Pyke novel Chapter 19

Mr. Mayes, the manager looks twice older than his age of forty-five. Around three hundred pounds of six-footer bald head and a goatee man. I’ve never seen him smile. All he does every day is to bark at everyone. I wonder what he’s carrying on his shoulder that he forgets to even realize how beautiful life is.

Speaking of beautiful, regardless of what happened days ago, I learn how to appreciate the beauty of life—that life is not perfect, life doesn’t always go like how we want it to be—it’s like a road, it has many bends, ups, and downs. And that’s its beauty.

Pyke stops bugging me. I miss him though, but what we did that night won’t happen again. And what he did to me was cruel, and I don’t think if we can even be friends.

Kyland and Bianca give me space, and that’s what I want at this time. I need to process everything—it happened so fast at the same time. If what Kyland said is true, then who am I to keep grudges against them. I know he won’t be pleased if he will find out what I did with Pyke behind his back as well. He will get the same reaction as I did days ago.

I dial Auntie’s number as soon as I get back from work.

She answers, “Hey, Honey. How are you doing?

“I’m good, Auntie. How’s your last checkup?” I feel guilty for not coming with Kyland. I chose to go with Pyke in an annual car show than to see my aunt. Kyland insisted that I should go with Pyke because it’s maybe my only chance. He’s probably right.

“There is nothing to worry about, honey. I’m good as new. If only Kyland allows me to work again, I’m really in good shape now.” There’s still growing dismayed in her voice. Since she got a mild stroke, Kyland never allowed her to work again.

“Auntie, you have enough money to support yourself. I think Kyland is right. Why don’t you just move in here so that we can be a happy family again?” I’ve been convincing her for years, but she can’t just leave her husband who’s been dead three years ago. She never misses a weekend to visit his grave.

“You already know the answer to that, honey, and stop convincing me already,” she chuckles.

“Auntie, please consider our offer.”

“Oh, stop it, Cam. So, how’s your date?”

My brain freezes for a moment.

I clear my throat. “Oh, you know it wasn’t a date. He was just showing me the event when he found out how much I love cars,” I reply with a little disappointment in my tone. I bite my inner lip to stop being emotional.

“Is that so? I heard he helped you to find your job, too. A man like him won’t waste his busy life taking you to a car show and pulling out his connections if he didn’t have a thing for you, honey.”

Yeah, indeed, he did that to let me fall into his trap because he only betted on me with his cousin. They’re assholes!

“You know he’s Kyland’s boss, right? And we’re not going out again.” Auntie might have noticed the sudden change in my tone.

“Honey, he will ask you again, trust me. Anyway, Kyland talked to me that you’re staying with Megan right now. What happened, honey?” I can hear the worry in her voice, and that’s the last thing I want her to do.

“Just giving him some privacy, Auntie. You know he starts dating and since Megan has no more roommate, I might think of staying with her for good.”

“Honey, Kyland will be devastated to hear that. He doesn’t want you to leave because he starts dating. That’s your apartment, too.”

“Auntie, we’re both grown up. We can take care of ourselves and he sacrificed a lot of things for me already. I can’t let him do it again, besides I’ve got a job. I think he should think about prioritizing himself at this time.”

She sighs. “Honey, the only thing I didn’t do is pushing you out of my vagina. I know you didn’t like the idea of your cousin and your best friend dating together, and you happened to figure out before they could tell you. You found it as a betrayal. Kyland and Bianca were hurt when you shut them out.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll understand them if they just tell me right away, or I might just react a little bit, but I can’t control their feelings to whom they will fall for, can I?”

“Then talk to them already,” she replies quickly.

A tight smile spread across my lips. It’s been days since the last time I talked to them. I honestly missed them. “I will. I’ll let you go, for now.”

“You’re my daughter, Camila, and I love you, you know that, right?”

“I know. Take care of yourself, and I love you, too.”

I sigh deeply in relief. Auntie is right, and I overreacted. I need to talk to Kyland. I always come first when it comes to his priority. He treated me like his real sister. He’s been supportive of my dreams, but look what I did to him? I didn’t realize that I was so selfish until I talked to Auntie.

I grab my keys on my dresser and take my purse. I almost bump into Megan who just arrived from her work. She got a job at the real estate agency two weeks ago.

“Going somewhere?” she asks, looking at me from head to toe.

“I’m not meeting Pyke, nice try though.” I roll my eyes because I know what she’s thinking—it literally flashes on her forehead.

“You might miss the feelings of his Apa on your ’gina!” she gushes.

My heart flips because honestly, I’ve been thinking about him every time I went to sleep at night. I have to soak myself in the tub to avoid pleasuring myself when the feelings are unbearable.

“See, that look? You really need to get laid if you won’t consider sleeping with him again, sweetie.”

“Stop teasing me, Meg. You know he’s a no to re-round banging. See you later.” I sprint away from her before she can reply. I can still hear her laughter when I reach the door.

“I’ll call someone to pick up your car.” He manages to grab my purse inside and lock the door again. “And stop calling me Mr. Hughes, Camila,” he says firmly.

Pyke’s jaw clenches, lips press tightly into a thin line. His laser-like eyes rake from my face down to my chest. That’s when I realize my white sleeveless button-up shirt is now wet and see-through. My nipples harden at his intense glare, and I know they’re poking through my lacy red bra.

He grabs my arm and drags me to follow him.

“Let go of me!” I exclaim in protest.

“Stop fighting with me, Camila! You are already shivering and we will end up sick if you keep on fighting. We’re already at home and dry if you’re not so stubborn.”

“I’m not going with you.”

He stops, letting go of my arm, then shoves my purse into my chest. “Fine.”

Pyke walks toward his car and gets inside. Before I can blink, he already speeds up, leaving me standing glued to my own feet. My eyes sting as I wrap my shuddering body tighter. He doesn’t really care, does he? How can he leave me here alone?

I jump in surprise when the tires screech beside me.

“Camila, get in the car, now!” he barks, making me flinch.

I’m already clutching the seat belt before my brain can process. “T-thank y-you.” My jaw aches, trying to control from stuttering, but I fail so.

“My place is not far from here. Just hang on tight for a while.” He grabs something from the backseat.

“Y-your p-place?” My brows raise, glancing at him.

He offers me his black jacket. I grab it willingly with my trembling fingers and wear it without uttering a word. I close my eyes when his smell wafts my nose that I missed for days.

“Stop talking already. You’re freezing, and the last thing I want is for you to die from hypothermia. If you are not so stubborn you’re not suffering right now.” He doesn’t seem to be affected with the cold even his clothes are wet like mine.

“Thank you for saving my ass there, happy?”

His eyes lock mine, but he doesn’t say anything. His jaw remains clenched throughout the ride.