Press Repeat

-KENZIE-

Wyatt rushed me to the hospital after the phone call.

When we arrived the doctors told me they were doing everything they could.

My mother had been in a terrible car accident. She was severely injured, and the driver she was with was in another room getting a few stitches.

I was a nervous wreck, pacing the hospital with Wyatt standing nearby.

"Hey, Kenz, she's going to be okay," Wyatt spoke suddenly, pulling me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me tightly.

"I hope so, Wyatt. Gosh, I feel sick."

"I know." He kissed the top of my head.

"Kenzie."

I turned with a frown to see Axel. His head was bandaged.

"Axel? What are you doing here?"

"I was in the car with your mom."

"What? What happened?"

"A truck slammed into us."

A part of me was curious to know why they were together, but instead of asking, I leaned back into Wyatt.

His embrace somehow made me feel better.

Axel watched us, a questioning look in his eyes, "Kenzie, can I speak to you for a moment?"

"What is it?" I asked.

"Alone."

Wyatt narrowed his eyes, "Axel, this can wait. Now isn't the time with what's going on."

Axel shook his head, "So I was right. There's something between the two of you."

I pulled away from Wyatt, "Axel, not now. Wyatt is just comforting me because I'm worried sick about my mom."

"Yeah, well, I'm no fool, Kenzie. No boss comforts an employee like that," he shook his head, his lip curling in disgust, "Your boss. Your ex's father. How sick are you?"

Wyatt rushed passed me, grabbing hold of Axel by the collar of his shirt and shoving him up against the wall.

"Wyatt!" I hissed.

"Listen to me, I would think twice about my next words. Do you see that little cut on your head? It will be a lot worse if you cross the line again." He dropped him and walked back to me, putting an arm around my shoulders and guiding me away.

"Wyatt, you can't attack people like that."

"Then he should have thought better before speaking to you like that."

"People are going to get the wrong idea. They're going to think-"

"Let them get the wrong idea. Let them think. I don't give a shit what anyone thinks."

"You're Wyatt Grimes. I don't think any of this will look good with your current track record."

"I don't care, Kenzie," his eyes softened, "You don't get to push me away."

"Using my words against me. You fight dirty, Mr. Grimes."

"Only when I have to."

The doctor came over to us, and without thinking, I grabbed Wyatt's hand in mine. I held on tightly as if it would lessen the blow if it was bad news.

"Your mother is stable, Miss Middleton. You can go in and see her, but please don't be too long. She won't be awake right now."

"Thank you."

Wyatt leaned down, "I'll go get us some coffee." He kissed my cheek before walking away.

When I walked into the hospital room I sighed, "Mom, what have you gotten yourself involved in now?"

"Better than what you've done." Axel scoffed as he walked in.

"Axel, really? You want to do this now?"

Yes, I do. What is going on with you and Grimes?"

"Nothing is going on, Axel. Wyatt and I have a history, he's always been supportive of me, even when I was dating his son. I guess old habits die hard."

Axel narrowed his eyes, "How stupid do you think I am? What I saw out there wasn't fatherly affection, Kenzie. We both know that."

"Okay, seeing as you want to do this. What's going on with you and my mother? Why were you with her?"

"She asked me to meet with her. She's worried about you."

I looked over at her, "Axel, she doesn't need to worry about me. I'm happy and I'm doing well."

"You're sleeping with your boss!" He snapped.

"I am not. Look, obviously, you have some unresolved issues you need to get over. I'm sorry that we didn't work out, but please stop accusing me of something I'm not doing." I stormed out.

"Are you okay?" Wyatt asked, he stood nearby holding two styrofoam cups.

"I'm fine. Can we go?" I didn't want a repeat of Wyatt attacking Axel.

"Sure."

When we got into the car to leave, I fell silent while drinking the coffee.

Wyatt didn't speak either and I assumed he knew I needed the silence. Wyatt somehow always knew what I needed.

I thought back to Axel's words, How sick are you?

"Kenz?"

I turned, "Sorry, what?"

"We're here."

I turned to get out of the car, "Thanks, Wyatt."

It was only when I was walking into the building that I realized Wyatt was with me.

"Wyatt, you don't have to follow me. I've lived here for so long, nothing's going to happen to me."

"That's not why I'm following you."

I frowned but said nothing as I unlocked my door.

"I'm trying to be supportive, Kenzie."

"And I appreciate that. But you don't have to do this. My moms going to be okay. I'm fine."

He shut the front door and looked at me, "Are you really? You don't look fine. You look like you're about to burst into tears at any moment."

I sighed, "I'm just tired."

He walked over to me, "Kenzie, you can lean on me. Just like you used to before."

How sick are you?

I looked away, "Wyatt, things change."

"But they didn't have to." His hand caressed my face and I leaned into him, closing my eyes, enjoying the feel of his touch against my skin.

His thumb trailed across my bottom lip and when I opened my eyes I saw the lust in his eyes. I knew I was looking at him in the same way.

He leaned in, his lips inches from mine. But instead of kissing me, he dropped his forehead to mine.

"Sorry. I forgot I wasn't supposed to try anything."

I knew I should walk away, put some distance between us.

But I couldn't. All of the emotions and feelings came rushing back, hitting me like a bus.

And I gave in. I gave in to the feelings, abandoning all logic.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, crashing my lips to his in a passionate kiss.

"This doesn't mean anything," I stated between kisses as clothes went flying in all directions, "No strings. No feelings. Got it?"

He nodded but didn't speak as he kissed me again. He hoisted me up on the countertop and I wrapped my legs around him.

It was only after we were finished and paying that I realized what a huge mistake I had made. Again.

I pulled away from him, immediately feeling exposed and vulnerable, I reached over for his shirt and put it on.

"Kenzie?" He looked at me with concern as he put his pants on.

"Yeah. I know." I looked away, too ashamed to face him.

There was a knock on the door and I looked at Wyatt with wide eyes.

"Kenzie? It's Caleb."

I jumped off the counter, "Hide in the room."

"Kenz? Are you okay?" In my rush to get my clothes, I tumbled over a chair.

"Kenzie? Listen, I know where you keep the spare key, I'm coming in."

I shoved Wyatt into the room and slammed the door shut.

Just as Caleb walked in.

I quickly through a throw blanket around my shoulders to hide the fact that I was wearing nothing but his father's shirt.

"Caleb! Hi." I was breathing heavily, out of breath from running around, and I could feel the heat in my cheeks.

He eyed the scattered clothes on the floor, "Did I interrupt something?"

"What?" I looked at the clothes, then back at him, "Uh, oh, that. No. I was just getting ready to shower." My eyes dropped to the floor behind the couch. Wyatt's jacket was laying there.

"Uh, what did you need?" I turned back to him, hoping he wouldn't come closer, if he did he would see the jacket.

"I heard about the accident. Is your mom okay?"

"She's great. You know what? It's late," I rushed over, trying to usher him to the door, "Thanks for coming by."

"Have you seen my dad?"

"Hmm?" I raised my brows, "Why would I have seen your dad?"

"Well, his car is outside."

"Are you sure? Lots of people drive those cars."

"No, it's his."

I hit my palm against my forehead, "You know what, you're right, it is his car. He let me borrow it to get home. I forgot. My head is all over the place."

Caleb frowned, "Are you sure you're okay? You're acting strange."

"I'm fine. Just really tired. Okay, bye-bye now." I shoved him out the door and slammed it shut.

My bedroom door opened and Wyatt walked out with an amused look on his face, "That was a mess."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You should leave."

"I'm not leaving just because we slept together. I ran you a bath. Go relax. I told you I was going to be here for you, that hasn't changed."

I realized I had made an even bigger mess of things than I intended.