“I…I just don’t have a lot of friends.”
“I noticed,” I said with a smile.
She chuckled lightly.
Yes. “Come on. Let’s play.” I grabbed the ball from the grass then made a few shots in the driveway.
“Okay. I’m going to change.”
Yes.
She walked inside then returned a few minutes later. She wore running shorts, and a t-shirt that was a little too big. Even though she hid her curves from me, I knew they were there. She tried so hard to be unnoticeable, but that just made her more alluring. She knew how beautiful she was, but she didn’t want the world to see it. And that made me more interested. Why would someone hide in plain sight?
When we started to play, she calmed down. When I blocked her, I stayed back. There was no way I could block her shots when I was this far away, but I didn’t want to risk pulling one of her triggers. Sometimes, anything could set her off.
Soon, we were both drenched in sweat, lost in the game. She was insanely competitive and took it seriously, but that made it more fun for me. Playing with her was like playing with one of the guys. When I missed my shots, she laughed. When she made hers, I automatically clapped. I was impressed with her.
When we were both exhausted, I sat down and leaned my back against the garage. She stayed on the pavement and caught her breath. I didn’t expect her to come near me.
Now that we were done, her usual awkwardness descended. She seemed to be at war with herself about something.
Finally, she said, “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water, please.” I stayed in my spot and didn’t move for the door. I knew that’s what she was worried about, accidently inviting me inside her house.
“I’ll be right back—stay here.”
“I’m too tired to move.” I rested my arms on my knees.
That calmed her down. She went inside and fetched the waters. When she returned and handed one to me, I downed it. I was dehydrated from sweating so much. She drank her entire bottle then sat near me. She sat at an angle to me, far enough away so I couldn’t touch her, but near enough so she could hear me speak.
The sun was setting and the air started to cool. She and I sat in companionable silence. I didn’t pressure her to invite me inside. I just leaned back and enjoyed being with her.
“I’m sorry for my earlier behavior,” she said without looking at me.
“You don’t need to apologize,” I said gently. “I didn’t mean to infringe on your space. I’ll call next time—if you give me your number.”
She twirled the water bottle in her hands. Her silence was her answer. She wouldn’t give it to me. “Okay.”
Okay? I tried not to get too excited. “Cool.”
“How was your week?” she asked.
“Good. Nothing too exciting happened. What about you?”
She shrugged. “Nothing interesting ever happens to me.”
“Because you never go outside,” I teased.
She smiled but didn’t correct me.
“But I think you’re interesting, Keira.”
“You do?”
I knew I had to tread carefully. “You’re a mathematical person, always weighing your options in terms of pros and cons. You don’t give your trust to anyone. They have to earn it. And you’re really fun—when you loosen up.” I winked at her.
She smiled. “And I only loosen up with liquor.”
I laughed. “Now I know why you were such good company at the barbeque a few weeks ago.”
“You caught me.”
“But I had a great time getting coffee with you. Unless you were slipping bourbon into your cup, how do you explain that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
We fell silent again.
“Do you like poker?” I didn’t know any girls who did, but she might.
She nodded. “For the most part. But I’ve only played with Scotty, and we used Skittles for money.”
I laughed loudly. She was so cute. I imagined her playing with Scotty in her room, tossing Skittles across the carpet. Cute? I thought she was cute? I never thought of girls in that way. They were either fuckable or they weren’t. But I didn’t see Keira like that. I thought she was beautiful, not hot. “I’m having friends over this weekend. You want to play?”
She pulled her knees to her chest, curling into a ball. She rested her chin on her arms. “What friends?”
“Guys from school.”
“They are all men?”
She clearly had an issue being around guys. I wondered why. “Yeah. They are all good guys.”
“Can Scotty go?”
“Of course.”
“Umm…I think I have homework.”
Just when I thought she would say yes. I wanted to encourage her to come but I didn’t want to push her. “We can play with Skittles,” I teased.
She smiled. “Skittles are too good to be gambled with.”
“How about m&m’s?”
“No, I love those too.”
“Sweet tooth?”
“Guilty,” she said with a light laugh.
“That makes two of us.” I rested my head against the garage. “Think about it, okay? I promise you’ll have fun. Maybe too much.”
“Okay.”
Silence stretched between us.
“I talked to Adrianna a week ago.”
“You did?” she asked.
“I told her not to spread lies about me. And I told her to leave you alone.”
Keira stared at her running shoes.
“Because I’m not into her.” I wanted to make sure Keira knew I wasn’t interested in anyone.
“Okay…”
I wished I could ask Keira on a date, but there wasn’t a doubt in my head that her answer would be no. She made it clear she just wanted to be friends. I could do that—for now. Hopefully, she would loosen up and give me a real chance. I wasn’t a patient man, but I was with her.
Scotty pulled up to the curb then approached us. “What’s going on here?” He eyed me and the basketball between my legs. Then he turned to Keira, studying her features.
I waited for Keira to answer him.
“We were playing basketball,” she answered. “But we were about to die so we took a break.”
He continued to stare at her. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
Scotty was different when he was around her. Judging by the tense muscles in his shoulders, I knew this interaction would have gone quite differently if he witnessed our meeting when I first arrived. Even though he would have lost the fight, he would have charged me with everything he had. He was very protective of her.
Scotty turned to me, now calm. “What’s up, man?”
“Having poker at my place this weekend. You should come.”
“I’m down.”
“I invited your cousin, but she says she only plays with Skittles.” I smiled at her.
She returned the look. “I said I would think about it.”
“And that’s enough for me,” I said.
Scotty headed toward the door. “Let’s go inside before it gets dark. Otherwise I won’t be able to see who I’m talking to.”
I wanted to stay and hang out with Keira. Even if we just watched TV in the living room, I’d be satisfied with that. But Keira looked like she would have a panic attack. Even though Scotty invited me, she clearly didn’t want me inside. And that made me sad. I thought we made some progress.
“I have to run,” I said. “But I’ll see you guys later.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t even bother hiding it.
I tried not to let it bother me. I approached her, staying a few feet back. “How about that number?” I pulled out my phone and waited for her to tell me what it was.
She fidgeted in place for a moment. Scotty watched her but didn’t pressure her either way.
She finally told me what it was.
I smiled when I put it in my phone. “Thanks. I’ll talk
to you later.” I walked back to my truck then got into the driver seat. When I looked at Keira, she was staring at Scotty. Neither one was speaking, but they were staring at each other. A silent conversation passed between them. And I’d give anything to know what they were saying.
CHAPTER TEN
Keira
“I can’t believe you gave him your number.” Scotty stared at me like I was a different person, someone he didn’t recognize.
“I don’t know…he asked. He said if he had my number, he wouldn’t drop by the house anymore.”
“But you still could have said no and told him not to come back.”
I looked at him. “Are you saying I shouldn’t have given it to him?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I’m glad you did. And I’m glad you’re spending time with someone besides me, especially a guy.”
Having Scotty’s approval made me feel better.
“So…you like him?”
“What? No.”
He raised his eyebrow. “You’re spending a lot of time with him if you don’t like him.”
“We’re just friends,” I argued.
“Does he think that?”
“He said he just wants to be friends. If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t be talking to him. But I know I need to loosen up and get some friends, so I decided to try a new friendship.”
Scotty rubbed his chin. “He’s a good-looking guy…you sure you aren’t attracted to him?”
“Did you just check out a dude?” I teased. I tried to change the subject.
“It doesn’t mean I’m gay. I know every girl wants him. And don’t change the subject.”
Damn.
“You have no attraction to him?”
“Well…I wouldn’t say that.”
Scotty sat back on the couch. “Maybe you should give him a chance.”
“No,” I said immediately.
“Why not? You haven’t been with anyone since—”
“Don’t say his name. Don’t.”
He flinched at the anger in my voice. “Okay.”
“I’m not in the place to be with someone, and I don’t want to.”
“Well, it’s been enough time. I think if you like someone, you should tell them. Not telling them is stupid.”
“I don’t like him.”
“I don’t believe you,” he said simply. “He’s the first guy you’ve ever been alone with besides me. Do you have any idea how big that is?”
“You’re the one who forced me, remember?”
“I forced you to have coffee with him?” he asked sarcastically. “To play basketball with him at your house? No, I don’t think so.”
“I’m just trying to move on.”
“Maybe you should move on romantically, too.”
“No. Just stop.”
He finally backed down. “Okay.”
I didn’t know Liam very well. To me, he was still a stranger. But I did kinda like him…but I pushed the thought away. I couldn’t feel that way for anyone. I didn’t deserve to be loved or find happiness, not after everything I’ve done. I’m a horrible person. If Liam is a good guy, he deserves someone better.
And I couldn’t shake the feeling of fear. Any time someone came near me, I prepared for another attack. My body had been broken so many times that the scars would be permanent. I tried to hide it as much as possible, but people still noticed. Liam noticed the scar on my collarbone. I saw him look at it numerous times. Some scars couldn’t be hidden.
Liam didn’t contact me for the next week. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or not. But if he did called me, I knew I wouldn’t have liked it. But I was sad he didn’t. This was confusing. I wanted two things at once.
When I got out of my math class, I walked down the hallway where I saw Liam a few weeks ago. Last time, I went a different way to avoid him, but this time I didn’t. Deep inside, I hoped I’d run into him. But he wasn’t there.
After I got off work, I went home and wondered why Liam hadn’t pestered me about the poker game. I wasn’t sure why I cared anyway. I didn’t like him.
I didn’t.
On the drive, a stupid asshole was passing cars in the oncoming lane. My lane. He was swerving back and forth like he was drunk even though it was in the middle of the day. Scared for my life, I pulled over into the dirt. Luckily I did, because he wouldn’t have made it back into his lane. He would have crushed me.
I didn’t get back on the road. I sat there, thinking about a different night and different drunk driver. I wondered if my parents knew they were about to die. They probably died on impact and I hoped they did.
The tears spilled down my face and I rested my head against the wheel.
They were dead because of me.
I couldn’t stay there any longer. I got back on the road and went home as quickly as I could. I had to get away from the cars, to get away from the flashbacks.
The garage wasn’t even open all the way when I slid inside. I closed it behind me then burst into the house, my tears still falling. I needed Scotty, the only person who understood my pain and loss. When I came into the living room, I flinched.
Scotty was sitting on the couch but he wasn’t alone. Liam was sitting on the other. A game was on the TV. I was shocked by his appearance. My tears stopped falling for a second in time.
Scotty jumped up. “Keira, are you okay?”
I looked at Liam, seeing the hurt and pain on his face. “I’m fine.” I moved through the living room and tried to keep my face hidden.
Scotty came after me. “What’s wrong?”
I walked into my bedroom and faced the wall. “Just go.”
“You never want me to leave.”
“You have company…”
“Do you want me to get Liam?”
“No.” I sniffed.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me around. “Hey, talk to me.”
“I was driving and….I imagined the night they died. It’s all my fault…”
His eyes sagged in despair. “It’s not your fault.”
“Fuck yes, it is. If it weren’t for me being stupid they wouldn’t have came after me.”
“That still doesn’t make you responsible.”
I shook my head. “Yes, it does.”
“Stop blaming yourself.” He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
“I can’t help it.” I sniffed again then pulled away. “You should go back to Liam so he doesn’t come in here.”
“I’ll tell him to leave.”
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “There’s nothing you can do. Nothing anyone can do.” I lay on the bed and faced the wall. Scotty shut the door behind him. I heard his retreating footsteps.
“Is she okay?” I heard Liam say.
“She’ll be fine,” Scotty said.
“Can I do something?”
“No.”
It fell silent. The noise of the TV became audible.
I hugged the pillow to my chest and forced myself to stop crying. Then my phone vibrated.
Hey. You okay? –Liam-
I stared at it for a long time, not knowing how to respond. Yeah.
Can I do something?
No.
Can I see you?
Please leave me alone. I turned off my phone so he wouldn’t message me anymore.
On Saturday, I planned to sit around the house and never leave. I didn’t have a good week, and I craved my solitude. The night before, I couldn’t sleep because of my nightmare. Scotty slept on the floor and shook me awake every time the horrific dreams came to mine. They were worse than usual.
In the evening, Scotty came into the living room then eyed my leggings and wrinkled t-shirt. “You’re going to change, right?”
“To watch TV?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s poker night.”
“Oh.”
“You coming, right?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Why?” he asked. “It’ll be fun.”
“I just don’t want to.”
He rolled his eyes. “We were making some good progress until you had that vision.”
“Well, that’s how it goes…”
He sat beside me then patted my back. “Come on. I’ll be there the whole time. Don’t you want to see Liam?”
I shrugged. “I doubt he wants to talk to me.”
“Why?”
“When I was crying, he texted me. I told him to leave me alone and turned off my phone. I doubt he was happy about that.”
He rubbed my back. “Well, he pestered me to bring you along.”
“He did?”
He nodded. “I don’t think he’s mad. I think he’s just concerned, Keira.”
“Did you tell him…anything?”
He gave me a serious look. “I would never do that and you know it.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Now, come along.”
“I…I just don’t want to.”
“You’re awesome at poker. We’ll teach those guys a thing or two.”
“No,” I said firmly. “It’s more about luck than skill. And I don’t want to.”
He sighed. “Fine. Liam will be disappointed.”
I didn’t speak.
“Well, I need to head out. I’ll see you later.” He grabbed his keys then headed out the door.
I sat on the couch and watched TV. I didn’t want to be alone, but I didn’t want to sit at a table and play poker with a bunch of strangers. Even if Liam and Scotty were there, I felt uneasy.
Minutes later, Scotty called me. He probably wanted to pester me again.
“Hello?” I said.
“Why aren’t you coming?” It was Liam.
I was speechless for a second. “Umm…I just didn’t feel like it. Why are you calling me on Scotty’s phone?”
“Because I knew you wouldn’t answer if I called on my own.”
Damn. He knew me pretty well.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ve been telling my friends about you, and they want to meet you.”
“Why?” I blurted.
“Because you’re my friend, Keira.”
The idea of being in a room full of muscle and strength made me sick. “No, thanks.”
He sighed irritably. “Can I change your mind?”
“No.”
Liam was quiet. The silence stretched between us. “Well, I need to get to the game.” He sounded disappointed.
Unbreakable Page 7
