Page 6 of Keel

When they were on the aisle with cookies, he picked up a package of chocolate chip cookies after watching her walk past, eyeing the package. He grabbed the meat he would need and put some in the basket for her.

At checkout, she tried to give him some money, but he told her to keep it. He was going to force food on her, and that was the end of the story. She might think he was a dick for making her take food, but he would be a dick about this.

Sure enough, at her apartment, she told him she couldn’t take the food he wanted to leave at her place. He placed his hands on the counter and met her gaze.

“Listen, Frankie, I know you don’t have much. Just take the food and come out to the beach with me so I can tell you the story I promised you.”

Frankie’s lips thinned, and she wanted to tell him to fuck off, but she was starving and wanted the chocolate chip cookies like she wanted air.

“Okay. But this story had better be good.”

“It will be. Now put on some beach clothes and meet me outside.”

Frankie didn’t know what he meant by beach clothes, but she dreaded wearing a short-sleeved shirt. The bruises showed the history of Forest’s anger.

She peeled off her sweats and looked down at the splotches splashed across her calves and thighs. The pain was as deep as the color. When Forest had pulled out the police baton and gone after her, it was the impetus for her to run.

She couldn’t hide forever. Keel had seen the bruises on her face and neck, and yet he hadn’t said anything. Maybe he wouldn’t say anything about the marks on her legs.

She kept her sweatshirt on to hide the worst of the bruises and pulled on a pair of capris. She looked beachy enough.

A knock sounded on her door, and instead of opening it, she looked out the peephole, shock pulsing through her. She opened the door, her mouth agape.

“What in the world are you wearing?”

Keel glanced down and shrugged. “What are you talking about? It’s beachwear.”

She shook her head. “You know nothing about fashion and color matching. Oh my God, I think I’m going blind just looking at you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Stop being dramatic. This is perfect for the beach.”

“How do you think those neon green board shorts with pink flamingos and ducks on them are okay to wear with that pastel purple shirt and yellow flip-flops?”

“Come on, I have chairs and a picnic.”

“We just ate breakfast.”

“I’m on vacation. Don’t spoil my fun.”

She rolled her eyes as she pulled her door shut. If she were on the beach in Malibu or the Hamptons, she would be so embarrassed walking beside him. But that part of her life was over. She’d made the decision to leave that all behind when she left Forest.

They were on the beach in minutes. Keel set the chairs up in the sun. “If it’s too warm, we can move under the boardwalk into the shade.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m usually cold, anyway.” It was probably because she weighed almost nothing. Forest had restricted her calorie intake. After a while, she almost got used to not eating. It had been over a year since she’d had a period, and that was nice. Not having to deal with that crap was one of the upsides of being super skinny to the point of malnourishment.

There were times she snuck food. Not in every instance, but about a quarter of the time, Forest would find out and beat her. She was done with that now. She would never get into another relationship again. It was too dangerous.

“Do you drink beer?” Keel asked.

“No. I don’t drink.” Drying out and getting sober had given her the courage to leave.

“Cool. I packed a few bottles of water in the cooler.”

“Seriously, how did you carry so much? Are you a pack mule in your day job?”

He threw his head back, and there was more laughter that was infectious. It had been a long while since she’d laughed, really laughed, not the fake shit she did because Forest would be pissed if she didn’t laugh at his stupid jokes.

“So this story, the one you brought me out here for, are you going to tell it to me since I have to sit beside you and withstand that hideous getup you’re wearing?”