“It’s really okay, Fred. I want to head out before it gets dark.” It’s just after six and I know it’s going to be dark within the next twenty minutes.
“Don’t argue, sweetheart.” His graying eyebrows dip low, waiting for me to agree. Knowing it’s not going to get me anywhere, I let out a sigh and pull up a spot at the counter. “Good girl,” he says then turns, too happy with himself.
It’s been three months since the day Beau dropped me off with Larry and Mary. After staying with them for a week, I was moved to Kansas where I lived in a shelter for nine weeks until my cast could come off and I had some strength back in my arm. From there, I finally was able to head out on my own. I hopped on a bus and traveled east, wanting to be as far away from Chad as possible. This small town in Ohio wasn’t meant to be a stopping spot for me, but after a mix-up with getting on the wrong bus, I ended up here and decided to settle down. At least for a while.
“We need to talk about you walking home alone at night.” Fred pulls me out of my head.
“I told you, I can look after myself.” I try to shut it down before it goes anywhere. Fred is a good guy and means well. When I first walked into his diner looking for a job, I felt a connection to him, almost like I knew I had ended up there just so I could know him. That’s not to say he didn’t scare me, the military vibe I got off him, the way he saw past the bullshit lies I fed him to get the job, it made me hold back a little. But then his wife, Carly, walked in, took one look at me and hired me on the spot, even without reading my resume. Since then, both of them have welcomed me into their life like a long lost friend.
“Carly’s brother holds these self-defense classes down at the gym. Now that you’re settled in, I think you should find yourself at some of them. I’d feel a whole lot better knowing you’re protected.” He continues to push the subject. He does it a lot. Push the subject. At first it didn’t sit right with me, the bossiness almost reminding me too much of Chad, but then I realized it came from such a different place.
“Fred I—” I begin to argue, but I know it’s hopeless.
“No, you listen to me. I don’t know your past, or what you’re hiding from, but I knew the second you walked in here you had a story. I see the way you jump at loud noises, how you’re always keeping your eye on the door. Now, I’m not asking you to share, though I hope one day you do, so I know how to be prepared in case someone comes around, but until then you need to protect yourself, sweetheart.”
I don’t say anything, not sure there really is anything to say. I thought I was doing a good job at pretending I was okay. Clearly, I’m not.
“Just give it some thought. In the meantime, I want you to keep this on your body.” He reaches behind his back, pulls out a small handgun and places it in my hand. The cold metal stings my skin and I have to force myself not to recoil.
“Fred this—” I stop when I see him shake his head.
“Do you know how to shoot?” I nod, remembering the few times Heidi took me out to the shooting range back home. It was the first time she saw the aftermath of Chad’s rage. When I refused to leave, she made me learn how to shoot.
“Then take it. Humor an old man and get Carly off my back.” I want to hand it back, tell him I don’t need it because there is no way Chad is going to find me, but I don’t because a small part of me knows I’ll never be safe.
“Until I start those self-defense classes,” I agree, placing the gun in my bag.
His grin grows before he gives me a wink and then turns back to the kitchen, intent on trying to feed me.
I sink back in my chair, annoyed and maybe a little disappointed in myself. Not because I just agreed to take self-defense classes or even because I took the gun. Those things would keep me safe. No, I was disappointed because the one rule I gave myself when I arrived here was to not let anyone in.
I’ve failed. Fred and Carly are in, whether I like it not.
I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite me later.
Twenty-Four
Beau
“Thanks for inviting me. I had such a good time.” Kenzie wraps her arms around Kelly and pulls her in for a quick hug.
“I’m glad you had a good night.” Kelly pulls back and starts talking about some shopping shit for next week.
It’s just after midnight, and I received the text from Jesse twenty minutes ago saying the girls were wrapping their night up.
“Any trouble?” I turn to Jesse, interrupting his conversation with Nix.
“Just some creeper hanging around. She said it was nothing, but she looked a bit spooked.” I turn back and watch Kadence say her goodbye. She would tell us if it was anything to do with Chad.
“You get a look at him?”
“Yeah, but didn’t ring any bells. It didn’t seem like she knew him.” I catalog the information to talk to her about it later.
“Okay. We’re out,” I say to them both, done with hanging around. I’ve been sitting around the club with the boys shooting the shit waiting for the girls to be done. Now they’re done, I’m ready to head the fuck home.
“You ready, darlin’?” I step forward, dip my head low and whisper in her ear. She nods, but doesn’t speak.
“Night, ladies.” I spin us around and head back through the clubhouse to the front door. Kenzie gives one last wave over her shoulder before turning back. “Did you have a good night?” I ask wrapping my arm around her as I steer her out to my bike.
“Yeah,” is all she says, stepping up to my bike and reaching for her helmet.
“You okay?” I place my hand under her chin and force her to look up at me.
“Just tired.” She pulls back and diverts her eyes.
The fuck?
Something about her reaction isn’t sitting well with me, but I don’t push, wanting to get us safely home.
“Then let’s take you home, darlin’.” I climb on and wait for her to slide forward. It only takes a short second for her to wrap herself around me close. I start my bike, rev the throttle a few times before taking off.
The whole ride has my mind trying to figure out what the hell is up her ass. By the time we pull up to the front of my house, my unease only grows when she slides off and heads straight toward the door.
“Kenzie, what the fuck is going on?” I call out as she steps up onto the porch. She doesn’t answer this time. Pushing her key into the lock, she steps inside, leaving me standing there.
Climbing off my bike, I take the steps two at a time. I follow her inside, down the hall and into my room.
“The fuck? What the hell is up your ass, darlin’?” I try to rack my brain trying to figure out what could have upset her in the last few hours.
Lissy?
“You have words with Lissy tonight?” I ask, watching her step out of her sexy-as-fuck heels. Her body reacts to Lissy’s name and I zone in on it.
“What the fuck happened? If she spewed her shit—”
“She just wanted to clear the air. That’s it.” She pushes past me and moves to the bathroom.
“This why you’re pissy?” I follow behind her, still not getting it. Apparently, I didn’t make it clear just how much Lissy is not on my fucking radar.
“I’m not pissy. Can you just leave me alone? I told you I’m tired. Keep pushing me and it’s only going to piss me off.” She stops at the door, preventing me from entering. I hold her stare, and honestly it’s written all over her face. This is so much bigger than Lissy.
“Don’t fucking shut down on me now, darlin’.” She recoils, her head snapping back at my voice, but she only looks blankly up at me.
“Beau, I told you nothing happened. I’m just tired.” She forces some fake bullshit smile then reaches for the door. Attempting to shut it.