Page 37 of Breaking My Silence

I nodded, and he pulled me back into his arms and kissed the side of my head.

I couldn’t tell how long we sat there like that, just holding each other and not saying anything, before the alarm went off on my phone telling me that it was time to go home.

“I don’t think I can accurately describe how much Idon’twant to let you leave,” Ian sighed.

“I don’t want to go, but I have to,” I sighed too. “My mom’s probably already waiting by the door.”

“Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Reluctantly, I got up, and he led me upstairs and out the front door.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked as we walked up to my driver’s side door.

“I don’t know yet. My mom’s picking up some overtime, so she won’t be home. What did you have in mind?”

“I know you hate football, but my dad got a pair of tickets for the Chiefs game tomorrow a few months ago. He was going to take Maya, but he’s got a big trial starting on Monday and he has to prep, so he can’t go. Do you want to come with me?”

“I don’t hate football. I just hate going to our games. I’m sure you can understand why. I’d love to go to the Chiefs game with you.”

He cracked half a smile. “Pick you up at nine? We can tailgate before. I’m not bad with a grill. Maya’s taught me a few tricks.”

I nodded. “Okay. Thank you. For not looking at me differently now.”

He kissed my forehead. “Baby, what happened to you doesn’t define you. When I look at you, I see a gorgeous, smart, kind, funny, brave, and fiercely strong girl. That’s what I’ve always seen, and if anything, I see it more now.”

“Maybe,” I murmured. “I don’t know. But Idoknow that you never factored into my survival plan for getting through high school, and now I have no idea what I’d do without you.”

“You’re not surviving alone anymore, Ky. And I don’t know what I’d do without you either. You’re part of me now. I think you have been since the day I met you.” He brushed his lips against mine, then kissed my forehead again. “Text me when you get home so I know you made it safe. I really hate the idea of you driving right now, but I know there’s not a chance in Hell that your mom would let you stay here.”

“Nope,” I agreed. “I don’t even want to know what she’d say to me if I tried to ask. I’ll text when I get home. I promise.”

He gave me another kiss, and it felt like he didn’t want to let go of me. Just like I didn’t want to go of him. I just wanted to stay in his arms all night. But at least I had the teddy bear he’d given me for my birthday last week that I could snuggle with. It was better than nothing.

“I love you, baby,” he whispered against my lips. “Drive safe.”

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