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“Fuck you,” I said. “You’re an asshole.”
I turned and ran to the front of the house, opening the front door and slamming it on my way out. I dropped to the front step, hands covering my eyes, and began to cry. I can’t believe Conor just said that he thinks I’m weak, that I can’t take care of myself.
10
RYAN
“Fuck, Conor. Did you really just say that?” I asked, looking over at Conor and slamming my fist to the table.
“Shit, I didn’t mean that. I’m so fucking mad that I just spit it out. I want her home. I want her here. I want to make sure she’s safe,” Conor said defeated.
I pushed out of my chair and looking around the table I said, “I got her. Let me talk to her.”
Finn, who said nothing while Kenna was sitting at the table, looked up. “If anyone could talk to her about this, it’s you.”
I squeezed both Finn and Conor’s shoulder as I walked by. They know I love them, and I would do anything for Kenna. They are my everything. I took a few deep breathes as I made my way to the front porch seeing her through the window sitting on the top step with her hands burying her face. I quietly closed the door and made my way to her wanting so badly to wrap her up in my arms and keep her there. That was not an option, so I placed my hand on her delicate shoulder and sat beside her.
“Kenna, he didn’t mean it. He’s just worried about you. Conor and Finn both love you and want only the best for you,” I said in a low voice.
She didn’t lift her face to look at me just kept it buried in her hands. I could hear the faintest sniffle telling me she was crying. I lowered my hand from her shoulder to her back wanting to pull her closer to me, but I stopped myself and slowly rubbed my hand up and down her back.
“Want me to take you back to Chrissy’s” I asked. “Maybe, try for dinner another night.”
I know her, her whole life she has been a stubborn smartass, there was no way she was going back in there to face her brothers.
If I were not looking so closely, I would’ve missed her nodding her head in response. “Come on, I will take.”
It was a silent drive back to Chrissy’s which was fine with me I needed to pull myself together and not drag her home with me to keep her safe. I parked the truck and jumped out to run to the other side.
When I got there Kenna being Kenna was already out of the truck. At that moment with the moonlight now shining and her eyes glossy from tears I had to, I had to touch her. I cautiously placed my hand on her arm and then with a mind of its own it slid down and into her hand.
We walked without saying a word. Finally, when we reached the door, she glanced up at me. “Thank you, Ryan, there was no way I was going back in there.”
Damn.I just winked at her letting her know I knew she wasn’t.I fucking winked at her.Jesus, what’s wrong with me?A fucking wink. I’m pathetic.
When she turned to open the door, I did something I knew I should not do I grabbed her arm. Kenna pulled hard out of my soft grip and swung around.
I quickly put both hands in the air. “I’m sorry, so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
At that moment I saw the fear in her eyes that quickly turned to sadness. I took a step back and said, “I would never hurt you, Kenna, never.”
“I know you wouldn’t I ju—”
She didn’t finish the statement she just stared straight ahead at me. When I found out what happened to Kenna I thought about the time frame and something came to my mind.
“Kenna, when did he hit you?” I asked but she didn’t answer me she just looked into my eyes and then down to her feet. I softly grabbed her by the chin and lifted her to face me. “Kenna, when did he hit you?” I asked again dreading the answer.
It was soft but I heard her say, “Friday morning.”
She knew at that moment that I knew why he had hit her.
“It was my text, wasn’t it?” I asked.
“It is over now. It doesn’t matter. I’m home, far away from him,” she stated firmly.
I stepped closer to her. “It was my text . . .”
I wasn’t asking this time.
