Page 59 of Coastal Runaway

Throwing some stunts in the field house. What’s up?

I chuckled at the changed contact in my phone. I didn’t notice Keegan changed it after I told her that it was me and Nolan’s nickname for her after she ran away.

Stay there.

I grabbed my keys and wallet before turning back to Maeve, “Thanks for telling me.”

She simply winked and headed back out to the pool.

I sped to campus as fast I could, and prayed that I didn’t get pulled over. I pulled into the parking lot of the field house, the car barely stopped before I was out and running inside. I spotted Keegan immediately.

It was like I could sense her as soon as we were in the same radius. She was in the middle of a tumbling run when I shouted her name. Distracted, she lost her footing and landed with a thud.

I ran up to her side and slid to my knees, “Oh god, I’m sorry, are you okay?” I checked her all over for injuries.

She giggled, “I’m fine, but don’t you know it's bad form to startle someone when they’re upside down?” She reached up and ran a thumb over the crease between my eyebrows, “what’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” I blurted.

“You already said that,” She laughed as she sat up.

“No. I’m sorry. I had no idea you overheard Nolan and I in the kitchen the morning after the graduation party.” Her face fell and she hugged her knees.

“It’s in the past.” She wouldn’t look me in the eyes.

I placed my fingers under her chin and lifted until her gaze met mine, “you don’t get it baby, I didn't mean what I said.”

“What?” She whispered, “but I heard you. I heard you tell Nolan that I was begging for it. I turned and left before you could both laugh at me more.”

“Well, if you had stayed, you would have heard us laughing because what I said was ridiculous. You would’ve heard me tell him that I’m in love with you.”

“You were?”

“I was. I am. I’m so in love with you Keegan Kelly. I have been in love with you for as long as I can remember.”

She sucked in a breath as her eyes started to water. A single tear fell down her cheek and I swiped at it with the pad of my thumb.

“I love you too,” she whispered.

I grabbed her cheeks with both of my hands and kissed her deeply. She opened her mouth for me and my tongue swept inside. The kiss was sensual, and downright sinful.

Keegan pulled away suddenly, “I left you.”

I laughed, “Trust me, I know. I was there.”

“I’m sorry. I panicked.”

I stood and reached down for her hand to pull her to her feet, “I know Tig, it’s okay. I’m just relieved that the truth is out there now.”

We shared a knowing look. The truth was far from out there.

With Keegan finished with her practice, she grabbed her bag and I walked her to her Jeep.

“Can we go for a drive?” She peered up at me.

I opened the passenger door for her and gestured for her to get in, “where to?”

“Santa Monica.” Her glassy eyes met mine.