Page 24 of No Second Chances

“Take your time,” Josh goes on. “You’ve got my number. I’ll take you out anytime, anyplace you want to go.” He looks so earnest, and regardless that I want to drive his fire ax into his eye, I have to admit that he is a good guy.

My fist clenches, and I suddenly want to vomit. I literally just decided that enough is enough, and now I have to watch Kennedy agree to go out on a date with another man? I have the worst timing in the entire world.

“I don’t want to lead you on, Josh.” Kennedy’s soft voice comes out soothing, but it sends my heart into overdrive. “It’s not gonna happen.” Her eyes dart to mine and the beast inside my chest roars in victory.

Mine.

Some feral part of my soul begins to scream in delight as she lets him down. Even Remy has to notice the looks passing between us since he is sitting right next to me, watching the interaction just as closely as I am.

“No problem.” Josh smiles broadly at her, taking the rejection in stride. I take the chance to glance at Remy, who is staring at the two of them interacting while shoving a French fry from his plate into his mouth. With a small shake of my head, I turn back to Kennedy.

Josh taps the table in front of him with the tip of the ax that he still clings to in order to keep the kindergartners from grabbing it. “If you change your mind, let me know.”

“Okay.” Kennedy runs a hand through her red curls, just like she always does when she is feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable. “But I don’t want you to count on it. We’re better off as friends.”

Before Josh can say anything else, Nox shoves his way back into the adult conversation, ignoring the way his friends are still talking about the machete and trying to ask if they can go over to her house after school. Instead, he puts his hands on his hips and glares at Josh like he is the worst villain that Nox has ever seen.

“She can’t date you, Firefighter Harmon. I don’t think you should even ask her. She’s supposed to be with Uncle Linc, because that’s who she loves. Mom says Uncle Linc just needs to get off his ass and figure his shit out. Because Auntie Kenny might decide to up and shoot him with his own gun if he doesn’t.”

With that bomb dropped, the bell rings and all the kids filter out while still arguing about the merits of a machete versus an ax.

An embarrassed Josh follows them out without saying a word, and Kennedy glares at Remy.

“Hey, that’s not my fault.” Remy holds up his hands defensively, and Kennedy doesn’t even bother looking in my direction. “That’s all on Parker. You’re gonna have to take it up with her.”

Kennedy points at him but leaves without saying a word. She is running away, and I let her because I don’t know what to say or how to say it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of that kid,” Remy announces when we are the only two left in the cafeteria.

I won’t admit it to a single living soul, but so am I. Now I just need to do something about my feelings for Kennedy and get my shit together just like Nox said.

Otherwise, I’ll lose her forever, or she’ll shoot me. One of the two.

11

KENNEDY

I don’t even bother knocking before walking into Parker’s house. Instead, I slam the door behind me and head toward the kitchen.

“Your kid is an asshole.”

She smiles at me from the kitchen table, where she is sitting with a pile of paperwork and her laptop.

“I mean, that’s not news.” She shrugs and goes back to her work. “What did he do today?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Let’s see.” I plop down across from her and lay my head on my crossed arms. “He told Josh Harmon, that hot firefighter, that I couldn’t go on a date with him because I belonged with Linc.”

Okay, so I’m paraphrasing, but still, Parker could have responded with something other than an indelicate snort.

“He’s not lying. Things fell apart with douche-canoe Royal for a reason.”

It is my turn to snort, and I shake my head against my arm. Parker is the only one who knows what happened with him, since she was the one to pick me up from the hospital and help me hide my wounds until my bruises faded.

The front door opens in the distance, and the telltale stomping that announces Nox and Remy are home feels almost comforting. At least with them being home, Parker and I won’t start talking about what happened.

“I’m getting my tattoo this afternoon,” I tell her just as they walk into the kitchen. “My tattoo artist sent me a message wanting to know what I want, but I honestly have no idea.” I look down at my wrist where the faded and light-pink scar stands out against my skin. “What do you think I should get?”

“I know!” Nox throws his backpack on the ground next to me and then grabs my arm like it belongs to him. “You should get something cool, something that makes you look like a superhero, you know?”

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