Read Online Playing it Kale (The McCain Saga Book 4) by Keary Taylor - Free Book Online

childhood?   Why are there news vans racing to your work right now?   What’s happening?”
    “Mom, I can explain,” I say.   Even though I really can’t.
    “There were reporters at our house, Sweetie,”
Dad says in that timid voice of his.   “Even Carson said he’s getting calls.”
    I can only imagine how that went.   Calls to my completely socially impaired
brother who has no idea what’s going on.
    “There was this video posted last
night,” I start.   “Of
me singing.”
    “Who was that boy?” Mom
demands, sounding both concerned and annoyed.   “He looks familiar.   Do you have a boyfriend?   Because you know how distracting boys can be
at your age, and you have your work, and school in a few weeks.”
    “Mom!” I stop her right there, fisting a hand in my already disheveled hair.   “Kale isn’t my boyfriend.   He’s just…”   But I don’t have an answer to that.
    “The hottest male to
ever be born?” Ming offers.  
    Super unhelpful.
    And suddenly, there’s my boss behind the
growing crowd.   Lance.
    “What is going on, Miss Ford?” he
asks.   I can’t tell if his voice is
annoyed, or just surprised, or what.   “There’s news people swarming the doors, the phone is ringing off the
hook, and everyone is demanding to talk to you.   Care to explain?”
    I sink back into my chair, feeling tired
and completely overwhelmed.
    My phone starts ringing, and I look down
to see Kale’s name.
    So, ignoring everything else, I answer
it.
    “I’m sorry, Whit,” he starts before I
can even say hello.   “But this isn’t
going to blow over, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay at
work.”
    “I think you’re right,” I say.   There’s emotion biting at the back of my
eyes.   I’m grateful Kale allowed me my
own chance to see this crazy lifestyle—even if it was just beginning.   I wouldn’t have believed it otherwise.   I still don’t.   But this is a rude awakening.  
    “I’ve got a security guy to help us out,
and we’re on our way over right now to pick you up.   Calvin said it’s probably best if we just lay
low until we can figure everything out.   Okay?”
    And there’s so much support, so much
caring in his voice, that it makes my eyes well.   “Okay.”   My voice cracks just slightly.
    “We’ll be there in two minutes,” he
says, his voice calm and reassuring.   “Be
ready to go as soon as we get there.”
    “Okay,” I say again.   Kale says goodbye and hangs up.
    Everyone looks at me, on baited breath.
    “I’m sorry,” I say, directing it to
Lance.   “But I think I’m going to have to
miss work today.   Maybe
for a couple of days.”
    “You think?” he says, raising one
eyebrow.
    “What about your research?” Mom asks,
practically in a panic.   “You’re going to
hurt your entire department by missing days.   When are you going to be back?”
    “I don’t know, Mom,” I say, standing and
handing all my files over to Ming.   She
just stares at me with huge eyes.   “But
this is obviously going to take some time to sort out.”
    “ It’s okay,
Monica,” Dad says, placing his hands on Mom’s shoulders.   He was always good at calming Mom down when
she went science-crazy.   “Just let her
get things figured out.”
    “Call me when you get a chance?” Ming
says.   I meet her eyes, and she looks
nervous for me.
    “Promise,” I say, wrapping my arms
around her.   Her head tucks under my
chin.   There’s a good seven inch
difference in our heights.   “I’ve got to
go now.”
    I give my parents quick hugs
goodbye.   Mom still looks
bewildered.   Dad looks a bit
uncomfortable with it all, but he presses a kiss to my temple.   Lance still looks somewhere between annoyed
and in awe.
    I head for the back door.   And this weird feeling washes over me.
    Somehow I know this is the last time I’ll be walking the halls of Evergreen
Micro.   I feel as if I’m about to cross
some precipice.