Page 11 of Keep Me Safe

“I don’t know. I’m pretty tired,” I explain, but there’s a slight shake to my voice.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Have you been crying?”

I don’t respond. What am I supposed to say?

“Kira, tell me what’s wrong,” Jared demands. I’m silent for a moment. I don’t know how to answer him without breaking down again. A sob escapes my lips.

“I’m on my way. Stay where you are.”

I’m startled by the sound of the lock turning as my apartment door swings open ten minutes later. Jared stands there in the doorway, looking around the apartment for me. I gave him a key because he’s the only person I trust with it. When his eyes land on mine, he shuts the door and strides toward me, scooping me into his arms.

“Kira, please tell me what’s going on,” he pleads.

I look up at him, a tear sliding down my face. I don’t want him to know I failed, but he will find out eventually anyway, and I don’t have anyone else to talk to.

“I’m losing my apartment,” I explain.

“What? Why?” Jared asks, confused.

“They’re raising the rent, and I can’t afford it. I’ve already looked, and there’s nowhere else in my budget. I don’t know what I’m going to do, Jared.” My voice cracks.

He rubs my back, comforting me. Jared has always been there for me. Even when he doesn’t know what’s upsetting me, he’s there to keep me from falling apart.

I look up at him and see his eyes are already fixed on me. Emotions war in his eyes as he runs his fingers over my hair.

“Why don’t I ask my dad if you can move in with us? We have the space, and you’re already like part of the family. Plus, you’re there half of the time anyway.”

I shake my head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that. I don’t want to cause any more stress for him.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t. I’ll talk to him.”

He grabs his phone and walks out of my apartment into the hallway. I hear his muffled voice and hope that Noah isn’t upset. I don’t want him to be disappointed in me. I wanted to be able to do this on my own.

The door opens, and Jared steps back into the room.

“He’s on his way,” Jared tells me.

“Here? Right now?” I ask.

“Yep, all I did was tell him that you needed a place to stay, and he said he was leaving now and hung up.”

Oh god, is he mad? Is he coming so he can tell me no face-to-face? He wouldn’t do that, would he? He’s going to be so disappointed. Jared notices the shift in my mood and grabs my arm.

“It’s okay, it’ll be fine,”he assures.

A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and Jared moves to open it, letting Noah in.

As soon as he enters the room, his gaze meets mine, taking me in. I must look like a mess, sitting on my bed, still wearing my sleep shirt from last night. My face is undoubtedly red and splotchy from crying, and I have not brushed my hair today.

“Jared, go get Kira some dinner,”he orders.

Jared looks at me as if asking for permission, and I nod slowly. He turns for the door and walks out, closing it softly.

“Talk to me,” Noah says, sitting on the bed beside me.

I can’t think, especially with his warm body this close to mine. All I want is for him to hold me and tell me that everything is going to be alright.

“Kira,”

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