Chapter 13

WHITLEY

Twenty minutes later, Gabriel and I are dressed and downstairs. We find Kendrick pacing in the kitchen.

“Kendrick, what’s going on? You look like a caged tiger pacing around like that,” I say.

He looks up, and I know something is definitely wrong.

“Have a seat, Whitley,” he says, pulling out a barstool.

~Aww, shit. He used my full name.~

“You know I want you here with me,” Kendrick says, slightly panicked. “Now that you and Gabriel are together, I’m pretty sure he feels the same way. California can be your permanent home. You can be happy here. I know you can. Plus, we can make sure you’re safe here. We can’t protect you in New York!”

“Whoa, wait. What’s this all about, Kendrick? Is this just about trying to get me to stay, because I already told you New—”

“She’s out, Whitley!” Kendrick shouts.

“Who’s out?” Gabriel asks.

I have a sinking feeling I already know the answer.

“Brittany Riddell. I got the call this morning. Some bullshit about overcrowding and good behavior,” Kendrick says.

“The girl who attacked me, ruined my cheer career, and tried to kill me is out in a little over a year?” I ask, shocked.

“Yes, and what I’m afraid of is how she’s going to react when she finds out you two are actually together now. Because, eventually, it will get out, and she will see it,” Kendrick says.

“Is she crazy enough to come all the way to California when the news hits?” Gabriel asks.

GABRIEL

My heart drops when Kendrick tells us the news. I just thought he was having some sort of anxiety attack. The fear of Whitley going back to New York instead of staying. To that, I can relate. Just the thought of her leaving gives me palpitations in my chest.

None of us expected that the one person who tried everything in her power to ruin Whit would be let out early.

What the hell does good behavior mean? There’s no good behavior for that girl. That’s why she’s there to begin with! Overcrowding? Fuck, transfer her somewhere else. Don’t set her free to do more damage. She’ll just end up being sent back to the same overcrowded place she came from!

There’s no way Whit and I can keep our relationship a secret. Hell, we were photographed just last night together. If Maxx-U has anything to say about it, she’ll be doing the underwear campaign alongside me.

The two of us in that commercial together? That shit would be awesome. At the same time though, it would put us out there for the world to see, possibly putting her in danger.

We’re all still sitting in the kitchen when Kendrick’s computer goes off. His laptop is on the island, and he walks over and opens it.

“Hey, Mom,” Kendrick says.

“Hey, honey! I wanted to see how things are going with two of my three kids.”

“She knows, Mom.”

I hear Mrs. Barrington sigh over the video, and Whit stands up. I take her into my arms, and she wraps her arms around me. This is where she belongs.

“Where is she, Kendrick?” Mrs. Barrington asks.

Kendrick snickers and looks over at us.

“Well, right now, she’s in Gabriel’s arms.”

“What?! Gabriel?!”

“Yeah,” Kendrick laughs. “They’re finally together.”

“About tootin’ time!”

Kendrick turns the computer in our direction, so Mrs. Barrington can see us. I wave my hand.

“Hi, Mrs. Barrington,” I say.

“Aww, fiddlesticks. After all these years, you think you would call me Alice by now. We’ve been waiting a long time for you two to get together.”

“Yes, ma’am, I know. So have I.”

“Sweetheart, I know you're wrapped around a strong man who can protect you, but how are you doing with the news?” Mrs. Barrington asks Whitley.

She turns in my arms, facing her mother.

“I don’t know how I’m feeling, Mom. I know one thing. I’m not going to change my life just because she’s out. I don’t care if she finds out where I’m at, or that Gabriel and I are together now. My life will not revolve around fear,” Whitley says.

“Good for you, darling. That’s what I want to hear. She can’t come near you anyway, but what’s a piece of paper nowadays? Just live your life the best way you can.”

“Where’s Dad?” Whitley asks.

“He’s doing his best not to show his anger over the situation on the golf course.”

“Tell Dad I love him. I’ll call him later this evening when he calms down.”

“I will, darling. Now, if only we could get Kendrick a nice woman.”

Whitley starts to open her mouth to tell her mom about Aubrey, but Kendrick flies to the computer and turns it really quick.

“Don’t start with me again, Mom. You can’t rush these things, not if you want the perfect one. I love you, Mom, but we have to head to practice,” Kendrick says.

“All right, baby. You two be safe. I love you both!”

“Bye!”

Kendrick snaps his computer shut, and Whit is standing there with an eyebrow raised at Kendrick.

“Can’t rush things? Not if you want the perfect one? Plus, it’s Saturday. You don’t even have practice,” she says.

He rolls his eyes.

“Shut up, Whit. You know Mom would have gone on for days about it.”

“And there’s nothing to tell her about Aubrey?”

“We’re taking it slow,” Kendrick says, walking off.

“So, if I call Aubrey to get the scoop, she’s going to say the same thing, right? She not going to say how good in bed you are? Even though that would be way too much information for me,” Whitley hollers.

Kendrick turns.

“If you must know, I took her back to her apartment last night. We made out, and I told her I wanted to do this right. I didn’t want to sleep with her right after meeting her. Getting to know her means something to me.”

Whit’s hand flies to her mouth, and I see tears glistening in her eyes.

“Look at Kendrick Barrington, finally growing the hell up,” she says.

“Aww, shut up!” Kendrick shouts, slinging his hands in the air and stomping out of the kitchen. “I’m heading to the gym!”

Whit, who just can’t let things be, screams back.

“Go ahead! Head to the gym! Work all those sexual frustrations out! Ya know, since you’re taking things slow!”

We hear the front door slam. I look down at her and whisper in her ear.

“Are we taking things slow?”

She looks up and smiles that gorgeous smile.

“We have been for years, ever since we met. How much slower do you want?” she says.

I kiss her lips and pick her up. Last night was the best night of my life. The feel of her wrapped around me was absolutely incredible. She’s mine now, and like the coach said, I need to make sure she stays satisfied. Of course, it helps that whenever she’s around, my dick is ready to slide into that tight pussy again.

She wraps her legs around me. I sit down on the couch with her on top of me. Before we can even start making out, my goddamn phone rings. It’s the sponsor, so I have to answer. They ask me to come by the studio to see which model they want alongside me. Plus, the big boss is in and wants to meet me.

“Dammit, I got to go to the studio, baby,” I say, hanging up. “I’m not sure how long it will take. How about you come with me?”

“You want me to come with you?” she asks.

“I want you to be a part of everything I do, so yeah.”

She looks at me and smiles.

“Okay.”