Page 71 of Keep Me Safe

“Jared, you know I love you…” I trail off, trying to reassure him.

“As a friend, right?” he snaps, his sudden attitude jarring me.

“I’ve always been there for you, Kira, through everything,” he says, his voice breaking on the last word.

He doesn’t even know the half of it. I am eternally grateful for everything he’s done for me. He was there for me through the thick of my PTSD and depression without even knowing what caused it.

“I haven’t listened to anything the guys say about you because I know you. I fucking love you, Kira.”

That shocks me. What is he talking about?

“What do they say?”

“That’s what matters to you?” he says, his voice louder now.

Shaking his head, he slides onto his feet, looking at me with an intensity I’ve never seen from him before.

“Maybe they’re right,” he says, turning away. “You should find a different ride home,” he adds before leaving the barn altogether.

It’s not until he’s gone that I realize I’m shaking. He’s hurt, I know that, but I’ve never seen that side of him, and it scares me. A tear rolls down my face as I pull out my phone and tap Noah’s contact. Hopefully, he’s still awake. It only rings once before he answers.

“Hey Kira, what’s up?” he says, his deep voice immediately calming my nerves.

“Would you be able to come get me?”

I feel like a child having him pick me up from a party, but I don’t care. I need to get out of here.

“Of course, princess. Why, what happened? Where’s Jared?”

His voice grows increasingly worried. I can hear him grabbing his keys on the other end of the line.

“I’ll tell you when you get here.”

“Are you okay?” he asks, concern filling his voice.

“I’m fine, I promise.”

“Sit tight. I’ll be there in ten,” he says before hanging up.

The drive should take longer than ten minutes, but somehow, I know Noah isn’t going to pay attention to speed limits tonight. I head to the front of the driveway to wait for him, sitting on the stairs of the house. No one seems to be home. All of the partygoers are back down at the barn. The air is cold on my bare skin, and it feels like forever, but exactly nine minutes later, a truck pulls into the drive.

I recognize the all-black F150 that speeds to a stop in front of me, and before I can even stand, he’s shutting his door and striding toward me.

“What happened?” he demands, his dark hair falling into his face as he looks down at me. His eyes roam over my body, and it takes me a second before I realize he’s checking to see if I’m hurt.

“Let’s just get in the truck,” I say, standing up and moving toward him, trying to avoid a scene.

“Nope, you’re telling me what happened. Why isn’t Jared bringing you home? What the fuck is he thinking leaving you on your own like this?”

“For the last time, Noah, I can handle myself. Plus, he doesn’t want anything to do with me tonight.”

“Kira,”he orders.

I could keep pushing. I don’t know if I even want to tell him, but I need to go home, and he won’t let me until he knows.

“He told me that he’s in love with me,” I say matter-of-factly.

Noah’s jaw ticks, his posture stiffening. I might be crazy, but there’s a hint of jealousy in those dark eyes.

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