Page 19 of I Should Hate You-but I Don't

"Hold tight, and don't let go when the motorcycle moves."

Her arms squeezed him. He rearranged her hands and put her fingers on his belt, letting her grip the leather.

When he arrived, he had no plans beyond talking with her to find out how her living situation was and if she was safe. But seeing her happiness over his coming to her made him want to do something special for her.

But he had no fucking clue what a thirteen-year-old girl thought was fun. He scanned the sides of the street as he headed through town. He wanted to avoid public places in case anyone got suspicious of a biker hanging around a young girl.

Knowing she was probably hungry, he went through the Burger King drive-thru and stopped at the window.

"Do you want a burger or nuggets?" he asked.

"Nuggets."

He made the order, pulled forward, and got off the motorcycle without moving River. As soon as the food came, he shoved it in his duffle and got back on his Harley. Down the street, he spotted a sign pointing to a park. He went around the block, turned off the street, and entered a lush green grassy area.There was a play area with young kids screaming and running around. He parked away from everyone.

He killed the engine. "Go ahead and slide off."

Holding her hand so she wouldn't fall, he guided her off the seat. He helped her remove the helmet, grabbed his duffle, and led her toward a picnic table.

She grabbed his hand and skipped beside him through the grass. "I wish my sister was here with us, too. Has Kingsley seen Kenna? Has he taken more pictures of her? Did she see the picture you took of me?"

"I don't have a picture of her this time, but I know Kingsley showed her your picture." He caught her mouth drooping. "Before I leave, I'll take another picture and give it to Kingsley to give to Kenna."

She nodded. "I miss her."

"I know you do, sweetheart." He rubbed her cheek.

"I miss Kenna and my dad and my mom." She looked up at him. "Everyone leaves me."

"It probably seems like that." He pulled out her food and passed her a few napkins. "Unfold those so you can put your food on something."

"Do you have any family besides Kingsley?" she asked.

"Just my dad." He handed over the nuggets and fries. "He's in prison, so in a way, he left me and my brother."

It would be easy to tell her that her dad was alive and in prison, but nobody knew for how long he'd remain alive. A part of him agreed that River had already found closure, losing her dad. To know the truth would open a new wound and have her go through the pain of losing him all over again. No matter what a person's age was, that would be cruel.

"Will he ever get out?" She munched on a fry.

"One of these days, after he serves enough time." He unwrapped his burger. "How's school?"

She shrugged. "I don't have any friends yet."

"You will."

"Maybe."

He took another bite. "Do your foster parents treat you well?"

"They're only keeping me to get money for a new house they're building this summer." She wrinkled her nose. "I heard Peggy telling her mom that I was...I was temporary."

"But they don't hurt you?"

She shook her head.

That's all he needed to know. River wasn't looking for a new family. She wanted her sister. All she was doing was biding her time until she had Kenna back with her again.

"Do you have kids?" whispered River.

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