I shook my head and scrunched up my nose, making a disgusted face.

“What are we, twelve? I wasn’t mad at you, I was annoyed because you gave me no clue what was going on, so I thought I did something . . . or pried about something you didn’t want to talk about.” My voice dropped off. I felt self-conscious for bringing up his injury, but that’s where we had paused the conversation when he jumped up and left the house.

“Well, I’m sorry for that. I really didn’t mean to make you upset or question yourself. You didn’t do anything wrong.” He looked up at me.

“Thanks. I think.” Most people weren’t as generous with apologies as he seemed to be. Either he actually meant it or he was a really good liar. I was really bad at accepting sorrys. I just wasn’t used to them.

The massage had turned into a conversation, with no objection from the client. I turned the music down a notch. “The Hills” was taunting both of us. Raspy and suspenseful, the song fit perfectly between us, filling our occasional silence.

I only love it when . . .

“Last night was fun. I haven’t been out since I got back, and it was great to see Mendoza relaxing and enjoying himself.”

“If it wasn’t because of me, why did you leave?” I finally asked.

“It was a friend thing—” Kael’s expression changed.

“Friend?” I asked, and it clicked. “Oh, you have a—”

“Not that kind of friend,” he said. He wanted to reassure me, and that was thrilling. A line of electricity charged through me.

“One of my guys is having a rough time right now. He’s been really fucked, uh . . . . His wife called and I had to go over there.” Kael’s expression was stone.

I was confused. He was opening up, but I needed more. “So, again, if you were going to help a friend, why didn’t you tell me? I would have understood if you told me—”

“I’m not in the business of telling people’s business.”

“Was it Mendoza?” I moved across the room, stopping directly in front of Kael.

He sighed. He bit down on his lip. “It’s not my place, Karina. I’m not talking about what he’s going through.”

“Your silence serves you well when you want.” I meant for my words to burn him, or at least make him sweat. I had a bad habit of this, saying things to people to get a reaction. But Kael didn’t give me the reaction and he stayed quiet. I appreciated his loyalty to his friend, but I wished he felt like he could confide in me.

“We should finish your massage, and I should keep quiet. Unlike you, I can get fired.”

“Deal.”