Page 16 of The Keeper

“I know I didn’t handle it well. But Kenz, it’s Easton.Easton,” I plead and hope she understands what I’m saying.

It’s easy to close my eyes and go right back tothat night.

To the way he held me while that psychotic man held a gun to my head.

The way he kept us both safe.

To all the phone calls all the nights since.

“It’sEaston, Kenz,” I plead again. “There’s no playbook for this. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

She shoves a hand under her face and shocks me when she smiles.

“Why are you smiling?”

She rolls her lips together, then smiles again. “Because, Linds. It’s like you said. It’s Easton.Easton and you. Technically, we’re sisters now.”

“Yeah.” I tug the blanket up higher. “I guess we are.” I cringe because I always wanted this. But never this way.

“Just try to keep an open mind when you talk to him. If I know my brother, there’s more to it. But you need to talk to him to get the answers you want.” She rolls over and clicks off the light on the nightstand. “Go to sleep, Linds.”

“How am I supposed to sleep when I’ve got the distinct impression you know more than you’re telling me?” I toe off my fuzzy socks under the blanket, then pull my hoodie over my head and toss it to the floor. “I really wish one of you Hayes siblings would fill me in.”

“Try calling him tomorrow. Maybe you’ll get your answers.”

Yeah. Maybe I will.

* * *

The next day I try to work up the nerve to call Easton and fail miserably.

In my defense, he doesn’t call me either.

So maybe I decide to take the coward’s way out.

Lindy

We need to talk.

Easton

Do you remember marrying me yet?

Lindy

No. That’s what we need to talk about.

We shouldn’t have gotten married.

Easton

I disagree.

Lindy

Easton... How can you say that? I don’t even remember marrying you.

Easton

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