Page 75 of Keep Me Safe

Jared texted me this morning to ask if Kira had made it home okay. I didn’t respond. Part of me wanted him to worry. He never should have done that to her, but this morning, the other part of me—the one that loves my son to death—won out.

Noah:She’s home, and she’s okay.

I keep it short and straightforward. I don’t want to yell at him, but I don’t know what else to say. I understand that he’s hurting. I would be, too, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat her like that.

“He’s fine.”

She nods and takes a sip of her coffee. Her eyes are focused out the window toward the lake, the early morning light casting a blue hue on her face.

“Do you think he’s ever going to forgive me?” she asks, her voice little more than a whisper.

I step toward her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her back to my chest. Pressing my lips to the top of her head, I hold her tighter.

“He’ll get over it. You guys are too close for him to throw it away like this,” I say, doing my best to comfort her. I know this ishard. Even though she isn’tinlove with him, she loves him. He is a massive part of her life.

Her hand brushes over my arm as she leans into me.

“I just feel bad, you know? This is his house, and he’s the one staying with a friend. I shouldn’t even be here.”

“Don’t say that. This is your home now, too. He made that choice. That’s on him. Kira, look at me.”

She does, tears welling in her eyes. One slips down over the freckles dotting her cheek, and I brush it away with my thumb.

“You belong here,” I say, holding her face in my palm. Her amber eyes don’t leave mine as I add, “With me.”

Another tear falls, and this time, I lower my lips to her cheek before brushing them over her mouth. Her fingers find the back of my head as she laces them into my hair, pulling me into her. The kiss is deep, tender, and full of emotion. She’s the one who brings us back to reality, her hand sliding from my neck down my chest.

“I need to leave, or I won’t have time to get anything done before my students come in,” she tells me, gently pushing me away.

I don’t want her to go, not yet. When I don’t move, she sneaks out from under my hold, setting her coffee mug in the sink.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says with a small smile.

I follow her to the door, catching her wrist as she opens it. The chilled morning air envelopes us as I press my lips to hers once more. A giggle escapes her, and the sound sends warmth spreading throughout my chest.

“Drive safe, princess.”

I watch as she pulls out of the driveway and disappears downthe road. The day warms up fast as I tend to chores around the house. I check my phone several times to see if Jared has responded, but he hasn’t.

I’m hopping into my truck to head to work when I see the gas gauge hovering above empty. I was already low last night before I drove to get Kira, and after that, getting gas was the last thing on my mind. It should be enough to get me to the gas station.

Pulling into the small station, I choose the only pump left. I’m grabbing the nozzle when I hear a yelp from across the parking lot.

My senses immediately sharpen, but it only takes a second to realize it was a shout of surprise rather than fear. A blonde girl who seems to be around the same age as Kira is hoisted into what I assume is her boyfriend’s arms. A couple of their friends flank them. She’s laughing as he holds her. They’re so happy and free.

My stomach knots.

Kira and I could never do that.

“Only a couple more weeks,” the girl chirps. “Then our lives officially start.”

“I know, I can’t wait!” another girl adds.

They must’ve just graduated with Kira. I don’t recognize their faces. Then again, I wasn’t there for them.

The excitement on their faces is evident, and I can’t help but picture Kira standing there with them. It’s like the universe is showing me what Kira could have, what she should have. She should be going off to college and living her life with an age-appropriate boyfriend who can hold her in public without worrying about the consequences.

Jesus,what am I doing?

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