Protecting Kimber by LC Taylor

Author:LC Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Behind The Badge Press

CHAPTER

TWELVE

“Kimber, I know you're not telling me everything.” Rory’s expression softened, a mix of concern and frustration in his eyes. “It’s clear something's troubling you. I want to help, but I can't if you keep shutting me out.”

Kimber sighed, her gaze shifting to the cellphone, then back to Rory. The conflict within her was palpable. She wanted to trust him, to let him in, but years of guarding her secrets, her true self, made it almost impossible.

“I appreciate your concern, Rory, but some things are better left unsaid. Trust me, it's not as dramatic as it seems.”

“Kimber, please trust me.” Rory reached for her hand, his touch gentle yet filled with a silent plea for honesty. “Nashville, the flowers, the need for anonymity—it doesn't add up for just a songwriter. I'm not trying to pry, but if there's something you're running from or if someone's causing you trouble, I want to help.”

Kimber felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she sat there, the conflict within her growing more intense. The lies she had carefully crafted over time had always been her shield, protecting her from the world. But now, in Rory's presence, those very lies felt like a prison, suffocating her with their weight. She could feel the walls she had built around her heart, once a source of security, now closing in, making it hard to breathe.

Her gaze shifted to the phone, its insistent vibration on the wooden table a stark reminder of the reality she was trying to escape. The device seemed like a beacon, calling her to make a choice between continuing her façade or confronting the truth. She looked back at Rory, her eyes a turbulent sea of emotions—fear, guilt, longing, and a desperate wish for understanding.

The room felt smaller, the air thicker, as if every unspoken word between them added to the invisible barrier, Kimber felt trapped behind. Rory’s gaze was filled with worry and confusion, his expression a mix of concern and a plea for honesty. Kimber’s heart ached with the knowledge of the pain her secrets could cause, yet the fear of revealing her true self, of being helpless and exposed, held her back.

“I just… had a few uncomfortable encounters in Nashville. Overzealous fans for a small-time singer-songwriter, nothing more. I needed a break from all that, a place where no one knew me. That’s why I'm here. And about the flowers, I think it’s just someone not taking a hint that I’m not interested.”

Rory studied her face, searching for the truth behind her words. “If you say so. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what. You’re not alone here.”

Kimber offered a small, grateful smile, the turmoil inside her slightly eased by his words. Yet the shadows of her past loomed over her, a constant reminder of the life she left behind and the secrets she carried. As Rory’s comforting presence surrounded her, she wondered how long she could keep the truth from him and what it would cost her when it finally came out.

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