Page 34 of Redeem
“But he’s old,” I blurt out. My eyes widen at my outburst.
“Hey, bitch. You can’t judge, I know there’s something more going on with your Arrow, and he’s like the same age.”
“No, Arrow is much younger.”
She points at me. “No denying there's something going on? We need to train you better on girl talk...I need deets.”
I can’t help the smile that forms, and Serena wiggles her brows.
* * *
Our afternoon classes go by painfully slow. Anxious to meet up with Keegan, I’m counting down the seconds until the final bell of the day sounds. What does he want to talk about? Did something else happen? The thoughts have been playing through my mind all day, and when the teacher finally dismisses class, I practically run from the room. Shoving my books into my bag, I head to the parking lot.
The sun blinds me, and it takes me a few seconds to adjust. Keegan’s leaning back against his car, looking down at his phone. His sunglasses rest on top of his messy blond hair, and I smile at the sight of him. How am I so lucky to have him?
He doesn't see me as I approach. When I run my fingers down his arm, he jumps a little, his eyes widening as he peers down at me. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and hugs me.
“You scared me, Addie.” He places a kiss on my head, and I squeeze him a little tighter. I missed him. It’s only been a few hours, but I did.
I pull away and look up at his beautiful face. He smiles down at me, putting his phone into his pocket. He places a small kiss on my lips before opening the passenger door for me. I quickly jump in, and Keegan rounds the hood and joins me, closing the door behind him so we are in a private bubble. Just him and me. He reaches for my hands, which I didn't realize I was twisting in my lap. I’m so nervous about what he's going to say. He takes my left hand and places a kiss on my palm before interlacing our fingers. My stomach flips like it does every time we touch.
When he doesn't say anything, it becomes too much and I break the silence. “Are you okay?”
He slides down his glasses, covering his eyes, and starts the car. He lets out a sigh. “Not really, but with you, everything feels like it will be.”
Though his words make me smile, my stomach is still twisting in knots. Is this a breakup? We promised each other that, no matter what, we would be with each other.
“Lily is safe with Madden for now,” he says, gripping the steering wheel with his other hand. He shifts the car into gear with our joined hand and starts to drive.
“I thought you wanted to talk?” I ask, a little confused by his cryptic comment.
“We do need to talk about something when we get back to Madden’s. Just promise me you won’t leave? Until we have told you everything. Like, hear us out.” He stops at a red light and looks over at me. “I can’t lose you. I only just found you.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. The light changes, but Keegan doesn’t go. He pushes his glasses down his nose, watching me, waiting for my answer. A car honks behind us, but he ignores it.
I lean forward inches from his lips and whisper, “Wherever you go—” I pause, pressing my lips to his. “I go.” I breathe into his mouth, and he claims mine in a breathtaking kiss. Someone honks again, and Keegan pulls back, flipping them off through the back window before taking off down the road.
I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I meant every word. He’s my family now. They’re my family, and I don’t want to live in a world without them.
Keegan parks in the carport outside of Madden’s house. He squeezes my hand and lets go.
As soon as Keegan shuts his door, the door into the house opens, and a little girl with long blonde hair rushes out to greet him. Her eyes are as bright as the sky. She jumps into Keegan’s waiting arms, giggling as he picks her up and spins her around.
I smile as I get out of the car and approach them. She looks over Keegan’s shoulder and smiles back at me and waves shyly. She whispers into Keegan’s ear, and he laughs, turning around.
“Lily, this is Addie,” he says, and Lily waves, leaning her head into Keegan’s shoulder.
“Hi, Lily,” I say, taking a step forward and holding my hand out for her to shake. I’m not sure what to do here, as I haven’t been around small children much before. I watch as she wiggles in Keegan’s arms and he puts her down. She clings on to Keegan’s leg, looking at me, frowning.
“She takes a little while to warm up,” Keegan says, moving toward the door. I follow behind him, and Lily continues watching me under her long lashes.
We walk into the small foyer that leads to a long hallway with closed doors. To the right is a small kitchen and dining room. We walk into the living room, and Lily jumps out behind the chair yelling out, “Boo.”
Someone fake screams and Lily giggles, running inside. Keegan wraps an arm over my shoulders as we step into the living room. Emilio’s sitting on a brown leather couch with Lily in his arms, tickling her. She laughs hysterically, and I smile. She lights up the room; all eyes are on her watching her infectious giggling.
Madden sits on an armchair in the corner of the room, pulling out his phone to record Lily and Emilo. There’s a massive TV sitting directly opposite the couch with Marvel collectables lining the cabinet surrounding the TV. The rugged Irishman could kill you with just one look. I didn’t take him for a collector of Marvel.
Keegan drags me over to the couch, and I fall between him and Emilo. He lets Lily go, and she runs over to Madden, crashing into his waiting arms as he swings her up onto his hip. Emilio presses a brief kiss on my cheek.
