Page 22 of Free to Run
Alison: I hope you enjoyed the show and that I provided enough entertainment. Good night, Keene.
Quickly, the message bubbles start. I collect my things and turn to make my way back downstairs. I’m halfway across the large expanse of the deck when my phone lights again.
Keene: Damnit, Alison. I didn’t want you to think you were alone.
I pause. Does he mean he’s here for me, or does he mean that people can see what I’m doing? Likely the latter. This is Keene after all.
Alison: Thanks for the PSA, Keene. Next time, I’ll save my moods for the country where I can hide myself amongst the trees. Didn’t mean to disturb you dignified city folks.
His reply is much faster this time.
Keene: Now you’re taking your embarrassment out on me. Stop it.
Alison: No. I honestly have no idea why you care. I mean nothing to you.
I type out the reply and hit Send.
Seconds later, my phone rings and I answer it. “You honestly believe that?” Keene’s voice, normally so cool and modulated, is incredulous.
“Yes,” I reply without hesitation. My voice is huskier than normal due to my tears.
“Alison, that’s…not even close to accurate.” His voice is strong. Determined.
Too bad I can’t believe a word out of his mouth.
“I appreciate the call and your clarification, Keene, but I’m going to bed now. I’d rather not wake my hosts.”
Placing my hand on the knob, I stop when he sighs into the phone and says, “Talk to me.”
I blank. Then, I laugh harshly. “About what? About work? About our family? What else could you possibly want to talk with me about? Let’s end this conversation before we say anything we’ll regret.”
There’s a pregnant pause; then Keene’s voice turns husky when he says, “That’s not all we’ve talked about when we’ve seen each other.”
And like that, the final thread on my sanity snaps. “You know what? You’re right, Keene. You ignore me, walk away, or we have sex. And I’m tired of being nothing more than a hole when your cock needs a place to bury itself. You want to know why I thought you’d hurt Cassidy? Because you don’t seem to have a shred of humanity in your skill set.” I laugh bitterly. “But then again, maybe that’s only with the whores you fuck. We’re probably not worth that effort. Never mind. I see where my error was. I hope you’ll accept my apology for assuming you’d hurt your sister. Now, leave me the hell alone.”
I hang up the phone, pull open the door, and run down the stairs. I wipe the tears running down my face as I quickly make my way to the guest room. Chucking my phone on the bed, I pad into the bathroom. Brushing my teeth and splashing cool water on my face helps me to regain my composure.
I crawl into the massive bed and curl into a ball. Snagging my phone, I reach for the charger when I see a number of new text messages. Sighing, I unlock my phone.
I know this is going to be bad.
Keene: If it wasn’t the middle of the night, I would be over there so fast. You can be damn sure of that, Alison. And I’m on the fucking approved list to enter that condo, so there’d be no escaping me, baby.
Keene: DO NOT TRY TO LEAVE WITHOUT TALKING TO ME!
Keene: And I swear to God, if you ever call yourself a whore again, I don’t care what time of day or night it is, I’m coming for you.
I look at the clock—3:23 a.m. With a sigh, I set my alarm for six. I want to be out of the condo and well on my way back home before Keene thinks of pounding on Ryan and Jared’s door.
11
Alison
Ifeel like hell. Crawling out of bed after less than three hours’ sleep so I could avoid Keene completely sucked. The only thing that kept me going was knowing I would soon be able to pull on a pair of sneakers and hit the road.
Ineedthis run.
It’s a good thing I’m a seasoned runner. I would probably have puked long before now or passed out from fatigue. Between the few drinks I had last night, the lack of sleep, the small breakdown, and my intense conversation with Keene, I have a pounding headache. The persistent ringing of my cell phone over my tunes the last thirty minutes isn’t helping either.
