In The Mix

Chapter 6

This is unedited. This chapter is brought to you by a lack of sleep, two Red Bulls, and a lot of snacks. I hope y'all enjoy this chapter.

Kenzie's POV:

I feel the eyes of Leigh, Pez, and Jade on me as Mom comes back into the living room with Dominic.

"Hello, ladies."

"Hi, Dominic." The three of them respond in unison and I still sense their eyes on me.

"Come in the kitchen with me Dominic." Mom says.

Once they've been in the kitchen for a few minutes I ask, "Did any of you know he was coming?" My pen still gliding across the paper.

There's a brief silence before all three say they didn't know he was coming which makes me wonder if Mom knew and just didn't tell them or if it was a surprise to her too.

"Kenzie, this is Dominic."

I glance out the corner of my eye at Mom and Dominic before returning my attention to my writing.

"How long did that take?"

"An hour..." Perrie starts.

"And twenty-three minutes." Leigh-Anne finishes.

"Well, don't I feel special. It only took you and hour and twenty-three minutes to introduce me to your boyfriend."

"Kenzie, please don't start. Now sit up and be nice."

"I don't think nice is in my vocabulary. And as for sitting up, well I'm rather comfortable like I am." The truth is I'm in pain and don't want to move. I know they found what I wrote last night because Leigh let it slip this morning and grandma talked to me about it. My pain meds also disappeared from my room and they've all been watching me more than normal.

"Kenzie." Mom sighs.

I roll my eyes and stop writing. "Jade."

Sliding a hand under my neck, Jade helps me sit up. I attempt to bite back a wince at the sharp pain I feel but based on the concerned look on Perrie's face, I'm not successful.

"Are you in pain?" Mom quickly questions.

"Not at all." I grit out as I move my legs off Perrie's lap. I eye Dominic and mentally pat myself on the back when he shifts nervously under my assessing gaze. "Hello, Dominic. I'm Makenzie, Jesy's daughter. But I'm sure you already know that." I smirk.

Mom opens her mouth to speak but grandma enters the room with Sylas. How did I not hear the doorbell?

"I'm sorry to interrupt." Sylas says apologetically, coming to stand slightly beside Mom.

"Now really isn't a good time, Sylas." Mom looks at him.

"I understand but we could have a potential problem on our hands."

"What problem, Sy?" I ask concerned because he seems agitated.

"Your Dad is in town. He flew in early this morning."

"How do you know this?"

"Mom and Dad have friends everywhere, Kenzie."

"I'm not seeing a potential problem, Sy."

"He divorced Karen and left when you were two, Kenzie, but he never signed away his rights to you. He didn't give his consent for the adoption, therefore, he can contest it."

"Is he dangerous?" Leigh asks, worry in her voice.

Sylas sighs. "My Mom and Karen used to be friends. Karen confided in Mom that he was abusive. Two weeks aftet she told Mom, he left."