Page 102 of Keep Me Safe

Jared brought a new friend home today—Kira, I think her name is. She’s quiet, but they already get along like two peas in a pod. Jared takes the opportunity and bolts.

“Thanks, Kira. I’ll get Guitar Hero ready while you help,” hesays as he spins around for the living room, leaving me alone with this twelve-year-old girl.

“Call me Noah, and that’s fine. You don’t have to. I can do it myself,” I tell her, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable.

“It’s okay, I want to,” she says as she enters the garage. “What do you need me to do?”

“Could you hold this light for me? I can’t see into the engine to change the spark plugs.”

She nods, grabbing the flashlight from me and turning it on. It illuminates the engine block, giving me a far better view of what I’m working with.

I crank the ratchet, loosening the spark plug.

“Thank you for the pasta tonight, Mr. Keller. It was really good,” she says, her appreciation clear in her tone. “I never get to eat stuff like that.”

My brows pinch together, trying to figure out what she means. It was onlyAlfredowith broccoli. Jared always complains when I make it.

“Oh, why not?”

“Mom says it’s too high in carbs, and I already need to lose weight,” she says matter-of-factly.

I freeze, looking at her. It’s not my place to correct someone else’s parenting. Hell, I’m a single dad who has no idea what he’s doing, but this girl is thin. If she lost any weight, I’d be concerned for her health.

“Well, feel free to come over anytime, and I can make it again,” I tell her.

She smiles, and something about it breaks my heart.

I shake my head as I screw the oil cap back on. That was along time ago. It was my first inkling that her home life wasn’t a good situation. From then on out, I encouraged Jared to invite her over as much as I could, and at some points, she was at our house more than she was at her own.

As I reach up and grab the hood, slamming it shut, my eyes land on the last person I expect to see.

“Hey, Dad.”

Jared stands in front of me, dressed in a pair of nice jeans and a blue button-down similar to mine. I want to hug him. I haven’t talked to him since everything that went down with that piece of shit, Zach. Instead, I grab a red work rag and wipe off my hands.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“I was in town for Kira’s gala and thought I’d stop by,” he shrugs. I can tell there’s more than what he’s saying, but I don’t feel it’s my place to pry.

“Well, how has school been?” I ask, desperate to know what his life has been like these past few weeks. I hate the fact that we aren’t talking.

“It’s good. I honestly love it,” he says.

“Good,” I say, a tiny bit of relief warming my chest.

He nods, and silence stretches, surrounding us. I’m not sure how to handle this new awkwardness. Jared always was the one to fill any lull in conversation, but now he’s looking at me like he’s not sure what to say. It kills me.

“Jared,” I start, but he already knows where I’m going.

He shakes his head, stopping me.

“Listen, Dad, I came here because I needed to get some things off my chest,” he says, a pained expression on his face. When I don’t say anything, he continues. “Finding out about you andKira the way I did was fucked up. It was probably the deepest feeling of betrayal I’ve ever felt.”

“I’m so sorry—”

“But I’ve been thinking, and it sort of all makes sense now. Kira is a wonderful person. She’s strong, independent, and caring, and as much as I hate to admit it, you are exactly what she needs. You make her feel safe. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you.”

He sucks in a breath, his eyes softening.

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