Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
He gazed at Kai through the glass. He’d never dare traipse into his dojang now. It would disrupt the entire class’s attention. At the very least, he’d be intercepted by Kai’s aides to find out why he was there. He’d have to bullshit something on the fly. With his luck, they’d be ace lie detectors and see right through his façade. Potentially deducing the real reason why he’d come to see Kai.
Breck’s gut clenched at the thought. Which only reminded him of why shit had gone south. The secrecy. His fear of being found out. The public finally discovering he was a closet bi. It all but maddened him, how badly he wished things were different. But his career choice offered no allowance for what he now realized he wanted with Kai.
Kai just wasn’t in the cards he’d been dealt. What’s more, Kai had spoken and expressed his stance. He wasn’t interested in any kind of clandestine relationship and definitely wasn’t interested in no-strings-attached sex.
And in truth, Breck wouldn’t have wanted that kind of thing with Kai anyway. He’d want more. He realized that now. Not just Kai’s body, but his affections. His heart. Which was never going to happen as long as he stayed on his current path.
He needed to let it go and get on with his life. Live with his choices and not look back. Like Kai’s doing, Breck thought as he watched him through the glass, wholly focused on helping his students hone and master their craft. Kai was amazing and smart like that—and clearly understood that cutting Breck loose was for the best. For once, Breck should earn that title of jeja and follow his teacher’s lead.
Heart heavy, he turned away and started walking, rubbing his sternum as he fought back a frown. He needed to be smart like Kai, but God, smart fucking hurt.
* * *
“Dude. Did you see who was hanging outside the dojang during class?”
Standing at the reception counter, Jin glanced at Dindy. “No. Who?”
Dindy grinned, walking over to join him. “The king.”
Jin’s brows hiked. “Breck Harland?”
Dindy nodded. “He just stood by the door for a minute but never came in.”
Jin peered through the glass to the sidewalk out front. “That’s weird. Maybe he’s thinking about signing up for another class.”
“Pssht,” Dindy scoffed with a laugh. “Dude’s probably stalking one of the hotties taking taekwondo.”
Jin snorted. “No fuckin’ way. He’s Breck the Unattainable, remember? He doesn’t chase after anyone. They come to him.”
Dindy crossed his arms and nodded. “That’s true.” His gaze turned contemplative. “Although, now that I think about it, he kinda looked like crap.”
Jin lifted a brow. “In what way?”
“I dunno. Like he was conflicted or some shit. Like he wanted to come inside but also didn’t.”
“Huh.”
“Who knows. Maybe he was just torched on somethin’.”
“Well, you know”—Jin grinned—“it would have been just past four-twenty.”
“Blaze it!”
Both guys laughed and bumped fists.
“Speaking of,” Dindy continued. “What’re you doing when we get out of here?”
“Um, blazing a big fuckin’ fat one with you?”
Dindy grinned. “Good answer. Let’s hurry up.”
Chest tight, Kai sighed as they headed for the locker room, having inadvertently overheard their conversation. His gaze slid to the dojang’s front door. Breck had come by. Had wanted to see him. Had looked upset, which probably meant that he’d wanted to talk.
Regret welled at the thought of Breck miserable. Now that he’d had time to cool off, he acknowledged the fact that he was partially responsible, his actions having played a role in kick starting this whole fucking mess. If he’d been more conscientious with the gear he’d dressed Breck in, he never would’ve been recognized by that admirer at The District. In turn, Breck would’ve gone with him to his show the following night. The evening would’ve been positive.
But that wasn’t how things had gone. Breck had been shaken, which had driven him to drinking. Then back to Kai’s door, where Kai had lambasted him and then turned him away.
If only he’d known that Breck had been driving.
Kai dragged a hand down his face, remembering the moments that followed Breck’s angry departure. He’d closed his eyes and tried to calm his heartrate, his emotions a riotous storm of irritation and need.
And then he’d heard it. An engine starting. At first, he’d been confused. Breck never drove to his apartment. He always walked. And besides, he’d been drinking. Surely, he wouldn’t have been that stupid.
The sound of that car pulling away had snapped Kai out of pondering and into action. He’d dived for his key fob and darted out the door. Made it to his car and had the garage door opening in seconds flat.
By the time he pulled out, Breck was gone. He’d had to take a wild guess on which way to go, one-hundred percent certain Breck was headed anywhere but home. Still, what if he went the wrong direction and Breck wrecked somewhere? Rendered unconscious and unable to call for help? All semblance of calm had vacated Kai’s body, his race through the rain the most stressful moments of his life.