A Harsh Truth

-KENZIE-

Avoiding Wyatt seemed to become a hobby.

I was on my lunch break, sitting in the downstairs lunch area with Paul.

"Kenzie, what's wrong? You've barely touched your food."

I sighed heavily, "I'm thinking about my mom, I need to go see her later," I owned down at my coffee, "Paul, have you ever done something knowing it was a bad idea? And even though you tried your best not to give in, you end up doing it, only to realize afterward that you were right and you should never have done it."

Paul laughed, "Alcoholic, remember?" His face became serious as he studied me, "Yes, I have. There are so many things I wish I could have done differently. So many things I wish I could change. But we all know there is no way for us to undo the things we have done. But, what we can do is take solace in the fact that everything happens for a reason, even if you don't understand the reason right now."

I nodded, "I guess. I kind of feel like all I'm doing is making a major mess of things."

"Sometimes we need to make a mess of things before it all works out."

"I hope so. Because if this is how it's going to be for the rest of my life, I need to change direction."

Paul leaned back with a frown, "What is this about, Kenzie? You know you can speak to me about anything."

"It's about Wyatt." I looked over at him. It felt good to finally get it off my chest and tell someone.

"Wyatt." He nodded is head thoughtfully, "I suspected something was going on between the two of you."

"What? Am I that transparent?"

"No. I'm just very observant. So, what is the problem?"

"Well, there isn't anything going on between us. I have feelings for him, I have for years and I've been trying to push them aside, but they just keep coming back."

"Feelings are meant to be felt, Kenzie. Why are you running from them?"

I sighed again, I seemed to do that a lot lately, "Well because I don't want to have feelings for him. I want to go about my life without Wyatt being in the back of my head. I don't want to have feelings or some billionaire playboy who can't keep it in his pants."

"The right woman can change a man. Don't be too quick to judge him."

"Fine. Let's say that was no longer a problem anymore. What about the stigma surrounding it? He's my boss and my ex's after."

Paul shrugged, "Who cares about the stigma? If you spend your life worried about other people you will never be happy. Someone will always have something to say, no matter what you do."

"I know. But this is different."

"I don't think it is. I think you're scared and you're looking for excuses because of it," he leaned over, resting his hand on mine, "Go to him. Tell him how you feel and work things out together."

"I don't know."

"How many more years do you want to waste on this? It's not going away until you face it, Kenzie."

"I guess you're right," I got to my feet, "Okay, let me get this over with."

"You know where to find me."

"Thank you." I took my coffee cup and went over to the elevators.

My stomach churned at the thought of telling Wyatt the truth about how I felt, but Paul was right. I needed to face this or it would never go away.

When I stepped out of the elevator, I had a huge knot of anxiety in my stomach, it felt like I might start shaking at any point.

Outside the office, I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

As the door swung open my mouth dropped in shock at the scene before me. One of the girls from the club, Cherry, was bent over the desk.

Wyatt slammed into her from behind, her dark hair clasped tightly in his hand, and her face was turned slightly which is why I recognized her.

I dropped my cup in surprise, and Wyatt turned.

His eyes widened, "Kenzie, wait!"

I spun on my heel, rushing for the elevator. My heart felt like it had been pierced with a knife and I didn't want him to see the tears welling in my eyes.

How could I have been so stupid?

"Kenzie!" Wyatt was running from his office, his pants were no on but his belt hung loosely around them.

I stepped into the elevator and slammed my finger onto the button repeatedly. The doors closed just as he reached me.

"Idiot!" I shouted at myself, slamming a hand against the elevator wall and internally begging myself not to let the tears fall.

I had no right to be upset, we weren't together. And I knew Wyatt and how he was with women.

But I had naively believed that it would be different. I thought something changed between us.

No, I hoped something changed between us.

I ran my hands over my face as the doors opened and stepped out. I didn't even bother looking in the direction of the lunch spot. I was too embarrassed to admit to Paul how wrong this had gone.

"Kenzie!" Wyatt rushed out of one of the lifts. I noticed he hadn't even bothered to button up his shirt.

I ignored him, briskly walking out of the building.

"Kenzie Middleton! You get your ass back here right now." Wyatt was still following me, and people around us in the street were turning to see what was going on.

I spun to him, "Leave me alone, Wyatt."

"No. You are on my payroll and I demand you get back to my office."

Paul came running out, "What's going on?" He turned to me with concern, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I turned to Wyatt, "I am taking the day off. And from here on out I am strictly your PA. If you attempt to demand anything that is not in my job description, I will report you to HR. Do not tempt me."

I turned, sticking my hand out for a taxi.

"Kenzie, you're being childish. Get inside." Wyatt demanded as he came over to me.

"Wyatt, now is not the time. I promise you that. I am done being the game between the Grimes men."

"Would you stop?"

I ignored him and got into the taxi, slamming the door shut.