Page 20 of Keep Me Safe

I let out a breath, some of the tension easing out of my shoulders. I think I can relax. Maybe I was wrong to doubt him, but there’s a nagging feeling in my stomach, a small part of me that isn’t entirely convinced.

“I’m sorry, Kira,” he says softly, pulling me into a hug.“I know you would tell me if you were seeing someone.”

He says the last part as almost a question.

I nod into his chest, but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s still unsure—like he’s still thinking there’s more to the story. Maybe I’m just imagining it. I try to brush it off, but the thought lingers.

“Let’s get back to our show,” he smiles, puts down a pillow, and lies his head on my lap. Laughing, I adjust my body and get comfortable as he hits play on the remote.

I run my fingers through his sandy brown hair to reassure myself. He isn’t mad at me. I am okay. I’ve made a lot of progress when it comes to the anxiety and flashbacks, but they aren’t totally gone. That night three years ago still haunts me. Eventually, light snores sound from my lap. He must have fallen asleep.

The front door swings open, causing me to jump a little at the noise. Surprisingly, the movement doesn’t wake Jared. Looking up, I see Noah emerge, his eyes meeting mine. He glances down at Jared, asleep in my lap. He gives a slight nod of understanding, staring back up at me.

“Hey,” I say, my voice soft.

The dim light of the TV illuminates his face as he looks at me for a long moment before responding.

“Where did you go this morning?” he asks, his voice bordering on demanding.

My brows scrunch together at his tone. Is he mad at me?

I can’t help but pick up on how his gaze lingers where my fingers are buried in Jared’s hair.

“Everyone was gone when I woke up, so I went out.”

“Out where?”

He definitely sounds mad.

Why does he need to know?

“Out,” I say, refusing to give him what he wants. He isn’t my parent. He doesn’t need to know everything I do.

Wrong answer.

Noah’s jaw ticks as he glares at me, frustration thick in his tone. “Kira. Where were you?”

Irritation builds in my chest at the absurdity of his anger.

“Why do you care?”

chapter six

noah

WhydoI care? I stand there for a moment, silent, trying to find a response. I can’t. My gaze drifts back to Jared, lying in her lap, and something inside me tightens. There has to be something going on between them.

“I care because you live under my roof,” I say, but I know there’s more to it than that. I shake my head, heading into the kitchen.

When I got back this morning, I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to apologize. I don’t want her to think I see her as some helpless kid. But when she didn’t come home all day, and the guys invited me out to the bar, I figured, why not? I don’t usually go out, and a few drinks didn’t sound so bad. Now, though, I regret how much alcohol is still in my system.

She’s irritated with me, and I get it. I was an asshole. She should be able to come and go as she pleases. I shouldn’t care that she wasn’t here this morning. So, why the hell do I?

Quiet footsteps sound from the hall. I glance up and see her, her body framed in the doorway. She eyes me before heading straight for the fridge, trying to reach for a bottle of wine that’s just out of her grasp. She lets out a frustrated breath.

What do you think you’re doing?”

She ignores my question. Walking over to the counter, she hoists herself up onto it, her ass now at eye level. My hands fist at my sides. It’s taking everything I have right now not to touch her.

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