?” I shriek, turning the corner and meeting my roommate by the front door.
That’s when I see him.
And I understand why Maggie lost her shit.
“That’s… it’s… he’s…” Maggie points to the hooded figure standing in the hallway.
I know exactly who I’m looking at, regardless of the fact that he’s wearing shades.
He takes his glasses off the second he sees me, his green eyes sucking the air from my body.
“K-Kane Wilder.” Maggie glances back at me, as if to make sure I’m seeing the same thing she is. “That’s Kane Wilder.”
Well…
Guess the cat is out of the bag.
Maggie starts hyperventilating, fanning herself as if she thinks that’s going to help her get a grip.
Kane doesn’t even bat an eye at my roommate’s fangirl moment, pinning me with a look so full of desperation and pain it makes me weak in the knees.
“I need to talk to you.” His rasp punctures through the walls I built around my heart.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” I erupt, taking in his creepy attire.
He looks like your typical drug dealer, with his hunched shoulders, black hoodie, and black sunglasses—let me tell you, that disguise is not doing much to hide his identity.
But that’s not even the worst part.
He’s alone.
Where the fuck is his security?
Whispers and gasps can be heard outside of our dorm, and I pop my head into the hallway, immediately spotting the group of girls staring at us from afar.
I understand just how bad the situation really is when one of them pulls out her phone and snaps a handful of pictures.
Shit.
“Get in here.” I grip Kane’s bicep, dragging him inside my dorm and slamming the door.
What was he thinking, showing up here alone? No, what was he thinking showing up here at all?
Does he not realize how famous he is? He could’ve been attacked by a herd of crazy fans or intercepted by the paparazzi.
“What are you doing here?” I spit, folding my arms over my chest. I glance down, reminded that I’m only wearing a bathrobe. I’m bare-faced, too, with dripping wet hair and a big-ass pimple that decided to take residency on my chin two days ago.
This is not my best look, to say the least.
Kane takes off his hood. “What other choice did I have? You’re not answering my texts.”
Meanwhile, Maggie is still having an out-of-body experience, staring at Kane with her mouth open.
I shrug. “That’s because I have nothing to say.”
He clenches his jaw, moving closer. “Hadley, fuck, I… I just want a chance to explain myself. You have every right to hate me, but—”
I step back. “But nothing. You already told me what happened. At the beach house.”
“But I didn’t tell you what happened next. Or why I didn’t tell anyone. I was going to, but…” He stops himself. “Hads, please, just… one chance.” His eyes are turning red, and judging by the burning sensation pricking at my eyelids, I’m right there with him.
“What’s even happening?” Maggie snaps back to reality, shifting her focus over to me. “Do you two know each other?”
“I… You could say that.”
Really, Hadley?
“And you never told me?” She throws her hands in the air, a scandalized expression on her face.
Kane glances at my roommate and then back at me. “Can we go somewhere to talk? Just the two of us.”
“No,” I croak. I’m afraid if I’m alone with him for too long, I’ll forget why I’m supposed to hate him. Maybe even fall back into his arms in a moment of weakness.
“I have a car waiting outside. My driver will take us back to the penthouse I’m renting. Then I’ll tell you everything. I promise.”
He’s not going to drop it, is he?
Considering the fact that he flew all the way out here just to show up at my dorm, I’d say that’s a given.
I chew on the inside of my cheek, pondering my next move.
“Baby, please don’t make me beg. ’Cause I will. I’ll sleep outside your fucking door until you agree to hear me out. I’ll move into that fucking hallway if I have to,” he warns.
I cock an eyebrow, calling his bluff.
“Just give me a blanket and I’m good to go.” He makes it clear he’s not backing down.
Fuck.
I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?
I exhale a sigh. “Just let me get dressed.”
