Chapter 240: Did You Look?

Holly's POV

I don’t have to explain myself. Because I’m not a child.

“You're not my mom, Kayla. You're not Ava. Why did you scare me like that?" I brushed past her, heading for my closet to peel off the wrinkled dress.

She shrugged, but didn't back off. "I'm a mother, so spill. Before I whoop your ass." She paused. "I waited up after I saw that car pull in. Watched you two go into his house all cozy like a real couple. Checked your room this morning…you never came back. Why?"

"It's a long story, Kay," I muttered, stripping down and grabbing pajamas. "I'll tell you everything later, I swear. But right now? I need more sleep before work."

I dove under the covers, snuggling in deep as she launched into a lecture…something about being reckless, not understanding what was going on in my head anymore, how I was scaring her. Her voice faded into a comforting hum as exhaustion pulled me under.

And then I was there again. Our old house…the cramped kitchen with the peeling linoleum, the air thick with tension. I was little, maybe eight, stomach gnawing with hunger that felt like it would never end. Mom had died not long before, cancer eating her away fast, and Dad... he'd wasted no time bringing in his mistress. The new "mom" who looked at us like we were stains on her perfect life.

I climbed up on a wobbly stool, tiny hands reaching for the counter where a loaf of bread sat. Just one slice. I settled on the cold floor, gobbling it down like an animal, crumbs everywhere.

The door swung open the next second and our new mom stormed in, screaming. "Thief! Little thief in my kitchen!"

Dad followed, belt already in hand. "What did I tell you about touching things that aren't yours?"

I froze, bread half in my mouth, tears starting. But Ava…my big sister Ava, barely a teenager herself…rushed in front of me, shielding me with her body.

"She was just hungry!" Ava cried, voice breaking as the belt came down. Again. Again. On her back, her arms, wherever it landed. She curled around me, taking every lash while I sobbed into her shirt. "She was just hungry..."

"I was just hungry," I muttered in my sleep, thrashing.

"Then wake up and eat! It's already 8 AM!" I heard a voice yell into my ears as a hand shook me hard. I didn't wake up just yet. Another shake. Then…crack…a sharp slap across my cheek.

I shot up with a scream, hand flying to my stinging face, tears streaming fresh or dried from the dream. "Kayla!"

"What! You weren't waking up, and you kept muttering 'I'm just hungry' over and over!" she yelled back, then softened instantly. "Bad dream?"

"Yeah," I whispered, collapsing back. "Very bad dream."

She didn't say anything else…just pulled me into a deep, tight hug, rubbing my back like Ava used to. "You're fine. You're with me, okay? Safe."

I nodded against her shoulder, clinging a little longer than I meant to.

She let go eventually. "Your phone's been ringing nonstop. I think David Hunt called a bunch…I didn't pick up. Didn't know if it'd make things worse."

When I saw what time it was, panic surged. "Oh God, why didn't you wake me earlier?!" I bolted out of bed, rushing to the bathroom. "Kay! I'm gonna be so late!"

"I tried! But you were out cold!" She replied.

"Help me pick an outfit," I yelled over the shower spray, hurrying through the fastest wash of my life.

Minutes later, I burst out in a towel…and nearly fainted. Laid out on the bed…a serious looking black pencil skirt, crisp white button-up, low block heels, and a blazer that screamed "boardroom intimidation." No color, no fun, nothing like my usual chic work fits with pops of color or flowy tops.

"Kayla, what in the world? How can I wear this? I look like I'm about to fire someone!"

She shrugged, smirking. "I mean, I could wear this. It's professional and simple."

“That’s the point!” I rolled my eyes, digging through my closet to salvage it…swapped the stiff shirt for a softer silk blouse in deep burgundy, added delicate gold jewelry, and traded the block heels for sleek pointed ones. Better. Still serious, but me.

"Where's Caden?" I asked, blowing out my hair quick.

"School bus got him already."

"You want me to drop you off?" She asked.

I grabbed my phone and there were several missed calls from David, and one text from Tyler: Call me when you're ready to leave. I'll drive you.

"Nah, Kay. We use different routes anyway. Tyler's dropping me."

Her eyebrows shot up with lots of questions, but I was already getting busy…makeup minimal, hair in a low ponytail, jacket on as she handed it to me at the door.

I called Tyler as soon as I walked out of the door. Within minutes, his front door opened, and there he was…looking unfairly dashing in dark jeans, a fitted gray Henley with sleeves rolled up to show those forearms, hair still a little messy from sleep. Casual perfection.

"Morning, girlfriend," he said with an easy grin as I slid into his car.

"Morning," I mumbled back.

We pulled out, and awkward silence hit hard. I suddenly couldn't stop remembering waking up half-naked on his couch. Did he look? Did he see everything? What was going through his head while he was undressing me?

"About last night—" we both blurted at the exact same time.

Then burst out laughing, the tension snapping like a rubber band.

"You first," he said, eyes crinkling.

My cheeks burned, but the laugh felt good. Too good.

The laughter from our perfectly timed "About last night—" faded, but the awkward buzz in the air didn’t. I shifted in the passenger seat, clutching my bag like a shield, cheeks still burning from the memory of waking up half-naked on his couch.

"So…" I started, voice smaller than I wanted. "How exactly did I end up in just my underwear on your couch? Did you…undress me?"

Of course he did! Not like he would hire a maid to just undress me and leave.

Tyler’s hands tightened on the steering wheel for a split second, eyes fixed on the road. "Yeah. I did." He glanced over, face serious. "I swear I had my eyes closed the whole time, Holly. I didn’t look. Not once. I just figured you’d sleep better without that work outfit digging into you all night. You were out cold, snoring a little—"

"I do not snore!" I protested, but he ignored my outburst.

"And I didn’t want you waking up sore on top of everything else." He shrugged, a little sheepish now. "Honestly, I’m kind of offended you conked out mid-story. I was ranting about my family, thinking you were hanging on every word, and boom…you’re asleep. Was the foot rub that good?"

I burst out laughing, the tension cracking wide open. "It was unfairly good, okay? Like, suspiciously good. I won’t even lie…I wouldn’t mind dozing off to that every night."

The words slipped out before I could stop them, flirty and bold, and I laughed again to cover the heat rushing to my face.

But Tyler didn’t laugh. He went quiet, eyes flicking to me with this intense, steady look that made my stomach flip.

"I wouldn’t mind giving it to you every night," he said, voice low and dead serious.

Oh God!

Why does that sound so exciting?