Page 9 of Keep Me Safe

“He’s fine, a handful as usual,” I laugh, thinking back to Kira’s comment.

The rest of the shift goes relatively smoothly. We only have a couple of calls during the night, so I am able to get some sleep.

Today, I spend most of my time training and performing preventative maintenance on the trucks.

By the time 6 o’clock rolls around, I’m more than ready to go home, but I need to stop by the store first to grab some groceries for the week. The fridge is looking pretty empty at home.

I push the door open, and a bell rings as I enter the small store. I grab some milk and eggs and place them in the cart. Turning the corner, I notice a familiar mess of long caramel hair stockingthe bread aisle.

“Hey, princess.”

A loaf of sliced white bread hits the floor.

“Jesus, Noah, you scared me!”

Chuckling, I pick it up and hand it back to her, but she scowls at me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” I say.

She sighs, “It’s fine. I’m just tired. My shift is almost over, and I honestly can’t wait to climb into bed.”

“Well, I hope the rest of it goes by fast then,” I say as I grab a loaf of bread and set it in the cart.

“Thank you,” she looks up at me with exhaustion in her beautiful features. I feel for her. She’s doing everything on her own at such a young age.

I don’t know how she does it.

chapter three

Kira

I was not expecting Noah to stop by the store today, but I’m glad he did. After working an extra-long shift to make up for the time I missed for graduation, seeing him made the exhaustion a little easier to bear.

By the time I get home, I’m drained, my muscles aching from hours on my feet. I run a bath, adding a generous pour of lavender-scented bubbles, and peel off my clothes. The moment I sink into the warm water, a soft moan escapes me.

I needed this.

My mind drifts to Noah. I wonder what he’s doing tonight. With the way the storm clouds were rolling in, he’s probably sitting out on the porch, a beer in his hand, watching the sky. Then, unbidden, a memory sneaks in—his hand grazing my leg, the heat of his body so close.

It was barely a touch, but I wanted more.

I’ve always had a bit of a crush on him. Who wouldn’t? He’s tall, gorgeous, and always looking out for me. But I know it only goes one way. He sees me as Jared’s friend, nothing more.

I pull on my pajamas and crawl into bed, burrowing beneath the blankets. Grabbing my favorite book, I read until my eyelids grow heavy, letting the words lull me to sleep.

A sharp vibration yanks me from sleep.

I fumble for my phone, knocking half the contents off my nightstand. Squinting at the screen, I see two missed calls and a text from Jared.

Jared:wanna go do something today?

Kira:YES! I have today off, so I’m free whenever

Shooting off a quick response, I head to the kitchen to make my coffee when I notice a folded piece of yellow paper on the floor in front of my apartment door. Bending down to pick it up, I carefully open it. As I skim the contents, my entire body stiffens.

“Due to increasing demand and higher operating costs, we have decided to increase your monthly rent to $950.”

My heart drops as I glance at the following line.

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