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She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Well, I’m here if you need it. Anytime.”
“I know. Thanks, Hads. Things are just…”
“Complicated?” she asks with a knowing glint in her eye.
“Yeah. Something like that.”
She squeezes my hand. “If it’s meant to be, then it will be.” She smiles once more before disappearing into the crowd.
I stay where I am, downing a little more of the vodka before wandering through the house to see what trouble I can find—or more specifically, who’ll be the first to offer me a joint. But as I step into the dining room, I find two fig
ures in the shadows. I recognize them instantly and freeze in the doorway, hoping that neither of them see me.
Kennedy’s small body crashes back against the wall as an oomph falls from her lips.
Not wanting to get caught watching them, I step from the room, lifting the bottle that’s still in my hand to my lips.
After only a few seconds, footsteps rush my way before Kenny emerges from the room. Before I know what I’m doing, I wrap my hand around her upper arm and turn her to face me.
“What—” My words falter at the tears pooled in her eyes. “Shit.”
With her arm still in my grasp, I pull her from the house and into the trees at the bottom of Nate’s backyard.
“Is he hurting you?” I bark, not bothering with any of the pleasantries that would probably be appropriate for how many months have passed since we breathed the same air.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her voice cracks, giving her away. Not that I need it to. I’ve always been able to read her, and right now she’s lying through her teeth.
“Don’t fucking lie to me, Kenny,” I shout, making her cower a little, and the bottle that was in my hand shatters against one of the trees behind her.
“I-I’m n-not,” she whimpers.
I step up to her and she takes one back, her eyes locked on the dirt beneath our feet, not willing to allow herself to show me everything she knows I’ll be able to read in her eyes.
“Kenny,” I warn, although my voice comes out softer this time. It has the desired effect; her eyes find mine.
She still feels the pull that was always between us, I can see it as I stare at her. I can feel it tugging me closer to her.
“You’re lying to me. Why?”
“You need to go, Conner. If he…”
“If he what?”
She shakes her head. “It’s nothing. This isn’t your life anymore. You shouldn’t even be here.”
“Yeah, well, I am. I’m here now, so tell me the fucking truth. Is he hurting you?”
Her lips slam closed, and she once again looks away from me.
Reaching out, I cup her cheek, forcing her eyes back to mine as I wipe my thumb over the makeup covering her bruise.
She winces, and it guts me that she’s in pain.
“He did this, didn’t he?” I stare into her eyes, desperate for her to give me the truth, just once.
Her lids lower, severing our connection before she nods just once.
I don’t recognize the roar that rips from my throat at her confirmation. My knuckles connect with the tree trunk she’s leaning against, but I don’t feel anything. I’m numb, lost to the fury at knowing that motherfucker dared to lay a finger on her.
