Page 113 of All I Ask
“He’s a coward.”
“Yes. He is.”
He takes my hands in his. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you years ago how I felt and then maybe you wouldn’t have dealt with him the way you did. I would’ve protected you or I don’t know…been there! Keith should be castrated for what he did. He gave up his kid and for what? Freedom? And then he comes after you because he’s that much of an asshole? I swear to God, Teagan, I’m going to beat the fuck out of him. And then, I want to punch myself! I’m fucking sorry that I acted like a dick and you thought it was you. It’s not you, baby.”
It’s the first time I’ve felt like what I did wasn’t so horrible.
“You didn’t do anything,” I try to reassure him.
“No. And that’s the problem.”
I’ve spent so much time hating myself for the things I didn’t do when it came to Derek and it seems he’s done the same.
“If we’re going to work…” I say tenderly.
“We are going to work. There is noifin this.”
I smile. “Okay, well, in order to make this work, we have to start really forgiving ourselves for the past. We did what we did, and it sucks that we didn’t have time together, but we have the future. Keith, Meghan, all the things we should’ve done, have to not be things you and I dwell on.”
He nods, releases my hand, and then turns to look out the window. “Do you have any idea why he could be here now?”
The nerves are back and my stomach is in knots. “I don’t and that’s what worries me.”
“Are his parents here?”
“They fly south for the winter.”
He shakes his head.
“I don’t get it.”
Keith hasn’t so much as stepped foot in this town since Chastity was born. His parents go see him. If he did visit, I never heard of it and that would be some pretty stealthy movement. Not to mention, he’s a hero here, so everyone would’ve been talking about the perfect football star returning.
“I don’t either, but there’s only one way to find out.”
He wraps his fingers around mine and we head to the house.
We don’t say anything, but there’s no more anger swirling around us. We’re quiet, almost as though we’re both preparing for all the possibilities. I have no idea what Keith could want. All I know is he has a lot of money and that means he has power. For all I know he woke up today and decided that he wants Chastity.
He could fight me.
He could use the tape to get what he wants. Yes, he signed his rights away, but I have no idea if he can get them back. All of these things going through my mind make me want to scream.
When we get to the door, I feel sick. Derek and I stare at the knocker and I finally bring words to my worst fear. “If he tries to take her…”
“He can’t.”
“We don’t know that.”
The only thing keeping me from losing it is the constant pressure from his hand. He hasn’t let go and I don’t know how I’d do this if he weren’t with me.
“He’s too selfish, Teagan, and if for some reason he does try to take Chastity, no one will allow it.”
God, I hope so. Chastity is my life. She’s everything good in this world and if he were to try to take her from me, I would die.
“Okay. Let’s go get this over with.”
My body is trembling as I turn the handle. He’s here. It’s been so long. I don’t think I can do this.
