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He left the reception area feeling their eyes on him the entire way and made his way back out to his motorcycle. He took some deep breaths to calm himself. He needed to clear his mind.
He got on his bike and headed down to Goleta Beach Park. He found a spot to park then walked down to the water’s edge. The water gently lapped at the beach and made a soothing sound. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift.
He knew he had to leave. There was an almost physical need to move on. Honestly, most of it was his desire to avoid certain people.
The purpose of his visit had been fulfilled and he was no closer to knowing what he should do next in his life. His mind took him back to the clinic and he realized he was really going to miss Charlize and Chloe. And Phoebe! They were such good people!
He had a bond of friendship with Fiona but they were from such different backgrounds. He disagreed with her current decision but he wasn’t about to dictate how she should lead her life when he couldn’t figure out his own.
Gloria reminded him of the bitter lesson he learned about himself. He wouldn’t miss her but he didn’t hold her responsible for it.
Marion pissed him off so he wouldn’t miss her at all. She had no emotional link to anyone- He jolted when he realized she might be a female equivalent of his father. Maybe that’s where his distaste for her attitude originated.
Monique. Brilliant, beautiful, treacherous Monique. One of the biggest disappointments of his time here. The woman who got everything she wanted, no matter the cost. The fact that he’d witnessed her ability to empathize with others made the pain of her manipulation so much sharper.
He shook off the funk and soaked in the calming sound of the gentle waves and the warmth of the sun. He concentrated on these things and just… breathed. Here and now. Here and now. He needed to free himself of his thoughts as they just led him to dark places.
Once he was feeling better he walked back to his Harley and headed back to Phoebe’s place. He parked in her backyard once more and let himself inside. Aisha once more rushed up to see who it was then wandered away.
He decided he would take a nap and plunked himself down on the couch. The moment he got comfortable Aisha hopped up and settled down across his chest and stomach. He snorted softly then got to work stroking her from head to tail across her back. He smiled as her purring reminded him of the throb of his motorcycle on the highway.
Eventually his eyes drooped and he nodded off.
“Awww, don’t you two look sweet!”
Kyle blinked his eyes open and there was Phoebe smiling down at him. The cat hopped down to rush into the kitchen. Mournful cries were soon heard when she discovered her food bowl was still empty.
Phoebe rolled her eyes and followed the cat into the kitchen to feed it. “Are you ready to go?” she called out from the next room.
Kyle sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be,” he muttered.
She came back out and gave him a sad look when she saw his unease. “We’ll be there for you.”
He nodded.
“Let me get changed and we’ll go,” she stated and rushed off to the bedroom.
He looked down at himself and decided he was good to go.
Soon enough they were out the door and in Phoebe’s car. She drove them down to the restaurant he’d visited that first night when he’d met Fiona’s friends for the first time. In the parking lot he spotted Fiona’s sporty red coupe, the big caddy owned by Roger and Gloria, and Monique’s SUV so he took a deep breath and followed Phoebe inside. The two Yamahas were parked closer to the doors and that made him feel a little better.
They were guided out to the table they’d sat at before and Fiona’s face lit up with relief when she saw him. She stood and came around the table to get a hug.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“Hi Fiona. Are you doing ok?” he asked gently.
She trembled in his arms and squeezed him tight before pulling back and nodding sadly. “I’ll be ok. We’ll always be friends, right?”
“Of course. For life.”
A smile burst forth and she kissed his cheek. “Come. Sit.”
He found himself sitting on Fiona’s left. Monique was on her right so he was shielded from the woman he had no desire to-
“Good evening, Kyle.”
He glanced in her direction as she leaned forward to smile at him around Fiona.
He looked away and heard her snort in scorn.
Marion was sitting across the table from Monique and was watching him with a smug look on her face. He did his best to ignore her as well. Phoebe was across from Fiona with Charlize and Chloe on her right side. He took strength from their presence. Gloria was sitting next to him but there was no sign of her husband. Maybe she drove his car?
“Where’s Roger?” he asked.
Gloria smirked. “He’s at a sports bar a few doors over. He has no desire to hang out with the girls.”
Kyle nodded then heard Fiona making a noise to catch everyone’s attention so he turned back to her.
“Thank you for coming out to join me tonight. As most of you know I’m heading to Paris tonight to ensure our new hotel opens on time and on budget. My parents have made all the arrangements for me to work there for the next year or two as required to ensure this property is given the attention required to make it the premiere hotel in Paris.”
“What? What about Cameron?” Charlize blurted.
Fiona’s reply was slightly stiff. “I spoke with Cameron last night. I explained that I had to go and we agreed to put a bookmark in our relationship until I could return. If we’re both free when I return then we’ll see how it goes then.”
“Good for you!” Marion said, giving her a sly smile. Fiona nodded with a small smile of her own.
“What about the case against Cameron?” Kyle asked gently.
Fiona looked at him and nodded shakily. “I’ve given my statement to the police. When I asked Cameron last night about your giving a statement, he said not to bother. He didn’t need it.”
Kyle frowned. “Huh. I wish I’d known that two days ago. Would have spared some people a lot of pain.”
Monique leaned forward to gape at him. “You- you weren’t going to come back with me?” she exclaimed in surprise.