Page 84 of Keep Me Safe

I squirm a little in my seat, uncomfortable as hell with the situation under my dress. I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to run away, but I desperately need a shower and a change of clothes.

“I would never do that. I love you, Jared—as a friend—and I will always want you in my life,” I tell him. “But I’m really tired.”

“Oh, go ahead. Sorry for keeping you,” he says sheepishly.

I’m officially a terrible friend.

chapter twenty-five

kira

When I enter the kitchen, Noah is leaning against the island, staring down at his phone. He’s only wearing the pair of black and white plaid pajama pants that he went to bed in last night, and his chest is on full display. I force my eyes up to his face, and his gaze meets mine with a smirk.

Asshole. Stepping closer, I drag my nails down his torso, stopping at his waistband. Now it’s my turn to smirk as his eyes darken.

“Kira,” he warns, nodding towards Jared’s room.

My smile quickly fades as the reality of our situation washes over me.

“We’re going to have to tell him,” I say.

“I know,” is all Noah says.

When Jared slinks out of his room around noon, I’m outside on the porch, book in hand. Noah sat with me for a while but left a bit ago to shower. We talked about telling Jared, but I still feel like it’s too soon. He’s only now staying at the house again. He needs more time. Or is it me who needs the time? I shake my head, focusing back on my book.

“Morning,” Jared greets as the slider door opens.

“Afternoon,” I tease, grinning up at him.

He tries to meet my enthusiasm, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I hope you know that I really am sorry, Kira. It was fucked upof me to say those things to you,” he says, his face genuine. “I don’t want to lose you…”

“I know that, Jared,” I say, standing up from my chair and walking over to him. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him to me. “It’s okay, I forgive you.”

“Thank you,” he responds, hugging me tighter.

Relief stabs at me with his acceptance, but it feels artificial. The guilt over my relationship with his dad overtakes any feeling of closeness I have with Jared. If he knew about Noah and I—I can’t let myself think about that right now. We’re going to tell him, just not today.

The remainder of our day is rather mundane. Jared and I watch some reality TV show, and Noah makes grilled shrimp and veggies for lunch. The sun is brushing the horizon when Jared invites me to go out with him and his friends.

“Kira, come on, just this once? The guys will be here in a minute to get us,” he begs with his best puppy-dog eyes from the ground next to me. “I’m going to be leaving for college soon,” he adds, trying to guilt me into going.

Sitting up in the hammock, I shake my head apologetically. “I’m really not in the mood to socialize. I’m sorry.” It’s not a lie per se; I don’t want to socialize with any ofhis friends. Ever. The thought of being in the same car with any of “the guys” makes me want to take an oath of silence and retreat to a mountaintop somewhere.

“Fine,” he whines with no real disappointment. He knows I don’t hang out with them by choice, though he’s never understood why. Rising to his feet, he looks down at me. “Enjoy your boring night in,” he says as he returns to the house.

“I love you, drive safe!” I call, using my foot to swing the hammock.“Yeah, yeah. I love you too,” Jared answers. Hedisappears into the house, leaving me alone back here. I do feel bad that I’m not going out with him. He is leaving soon, and I will miss him so much, but there is no way I’m putting myself in a position like that right now, especially not with Zach back in town.

My skin pricks at the thought of him, and my heart rate skyrockets. I have to force myself to take deep breaths to calm my nerves, sucking in the chilly night air. I hate that he still has this effect on me. I stare up at the deep navy and lavender sky through the branches of the trees. The stars are starting to show themselves, and the sounds of crickets and frogs fill my ears. Closing my eyes, I take it all in. I’m safe here.

A shiver racks through me. The temperature has dropped significantly since we came out here. My tank top and leggings aren’t doing me any favors, either. I slide myself out of the hammock and start to make my way back into the house, but I freeze. Movement flashes on the side of the house.

“Jared?” I ask, hoping to hear his voice.

Nothing.

It’s probably just a deer, I tell myself, forcing the thought into my head to steady my pulse. I have to stop being so jumpy. But the unease in my chest won’t subside. My eyes keep scanning the darkness, glued to the shadows that seem to pulse and shift. Something feels wrong.

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