She makes an irritated sound. “Do I have to spell it out for you, Killian?”
“I don’t know.” I toss the bag over my shoulder and meet her gaze. “Do I have to spell it out for you? Because clearly, you haven’t received the message.”
Her stamped on eyebrows pinch together in frustration. “Seriously, do you have to be such a dick? I know I pissed you off with the whole Jacob thing, but everyone expects us to go together. I think it’s time to smooth things over, don’t you? You can’t deny we’re perfect for each other. Everyone can see it. So, let’s kiss and make up already.”
“Audrey.” I stare at her like she’s deranged, well, because she fucking is. “We were never together. I don’t know how many times I have to explain this to you. I never asked you out. I never took you on a date. I never fucked you. Yet you seem to think you have some form of ownership over me. Whatever twisted fantasy you’ve created in your mind is a delusion, and you need to let it go.”
Her jaw clenches, but otherwise, she remains undeterred. “I know you want me. Quit playing games, baby. The two most beautiful people always end up together. Just like inBlood River Legacy.”
“Wow.” I scrub a hand over my face, exhausted. “I don’t even know how to respond to that, so I’m just going to say this. Clear as fucking day. I don’t want you, Audrey. I never have, and I never will. It’s not a game, or a riddle, or a fucking clue to some deeper, unspoken meaning. You and I are a nonstarter. Get it?”
She cocks her head to the side, eyes narrowed to thin slits. “Is there someone else?”
Jesus. What the fuck do I have to do to make this girl understand? I let her tell everyone I was her boyfriend before because I couldn’t be fucked correcting her. She followed me around like a total fangirl calling me Killian every chance she got, and for a while, her annoying chatter overshadowed the dark thoughts looping through my mind incessantly. But it’s clear to me now that was a mistake.
“There’s only one girl I want,” I tell her slowly, so she can’t possibly misunderstand.
“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “You can’t possibly mean that stupid fatty who can’t even walk properly.”
“What the fuck did you just say?” The question roars out of my mouth with such violence it seems to vibrate the air between us.
Her lips fall open as she stumbles back in shock. “Don’t be like that, Killian.”
“What. Did. You. Just. Say?”
“Well, it’s true,” she answers, her voice quieter this time. “It’s not like I’m the only one who thinks it.”
“Do you think I give a damn about your opinion?” I sneer at her in disgust.
Her shoulders cave inward, but she forces her chin up, refusing to back down. “Why would you want to be with the girl who fucked your best friend and then took your money? It’s just gross. I thought you had better taste.”
“Money?” I freeze. “How the hell did you know about the money?”
She blanches, and I can see her trying to come up with something. Nobody knows about the money. Nobody but my lawyer, my publicist, and me. There isn’t any reason that Audrey would know about this unless she had something to do with it herself. When all of that went down, I was too pissed to think straight. I let my lawyer handle it, and he told me he did. He met Kail up at Devil’s Bluff and dropped the cash off there. That’s what he said. But now I’m wondering if it even was Kail.
“Audrey.” Her name hisses between my teeth. “How the hell did you know about the money?”
“It’s common knowledge,” she bites back. “Everyone knows.”
“Bullshit.” I grab her by the arm and shake my head. “I’m onto your fucking games. And let me tell you something about Kailani Hale. She’s mine. So I’d think very carefully about what you say. In fact, as far as you’re concerned, you don’t know her. If you ever utter her name again… if you even think about looking at her wrong, I will destroy you. We both know I can. Your power is only as strong as your associations at BMA. If you fuck with my girl again, I will have you shunned so fast your head will spin. Are we clear?”
“You’re going to regret this,” she snarls.
She leaves the threat in her wake as she storms off the field. I don’t doubt she means it, and I know I’ll have to deal with her later. But for now, I’m just glad she’s gone.
I turn the opposite direction to head for the parking lot, but I come face-to-face with an unexpected surprise when I round the corner. It’s a grim-looking Mr. Dawson with a law enforcement officer beside him.
“Landon.” Mr. Dawson offers me a sympathetic nod. “We need to speak with you.”
31
Kailani
It’s already dark when I slip out of the main house and head back to the pool house. My mom fell asleep watching TV, and she would lose her shit if she knew I was walking across the lawn alone, but I’m so tired of having an escort everywhere I go. I’m eighteen years old, and I shouldn’t need a babysitter.
The cold bites into my skin as I punch in the security code on the door. I’m shaking so hard my teeth are rattling my jaw.
“You should be wearing a coat.”