by L A Cotton
“Goodnight, Trey,” I said waiting for the call to end, but the silence never came. “Trey?”
“Yeah?” his voice sounded raw.
“You’re supposed to hang up now.”
“Yeah, I know. Just give me a minute.”
I did.
I gave him two before I finally hit end call.
MY CONVERSATION WITH Trey stayed with me all the next day. He was worried... about me, about Remy coming around. But I couldn’t hide. I had a life. And I needed this job. So when the doorbell jangled and Remy strolled in, smirking, I rolled my shoulders back and refused to be intimidated.
“What do you want, Remy?” I sighed, my eyes flicking to the clock over on the far wall. Seven-fifteen. My shift ended in fifteen minutes. I was supposed to be meeting Trey at eight.
“Someone’s in a pissy mood.”
I glared at him. “Why are you here? This isn’t your turf.”
He leaned forward, propping himself on his fists, elbows on the counter. “What, you think just because you go to that fancy school and play with rich kids now that you’re better than me?”
“I don’t think I am, I know I am,” my voice trembled with indignation. “I would have never treated you the way you treated me. I was fourteen, and you—”
“I what, Kiera? We both know you were begging for it. Coming around my bedroom in those little shorts.”
My stomach knotted. “You need to leave, now.” My voice rose and I realized we were attracting attention.
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll make you.” Trey’s voice cut through the diner and my world slowed down, zeroing in on him standing in the door, looking pissed.
“Hmm, sweetie,” Kerri appeared. “We don’t want any trouble.”
“What do you want me to do?” I said, silently pleading with Trey to let it go. Remy was going to leave and then everything would go back to normal.
Except, Remy didn’t leave. He walked right over to Trey, his lip curled up in a sneer. “And who the fuck are you?”
The diner had fallen silent, the remaining few customers all watching Trey and Remy square up to one another. This was bad, really fucking bad. But I couldn’t move. I was rooted to the spot as I watched my past and present collide.
“You don’t need to worry about who I am.” Trey ground out. “All you need to worry about is getting the fuck out of here and never coming back.”
“Let me guess?” Remy sneered. “Boyfriend? No, that can’t be right, she was with another dude at the party. Maybe you just want in her panties? I can’t say that I blame you, man.” He closed the distance and mouthed something at Trey.
Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. The blood drained from Trey’s face, pain flashing in his eyes before he pulled back his arm and swung a fist right into Remy’s face. The crunch of bone-on-bone filled the diner and people gasped as Remy went down like a sack of bricks.
“Oh my god, Trey.” I rushed over to his side, grabbing his wrist, his hand still balled into a fist. Remy groaned on the floor, clutching his nose, blood spurting between his fingers. “What the fuck, man?”
Anger radiated off Trey, rippling in the air like ferocious waves. “Trey,” I said trying to get him to look at me, but he was glaring at Remy.
“If you ever come near her again, I’ll kill you.”
My hand flew to my mouth as customers began getting out their cell phones and filming. “Trey, you need to leave, right now. Before someone calls the cops.”
“Okay, boys,” Kerri swooped in, helping Remy to his feet, pressing a towel to his face. “Let’s all just calm down. Sweetie,” she said to me. “You should probably get your boyfriend out of here.” Her eyes widened with meaning.
“I... yeah, okay.”
“Don’t worry, sugar, I’ve got this. Just get him out of here.”
“Show’s over. Everyone gets free ice cream on the house,” she announced before leading Remy away to the back.
Trey was still vibrating with anger. Sliding my hand into his, I whispered, “Come on.”
He finally moved, dropping his head and leading me out of the diner. When we were outside, I said, “Do you have your truck?” He nodded, motioning across the street. “Wait in there for me while I go get my purse.”
“Kiera, I—” he said as I gripped the door handle to go back inside, but I cut him off.
“Don’t, Trey. We can talk later.”
And then I went inside.
Chapter 21
Trey
I uncurled and curled my fist. Over and over. Remembering how good it felt to smack that asshole in the face. I’d never really been a fighter. Not like Maverick who used to step into the ring and fight his demons. But I got it now. The bone-crunching satisfaction, the rush of adrenaline. Remy Barton was a disgusting piece of shit who had it coming.
And I didn’t regret a thing.
Okay, maybe I regretted laying him out in the middle of the diner and jeopardizing Kiera’s job.
Fuck, yeah, I regretted that.
But the rest? Not so much.
I’d known when I saw him yesterday something was up. Kiera had been too uptight, on guard. And it hadn’t taken much to figure out she was scared. It’s why I’d called her last night because I knew if he was back in town, he was probably at his mom’s place. It was too close for comfort and I could only imagine how Kiera felt knowing he was there, right next door.
The truck door swung open and Kiera climbed inside. “Okay, we can go. Kerri is going to explain everything to Sloane, the manager, and the free ice-cream smoothed things over with the customers.”
“And what about him?”
Kiera let out a heavy sigh. “He isn’t going to press charges if that’s what you mean? Kerri told him she saw him harassing me yesterday and tonight. If Remy knows what’s good for him, he won’t come around again.”
“But he’s staying with his mom?”
She shrugged, barely able to look at me. I leaned over, sliding my fingers beneath her jaw and tilting her face to mine. “Kiera...”
“Why did you do that?”
“Why did I punch him? Because he hurt you. When I think about what he did to you back then, it makes me want to kill him with my bare hands. You were just a kid, Kiera, and he took advantage of you.”
“You could have been arrested.”
“If you think I give a shit about what could have happened to me, then you seriously underestimate how I feel about you.” It was too soon for this, I saw it in the hesitation in her eyes. But Kiera needed to know I wasn’t walking away this time. I wasn’t going to cower because of the inevitable fall out of me loving her.
“You protect what’s yours, babe, and you’ve been mine since the day you walked into The Shack.”
A little gasp escaped her lips, but from her silence, I knew I’d rendered her speechless. I could live with that, for now. We had all night to confess our feelings. And if I got my way, we had all the nights after that too.
AFTER GETTING DRIVE-thru, I drove us to our spot at the beach. The sun was just beginning to set, painting a pink and orange streaked canvas across the ocean.
“Not hungry?” I eyed the untouched fries in Kiera’s lap.
“Not really.”
“I’m sorry I ruined our first date.” I’d wanted to take her out properly. Pick her up at her house with a bunch of flowers, open the truck door for her, and take her downtown for food. But all day, I’d fretted over Remy showing up again at the diner. Eventually, I parked up down the street and just sat and watched. Kiera was right; I’d entered full-on stalker mode. But if it meant knowing she was safe, I could live with it. So when I saw him head for the diner, I knew I’d done the right thing.
“It’s okay.” She gave me a half-smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She’d been quiet since we got here, too fucking quiet. I wanted to know what she was thinking—needed to know. But I also didn’t want to scare her off. I was coming on strong, I knew that.
�
��It’s not. But I’ll make it up to you. Name the time and place, and I’ll—”
“Trey, stop.”
Shit. I was screwing this up. Running a hand over my head and down the back of my neck, I blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m fucking this up.”
“What is this?” Kiera’s eyes searched mine. “Wanting to take me out, swooping in back there like my knight-in-shining-armor. I’m not weak, Trey. I don’t need you to save me.”
“Fuck, babe, that’s not... I wasn’t...” I balled up the burger wrapper and shoved it all in the brown paper bag, moving it out of the way. “I meant everything I said. I want you, Kiera. I have always wanted you.”
Her eyes fluttered as she sucked in a shaky breath. “Maybe we’re not supposed to get our happy ever after.” The sadness in her voice almost broke me, and I realized then, I’d hurt her far more than I thought. But it wasn’t just me, it was life.
Life had ground Kiera down. She truly believed she wasn’t good enough. For her mom, for her brother’s world, for Remy.
For me.
Every little doubt and insecurity she’d ever had about herself had been compounded when I’d hurt her.
I reached for her, sliding my palm against her skin. We’d come straight here, not stopping for Kiera to get changed. She was still wearing her Brownie’s uniform, her hair coated with an afternoon’s worth of diner grease. But it didn’t matter. I’d take her anyway I could get her. She tried to pull away, to break the connection between us.
“Trey, I don’t... I’m not...”
“You are enough, Kiera,” I said the words slowly to hammer home my point. I’d said them before to her, and then I’d proved to her she wasn’t. But back then, it hadn’t been about her. It had been about me. I’d been too worried about what people would say, how Kyle and Rick would react, what my old man would think. “You’ve always been enough.”
Tears welled in her eyes and I gently swiped at one as it rolled down her face. “I love you, babe. I love you so fucking much.” My gaze dropped to her lips, the air charged around us. Kiera felt it too; a slow blush creeped up her neck and into her cheeks.
“Take me home, Trey.”
My face must have betrayed me because an uncertain smile split her face. “No, I mean, come home... with me.”
“Y- yeah?” I barely got out the words over the lump in my throat.
“Yeah.” She kissed me. It was chaste and quick but so fucking perfect. “I need to get out of these clothes. I stink.”
I hooked my arm around her neck and nuzzled my face into her shoulder, mumbling, “You smell pretty perfect to me.”
I’D NEVER BEEN IN KIERA’S house before. But stepping over the threshold, I felt the shift between us. She took my hand and pulled me inside. “So, hmm, this is where I live.”
Sliding my arm around her waist, I yanked Kiera against my chest pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “Your mom is at work?”
“Yeah, she doesn’t get home until closing.”
“And what time is that again?”
“Midnight.”
Less than four hours. It wasn’t long enough. Not when I wanted forever with this girl. But I’d take it.
I’d take whatever I could get right now.
Kiera wiggled out of my arms and turned to face me. “I need to shower. You can hang out here or you can wait in my... bedroom.” Her eyes flashed with what I hoped was lust.
Fuck, I wanted it to be lust.
“Lead the way.” I grinned and her shoulders dropped with relief. Kiera offered me her hand and I followed her down the hall. With Callie it had always been expensive restaurants and exclusive bars. Boat trips with her pretentious friends. But it was nothing compared to burgers and fries in my truck with this girl.
We stopped outside a door and Kiera hesitated, so I covered her hand with mine and together we grabbed the handle and pushed. Stumbling inside, she laughed before turning in my arms. “This is my bedroom.”
But I couldn’t tear my eyes off the girl in front of me.
“What?” her breath caught.
“Nothing.” I smirked. “Go get showered and then we can talk.”
“Talk?” Her brows quirked up, her tone playful, and fuck, if it didn’t do crazy desperate things to me. But I wanted this to be on her terms, at her pace. I’d screwed up too many times where Kiera was concerned. I wanted this to be perfect. Even if it meant cuddling on the bed until her mom got home.
I dropped down on her bed. Her room was unapologetically Kiera. Some weird ass paint splatters covered the walls, peeking out beneath band posters and old movie posters. Her bed cover was a deep purple ombre effect. There were no cuddly toys or dolls or any of that girly shit some girls liked to keep from their childhood, and she had barely any photos of her friends or family.
It was the bedroom of a girl who was sad but strong. A girl who struggled to let people in, but when she did, she did with complete honesty. It was quiet chaos, everything in its rightful place. And I might have only been here for two minutes, but I knew it was my new favorite place.
“I’ll be right back.” Kiera smiled at me from the door. “Try not to get into trouble while I’m gone.”
My lip tugged up. “I think I can manage.”
But as I watched her disappear into the hall, I knew it was too late.
I was already in deep trouble.
I was ass over elbow in love with her. And I no longer gave a fuck who knew it.
Fifteen minutes later, Kiera came back into the room dressed in a pair of loose-fitting shorts and a black tank top. Her pink hair hung over one shoulder in damp waves. I knew I was staring; I knew I was sporting a semi, but I was so past caring.
“You look like you’re going to pounce on me any second.” She slung the towel over the back of the desk chair and hovered at the edge of the bed.
“Maybe I am.” I swung my legs down and hooked my hand around her waist, drawing her closer. Kiera stared down at me as if she couldn’t quite believe I was here, in her room, on her bed.
“It’s real,” I said, and she frowned.
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“Because I know you, Kiera.” My thumb rubbed the slither of skin on display. “I know how you think.”
“Is that right?” Her brow shot up.
“Like right now, you’re thinking this is moving too fast. You’re worrying if you let yourself be with me, you’ll regret it when the sun comes up. You’re scared I’ll hurt you again.” Linking our hands together, I brought her wrist to my mouth and pressed a kiss there.
“I am not.” She huffed indignantly and it was my turn to frown. Kiera smiled. “Okay, maybe, just a little bit.”
“I’m not going to screw this up again, Kiera. I mean it.”
“It’s that simple, huh?”
“It is if you want it to be.” A beat of silence passed. “What do you want?”
“I... I want this.” She swallowed. “But I’m scared, Trey.”
I pulled her down on my lap, tucking her legs over mine, my arm curled around her waist. “I won’t hurt you again.”
Kiera pressed her head to mine, breathing in deeply. “I want to believe you, I do, but after everything—”
“I’m here,” I said. “Kiera, I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.” I kissed the corner of her mouth. “I hate that it wasn’t me.” I kissed her again. “It should have been me.”
I should have been with her at Prom. I should have been the one erasing that motherfucker’s touch from her psyche. It should have been me loving her, showing her how good it could be.
But it wasn’t.
And I’d never forgive myself for that.
Kiera looped her arms around my neck, anchoring me closer. “I didn’t have sex with Jack,” she whispered as if she knew exactly what I was thinking, the words like a gentle breeze over my skin.
“What?” I jerked away, needing to see her expression, the sincerity in her eyes.
“I almost did it,” she breathed the words. “After Prom. But he started touching me... and it felt wrong. Because even though I thought you were engaged, even though I knew you would never be mine, I wanted it to be you. It was always you, Trey.”
Fuck.
My heart beat so hard in my chest I thought I might pass out.
She’d waited... for me.
It was more than I deserved. But I wouldn’t squander this opportunity to love her, to show her just how much she meant to me.
“I love you, Kiera Lessinger. I’ve loved you since you were fifteen and I was a guy who didn’t know what love was.”
Her breath caught in her throat as she traced my face with her forefinger. “I love you too. So fucking much, it terrifies me.”
Leaning in, I touched my head to hers, breathing her in, letting the weight of our confessions settle deep in my bones. “We can be scared together then, because I’m not walking away again. I hope you know that. I hope you know that no matter what happens with Kyle and Rick or your mom or my dad, you’re stuck with me.”
She laughed, and the sound was so fucking glorious I wanted to bottle it and keep it forever.
“They’re going to be so mad.” Kiera buried her face in my shoulder.
“Kyle, yeah, but I wouldn’t be so sure about Maverick. Something tells me Lo is working on getting him in our corner.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She lifted her face, pressing her lips against mine, stealing a kiss and the air in my lungs. “I won’t let them ruin this. Not this time. I’ve waited too long for you, Trey.”
Kiera kissed me again, only this time it was different. It wasn’t cautious or gentle. It was confident, with just the right amount of pressure; her lips fitting against mine as if we’d been kissing for a lifetime. My fingers slid into her hair and I angled her head back to kiss her deeper. Sliding my tongue against hers in long lazy strokes.
“I want you, Trey,” she whispered against my lips. “I want you so much.”
I’d been waiting to hear those three words forever.
Breaking the kiss, I lifted Kiera off my lap and stood up. Her eyes sparkled with love and lust as she stepped back and started pulling the tank top off her body. She was fucking perfect. Her tanned skin smooth and flawless. The black bra teasing me of things to come.
